Bunny appt

The bunny is staying. My lesson in trimming did not go well. She is going to go back every 4 weeks for the trimming to be done the right way, while knocked out. I'm getting a very good deal on it so because the vet is a low cost clinic. She typically only does low cost spay and neuters, but loves rabbits so she's helping me out. I'm very grateful for that.
Today during the teaching lesson, the top tooth fractured to the gums. She is on pain meds now for 3 days and I have to monitor her eating to make sure it's not causing an infection. She will stop eating if it gets to that point. So far though, no change in eating. She inhaled her salad tonight. The rest of the teeth trimmed nice enough but I definitely do not trust myself doing it. And the weird part was, she was so good for it. So it is truly just one of those bad examples. At least the vet did it and it was not my fault.
So she is here to stay, and is just going to be a trip once per month for it to be done properly. She likes her pain meds too. Druggy rabbit.

They were in trouble

I was making supper, and between Kristopher and the dog, I kept tripping over something or someone. So, I finally got fed up and said, "Everyone OUT of the kitchen!!" This is what I find....

They look very guilty.
So tomorrow is the appt for the bunny. Kristopher had another meltdown tonight about how he hopes we can keep her. I really hope she will be calm and nice for this. I got in her cage to feed her tonight and she tried attacking my feet. Doesn't give me much hope. Either way, I'll update tomorrow sometime.

Recovering from the weekend

It's a rainy start to the week here and I'm slow at recovering from the weekend. Now that I have something to keep me busy M-F, I appreciate the weekends so much more. And they seem to go so much faster now as well. That is not fun. But anyway, it's a new week and I have to make the best of it.
We did not do a whole lot this weekend because of period drama. It was most definitely a real cycle, because that is the only time I have that kind of cramping and bleeding. I think it's ending now. I sure hope so. I'm going to track this one much better and try to see when it actually hits, if we are lucky enough to get a repeat working cycle.

Friday night we got little man his very first big kid bike. He had a little trike when he was 2, but mr long legs outgrew that very fast before he even learnt to use it. So then we moved here and it's too uneven for him to use a bike at home. Anyway, he has started to show an interest in wanting a bike, so we left him pick out one. We based it on his height and the chart at Target. Which he is 4 ft 1 inch. The chart said for that height, he needed a 16 inch. He had to have Cars. We get it home and Saturday took him to the park. Couldn't ride it. Mr Long Legs. He looked giant like on that bike. So I said we were going to Toysrus and we tried out some others. He got an 18 inch and can ride great. Returned the Cars bike and he was fine. By that point, the rain had started so he has yet to get the chance to really ride it yet, other than in toysrus bike department. Wednesday looks like it will be the next nice day to give it a try. I don't even have a picture of him on it yet! But he is so happy to have a bike and feels so special that he got it "just because".

So for the new week, we have 2 days of rain, so that means a lot of home time. Cleaning and laundry today, and who knows for tomorrow. Wednesday is going to be the vet appt to try to learn the bunny teeth trimming. Thursday and Friday are still unknown. I feel like I need a nap though today. Going to be a long day.

Well apparently

The herbs have kicked in! I started spotting earlier in the week, but it was only here and there at odd times. Nothing real, nothing to count as a start. Then yesterday afternoon the cramps kicked in and by evening it was truly here. Overnight I was awake a lot and in pain, and today is just as bad. I'm glad though that it is here! I had a 36 day cycle, without the need of provera and I am pretty sure something did happen because I had that prog. increase signs. Timing wise, I know we screwed up, but it's still ok. The herbs actually do work!
Now, the problem is if it's going to be this long for this round, if we do not get timing down perfectly had have success, I am going to be dealing with this right now during our vacation. We are taking our vacation early this year, and leaving May 2nd. I really hope that either I start early and am over this by then, or it can be late a week, or even better, I get pregnant. I'm at the point now though that I assume it's not going to happen and if it does, it will totally blow me away.
So today is day 2. Hopefully I didn't just jinx myself with saying they work....

Nala says...

