spa

Wouldn't you want to take a hot bath near a roaring fire and a Christmas tree? I would.

P.S.  I was still working on his stocking which is why it isn't on the mantle.  Paula, you are the inspiration for these stockings.  However, what you sewed, I glued.  A very, VERY simplistic version of your beautiful stockings.

for want of wisdom

I have too often come across "Christian" paraphrenalia that have the adage, "Wise Men Still Seek Him". I walk away from them with an unsettled feeling in my stomach. What is this saying really...well...saying? I interpret this platitude to be telling the world that christians are more wise, or dare I say, overall better than everyone else. It is offensive. Not offensive in the same way that the Gospel is offensive because unbelievers hate needing a Savior. I am okay with that (I have to be). It offends because the writer is being a "hater"--in other words, the writer is not being a "lover" or loving. And on top of that, the writer albeit clever is not being humble. Two things we are commanded to be are loving and humble. This saying is neither. Do you see the problem? I don't want to be connected to that. I don't want to be about that at all. I am a christian that seeks the Lord. I am not wise for it. I am compelled because there is no other Way (note the capital "W"). What wisdom that has seeped into my thick skull is from His Gracious Hand and not from any talent I may grossly exaggerate in importance. The writer's abilities come from the Lord, but that saying surely did not.

nightmare on spencer

I am not sure why I believe this but nightmares seem...well...childish. I rarely have them so when I do, I probably give them more thought than I ought. Last night, I had about 3 nightmares. The one that was most upsetting was where I went to a very large restaurant called arrozo de something (I remembered the name last night but my memory of the dream has become fuzzy). It was large enough that you could get lost in it. I was with some combination of cousins and friends. I decided to leave the baby because he was sleeping and I didn't want to wake him. We get to our next destination and I realize that he is over 30minutes away and anything could happen to him. Kidnapping! Crying with no one to hear! I went back as fast as I could and could find no trace of him. I was horrified and grieved to the core. I woke up upset and thought about waking David. It took me awhile to actually feel better. It was very real.

the ABC's of giving thanks

I thought it would be fun to go through the alphabet of things I'm thankful that aren't Jesus, friends, or family.

A- attachment parenting (I can hear you groaning from here)
B- Bono and blogs (i read a lot of them for inspiration)
C- cool breezes (esp. since I have hot flashes all the time)
D- December (Christmas--ooh, could've used that for "C")
E- easy recipes
F- Florida (no beaches like it) and FoxTrot comic strips
G- ground beef (i fell in love with when I had my first hamburger)
H- happy tv shows, music, and people
I- Icee (don't drink them now but they were happy treats from my childhood)
J- justice served on this side of heaven
K- krispie kreme donuts (because they make my husband so happy)
L- loose clothing (it means i'm losing weight--hello! I am way smaller than I was before pregnancy and before jr. high for that matter)
M- microchips (don't understand them but i am glad they exist)
N- naps (any kind, for either baby or myself)
O- open, honest and I-care-about-you/I-care-about-me communication (yes, I'm a nerdy therapist)
P- Pennsylvania Dutch eggnog
Q- Q-tips (ok, so not a lot of Q's but I'm reaching)
R- rock and roll, baby!
S- SUNSHINE!!!!
T- t.v. (very uncool to some people to like t.v. but I don't care)
U- underbed storage (holds wrapping goodies, out of season clothing)
V- vino (ok, i cheated--it is in a different language)
W- winter drinks at starbucks (i never get them but i like knowing they are there with their festive red cups)
X- X-mas (ok, reaching again...)
Y- yellow houses (so cheerful no matter the weather)
Z- zippers (because they are functional and practical)

7 and a half mos.??!

Yes, david jr. is that old. I can hardly believe it. He weighs (are you sitting down?) 23lbs 8oz. He is, however, growing taller so that all the rolls are getting slightly smaller. I still have a job in cleaning in between all the fat, though. He has two bottom teeth and two top teeth. However, the top two teeth aren't the front ones. One is but the other one is his side tooth...strange. We survived our first ear infection and I was traumatized by the constant night wakings. Nothing like a sick baby to make me appreciate how wonderful he is when he is healthy. It was so sad to see him sick. The worst is over (we hope) but he is still recovering. Yesterday, I set him in his jumper. A few minutes passed and I didn't hear anything as I was fixing breakfast. I walked over and he had his head resting on the side, just staring. *sigh* so cute, so pitiful.

