Cutest Halloween Costume I Ever Did See

I've been waiting over a year to debut this halloween costume.  I bought it while I was still pregnant after seeing it on my girlfriend's adorable son.  At the time we had two Bernese Mountain Dogs - Hudson and Lola - and I could not wait to dress Ella up as our third Berner.  I had visions of the three of them running around together, playing, trick or treating and just being cute.   Unfortunately we lost Hudson a few months ago so the other day I dressed Ella up and took her and Lola to a field for a fun pre-Halloween photo shoot.  I'm kind of obsessed with this costume and wish Ella could wear it everyday.  

Love them!

we adopted another puppy....kind of

Sorry to be misleading and lure you in with the promise of super adorable puppy pictures.  There is nothing better than tiny, soft, fluffy puppies except maybe a tiny, soft and fluffy (in a chubby sort of way) baby dressed up as a puppy......

Forgiven?

Oh there's more because this is what I do when I'm off work instead of cleaning, organizing or really anything productive.  I force my poor, helpless baby into costumes and outfits and take a ridiculous amount of photos.  I just can't stop.

And then I introduced our new "puppy" to our real puppies.

They were not amused.  I believe what Hudson is saying in this photo is, "Mom, really? Another puppy?  Do you love me at all?"

They would not go near her but instead stood and glared at her.  The only way I could get them close enough for a photo was by covering her in treats.  Even then it took them a long time to approach.

She is learning so much from her older "siblings"

the family announcement

After the news of our expected bundle of joy started to settle in a bit for Bran and I, we started talking about how we would tell our family.  With our birthdays only being a few days apart in Jan./Feb. we decided to mask a joint birthday party as baby announcement party.  Our new obsession has been Top Golf so we decided to get the two families together for a fun afternoon of Top Golf followed by birthday cake at my parents.  They fell for it all and didn't suspect a thing (evil laugh).

(you can read about our first trip to Top Golf here)

Once we had the family all gathered in one place we had to figure out how we would tell them.  For some reason it seems awkward when you just stand there and say it.  I still can't get over telling people, "Hey, I'm pregnant."  So I've been figuring out other creative, non-vocal ways of sharing our news.  For this occasion we had shirts made that said either Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt or Uncle. 

In order to make it a surprise we decided we would roll up the shirts, stick their names on them and tell everyone that we split the group up into teams to compete against each other and their team names are on the shirts.  That way they would have to open them all at the same time to see what their team was.

Unfortunately our plan didn't quite work.  Only one of our bays was available for the first round of golf so we couldn't make the team idea swing since only 5 people could play at a time - we had 10.  So we took turns. I also didn't take many pictures at all since I was getting nervous and it was freezing.  It was a photography fail so there are no photos of the "surprise".  If you can even call it that.

By the time the other bay opened up everyone was cold and golfed out so it was decided there would be no round 2 and no teams.  So we just threw the shirts at everyone and said we were suppose to do teams but it didn't work out.  

They all threw their shirts on the ground or table and carried on with their golfing, talking or eating.

Pregnancy announcement fail.

Fortunately one person likes t-shirts.  My MIL.  She opened hers up and SCREAMED.  The news was out.  There was this awkward pause while everyone stared at her and her shirt and then at us.  Then the hugging ensued.  Some tears and a lot of disbelief.  

At least they were surprised.

Did I mention this is the first grandbaby for both sides?  Craziness.
We were sad that Ryan, Carly and Connor couldn't be there.  Well Connor was their for the golf and announcement but we scared him away with baby talk so he didn't make the photos.  Sorry Connor but thanks for coming and celebrating with us.

 We then shared the news with Hudson and Lola.   They took the news even harder.......fights ensued and shirts were torn.  It was ugly.

We are still working through this.

Hudson's MRI

Straight up, it's been a crappy week.  It has worn me out mind, body and spirit but fortunately God blessed me with a beautiful and relaxing weekend (and a husband who worked overtime to let me rest) so I could refresh and reload.  I'm very thankful.

Not to go into ALL the gory details, one thing that made this week so crappy was our visit to Madison, WI for Hudson's MRI.  It was a long day with a long drive that started out on the wrong foot and ended with getting our feet kicked out from under us.  

