Meet the Family

By order of birth, but certainly not importance, here we are!

Meet MOMMY:  First, we have a couple elusive photos of ME, the mommy, writer, medication dispenser, grooming supervisor, potty trainer, litter box scooper, and person who's normally BEHIND the camera!

Even as a child, I wanted to make sure my babies were fresh and dry!  And I clearly had no aversion to messes.  Perfect pet parent in the making!

Me, all grown up and as ALWAYS, enjoying the company of animals.  Nobody would help me adopt this one and bring it home, so I settled for a few kisses and a nice swim with this adorable Sea Lion.

Meet DADDY:  In 2006, I met this guy, who is now my husband and the Daddy to our crew.  Aside from going to work every day so we can buy food to feed the gang, he helps out with potty breaks, cuddling and various other duties.

My husband and I, when we first started dating.

We got married in 2009, in Jamaica.  My doctors had informed me years before that I would probably never be able to have children, but we realized there was more than one way to build a family.  So shortly after we returned from our honeymoon, we set out to find some babies who needed a home.

Meet SEBASTIAN and MADDUX:

Sebastian, our yellow domestic short-hair cat.  Wasn't he a cute baby?

Aaaaaand, his brother Maddux, our gray domestic short-hair cat, who honestly was naughty from the start.  His orneriness was the main reason I chose him.  FULL of character, this one.

Brothers, Maddux and Sebastian, shortly after we adopted them in May or June, 2009

We had a lot of fun with our two energetic, mischievous kittens for a couple weeks.  THEN, we got some unexpected news.  Apparently, we had unknowingly brought home a little souvenir from Jamaica.  We laughed, we cried, and then we rolled with the punches.  Maddux and Sebastian were about to get some competition.  They took it in stride.

The cats supervising nursery preparation

And doing safety inspections on toys

Meet THE BOY:  Yes, in January, 2010, we welcomed a HUMAN baby into the fold.  Surprise, sometimes even doctors are wrong!

Ok, Dad, there's room for both of us here.  It's cool, I guess.  We can keep the tiny crying creature.

For quite a few years, we were content with Maddux, Sebastian and "the boy."  They kept us busy, with their typical toddler antics.  Sebastian frequently demonstrated his affinity for plastic bags, so we learned NOT to leave our bread (or anything else in a cellophane-type wrapper) sitting on the counter.  Maddux developed an interest in shiny, expensive things, so we spent one very panicky night searching high and low for my wedding ring, which he stole off my nightstand and attempted to stash in a secret hiding place.

Alas, no living thing is immune to aging, and eventually all my kids grew out of the baby stage.  I started getting a serious case of baby fever, so we began discussions (negotiations, really) on expanding the family.  I wanted a puppy.  When my husband and I met, I had two adult mini schnauzers, but sadly, they had both since crossed over the Rainbow Bridge.  Losing them was SO tough, and my husband wasn't sure getting a new dog was a good idea.  So we waited awhile, to make sure I was ready for a new canine pal, and when my heart told me it was time, I found one.

Meet SCOUT:

Scout's newborn pic.  She's a Shih Tzu, Havanese mix, aka Havashu, who was born in April, 2016

We watched her grow, courtesy of photos from my friends, who own her parents.

And then in June, 2016, she came home to live with us!  Daddy and the boy posed for a pic before letting her loose to explore the yard.

Maddux giving me that "have you lost your mind" glare while getting acquainted with Scout.

Now, I love cats, but Scout reminded me how very much I enjoy having a dog around, as well.  Yes, we had many accidents on the carpet in the beginning, and the incessant puppy chewing drove me nuts, but there's NOTHING aloof about Scout.  She is always ready and willing to show us how much she loves and needs us.  She's my shadow, my constant sidekick, my amusement when I'm bored, my therapist when I'm feeling low.  Yes, two cats, the boy and a dog was just right.  The perfect family.

UNTIL ....

Meet ??? (name TBD):

Miniature Schnauzer, born in February, 2018

I came across THIS little lady, and as soon as I saw her, I knew she was meant for us.  She will come home to live with us at the beginning of April, and her name is yet to be determined.

Ok, that's it, you've met all the players in our family saga.  I'll share more pictures, humorous stories, tales of woe and/or mayhem, and wisdom I've learned from our brood as we go forward.  Feel free to leave comments about your own experiences with the kiddos in your life (two-legged, four-legged, winged, finned ... you know, whatever, I love them all!)