Eliana…Working it Out

Eliana has shared the stage now for nearly three weeks with her ‘baby brodder.’ Her love for Dominic is apparent — she’s the cutest when she snuggles up to him in the morning to say, “Good morning baby Dominic,” — and the excitement for his birth has now been replaced by the realization that she no longer owns the limelight.

In fact, she’s working on perfecting the art of grandstanding. It seems we all fall prey to her well-conceived notions of needing help to go potty, put on her clothes, eat her food, buckle her seat belt…all those independent things she was so proud of before have now been replaced by a type of regressive desire to be the baby once again.

Perhaps all families of multiples experience similar adjustments. Or maybe we’re just pushovers in the parents department and Eliana has us wrapped around her little finger. Or maybe it’s a mixture of both.

At any rate, we’re growing accustomed to each other and doing our best to maintain some semblance of order and routine.

We seem to have found a diaper that works for the power peeer — it’s the Babies R Us brand. Seldom has he soaked through one of them.

My favorite Dominic-ism is how he sleeps on his back with his head turned to one side and both arms lying to each side at 90 degree angles with his hands in a tight fist. It’s like he posin’.

Vickey’s doing better and is a real trouper to get up at the wee hours of the morning to tend to the little one. She has asked: “Is this what I get for 9 months of carrying this child, that he comes out looking just like you?” I’m not so sure I agree with her assessment, but I’ll take the compliment.

And I’m sure what she really means to say is, “How lucky am I that my newborn son looks just like his good lookin’ dad!”

We’re enjoying the visit of Grandma Codella, especially Eliana. It’s nice to have an extra set of helping hands.

So, for now, we’re all growing accustomed to being a family of four and Eliana’s figuring out what it really means to be a big sister. What a cute lit’l punkin!

Today is Your Birthday!

Three years ago today Sir Tank Thunderpaw was born into the world; a cute little blue-eyed, sweet smelling, cuddly puppy. My, how times have changed!

In honor of Tank’s birthday we bought him a new fun-filled bone (maple bacon flavored filling) and a new doggy tricks book. We’ll have to see if we can implement some of the new tricks before the family comes in August.

Also in honor of his birthday, here’s his pedigree:

Sire: Baron Von Vegas
Dam: Misty Desert Dawn

Dad's Parents: Robert Millhouse Quayle and Alana Blue
Paternal Grandpa's Parents: Casper the Original Ghost and Misty the Original Ghost
Paternal Grandma's Parents: Bandy's Maximillian Dude and Bandys Gretalyn Jezebell

Mom's Parents: Major Kaiser Von Pope and Scout II
Maternal Grandpa's Parents: Kaiser Wilhelm Von Pope and Reyna Shehzadi
Maternal Grandma's Parents: Lusco's Izac B B Clayton and Mercedes Wust Geist

So today, it’s all about you, Tank. Hope you enjoy your birthday, big boy!

Speaking of birthday’s, we’re looking forward to President Hinckley’s 95th birthday concert tonight. Special guests include CBS newsman Mike Wallace and pop singers Gladys Knight (she lives in a neighboring ward in our stake) and Donny Osmond.

In fact, it starts in just about 30 minutes and we’ll be watching it live on BYU TV while we enjoy a scrumptious meal from the Bomans.

Isn’t technology grand? And isn’t it great how ward families take care of their own? Gotta love it!

Two Weeks Ago

Two weeks ago tonight Dominic Joseph joined our little family. Looking back it seems like such a whirlwind.

We’ve been the recipients of so many meals, baby gifts and even gifts for Eliana…we’re truly blessed.

Last night, in my effort to have quality time with Dominic, I held him for a brief period before his evening feeding and in that time had to change my shirt twice, him once, and completely remove the sheets off our bed and remake the bed so we could sleep in it.

I think Dominic enjoys projectile vomiting. That cute lit’l punkin!

Yesterday I got a call from my old (yes, he’s a year-and-a-half older...and not really wiser) high school friend, Evan. He shared the terrific news that after 13 years of marriage he and his wife are now expecting their first child in January. I was so thrilled to hear the news. They’re in the process of adopting a young boy and by next year will be adding a baby. Isn’t it strange how we all grow up eventually?

Eliana spent most of her day with our neighbors who graciously offered to let her hang with their three kids and play all afternoon. It was a good diversion for Eliana and gave Vickey some down time…if you can call caring for a newborn down time.

Vickey’s making her way through the new Harry Potter book…who isn’t?…and is getting around better each day. We’re proud of her for doing most of the work to bring Dominic here and care for him at this young age.

