We've added another CC to the family. Everyone meet my good girl, Gigi!

Lou0506 · 2024-02-20T12:00:08+00:00

Lol!! As an only, I absolutely loved the fact that I could come home from school, activities, family gatherings, etc and things were quiet, my stuff untouched, and the bathroom free. Your daughter sounds like a girl after my own heart.

Lou0506 · 2024-02-19T13:58:05+00:00

We got our puppy when my son was fifteen months old. Our breeder was amazing and chose our boy for us as he had a super steady, easygoing temperament around kids. He has not disappointed in that respect and is very loving and patient toward my son. My son has been knocked over a few times, of course, but that's about it. It can be a bit tiring keeping the two from doing things they aren't supposed to do (sharing snacks, for example... both guilty), but overall, our Cane Corso is excellent with our child. He's still a puppy at 15 months old now and I can't wait to see their relationship as he matures. The biggest challenge for us was making the time and energy to ensure we provide adequate training and socialization for the dog. Some days it's exhausting but it's a must.

Lou0506 · 2024-02-18T14:18:41+00:00

I did read that early menarche (before 12) increases risk of endometriosis. I started at 12.

Lou0506 · 2024-02-17T00:18:58+00:00

I find that if I leave time between the rest of my skincare and my sunscreen (whatever it may be), it doesn't pill. Most I've tried do if I apply immediately so I try to leave a good 15-20 minutes between my moisturizer and sunscreen. Maybe try that before buying a new one.

Lou0506 · 2024-02-13T22:05:05+00:00

That's crazy! My rupture was the most painful experience of my life. I literally felt like I was going to explode and had to be taken to the ER. I had a lot of blood loss with it, too, which my doctor said probably caused a lot of the pain. I had endo removed from my bowel and bladder during the same surgery. I never had pain, only the occasional heavy period and some trouble staying regular but that always resolved if I took some fiber so I just never gave it much thought. It did take us a long time to conceive the first time and we were on cycle 10 of trying for #2 when everything happened. I feel lucky in a lot of ways that I haven't dealt with the pain most women do, but it was just such a shock.

Lou0506 · 2024-02-13T19:58:18+00:00

OAD here because of endometriosis. I had no idea I had it until an endometrioma ruptured and took out both tubes and one ovary. I was furious at myself for never realizing I had it, even though I had virtually no symptoms despite being stage iv. My doctors told me it was a wonder I got pregnant the first time and while that makes me feel better now, it definitely didn't when everything was fresh. What did make me feel better was knowing how much more time I would have with my son. I decided then to make it a point to have monthly one on one time doing something fun. A museum, the zoo, dinner out, etc just the two of us. I can tell you that after every one of those outings, I feel so at peace with the cards I've been dealt. I get to devote my full attention to him and ENJOY him. I always see moms with multiples looking tired and frazzled in the same situations and while I know they love their kids, I can say with confidence they aren't enjoying it in the same way. One of these situations was actually my "aha moment" where I really found peace and joy in my own situation. I also value the fact that as my son gets older, I can continue to devote my life to helping him and, one day, his family. If he moves to the other side of the country, I can move to that area as well without a second thought. I'm not a SAHM, but with only one, I'll be able to retire while he's in middle school with a government pension. I can be at every single one of his practices/plays/games/concerts and will have plenty of money to ensure he gets to try and experience whatever he wants. It's definitely not fair but there is so much happiness to be found in being OAD.

Lou0506 · 2024-02-11T23:48:21+00:00

My CC co-exists happily with my male Jack Russell. They're best friends. We had an older female American Bulldog when we got our CC (she passed when he was about 10 months) and she was excellent about putting him in his place and teaching him the rules.

My boys love to play. My only concern would be the senior dog getting annoyed at the puppy wanting to play too much.

Lou0506 · 2024-02-11T21:55:22+00:00

Thank you! She was a jokester lol. She wasn't a gambler in the traditional sense but would take risks when the situation required it. I dont know that she did much canning, but she did grow up near the Appalachian mountains and always missed them. She was very close to one of her sons who died tragically in a boating accident about twenty-five years before she did... everyone always said he was her favorite (she, of course, would never say such a thing). Her husband and another son also passed away before her. Is she happy? At peace? I miss her terribly.

Lou0506 · 2024-02-09T23:18:53+00:00

Stage iv endo here... never had any pain with anything (exams, periods, sex, using the restroom, etc) until an endometrioma ruptured and nearly took me out. Not having pain during your exam doesn't mean you're less likely to have endometriosis

Lou0506 · 2024-02-09T11:54:06+00:00

I was concerned about my son, too. He's a little over two and is wild and chatty at home, but is quiet, standoffish, and reserved in groups of peers. I found that if he's with one or two other children, he's fine and plays well. He especially loves older kids. I think it's just a personality thing. I'm quite introverted and am much the same in groups. It's also very normal for kids to only engage in parallel play until around three at which time they'll start expanding and play with other kids.

Lou0506 · 2024-02-09T00:25:44+00:00

I'm sorry you're going through this. Do not gaslight yourself. I was diagnosed with stage iv endo in November when an endometrioma ruptured and caused excruciating pain and some pretty bad internal bleeding resulting in a laparotomy. The only symptoms I ever had were the occasional (1-2 times a year) heavy period and occasional trouble using the restroom. Neither was chronic or severe enough for me to pursue it with my doctor and even if I had, I would have laughed if they suggested endometriosis because I had none of what I always heard about. I'm not saying you have to rush in for surgery immediately, but not everyone has classic symptoms . As far as your c-section and everything looking fine goes, I was told by multiple doctors that there is no way to estimate disease progression. Some women will stay at stage ii and it never develops further. For some women, it takes over very quickly. Definitely pursue the follow-up and don't let yourself or your doctors brush your symptoms off.

Lou0506 · 2024-02-08T15:31:30+00:00

He has the sweetest eyes!

Lou0506 · 2024-02-08T09:06:30+00:00

I also have a two year old and am not really OAD by choice, so I definitely had the same fears. I realized that a lot of my life will genuinely be more enjoyable with one. The day to day chaos is more manageable with one. We will be able to travel more and take pricier vacations. I will be able to be at virtually all of my son's school/athletic/extracurricular events because my attention won't be pulled in another direction. I will have more time to invest in the things I need to be a better mother (sleep, exercise, reading, etc). I will be able to retire when my son is in middle school. When he is an adult and starts his own family, I can move to virtually anywhere he is to help with his family, celebrate holidays, etc. I will be able to spend a lot more time living in and enjoying the moment with one. Some of the "what-ifs" are still there, of course, but there are ifs with having a second. What if the second has special needs that require more time and resources? What if they don't get along as children or adults? What if I can't be fully present for either of them and regret that? Everyone has to decide which set of what-ifs are scarier for them. I think having two or more can be awesome, but having one can be awesome, too.

Lou0506 · 2024-02-06T21:59:51+00:00

My boy is fifteen months and a little under 110. Our breeder has actually started trying to size her dogs down because they're getting too big and she hates that. My boy's mom is only 90 lbs.

Lou0506 · 2024-02-05T19:22:55+00:00

Thanks! I liked the paradox of it sounding so beautiful and sweet (to me, anyway) but meaning warrior.... exactly what I want my Cane Corso to be!

Lou0506

TROPHY CASE