I Love You, Too.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Brandon started off slower than Nicky
We had some challenges with speech
We took him for Early Speech Development testing with the state
but he passed, despite our concerns
He acquired a French accent
which we love
and he blossomed after we took him out of school (who knew?)
He is talking a mile a minute now
and is so happy to parrot back every single thing Nicky says
Lucky us
but he never said "I love you" back
Until tonight
I love you Brandon, right back
to the moon and stars and to infinity and beyond


Astrology

I am not really into stars.
When I was little I wanted to go to Space Camp, but who didn't?
I can look at them and point out the "Indian on the Moon"
One time I went to the Planetarium and watched a show of lasers set to the music of Pink Floyd - or maybe The Grateful Dead.I don't remember
I didn't get it.
Maybe I should have been stoned - watching sharks with laser beams might have been more fun.
So apparently, I am not one for the stars.
I don't consult my charts like my girlfriends, or have my "stars" read
I did consult them once, after I broke up with my college boyfriend
I learned that Libras and Sagittarius aren't compatible.
I felt somewhat vindicated.
Except 5 years later I married one.
A Libra.
Anyways, I thought it would be fun to see what the Abelingland Astrology signs are. Fun Fun!

Dan is a Libra (which i highly doubt after reading this! haha)
I am Sagittarius
Nicholas and Luke are Taurus
Brandon is a Cancer



Secrets of Abelingland - F You

I've been swearing a lot on my blog lately. 
Maybe it feels appropriate at this point in my life
 I saw this and thought
"wow, Dan says that to me a lot"
ha ha
Keeping it real, folks.


Secrets of Abelingland - Little Boys

Thursday, November 24, 2011
Really...
How did I get so lucky?
THREE times!



I'm gonna get you Bitch

Nicky and Brandon playing with their plastic play shotguns Mommy bought for $8.00 at H.E.B. 
Leave it to Nicky...



Rango

Dan wanted to name him Mosby
Nicky called him Lumpy
Brandon named him Yucky
Zeus hates him
I said we can't keep him
He is so sweet and pretty
...and hairy.
We brainstormed and Rango seemed to fit
So...
Meet Rango
Our "maybe" new dog.


Half a Year

This was one of my favorite shirts for Nicky
the next year I took a pic of Brandon in it
and now Luke...
Here they are at half a year old
side by side
looking nothing alike as usual


YUCKY

Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Val: Brandon what do you want to name the dog?
Brandon: Yucky

Awesome.


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What's that smell??

Nicky: what's that smell?
Shauna: that's your new dog
Nicky: that's YUCKY. Dad, where did you buy this dog?!

Ha ha. Oh boy.


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6 months

Monday, November 21, 2011
Luke turned 6 months on Friday. I completely missed his 6 month wellness check today (we were out on a Roxy lead which turned up false) so I rescheduled for Monday. I have not taken any 6 month pictures, so this will give me some time to take some pictures. I'll be back on the "Adventures in Abelingland" wagon soon....I just need to get my head back in the game. I did take this picture last week..and it reminded me of this post and this post. We, Brandon, Luke, and I, have perfected the "pout".

Luke pouting -  6 months
 The Vicci Pout



Perspective

4 years ago this weekend, Dan drove me up to Marble Falls to meet an 11 week brindle Boston terrier Pup named "Emma". I did not want a Boston Terrier, I wanted a Fox Terrier, but with a new baby on the way and a house with 2 cats, we decided to check out a dog with a great reputation for liking cats and great with kids. (Ha! about the cats, Zeus!)

We saw her prancing around with her little sister, and she was as tiny and cute as could be. She turned to face me with 2 different color eyes, I was hooked, fell madly in love, and knew I wanted her. On the car ride home we named her Roxy. Roxy Roo. I even made up a song, "Roxy the terrier, had a blue and brown eye. With a button nose, she came to me one day..."

The Pet Detective said thast I represent the top 1% of people who go above and beyond to bring their lost pets home and I should be aware of that...even if she hasnt come back yet. KVUE was going to come out and do a news story about the extreme lengths I have gone to find Roxy.  Since she disappeared, I have spent more hours browsing internet sites for lost and missing pets, and  I am all too aware how many dogs go missing every day. It's not really news when one goes missing, so when KVUE asked me "why is Roxy so special (to do a news story on)," I let them know that she is special and worthy to me.