A cartoon I read tonight — awesome book, Steve and Cyndy (“One More and We’re Outnumbered!” by Rick Kirkman and Jerry Scott) — read as follows: “I thought labor ended when the baby was born.” How true that is! It’s only just begun.

Happy 2 week birthday little Dominic!

Melting with the Snows

We just broke a record for consecutive days above 110 degrees. It’s been downright hot here. At least Dominic came at the beginning of the hot spell.

Since the Snows left on Sunday morning I’ve meant to upload this photo and say how much fun we all had together…I’ve just been busy working. And that’s a good thing.

We were so blessed to have willing, helping hands the week after Dominic was born. Vickey’s parents were terrific, supportive and fell in love with our new little guy.

Eliana tried out her attention-getting tricks, with relative success, and we were just too tired to be disciplinarians. Now that the company’s gone Eliana’s relearning what behavior her parent’s won’t accept. I guess that’s the beauty of being a grandparent, uncle or aunt - you can be a pleaser without having to worry about any long-term consequences.

It’s good we all have people who love us in our lives. We’re very blessed with a terrific extended family.

As for Dominic, he’s a power-peeer. There just isn’t a diaper, onesie/PJ and blanket combination he can’t pee through. I’m afraid to see our water bill next month after running the washing machine every day now, multiple times a day, for a couple of weeks.

The good news is everyone’s happy and healthy. Just don’t ask me if I’m happy at 2 a.m. when I get to wake-up and help Vickey take care of Dominic. We made it through Eliana, so I’m sure we’ll survive this stage with Dominic. I’m just lucky Vickey’s such a good mother.

PS—check out the new photos starting on page 2 of our online photos.

Signs that Make You Go Huh?

During a trip we took a couple years ago to visit Vickey’s family, on the drive south along I-15, somewhere in central Utah, we found this sign in front of a Wendy’s restaurant.

It has caused frequent chuckles since. Chances are, that’s just the type of person you’d find working at a fast food joint.

Ode to Tank

The resident in our home who perhaps gets the least respect (depending on the perspective I suppose) is our 3 year-old-this-month weimaraner. He’s energetic all right. And as hyper as they come.

When we purchased him we decided to let him keep his manhood in the hopes he’ll one day be able to earn his keep. The Vegas breeders, John and Dawn O'Brien, told us we could earn about $500 for each successful impregnation. With one successful rendezvous we’d have covered our initial cost.

It was only recently, however, that we learned we’d have to construct a dog run, completely enclosed, and watch the doggy fun to confirm it happened at least twice. Now it’s sounding like more work than we bargained for.

I guess the male dog doesn’t travel; the female comes to him. It’s done that way so the male dog doesn’t bolt weeks later looking for his girlfriend.

I suppose it wouldn’t be too hard to get a dog run constructed…and I’m certain Tank would enjoy the experience…question is, would it calm him down a bit? Probably not. But the puppies would sure be cute!

This whole breeding thing is just one more thing on my already-way-too-long-list of things to do.

But I was thinking tonight about what a great pet Sir Tank Thunderpaw has been and is. Our 3-and-a-half year-old has taken to having him sleep in her room with her. It’s pretty cute how they both curl up in their respective beds each night. The only challenge is when my sister was in town this April she spoiled Tank by letting him sleep on the bed with her. Now, every morning when we open the door to wake up Eliana we find Tank curled up at the foot of her bed. Guess his doggy pillow is pretty much useless.

Tonight the grandparents, cousins, Eliana, Tank and I went to the park to play; and yes, it was 100 degrees at 8:30 p.m. Very hot! We had fun throwing the Kong ball for Tank and watching him run as fast as he can to catch it, then trot back, ball in mouth, with his tongue hanging out.

He has his moments, as we all do, but all-in-all, he’s a pretty good little…well, 70 pound…companion.

When our friend Tracy visited last month she commented on how we needed a security system. I told her we had one called Tank. And that’s the trufus, rufus!

I’m sure if someone tried to hurt Eliana or come in our home Tank wouldn’t be a welcome surprise.

At any rate, despite the hyperactivity, it’s nice to have someone around who always wants to be by your side and under your feet. It’s nice to know you’re loved and needed.

It’s not so nice to frequently have a wet nose rubbed on your calves or hands, but at least Tank's location isn't a secret.

So, for now, this concludes my ode to Tank. We’re glad we’ve got him and we hope we’re able to coexist happily for years to come.

And if you’ve ever considered breaking into our place…first of all, why, since there’s nothing of value to take; and second of all, once you’ve met Tank, I’m sure you’ll reconsider.

Thanks for being part of the family Sir Tank Thunderpaw.