Frisbee Golf...EXCUSE me...Disc Golf

You know you've definitely passed the newly wed stage when your husband gives you a Christmas gift that is actually for him. This was the case last December when I opened one of my gifts on Christmas morning to find a set of frisbee golf discs and a nice carrying case. "WOW! I didn't even know I wanted to play frisbee golf."

This spring, Paul happily broke out the discs and began watching tutorial videos online. Come to find out, it is rather hard to land a frisbee in a goal 300 yards away. He's learned things like the hammer throw, skipping, rolling, and the difference between a putter and a distance driver. I tag along to the disc golf course and make futile attempts at hurling discs down range. Things are only complicated by the fact that I am now 7 months pregnant. Let's just say in a sport dominated by college boys who haven't showered or shaved in 3 weeks, I stand out.

In all honesty though, it is great to go out and spend time with my busy husband. In a couple of months it will be much harder for us to go out and do whatever we want. Every moment we can find to spend together should be treasured, and for me that means getting sideways glances as my belly and I launch discs across a park.

Paul and the trusty hound ready for some disc golf:

Olive loves to retrieve the disc after it has been thrown. This is good if you want a "do-over," but not so good if the throw was awesome. However, you can't complain about a dog who wants to retrieve things for you and drop them at your feet.

Ohh the concentration!

This is blurry, but it's the only example me throwing. Seems Paul and I both suck in our lips. Whatever helps, right?

Mother's Day

27 Weeks.

This is how I spent my 1st Mother's Day:

Olive and I rested on the couch while Paul did the dishes and made oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.

Acceptance is the Last Stage of Grief

Okay, so it took us a few days, but I think we can get used to Olive's new haircut. There are some obvious benefits:

1. We don't have to vacuum hundreds of dead leaves off the carpet every day.

2. We don't have to pick the same leaves out of Olive's fur every day.

3. Her paws are always clean.

4. No longer concerned about her getting wet in the rain.

5. We don't have to brush her.

We are looking on the bright side, and have come to the conclusion that even though Olive's head still looks like a fur-helmet and her tail looks like a Swiffer duster, at least she doesn't look like THIS:

Or THIS:

Or, heaven forbid, either of THESE:

A North Carolina Furricane and an Extreme Makeover: Doggy Edition

It was a sad state of affairs for this 1 year old pooch. Her wild fur (5 or 6 inches long in some areas) had kept her warm during the cold winter months, but as spring arrived, a "furricane" was brewing. The truth is, goldendoodles grow their adult coat at 10-12 months old. For our unfortunate friend, this period just happened to coincide with that well known seasonal warming. The result was a massive shedding. It came out in clumps all over the carpet, on our clothes and in our hands as we pet her. The furricane continued as we brushed her every day with the de-sheding comb. Mountains of hair piled up.

It was soon evident that this was not a category 1 furricane or even a category 3. This was a full blown category 5. Soon the poor victim had mats all over in her fur. Mats so tight there was no solution but to take her to a professional.

The family said farewell to the soft cottony fur they had grown to love. If only it could have been saved.... The groomer said the fur came off as if she were sheering a sheep (coming off in one large sheet).

The makeover was extreme, and everyone will have get used to this new look for a while. Everyone is hoping Olive does not turn into a diva, and she will grow her hair back soon. The bows have to go away now.

Built-in Entertainment

What's that....a grape on a toothpick?

23 weeks ripe.

Be Nice!!

Yesterday while visiting my sister-in-law's house:

(Baby moves)

Bel: "Jack,"

Jack (4-years-old): "What?"

Bel: "My baby just kicked me."

Jack (with furrowed eyebrows): "Tell her to be nice!"