We got the shaft

Now, word on the street is that there are actually some toddlers out there that actually EAT!! Not our toddler. Brandon is the worst eater. And you know what that means...slim pickings in the droppings department. Now I have been trying to convince my mom to force Brandon to try steak or sausage or maybe some pork. I mean, he will eat the occasional bacon or burger, but how is a Bugg supposed to sample the finer things when you are at the whim of such a selective someone??? Plus, our toddler is starting to get really tall. How are Molly and I supposed to grab food out of Brandon's hands when that hand continues to get so much further from the ground? Luckily, we still have Paige. She's a shorty. But she is also an instigator. She will just give us the food. Just throw it there on the ground for us to eat, but then she cries as if we took it from her. We get in trouble....naughty little instigator! For now, I guess we will have to be satisfied with the waffles, gold fish crackers, and Cheetos. But I will still be dreaming of tri tip!

Riding in Cars with Buggs

There is nothing a dog loves more than a car drive. Now, I am not one of those "let the wind run through my ears" kind of dog. But I do love to accompany my favorite guys--my dad and Brandon--wherever they may go. I just climb into Paige's car seat, hold my brother's hand, and watch a movie on the DVD player. Or occasionally, I will climb into the front seat and let the air conditioning blow into my eyes. Even more occasionally, I will jump right into my dad's lap, just in case I need to take over the wheel. The best part is, no motorist would ever mess with us, once they saw my ferocious underbite. Motorists beware!!!

Nevada or bust!!

Another great trip to visit my Grandpa Hal and Grandma Laura...and of course, my favorite, Cody! They have a brand new pool and we were tasked with breaking it in! We did good....

 Nothing like some good Las Vegas sun

 My idol, Cody

Brandon playing "tugboat" with the Buggs

Just call me "dog"

I don't know how my mom did it all these years. She tended to the kids' every need, nursed them, changed them, loved them...and neither kid said "mama" until after they were one year old. They said "dada" by about 6 months. I mean, I guess I should feel pretty validated that both kids said "dog" as their first word. But now, Paige seems to favor Molly. She says Molly now. She just calls me "dog." I am the one who sits by her side at all times. I am the one who is close by for all of her milestones. I am the one who sits at my mom's feet as she nurses Paige at night. Oh well, I guess I will just have to accept the many hugs and squeels of delight as a sign that she loves me. In the meantime, I will just answer to "dog."

Thankful

Thankful for....

...a baby who bear hugs me

...a dad who takes me for walks

...a toddler who shares his toys with me

...a mom who rubs my ears

...a grandpa who always gives me droppings

...a dog sister who always stays by my side

...for fluffy dog pillows and better yet, my parent's bed

...for rawhides and dog treats

...for turkey!!! (thanks Grandpa)

Happy Halloween

And may the force be with you...

The evolution of wrestling

There is a lot of wrestling going on in our house these days. My dad just loves to wrestle. It started out as "boyfriend wrestling" when my dad and Brandon would wrestle. Dad will say, "It's time for boyfriend wrestling", and Brandon will grunt and drop to the floor. Then, Paige came along and it became "boyfriend and girlfriend wrestling." I mostly supervise, as I don't like to be on my back. But Molly gets right on in there. Most times, Paige is the cheese and Dad and Brandon are the bread in a Paigey sandwich. She giggles the whole time. The kids just love to wrestle with dad. And I love to watch it. I repeat, WATCH it. So you can imagine my surprise when Paige tries to take me down all on her own. Looks like I have to remind her who the alpha Bugg is in this house.

Crawl Coach back again

Paigey learning to crawl

I know I've been offline for awhile now, but I have been one busy Bugg. We moved houses for one and I was a HUGE help with the packing and orchestrating the move (as you can imagine, I am sure). My family went on vacation to New York and Molly and I stayed with Uncle Randy and his girlfriend. I was tasked with guarding the new house of course. But most of all, I have been busy raising these babies of mine. Paige is starting to crawl. So I am right there to coach her, just as I was there to coach Brandon. http://heythisisbugsy.blogspot.com/2010/08/bugsy-teaches-brandon-how-to-crawl.html

I am a man, err Bugg, of many trades...that's why you love me, right?

