Fridays with Floyd : Snuggle Buddies

First, Happy 6 MONTHS LM!!!

When tummy time turns into snuggle time...

Then my heart exploded into a million piece of happiness.

Don't worry, both boys were very supervised while catching a quick snooze on their bellies ;)

Fridays with Floyd : Big Brother Role

Lately the second most common question we've been getting (besides how's Little Mister?) is, 'how is Floyd doing?'

And I am happy to report, he's doing well!

It's not secret around here that Floyd has always been #1 top dog (human if you ask him) and we were not sure how he would react once we brought Little Mister home.

In short, he's been great!

Once Little Mister was home we brought home a blanket of his, his hat and when he started wearing clothes in the NICU I would bring his previous days outfit home each evening for Floyd to sniff.  I have no idea if this helped or not but I am thinking maybe it did.

When we came home with Little Mister, I made sure to come in and grab Floyd and we all walked in the house together.  Again, no idea if this helped but I sure think so.

And now that we've been home for a few weeks, he has really fallen into his role of big brother.

I do think he is exceptionally tired because he is not getting his 8+ consecutive hours of sleep during the day but he's adjusting.  And beginning to learn to catch snoozes when he can.

When he's not snoozing, he will follow me in the Little Mister's room and sit right behind me while I change his clothes and diapers.  Or sit at my feet while I feed Little Mister.  Or in my lap while I pump...I would file that one under jealously and taking advantage of a free lap.

There are definitely times when Little Mister cries and Floyd looks at us like 'can you puhhhlease make him stop doing that?'  But overall he tolerates all the new noises very well.  He's only gotten up and gone in another room a time or two.  I think those big ears are coming in handy for blocking out sound.

He walks really well with the stroller and seems to strut a little down the street...'hey guys, did you see? I have a new brother!'

When we come back from doctors appointments and I sit the car seat down, Floyd comes running from his crate and makes sure Little Mister is still in there...and usually gives him a quick lick across the face.  

(I swear I didn't stage this though my heart did burst into a million happy pieces)

Yesterday Little Mister was having a rough reflux-y day and was finally chilling in his bouncer and I walked into the kitchen to make bottles and Floyd hopped down from his nap spot on the back of the sofa and over to the ottoman to stare down and look over Little Mister.  I could be totally making up his intentions in my head but it really seemed like he was watching over him while I was a few steps away and concerned with how upset he had been all day.

And then there are also days when he looks at him like 'oh, I see you are still here...'

Overall he's handling his new role exceptionally!

I think he may even secretly be starting to love him...

Fridays with Floyd : Salty or Sweet

As I've mentioned, Floyd is just about the first question out of our friends mouth once they find out we're expecting. 
It was ours too.
 

I've read plenty of stories about dogs and their intuition and protecting their mamas once they know they are pregnant.

Early on, there were a few times that I knew Floyd could tell something was up.

But more so here lately, his senses are definitely heightened.
It really warms my heart to know that he feels the need to protect me.
To a certain extent ;)

A few occasions lately Mister and I have hugged/kissed and Floyd comes barreling around the corner and barks at us.  I told him we were not starting that habit and to cool his jets.  

'Stay aray from my mama!'

If it is just Floyd and I out on a walk, he has been known to bark and lose his cool if we pass another dog that he normally would have just walked on past. 

'Stay aray from my mama!'

And on the flip side of his multiple personalities, he has actually been really, really sweet lately.

That or his jealously is already building and he is stocking up on snuggles...feel free to weigh in your two cents.

Lately when it is just him and I on weekend mornings, I make (decaf) coffee and sit on the sofa and read.  He has been coming and snuggling with me and laying his head on my stomach.  And then I die of cuteness.

 Last weekend I was in Little Mister's room sitting in our glider and here he came to investigate and then laid down and just snoozed while I was in there.  Precious.

   So it's really a toss up, but I hope we are leaning towards the sweet side.

Fridays with Floyd : Project Manager

Why is that short weeks take the most out of you?

I promise I had a more posts planned for this week but (nesting) life kept happening.

We started cleaning out Floyd's room/closet over the holiday weekend.   This quickly steam rolled into painting and a new closet system. 

So safe to say, this week has been full of nesting type activities and cleaning like a mad lady.