I'm staying!
After some long nights of thinking, I've decided I'm going to learn how to do this teeth thing. I didn't use to be able to do the doggy nails, and now I do it all, so if I can learn that, I can learn the teeth care too. And, no, she is not the typical bunny. She has a misaligned jaw, which is pretty severe. Rabbits teeth continuously grow, like fingernails/toenails. With a normal rabbit, they wear them down as they chew. With mine, hers do not wear as she chews, so they grow like crazy. The bottom teeth are huge grow straight up and are currently sticking out of her mouth while it's shut. And that change happened since the picture was taken yesterday. The top teeth curl to either side and go back into her mouth.
And since the spay, she is totally litter trained again. The next picture was taken before the spay. It's of her recently new cage. I promised to post pics about a month ago, but you know, a month goes by pretty fast. So here is her cage. And she is staying!!

Some Bunny Drama

I swear I have the craziest pets sometimes. The bunny was spayed and had her teeth trimmed VERY short 2 weeks ago today. Last night I noticed she isn't eating her hay, is acting crabby again, just acting off. So I checked her teeth. They are very bad again. Almost coming out her mouth when it is shut. So I spent a bigger part of the evening doing some more research to see what our options are. Apparently it's possible to remove the problem teeth because they do not NEED those front teeth. Other option is to get them trimmed every 2-4 weeks. Or then there is my final option, of contacting the bunny rescue and rehoming her. I really do not want to do that, but we live too far from the vet, and every 2-4 weeks going down for that is going to be hard to do. I do not get animals to quit on them and give them away. My animals are more than just pets. Obviously seeing as I got a rabbit spayed.
So today I called the vet again. She is going to research more about the surgery option, but till then, I have an appt to go next week and I'm going to learn how to trim them myself. If she is tolerable of that, problem is solved. I will just have to clip her teeth every couple weeks and make sure things are going well. All I'll have to get is a good pair of doggy nail clippers, which I need to do anyway because Zoey's are not that great anymore. Now if she will not let me, then we run into either having to take her and have her gassed out and done the way I can not do it, or, the vet might be willing to adopt her.

I bought up the possibility of that to Kristopher today. I explained that the bunny's teeth are not good, and it can make her very sick and hurt bad if they can't get taken care of properly. I told him that her vet might be able to let her live there, so that she can take care of them the right way whenever is needed. Of course, he cried. Which had me close too. I don't want him to have to lose his pets. It's hard to decide what is right. I just want to somehow prepare him that it might be a possibility.....

Day off

Wednesday's is my day off from babysitting. The kids stay home with their dad, and I get a mid week break. Somehow, my kid forgets this and decides to get up earlier than the other days. So already today, I've got a lot of cleaning done and am taking a rest break. Later today we are going to start all our early seeds inside, do some more cleaning up from winter outside in the yard, and possibly a long walk. I also need to get the dog brushed out good and bathed. She's been neglected with grooming lately and has crazy feet again. Her feet hair a crazy long and it looks like she's wearing fuzzy boots. Cute but not good for her feet.

This past weekend we found out my niece had surgery last week. Nothing major and she is doing fine, but it was so kind of them to let us all know. I found out through finally logging onto myspace and seeing all the updates on there. My mom was worried and tried calling, but never could get through. I finally commented her stupid post and the phone rang an hour later. They just assumed she was already told and it was no big deal. How nice. And at the same time, we found out that due to all the drugs and drinking, the baby she is currently pregnant with may not survive and if it does, is going to have a lot of problems. They are not saying it is due to that reason, but that would be my guess. She didn't give up her lifestyle till just recently and is now almost to the end. Now it is going to be a pity party. While I feel bad for the baby since he did not choose any of that, I do not feel bad for them at all. And I hope they both have to live with their stupid choices and feel regret for the rest of their lives. And I hope it means they never attempt to reproduce ever again. None of it is fair. They don't deserve to even have the right to have a child. I have to keep my mouth shut though because "it's family". Blah.

