Why we built our FENCE....

Gus is napping and I just had to vent about our genius of a neighbor. The whole reason for us building a fence at our rent house was because dog lady (hereinafter referred to as "genius") has 3 dogs: a boxer, a mutt and a smaller mutt. Anyway, the first week we were here the boxer charged Buttercup and I (thankfully mom was holding Gus). Then a few days later the boxer did the same and broke off of its rope it was attached to. Not good my friends, not good. I am an animal lover, however; if my child becomes in the line of fire, we have problem. So we had a problem and Jake and I remedied the situation....A FENCE. SO WE THOUGHT WE REMEDIED THE SITUATION. A few days after putting up the fence we noticed a hole in the very back where we had to put up vinyl because of the way the land was. I have been hoping to catch what made the hole....still waiting.

Anyway, on September 1, Buttercup, Gus and I were out back enjoying our fenced in yard when all of a sudden, genius Boxer charges our fence right where Buttercup is sniffing and starts snarling at her through the fence. Of course, Buttercup snarls back because she is protecting her yard and family. I email the landlord, she handles it very well and tells me that our city has a strict leash law and that it is against the law for your dog to be on anyone else's property without a leash. I commit the info to memory and decide to give genius one more chance before calling Animal Control.

Last week, after Gus' doctor visit, I called Jake and he tells me that the landlord has called and asked that we not throw any food over the fence because genius has called her to say that I throw food in her yard and her dogs eat it and they get really sick because she does not give them scraps. Before you start thinking that I am some sort of neanderthal throwing food out in the yard, all I throw is bread, biscuits, cornbread....you get the picture and the only reason I throw it is because Gus loves to watch the birds come and eat it. I am not sure if any of you have ever thrown bread, but it does not go far and for me to get it in her yard I would have to hum it about 15-20 feet.....not happening. Ok, so I agreed I will not throw my bread near the INSIDE of MY fence.

Well dear friends, the day has come. I just put Gus down for a nap, Buttercup was asking to go out and just as I open the door to let her run free, LOW AND BEHOLD smaller genius mutt was INSIDE OF OUR FENCE. This has solved all my mysteries - #1 smaller genius mutt more than likely made the hole in the back end of the fence AND....drumroll......#2 I DO NOT THROW MY BREAD OVER THE FENCE THE LITTLE MUTT COMES INTO MY YARD AND HELPS HIMSELF. I quickly grabbed the camera and took pictures. Proof is there. And I watched human genius pick the dog up by the collar and lift him over the fence to get him out of our yard....tried to get a picture of that, but I was on the line with Jake and trying to hold Buttercup back.

I have decided that this is the last straw, we are back to square one feeling like prisoners in our own house so I am calling Animal Control. There, I have vented my story and feel a little better. Thanks for listening/reading!

Last Day in Louisiana

We left the very South and headed just a tad north to visit some friends for the evening, but before we did that we stopped at the shop to tell Gi-Gi, Paw and Uncle Danny good-bye.

First things first when we got there...straight to the swing!

Biting his fingernails while looking at all of Paw's paperwork!

I wonder what was going through his mind??!!

Adding up the numbers and answering the phone....he gets plenty of practice working from home with his Mommy!

Hanging out under the desk is always so much fun!

Looks like he is passing inspection on clean the floors are!

One last play date with Viv before we head out!

She was so kind to give him a cell phone for the ride! Thanks, Viv!!!

Three little monkeys and Uncle Jake!!

Vivian just loved Jake's beard!! She would tickle him then he would tickler her back...it was the cutest, sweetest thing!!

Well Baby Visit - 18 month check at 19 months!

09.23.09 ~ Gusley had to go for his 18 month well baby visit. I was off that day so he and I took a much needed nap together. Not thinking I would need to set the alarm clock, I should have. I woke up at 12:18pm and our appointment was for 1pm (20 minutes away)...ooops! I hurried and got myself together and paced for a bit hoping he would wake up on his own....not happening. I woke him up, dressed him and gave him a cereal bar to snack on in the car. He was in a great mood, thankfully! We made it to the doctor for 1:10pm and we were called back in no time. This was the first time that Gus got to step on the big boy scale and he was so proud.....30 pounds even! Then it was on the the room. The nurse asked that I lay him down on the table/bed to measure his height....he HATES this and when I say hate, I really mean it. He screams and turns red and gags and all that jazz. It is great times, really great times! She marked his head and then he began to squirm and kick, then she marked where she thought his feet were. Bless her heart. We love her so much and she always knows this is coming and she always jokes and asks if Gus has worked out before coming in to the doctors office because she can't get over how strong he is! So I digressed, but back to height measurement....she tells me 37 inches tall.......I thought, WOW, taller than a yard stick at 19 months old?? He really is a BIG BOY!! Not too long after this the doctor comes in and goes over the growth charts with me and says that Gus is in the 89th percentile for weight and 100th for height. WOW! When I got home and Jake and I were talking about his height we got out the yard stick and he is not taller than the yard stick, close, but not quite. I am thinking with all his squirming that the measurement was a little off and he is about 35-351/2 inches tall, still tall and probably in the 98th-99th percentile.