This is where I guess I have to put things into presepctive - I didnt lose a husband, or one of the boys...I didnt lose my parents, or my sister. I have my house and I am healty. I havent lost all my belongings to a fire, tornado, tusnami, hurricane, or earthquake. I have food and water, a job, and family near by. I have to be thankful and grateful for what I do have, but I am allowing myself to grieve for her this week.

I lost Roxy. And when she left, I think a tiny part of me was shattered and crushed.  I miss her so much. I miss her snoring. I miss her little bosy sleeping next to me. I miss her silliness, her companionship. I miss working with her in my lap. I miss hearing her, knowing she is near.I will wish with all my might that she comes back, I just miss HER.

I have to Thank all my friends, family, neighbors, and strangers that have put some much time and effort into helping me find her. I am not giving up. I will probably never stop looking for her. or loving her.

Picture 675

Family Resemblance

Thursday, November 17, 2011
Grandma Larissa sent us these pictures yesterday! 
Look at the strong family resepnblance. 
The top picture is Pap Ray and Little Francis. 
I think F looks like Luke there too!
Then it's Dan with Nicky. 
The Abeling gene is very powerfu!  
{And I wonder when Dan will start to ask why all the boys look like his brother, F.}



Facebook Ad

I just created a FaceBook ad. Not sure if this will help or I am just checking the box now....



What did I do??

Wednesday, November 16, 2011
So while doing my morning online search for Roxy, I found this 1 yr old Golden Retriever that was scheduled to die today. I sent Dan to pick him up. We get him next Tuesday after he has been neutered. I have a feeling I could end up with many more dogs before this ends...




My mom asked me....

....how to help today




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I miss her

Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Goodnight, where ever you are my girl.



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Four days now

Monday, November 14, 2011
My beloved Roxy is gone for another night. She isn't with me and I can't stop thinking about her. My heart is heavy and I ache. I am still numb and I don't know how to stop going.

I just know I haven't done everything I can. Over the last 4 days I have frantically done everything you can do to find a lost pet. I think we indirectly made this happen. See Roxy and Zeus get out under the fence a lot. They love it back there. We call them they come back. We knew we had to finally do something, so we blocked the exit. Roxy found a new spot to squeeze through. I think she got out, but Zeus couldn't follow her,  but then she couldn't get back in the new hole. She must have waited for a while.

We were not home, just our Nanny. She didn't realize Roxy was missing. We got home about 30 minutes later, and by 45 minutes we were searching. She could not have been out for longer then 45 minutes before we started searching for her. But by then she wandered off to find a new way back and got lost, and {we think} someone picked her up....so this is what we have done.
  • We spent a cumulative of 20 hours walking our greenbelts, driving around calling her name
  • I posted on Craigslist, HomeAgaian, PetHarbor, FindToto, and PetAmberAlter
  • for 3 days reverse phone calls were made to homes in a 20, 30, then 65 mile radius
  • faxes of my fliers were sent to over 45 animal rescues, hospitals, vets, shelters, groups, clinics, and foster homes in the Austin Area
  • I put ads on Facebook and the newspaper (Thank you Valerie)
  • I have placed her poster/.flyer/picture on every local Facebook page I can think of
  • posted to all Austin Boston Groups
  • I call 311 (animal services) every day, three times a day
  • Made in person visits to the Shelters
  • the HOA did send a Lost Pet email alert (more on that later)
  • 1,250 fliers have been made and in process of being passed out to homes, cars, local business, posted in bathrooms, food trucks, schools, day cares, nail salons, coffee shops
  • i've spent hours staring at the back fence begging for her to come home
I have to thank so many people who have helped me in my search so far: Mom, Dad Bob, Dan, Valerie, Tiffany, Alyse another BT mommy, Ryan, my neighbors Lori & Matt, David, Austin and Jodi, The Sweeneys, Ruth, Nathalie , Sarah, Mark and puppy Jules, Carolina and Donnie, Thw Quinns on their bikes, The Allen's, The Pottichen's, The Ebeiers + Raj, all the volunteers that I don't know who also have been patrolling for Roxy. Everyone who has re-posted my posters on Facebook, retweeted my messages, emailed my fliers to their friends and family. Everyone who has "liked" FindRoxy. Everyone who has physically taped posters to dog poop stations, park benches, all the trail entrances, light posts, car windshields, all the local businesses. Yesterday I uped the reward to $1,000. Still no sign of her.

