ITS LIKE WE HAVE REAL BABIES.

I just love our little family so much.

Matt and I feel like the parents of newborns. We are exhausted. We are so in love, so happy, on cloud-9, and SO THANKFUL... but we are exhausted.

You know how they say that getting a puppy is good practice for having a kid? Does that hold true for getting two puppies and twins?! Nonetheless, it sure feels like it.

We've finally gotten on somewhat of a routine. Matt and I are learning all the unique quirks of Pappy and Wally, both as individuals and as brothers. And they're (of course) learning what they can and can't get away with (with Matt, and then with me- the more strict one). This morning, Matt and I drove the thirty minute commute to work in complete silence. Out of sheer exhaustion. The only thing we mumbled at one point was, "I just want to go back home and go to bed."

The first couple of days with us, we guess that Pappy and Wally were a little unsure about their surroundings. They were a more chill, and definitely a little scared.

Now -----

Well now, they know they're home. They're safe. They're happy. They love life. And they can be the rambunctious, little, playful, ankle biter, shoe eating puppies they were always meant to be.

Now, don't get us wrong. Like I said before, WE ARE SO HAPPY! In fact, it almost feels like Matt and I have been on vacation. We've finally gotten what we have dreamed of for so long, that it doesn't even seem real.  We are just so grateful.

And exhausted. (enough already, right!?)

So, here is our daily routine:

1. Pappy starts crying early, early in the morning.
2. Cats decide to join in on the fun.
3. Alarm goes off at 5AM.
4. We both get up and throw on some pajama pants and hoodies.
5. I go downstairs to feed the cats.
6. Matt takes the puppies immediately from the crate to the yard (otherwise, we're cleaning up poop on the kitchen floor).
7. I clean up the puppy crate and put two new puppy pads in for the daytime.
8. Matt gets in shower.
9. I feed the puppies.
10. Coffee.  I make lots of coffee.
11. I watch the puppies play in the kitchen and sip coffee.
12. I take puppies for a run around the neighborhood then make sure they go potty.
13. Matt takes over playing with the puppies. I go downstairs and greet Ernie and Lulu.
14. I get ready. Matt eats breakfast.
15. Matt plays with the puppies.
16. I make lunch and clean up the kitchen.
17. Matt takes the puppies to go potty one last time.
18. We crate the Pap and Wal, say goodbye to all four babes, then leave - @ 6:45 AM
19. 30 minute drive to work. In traffic.
20. Work - the chillest part of our day.
21. Worrying about how the babies are doing while we're at work.
22. End of work day.
23. Leave AmFam.
24. Grocery shopping, errands, etc.
25. 30 minute drive home in traffic.
26. Arrive home.
27. I immediately take Pappy and Wally outside (otherwise we're cleaning up poop and pee on the kitchen floor).
28. Matt feeds Ernie and Lulu.
29. I bring Pappy and Wally inside and feed them.
30. Wine.... Beer....
31. We watch Pap and Wally play in the kitchen with toys.
32. I take Pappy and Wally for a second run around the neighborhood.
33. I start making dinner.
34. Matt spends some quality time with Ernie and Lulu (we dont want them feeling like we replaced them!)
35. I sneak away, too - to say hello to the kitties. 
36. Pappy and Wally cry out of jealousy.
37. I come back into the kitchen and keep making dinner.
38. Pappy and Wally run around the kitchen.
39. I yell for Matt to come help with the puppies - because they keep playing too rough, or want to be held, or keep escaping through the baby gate, or they peed on the floor, or they're chasing the cats, or ________________ (fill in the blank).
40. Finally dinner is ready (around 8PM). Pappy and Wally are chewing on our ankles or playing near our feet. Lulu is crying because she wants attention. Ernie is hiding somewhere.
41. After dinner, I clean the kitchen.  Matt takes the puppies outside.
42. Puppies FINALLY nap. We sneak downstairs to cuddle with Ernie and Lulu.
43. I do laundry. We try to unpack some boxes. I sneak back up stairs to put dishes away.
44. Puppies wake up and play with each other.
45. I get in shower and go to bed no later than 10pm.
46. Matt takes puppies for one last walk outside.
47. Matt crates the puppies.
48. Pappy cries in crate for about 10 minutes.
49. Matt brings Ernie and Lulu in our room so they can sleep with us.
50. Matt goes to bed around 10:45pm.

REPEAT.

Also, THERE'S SO MUCH POOP.     And I cant even count how many times we've stepped in puddles of pee. But puppy kisses are the best. And we wouldn't have it any other way. 
 
Other things:

• I have lost my camera battery charger (in the midst of moving). And I am determined to find it because these boys keep growing at infinite speed and I'm determined to get their cuteness on camera. You know how parents take newborn pictures of their babies - with close ups of their little toes and fingers? I intend to do this with Wally and Pappy while they're napping. They're just so precious and tiny at this age. And I know we'll miss this special time in years to come.
• When I cook, Pappy has to be laying on my feet or in my arms.
• When I put dishes away, Wally cries until I hold him with one arm, and put the dishes away with the other.
• The first two days, whenever going outside, Pap and Wal would stay right near us. Almost directly under our feet. Yesterday, I had to chase Pappy because we wanted to run and play far away from me. We will be leashing 100% of the time now. 
• Matt and I tried to walk the pups individually last night. As in, one with me on one street, and the other with Matt on another street. Didn't work out so well. Wally was terrified without Pappy.
• Paps is DEFINITELY the alpha dog. Walz sometimes tries to prove his strength, and sometimes Pap lets him win. 
• In one day alone, both puppies learned how to climb up and DOWN the stairs. Pappy has also figured out how to get through the cheap baby gate we purchased. We. are. in. serious. trouble.
• Pappy was also placed in time out time TWICE last night. He sometimes plays a little too rough with Wally and also isn't so good at sharing. In fact, he straight up steals anything Wally is interested in. What a bully.
• About 75% of the time - both puppies will sit on command. And this is after working with them for only one day. They're smart little buggers.
• Ernie is stilling in the "hiding from the dogs" phase. Sometimes he goes into the kitchen to peak through the gate. Lulu is all up in the action. Pappy likes to chase her.
• We are finally dwindling down to the last few boxes to unpack. FINALLY.
• We have ordered new furniture for the front room and are remodeling the kitchen. AND - it will all be done by the time we host FRIENDSGIVING! Yippy Skippy!!!!(Pictures of the entire house to come).
• Due to adopting the puppies, we pushed back our New York Trip until August 2015. We don't want to leave them until they're a little older. Well worth it.
• We're planning on decorating our new home with everything FALL and going to Edward's Apple Orchard within the next couple of weeks. CANT WAIT.
• We're currently in the process of hiring a "pet au pair" -- to come spend times with our little darlings during the day. It's so sad keeping the boys in a crate all day. That, or doggy day care. We'll have to wait and see.

So yes, its like we have real babies because they ARE real babies (well baby dogs at least). Its so much work and very, very tiring. But also our most favorite part of the day.

Like I said, we love our little family so damn much.  We couldn't ask for anything more. Even with how EXHAUSTED we are.....

 

Even the pups are tired.

 And PLEASE do me the favor and don't say "Just wait until you have kids........"

Because, quite frankly, some people can't or very well choose not to have children. And it shouldn't be assumed that every married couple wants to or will have traditional family.

And FYI,  for Matt and I ---- for now, at least -- our furkids are all we want and need.

Well them ....... and LOTS of vacation.