Oh, November

Oy vey....

November has been a forever long month packed FULL of lifetime changes.  So much has happened this month I hardly know where to begin.

For starters (naturally)....our little peanut pumpkin turned one.  *tear*

Have some, Daddy!

Hahaa...I love this picture.  Girl loves her cake, just like her mama!

Her birthday was so special!  I spent much of the days leading up to her birthday reminiscing about those final days before she arrived and how anxious and scared and excited we were! Thinking about how I felt the day my water broke and recalling her labor!   Remembering how it felt to be pregnant, which....by the way...I truly miss!  Everything about this past year has been incredible!  Her daddy and I say on a daily basis how lucky we are to be her parents.  She is such a good little girl with a great disposition!  We are, without a doubt, blessed!

During the month of November our little one has perfected the art of walking.  She still has her wobbly moments and relies heavily on crawling, but she is capable of walking (not that neither her Nannie or Nana ever allow her tiny feet to touch the ground).  Our little lady also said a very final and happy (for Mommy and Daddy's wallet) good-bye to formula!  We are strictly whole milk!  Now...if we could just get her used to drinking her milk out of a sippy cup! 

This year we spent Thanksgiving with Brandon's folks up near Chicago.  We had a wonderful trip and tried to soak in as much Nannie and Papi time as possible.  Wednesday through Saturday morning Josie had her Nannie and Papi all to her self....and it was fantastic (although we missed the rest of the family)!  On Thanksgiving, Nannie made a delicious meal that we ALL enjoyed, even Jo.

Nannie gave her a little plate, piled high with stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, turkey, green beans and sweet potatoes.  Josie used her spoon and fed herself, then moved onto the more age appropriate- shoving handfuls of food in her mouth.  She loved it.  I swear every time I turned around last week she was eating.  I guarantee she gained a pound in the 4 days we were in IL.  For a little girl who barely broke 19 pounds by her first birthday....that's a lot of weight in only a few days! 

And finally (I won't touch on this long) earlier this month we had to say good-bye to our sweet dog, Noah.  He was the most amazing dog.  Loyal, gentle, smart (sooo smart), sweet and funny.  If any dog EVER had personality, it was Noah.  It was tough to say good-bye and let go, but it was the very best thing for him.  He will be missed (and is missed daily).  Until I see him again.....No dog could ever compare...and I am glad!  We love you, Noah. 

I am currently working on getting our house ready for Christmas.  We will be doing lots of decorating this year.  I am looking forward to taking Josie to see Santa (which I am certain will end in tears).  We are so excited for the holidays!  So much to do!  Brandon's family will be in town for Christmas!  We will all be together and although I know it will be CRAZY CHAOTIC, it will also be so much fun. 

My very first "baby"

About 2 months ago we learned that my sweet dog, Noah, had lymphoma.  I was a complete wreck when learning this news.  Noah has been an amazing dog since day 1.  He's smart, and strong, but totally gentle.  He's cuddly and a complete coward (most of the time)...but that's why I love him.  Once a leaf fell from a tree while we were at the park and it nearly scared the doggie pants off of him.  True story.

Noah has been by my side through good and bad, and like most good dogs, he has always been stubbornly loyal!  He may play fetch with any stranger, but don't be mistaken, he's a mama's boy through and through.  We have a bond I didn't know dogs and owners had, until I had a dog of my own.  I guess this is what has made this so hard.  I have to make decisions that are good for Noah, not for me.  Selfishly...I want to make the decision that mean I get more time with Noah. But, being a good doggie mama means sometimes making the toughest of choices...... and about 4 weeks ago we chose to stop his chemo treatments.  The vets initially told us we might have anywhere from 2-6 months with him before the cancer came back and made him sick again. 

Noah returned to the vet today as he had a rough week.  We think our time with this sweet and amazing dog might be drawing to a close.  I imagine we only have a matter of weeks and my heart breaks.  Obviously I never assumed it would be easy to say good bye, I just never imagined it would be so hard. 

Here are a few pictures of my very first baby!  The sweetest creature who initially taught me a little about responsibility!  I sure hope his journey to the rainbow bridge is pain free and peaceful!  And full of love!  I will certainly be meeting him there one day with a ball in hand! 

We love you, Noah.  I silently pray all the time you know that.  Josie thinks you are funny and laughs at you often.  You are so gentle with her...and I can tell you adore her!  You are loved...by all of us and basically all who have ever met you!  Thank you for being a good boy!  Always!