It is a bit easier to get out with him. He enjoys his carseat and it usually lulls him to sleep. He is more willing to hang out with me in the sling and I'm more amenable to not being in stores as long as I used to. So, I've adjusted to my new lack of freedom. David Jr. is smiling and laughing more and we love it. He has us chuckling with every giggle. There is no happier sound to my ears this side of heaven. He shows desire to move beyond the place he is sitting but just hasn't quite figured out how to accomplish it. He will bend far over his legs which manages to get his head closer to his destination but that's all. He also will manage to move to his stomach. Depending on his mood, he will like it or hate it.

The foods he has had up to this point (and in order) are:
rice cereal, butternut squash, avocado, sweet potato, banana, apple.

He loves the squash, avocado, sweet potato, and banana. Apples he turns away but it also might be because he wasn't feeling well this week and just didn't eat much of anything that wasn't momma's milk.

He is playing with his toys and making noises (usually when he is displeased)that sound like "nyah, nyah, nyah, nyah". We hear it when he wants out of his jumper or when we are giving him medicine. David Sr. thinks its cute but I'm not so sure. I think this is a precursor to "no".

I see him turning his attention to the t.v. now and this has me much more aware of what I watch and what he is exposed to. He seems pleased with musicals. He really liked Annie when it was on. Or it was just gas. ;)

can you guess which is the honeybear, honeybee, and the honey?

kitchen redo

I have been doing brain somersaults trying to figure out what to do with our kitchen. I am awful at making these decisions that will last for years and be expensive. It is hard to commit to something depending that is dependent on my decision. So, I am sending out a request for feedback on this kitchen. I have poured over magazines, blogs, and other internet sites to find the perfect solution. Anyway, here it is:

I am still unsure whether to paint our cabinets. I think I want to but then I start to doubt again. David feels sure it should be painted. Look at these pictures and tell me what you think.

We need to have a backsplash. I am open to all suggestions. I have gone from glass tile, to paint, to halfway up or all the way up the wall. I'm just to darn uncertain. The granite countertops that we got this summer are to be the focal point. They are shiny so does that mean I need a matte finish on the backsplash tile? I would love to use glass tile but it may compete with the granite and I don't want that to happen. I want the eye to be drawn to whatever it is supposed to be drawn to. Meredith--your expertise is especially coveted.

I need suggestions for both brown cabinets and white. I also thought about going a bit crazy and painting the cabinets a greyish blue color. Sounds crazier than I think it would look but it is all about resale here. We want to resell. We will hopefully have a stainless steel appliances. The floor is a greyish stone with creamy undertones (vinyl tile).

sitting up

first solids

you do what you gotta do

I am able to sit down and write this blog because the past few days I have been able to "convince" baby david to sleep in his swing. Of course, I have had to put the swing in the bathroom so that the running water can help soothe him to sleep. I sit on the floor beside him and sing and he eventually falls asleep. My epiphany came when I realized that if I move the swing into the bathroom he will have all that he usually has with us: Motion, song, and white noise (bath water). This way I am free during his naps to be productive. Ok, so writing a blog isn't extremely productive but during his last nap I cleaned out the microwave and ate lunch. It is nice to just sit. Ahhhh.

This new development has given me a sense of hope. It is a small step but it means at least an hour or so of freedom in the morning and in the evening. I'm not going to even think about when he outgrows the swing at this point. I'm just enjoying this new thing. Some things that I thought I would enjoy I have not as much. I was excited to see him start solids (last week) but as I was doing that I started to feel sad. He is growing up fast. Part of me loves that he is growing and another part is sad that I'm seeing phases pass by. I wonder if in a few years I will still remember looks he gives me, his smell, his manner. I am SO not ready to be phased out as a momma and I know that I have more time but does anyone else see how much faster time goes when you have children? It is frightening. I have wrinkles, people!

My wrinkles stand out more these days because I am looking at baby skin all the time. Comparatively my skin looks like rawhide. I'm not ready to lose my elasticity in my skin and look like a dried up prune. It isn't pretty. I find it also strange to say that in ten years I'll be 40. Those of you who read this blog who are nearer than I am or past this point, my apologies. I'm just sayin'...

