Home for Christmas

We made the journey home to Michigan again for the second time in 4 weeks for Christmas last week. Travels were good on I-80 which can be touch and go this time of year so we were very lucky. Of course when we got to Michigan it was a complete winter wonderland,the first day we were there we got about 6 inches of snow, and that was in addition to the foot already on the ground. The worst part was the 40 mph winds and the -30 wind chills, we spent a lot of time just hanging out inside at Jeremy's mom and dad's that weekend. We spent a few days in Mt. Pleasant with mom and dad Rellinger and went out to dinner at Mountain Town and we also caught "Yes Man" at the theater. It will be the last time we see the fam until Rece arrives so it was nice to have a few days to hang out. I do have to say though I did miss having a glass of wine (or four) sitting next to the fire to celebrate the holidays. I have already "called" the holidays for 09 so to speak, meaning I will be partaking in the festivities next year and Jeremy will be on baby duty :-)

Then we were on to Jackson to see my parents. On the way there we went to Babies R Us in Lansing and spent gift cards and got a lot of the items on my "need before the baby comes" list. We spent the actual Christmas holiday in Jackson (pictures below) it was a lot of fun and great to see the whole Dawson crew.

We headed back to State College on Saturday the 27th because I had to work on Monday the 29th. When we arrived home we found that Angel had positioned herself between two of the dining room chairs we had laid on the couch to keep the dogs off the couch when they were being dog sat over vacation. While she was on the couch she urinated. Of course she urinated on the part of the couch that is the largest piece, the chaise lounge. The foam and batting is completely ruined of course and I am not sure about the cover. Luckily when we purchased the couch, just a year ago we purchased the protection plan that also covers bodily fluids from pets. So when the company re opens tomorrow the 5th I have to call and see what will and what won't be covered and then we will go from there. But after a great trip and travels home, this was the last thing I wanted to see, it kind of ruined the trip for me. I was upset to the point of balling about it. Basically because I thought it stunk that we go out of our way to have our dogs taken care of in our home, so they aren't kenneled and we allow them to be in the house rather than keeping them cooped up in our utility room on their beds. To do this we cover our furniture with other heavy furniture and somehow our geriatric stubborn Rottie fits herself there and demonstrates her incontinence on our 1 year old couch....it just doesn't seem fair.....

So then we began the battle of the urine. Angel has begun to leak and pee freely and unknowingly in her sleep. She is 11 and a large dog so these problems of old age shouldn't be a surprise, but with a baby due in 8 weeks or less, it is a problem. Part of my break down also included thoughts of dog urine all over my house when I am going to be welcoming an infant to it shortly.

So we went to the pet store and bought her a doggie diaper which she proceeded to soak through the first two nights. Then came the trip to the vet. He said at her age this is a common issue especially for dogs that had been spade. He gave her some pills to help tighten her "sphincter" and they have worked great! Within two days the dripping completely stopped and no more wet diapers at night! This is a major relief as I did not want to be diapering a baby and a dog.

All dog issues resolved, besides the fact that our couch is now short one end piece, we began working on the nursery (separate post) and we celebrated the new year. We went downtown to see the ice sculptures again this year and went to lunch and to cold stone for dessert. Which as you can see from the Christmas pics I probably don't need at this point, but oh well....

All in all the last two weeks without having to go into the office much has been great I will be very sad to see it end :-(
I hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Year!