It hasn't been easy. On Friday I caught the HOA red handed  tearing down my signs. I but I kept putting them back up. So did my team of helpers.

Friday night I was emotionally drained and crushed. I was working with a local Texas "pet rescuer" who referred me to this: guy who tracks Pets with their scent and he is in Dallas. He may come to Austin."
I called the number and there was no voicemail. 10 minutes later he called me. Apparently she contacted him for me. {now I think she was in on it too}We talked, but he was actually profiling me, judging how much he could take me for. I believed him. He was so convincing. I knew his "team of bloodhounds" would find Roxy and I gave him my heart.  I sent money Western Union and waited. I never heard from him again. With him, my hopes were crushed. Not only did I waste hours waiting for them, but I lost precious time trying to find Roxy.

Saturday I had to regroup. We spent more time searching for her, posting, handing out fliers. I had beautiful posters made up and I posted them up and down the street. I found the "hoa minions" tearing them down. We had a confrontation in the middle of the street. Me hysterical. Them running to tell the HOA about what I am doing. At the Holiday bazaar, I stomped in on "The Which of SR HOA" and defiantly posted fliers all over the front door to the HOA. I screamed at her (in front of lots of staring people, mind you)  that she was evil and who could she tear them down.

She stood there in her fat mom jeans, and terrible 1980 haircut, and I knew this is all she had and how sad her life must be. BUT i still  told her she was rude, in bed with the developers, and completely inconsiderate. I told the HOA  that they are a joke of an HOA and that I am ashamed to live here. I also told her she needed to actually try to help the home owners in Steiner rather than be a barrier. I told her I will continue to post fliers everyday until Roxy comes home. Then I went home. 20 minutes later the cops showed up. She actually called the Sheriff on me. UN. F-ing. Believable.

I turned it on the cops and told them that now I feel threatened, and harassed by my HOAHOA has to waste tax dollars and $$ to call the cops on me, someone who just wants to get her dog back. So I had to re-strategize.

During this time I also found a K9PI named Karin. She must have felt sorry for me when I was sobbing on the phone about "Claude the bastard Pet Tracker" that she helped me. But she was on her way to St. Louis for an assignment. So I searched for a reputable Pet Search specialist and I found Bonnie Hale. She came to my rescue early Sunday. Her and Murphy, her tracking dog went out in search of Roxy. My only rule was that if she found a body I didn't want to know about it. There was a false start tracking a different scent, and then we think Murphy picked up Roxy's trail 2 times. If this was the case, then Roxy has been all over the neighborhood! that little rascal.

The best assumption is that Roxy is not alive out in the green belt and hurt, there was no signs of decomposition or a new body. That she must have been taken. Either at the corner of QPR and BSO or inside our own development, just a block away.

Bonnie left with a lot of tips for me to do  - basically now I have to make sure everyone knows that Roxy is mine and missing. This is when we upped the reward to $1000. I had 2 friends even offer to double it for me. I can not being to tell you how amazing, thoughtful, and incredible that offer is. But no, we can't take it. I spent the rest of Sunday staring out the window, waiting for Roxy.

I took today (Monday) off to make more signs. I placed these on the entrance in and out of SR. I also put them at four points intersection and along 620. I hired sign spinners who start tomorrow.

Then karin, the K9PI called me today. She was back on assignment and got my text from Sunday and wanted to see how I was doing. We talked. She said, I cost $2500. I can either come to Austin, or you can up the ante and make someone give her up, turn on their neighbors, and get Roxy back. So we are starting all over again. I have 25 signs to hang/post tomorrow and three 2ft by 4f banners to post in the 3 ways out of the area. I hope by tomorrow afternoon EVERYONE will  know that ROXY is mine, missing, and desperately wanted. Our new reward is $2500. And here are the new fliers and banners. These will debut tomorrow.