David and I are so busy with our little guy (who has stolen our hearts) that we find that our house is falling apart around our ears. David would tell me that was not the case but I have a propensity to use hyperbole...a lot. :) So, what I mean is that shingles from our roof have fallen off and because of all the rain we have water spots on our bedroom ceiling--not good. We have spiders and roaches (more spiders than roaches) but YUCK! We have gutters that are overflowing and stopped up. David is up to his forehead in school work for Prep and for graduate school (although it has been better lately and I think it is because David is learning to relax a bit about his work {good thing}). We often wonder how other parents get anything done but we are making it. We are seeing our son thrive. We are blessed (just not with all the time we want).

I don't feel as much of a prisoner as I have early on. I guess that means I'm used to the loss of freedom. What I lose in freedom I have gained in this alien feeling of complete bondedness to a very fat little baby. I am in love with this boy. It isn't butterflys and sappy music kind of love. It is a I'll-fight-you-if-you-try-to-harm-him love. It is a gritty-ier kind of love. I can't describe it very well but it can be intense some days. I realize it when I see other babies in pain or hurting and I feel so sad. I know that motherhood has changed me. It isn't terrible. Just different.

Happy Autumn!

some more pictures

david's baptism

It was a sweet event. Thanks to Esther and Jim for taking pictures. For those who weren't there, David Jr. barely fit his 6 mos. old outfit (he was almost 5 mos. old) and was happy for most of it. When Pastor Mike turned him away from his audience he started to fuss. Overall, he did great and we were thankful for such a memorable day.

God knew what he was doing when he gave us a Sabbath.

I love Sundays. Awhile back, maybe a year ago, I wrote that David and I weren't sure we liked Sundays all that much. We kind of felt lost and down. These days, Sundays are truly a rest for us. David Sr. is home and not thinking about his work. This means that he isn't as tense or stressed. Also, we share more of the load that David Jr. is which gives me a good break. Our pastor has been going through James and it has been refreshing. He is focusing on suffering so why does that refresh me? Well, it reminds me where my hope is and it validates the journey that I (and many of you) have been on. Anyway, back to my monologue on our Sundays...

David and I have turned Sunday night into a mini church for us. We listen to Mark Driscoll on the internet. We are also turning this time into a marriage enrichment for ourselves by listening to his Song of Solomon series. We look forward to being fed in the morning and the evening with the hydrating and filling sermons. I also get to watch one of my favorite shows: Design Star on HGTV. I know, I know. There are enough reality competitions out there. However, this has to do with design and decorating and so I can't ignore it.

I feel sorry for those who don't allow themselves this peace and rest. They toil on and on believing all is on their shoulders. To rest is to trust the Lord, I think. Here we are enjoying the quiet. The t.v. is off. The baby is asleep. David is writing. Ahhhh. Peace. I hope you are relaxing,as well. Happy Sunday to you!

feeling stuck

I can come up with wonderful ideas for my blog and tell myself that I will write it when I get the chance. I open up my blog, sign in, and am ready to type but the ideas are gone. I brood over the empty page for a little while, ruminating over possible blog-worthy topics. I give up and then go to facebook. What is that about? I think that I second-guess the topic, or think about my usual audience and how it will be interpreted (or misinterpreted) by them. I have a similar experience when I have some valuable free time and am unmotivated or too tired to do all the things that I dream of doing around here.

I went out with David for his birthday on Friday night. I was looking forward to it all week. We left the baby with babysitters we trusted and were off to a nice dinner. I thought that I was going to feel free, unburdened, and exhilarated by this unfamiliar lightness. Instead, I felt kind of empty and tired. I enjoyed David's company and the food (Bonefish) but didn't feel the excitement that I thought I would. I suppose I missed the baby but I think I really missed the purpose the baby gave me. However, I find that when I am with the baby, I miss being creative and productive. I also realized recently that even though pouring myself into the baby is appropriate and good, it gives me little satisfaction at the end of the day. I can't show David as he walks in the door at the end of the day all that I've accomplished. All I can do is say, "The baby is alive, dressed, fed, and relatively happy." I am investing in a life where the fruit of my labor cannot be measured. All I really want to do now is sew some curtains, put stuff on the walls, redecorate my kitchen, finish projects. It does help to look back or think back to the first couple of months with the baby and how tiny he was. He is surely growing and I have been fortunate enough to be part of that process. I also imagine that from the Lord's perspective, I have been growing too. He certainly is more patient with the fruit that I slowly bear with the outpouring of His love and life. He sees to it that I die to self daily. I won't say that being a mother doesn't have its wonderful moments because it definitely does. But I can't deny how much I have had to "perish every fond ambition". All in all, my life is blessed. I know that. I just don't think I have ever had to work this hard before.

