Dear Mercedes,
It is Mother's Day today, only my second one as a mom, and I just wanted to say... THANK YOU for being such a delightful, funny, smart, sweet, remarkable little girl. Thank you, for making me a mother, in every sense of the word. I love you beyond compare and more than you could EVER imagine.
Love,
Mommy
Sunday, 9 May 2010
Wednesday, 5 May 2010
Mercedes - 14.5 Months Old
Dear Mercedes,
If there was any question as to your walking status, it is completely gone now! You are already a pro and walk everywhere around the house, and at Pat's house also. You get better and steadier each and every day. It makes me proud to see you growing up, but also sad to see how quickly you are changing and learning new things. I just love you so much that I can't bear the thought of you becoming a teenager who says 'I hate you!' to me! I know it's a long way off, but I see how opinionated and stubborn you can be already.
In other news, you are learning more words and concepts every day and speaking more also. You can say mama, dada, Pat, ball, shoes. You love saying 'vroom, vroom' and having Daddy push you around on your new pink motorcycle.
You point to your belly and mouth and feet and try to 'help' put on your shoes ('soos') and socks and do up zippers and brush your teeth and your hair. You also love cleaning with a cloth or a kleenex - wiping the dog, or cats, or chairs. We should put you to work with a duster!
It's so much fun watching you soak up knowledge like a sponge - you are such a beautiful, smart girl!
If there was any question as to your walking status, it is completely gone now! You are already a pro and walk everywhere around the house, and at Pat's house also. You get better and steadier each and every day. It makes me proud to see you growing up, but also sad to see how quickly you are changing and learning new things. I just love you so much that I can't bear the thought of you becoming a teenager who says 'I hate you!' to me! I know it's a long way off, but I see how opinionated and stubborn you can be already.
In other news, you are learning more words and concepts every day and speaking more also. You can say mama, dada, Pat, ball, shoes. You love saying 'vroom, vroom' and having Daddy push you around on your new pink motorcycle.
You point to your belly and mouth and feet and try to 'help' put on your shoes ('soos') and socks and do up zippers and brush your teeth and your hair. You also love cleaning with a cloth or a kleenex - wiping the dog, or cats, or chairs. We should put you to work with a duster!
It's so much fun watching you soak up knowledge like a sponge - you are such a beautiful, smart girl!
Sunday, 18 April 2010
Mercedes - 14 Months Old
Dear Princess,
Today, I think you turned a corner from cruising and random steps here and there to actually walking!! You aren't exactly stead or reliable of course but you just LOVE practicing and can walk across a whole room unassisted! I love seeing the proud look on your face when you do it - you even giggle hysterically - you think it is so fun!
In other news, we got another dog! We missed Bruiser so much that we just knew we needed to have a new member of our family. Enter Peanut! Another Frenchie, who looks kind of like Bruiser, but you definitely knew the difference as soon as we brought her home. You know her name already and we all love her to pieces.
Love,
Mommy
Today, I think you turned a corner from cruising and random steps here and there to actually walking!! You aren't exactly stead or reliable of course but you just LOVE practicing and can walk across a whole room unassisted! I love seeing the proud look on your face when you do it - you even giggle hysterically - you think it is so fun!
In other news, we got another dog! We missed Bruiser so much that we just knew we needed to have a new member of our family. Enter Peanut! Another Frenchie, who looks kind of like Bruiser, but you definitely knew the difference as soon as we brought her home. You know her name already and we all love her to pieces.
Love,
Mommy
Saturday, 13 March 2010
Mercedes - 13 Months Old
Dear Mercedes,
Today you are 13 months old! It's hard to believe it's already been an entire month since your birthday/party. You are growing up way too fast.
