Halloween Hangman

If you are bored at work today,
enjoy!
http://www.dedge.com/flash/hangman/hangman.swf

Quick update, before the longer one

I am really tired tonight, as I am still recovering from a busy weekend. We "tried" carving pumpkins tonight and even did some work in the yard, so I do have fun pictures of these events as well as a busy weekend at home with all the family including Katie and Johnny. But for now I will just say that I think that my cat is pulling through. I was so frustrated by the end of last week, as he was still vomiting and had urinated a few times in my house that I really thought I was going to have to put him down last Friday, or at least today. However, I enclosed him in a bathroom with his bed, food, and his litter box for the two days that we were gone and came home to what seems to be a healthier cat! I even weighed him today and he was 9 lbs, so has even gained some weight.

We'll see how the rest of the week goes. I am still not allowing him into my bedroom, as that is where the pee accidents have occurred. I love my bed too much to see it ruined by my cat.
For those of you who are sick of hearing about my cat, I apologize, but it was definitely the main focus in my household last week and all I really had to update about. Now that Tim is home, we can get "somewhat" back to normal around here, until his next hunting excursion, and I can actually talk about good things rather than bad.

And for those of you who called and emailed after my depressing posts, thanks for being so concerned. I think the benefits of being part of the blogging world is that I can have a place to vent and get it off my chest, yet I sometimes forget how many people regularly check the website. I didn't mean for it to sound like a pity party, however I have to say that no matter what the "Theme" of my party is, I sure throw a damn good one!

My Sweetheart

I am extremely emotional right now. I think it's a combination of Tim being gone for the week, and although I am not one to be scared while home alone, I just really depend on the adult conversation and companionship my marriage gives to me! So the days seem to be a little longer knowing that nobody is walking in the door around 6, and with Teague being so sick, I guess I'm just kind of a puddle right now. I have been fighting tears all day.

It's amazing as when I would find myself down and out before Gage was born, my cat seemed to know just when I was feeling low, and up on my lap he would crawl, and purr, and cuddle up to me giving me all the love in the world. Now that it's my cat that is the one causing me to feel so sad, it's my SON that has taken on this role. It's not like I've been sitting here bawling all day, or even crying at all in front of him, but I'm sure he can sense that mommy didn't seem like herself today.

Tonight after his bath, he was just the sweetest little button. Ever. I think I read 3 different books to him about 3 times each. And for each book, he just sat on my lap, pointing to the pictures, jabbering, and listening so intently. I think I said, "Okay, this is the last book and then it's time for bed" about 6 times! After the 3rd reading of the third book ("Time For Bed little mouse little mouse") I finally stuck to my guns and starting walking down the hall to his bedroom. I always have his crib buddies say goodnight to him and give him kisses on the cheeks (this would be Mr. Monk--who's a monkey--, Mr. Big Bear and Mr. Little Bear. I'm a creative one, aren't I?) and he just giggled tonight when I did that. He just let me rub his cheeks and give him kisses, and never fussed one bit. As I was walking out the door, my eyes were welling up with tears, as they sometimes do because I will never get over the overwhelming feeling of being a parent, Gage said softly, "Bub-bye". When I turned to look at him before turning off his light, he was just laying there smiling at me.

I think he knows when his momma is sad. And I'm sure he misses Tim as well. I will never be able to fully express in words how absolutely blessed I feel having him in my life. He is the best thing to ever happen to me, and he is the sweetest little guy I have ever known.

Teague update

Well, he is still sick. I'm getting kind of nervous, as the vet said on Friday that about 50% of cats with this specific liver issue (guess it's not all that uncommon in cats?) pull through and completely recover, and the other half doesn't make it. (I think I may have said that in my last post). Anyhow, he said the biggest thing was to make sure he eats--a lot--in the next couple of days, as well as to drink a lot of water to wash the excess bile out of his system (hence the jaundice). Well, he is really not eating anything other than a bite here and there, and I can't get him to drink much water. Therefore, I'm beginning to get a little worried that he is not going to be in the positive 50%.

I will find out more on Tuesday if there is anything ELSE wrong with him, or any specific reason as to why his liver is not working. What really sucks is that Tim is gone all week, so it makes dealing with this all the more difficult as I'm without adult conversation and may have to make all decisions on my own. Yeah, Tim is on his annual goose hunting trip in North Dakota...
sucks.

Poor Teaguey-Pops

My 6-year-old cat, Teague (aka Teaguey-pops) is very, very sick. Tim has mentioned to me several times throughout the past month that he looks like he has been losing weight. I think I was hoping that it was just a phase and that it would pass. Since we've moved out into the country, he has become as much of an outdoor cat as an indoor one. Throughout the past summer, he spent anywhere from 5-7 hours of the day outdoors, only coming in to eat and to sleep. So, I figured he was just running around a lot, losing weight due to being more active.