swingin' a sling

warning: scary hair pictures :)





I have enjoyed our sling when I have used it and highly recommend it to other mothers. I especially recommend it to mothers who have children that want to be held a lot (like mine). Some books and experts write that anything can be accomplished while a baby is in a sling. Uh...no. But it gives more freedom than you would have. In my sling I have: baked a cake, folded clothes, swept the floor, shopped, walked through a museum, and various other things. I also use it to help me hold him when I am soothing him to sleep. He is heavy and my arms are strong but after awhile they get sore. One more reason to use the sling, it is so good for your baby. They get all those good chemicals running through their body from being close to their momma. Also, they are able to be a passive participant in your daily activities. They learn about their world this way. It is very stimulating. My son happens to be super observant and will throw a hissy if he has to see the same scenery longer than 30 seconds sometimes. So, this helps keep him busy. What's more comforting than hanging out with momma?

I have been using a sling by "tiny safari". I bought it at Dr. Saenz office in madison (breastfeeding clinic). I think you can order it online too at www.tinysafari.com. I like it better than the ones from Hotslings because it is adjustable as your baby grows or depending on the several different positions you use.

a break

Well, sort of a break. I had to go to the yearly adjunct meeting this morning from 8-11:30am at the Raymond campus of Hinds Community College. I was nervous about going because it was the longest I have ever been away from baby david. However, I am completely and utterly comfortable leaving baby david with his daddy. This gave me peace of mind. Other than getting up early and other than having to listen to a bunch of stuff that was repetitious to me (afterall, I have been doing this for 4 years), it was so good for me to get away. I came home feeling refreshed and happy to see baby david.

In related news, David and I have been praying and thinking on who could babysit our sweet baby. We were pretty specific about our needs. We wanted someone who was willing to come with me to work for a little while until I think baby david is familiar with his sitter and vice versa. Also, if I am needed for anything, I will just be a hallway away. I also don't have stores of breastmilk yet. This was STRESSING me out. I just couldn't see how all of this was going to pan out and was worried about finding someone for those few afternoon hours. Alas, I prayed about it this morning and chose not to worry and *poof* we have babysitters. The Lord is good because they are folks I feel comfortable hanging out with baby david and I feel comfortable enough to specify what we want. Hurray!

What does that mean? It means that David and I can date again (each other, of course). I am excited about the possibilities of getting away and not being constrained by nursing (b/c I am working on my stores from now on). David is excited to go to the movies while I am just thrilled to have a change of scenery without the cares of caring for an infant for a few hours. I suppose I am getting ahead of myself. I still have to see how the sitters and david mesh but I am hoping for the best! Afterall, these girls have more experience with babies than I ever had.

misinterpreted

NOTE: This isn't written at any one person. I will never (Lord willing) use my blog in order to send "secret" rebukes to anyone.

I have found that throughout my pregnancy and the 4 and 1/2 months of motherhood, I've experienced that I don't present myself accurately to others. When I talk to other mothers about parenting, I don't want them to feel judged or insecure about their personal method. My way of doing that looks like me being very open and vulnerable about my doubts of my own method. Unfortunately, this appears to others like I am more unsure than I am. I feel pretty strongly about our philosophy, meaning I am sure that this method is right for our child, both our temperaments, and our family as a whole. No, it is not the easy route. Yes, there are times when I am so tired that I question whether all this effort is worth it. I retain the right to complain about how hard it is, or how tired I am just like any other mom with any other method. So, you might hear me question it. You might hear me complain. You might wonder why I bother with attachment parenting (my philosophy and method). We bother because we feel strongly about it. Our method is well thought out, researched, studied, and not as strange as some parents have thought. In fact, this method is the tried and true method that existed before "baby training" ever came about. I am sorry that I have misrepresented myself so often. I really just enjoy being genuine with others with hopes that others would feel safe with my honesty and vulnerability. I also believe it to be an attempt on my part to practice humility. I should work on presenting a fuller picture of who I am. I'm not all insecurity and fear. My husband and closest friends can tell you that I'm opinionated, confident, competent, and not prone to emotionalism. I'm quite pragmatic. Just thought I would let you all know.

great minds

I found this quote from David's blog and really liked and often observed it (in myself, sorrowfully, and in others).

