Life is starting to improve.

We have had Zoe for just over a week now, and things are starting to settle down a bit. Zoe sleeps through the night without whining to go out every 1-2 hours (seriously, it was really bad!) and the girls are getting more comfortable playing with her. AND, potty training is going pretty well. We are somewhat paranoid of having to clean up a mess on our carpet, so we take her out frequently, and that helps a lot! If only Zoe knew the difference between her toys and the girls toys. I had to pull one of the girls socks from her throat the other day. That got my heart racing! I think she was playing with it, but had inhaled it. You could tell she was losing air because she gasped a bit after I pulled it out. Yeah, I pretty much saved her life! Just jokin'!

We bought a HUGE crate for Zoe to sleep in. We were told that you want to put a box in the back of the crate when they are small puppies because if they have too much room, they may "relieve" themselves in there and then it is not such a pleasant place to stay. So, we did, thinking that she would lay on the pad in front of the box. But our little Zoe had other plans. She sleeps on top of the box as if it is her throne.




Sam is actually disciplining Zoe here, but it looks like they are shaking hands, as if they are best of friends!


Look! The 2 people that dislike the dog the most, are playing with her. And I think that Jocelyn may even be smiling!


The girls in their new matching jammies.

Update

Wow!

I have a 26 month old, an 11 month old, and an 8 week old.

Need I say more?

I love our new puppy, I will say that right off, but she has definitely changed the way our family works. Zoe has been really, a pretty good girl, but she is still all puppy.

Jenna has enjoyed her and enjoys even more being her boss and saying "no" to her. I don't know how many times I have told her, "Jenna, she is sleeping, don't tell her no!" Seriously, Zoe blinks and Jenna is scolding her. Jenna does well with her though, runs around with her and gives her toys.

Now Jocelyn, well that is a whole different story. She isn't happy about the new thing taking over her house, her play room, and her mommy. This is what gets very difficult because I can't put her down without Zoe jumping on her or licking her which sends her into a screaming fit. And as most people know, it is quite impossible to make dinner one-handed. This presents a huge problem.

Sam, well, he is just not a big dog fan, so we will update you on him in another month! :-) No really, I did catch him out of the corner of my eye running around the backyard with her. I had to sit down for a minute because I almost went into shock! And he has been picking up the many landmines that have attacked our yard. Sam does think she is pretty cute and sweet...when she is sleeping.

And I, of course, love her because I have always wanted my own dog, and a big one for that matter. I am looking forward to the days when she responds to her name, doesn't nip at our feet, furniture, or carpet, doesn't piddle on our floors, or chew on the girls toys, you know, I am looking forward to her non-puppy days. Is that asking too much?

Oh, and I should say, our babysitters (Amy, my mom, and Sam's mom) have been absolutely wonderful in taking care of Zoe as well as the girls. We realize that this is a huge favor that isn't easily repayable. Thanks guys! :-)

Milestones

Jocelyn turned 11 months old today and a milestone took place. She began walking! She took 5 steps all by herself! She was quite proud! She has been standing on her own for awhile now, but hasn't done more than walking along the couch, etc. until today. I caught her out of the corner of my eye a little later, walking through the middle of the livingroom, so she may have had taken more than 5 steps!

Another milestone in the McCoy family is that we brought Zoe home tonight. She was Belle, but we re-named her. She has been really calm which has been nice, but you can tell she misses her mommy and her siblings. Hopefully it goes okay tonight! I will update you later, but for now, you can enjoy this cute picture. She has grown so much in 2 weeks! And if you could only see her paws...she is definitely going to fulfill the "Great" part of her name. :-)

The new addition to our family

We got a Great Dane!
I have been wanting a dog for our whole married life and my patience (although that's not necessarily what Sam calls it) has paid off! Belle (the name given by the breeders) will be joining us at the end of this week. We are still working on a new name for her. She is super cute and we think she will do well with the girls. More pictures will come after she officially joins us.

Just some pictures

Not much to mention today, but here are some cute pictures of the girls. (Have you ever seen any that weren't cute? I didn't think so!)

Jocelyn eating her first "big-girl" food rather than pureed vegetables, etc.

Now she gets chicken and broccoli

Jenna saying "cheese please" as she always does when the camera comes out

Jocelyn contemplating something important while wearing daddy's hat

What can I say?

Jenna sliding

Jenna going down the slide, head-first, in the middle of a freak wind-storm.

Proud planters we are! :-)

Sam and I wanted to show of our arrangement of plants we put together for our pots sitting at our front door. Isn't the Calla Lily beautiful?

Anyone have a chew toy?

Jocelyn has been known to move around and play, while carrying something in her mouth at all times. Her are a few pictures that demonstrate it: