Big Itty Bitty News

It's been forever since I've posted anything on the blog. My friend Lindsay Garrison would say it's been a "dang coon's age." I could say I've been busy, which I have. I could pawn my lack of updates off on being tired or not feeling well, which is also true. But really I haven't posted because I had stage fright...I wasn't sure of how to write about our big news in the most appropriate way, being sure to mix the right amount of poignancy and lightheartedness, creating something to look back on and re-read a long time from now with sweet nostalgia. So today I have decided to just jump in with both feet, however eloquent the post may or may not end up, to tell you, our kind friends and family, that we are indeed having a BABY!

Yessiree, Itty Bitty Copp will be here on or around May 15th, 2010. We're about 75% purely pumped, and 25% freaked out. Neither of us has much experience with babies, save for having been a couple about 3 decades ago. In fact, neither of us has ever changed a diaper. We do have a lot to learn, but I am confident in my body and trust my instincts...I have no doubt that I will know just what to do when the sweet little life that we have created arrives in late spring of next year.

We found out about the babe on September 6th. We were in Austin for Labor Day (pun from above most certainly intended). Zac and I were staying with his mom, getting ready to have dinner with his dad and stepmom and a few other family members that night. I kept having a nagging feeling that I shouldn't drink wine that night, which would have been totally conspicuous to our dinner company, but the thought of even one glass felt wrong to me. Looking back, I really knew what was going on...I mean, when has wine ever felt wrong to me? :) I just needed confirmation. And confirmation I got immediately upon reading the EPT tests I abruptly ran out to buy...big, fat, unmistakable, positively positive.

The first couple of weeks were great, but then the 6th week hit and brought with it the beast mistakenly named morning sickness. Unfortunately for me, it has been "morning/noon/night/when I'm too hot/when I'm too cold/when I smell brewing coffee or Mexican food/list goes on" sickness. However, I am happy to say that it has subsided a bit in the past week or so, and not a moment too soon, seeing as how I am almost halfway through already!

In case your inquiring minds need to know:

• We're 17 weeks and 3 days along today.
• We find out the gender next Thursday, Dec. 17th.
• I will deliver in Fort Worth--I couldn't bear to have Dallas on my child's birth certificate.
• The Longhorns will win the National Championship. How do I know? Zac and I got married in February 2006, a month after Vince Young and the Horns won the National Championship. 2006 was an even year and a year in which the Winter Olympics were played, and our anniversary is 02.04.06...each sequential numeral divisible by the first. We will have our first child in 2010. Just like 2006, 2010 is an even year in which the Winter Olympics will be played, and the baby's due date is 5.15.10. Just like 02.04.06, each sequential number is divisible by the first. So, all of that means that we're going to win it all in 2010.

Win it all in 2010, we will. We'll start the "Bump Watch 2010" shortly, just as soon as there is a bump to watch, so check back soon!

Hugs,

sarah, party of 2 :)

Meet Gus

Well, I called it, didn't I? We now have doggie number three. He's a sweetie pie, but it turns out he's in need of a few repairs. No matter, we're up for the task!

Good news first. He's a very sweet boy who is has interacted incredibly well with the other two hood rats. They, too, have taken an interest in him and have seemingly included him in their pack. This is great news! He seems to be potty trained and can "sit" on command. He's quite the little charmer.


We took him to see Dr. Effie yesterday and his heart and lungs sound good and his teeth are pretty good. He is not micro-chipped, which is a Godsend, as it would kill us to have to return him to his neglectful (at best) "parents."


Not-so-good-news. Obviously he has been on his own for a while or at least neglected. Effie says he's malnourished, which is evident in his dull and patchy coat. He's not neutered either. He's got a REALLY guttural and horrible sounding cough, which is probably kennel cough. We did get medicine for it, so it should lessen soon. The worst part is that he is heart worm positive. It's going to take some pretty intense treatment, but it is most likely curable. The treatment calls for serious antibiotics, followed by a 2-3 night vet stay and a whole month of isolated movement. The whole process will take about 6 weeks. But hopefully after that, he will be all better.


HW treatment will commence once he's cleared the cough, or at least until he is finished with the antibiotics for the cough. Effie says that they might actually help with the worms too.

Though a heartworm positive diagnosis is disheartening and sad, we're hopeful that with treatment and time, we can help restore his good health. Nonetheless, he'll definitely be receiving more than his fair share of belly scratches and sugary, high-pitched words of encouragement. That's got to count for something, right? :)

softies

That's what Zac and I are. We got a call at 9:30 last night from our neighbor, Myla, the Dog Catcher Extraordinaire. Given that we had such a hard time with the Scout vs. tiny house/tiny dog/easily bruising Sarah legs, I was prepared to combat any request she had with a gentle let down. Until she said the magic word: Pomeranian. On one of her many dog walks last night, she happened upon an older Pom who looked tattered, hungry and tired. He was very scared of her and tried to get away, but she did end up cornering him on a neighbor's front porch and leashing him. He didn't snap at her; he pulled a Jack move and surrendered belly up so she could scratch it while she put the leash on. Smart boy.

She says she thinks he is in the double digits in age because of his glassy eyes, condition of his teeth, and grey hair. She says his hair is badly matted and unkempt, and that he's got a flea and tick collar on, but no tags.

She's bringing him over to meet us tonight. I have a feeling that this little boy is about to finally find his forever home. :)

Independence Day

Zac and I declared our independence from relaxation this weekend and did some very sorely needed yard work. We put some SERIOUS sweat equity into the Copp Casa...it was like 3 days straight of Bikram yoga in the 100+ summertime heat. We also did lots of re-purposing. First of all, we re-purposed the weekend. We had planned to spend the long weekend with friends at our buddy Wade's ranch. I'm sure we missed an "unprecedented" party (unprecedented in quotes b/c that's Wade's word for awesome...was apropo here), but we did get a ton of stuff done 'round here.

First, we re-purposed an old table and chairs that Tara and I bought for our first apartment together after college. It's made of wrought iron, glass, and solid wood, so fortunately we could remove the old stain on the wood, paint it with outdoor paint (it looks white, but it's actually a beautiful green color called oak moss) and make it usable again on the flagstone patio.

We also stripped the area near the garden with the banana tree and elephant ears of all the Bermuda grass and put filter fabric and mulch down. We also uncovered our flagstone path--the St. Augustine had totally taken over. By the way, we have re-purposing plans for that garage too. Only, unfortunately for the garage, the plans include demolition and putting in a pool. Some day. :)

We also plucked the Bermuda from the driveway and finally planted the planters in front of the garage with Lavender. The planters are re-purposed too...they originally held Italian Cypress plants that we planted at a job site back in January. Horray for free planter boxes!

We carried the Lavender through to the front pots too.

All-in-all, it was a ton of hard work, but so worth it. We officially reclaim our dependence to relaxation.

How awesome is this?