E and V

Over the past couple of weeks, Evelina has started to show some interest in Violet. She stares are her more frequently, will watch her run around and when Violet is within arms reach, Lina will reach out and grab her...her face, the extra skin under her chin, her legs.  It is very cute.  Violet doesn't make Lina smile or laugh yet but I'm sure once she figures out how crazy Violet is, she won't be able to contain herself.  On this particular day, Violet decided she wanted to bark at Lina, who ignored her for a brief second.  Oh, such a needy pooch. 

Oh, Happy Day

One year ago today 2 little lines appeared that would change the course of our lives.  This most wonderful year has been full of anticipation, excitement and fear with the arrival of our precious, sweet and beautiful daughter. We can't wait for the next year, and the next, and the next.....

Mesmerized

The other day when Lina was enjoying some play gym fun time, Violet became mesmerized by the music and movement of the toys.  I am just waiting for the day that she actually goes for one. I still don't think she understands who this little person is and what she is doing in our house.  One thing she does know?  She LOVES licking the little human's head and sniffing her feet!! 

Violet Cuteness of the Week

Violet hanging out with Violet!!

Violet Cuteness of the Week

Last week Violet was playing with a new puppy friend at daycare and got a corneal scratch.  Our dog is THE BEST customer at the Ashland Animal Hospital that's for certain.  Her eye will be okay but while it healed she had to wear an Elizabethan collar.  She is already cute but adding the collar made her even more pathetically cute.  


Click Here for video Violet attempting to sleep with the collar on.  Make sure you put the volume up to hear her funny snores.  Gotta love Pugs!!

Nap Time

Late afternoon nap time at 19 BHL

Violet Cuteness of the Week

Over the weekend we went and visited Paul and Joyce and enjoy the pool during yet another Summer heat wave. Violet was excited since it meant she could try out her new life jacket and "dive" into the pool. Here she is in action. This cracks me up!! She LOVES the water and could literally swim for hours if we didn't stop her.

Violet Practice Shoot

I continue to practice using the fab D-SLR camera that Chris got me for Christmas so that one day I will be able to take beautiful photographs of Evelina. While she was napping the other day I decided to shoot our first daughter, Violet (of course!!), while she was chilling out in the backyard. Our super zoom lens and manual setting with black and white (to hide our horribly burnt grass) was great. Here are a few of my faves.

Violet Cuteness of the Week

In honor of the July heatwave, Violet had the opportunity to cool off in my Mom's pool. She just LOVES the water even though her Pug bottom sinks and needs to be held up to avoid drowning. We are on the search for a new life jacket for this Summer.

Violet Cuteness of the Week

Violet was relaxing on the living room carpet (which is very unusual for her) so we had to take the opportunity to compare her size to Evelina's. Of course, V was super curious so she proceeded to get up and start giving E kisses. Once Chris picked up the babe, Violet still wanted in on the action. So sweet :-) I think they will be best friends one day.

Violet Cuteness of the Week

Just because Evelina has arrived doesn't mean we still don't think Violet is the cutest (pooch that is!!). She has been so great adjusting to the newest family member. I thought she would bark all night when Evelina would fuss or cry but she just sleeps through everything. She had a small episode of barking when we first introduced them but overall she has been a peach. I keep telling her to just wait....in only months a little human will be crawling toward her ready for action!!

And, I know, I know, I owe many posts on our little Miss Evelina!! They are to come but sometimes sleep or rest is more important...and breastfeeding isn't a quick process.

Favorite Maternity Photos

We received the proofs from our maternity photo session...now the hard part will be choosing which images to purchase and in what size. I don't want a house full of belly so we have to choose carefully. I wish we had all of the money in the world so I could get all of the images on CD and print my own but maybe I will wait for Cashina's newborn shoot to splurge. Here are a few of my favorite maternity pics.

Violet Cuteness of the Week

Violet enjoying a sunny Spring Saturday in the yard.

Violet Cuteness of the Week

"Mama, why are you always taking my picture? Am I cute or somethin'?"

Violet Cuteness of the Week

We are completely aware that we spoil Violet with love and cuddles...I would like to see you try to resist her cute little face and see where it gets you. Here she is chilling with me and her little sis. I think she enjoys my belly as a platform but it doesn't seem to phase her when Cashina kicks or moves. Chris is worried that she won't get as much cuddle time once Cashina arrives but considering how high-maintenance she is, I am not too worried.

Violet Cuteness of the Week

Why Violet likes to go behind our rocking chair is beyond me. At least she wasn't licking it like she usually does!! Either way, she is too cute!!

Happy Birthday Violet!!

A year ago today, our first child Violet the Pug, was born to Belle by a crazy breeder. We never imagined what the next year would bring or if we (or Violet!!) would make it through, emotionally or financially, but despite its challanges we love our little Violet and are happy that she is a member of the Ciano (and Fisher) family. In between the frustration and tears she brings joy to our lives each day.

What we love most about Violet, other than how cute she is......she is a little clown and makes us laugh everyday.

What we would change about Violet, other then her OCD/craziness......her ability to be housetrained!! Uggh!!

Violet has improved over the past year but still needs lots of work and takes a lot of patience. Even though Cashina isn't born yet, I can imagine that it will be like having twins during Violet's high maintenance moments. Let's hope she gets better with age.

Violet's 1st Snowmobile Adventure

Chris and I made our annual February getaway trip to Pittsburg last week and even though I couldn't snowmobile, it was still fun to relax in the cabin cozied up to the fireplace. Thanks to the cabin being pet-friendly, we were able to bring Violet along with us. After her initial investigative sniffing session of the cabin, she was able to relax and enjoy the quiet with the occasional snowmobile buzzing by.

Of course, we couldn't let the opportunity go by without plopping Violet on Chris's sled for a quick photo.

Show Me the Puggy

You know how much we love Pugs, especially Violet, so it would be a sin if Cashina didn’t start her first years of life loving Pugs too and what better way then with Pug inspired clothing. Cafepress has the cutest little Pug onesies and bibs so I think I may need to invest at some point in all of the cuteness. Now we just have to hope and pray that Violet, with all of her craziness, will be able to remain part of the Ciano family. We just don’t think it would be the same without her and I have a feeling that Cashina is wondering who in the heck I hold everyday who punches my stomach with her paws, who I’m talking puppy talk to, what the purple diney toy is, what exactly is “business”, and where the strange barking noise is coming from. For all we know, Cashina may know how to sit and stay as soon as she is born!!

Ahhhh...I Love My New Bed

As Chris and I watched Violet pushing the sides of her bed out we thought it was time to upgrade her from a full size to a king size. After getting beyond her intense sniffing session of the new bed, she now loves it. She can play in it, sprall out and just enjoy.