It Just Needs to Run its Course

It just seems like it has been one thing after another in our little world. A little over a week ago, poor Nico caught a virus from who knows where. First, our little guy broke out in a rash all over his chest and tummy. After observing him clawing at himself, I concluded that this may be an itchy rash, so Benedryl became our best friend. I took Nico to the doc-in-the-box on a Sunday and low and behold I was told, "it's a virus and just needs to run its course." Because time has not been much on our side, Nico developed a fever of 102 and then graced me with a layer of vomit within two hours of returning home from getting the superb advice. With the new symptoms, I called the on-call pedi/nurse, and surprisingly was told, "it's stomach virus and just needs to run its course." I was definitely glad to have that cleared up (sarcastic).

The good news, is that this "stomach virus" was gone within 24 hours and we did not have repeated vomitting. The bad news....as soon as Nico was rid of the virus, he began teething! Apparently I have been neglectful of noticing the new additions to Nico's mouth, and once I felt around in there, I was in shock. Nico now is the proud owner of 12 beautiful pear;y white teeth!

Besides a second haircut, a fun filled trip with Matthew to Abbey's Playtown, getting a new ball pit, and a couple of excursions to the park (before this cold weather came back), not a lot has been happening in the life of Nico. But as always, here are some recent pictures of the man of the hour.

All Over the Place and Beyond!

Nico took his first steps just a week or so before Christmas and it wasn't long he became a full fledged walker. Being on two legs has been the preferred method moving himself around for a few weeks already, and Nico is getting faster and faster all the time. He now has lots of fun playing around with Mommmy and Daddy. For example, one of Nico's favorite things to do now is to take something off of a table such as a remote or a cell phone and wait to be chased by one of us. He will turn around and give us a look along with lots of giggling and then take off just as fast is his little feet can take him around the house. Our little guy now gets around the house really well now. He loves walking from between his four play areas in the house and finding new and fun things to do. He does not have a problem telling us when he needs or wants something; Nico has become a great pointer and is also able to come get Mommy or Daddy's hand and take us to come with him!

Here is a video of the little man moving from room to room and doing what he does best: playing!


And here is a video clip of Nico and Daddy playing chase!

Canine Conflict

I know, it has been a while since I last blogged. 2010 has not started out quite as smoothly as I would have hoped; however, we are making it through every little trial and tribulation God hands us. There is a purpose behind everything that happens, but for me it is finding the silver lining in it all that is hard at times.

God promises, "I will guide you. I will turn darkness into light before you and make the rough places smooth." Isaiah 42:16. With this said, I know all of these little hills we must conqueror are nothing in the face of God, and that He knows what He is doing and why.

On top of the typical discord and tension in the house due to endless circumstances that I do not have the privledge nor the desire of discussing, Nico and one of the furbabies of the household had a conflict. A little over a week ago, while the streets outside were in the process of icing over, Nico startled Pettie and received the brunt of an old, sleepy, startled, defensive canine. Not seeing exactly what happened, all I can say is that one minute all was quiet and the next there was an "I am in pain" scream coming from my one year old. I ran into the bedroom to find Nico laying on his stomach and Pettie crouching near his dog bed. Everything is now a blur, but Nico's face was bleeding near his eye. I remember thinking over and over, what if it's eye, oh my gosh, what we will do, will he be able to see?! It the midst of me screaming and crying right along with Nico I managed to call Ed, and wake up EJ, who was very sweet by sitting with me and helping hold Nico until Ed came home. God, once again, was looking out for little Nico. He stopped crying not long after the incident, but looked like he had been in quite a tussle. The whole situation could have been so much worse than it was, but fortunately, I think God is overly invested in Nico (being a two time miracle and all...). We did make the trip to the ER, where Nico thankfully did not need stitches and I was forced into making a police report.

After texting everyone in my phone trying desperately to find a new home for Pete who has been with me for 10 years, my mom came through once again. After lots of stress, tears, an unexpected visit from Animal Control, and a 10 day quarantine, this story will end on Monday in Waco when I meet my mom to give her my long time friend. While this whole ordeal was a nightmare for me, I think God was giving us a warning with Pete's attack on Nico. He has always been an overprotective and defensive dog and now with him being 70 in human years, this was probably an inevitable occurrence. All in all, the situation could have been so much worse than it was.