"Oh, it is easy for the one who stands outside the prison-wall of pain to exhort and teach the one who suffers." Aeschylus, Prometheus Bound.

another quote which I laughingly identify with

"Whenever I'm wrong, the world makes a little less sense." Frasier

juicy

We were at Primo's restaurant when some of the women who worked there came out and started doting on our son and kept calling him "juicy". I really loved the term. It just sounds delectable, doesn't it? He does look like if you pricked him with a pin he might slowly deflate. It brings up funny and cute pictures for me (though that last one might not sound pleasant to some of you).

Here is the recent stuff on baby david: He is about 19 lbs now. He laughs, can roll from his back to his side, tries to put things in his mouth and misses a lot. He started nursing every 3 to 4 hours (hurray and boohoo at the same time). We read him so much better than before. We know when he is sleepy, hungry, bored, happy. He has a 5 o'clock shadow on his head and i'm so glad that his hair is growing back. He was looking like mr. clean for a while. He isn't going to be one of those babies that doesn't have hair until 2.

David and I are starting back up with our jobs (David is fulltime and I'm teaching partime (6hours a week). I am starting next week and in need of a good babysitter that I trust. I am going to bring the babysitter with me for awhile so that if there is something that goes wrong or if he needs to nurse I will be nearby. My classes take breaks anyway and nursing only lasts ten minutes or so. I would like to have the babysitter lined up ASAP so that we can schedule her to come and spend time with him so that he will be used to her. We are praying about this person and hope something works out, otherwise, I might have a baby attached to me while I talk about development ;).

new catalog and a new deal--buy 2, get 3rd free!!

check out the new products and new ideas:

http://www.uppercaseliving.com/flash/flipbook-fall09/book.swf

are taxes that bad?

We happened to be about town today and decided to stop by our old haunt (old because we rarely get to go now--and that is not necessarily a bad thing), Borders. There was terrible traffic. David had to park all the way by Kirkland's (all the way across the shopping center). All because Mississippi had a tax free day today (and yesterday). It looked like the last weekend before Christmas out there (or worse). Is it saving people that much money to buy things on taxfree day? It hardly seems worth the effort, especially with all the traffic and crowds (and rain).

a new perspective

My parents gave us money for our anniversary (so generous--Thanks Mom and Dad). I wonder actually if my parents should thank us because what we did was buy a video camera with the money. So now, we can post video footage... or we will when it comes in. It is a Sony Handycam. We were going to get a Flip but David was concerned that the quality wasn't good enough to keep our precious memories. The first thing I want to capture is baby david's bicycle kick when we have him straddling our legs. It is super cute--a baby goin' places.

sleepy baby

Do babies get nightmares? The other night I had baby david in my lap sleeping. Without stirring himself awake he just started howling. His eyes were closed and tears were coming out of his eyes and he was screaming as if he were terrified. I picked him up and tried to soothe him and calm him down. That wasn't working so I went to the next trick and turned on the tub full blast. He quieted and was asleep in a matter of seconds. Which had both of us wondering if he ever woke up and was having a night terror. It was sad to see him so distressed. Talk about pulling at our heartstrings.

i'm just sayin'...

So my son is now 3 mos. and 3 weeks old. He is a chunk! I was never drawn to fat babies but I love his fat. It is cute and a wonderful sign of the health the Lord has blessed him (and us) with. His feedings only last for about 15 to 20 minutes now and he is eating for the most part every 2 hours. At night, he goes longer. He does cluster-feed every now and then but that usually means a nice stretch after that. He loves kicking his legs as if he were walking (supercute) and loves to have us hold him with his back to us so that he can see the world. He is very watchful and observant.

David finished his summer course and we both agree that it was hard for both of us. I was a single parent and David was stressed about keeping up with the work. The drive there and back was smooth (not to say that we didn't have a crying baby in the back). David let me drive a lot of the way since I LOVE to drive and get my best music and meditation time in the car. He sat in the back with little david to keep an eye. He got to read and sleep which I think he enjoyed.

We are trying to enjoy and take advantage of the 3 weeks we have left before David reports to Jackson Prep. My job is still up in the air (technically it isn't but only because I haven't spoken with my new department head yet). I'm just not sure about leaving little David. I don't have a babysitter lined up and am not sure it is worth it. My job doesn't really pay well but it does ease our monthly budget.