Well, I finally got knocked out of denial today when I came back into my bedroom after grabbing my first cup of coffee of the day and noticed our comforter covered in a very dark yellow urine stain. Seems he relieved himself on our bed...

This is not like him at all. The ONLY times he has peed anywhere other than outside or the litter box has been when he has been sick. The color of the urine wasn't normal this time either, and I decided that I should finally weigh him. Although I'm not 100% sure of what his weight was before we moved in June, I would guess that he was around 13-14 pounds. Maybe a little more. He was a typical fat, lazy housecat. One that had the gut sagging near to the ground.

He weight 7.5 lbs. today.

So, very sick. I took him to the vet and a huge bill later, we've found out that there may be something wrong with his liver. Seems that Teague has a very terrible case of jaundice, and his bilirubin levels are off. This explains the dark yellow urine and most likely the weight loss, as his liver hasn't been functioning properly. They are sending a bunch of blood work out and we'll find out on Tuesday if there is something "more" wrong with him, such as an infection, blockage, or possibly cancer. For now, they gave some medications and I am supposed to get him to eat as much as possible. They filled him up with a bunch of fluid to help him feel better for the day, and we go from there.

The doctor said that if it ends up being a problem with his liver, about 50% of cats that get this fully recover, and the other half, well, they die. I'm hoping for the first one, but only time will tell.
I feel bad, like I've neglected my Teague since Gage was born. Obviously, my child is more important to me than my pet, but before Gage came along, Teague WAS my baby. I'll keep ya posted.

Takin' the Plunge

Ha! So you'll never believe my new career path! I'm going to be a Lia Sophia (jewelry) sales-lady. I think they are called advisors? Or, maybe consultants? Either way, it's my new title, and I am really pumped up! I could have sworn several years ago my exact comment may have been, "I will never be one of those stay-at-moms with a Mary Kay/Creative Memories/Pampered Chef sticker in my mini-van window". Ah, how life changes ya! So, although I am NOT selling what I said I would never sell, I did find a new avenue that I am really very excited about. For anyone not familiar with Lia Sophia, give me a week or two to get my feet wet, and then HA! You can be my guinea pig. I promise not to beg my friends to have a party, but I CAN tell you that as a hostess you get a lot of free jewelry, or at a very low cost.
There, that is the end of my schpiel. Wish me luck! (And if you are interested in hearing more, you know where to find me!)

Other updates from the Fox household: Tim is currently gone this week for his annual Vegas work conference. (I think they call it "kick-off" or something?) He says its all business-business, but I'm not dumb. Business with boozin' and schmoozin' and I'm sure a scantily-clad showgirl every now and then...(sigh).
He returns on Friday to change his clothes, repack his truck and head to North Dakota for his annual hunting trip with his friends Chris and Ron. So, two weeks in a row of just Gage and I. But this week is almost over and its been fine. I really find myself missing the adult conversation in the evenings, but Gage is so much fun and for the most part always in a good mood so that the days go fast.

We joined the YMCA, and I have been working out several times a week. I've been attending this "BodyPump" class that is kickin' my butt! But in a very good way. The pants are still snug, and that may be in part to my "life-is-short-get-the-dessert" motto that I seem to be displaying at EVERY MEAL lately, but if I go to the Y 12 times per month, I get $20 off through our insurance. Great incentive!

My mom came last night and stayed over and spent the day with us today. Totally forgot to get pictures (sorry, mom) as I have been very bad at taking pictures lately. REALLY, REALLY bad. I am going to Neillsville on Saturday to visit my parents, my friend Lori, and take Gage to a family fun day that is going on. Other than that, and our usual weekly playdates and library times, etc. not too much else new to report on. Gage is really starting to talk a lot now. I think he heard the Doctor say that he should be talking just a bit more and he wants to show him by 18 months that he IS in fact Jill's son. He repeats most everything we say to him now, some are repeated more clearly than others, and I am finding I will now officially have to watch my mouth! I find that this is particularly difficult for me while driving. There are some sh*t-head drivers out there ! (hee hee).

Well, that is all for now. Seems like life is flying by so fast lately. I am enjoying each and every day of my life, and trying to make the best of these years at home with my little man. For those wondering, we are not planning on #2 quite yet. Soon maybe, but not yet!

Little Man...Growing up fast

Me and Gramps

Gage and I spent the weekend in Neillsville at the end of September and spent a lot of time down at the farm with my dad. We spent a lot of time with grammy too, but I didn't get any pictures this time (Sorry, mom!)

