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...