Per usual, Floyd has been ultra helpful.

He's the #1 project manager in our house.
You can see he is VERY strict.

While Floyd is cracking the whip, I am going to go hang up little things on little hangers. 

Fridays with Floyd : Bark-a-lounger

We ordered this bed for Floyd and since it arrived it has been raining and raining and raining and he hasn't been able to test it out.

But finally last weekend, it was nice out and Floyd was able to enjoy some porch sitting.

It took some treats and coaxing for him to learn how to get on the bed BUT he's figured it out, finally.

Mister sent me these pictures this past weekend and I was jumping for joy.  

I think he looks so adorable.  Not to mention it will help keep his paws cool.  Our porch can get pretty warm and sometimes it is too hot for his chunky paws to walk on.  The bed solves that issue!

We can only hope he continues to lay on it.

Happy Birthday Floyd!

The big man on campus turns 7 (!!!) on Sunday so naturally we are celebrating all weekend long.

So far on the agenda is the P A R K, nuggets, lots of peanut butter and even more sniffing and snuggling.

I also ordered him this bed for the porch for this summer.  I'm hoping he loves it.

Turns out I have about 47 million photos of Floyd (shocking, I know) but here are just a few of my favorites.

We love you SO MUCH Bubba, you light up our world every single day!

Happy Birthday FLOYD! 

Fridays with Floyd : Relax

One thing Floyd has mastered is being relaxed and the importance of a lazy Sunday.

Last weekend Mister and I laid down for a Sunday afternoon nap and Floyd followed suit.

As always, he continued snoozin much longer than we did.

I love nothing more than his sweet snoozin face.  Along with the 'sleep smell' he puts off while he's cozy.  I snapped some photos of him for as long as he would let me.  You'll see I began to get the stink eye.  Do NOT mess with him while he's sleeping...he is NOT a fan.  

I've been caught.  

The stink eye comes out... ;)

Hope everyone has as a weekend just as relaxing as Floyd's.

Fridays with Floyd

Many moons ago there used to be weekly 'Fridays with Floyd' around these parts.

I apologize he hasn't made an appearance lately but after a few requests to see his sassy mug, he's back!!

Thankfully (for us) Floyd hasn't done anything too crazy or rambunctious lately.   But he still have all his same quirks and has picked up some new ones.

For example:  

Really, really loving to lay on top of our covers at night.  Smack in the middle of the bed.  And if you've never tried to pull your covers up from under a 56lbs basset hound who is dead asleep, well then, you've never really had a workout.  

I mean, who doesn't want an arm work out at 2 am?!

(Neighborhood watch is VERY important.  Even when it's dark outside.)

We have started putting coconut oil on Floyd's food to help with his skin/coat/overall health.  Recently he has taken to purely eating the hunk of coconut oil first and then coming back to finish the bowl about 5 minutes later.  Personally I think a spoonful of coconut oil sounds terrible but he's eaten a lot of strange things in life soooo 

Speaking of eating, we recently picked up new food for Floyd just to switch things up a little.  I can't quite tell how he feels about it yet though.  I feel strongly about it because it is supposed to help his skin, stomach and isn't full of junk.  We have slowly been mixing it in.  I'll see if he wants to do a  review soon. 

Something he does feel strongly about are these dental bones that the kind folks at Chewy sent him.  

He has always been a fan of dental hygiene so these bones were a no brainer.  We try to keep up with his teeth brushing but admittedly, we are non consistent.  Because of this I like to make sure I am giving him bones/treats that also help with his dental health.  

And that's a little about Floyd lately.  Any burning questions you have for him?

Fridays with Floyd : Down by the Garden

Earlier this week I was shooting our garden for an upcoming blog post and you will never guess who stole center stage.

Its like he knows he's so handsome

Now only if I could keep his chunky paws out of said garden...

Happy weekending friends!

*Side note...Floyd and I are over at Anne's blog today talking about our chalkboard wall while she is in the midst of moving.  While I am in tears that Anne and I won't be meeting up for our frequent Chipotle lunches, I am so excited for her, Peter and Hendrik and their new Michigan adventure!

Fridays with Floyd : Flop

Floyd is a tad bit spoiled (no new news there) and gets a special mid day potty break every day.