I know this is kind of a boring post but I have no energy at the moment to write anything that is creative or unique. I think I'll be going to bed early tonight.

3 years, 3 people, one who is 3 mos.

I'm gonna get a little gushy. I think I am allowed seeing as this is my anniversary. When I think about my husband my heart feels so full. I find him more handsome and sexy, more godly and patient, and just MORE of everything my heart desired. When we met, dated (briefly) and were married I knew that he was a gift from above. Every sweet thing he did I knew the Lord was winking at me saying, "Here, this is for you. I know what you desire, my Beloved. Seek no more crumbs--here is a feast!" However, unlike a feast, this gift keeps on giving. Unfolded before my eyes is a man who surprises me with his moral courage, his willingness to think outside the box when all around him are those who would never dare, his love for seeing others come to Christ, his devotion to me and our son. I never met a more amazing man. If you don't know him, you should. If you think me improved, you can thank him. If you think our son cute, it is due him. The good Lord, and eternal Husband KNOWS how to give good gifts. Thank you for these 3 years!

smiley face

welcome to mooooeeeee's!

We have found Moe's! We've missed it and were overjoyed to see it's familiar sign with "open" lit within. Had to commemorate with pictures.

our 9 hour drive turned 12 hour drive

We left for Florida on Saturday morning looking for coffee. We both had in our minds to go to Seattle Drip but lo and behold--closed for the 4th of July. So, we went to Cups which were thankfully opened. We made our way to Columbus, GA. Why? Glad you asked. David's sister, Sara and her family are there and offered to be the middle point so that if we couldn't go any further we could camp at their place. It only added an hour drive (so make it a 10 hour drive). We got there around 4:30pm after making 3 stops that were uneventful. We decided to take a chance and leave for Gainesville after resting at their place for a couple of hours. We mainly wanted to give little David a chance to be out of his carseat for longer than a feeding. The evening was a little more rough. Little David was tired and was harder to console, which brings me to my rant about carseats! I want our baby to be safe but I HATE that I can't hold him while we drive. HATE! HATE! HATE! It is simply unnatural. We got to the hotel and slept a really good sleep. We got about 5 hours in a row which felt great! We spent Sunday getting groceries and driving around the University of Florida to get oriented. So far, things are promising.

chunky monkey

I noticed that all the pictures I put on the blog show our baby looking tiny. Well, he is tiny still but way less tiny. He has caught up in weight. He went from being in the 10th percentile in weight to the 75-90th percentile in two months. The doctors were impressed and I have to say that I feel proud that it was my milk that nourished him. He weighs around 15lbs and is wearing some of his 6mos. clothes. He didn't linger in the 3 mos. category for clothing long enough for him to enjoy those clothes. Our arms are getting a workout since we are holding him so much. He's grown out of the "monkey hold" (as seen above). I'm glad we got pics of it.

He is smiling a lot and we love it! He has an adorable dimpled smile and I don't know that we've caught it on film yet...but we will. He loves to sit up with the help of momma and when he is tired of that view he "asks" us to stand up. He looks very proud of himself as his head wobbles on his strengthening neck. I can see how that is hard work since his cheeks alone probably weigh a lot. He allows us to put him in the swing way more. He spends close to at least 20 minutes in his swing daily. He loves looking at the mirror and dancing lambs. The ceiling fan holds an undefeatable allure for him--good thing we have one in every room. His parents are enjoying the more interactive David. It beats the gassy David of a month before. I love to talk to him in a made up language that I got from David sr. who I think got it from his older brother, Benjamin. I also love to kiss him. He is so very kissable!

happy belated birthday, cora godiva hogue

Our dog and part-daughter, Cora, has turned 2 this past May. I remembered the day but did not acknowledge it on the blog. People often ask us how Cora has responded to our new addition. Well, beautifully. When David was still in the hospital we would bring home blankets and clothes of his so that she could smell it and get used to that smell. When we brought David home, we bent down to let her sniff him and the introduction was over. The only difference we've seen is that she barks more at those who walk by our house and when David cries she comes to investigate. I can only assume she is protective and accepting of him into our little pack. David has not had much of a response when she sees a big hairy nose in his face. He also is used to the barking. I forgot that he actually heard that barking in the womb so he was already used to it when he was born. Here are some pictures of our "children" together.