But anyway, lots on my mind today when I'm not as busy as usual. I don't feel like doing anything else except resting today, but it's too nice of a day to spend it being lazy I guess.

Another herb update

The herbs may be working. I'm not sure if or when I may have ovulated at this point, but there was signs throughout the cycle that something was different. I had definite boob issues for about 2 weeks, dying off towards the end of last week, tests keep showing negative, and this morning I woke to spotting. And I just feel...off. I think its on the way. Today is day 34.
Yesterday I called and ordered more herbs and decided to reorder some of the T&C Formula again because nothing was starting. Maybe it is regulating but means I'll have mid 30 day cycles. Either way, new order is on the way. If it starts, I will not take the T&C, but if this is just some weird spotting issue, I will start it next Monday again.

I'm hoping that if it is regular now, it starts, gets over with fast, and then starts before 30 days next time. We have vacation scheduled for May 2nd-6th, and I'm going to be highly upset if I have my period for that trip. If this can be regular, it would mean that I'd be mid cycle and not have to worry by that point.
Either way, things are different and I feel like it's close. Herbs may be a slow process but I think I might be ok with them at this point.

Wow..it's been a week

I'm slacking majorly. Spring weather is here. Its been in the low 60's all week and we are loving the chance to get outside. Today however, I am in a mental blah mood. I'm stressed and don't even know where to start with what all is on my mind.
I guess will start with cycle update. It is day 30. I thought for sure that something was going on and that ovulation had definitely happened. So much so that I tested 2 days ago. Obviously it was negative. I have a lot of achiness and cramping, and not a spot in sight. Very unusual for me for a "normal me cycle". Typically I have spotting several times. But anyway, Monday I'm calling to order round 4 of herbs. I'll test before then, and have decided I'll order the disgusting T&C Formula once more to see if that helps balance and regulate. So we wait. I'm disappointed though because I just felt like it truly happened before day 14. And, I had to deal with drama from 2 sets of dead beat parents today and it just sucks. But enough on that.

Spring. My crocus's have sprouted and started a bloom fest. So pretty and exciting to see the first spring flowers. I wasn't sure they were going to make it between squirrels and chipmunks digging in there, and then the stray cat that digs and poops in the flower beds. The entire row has sprouted, but the hyacinths that were behind them have not came up yet. So those have disappeared. The neighbors have all had theirs up and almost in bloom. Mine are gone. Must get more. I'm also starting garden seeds inside on Sunday, and going to beg and plead for the garden to get tilled up very soon. The amish have started their gardens and I'm already feeling behind.

School. I got the school paperwork all filled out, except for the dental form, which is scheduled for April 7th. Less than a month now and he will be registered. I'm scared. He has started that he wants to do the homeschooling stuff I had spent so much on last year. He sits down to "practice writing" and works at workbooks. The bad part of that is, he wants to FINISH the workbook in one sitting. He did 3 today. They were not as thick as some but still. He goes right down to coloring the pages that can be colored. And he's getting much better with staying in the lines. We have also had lots of learning adventures outside this week. And, he decided to do an "adventure book" like in the movie Up. So he has the adventure book, and an adventure box.
We are fast approaching T-Ball season. I can't wait for that because he will be running off so much of this crazy energy, and making a lot of new friends his age. Right now it seems the only kids he is around is these I babysit, and they are babies. He needs more older kid interaction.

Ok, I'm wore out and am going to attempt to sleep.

Friday night ramblings

Nala is doing much better today. She is finally eating and moving around. It took till this evening before she really started moving. She is being kind of bad with digging at her towels and kicking litter around. I guess that means her meds are working. She takes those so well for me too.
Kristopher was at the doctor today. I had to drop off his kindergarten forms, and he had his hand checked out because he has a few warts. We brought them up at his 5 yr check up and was told to buy an over the counter kit. We did that, and it isn't helping. It actually caused a lot of issues for him and was painful. So today they froze 2 and the 3rd is irritated enough that they couldn't do anything. He cried so hard. I felt really bad for him because it takes a lot to make him cry like that. Typically it's only with seeing blood that will make him cry at all in this type of case. She said that it could "sting a little." Well I'm thinking it was more than just a little because in the past 2 yrs when he has gotten his shots, he doesn't even whine about it. Doesn't phase him at all. But this had him in such pain. And he may have to go back if it didn't help. She claims it can sometimes take 2 or 3 times before it kills the wart. He was so brave while they were doing that, and didn't move his hand. 2 stickers and a lollipop made it worth the trip and he thanked her and said he hopes he doesn't have to go back. I hope that too. Dennis will take him next time if he does have to go.

