keeping us on our toes

Riley has been keeping us on our toes this month. She was spayed on September 2nd, and we were given strict instructions to keep her 'quiet and calm' for 10 days or so. I'm not sure who thinks that it's even remotely possible to keep a 5 month old golden retriever pup 'quiet and calm' for even a few hours. We exercised her too much, and less than a week after her surgery I was home alone with her and noticed her incision was bleeding. I ran her in to the vet (thank goodness they're open on Saturdays) and was told that we needed to really keep her calmer and quieter.

The only way she seemed happy was to be on the furniture with us, so we now have a couch dog. Not too much of a problem when she's 40 some pounds, but I will not be as happy to share the couch with an 80 pound dog, which she will be before we know it! Riley is turning into a big girl, who can spend all day in her kennel without accidents! YAY! The only issue with the longer kennel time is that she sleeps all day, and then wants to play at night. She has decided that she does not enjoy spending the night in her kennel, and has begun whining, pawing at the door, and needing to go out at night. I've spent the last week or so nannying for the cutest baby ever - my niece, Erin. That means that I've been spending more time with this pup and baby:

than I have been with this pup and boy:

I was also lucky enough to get to see this baby (Devin L'Heureux) in the hospital the night he was born - Congrats Beau and Jess!

I am currently waiting to hear about the arrival of another baby, because I have accepted a long term sub job for a 6 week maternity leave. I will be teaching a 5th/6th grade combo class at Zanewood Elementary. The baby was due today, and I'm hoping he/she will arrive this weekend, because Fran has the next month off work (much deserved) and I hope to be subbing the entire month she's off. In other news, I went wedding dress shopping last night, and found some beautiful dresses! We're getting into the full swing of planning - fun stuff! Tom's at a bachelor weekend for a friend who's getting married next month, so Riley and I are on our own this weekend - I'll let you know how it goes - hopefully no 4am play time!

-Laura and the night owl