oozing love hormones

No, that's not eluding to something raunchy. Quite the opposite.

Look at that picture! Boddington can just brighten my day just by being cute while napping. It's noticing these little moments and just being able to sit with them that makes life so full. It also gets the oxytocin flowing. Love, love, love!

Something else that is filling my life and my oxytocin quota: being pregnant. Yes, folks, I am pregnant, with child, knocked up, have a bun in the oven, incubating a child, etc. And it's amazing! I am thankful that it has been relatively uneventful so I am truly enjoying the experience. During the first trimester, I only experienced morning sickness four times for only a minute each. I was also really exhausted the first eleven weeks but that has passed.

It is all so wondrous, being able to see and watch the baby grow and dance on ultrasound. I've seen it's tiny little bladder and even both lobes of it's brain. The best is hearing it's rapid little heartbeat thump, thump, thumping away. I have already fallen in love with this sweet little kidlette who is all safe and sound in my womb. Life is good.

dang good dawgy!

Yesterday was Boddington's first day at dog training. Though he already knew some basic commands, I am fascinated by how well he did. It is such a blessing to have a well behaved dog. Getting to see how quick all the dogs responded to proper training was nothing short of amazing. It is wonderful to see how simple training can be. Does it take patience? Yes! But getting the help and support of a skilled trainer can make a world of difference. I would love to see how hard-core trainers retrain seriously behavior-challenged canines and convert them into gentle beings.

Tricks Boddington can do thus far:

sit
lay down
wait
come
stand
be cute
shed
give kisses
make your owner's heart swell

i now believe in god

Let it be known that
I have seen god in my dog.
The way he loves unconditionally.
The way he greets everyone with love and enthusiasm.
The way his puppy cuddling warms the heart.
The abundant energy, zest and joy for life.
How he doesn't mind ear and tail tugging.
The soulfulness of his eyes.
The graceful flippy curl of his tail.
The gentle fold of his left ear.
His cold wet puppy nose
and his warm slobbering puppy kisses.
All proof that god exists.