I'm falling asleep sitting here tonight so that will be my updates for now. It's a nasty rainy weekend here and my husband is gone all day tomorrow for a favor with a friend, so maybe I'll get around to some other updates.

Bunny was spayed

Today Nala the bunny got spayed. A lot of people I have told that to, think I have absolutely lost my mind that I would pay "that kind of money on a RABBIT!" Unlike some people who get rabbits, mine is more than just something that is shoved outside and ignored. My rabbit lives inside, has a huge cage with lots of extras, and gets lots of free roaming time per day. She is more than just something to say we have and from my researching, spaying is a must for a rabbit. They have such a huge risk of cancer and I may have just bought her like 5+ more years than she typically would have had. Sorry for the rant, but it annoys me when people comment stupidly.
So anyway, I found an ad on Craigslist recently saying that there was a low cost spay/neuter clinic and that rabbits were included. I have looked for a long time to try to find one that was under $200 (most average around $300 for a rabbit spay because they claim they are "exotic pets"). So this place I found was low cost, and the vet has tons of experience with rabbits. We emailed and then talked by phone and I decided I'd go with her. She also was willing to trim her teeth at the same time.
This morning we loaded up and ventured an hour and 15 mins to drop her off. She was already severely pissed that I had her in the tiny cat carrier, not to mention the fact she doesn't like the feeling of the car moving. We got there and I signed the papers and left. 2 hrs later they called and said she was awake and alert, and I can come back whenever to pick her up. Everything went well, she has an incision around an inch long and will not need to go back unless there is complications. She also had her teeth trimmed and filed the proper way, so that is good for at least 2 months. We learned that her jaw is misaligned and this will be a regular expense with her. At least this woman can do it the right way and is very fair priced. So it's truly not that big of a deal.
Since being home, she has been extremely calm and acting like she's high. She is definitely feeling some pain, and just sits on the towel I put in her cage. She took her pain meds like a champ, and her "boo boo spot" is ok. Kristopher is very disturbed when I check the spot and he has to see the dried blood and her shaved belly. My kid has a major blood fear.
I took the shelf out of her cage so she can not jump up that high, and plan to leave it out till around Monday. It's bad enough she jumps into her litter box.
Tomorrow I'll post some pictures of her really cool cage. I think I'm finally done messing around with it and am happy with the finished product.

Kindergarten time

I was having a good day. Then the mail came. In the mail, was the dreaded packet that I knew was on the way, but in denial about. Kindergarten registration papers. We have to be at the school on April 19th at 1:30pm. I made it to the 3rd paragraph and then the waterworks started. I am not ready for this. He will be a "big kid" once he's in school.

He wants to ride the bus. We were looking through the paperwork and he saw "Bus" on the one form and said "see!! Kindergarten kids CAN SO ride the bus!!!" (this being after I told him that the bus is only for the older kids.) I regret teaching him to read. Ha. I'm the only one against the fact of him riding a bus. So, even though it bothers me, I think we will be allowing him to give it a try. If there is ANY issues at all, he is pulled from the bus and will not try again till he's in middle school. I have a few months to get ok with that idea. Lucky for me, my kid is very alert and never falls asleep on the bus, he is very quick to learn the route to somewhere, so I think he would do perfectly fine. Again, it is just me.

So anyway, that is my heart breaking mail today. It doesn't seem fair how fast the last 5 1/2 yrs have gone by. I'm so not ready for this...

