Yes, the rumors are true. The Sweet-Wong Family has welcomed a new addition into the house. Please welcome Ember Sweet, born May 9th, 2010 (MOTHER'S DAY) in Corvallis, Oregon. She is an Orange Roan Brittany and the only precious girl from the whole litter of six. Josh and I have always wanted a dog. In fact, before we found out we were pregnant with Lennon we were discussing getting a dog or going on a trip to Disneyland. Both plans were put on hold once that stick turned blue. Or was it pink? Either way, the puppy had to wait as we adjusted to becoming parents. Well now that we are parents of a toddler it seemed like the perfect time to revisit those two previous discussions, and the puppy idea won out. Are we crazy? Probably.
Just like preparing for a new human infant, so must you prepare for a new canine infant--and you are never quite as prepared as you think you are for either. Ember has only been under our care for one evening and one full day and I am already beside myself with worry that I will screw her up and not be the best dog owner I can be. Could this be transference? In this short amount of time I have already wracked up more Mommy guilt and gotten a taste of what sibling rivalry may be like.
Lennon loves her puppy just as she would a new brother or sister: when it's convenient for her. Josh and I knew that this was a possibility and we knew that living with two strong willed toddlers would be a challenge. The fact that this would be obviously evident in just a day and a half was not what I was expecting, and now I am fearful for the week ahead.
When I imagined bringing a dog into our family I imagined a Norman Rockwell type picture: a Mommy and a Daddy constantly working together to train, feed, and clean up after the little ball of fur as the young Daughter becomes ever the angelic little helper. As Sunday nears its end I am faced with the harsh reality: I have signed up for 10 1/2 hours, 5 days a week, of serious alone time with two consistently needy, whining and vulnerable toddlers. Hmmmmmm. Let's hope that I don't turn to the bottom of a very stiff bottle.
As daunting as these next few weeks are and as challenging as they will be I cannot help but feel completely happy at the fact that Josh and I are really truly achieving our goals, however big or small they will be and however long they take to meet. Both of us have always wanted to have our own dog, and here she is. There is something extremely satisfying and fortifying in this thought. I hope to be reminded of that daily in the coming weeks. If I can handle consistently potty training both daughter and doggie this month, without driving myself completely mad, I am pretty sure I could handle anything and everything. At the very least I should earn a great reward in the future----maybe a date night? A diamond ring perhaps? A girl can dream....
With Ember now in the family Lennon is coming into her own new challenges: vying for Mom and Dad's attention, reverting back to diapers and refusing to use the potty, etc. This girl doesn't miss a beat and is so smart she has already started blaming the puppy for her misbehavior. Then again she has also continued to blame her cousins Addy and Wyatt (who is not even born yet). With Josh and I throwing a pretty big wrench in her pleasant, easy-going routine we will have to be extra sensitive to her needs and carve out special time just for her. What perfect training for Baby #2! Right?
Thank goodness Ember has taken to our home well. We have encountered the usual hiccups with owning a new puppy, but the accidents are few and far between. She loves to cuddle! Finally a daughter who will let me cuddle her! She of course loves to nap and she loves dragging around her stuffed squirrel, which I hope will be good practice for future back-yard squirrel hunting. She gets up frequently during the night, whining for company and a potty break. Josh has been fantastic in taking those shifts this weekend, so it hasn't affected my sleep too much and hasn't even bothered Lennon a bit. Though I am sure we will have to trade shifts during the week so as not to affect his job performance---blah-blah-blah. The thing that he is completely right about (though I hate to admit it) is what my greatest challenge will be: being firm and consistent with Ember.
Just like with Lennon, I will have to get comfortable with being firm with Ember. Ugh! It's so hard when she looks as cute as she does and being as small as she is. The little doll just melts my heart. But, just like Lennon I am sure those feelings will come and go and hopefully I can get in some good training in between my delirious love for her. I mean, I take the same stance with my Beastie Girl and she hasn't turned out bad---yet.
I have to admit, I think you must be a little crazy. BUT, after reading this post I have a much better understanding of why you got a puppy. Good for you guys and I'm hoping she will bring many years of happiness to the three of you! I felt the same about our dog and the puppy stage as Lennon feels about Ember. In fact, I remember calling Eddie one night crying cuz I thought she hated me because she wouldn't stop biting my ankles!! LOL!
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