Mister comes home around lunch time every day to let Floyd out and stretch his legs.  And get a little snack too.

I am pretty sure Floyd is usually half asleep when this is happening but I do know that he loves it.

And what is really loves is being able to lay in sunshine.

There are days when Mister tells me he doesn't even get down the stairs to potty.  

Just flops right down on the porch.

Approximately four days a week I get pictures like below with the caption 'yep. again. didn't even make it down the stairs'.

And some days he does make it down the stairs...and flops down on the ground, refusing to move.

There are days that Mister has had to resort to bribing him inside with large chunks of chicken to get him to even think about meandering up the stairs.

Truth be told, all stubbornness aside, I do love how much Floyd loves being outside and soaking up the sun though.  It warms my heart as much as it warms his belly.  I am certain it is one of his favorite things to do.  Ever.

Happy Friday, friends! 

Fridays with Floyd : City Dog

Last weekend after our picnic, we had just the absolute perfect lighting...to force Floyd into a photo shoot.

Surprisingly he complied pretty easily.

We can't have a good photo shoot and not share it with you, right?

Besides, it's been awhile since I've given you a Floyd photo dump.

I know you've been missing him. 

 We're not going to talk about his white snout...

'Give me dat Cheerio, rady.'

Hope everyone has a great weekend! 

Nurse Floyd

Hello? Herro?

Sorry for the radio silence over here this week.

Between traveling for work and bringing back a nasty bug blogging has taken a back seat this week.

I was feeling so crummy that I took Wednesday off work.  Which I NEVER do so we know it was bad.

However between Mister and Floyd I had the best nurses in town.

Floyd was super helpful throughout the day.

He napped with me.  

Napped on his own.

Napped outside.

Adequate rest is really important in Floyd's get well regime. 

I plan on more of his rest regime this weekend and will be back next week in full force!
A furniture Market recap, reviews and DIY plans!

Happy Birthday Floyd!

The four legged love of our life turns 6 today!

Happy Birthday, Floyd!

I know I say it every year but I cannot believe he is another year older...at all.

To celebrate this momentous occasion, let's look at some puppy photos...deal?

The day we picked him up...be still my heart.

Also note, the day he knew he had us wrapped around his chunky paws.

There's literally nothing better than puppy belly.

It is so funny to Mister and I to look through these photos because even though he's bigger...Floyd has not changed too much.  He still sits the same, tilts his head the same way and looks at us in the same manner.

He still sits in those EXACT same positions.

Funnily enough, over the years, his ears have changed from black to brown and he definitely has more spots but he is still THE cutest boy in the world.

We LOOOVE you Floyd, to the moon and back!

All of your quirks, your silly, funny personality.  Your stubbornness and determination.  Your love, sweet, sweet demeanor and your love to snuggle (on your own terms).

We have a big night planned for you, Bubba...get ready!

5 Friday Loves

5 things for you on this Spring Friday...

1.  Floyd, because there is never enough Floyd

2.  Remember when I told you guys about Rocksbox a few weeks ago?

Well I have continued to become more and more obsessed.  The last box I got included an adorable Gorjana gold bar necklace that I have yet to take off since I received it.  There is a very large chance that bad boy isn't being mailed back to them.

And you guys are in luck...Rocksbox is amazing and they are extending the code 'totalbassetcasexoxo' for your first month when you join for another month!  No seriously, a free month of adorable jewelry goodies that just arrive at your door.  I would jump on it if I were you! 

3.  A huge shoutout and loudest praise ever to my besties over at Baseball Lacelets!  They launched their Kickstarter a few weeks ago to help them buy their own laser engraver.  And with over a week to go they met their goal!!! And it is still growing!  How amazing is that?!

(possibly one of the most fun pictures I've ever taken)

Click here to back them! 

We have watched them grow their business from literally the ground up (when they used to hand stamp every single lacelet) and are so proud of how much they've grown.  They are blowing things out of the water, moving and grooving at lightening speed and we can NOT wait to see what happens next for them.

4.  There's a chance I ordered this shirt last night....

5.  I made these cookies last night for some friends...talk about yummy and easy! And they use coconut oil instead of butter! 

Happy Friend, friends! 