Disgusted

I am disgusted with myself and the rest of this household today. 8 weeks from now, we are going to be at the beach. I have officially gained 10lbs since the study ended. 10lbs might not sound all that bad but it is. It's enough that my new jeans don't fit. It's enough that I'll look totally disgusting in my bathing suit, if it even fits. I need to get in the right mood to drop at least 10lbs, and fast. Ideally, I'd like to lose 15-20.
I just feel really digusted with myself for letting it go again. I was doing so well. I know how it happened, and it's my fault. And the other people in this house that keep bringing all the junk in the house. No one else cares. I feel like total crap lately though. I have reflux and heartburn issues with pretty much everything lately, have been drinking a lot more soda and tea (and slushies have become a major addiction lately as well) and not enough water. So starting today, I'm back to drinking just water. So far, I've had almost 75ozs. I have a 25oz refillable water bottle and it's about empty from the 3rd fill up. I'll give you a guess as to where I've been visiting every 10 mins today.

We have also hit 50 degree temps and it looks like the 10 day forcast will keep them around. And we turn the clocks soon so I'll have evening walking time back. I'm ready for spring and to be out of this winter time blah phase. If I can get a stroller sent along with the kids one of these days, maybe I can walk the parks during the day as well.
Either way, spring is almost here and these next 8 weeks are going to be a real change. This time I mean it.

Fast weekend

My husband worked late on Friday so he could take the entire weekend off. I can't believe how fast it went by.
Saturday we stuck around the house for most of the day because of Zoey's stomach issues. I managed to get some organizing taken care of. In the afternoon my mom and I went to the amish fabric store and got some nice fabric for new kitchen curtains. I had planned to get those done this weekend but we never started them. Then later in the evening we went to Lowes and got some really incredible deals. We are still in construction phase in the house, and once the final moving around of rooms are done, the 2 older bedrooms upstairs are going to be repainted, new carpet and new closets. Well, Lowes had a huge clearance on all the closet organizers. We got some of those and some fabric storage bins for really cheap. I did my usual look for orchids but have determined that I am an orchid snob now and will not being buying anymore from Lowes or Home Depot. I have issues with them typically because they don't care for them properly, so I'll stick to the green houses from now on.

Anyway, back to the weekend. Today we spent most of the day at home doing some spring cleaning early, took a break for lunch with my grandma, and then back to finish the cleaning. Tonight I worked on more re-arranging with the bunny cage. I'll have to post a picture of that tomorrow. She has a bunny mansion now.
Speaking of the animals, Zoey is feeling better. The vet got back to me yesterday around lunch and we have decided a new plan for her. She is on the antibiotics again seeing as they work really well for her, and then will start steroids once she has finished these pills. She will take a half of a steroid pill once a day for a week, then will drop to a half every other day. Forever apparently. They feel that this is something totally controllable, and we just have to find the right balance with the steroids I guess. I hate that she has to be on any of that but if it manages to get me a few more good years out of her, then I'll do whatever it takes. I was really scared on Saturday morning when the vomit issue happened, and thought for sure we were going to be dealing with a very sick dog and possibly the end already. She isn't even quite 9 yrs old yet so that scares me so much. I know I'll never be ready but now is just too soon. My mom also had a Keeshond (my first ever pet) and she lived till almost 12 yrs old. She had a lot of problems for her entire life, not just upper age like Zoey so I kind of feel that Zoey should definitely out live that one. Zoey's problems have just recently started in the past year or 2.
Either way, she's back to herself again and just going to be a medicated doggy. And we have to change her monthly heart worm pill because of food sensitivity. All easy fixes.
The bunny is going through some major attitude issues. About a month ago, I made her a new giant cage because I can't trust her to be out free roaming during the day anymore. She got to the point that she was peeing every 5 mins just to mark the room as her own. She use to be totally litter trained and when the hormones hit her around 6 months, it just got worse and worse. So, I have done my research and rather than give up and re home her, I'm getting her spayed. Most people think I am nuts, because she is "just a rabbit" but research shows that it helps a ton. She should be easier to get re litter trained, and hopefully will ease her moodiness. While I may never be able to just sit and hold her, she won't be in attack mode every time she goes in heat. Thursday morning is her appt and she is also getting her teeth trimmed again while she is under. 2 for 1 deal. Yay.

