A Visit with Katie and Ella

My college roommate and dear friend, Katie, was in Charlotte this past weekend with her hubby and adorable little girl, Ella. Katie and Rob were visiting Rob's brother and sister-in-law who live in the fabulous Lake Norman area, which is just an hour and a half from Greenville. Since Katie is usually in upstate New York, Emery and I seized the opportunity to visit with her in North Carolina. The boys went off to the Panthers game and Katie and I hung out and played with our baby girls and caught up. It's such a treat to see her! The last time we saw each other was in May when Emmy was in my belly and Ella was still crawling. Now Ella is a very busy toddling one year old and Emery is a wiggly four month old. Such fun! I think our girls even look kind of alike with their blond hair and big blue eyes. I hope we can get together again soon! Miss you already, Katie!

Quick update

Emery is just about ready to sit on her own. She now hates to be laying flat, or even reclining! I bet under her layer of baby blubber she's got some killer abs because she's constantly trying to do a sit up. So now when I put her in her boppy I have to have another pillow behind her so that she is completely vertical. She tries to hang on to the sides of her changing table to keep from laying down and she gets furious if I do not have her stroller in its full upright and locked position. Gone are the days of leaving Emery unattended anywhere in the house--even for just a nano-second. She's a wiggler! And a mover and a shaker.
Although our weather is gorgeous this time of year (October is the BEST month in the south, in my opinion), mornings are quite chilly. I have had such fun the past few mornings bundling Emery up in various hats during our walks.

Great news to report: Maddux's staples came out this morning and he is almost as good as new! The staples were definitely itching him so I know he feels better now that they are gone. The vet said he is free to do whatever he wants but I'm still handling him with kid gloves. My firstborn!

Ben's younger brother, Scott, came to visit! Scott stayed in Greenville for four days on his way down to Ft. Lauderdale to search for another job on a boat. This was Scott's first time meeting Emery and she loved him right away. Emery was always willing to flash her gums and give him a big grin. And Scott was such a big help!! Please come back!! We don't get to see Scott very often because he's usually off roughing it in the French Riveria or Carribbean, so his visit was really special. Thanks for coming! Aren't those Slagel boys cute??? ;-) I married into a fun (and crazy!) family.

The Winning Costume........

Poor Little Maddux

Following our trip to Palm Springs, Ben, Emmy and I returned to the house around 6 and Mom and Nanny were already there with Maddux. I was so excited to see the little guy!!!! In fact, I was so eager to see him that my mom had driven all the way up from Atlanta so that I could immediately cuddle the Muppet. After dinner I took Maddux, along with Mom and Spark-e, on his evening walk. We did one of our usual routes out the back gate of the neighborhood. Along the way we encountered a large Boxer also out for his evening walk. For some reason, the dog went berserk when he saw us and jerked so hard that he snapped his collar and bolted right for Maddux. I didn't even have time to scoop Maddux up before he was in the jaws of the Boxer, being shaken like a stuffed animal. I was freaking out.....as was Mom and lady who had been walking the dog. Finally, he released Maddux and his owner got him under control. We rushed Maddux to the emergency vet and he had to undergo some surgery. Thankfully, he should make a full recovery. But I am traumatized!!!! Maddux had to have a huge incision to remove severely damaged tissue cut across his back. He has staples and drains all over the wound and is on major antibiotics and pain meds, but it could have been a lot worse. I thought for sure his neck was going to be broken when I saw the big dog shaking him. But, all his x-rays and tests indicate that he has no internal bleeding, concussion, etc. What a tough little guy! He's not moving too well at the moment and probably won't be for quite some time. The ER vets and staff were incredible. Thank God for them! I was too upset (as was Mom) to leave Maddux so they let us take him home just a few hours after surgery rather than making him stay longer for observation. A sleepless night, but I am so thankful that Maddux survived the attack. Please be careful when out and about with your babies and dogs.....you just never know how dogs will react to other dogs or kids, regardless of breed.

**UPDATE** Maddux's drains have been removed and he is acting as if nothing happened! He still has all the staples (those come out late next week), but he is going up and down the stairs, playing with Atticus and eating well again. Whew!

Palm Desert

Last week Ben and I took Emery across the country for her first trip to California and the desert. Ben and his older brother attended a Precision Metalforming Association conference at the JW Marriott in Palm Desert while Emery and I got to play with Grandma and Grandpa, Aunt Korey and Austin. I LOVE Palm Desert. I think I was meant to live in the desert.....hot and dry. Perfect weather! And the hotel was really nice. PMA put on some really great events for us......unfortunately, I did not get any pictures of the Chairman's Dinner party, but given that we were in Palm Springs, the theme was "Hollywood" and we were supposed to come dressed as a movie character. I won the costume contest!!!! I think my mother-in-law got some pictures. I will have to post as soon as she emails them to me. Until then, I'll leave you guessing as to which movie character I portrayed.
Ben, me, Korey and Jerry on our final night.
Daddy and Emmy chillin' poolside

Mommy and Emmy testing the waters

Austin and Emery hanging out together