Hudson did great through the entire day.  He is so sweet and just wants to please everyone around him. He couldn't be difficult if he tried and we wouldn't blame him if he was.  He has been poked, prodded and driven from vet to vet, not to mention now wearing diapers.  Poor baby.

We have been holding off on the diapers hoping to get good news at the MRI but unfortunately the news was worse than we thought.  I was pretty certain the MRI would confirm the Wobbler's disease but I wasn't anticipating that it would show us that his ENTIRE SPINE is affected by the disease instead of 2-3 locations.  That means there really isn't much we can do moving forward.  If you didn't read my other posts regarding Hudson, Wobbler's disease is where the bones around the spine continue to grow literally crushing the spinal cord slowly causing paralysis.  It is often found in large breeds like Berners, Mastiffs and Great Danes.  It is a genetic disease that usually affects the spinal cord in the neck region but unfortunately Hudson's spine is being crushed in many locations.  Surgery would be too invasive and extensive - too much for his body to take and if successful and he survived it would only halt the paralysis not reverse it.  So currently he is on a steroid to reduce some of the swelling in hopes to help improve his walking and coordination but it isn't a long-term solution.  I am just so thankful that he is not in pain and this will never cause him pain.  He is our same happy, sweet and loving little boy- he just walks like he's had one too many.

The little diaper bum.

And his freaky shaved belly from the MRI.  

He looks so goofy walking around.  You can see here that he has already soaked through his diaper.  We really like the diaper and is already saving a lot of scrubbing, washing and cleaning but we'll need a lot more of these to keep up so he doesn't sit in wet diapers for long.  And to think, in a few months we'll be changing diapers on our furry baby and our human baby....not gonna lie, it frightens me a little. 

But I am happy to do it as along as there is a wet, little bum to diaper.  And truthfully, I hope it is a good, long time.  We love our Hudson so much and 3, 4, 5 years just isn't enough time with him.  That is why we cant worry about how long we may have and we just need to enjoy each day with him, making him happy and comfortable and feeling so very loved!!

Thanks everyone for all your sweet comments and encouragement.  The more I explore this world of blogging the more I fall in love with all the amazing people like you, my readers, who make this community so unique and so uplifting.  This is technology at it's greatest!  Thank you!

Update: Hudson's trip to the neurologist

This Valentine's Day we have heavy hearts.  Hudson visited the neurologist and we didn't really get the news we were hoping.  Well we did but we got triple the news we were wanting which really turned out to be a bad thing.

Our hopes going into this visit was that we would find something wrong with him that was operable or treatable.  I know that sounds counter-intuitive but he has been through so much and he has been getting so much worse we really wanted to hear that there was a clear problem - something real and tangible causing these symptoms.  Something so clear and obvious that there was a clear cut solution.  Remove a tumor, relieve swelling on his spine....whatever it would be.

Well we learned today that Hudson has several issues all affecting his spine.  All in different locations and all with different symptoms.  They were not able to do the MRI since the patient is in their care for 2 days and must be sedated (and in costs an arm and a leg) so we won't get these things confirmed until we decide if we will move forward but they are very sure he has Wobbler's Syndrome.  There are two kinds and Hudson has Cervical Stenotic Myelopathy.  It is common in young large breed dogs, specifically Berners, Great Danes and Mastiffs.  It is where the vertebrae in the neck are compressed causing a wobbly gate.  Now it is also believe that he has this in three locations on his spine, the neck, middle and lower end.  This is what is causing him to drag his feet, trip, go weak in the back legs, and not shake.  It is degenerative so if not treated it will get progressively worse until paralysis essentially.  The typical treatment would be surgery but the vet did mention acupuncture as well - yes acupuncture for a dog.  I have no idea who does that but apparently someone does.

Now this was the type of news we were hoping to receive.  However, since they believe he has it in three locations instead of just one his prognosis is not as good.  They are not sure they would even try and operate on him since that would be too much for one dog to handle.  Three incisions and three surgeries on the spine.....yikes!  Again, an MRI would confirm this and give us more details as to whether there really are 3 locations and how severe these compressions or lesions are.

