Millie

From the time Alex came to live with us he's asked for a "doggy". Before Christmas at Preschool he drew a picture of a dog and said that's what he wanted for Christmas.

Ry and I looked at puppies and even test drove one for two days, (I was allergic to the dog, and he ran around the house breaking things and peeing everywhere. It was not a hard decision to give him back.)

I struggled with the idea of getting a puppy as they need so much training, and attention, and I wasn't sure we had the time or capacity right now. We then started looking for an older trained dog, but I was allergic to all of the ones we looked at. In frustration we told Alex we'd have to wait for awhile before we could get a dog.

While in Oregon for Christmas Uncle Dennis and Aunt Pam surprised us by giving us Millie their three year old Bichon Frise. She's a very cute, hypo-allergenic, (as hypo-allergenic as a dog can be), incredibly sweet tempered dog.

We've been wanting a Bichon but thought it would be awhile until we could afford one as they usually cost between $600-$800. Dennis and Pam have been breeding Bichon's for years and now with their older dog Coby being put down for medical reasons, and all of their boys but one being gone to college Millie hasn't been getting much attention. What better home for her than with a loving little boy.

It has been fascinating watching the bond between Millie and Alex grow. When Millie first came home Alex didn't know how to play with her. He would sit on the floor and look at her not quite sure what he was supposed to do with her. Now they wrestle, play tug of war with Millie's rope toy, race after balls, and we often hear Alex talking to Millie as she sits at his feet.

The saying that every boy should have a dog, is definitely proving to be true in Alex's case. Not only has he gained a best friend, his confidence is increasing, and he's learning what it means to truly love.

I'm also surprised by how attached I am to Millie and how much I'm growing to like her.

OMSI

Alex had a blast at the OMSI Science Museum with Grandma & Grandpa Tidwell, Aunt Ashlee, and Mom & Dad.

Ash & I hanging out while Alex played
with Grandma & Grandpa

The biggest surprise of the day was the snow! Not only did it make the roads bad to drive on, but the runways at the airport as well. Our flight was delayed four hours and it took just as long for Grandpa & Grandma Tidwell to get home!

Alex's First Trip to Oregon

Alex was very excited to ride on the "a-planes" to go visit the Tidwell family for Christmas. He was nervous when we first got on the plane, holding tightly to my hand. When we were seated, waiting to take off I asked if he wanted to hold my hand. He said no he was fine but as soon as we started to take off he grabbed for my hand.

When we leveled out in the sky, and the turbulence stopped he let go of my hand and looked around to see if anyone had noticed. He wants more than anything to be seen as "big". He frequently comes up to Ryan and I and says "last night I got bigger", or "I'm getting big and big."