Gus really likes the doctor and he 'talked' to him and played games with him, overall a good visit. We do have to go see a pediatric eye doctor because we have noticed Gusley squinting every now and then. It is not all the time or when he looks at certain things, so the doctor said to be safe he would refer us to a specialist. I am thinking all is well, but would like a professional opinion. This time Gus needed one vaccination and the flu shot. Again, the shots did not bother him, it was having to lay down on the table that got him. After October we will be done with shots, for a while unless he gets the H1N1 vaccine. I am still not sure about that one. Need to see a little more research.

Of course, after the doctor we went to Steak-n-Shake for a milkshake and we lucked out since it was 'happy hour'.....so our little bellies were happy, happy with that tasty treat!!

South Louisiana Day 3

Our last day down south was Labor Day. We had a nice relaxing day. Just visited with family and friends and munched on yummy south Louisiana food all day!

Trying to get a picture with Gus while visiting with Maw. There was just too much for him to see and do over there. He did figure out how to turn all of her lamps on. Well all of the ones with pull strings, which are all of them. He would turn them all on one by one then go back and turn them all off one by one.

Here he is making an attempt to turn that one on!

Maw gave him a music box with a blue bird on it and as soon as he saw her wind it up that was it, he too was winding it up!

Maw stealing some sweet sugars from her great-grandson!




Back at the ranch.......

Second wind???

What I would do to get a trampoline for my birthday??!! I forgot just how much I love these things....though I did not get on this one because it turns everything that touches it black. But watching Gus jump, all the memories came flooding in........Jake, take this as a hit, when in doubt, a trampoline will do!!!

Can I take your order??

weeeee.......see what I mean about the black!

Which brings us to the bath tub before dinner on this particular night. Gus looked like a chimney sweeper when he came inside he was black from his head to his toes!

Lily and Camryn flashing a smile for the camera!!

Gus and Will having a deep conversation! I love both of their expressions in this picture.

Gus is really into what Will is doing and Will seems like a big brother explaining it all to him!

Hanging out with Daddy while Mommy enjoys a few more boiled crabs!

Round 2.......

South Louisiana Day 2

Sunday = Funday!!!! We invited several of our friends and family over for an afternoon visit and had a great turnout. Thanks to all that made the trek and came visit!! We really enjoyed seeing you all!

Gus has a thing for boxes these days....big or small, short or tall.......he had the best time playing in this box while Jake and I got dressed and packed up for the big day! Thank you Huggies for keeping our child entertained!

Almost has the whole tricycle concept put together.....next time he should have it!!

Some of the gang....Gus taking a minute to sip some water and chat with Paw!

Ahhhhh...that's some good water!




Evan making a string and cup telephone. The line broke once he called Jake!!

Hanging out at the volleyball court!

Back at the see-saw......could be catching raindrops, but I think he just liked the feeling of leaning back while going up and down! Thrill-seeker?

Lily just couldn't go anymore......poor baby did manage to eat her ice cream cone before passing out!

Lucas on his second wind!

South Louisiana Day 1

When we go down south, we always have to take a trip down memory lane and drive past my old house and check out any additions and deletions the new owners have made. One of these times I think I want to stop and ask if I can see the inside! Here is the front and the next picture is the side yard...it looks so different, yet the same.

After our trip down Wood Street we headed over to Uncle Danny and Aunt Bridgette's for some much needed play time with Ev, Lucas and Vivian! Gus and Viv had the best time together.

D & B's house is great...slides in the house!!!

Gus, you are so silly going up the slide and down the stairs!! - Vivian

Doing a little mowing between the rain drops!

Double-timing!!

This is a rough job, but somebody has to do it!!

Evan....he has been wearing this hat for about 10 of his 11 years in existence and that is why we love him!!!

Lily Bell....so grown up and loves to swing!

Figuring out the tricycle at Gi-Gi and Paw's.

This three wheeler was for Jake when he was this age so this yard toy is 26+ years old!! It is safe to say....they don't make them like they used to!

Gus really enjoyed the see-saw!!

and the swing!!

and the see-saw with Aunt Sarah!!

First time having boiled crabs and shrimp!!! He LOVED the carrots, crabs, dip and crackers!! Baby Cajun!!

Gus and penguin fast asleep after a really long day in the Louisiana heat!