Learning To Share: Emma and Jackson

Jackson has been part of our family for two weeks now. He is settling in really well and we all (including Emma) are used to him being here. His hyper-ness has slowed down some and his playing isn't always so rough towards Emma anymore. I think Emma would honestly be really sad if Jack left. They follow each other around all day and play constantly. They are much more interested in each other than they are in me. Although, occasionally they fight over who gets the majority of my attention at that given moment. I try to split it up as evenly as I can. However, Jack is a little bigger than Emma and usually wins the battle over the space leaning up against my legs. But Emma isn't left out. I make sure she gets special time with me too. Plus, she is more nimble than Jack and she uses that to her advantage a lot. This week they discovered they can run from the family room through the kitchen to the living room and dining room in a big circle. They are so cute trying to chase each other on the hardwood floors. I love watching them entertain themselves and have so much fun. I think they're on their way to becoming bdff (Best Dog Friends Forever). 

However, they're still working out exactly how to share. Each dog thinks every toy belongs to her/him. When we were visiting my in-laws this past weekend (for Miguel and his brother's birthday... I will blog later) the dogs started playing tug-of-war with this long animal toy. They loved it so much and played so cute with it that I decided to pick one up to. My mother-in-law mentioned she picked up a three pack at Sam's Club. I just happen to be there today and saw the pack and picked them up. I handed them the panda looking one first. Jack tore it up in a manner of minutes. Sooo I tried the alligator hoping they'd play tug-of-war again. This time it was a success! They played tug-of-war with each other for about ten minutes before Emma got bored and went to chew on a bone. 

Look at those intent faces... okay face, since you can't see Jack.

... Jack then chewed off an alligator leg and started to de-fluff him. I took away the alligator to save him for later play. 

Look at the green in his mouth... Mixed feelings here... don't want Jack to eat a toy, but we aren't fans of gators in this house ;) 

Today I Thank God for...

Today I thank God for... THE KONG!

Thank God for whoever created the Kong! It has provided me with entertained puppies this afternoon and I am forever grateful!

Emma has a pink puppy strength and size kong and today I purchased a large, super tough kong for Jack. I also picked up some kong filling that comes in a can like whipped cream or cheese whiz. This stuff is much easier to use than trying to fill it with peanut butter.

I filled up both kongs and then handed the red one to Mr. Jack and the pink one to sweet Emma. They each licked their respective kongs for about a minute then had to see what the other dog had. So the switch happened. 

It's funny watching Jack chew on Emma's kong. His jaw is so strong that the little hole for the treats gets squeezed almost all the way shut. 

So happy for busy, happy puppies. Thank you Kong inventor! Today you are my hero! =)

Jack Day 3

Jack doesn't understand that he is not allowed to be on the couch. This is his reaction when I say, "Jack, down. Off the couch." (also, please ignore the mess in the background, we're in the middle of moving)

Jackson has been part of our family for three days today. He is settling in well. Emma is a little pouty. She is used to being the only princess in the family and hasn't taken too well to sharing everything just yet. Honestly, I have felt so guilty about it. I called my mom today and was crying a little bit to her about how I feel bad for Emma. But she reassured me that I haven't ruined her little puppy life. That it is good for her to have a brother and that this is natural behavior for dogs who have been only puppies. My mom works as an adoption specialist with Adopt-A-Golden in Atlanta and reminded me that there are foster parents who bring difficult dogs into their homes all the time and their dogs have to adjust and everything always turns out alright. She also reminded me that we had a similar situation with our family dogs when we brought home our second dog. Jack is completely unfazed. I'm just looking forward to Emma acting like her bouncy self again. My mom also said that she probably feels like her turf has been invaded and that us moving in a couple of days will probably help as well.

Jack's first time at the dog park!