Unfortunately, we can no longer take monthly progress pictures of you - on Thursday, your Daddy and I had to make the most awful, heartbreaking decision of our lives. We had to say goodbye to our dog, Bruiser. You won't remember him when you are older, but he'll always live on in pictures and videos and memories. We promise we'll tell you all about him all the time, because we want you to know how much you loved him and how much he loved you. He was the best dog - so full of love and personality and charm and snuggles and kisses. He was so very patient with you - he never once growled or nipped at you - and he loved standing guard over you when you were first born. As you got older you loved sharing food with him and petting him, playing with him and holding his bone for him. You really were best buds.
Daddy and I miss him so much - we are very sad right now and of course, you don't really understand why, but you are definitely noticing his absence. This morning you kept looking at a picture of him and asking "Broo? Broo?" It broke our hearts. I know that we all will always love Bruiser.
Love,
Mommy
P.S. On a brighter note, today you took two unassisted steps for the first time!
Today you are 13 months old! It's hard to believe it's already been an entire month since your birthday/party. You are growing up way too fast.
Unfortunately, we can no longer take monthly progress pictures of you - on Thursday, your Daddy and I had to make the most awful, heartbreaking decision of our lives. We had to say goodbye to our dog, Bruiser. You won't remember him when you are older, but he'll always live on in pictures and videos and memories. We promise we'll tell you all about him all the time, because we want you to know how much you loved him and how much he loved you. He was the best dog - so full of love and personality and charm and snuggles and kisses. He was so very patient with you - he never once growled or nipped at you - and he loved standing guard over you when you were first born. As you got older you loved sharing food with him and petting him, playing with him and holding his bone for him. You really were best buds.
Daddy and I miss him so much - we are very sad right now and of course, you don't really understand why, but you are definitely noticing his absence. This morning you kept looking at a picture of him and asking "Broo? Broo?" It broke our hearts. I know that we all will always love Bruiser.Love,
Mommy
P.S. On a brighter note, today you took two unassisted steps for the first time!
Thursday, 11 March 2010
Bruiser - April 28, 2006 - March 11, 2010
2 months ago, on January 9th, Bruiser had emergency spinal surgery (to the tune of $6000) at the Ontario Veterinary College in Guelph to repair two ruptured discs. They were unsure if he'd ever walk properly, or at all, ever again. He surprised everyone and made a full and complete recovery - we brought him home only two days later and he quickly regained almost full mobility within a month. He went for a re-check a month ago, February 11th, and they were super-pleased with his progress. They told us to try to keep him from jumping up and down off the couch/bed and from going up and down the stairs. We did our best, we carried him, we gated the stairs, we crated him. But of course, we couldn't keep him chained up 24/7.
Somehow, someway, he ruptured another disc this week. We had hoped that the first time was an isolated incident - could happen to any dog, any breed. Now we know it wasn't. And it could keep happening again and again. We opted out of another expensive surgery since a) we can't afford it b) we weren't sure how well he'd do with this one because they discovered a restricted airway (common in French Bulldogs) and urged us to get that fixed when he was recovered and c) we're scared it will just keep on happening over and over again until he has no spine left.
The vet tried steroid injections and said that was our only hope. It didn't work. He no longer has deep pain sensation meaning the nerves are likely damaged beyond repair. He won't be coming home. We have to say goodbye to him today. He is only 4 years old. He was our wedding present to each other - our anniversary is on Tuesday. Mercedes loves him oh so much and now she won't even remember him when she's older. Some of you may have seen my monthly Mercedes vs. Bruiser pics on facebook - I didn't even make it to 13 months (which is Saturday).
Andrew and I are completely and totally devastated. We cried all night long last night, fearing this inevitable conclusion. He is/was such a wonderful little dog. Full of personality and love and snuggles for anyone who crossed his path. He touched the lives of everyone who ever met him - neighbours, doggie daycare, the vet, the OVC in Guelph, my friends, our whole family - even the cats took to him after a while.
I am so sad that my daughter won't grow up with him. I am so heartbroken that our house, and family is incomplete. I've had to say goodbye to a dog before, but she was 17 and it was sad but not tragic. This, is tragic. I'm numb.