Man's, er kids, best friend

A Bugg's work is never finished around this house. I have so many responsibilities as the head of this household. I've been working on potty training with Brandon, and I am so proud that he is basically potty trained three months shy of his third birthday. I have been working on tummy time and crawling with Paige and she is not too far away. I have been taking care of the kiddos as we survived two rounds of stomach flu and countless colds. I know that being close for cuddles is the best medicine. I am the best at that! And of course, I am the kids' best friend, always just a paw away when they want to play. I love my babies....

Brandon returns the favor, by showing me how to use the snot sucker

Encouraging Paige-y to push up off her tummy

A shoulder to cry on, when things just get too frustrating

Silent encouragement as we work on potty training (plus, Brandon likes to eat goldfish crackers when he is on the potty, and if I stick close by, I just may snag a few of those crackers)

Brandon makes me into a "dit-dit" (Blanket) burrito, just as he does every night...I'm a good sport

What happens in Vegas...

Molly and I took a road trip to Las Vegas this last week. We had to bring the family along of course (since they are our ride!) We sat in the front seat because we run things around here. I just love visiting my Hal and Cody too. The three of us dogs were peas in a pod all weekend. Grandpa Hal set up a pool so we could cool off. Just a nice refreshing dip...

Buggs are funny...

At least Paige thinks so...

bu

Getting summer ready

It's warming up around here so we Buggs are gearing up for the summer. We convinced our parents to break out the pool. I, of course, don't like to get my paws wet, but Molly jumps right in. In fact, when my mom filled up the pool this weekend and went inside to get the kids dressed, she came outside to find Molly splashing up the water and trying to bite each splash! I just prefer to sit poolside...

Still a kid at heart!!

Even though two news kids have filled out home, my parents can't forget that I am still a kid too. I still love a good cuddle session, I still need comforting when I get sick, I still need to be disciplined when I do something bad. I still think my parents are the best!! See...still a kid!

Here I am, pooped after playing with my toys

I still like to sleep with a little luvie!

A problem of physics

My dad got us this great big bone...it comes from a cow or something? Now, I had no problem dragging it out here, but any idea how I can get that back in through the doggy door? I am in a bit of a pickle here...

Snow Buggs

We went on vacation this past week. It was this Buggs first time in snow. I LOVED the snow. And Molly LOVED the snow. We went on long walks in the mountains. Imagine all the new smells. I did my share of marking! There were squirrels to chase. New trees to smells. It was paradise. But next time, I'll remember to bring my coat!

All the kids in the sled

Bugg tracks in the snow

Beware of the yellow snow

Molly loves the snow

Who needs personal space anyway???

Some people want their own personal space. But Paige has never told me to move back, so until she tells me to back away, I'm going to stay put...

Tummy Time Training

Here we go again...with yet another baby, it's time for yet some more tummy time. Paige seems to like her tummy time more than her brother did. Brandon usually gives her a toy to have by her side, and of course, I place myself just right, so I can give her gentle encouragement. I've got this baby training stuff down!

Another baby?

Well, my parents brought home ANOTHER baby!! I am not so sure that Molly and I signed on for this responsibility. So far, it's not so bad. I mean, I do miss uninterrupted sleep. But this baby doesn't seem to spit up as much as Brandon did--and we Buggs LOVE spit up. The good thing is that we have had a bunch of visitors to see the baby. And that means visitors to see us Buggs too. I guess we will have to wait until baby Paige gets a little older, so that we can reap the benefits of having two kids around here. We will have to wait until she is old enough to spill solid food for us Buggs to nibble. We will have to wait until she is old enough to play with toys for us Buggs to claim our own. Until then, we will just try to sneak in the occasional kiss..that is, if our parents allow us to get close enough to land a kiss!

Big Boy Beds

Lots of changes a brewing with baby Paige on her way next week. Brandon moved out of his baby bed (crib) to make way for his sister, so my mom and dad thought it would be ceremonious to finally get rid of my baby bed. I guess I have outgrown it anyway!

Bugsy in his baby bed...

plenty of room to grow...

A bit too big anymore...

Not even Brandon can fit in my bed!

Trick or Treat Team

This year, Brandon was really into trick-or-treating, which is good, because I am really into treats!! Molly and I dressed as fire, since Brandon was a fireman. You know me, I am always up for an appropriate costume. Molly and I are major fixtures in this neighborhood. I mean, we hang out by the playground every afternoon, and all the kids know us by name. So, we just had to make an appearance. And when Brandon was too tired to continue, I returned home to help pass out candy. I love seeing all the kids in their costumes.