I will get her back.




My Hopes

Sunday, November 13, 2011
They keep me going
I love how innocent and carfree this picture is



Three Days with Out Roxy

I am mentally drained and exhausted. I wanted to keep everyone posted that we haven't found her yet but I am not giving up. I will be back tomorrow with a detailed report of our efforts. until then, good night friends and family please pray for Roxy's safe return. I miss her so badly.

Veterans Day

Friday, November 11, 2011
My Dad has this picture in his house
I still cry every time I see it
That could be my dad; I can see his anguish
He fought bravely in Vietnam
He has stories that I will never know
Thank you Dad.
Thank you to everyone who serves.
So we can be free.


Another day with out Roxy

We are waiting for the Pet Tracker teams and hope we get some good news tonight despite the darkness. The boys are with Booba and Papa so we don't have to worry about them. I'm having 20 foam signs made for up and down quinlan park and we continue to pray and search. I am not giving up hope. We will bring you home Roxy.



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The bloodhounds are coming!

We hired 3 teams of bloodhounds. They will find her. Guaranteed, alive or....




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Roxy Roo, Where are you?

i cant sleep
its so cold out tonight, i cant stop the madness in my head, so worried sick about you
knowing that at this moment you are not where you should be, curled up next to me
softly snorking in my ear
im praying someone took you home tonight and waiting to find me in the morning
and if they want to find me they will...
I wonder what to tell Nicky who says to you every day "I love you Roxy Roo, you're my best friend"
He says Roxy like its Froxy.
i've posted on the HOA, blogs, every local animal buisness Facebook page, emailed all the community groups i know, called all local vets, posted on craigs list, sent out a PetAmberAlert, search on your microchip
We've searched all the neighborhoods, asking anyone outside if they have seen you
Daddy and I spent hours in the greenbelt calling your name, desperate to find you before it got dark
Papa Bob put up some fliers already, Grandma booba called all the shleters...
Daddy walked up and down the neighborhoods, calling for you
we all love you
the door is open, we are waiting for you to come home
i've stood outside staring into the greenbelt, hating myself for no collar, KNOWING I could have kept you safe and I failed you
I'm staring into the greenbelt begging and praying for you to come home
In the morning we will put up fliers, hire pet search and rescue, we will walk up and down and all over again and do anything until you are home my baby
Roxy Roo, where are you? Be safe.

3 and A Half

Thursday, November 10, 2011
Last night, the door bell rang and Nicky {and Brandon} rushed to answer it. Dan and I followed. 2 of the neighbor kids, Ruby and Tate, were standing there, and they asked if Nicky and Brandon can come out to play. The happiness that crossed over Nicky's face was apparent and both Brandon and he whooped and hollered as they put their shoes on, grabbed their scooters and tricycles, and went out to play. I think Dan and I were more excited than they were.

While we were out there, I watched Nicky fall of his scooter and bang his knee and finger pretty hard. I ran over, but even before I got there, he was telling me he was OK, brushing himself off, telling me his is a big boy - and finally, no mom I cant see his knee to kiss it.

I saw him shaking a bit,  holding back tears, and standing tall. so I stayed where I was and
I watched him GROW UP.
But I know even when he is 30, I will still run to him, ready to kiss him better.

Today Nicky is three and a half...in six months he will be FOUR. {oh. my. god.}
Three and a half years since my life changed forever.
Since I met my first little Adventure.
Since I became a mommy.
Since I fell madly in love with a little boy named Nicholas.



Today my world is on hold

Roxy is missing.



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OTBTN - 2 week Update


So the sleep training has been going ok. 
For once I feel like I have some control back over my nights
I feel comfortable leaving Dan at home for a night out after 7pm
because I know at least 1 or 2 of the boys are already asleep.
It's still sporadic and we have some bad nights
but its mostly been a huge change in the positive for us
However, the time change has screwed us
the boys have been getting up at 6/630 instead of 7/730
It get lighter so much earlier in the am, but the darkness at night has helped with the bedtime
so a trade off I guess.
Another hard part is the routine..
It's hard to consistently have dinner ready every night by 6
Luke bathed and in bed by 630
Boys in the bath at 645
We had a couple of set backs this past week
so I wrote to our sleep consultant and this is what she had to say

 
Wanted to check in with you on a couple things.

