Mollie's Biopsy: The Results

First of all, if you are one of 'those people' who does not consider your dogs/pets a part of your family- you may not want to read this post. Fair warning!

This weekend our basset hound, Mollie, had a lump removed from her chest. The vet told us they would send it out to the lab for a biopsy, and let us know the results. Yesterday, I checked my voicemail- and got the news. "Mollie's lump was a mast cell tumor, please call me to discuss options." I wasn't expecting that AT ALL! Who leaves that on a voicemail!

My heart dropped. I couldn't react the way I wanted to because I was at work. I wanted to run home and hug her, and cry. I really wanted to cry. She drives me NUTS, she really does. She's been trouble from the start, she's been hard to handle, and she's been expensive. But that doesn't mean I don't love her.

I know there are much larger problems in this world. I know that there are PEOPLE with much larger problems. But she's a part of our family, and this hurts.

Our little troublemaker...

Her prognosis is good, but this is still very scary. The vet told me that mast cell tumors usually aren't aggressive, and she could go for years without getting another one. The problem is that they are unpredictable, so she could get another one relatively soon. It's a 'wait and see' approach.

Unfortunately for Mollie our house isn't a quiet and peaceful place, except during nap time. For now, I just hope she's getting some rest so she can feel better soon. I don't think she's done causing trouble quite yet...

Monday Morning Update 2.3.14

On Friday morning, I took our basset hound to the vet for a lump removal. This is not her first lump removal, but so far they have only been fatty lumps. She was not very happy about the procedure, but she's doing well. We find out the results of the biopsy later this week.

Poor Mollie...

Review: Suave Natural Infusion Shampoo and Conditioner

I have been a pretty loyal user of Dove Shampoo/Conditioner. However, I recently had the opportunity to test Suave's new Natural Infusion line. This new line of products from Suave contains no parabens and no dyes, which is great news to me! 

Suave Natural Infusion Products

I tried these products for a week, and I am hooked! They work as well as any professional products, and each costs just over $3. That is impressive. The shampoo and conditioner smell like a spa. What I liked most was the moisture that these products added to my hair. My hair was previously very dry, which I blame on the southern California weather. But after just a week of using these products, I have noticed a difference. 

Kudos, Suave! I highly recommend giving this product line a try. There is also a light leave-in cream, which smells great and helps with dry, split ends. 

Have you tried this new line? If not, would you?

My Third Pregnancy~ How Things are Different This Time

With my first pregnancy, I was young. I was 25, obviously early in my career, and trying hard to prove myself. I worked at private company with a lot of people my age, competing to prove ourselves to the partners. I wasn't at all focused on 'fashion', but rather slept as late as I possibly could and rolled into work with my hair up almost every day.

At this point in my life (five and a half years later), I feel that I have proven myself to be a hard-working individual. I do what I need to do in order to get the work done. I have also made my appearance more of a priority, because I feel better about myself when I do. Not that I am by any means 'high maintenance'- I still get ready from waking up to leaving (including a shower) in 30 minutes. But I dry my hair every morning, and make an effort to look somewhat put together. My sister has helped me out, with makeup tips and accessory purchases.

Anyway, this weekend I was going through my maternity clothes. Most of them were purchased in 2007/08. Yes, I've had a second baby since then- but most of my work clothes are from my first pregnancy. I realized that things have changed since then! I was an XS, for one thing. I'm now wearing what I like to call sh-medium. Small or medium, depending on the fit. Also, my pants size was 2 sizes smaller when I started out with the first pregnancy. And, even the styles have changed. My pants are all very wide in the leg, whereas now everything is 'skinny.' Long story short, I was thinking I wouldn't need any maternity clothes- but now I'm thinking I at least need to get to the tailors!

Have any of you experienced this problem? Any words of wisdom would be very helpful!   

The Reason I've Been M.I.A...

If it feels like I've been gone for a while, it's true. I've been distracted. I didn't want to discuss this publicly until I was ready. But we've been trying to conceive for a year, for our third child. I'm happy to announce that we've (finally) succeeded!! I am officially 12 weeks pregnant, and the due date is August 2, 2014.

I had an ultrasound to confirm the pregnancy in December. The image is below. It doesn't exactly look like a baby, but they tell me it is. I'm already convinced that it's a third boy, because I read this article about determining the gender at the first ultrasound. But we'll find out!

The boys are really excited. And I'm happy that I can stop worrying, and look forward to this summer. My best friend is getting married in New Jersey (across the country) on August 23, and I'm determined to be there. I can hope that the baby comes A LITTLE early, can't I?! Also, my oldest son's birthday is August 3rd- and he already shares his birthday with my sister! Apparently, that's a 'sweet spot' for our family. 

Welcome to my journey towards motherhood, for the third time! I'm sure it will be very different for me this time. I already forget that I'm pregnant sometimes! The nursery is in desperate need of some attention. I think I'll get a post up with before/after photos. And I'll check in much more regularly!  

Easy Co-Worker Gift ~ DIY Marble Magnets

As I was trying to figure out what I could make for my co-workers for a Christmas gift, I remembered that when I made the chore charts- I made cute little glass magnets. I figured I could make Christmas-themed magnets for the ladies that I work with. First, I gathered my supplies.

You will need:

• Mod Podge (and a brush to apply it)
• 1 inch glass marbles (got mine at JoAnn's)
• 3/4 inch button magnets (Michael's)
• Hot glue gun
• Scissors
• Magazine to cut images out of (I used Real Simple's December edition)

The first step is to use the glass marbles as a guide to measure images that you want to use. Then, trace around the image and cut it out. Put a thin layer of Mod Podge on the back of the marble (flat side), and adhere the image to the magnet.

Set it aside to dry, and finish cutting out images. Then, once the Mod Podge is dry- you can put a dot of hot glue on the back of the image that you just glued to the marble and stick the magnet on. 

How easy is that?! I love how they came out.

Then, I packaged each set of 4 in tiny take-out containers that I found at JoAnn's. It took me about an hour to complete all 11 sets! Not bad, and it only cost me about $15. 

What did you get for your coworkers or neighbors this year?

Monday Morning Gossip: Soccer and Football

This is my first Monday Morning Gossip post, and I'm excited to learn from all of the participants! Thanks to Kimberlee at I Have a Degree in This for the invite!

This weekend was Little J's last soccer game of the season. At the beginning of the season, they voted on a team name- and J's suggestion won out, Blue Hammerheads! After the last game, the coaches hosted a nice little get together for the boys to spend some time off the field, and he got his first trophy! He was so excited to see his name on the trophy. We all truly enjoyed the coaches and the kids on this team.

 

Then, we went home and watched the USC Trojans beat No. 4 ranked Stanford!! It was Homecoming weekend, and I would have liked to have gone to the game. But it just didn't work out this year. Hopefully we can go next year! This was a major upset, so it was really exciting to win.

"Coach O" or Ed Orgeron

On Sunday mornings, we take both boys to swim class. And I have taken up guitar lessons, so I have that every Sunday now. Our OTHER football team, the San Diego Chargers, played Sunday afternoon. I'll just leave that one alone for this week! 

How was your weekend?