Good and Evil

Well, I shouldn't say "evil" and really I don't mean it, but our boys have given this house (and their parents) a run for the money. In picture #1, we see sweet Mookie & Charlie lovin on Dad. In picture #2, we see our boy Charlie playing with his lamb-y. Then, in picture #3, you see the scene we saw coming home after work the one and only day they were not crated to about 1,000 pop tabs strewn about our house *sigh* And, in picture #4, we see what has become of the lamb-y. And that was when lamb-y was looking good. He now has no eyes and no fluff left in him (sorry Mom, it was a great Easter present and Anna loved it, she took it to the kennel anytime she had to stay overnight). Suffice it to say, the animals Anna played with for years have been systematically demolished and literally eaten *sigh* so Geoff is off in search of less destructible toys because if these boys aren't chewing, they are sleeping. Found favorites so far: tree bark, mulch, Hostas, newly planted flowers, Orange trees in planters, dog poop, and worms. Seems to me raising puppies is a lot like raising kids...I guess we'll see. Speaking of that: Look for the next update on baby Grove coming Wednesday after our OB appointment. Only 8.5 weeks left *sigh*

New Family

The house was so empty without Ianna that last week Wendy and I began looking at rescue dogs online. We saw several that looked like good fits, but we saw a few we had to meet in person. Two of the dogs we met had been found abandoned together and it looked like they had been living on their own for sometime. They were being fostered in separate homes so they could get used to being without the other. When we met them, it was the first time they had seen each other in a few weeks and it was apparent that they had missed each other. Watching them play together we fell in love with both of them.

On Sunday we adopted the newly named Charlie and Mookie and they have been keeping us busy. Charlie is about a year old, although our vet thinks he is younger, and is a Lab Retriever almost all black. Mookie is approximately 6 months old and we think he is probably part pit bull. They are both very loving and full of energy, and luckily do a pretty good job of wearing each other out. Below is a picture of both of them, then Charlie barking while having his picture taken, and Mookie in the backyard. If any of you are around I know they would love to meet you.

And before you ask, yes we know we are completely crazy . . .

Puttin' on Pounds (and ounces)

Friday we had an ultrasound that was done by a new tech, but we were still able to see "chubby cheeks" and a big belly on Baby Grove. Grandpa Grove joined us for the appointment and really enjoyed seeing the baby. Weighing in at 3 lbs., 7 oz., he/she (no, we did not find out the baby's sex, although they ask us if we want to everytime!) is about 1 week ahead of schedule size-wise. That is a whole 8 ounces gained in about a month! *clap*clap* That is not too small nor too big, so I guess we are doing what we should be doing and growing. Speaking of growing, the baby's mama (me, although I prefer the more anonymous tone of saying the baby's mama) has gained EIGHT pounds in 6 weeks. While it is true I seem hungry all of the time, seeing that on the scale has been a bit shocking. Again, no one in the OB office seems the least bit concerned, although that brings my total weight gain for baby up to 26 pounds. I blame (1) my new craving for ice cream and (2) having no pup to make me want to take a walk. *sigh* People keep saying, "enjoy it!" and "eat!" and so, I do.

In other baby news, Geoff and I, in afternoon emails, began passing adoptable dog pictures back and forth from various rescue & Humane Society websites. Stay tuned for what happened next...

Honey, does this make me look fat?

Hi everyone,

Well, it's been a few weeks since I posted, but since people on the West Coast want to see my baby budda belly, I wanted to get these pictures up. They are actually looking small to me now! This afternoon, we should have more news and more baby pictures, but those will be posted this weekend. Plus, Geoff let me take a picture of his belly too, so here we both are:

A few more of Ianna

Not much to post on recently. Don't worry blog fans, I think my wife will post something interesting tomorrow. Until then you are stuck with me.

This Friday we have an ultrasound that will also show us the size of the baby and we hope give us a better idea of when the newest Grove will make an appearance in the real world. Grandpa Grove will be joining us for this visit to the Doc and a first chance to see his grandchild moving on the screen. We figure ultrasounds have changed quite a bit since the days yours truly was in the womb, so it should be fun.

It is hard to believe it has been a week since Wendy told me Ianna passed away. The pictures below are a few from her last day at the dog park. She was full of energy and making friends as usual. Wendy said Ianna wouldn't leave several of the men at the dog park alone because she missed me, which makes me happy and sad at the same time. Anyway it is fun to see pictures of her having fun and running around.

The Perfect Pup

Wendy picked me up at the airport last night and gave me some sad news, not about the baby which was my first fear when she started crying, but about Ianna. Sunday evening Ianna passed away sitting at her spot on the back yard porch. I'm glad I didn't find out before the long trek back from Europe but it was sureal finding out at the airport when she was second on my list of people I wanted to see.

I think Wendy gave Anna the nickname of "the perfect pup" and it was acurate. She knew when to snuggle with mom and when to 'rassle with dad. I have no doubt thast she played more of a role in my staying happy during the years Wendy was in Akron than I'll ever really know. Even when her boundless energy was driving us crazy we couldn't be mad because she was so full of life.

I have so many good memories of her it is hard to believe she was only in our life for 3 years. I'll try and write them down as I remember them here or somewhere. Ianna was our first true pet together and I know Wendy and I will never forget her. Below are a couple of pictures of Ianna we took last week and my favorite one of her from a couple years ago wearing one of my hats. We have some of her at the dog park the afternoon before she died. I'll edit those and post them soon.

In other news the baby is doing just fine, just a little sad they will never meet the perfect pup.