XOXO

Floyd wanted me to pass this along...

He's the biggest love bug I know and passes along all his slobbery smooches to you!

Fridays with Floyd : Salty and Sweet

I've mentioned a few (million) times that Floyd has an attitude.

This week's poison has been that whenever I put his harness on him for our walks he pukes.

I am pretty certain he is doing it out of protest.  

But then he curls up on 2 (!) blankets, with his paw tucked under his chin and melts my heart. 

He has our number and he knows it.

Happy weekend, friends! 

Festive Floyd

Since we've had our tree up, Floyd has managed to sit by it every night.  

Every night while we are making dinner he sits by the tree and looks at us.

Granted he is a weirdo most of the time.

BUT I think it is adorable and makes me want to take one million pictures of him.

How do you NOT photograph that sweet snout??

Floyd over and out,

Fridays with Floyd : Floyd's Christmas List

I caught Floyd pawing his list to Santa Paws the other day.

It was quite long...

He wanted to make sure he gets everything on his list so he asked I share it with you guys too.

A lifetime supply of peanut butter

A king size human bed

Bully sticks as far as the eye can see

Rotisserie chicken for dinner every night

Never to go in the rain again

Full access to the trash can 

For everyone to go to bed at 9pm

Treats to fall from the heavens

At least 2 dinners a night

Dirty socks for days

A pillow for the bathtub

If anyone would like Floyd's address to help him out with this list, he will gladly give it to you.

Fridays with Floyd : Caption This

Last weekend we headed out to a Christmas tree farm to take Christmas card photos, with Floyd in tow.

By the end, homeboy was OVER. IT.

And because I can't spill the beans of our card yet, I thought some shots of Floyd would suffice.

Deal?

Besides, it is really hard not to come up with some sassy phrases for him when you see these shots...

So, let's hear it...what is Floyd thinking?

Happy weekend friends! 

Fridays with Floyd : A week at Gmas

The number 2 question we got after we returned back from Hawaii was, 'where was Floyd?'

Floyd was VERY well taken care of and our #1 priority before even taking our trip.

Floyd had the honor of staying at his Gmas house while we were gone and he was happy as a clam.  

They even wrote a blog post about it they had so much fun!

Floyd here, I guess you have all seen the pictures of my Mama and Papa in Hawaii. Did you see me in any of those pictures?  

Woof Woof! NO! There was NO way I was getting on an airoplane and travel across the country. I would have to change planes and fly over the ocean! Have you seen how short my legs are? I can’t swim that far! Did you guys know there are sharks in that ocean? Judy, my dog friend in Hawaii, told me all about them. She does not go out in the ocean past her paws, because her dog friends have told her all about sharks. I don’t have a dog passport and I am sure there would be some sort of special shots or medicine I would have had to take “YUK”. So, I called my Gma and booked my dogcation (dog vacation) with her. Thank goodness for Gma!

Over the river and through the woods to Gma’s house I go! Gma and Sophie were on fall break from her school, so we got to spend lots of fun time together. I luvvv to go to Gma’s she has lots of dog treats. She even lets me chew on a special bone bought just for me. My Poppa called my Grandpa Thomas to take me on long walks on my golf course. The smells on my golf course are out of this world! After one of my walks I went back to Gma’s and took a nap in the sun laying straight up on my back. 

Gma said I looked funny, but hey I was catching some Zzzzzz’s. 

I have a new trick that I do at Gma’s house as soon as she gets up out of her chair I snarf her spot. 

I love her chair. Sometimes you find food by Gma’s chair and I help her eat it! Gma lets me sit in her lap when I am missing my Mama and Papa. She rocks and pets me and tells me they will be back soon. A couple of nights I woke Gma up around 3:00 am (FLOYD THOMAS!!). I had to go potty really bad. Gma said that she wished I would not get her up so early! Gma is a little grumpy at that hour, but a real sport and took me out let out to take care of business! 

I really missed getting to see my new dog friend Judy. 

She lives with my Aunt Kait (one of da best aunt in the world.  I really rike aunt Casey too, she tells me how perfect I am) and Uncle Dane who live in Hawaii. I will just keep dreaming of the day that Judy and I get to go to the dog park and play.

And it's a wonder Floyd even wants to come back and live with us....