Gage LOVES tractors, 4-wheelers, lawn mowers...anything that moves and he can take a ride on. My dad also built a new "Sugar Shack", or "The Palace" as it is named, down by the river. He makes maple syrup every year and the old shack that he has been using was starting to crumble. He built a brand new 1-room cabin and has it very nicely decorated, thanks to the help of some of his friends. Unfortunately it rained most of the weekend that we were there, but Gage got to try out his new rubber boots that Grampa bought for him!

15 Months

Gage had his 15 month appointment today.
He is 26 lbs (75%)
He is 34 inches tall (95%)

Our Dr. felt he was right on track with everything related to gross and fine motor skills (throwing a ball, attempting to stack blocks, starting to use a fork/spoon, etc.) but would like him to start using more words. Gage "jabbers" a lot, but only says a handful of words so far. He says words like "Mommy", "Daddy", "Duck", "Hi", "nummy-nummy" (when he wants something to eat or drink...and I have never used the word "Num-Nums" when talking about food???) "Teague", "Jazz"....almost daily, but that is about it. Dr. Young said he would like him to start saying more two-word phrases, such as "More milk", "No mommy", etc. He wasn't "concerned", but said he would like to see that increased by his 18 month appointment.

Personally, we think he is just fine. I mean, he lives with ME! How in the heck WOULD he get time to say anything??? (I know, I will be more conscious of my own talking/jabbering from now on.)

What is a Beezatch?

Oh, the joy of a girls' night!
Saturday night was spent with a group of girlfriends that have dubbed themselves the "beezataches". I think it was a couple of years ago when Marilyn (on the right) was handing out drink cups and writing our names on them so we could just keep using the same glasses all night and started to write "Beezatch #1, Beezatch #2", etc. It just stuck.

I went to college w/ Marilyn and she is somehow connected to each of the others through her husband or through work. (From left, Jaci, Leah, Leah, Lynn, Jill, Marilyn. Di was unable to attend). I met all of them when Mar was engaged and was having her bridal shower, bachelorette party, wedding, etc. and then a group of us and hubbies have went camping a couple of times in the past few years.

We get together every 4-5 months or so (sometimes it's been longer, due to at least one of us having a babe or getting married and time gets away on us!) rotating from house to house. I can't say much about what happens at girls' night (pinky swear secrets, ya know) but I CAN say that the food is good, the wine doesn't last too long, and my ribs are sore today from laughing so hard.

Anyhow, the beezatch nights are great, and I am impatiently awaiting the next one. I think I am hosting, so it will be sooner than later, gals!

What is with me lately/My kid is a klutz!

So I have been baaaaaaad about posting on here lately. You'd think that I had a job or something...
usually on my break time I am cleaning something, including my clothes, but lately it seems whenever I sit my butt on the computer chair, Gage wakes up from his nap. I wonder if the click-click-click of my typing skills are loud enough to wake him up? Who knows.
So yeah. Life has been busy.
Spent last weekend (just Gage and I) visiting friends from back home. We were able to go to Garrett's (Lori's son) 3rd birthday party and Gage was one of about 9 kids running around and having a BLAST! I loved how he just jumped right in and entertained himself. I sat upstairs and filed my nails, and had a few glasses of wine and took a little nap! (Just kidding). I did eat a lot though and talked w/ my friends.

Gage has reverted back into el-klutzo mode. On Saturday he tripped and fell flat on his face/head at my mom's house while walking to the car. He left a huge bruise and scrape on his forehead (the same spot he hit abut 8 different times this summer when he first started walking). Then today, I took him into my old work to visit the last of my former team of immediate co-workers (she is now leaving at the end of the month!) and to go out to lunch. He walked into the building all excited, and fell flat on his face, this time hitting his mouth and biting his upper lip. Now it is all swollen and the middle of his top lip kind of hangs down over the lower lid. Poor kiddo. Oh, and he has another cold.
I tell ya, does it EVER end???

This weekend I am running a 5k with my friend Jenny in St. Paul (Twin Cities Marathon weekend) and then having a FUN girls' night with my beezatches. I will be posting pics of that, as will Marilyn, Jaci, and Leah I'm sure. Then on Sunday I would like to have a lazy day of lounging at home in my sweat pants as contrary to what some may think, I don't get to do that all that often when home alone w/ Gage. We are out and about a LOT and I usually shower AND put makeup on so as to not allow myself to turn into a frumpy stay-at-home mother and housewife. If anything, within the next 5 years I plan to be a smokin' hot soccer mom with the fake boobs and botox lips. (Do they put botox in your lips, or just by your eyes??)

Oh, I am in a MOOD today. Not quite sure why. But its a good mood, and that is all that matters.

Peace Out. Rock on. And as my friend Karen told me today, "Make it a good one!"