We brought Fitzy home and Schrute did pretty well with him – other than the fact that he is HUGE! The next day he snapped at my sister and freaked out when we got home from visiting Fitz’s. He was jumping and panting and baring his teeth and not listening to us AT ALL. When he did get close to the baby he nudged him – HARD! He slept downstairs with Jared while Samm and I slept upstairs with the baby. Jared has been sleeping on the couch with Schrute since – I can’t have him in the bed with us – Schrute – not Jared!

I was so scared to be at home with my two babies – Schrute proved to be harder to take care of. I can’t lay Fitzy down ANYWHERE without worrying about Schrute getting in his face and nudging him – or stepping on him – or sitting on him. My days have been spent telling Schrute no – bringing the dog to the bathroom with me – anywhere I go while the baby is laying down. I can’t put Fitzy in his swing, on the floor, or on the couch or bed without worrying about Schrute stepping or sitting on him. He hasn’t been listening to us nearly as well as he normally does – which isn’t really that great anyway! I can’t nurse the baby without Schrute having his nose right on top of us – nudging hard.

Last week I took Fitzy over to Gramma’s and spent some time with Schrute alone – only to have him growl at me when I got near him! UNACCEPTABLE! Schrute’s head is about the size of Fitzy’s whole body – all it takes is one time – one chomp for it to be a fatal accident.

Bottom line – we LOVE our dog – but we LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE our baby. Jared and I don’t feel that Fitzy is safe while Schrute is in the house. I’m not enjoying the dog or our baby the way I need to be cus I am so watchful of both of them. I am not relaxed – I am way too stressed and worried that Schrute might snap at any minute.

Jared and I have CRIED and CRIED about this decision – Schrute is our BABY! He is an angel sent from God to get us through our miscarriage and struggle with getting pregnant. I am so thankful for him and the love he gave us the past two years. I cannot describe the impact he has had on my life. He has kept me company and listened to my cries. He has cuddled up with me when I needed a hug. (I know he is just a dog – but he is truly sent by God at the perfect time for us). He gives us that look that says he loves us no matter what. He waits anxiously for Jared to get home from work to shower him with kisses at the door! He cuddles up with us every night to sleep. He has brought so much joy to our lives!

Today Jared and his dad are taking him to his new home in Sunbury. He will be living with a woman and her hubbie who don’t have children – they have their dogs! Three great danes other than Schrute! A farm with lots of space to run – their own room and bed! Love and attention that will be POURED on him!

We know that he will be loved and taken care of – but it still sucks. Just sucks. People have told us to give him a few weeks – and we have – mostly because it took a while to find this perfect fit – and it’s been a stressful couple of weeks. If ANYTHING were to EVER happen to Fitzy because we couldn’t make the decision to take Schrute to a new home – you would have to institutionalize me! I would never EVER forgive myself. I am taking the little things that Schrute has done so far as warning signs. He is SO big that he doesn’t know what he is doing – where he is stepping – who he is sitting on – jumping on – chewing on. He is being so neglected with our attention on this sweet miracle – and he knows it. He deserves better.

It has been a heartbreaking decision but when it comes down to your dog or your child – there is no question.

We are so thankful for his love and companionship the past two years! We are so excited for his new family and the memories they will make together!

I took these photos on Friday – while I cried my goodbyes.

OH MY HEART – I think he knows.

Schrutie – we love you so much! Thank you for your friendship and sweet kisses over the past couple of years. Have so much fun with your new brothers and sister.

I just LOVE him!!

He is such a good little protector! I really think he will be great with Fitzy – if anything – too loving!

When I left for MOPS that morning I caught a photo of the HUGE icicle hanging from our house! I also got a dirty look from Schrute – how dare I leave him!

He is just the BEST!

We love him!!

Our friends Malissa and Cody just got another Great Dane puppy and I had to visit her!!

She is so cute! Her big brother Jager is a sweetie too!!

When I got home from NYC – my new canvas print was waiting for me!

I picked Schrute up from the kennel and he was EXHAUSTED!

He is such a baby! I went to leave for a session the other day and this is the face I got!

Oh – the poor guy!!

They are starting a farm and we spent some time with their cows!

We love our pup!

My mom and her baby calf!

Our friend Matt came with his crew and put up a new ceiling with new lighting – replaced the second tier of steps – and put a closet in one of our spare rooms.

We love our ceiling!

We need to paint the walls still – but that will happen …

This past weekend we bought our first real furniture together! We will be married 6 years in June so it’s been a long time coming!

I love our little dish for our keys!

We also got a REAL bed frame – the first one ever!

Schrute did NOT like the new additions!

I LOVE THAT ONE!

And last – but certainly not least – Johna’s birthday gift!

Her birthday isn’t until the 17th but she will be in FRANCE so I wanted to give it to her early!!!!!!!

He is such a sweetie! The best Christmas present ever!

It breaks my heart. This Christmas I thought – I really really thought we were expecting – finding out yesterday we weren’t. Ugh.

I thought I would post a picture of Schrute from last Christmas – a month before we got him!

LOOK AT THAT FACE – THAT TEENY LITTLE FACE!

This was taken yesterday -

Look at that NOT so teeny face!

Oh Schrute – how we love you and how you have blessed us this year – coming into our lives at the EXACT moment we needed you!

I hope everyone had a warm, love-filled Christmas!