We'll always love you Bruiser :(
April 28, 2006 - March 11, 2010
Saturday, 6 March 2010
Mercedes - 12.5 Months Old
Dear Mercedes,
Today you actually stood up on your own, completely unassisted for five whole seconds... twice!! It's never happened before! Maybe this means walking is coming sooner than we think. In other news, you've been at daycare for three weeks now (and I've been back at work of course) and you are absolutely loving it, which is a huge relief for me. You don't cry when Daddy drops you off, you play, you eat, you drink, you nap - you even bring home crafts (which we are saving of course!)
We are so proud that you are doing so well and turning into such a big girl right before our eyes. You even say a couple of words now - Pat (your daycare provider), dada of course. And you seem to be soaking up knowledge like a sponge! You know clap and sit and shake and band and hat. You even nod your head when we say yes. Today I asked you if you wanted milk and you nodded at me. You are SO smart, of course.
Love,
Mommy
Today you actually stood up on your own, completely unassisted for five whole seconds... twice!! It's never happened before! Maybe this means walking is coming sooner than we think. In other news, you've been at daycare for three weeks now (and I've been back at work of course) and you are absolutely loving it, which is a huge relief for me. You don't cry when Daddy drops you off, you play, you eat, you drink, you nap - you even bring home crafts (which we are saving of course!)
We are so proud that you are doing so well and turning into such a big girl right before our eyes. You even say a couple of words now - Pat (your daycare provider), dada of course. And you seem to be soaking up knowledge like a sponge! You know clap and sit and shake and band and hat. You even nod your head when we say yes. Today I asked you if you wanted milk and you nodded at me. You are SO smart, of course.
Love,
Mommy
Saturday, 13 February 2010
Mercedes - Happy 1st Birthday!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MERCEDES!
It's hard to believe, but today, my beautiful baby girl, you turned one year old! We had your party today at Bubie and Zaidie's and all of your friends and family spoiled you rotten! It's so wonderful to see how much everyone loves you, because we love you that much also. You had a great time at your party - eating, drinking milk, showing off your pretty party dress, eating your personalized cupcakes, and of course, opening presents.
It has been such a joy watching you grow over the past year. I love you more than words can ever say - it's something you'll understand when you become a mother. I actually said to your Zaidie yesterday that I understand now how much he loves ME. It really is the best feeling in the world - kissing you, snuggling you, playing with you, loving you. You are a wonderful little person and I can't wait to see how much you change and learn and grow in your second year.
On Tuesday you start daycare full-time with Pat and I, unfortunately, go back to work. I am sad to go and leave you - I'm going to miss my special days with you and feel sad that I'll only get to spend a couple of hours a day with you. But so far you seem to love daycare and are adjusting just fine. I know you'll flourish and thrive there, which makes going back to work much easier. I'll still miss you like crazy though!
Happy Birthday my beautiful girl.
Love,
Mommy
It's hard to believe, but today, my beautiful baby girl, you turned one year old! We had your party today at Bubie and Zaidie's and all of your friends and family spoiled you rotten! It's so wonderful to see how much everyone loves you, because we love you that much also. You had a great time at your party - eating, drinking milk, showing off your pretty party dress, eating your personalized cupcakes, and of course, opening presents.It has been such a joy watching you grow over the past year. I love you more than words can ever say - it's something you'll understand when you become a mother. I actually said to your Zaidie yesterday that I understand now how much he loves ME. It really is the best feeling in the world - kissing you, snuggling you, playing with you, loving you. You are a wonderful little person and I can't wait to see how much you change and learn and grow in your second year.
On Tuesday you start daycare full-time with Pat and I, unfortunately, go back to work. I am sad to go and leave you - I'm going to miss my special days with you and feel sad that I'll only get to spend a couple of hours a day with you. But so far you seem to love daycare and are adjusting just fine. I know you'll flourish and thrive there, which makes going back to work much easier. I'll still miss you like crazy though!
Happy Birthday my beautiful girl.
Love,
Mommy
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