Unfortunately, that wasn't the only thing they think he has.  They also have suspicions that he has meningitis.  Personally I am less convinced on this one.  First of all, they told us he was not in any pain and apparently menigitis is painful for the dog.  Secondly, he doesn't seem to display many of the symptoms but since menigitis is a swelling of the spinal membrane and his spine does appear to be damaged it could be that.  And of course, he could have swelling of the membrane due to the compression and lesions of the spine from Wobbler's.  It's just so hard to know.  The only way to confirm menigitis is with a spinal tap.  They would only perform this if we went ahead with the MRI since they would have to sedate him for both.

Lastly, they believe he may also have tumors.  Tumors are very common in Berners and these too could cause compression on the spine or other organs and could be interfering with his normal functions.  Depending on the location, amount and size these may or may not be operable.  If we went ahead with the MRI and found tumors and decided that they were operable they would test them for cancer.  If cancer that would be a whole 'nother can of worms I don't want to think about.

However, with all of these scenarios they do not believe that Hudson will gain back his ability to hold it - if you know what I mean.  We may need to invest in a lot of XXXL diapers.  I can't imagine what I will find in those - he is a big dog!!

The best news we received was HE IS NOT IN PAIN!!!!  It doesn't make it all better at all but it helps.

So there you go, a complete update on Hudson's visit.  We have a lot of tough decisions to make and will be taking our time to prayerfully discuss together and determine what is best for Huds and our family.  In the meantime I probably won't be giving any more updates.  I know this isn't a puppy blog and as soon as we get through this little hurdle I will get back to my typical crafty, DIY projects and hopefully some much more uplifting content.

Thank you, thank you for all your thoughts and prayers.  Your support and encouragement really means a lot!!

hudson is visiting the neurologist

I mentioned a long time ago in a post that we have been experiencing some health issues with Hudson our three year old Bernese Mountain Dog.  It all started as a funny waddle-limp when we first brought him home.  Nothing cuter than this chubby ball of fur stumbling around the yard.  Soon we stopped laughing though and realized that things were getting worse and not just the product of a clumsy puppy.

As he grew the waddle limp turned into just a limp and suddenly he was no longer potty trained.  That was the biggest wake up call.  When your fully potty trained one year old pup suddenly starts having accidents of all types all over the house you worry.  You worry a lot.  And if we weren't worrying enough then, the sudden depression and anxiety threw us over the edge.  

Countless vet visits later and dwindling pocket books we were told that physically he is in perfect health and that it is all mental and we need to visit a dog behaviorist (aka a dog psychologist).

Not joking. We did it.

And we were told that Lola was abusing him. 

I just don't see it.

But really they love each other and they love to play together.

We were skeptical about the abuse but the behaviorist did give us a few good tips to get Hudson's mood back up and that alone was worth all the money in the world.  Hudson may still trash my house with his bodily fluids but at least he does it with his tail wagging and a big grin on his face.

Apology accepted.

The final straw though was when he stopped being able to shake.  As in wet dog trying to shake but nothing happening.  

BREAKS MY HEART!  

Something is seriously wrong with this sweet guy.

Finally another vet confirmed our fears - it was probably something neurological.  Either a tumor on or near his spine, or some type of nerve damage that gets worse as he grows or a tumor grows.  

That is why Hudson is visiting a dog neurologist - in Madison.  Several hours away.

But I can't complain because I am not even the one taking him.  My wonderful mother and mother-in-law are taking a road trip with him and doing this for us because we can't get out of work for it and they love us but they may love Hudson more.

Are they not the BEST GRANDMAS EVER!?

I am so blessed and so appreciate all the things they do for Bran and I.

And in case you are still reading this and still care (Mom you don't count) then come back next week and I'll give you an update on the appointment.  

Until then the curiosity will be killing me!!

Another Winner!

Well sadly Katie H never contacted me.  I'm guessing you guys aren't so sad since that means one of you gets a second chance.

And that person is....

Comment #4 Sarah!

Congratulations.  The pattern will be in your inbox!  And congrats on the baby girl too.  Please send me a photo if you make her the hat!

And now since there has been a lot of knitting and chevron going on here let's check out the pups.  I have been lazy and have no been very good with my DIY projects.....but they're coming.  I promise.