Dat, Dat, Dat

There is no one thing that JD loves more right now than his friend Tuscany and for that matter Scarlet (Grandma's dog).  "Dat dat dat" comes out of this sweet little boys mouth at least 100 times a day.  No Joke, this morning he was starving at 3am and then again at 4am and both times as we laid him back to bed all you heard was "Dat, dat, dat."  The minute he wakes up from his nap and hears the click of Tuscany's nails on the hardwood floor or the shake of her collar you seem him grin from ear to ear and ask for her.  When we drop him off at Grandma's same thing, "dat, dat, dat."  It is amazing how so early on this relationship is such a huge part of our little man's life. 

Kevin and I both comment on how lucky we are because both dogs are great to him.  Tuscany has always been an amazing dog but I had no idea just how amazing she is until I had JD.  She sits at the top of the stairs and is our baby gate for JD most days.  She lets us know when he is crying and we are not getting up fast enough.  She even allows him to pull out huge clumps of her beautiful tail and doesn't even flinch.  A few "grrs" when JD comes in a grabs her favorite toy but mostly it is kisses, patience and understanding.

I sometimes wonder if the reason JD says "dat" and smiles so much when he sees Tuscany; is because she is truly the best type of parent.  She protects, encourages, kisses and has limitless patience. 

JD will likely not have the joy to have memories of Tuscany as she is 11 and has health issues but through this blog, his journal and the many different photos we have taken, my hope is that he will know that Tuscany was the best dog any family could ever has ever known.  And more importantly from the time that he was in my belly, Tuscany watched over him and loved him unconditionally and helped him to smile hundreds of times a day.  

The Next Era

At 10 months old, my little man is full of energy and absolutely exploding in every area of development.  As you can see by the 10 month picture; he is standing up and trying to figure out this whole walking thing.  Additionally, this morning he discovered the toilet and even put his little rubber ducky in it; luckily I rescued the duck from the toilet before JD went in after it.

Each and every day I feel blessed, but there are two times a day that I consider to be my favorite.  First, early in the morning JD and Dad get up and go downstairs.  I have the great pleasure of lying in bed for another 30-60 minutes and I listen to the two of them.  Hearing the laughter and the constant "dat, dat, dat" of JD and the repeat of Dad "dog, dog, dog" is my favorite thing each morning.

Then, each night we get home from work and it is pretty busy between dinner, bath and bedtime.  But there is about 20-30 minutes right as JD is calming down where we read a book, say the Lord's prayer and then rock and have a bottle.  Each of these minutes are amazing.  As I say the Lord's prayer I always reflect on the power of that prayer and am aware of the great wisdom in each line.  I hope JD will grow to enjoy the Faith and love in the prayer just like me.  Then as we finish each bottle, JD nestles his head in the curve of my neck and I feel like the luckiest woman in the world. 

It is a great life that I lead, each day starting with moments of pure please and happiness and each day feeling loved and loving in return.