So we're gearing up to a pretty busy week I guess. I wish weekends could stick around a little longer.

Zoey

Is sick. Again. It's been exactly 2 weeks. I have no clue what is going on with her anymore. We have watched her so so closely for the past 2 weeks and there is no chance of her getting anything she was not suppose to have. She is on what is basically the best food out there for stomach/sensitivity issues and this is still happening. More frequently than ever. And this time there was barf too. She never barfs. It was a one time thing but still was there. The vet opens at 8am so I guess that will be the first thing done this weekend. They have to find out what is causing this and how we can manage it. The all nighters out in the cold every 15-20 mins is getting old, and I'm sure it's not fun for her either. As of right now, we will be camping in the living room till she can make it all night upstairs again. After the first 2 outings, she's too weak to go up the steps.
I don't understand this and while I try not to think negatively, for some reason I don't see my poor puppy making it to 10 yrs old. She won't even hit 9 yrs old till April. Please make her make it longer than this...

Yay for March

Winter is almost over. Although, there is this big thing on the news every evening about this guy who apparently "predicted" the last 2 big snow storms right down to the date and amounts, and he is saying there is another one coming for March 7th that will dump like 42 inches of snow on us. According to another thing I've heard, the Farmers Almanac is also predicting the same thing. If that truly hits us, I just might die. I highly doubt it because I swear I saw we have 50 degree temps coming for the end of the week.
I like the snow and how much we've gotten here this winter, and it is awesome for my husbands job, but I truly feel like it's time for winter to be over. Mentally I'm starting to lose it because I need out of the house. I need to be able to go outside and not be freezing, and not to be seeing so much snow. We had some melting recently and I saw that my crocuses are coming up. I'm ready for things to look alive outside again!

In other randomness, here's what's been going on here lately:
I now have 36 orchids. I went to the PA Garden Expo this weekend and met a guy that is about 2 hrs away that has a very very huge awesome greenhouse, and I plan to go very soon. So that count will probably grow. The orchids have officially distracted me from the fact that my body is a failure and I no longer know what day I'm on cycle wise or care much for that matter.
Although I do have it marked on the calendar that I start the HB Formula again tomorrow, and I've had cramping and overload of "cm" sooooooo maybe it's kicked in. But I'm not obsessing it. I have 36 other things to take care of and worry about.
I have been going to bed a bit earlier than I use to because I'm up earlier for babysitting, and K gets up as soon as he hears my alarm. So earlier to bed so I'm not snapping within minutes of waking up is what I need. So far, it is working ok.
Babysitting is going great. I have them basically napping at the same time and Kristopher is required to have "rest time" around the same point since he is sleeping less at night. I have about 2 hours of a quiet house in the afternoon. Again, saves me from going mental.
And before I'm done today, Kristopher update.
He is now breezing through the Step 1 "begin to read" books. At first I thought it was because he just memorized the ones we had, so we bought some more. He was reading to the babies the other day and I caught him getting to a word he didn't know and he sounded it out and kept on going. It is the coolest thing ever to see him sitting there actually reading a book that he has never seen before. It's also pretty sad because it means my baby is most definitely not a baby anymore.
And Kindergarten registration is coming up. I'm in denial for now. I want to keep him home but I know he will thrive in a school setting. He NEEDS that and I know that is best for our family, but I don't want him to go. And he wants to ride a bus and that thought scares me even more than the fact he will be at school for 5 hrs a day. We live 20 mins from school so do I do that drive twice a day, or trust the bus like everyone is telling me to do? Everyone else says I am crazy for not wanting to allow him to go on the bus.....I have till August to figure all that out. I really just want to move and be in a walking/no bus offered school area. Which we might just do. But that's more for another day.