Yesterday I took Jack to the dog park for the first time. I was a little surprised how he acted. He is so full of energy and has all this bouncy puppiness that I just assumed that as soon as I took off his collar and opened the gate to the park that he would just bound in with no hesitation. However, he was a little shy. He played well with the dogs and seemed to enjoy himself, but from time to time he would come over to me and lean against my legs. At one point two other dogs teamed up against Jack, not in an aggressive way, but I was so proud because Emma jumped right in there as if to defend her brother. It was adorable!

Jack with his new toy. It's supposed to be tough to chew... we'll see. 

Brushing Jack seems to be helping his shedding. We also had to get a new, larger water dish. This pup drinks more than any other dog I know... well, actually, I take that back. He drinks like my parent's golden retriever, Luke. Maybe it's that breed?

New vs. Old water dishes. 

Jack is definitely repaying Emma for all the grief she has given her uncle and aunt puppies when she was a puppy. But they're working all the kinks out. Look how cute the two of them are!

A little blurry... my phone's camera isn't the best

Can't wait for the time to fly by to where everyone knows their place in our family and Jack feels like we are his 'pack'. We love him!!!

What cha Lookin For?

Emma took all her toys out of her toy box and then proceeded to stare at me like she was upset. Don't know what she is looking for, but apparently she didn't find it. 

Spoiled puppy. =)

This is what I do all day. Find toys all over the place and then put them back only to find them all over the place a few minutes later. She doesn't play with them, she just insists on the toys being anywhere other than her toy box. 

Bye Bye Birthday Frog

Emma got a plush frog toy for her birthday. She loved it right away.  It took her about one minute to do this:

"It's my birthday and I'll destroy it if I want to"

Destruction and My Family

Miguel's Phone is just a little broken

Destruction hit our household yesterday. First, I bought Emma a "tough-chew", no stuffing alligator. The poor guy only made it a couple of hours. And second, Miguel walked in the house last night pouting and then handed me his cell phone. He dropped it right outside the front door. Now I have two sad members of my family. Emma doesn't understand why she can't eat the plastic that was inside the alligator and Miguel has to be careful not to get little shards of glass in his eyes and face while he makes a phone call...

Nothing Stays the Same

After your first love is gone you find yourself feeling a little jaded. I guess Emma felt the same way about her new duck. At first we thought she couldn't tell the difference. She carried it everywhere with her. She'd bring it up on the couch or bed to cuddle with while she slept and always took it out of her toy bin first thing in the morning. But recently we started seeing a change in her. It began with tearing of the tags. Next thing I knew I found the new duck decapitated... da, da, daa. 

Poor Mr. Duck #2

BAD dog!

It's amazing how quickly Emma can destroy things! I turned around for a few minutes and this is what happened....

my slippers are completely ruined. I get it. They have the same effect as many of her toys, and they were even on the floor. But what I don't get is why it took her five months for her to decide that, today, they would make a good toy. Funny how she ripped the sole out separately. There was a lot more fluff she tore out too, but I already threw it away. We knew things like this would probably happen when we got a lab... she's just been so good about not tearing up items that aren't toys, it came as a surprise to discover my slippers in her mouth. I'm bummed.

Two quick things...

Well, okay, maybe three things:

1) My phone doesn't take very good quality pictures. 

2) It is JANUARY 19th!!! Someone needs to tell my neighbors to take down their Christmas decorations! Argh! It is driving me CRAZY!

3) I think we need to invest in a new dog bed for Emma for two reasons. Reasons being, she is too big for her current one and, also,  half of the time she thinks it is an extra large fluffy toy to destroy.

Pulaski Play Date

Emma and I spent a couple of hours playing around at Fort Pulaski yesterday. It was a bit chilly (not as cold as all my friends in Atlanta this week though), but the day was beautiful. Emma was VERY happy to get out of the house and run around. I definitely need to go to the Fort with her more often. Miguel and I purchased an annual pass (for only $10!!) so I really should go get our money's worth. Enjoy some pictures from our day!

I love the history of the fort

We had to stop many times so Emma could pick up numerous sticks

Look how many different kind of animal tracks there were!

Emma had SO much fun running around doing BIG puppy circles in the sand

I was so proud of Emma for jumping in the water without any coaxing at all!