1.       Luke was doing so well. Sleeping from 7 to about 5 am. Then I would feed him and he would sleep till about 8. Now he is up 2-3 times a night screaming (what I think is in pain and arching his back.) He will cry for about 45 minutes. By then I go in and feed him and try to soothe him. Would you suggest to let him still cry? Maybe he is teething? Growth spurt? Upset with new foods being introduced?Is he 7 months now?  How much does he weigh?  Without those answers, I'd advise you to let him fuss/cry!  Most kids start waking multiple times in the night at this age b/c they are ready to go 12 hours.  I've seen this many times over the years-there just comes a point when they need food less in the night and more sleep (when the one feeding starts to disrupt their entire night).  I'd say no more feeding!!!

If teething (is he?  you know signs/symptoms?), give motrin 8 hour (infant) and he should be fine all night.  Other options--Hylands teething tablets.  Try to comfort him as much as possible during the day by massaging gums, teething tabs, teething toys, Sassy teething sack or teething crackers to help reduce inflammation.  Most kids don't wake b/c of teething that many times in the night.

I doubt it's tummy upset.
2.       Since the day light savings change, Brandon has been getting up at 6 am. He sits there yelling. Should we still leave him until 7?Yes, bed at 7pm and not up before 7am.  Was he sleeping a full 12 hours before the change?  If yes, then he needs 12.  So, leave him.  He'll eventually fall into the new time.
3.       Nicky – for the last 4 days has been coming downstairs around 4 – 5am to sleep in bed with us. He has NEVER slept with us, never come down by himself, and never just slept in bed with us even if we are tired on a weekend. He says he is surprising us and is so happy. Hugging and kissing us. Like he found a way to surprise us  - it’s cute, and we sleep, but I worry that this could spiral out of control. I keep reminding him that he has to stay in his room until its light.Yes, this is soo cute but will quickly spiral out of control.  Walk him back to his room and tuck him back into bed.  If it comes to it, you much lock him in.  Give him one chance and if he comes back down again, put him back to bed and tell him you are locking the door (warn him on the first return to his room, too).
Thoughts?



Another Facelift...back in July

No, not me, even if I need one, but the bloggy! The new changed happened back in July, but I forgot to write about it. And if you read the blog through a RSS feed, you may never notice a change.  I also like to have a snapshot of how the blog transforms over the years. I've changed it 3 times now, coincidentally with each new baby.


Secrets of Abelingland - Adventures

I don't call the story of our lives "Adventures in Abelingland" for no reason. 
 Winnie the Pooh continues to say it best....
This has happened four times in my life
1. When Dan asked me to marry him on May 9 2003
2. When I saw Nicky  for the first time on May 10 2008
3. When Brandon looked into my eyes on his birth day on July 10 2009
4. When Luke reached out and grabbed my finger in the hospital room on May 18 2011
I can't wait for the rest of our Adventures!



Mommy and Daddy

Wednesday, November 9, 2011
I read somewhere...
"The best gift to give your children is to love their Daddy (or Mommy)"
It's not always easy, especially with three wee ones
but we try to remind ourselves how important we are as a family
as a team
and
its rare that we are both together in front of the camera
{thanks Aunt Tiffani} 
so I thought I would add it to 
"the blog book"
We love you {and each other} always forever, for eternity, 
to the moon, and stars and to infinity 
and beyond.
and Grover too.



Another PinterTest Kitchen coming...

Thursday, November 3, 2011
Since discovering Pinterest, I have this ideal that I have become a better chef and baker. Debatable. I've made a handful of things, and some have been incredible. LOVE YOU QUINOA!

Since I am in Phoenix, I was not able to participate in this week's linky Pintertest Kitchen. But this i what I am going to tackle next! Yum Yum



Bonding with Booba: F-ing Dude.

I have no idea what book provided Nicky with his new colorful language, however I had to share this. I hope it will give us a good laugh in the future!



In Phoenix

Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Missing the boys...
Dan sent me a pic! Love him




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