the best thing since sliced bread...

The treadmill ROCKS. I have the best behaved dogs now. It's like magic.

Not only is it completely hilarious, it really helps to structure our day and doggie behavior inside the home. We had been on this continuous kong, rawhide, distractions, car rides and treats deal just to bribe the dogs (Daisy mostly) into not chewing things or peeing in the house...just generally trying to contain them. It was tiring to say the least!

I haven't been able to keep up my walking regimen reliably because it's SOOO darn hot and sunny here-so unless I go before 11:00 am it's pretty unbearable. Plus, I'm 8and a half months pregnant now and just very cautious about my back. And my ankles swelling. So--the dogs have been extra energetic (and annoying!)

But, the treadmill. It's like doggie valium or sleeping pills--which, are actually sold over the counter, but I would NEVER ever go there. THIS IS WAY BETTER! The doggies are supposed to get tons of exercise, so this really works for all of us right now. Now I have dogs that are excellently behaved INSIDE the house as well as OUT. Thank you Cesar Milan!

In other doggie news, we were out the other day and a BIRD ATTACKED DAISY!!!?!! How weird is that? It was just a normal day, we were walking so Daisy could pee, and she was taking care of business, when I realized this bird was flying really close to us. Like within 4' and it kept chirping really loud. It landed in the nearby tree. Before Daisy could finish, the bird DIVE BOMBED her on her rear end! She was very confused, as was I, and we got the heck out of Dodge. I still haven't been able to go back to pick up after her, because the weird chirpy bird is still there and I'm too afraid.

In baby news, I checked out the Fairfax hospital. It's like interstate highway driving the whole time. It's a very highly rated hospital on the US News and World Report rankings. I found a new doctor too. And I have an appointment. I'm still very sad about the idea of switching. I find my attachment really odd--given that I just had one appointment so far with the other doctor. I am weird.

We start Hypnobirthing classes next week---self-hypnosis for pain-management. I'll attempt a 'natural' birth. Everything I read suggests it's best for baby, breastfeeding and everything. I am also suprisingly more interested in entering into this labor thing blindly and unprepared rather than being prepared and having a plan. That's very unlike me. I think I'm still in denial about becoming a parent.

In Dave news, he is still a peach, as always. I credit his mom and dad (and his whole family really). He looks so professional now in his gabardine slacks, button down shirts and wingtips. It's a big change from the Microsoft dress code. His schedule is very aggressive now--he has like 10 minutes in the morning and about 2 hours after dinner to himself. I'm sad for him---with what he's choosing to do. I know school will be a big deal. I hope he can weather it OK.

My Uncle Bob travels to Washington this evening to chaparone my mom on her plane trip tomorrow. He is very generous to take his time away from his business just so I don't have to fly while I'm almost full-term. He's a peach too. Very kind and generous. He will get to visit with my dad and his brother and sister in New York so he's making the most of the time.

They arrive tomorrow evening--and then we'll be DONE with a huge phase--we'll be officially all moved here. We just wait for the baby to arrive, school to start, and our new house to be ready. But we get a couple of weeks of a break.

I am still very ambivalent about this whole thing we just did to our lives. I'm sure it will be great--and I know DC has a lot to offer--and this was the best choice of all our options----B*U*T--I still don't have the love and the romance and sense of possibilities for this area. I'm seeing all the weird stuff an outsider notices and just feeling weird.

I miss my old life :( It was a wonderful time and place to become a young adult. Now with the stay-at-home wife/mom and caretaking responsibilities, I feel more like a real adult--and those carefree times are OVER.

Such is life. I'm sure there will be upsides of all of this. I'm just seeing the losses at this point. :( ...it intensifies the heffalump feelings. But today, I opened the blinds and let the sunshine in and cleaned the whole house--and figured, it's worth paying for the extra air-conditioning to be a little happier :)

More soon! We miss you. Email us at schleiferkin@gmail.com.