Emma found a toy!

When we were leaving we got an amazing surprise.... Emma started barking her precious, little head off. I had no idea what she was barking at, until I saw the movement of four deer retreating back into the woods. I've never been so close to deer before! Their tails are so big! I literally have a rope burn from the leash because Emma was pulling so hard to try and get to them.

Favorite Time of the Year!

It's Christmas time!!!

 It's my favorite day of the year! The day isn't even over yet, but soo many great things have already happened. The 'day' actually started earlier this week when my family started the preparation for Christmas day.

Big stretch for Christmas time!

Mom was in the kitchen starting Christmas Eve making yummy food for us to eat! Thanks mom!

Collard greens started out washed like this... 

and ended up like this.... they were sooo yummy!

The holiday officially started Christmas Eve night. It's a tradition to have a Cuban dinner at the Amadors. Talk about yummy food and over eating! It's a great night!! I love spending time at the Amador's house! I love being part of a bigger family and I love how the Amadors always spend so much time together.

 

My father-in-law carving the pork. Oh. My. God.... SO good! 

I have a stocking at the Amador's house this year! =)

The Amadors even made me a special princess stocking holder!  Thanks! 

My parents came over too! 

My brother-in-law, Adrian, and his girlfriend, Kristen.

After we ate, we gathered around while the boys and Teresa played the guitar and my mom played the piano. After my parent's left, we each opened a gift... which led to opening all the gifts! 

Andy playing

Andy's dog, Chester. LOVE him! Sweet, sweet dog!

Curious as to what could be in this huge box?

It was a keyboard for Teresa!

Juan gave Emma a present! She loves her Uncle Juan.

Andy and Adrian gave me some AWESOME Hello Kitty slippers. They know me well.

Such good sports posing for a picture for me! 

Juan got me a Matt Ryan jersey! He also knows me well!
 Can't wait for the next falcons game to wear it!

Adrian got shoes for his new bike 

There's his new road bike

Emma was worn out!

Overwhelmed with the generous gifts!

Miguel and I got a new camera from his parents! Now my pictures get are a lot better quality!

We spent Christmas morning with my family. It wouldn't have been Christmas without waking up at my parent's house and going down the stairs to see what Santa has left for me. Sadly, this year my sister and Jared couldn't make it home =(  We missed them a lot!

Every Christmas morning it's a Leeper tradition to eat Monkey Bread.
This year Miguel and I made it all from scratch. It was gluten free!

 

Emma got two new toys from Santa. Luke also got a Christmas bone!
Santa didn't forget about the doggies

Dad's favorite gift was Miguel's idea. It was a bike computer for his road bike.
They had to set it up right away.

I love my hubby! He totally surprised me and spoiled me with an iPad!

Yay! He put on the antlers on!!

Sarah and Jareds stockings, still hung and empty... miss them!

Christmas favorite! Ornament hand painted of Barnsley Gardens, where Miguel and I got married.

On the back it has our names and wedding date!

So pretty with your Christmas bow, Miguel

Thanks mom and dad for an amazing Christmas!

I love all the little details of my mom's Christmas!

Christmas wine charms!

Mom puts ornaments on the light fixture. (love my new camera!)

It's a tradition of ours to sign the table cloth each Christmas. It's so much fun every year to see who had been to Christmas dinners in the past and special events that happened each year. It's even more special when those people aren't with you anymore but their memories always will be!

Emma's first Christmas!

Last year we had just gotten engaged!

Now we're married!

Advent wreath... my gramma made this from a light fixture.

Christmas from a dog's view point...  pretty much same as everyday...

Check the yard for squirrels....

Check the yard for squirrels....

Give mom some loving

Hang out in the kitchen hoping for scraps to fall on the floor.

Considering stealing a cookie...

Check the yard for squirrels....

Check the yard for squirrels....

pose for pictures....

pose for pictures....

pose for pictures....

then pass out!

and then pass out!

Merry Christmas everyone!