Just a Boy and his Dog(s)

Quite possibly some of the most rewarding experiences each and every day are the interactions between the Q-man and our dogs. When Quentin was first born I was a little nervous as to how our dogs (at that time practically our babes) would adjust to the new addition. I read all the literature out there, and contemplated enrolling the pups in a course designed to get them used to strollers and the sound of wailing infants. Fortunatley for us, none of it mattered. The dogs readily accepted this newest member and have actually enjoyed his growth (for the most part).

Now, they love the fact that he is a source of stray human food bits, extra love pats and that he has figured out how to get to the dog treats in the pantry and has no concept of "enough".

Béla, when she stops being overly possessive of her toys, even lets him throw her ball.

The other night Q woke up screaming.  Not certain if he was experiencing a nightmare I went to his room and got him after I was sure he wasn't going to cry himself back to dreamland.  Only thing was, he didn't want mommy, or daddy, or playtime even.  As soon as I brought him out to the living room and put him down, he raced back down the hallway, but not into his own room as I suspected, but into our room where the dogs were slumbering.  Q threw himeself down on the dog beds and was literally sound asleep within 60 seconds.  I asked Scott what I should do and we decided to leave him be for a while before safely transfering him back to his crib.  The dogs were a little wary of sharing their restful space with the little monster, but in no time at all they were all snoring harmoniously.

They are so much more than even "man's best friend".

Resolve

The little guy woke up just in time to help us ring in the new year together....as a family.

With the new year comes the time honored tradition of self reflection and identification of the areas in life which could use a little improvement.  I'm a little belated I know, but I've given myself some time to come up with my new year's resolutions.  Every year it seems I resolve to lose weight, get in shape and eat more healthy foods.  But with my oh so vague goals come some very loose interpretations of whether or not I've met them.  This year, I resolve to make strightforward, measurable goals that will improve my mind, body and soul.  I'm also hoping that by posting them, I will hold myself more accountable to attaining them.

BODY
1) Get back on the exercise band wagon!  Run/hike/yoga at least 3 times a week.

2) Drink more water!  Refill my 16 oz glass at least 3 times a day.  (I actually just went to refill it mid post).  I get too busy so many days that somehow I forget the simplest of things...like properly hydrating.  I need to take care of myself; I live in a desert for crying out loud.

3) Be a good diabetic!  Maintain a Hemoglobin A1c between 6.5 and 7.0. This is a diabetic managment goal for myself.

MIND
4) Read more!  A minimum of one additional book a month (besides my book club picks).  There is so much fantastic literature out there (old and new) and I want (NEED) to experience it.

5) Be less of a televidiot!  I read that term somewhere and loved it.  I don't love that I currently am one, but the term alone inspires me to stop watching and do something productive.  My goal is to get rid of 4 shows we currently DVR.

SOUL
6) Post more!  I'd like to try to post on the blog a minimum of once a week (starting today).  I'd love for it to become more of a writing and reflection outlet for myself.

7) Meditate!  This sort of goes hand in hand with the exercise goal, because for me exercise is often my time to meditate (especially during yoga).  But aside from my time working up a sweat I'd like to give myself 30 minutes once a week for meditation alone.

8) Be a better wife!  I don't know how to quantify this one, only that I know there is room for improvement.  I'd like to lessen the times when I'm being hard on myself and I take it out on Scott.  Times when I pick a fight over the most insignificant of things.  I want to focus on the fun we have together, the way he makes me laugh and the love we share and just let the bumps in the road fade into the distance (or at least help them become smaller bumps).

The reasons I want to improve myself...

 

...maybe I should include taking more than just bathtime photos in my list! :)