About 4 1/2 years ago Mike had this crazy idea of getting a puppy. I can't say I was 100% on board because I knew who would end up taking care of the dog. At the time, Mike was working 80 hour weeks and house training a puppy didn't fit into those hours. But after about 6 months of begging and showing me the most adorable pictures of puppies, we got Dakota. Half lab/half beagle and all crazy and wild but she is the sweetest thing. She was our "baby" for almost 3 years until we brought home a new baby and our first babies world was rocked. At first, she was so sad and depressed and wouldn't even eat her food. But she never tried to hurt Ella and has always been super protective over her. As Ella has grown and been able to play with Dakota and more importantly been able to feed her from the high chair, they have definitely formed a strong bond.
Wherever Ella goes, she wants her
doggie right there next to her. Case in point, we inherited this awesome wagon from our neighbors (yeah for neighbors that have too many toys and we get the extras!) and we took it out for a spin this weekend.
But it's not fun to ride just by yourself when your
doggie can ride along with you. And sweet Dakota obliged like she does most of the time to sit and take a spin around the neighborhood.
This is the scene most nights after dinner. We finish up and then play before bath time and bedtime. And that means, all 4 of crammed into the tiny play room that used to be a dining room with toys and games and books everywhere. And these two always getting into trouble. Dakota chewing on a toy that Ella gave her, how does she know she can't play with it? Ella gave it to her after all? Then the tackle/hugging begins. Starts off innocently enough, just hanging out playing next to each other...
Then the swoop in by Ella, giving her a kiss...
And then a bear hug! These two definitely have such a sweet bond and although most days I tell Mike that the dog is driving me crazy and I can't take another day of her and then this happens and to watch them play makes my heart smile. I have read the studies and heard all the research that children that grow up having animals and loving animals turn out to be more compassionate, loving, etc and I am hoping it turns out in this home. At least before the dog hair drives me seriously insane.
And here are some more random cute pictures from the past week. As mentioned previously Ella doesn't like bibs anymore but with her more
adventurous fork skills, we needed to find something that would do the trick. A neighbor actually told me about these great smock/bib shirts that are long sleeve and do the trick.
Only 1 week in but seems to be working so far and check out that face with spaghetti all over it. This girl loves her pasta and tomato sauce so I am hoping these new bibs will work. And when the fork is just taking too long, use your hands, they are much quicker!
How cute are these two best buds. Wesley wanted to give Ella a hug.
Just hanging out together! Ella saying "cheese" for the picture.
It was another warm and sunny weekend here. In fact, it hit 80 degrees on Sunday so you know we hit up the park for some swinging. Ella is not a fan of the baby swings but prefers to sit on our laps on the big swings.
Daddy is a little under the weather this week, another bad head cold so
during breakfast this morning, we wanted to send him a picture to cheer him up and hopefully make him feel better. Honestly, I can't remember a day when all 3 of us have been healthy at the same time. Bring on spring and less germs please!
A couple times a week if it's a good and healthy week, I go to the YMCA to workout and Ella plays in the childcare area. She had a real love/hate relationship with it when we first started going and I never knew when they were going to call me and tell me to come get her but lately it has been all love. She always has a great time playing with her friends and new toys. After we leave, we pass right by the racquetball courts and usually someone is playing and Ella always get a huge smile and says "ball ball." So of course, we stop and watch them play.
It is usually older men and they are always so sweet to the kids and hit the ball up near on the glass and all the kids laugh and smile. Ella will knock on the glass and wave hi! She would sit there and watch them for awhile if I let her, maybe a future racquetball star in the making??
So, that is our life. A lot of loving on Dakota and trying hard to learn the meaning of gentle and nice so we stop pulling the
doggie's tail but somehow no matter how much abuse she gets, Dakota always wants to be right by Ella's side. I guess she will take the good with bad, with abuse also comes lots of hugs and attention. Have a good week everyone!
Wherever Ella goes, she wants her doggie right there next to her. Case in point, we inherited this awesome wagon from our neighbors (yeah for neighbors that have too many toys and we get the extras!) and we took it out for a spin this weekend. 
But it's not fun to ride just by yourself when your doggie can ride along with you. And sweet Dakota obliged like she does most of the time to sit and take a spin around the neighborhood. 
This is the scene most nights after dinner. We finish up and then play before bath time and bedtime. And that means, all 4 of crammed into the tiny play room that used to be a dining room with toys and games and books everywhere. And these two always getting into trouble. Dakota chewing on a toy that Ella gave her, how does she know she can't play with it? Ella gave it to her after all? Then the tackle/hugging begins. Starts off innocently enough, just hanging out playing next to each other... 
Then the swoop in by Ella, giving her a kiss... 
And then a bear hug! These two definitely have such a sweet bond and although most days I tell Mike that the dog is driving me crazy and I can't take another day of her and then this happens and to watch them play makes my heart smile. I have read the studies and heard all the research that children that grow up having animals and loving animals turn out to be more compassionate, loving, etc and I am hoping it turns out in this home. At least before the dog hair drives me seriously insane. 
And here are some more random cute pictures from the past week. As mentioned previously Ella doesn't like bibs anymore but with her more adventurous fork skills, we needed to find something that would do the trick. A neighbor actually told me about these great smock/bib shirts that are long sleeve and do the trick. 
Only 1 week in but seems to be working so far and check out that face with spaghetti all over it. This girl loves her pasta and tomato sauce so I am hoping these new bibs will work. And when the fork is just taking too long, use your hands, they are much quicker! 
How cute are these two best buds. Wesley wanted to give Ella a hug. 
Just hanging out together! Ella saying "cheese" for the picture. 
It was another warm and sunny weekend here. In fact, it hit 80 degrees on Sunday so you know we hit up the park for some swinging. Ella is not a fan of the baby swings but prefers to sit on our laps on the big swings. 
Daddy is a little under the weather this week, another bad head cold so during breakfast this morning, we wanted to send him a picture to cheer him up and hopefully make him feel better. Honestly, I can't remember a day when all 3 of us have been healthy at the same time. Bring on spring and less germs please! 
A couple times a week if it's a good and healthy week, I go to the YMCA to workout and Ella plays in the childcare area. She had a real love/hate relationship with it when we first started going and I never knew when they were going to call me and tell me to come get her but lately it has been all love. She always has a great time playing with her friends and new toys. After we leave, we pass right by the racquetball courts and usually someone is playing and Ella always get a huge smile and says "ball ball." So of course, we stop and watch them play. 
It is usually older men and they are always so sweet to the kids and hit the ball up near on the glass and all the kids laugh and smile. Ella will knock on the glass and wave hi! She would sit there and watch them for awhile if I let her, maybe a future racquetball star in the making?? 
So, that is our life. A lot of loving on Dakota and trying hard to learn the meaning of gentle and nice so we stop pulling the doggie's tail but somehow no matter how much abuse she gets, Dakota always wants to be right by Ella's side. I guess she will take the good with bad, with abuse also comes lots of hugs and attention. Have a good week everyone!
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