Saturday, December 20th, 2008:  Today was a great day for me.  I lazied around the house and finally got to see what it is like to be a bulldog!  I've been really scared to come out of my crate, but today I got a bit bolder and ventured out and into the living room.  All by myself!  I saw my foster bully siblings up on the couch with foster momma and I decided to try to get my chubby paws up there.  Of course, with this big ole' pregnancy belly, I couldn't get up, but my big brown eyes convinced momma to help me up.  I took a nice long nap next to her and let her rub my belly the whole time.  It was like a spa experience she told me.

Sunday, December 21st, 2008:  I woke up today and remembered that nap I had on the couch.  I nonchalantly swung by there two or three times and foster momma hoisted me up there again.  I'm getting a little bolder every day and the house and the noises and the world don't scare me as much.  My belly is getting bigger and bigger and it's packed like a sausage in there!  Momma takes my temperature a few times a day and was a bit worried when my temperature dropped a bit today.  But she spoke with the vet who reassured her that there will be fluctuations in temperature throughout the days.  I'm hovering around 100.4 and it dropped to 99.5 at one point, but shot back up.  A 2 degree drop is something she should be looking for so she's chasing me around with the rectal thermometer.  I wish she'd leave me alone already.  Geez ow! When my temperature gets below 99 degrees, it's time to pack our bags and head to Dr. Navin's!

Monday, December 22nd, 2008:  My foster momma is so nervous. I keep reassuring her that I'm ok.  She had to leave for the day so had the "pregnant bulldog mamma sitter" come over and sit with me while she was away.  We had a ball.  She fed me treats, rubbed my back and belly, and loved me up.  She also brought over her daughter whom I adored.  At one point, I was panting a lot and then I peed on the floor 3 times in a row.  She panicked and called my momma thinking "Could it be?"  Are the the puppies on their way?"  Guess what?  They took my darn temperature again.  It's still 100.4 degrees.  Everything was ok.  Can't a pregnant bully catch a break?  Those puppies were pushing on my bladder that's all.  But I'm starting to feel a little movement.  My belly is so big and those little critters are pressing on everything making it a bit uncomfortable for me.  But my spirits are still high.  This is my last litter.  Yea!  My foster mom is also worried about the ulcer on my eye.  We can only treat it with artificial tears until I am done weaning the puppies.  The only thing that will really help it heal is a medication with a steroid in it but I can't take that now.  So we will have to wait.  It bothers me a bit, but I know my foster mom is worried about it.  She dotes on me.  And it's FREEZING outside and I can't go down the stairs because my balance is all off with this big belly so momma has to carry me down the steps.  She grunts and groans when she does it indicating that I might be a little heavy.  Parumph!  I will go up those stairs with no problemo!  Haha! And I have to go out every 30 minutes or so just to be sure I don't have accidents, so it's in and out, in and out, in and out.....I'm looking to spending the day with a CEBR Rescuer named Morgan tomorrow.  She is coming to babysit me while my foster momma is away in the morning.

Tuesday, December 23rd, 2008:  Oh boy, today was so much fun!  My new friend Morgan came over to take care of me while momma was gone.  It took me a while to warm up and trust that I was ok, and I still didn't leave the kitchen to cuddle with her by the couch, but I really liked her gentle demeanor and sweet voice.  I can tell she and I are going to be fast friends.  I think when I see her next I will try to follow by her side and let her know just how much I adore her.  She fed me and took my temperature and it fluctuated a little bit, but still held in the low 100 and high 99 degree area.  She assured me no puppies yet.  I was super duper tired early evening yesterday.  My momma came home and after talking to a breeder friend, learned that sometimes being tired is a sign that delivery will happen within 24 hours.  But when I heard her say that,  I perked right up and was energetic all night so I think I confused her.  We had a plumbing disaster at the house too.  So momma had to move my stuff into another room which had me a bit discombobulated, but I just flashed her me soft brown eyes and sweet grin and I know it made her feel better. 

Wednesday, December 24th, 2008:  I slept on my bed, in my crate, right next to my momma last night.  She was sad because of all of the water damage to her house, but she knew I was right by her side.  I woke up well rested today.  Yawn!  What a great night's sleep.  It feels so good to be loved.  I never knew I could feel this way.  Foster momma told me that today is Christmas Eve - a  very special day.  And tomorrow is even better she said.  I'm waiting in eager anticipation for what these days will bring.  I don't think I've ever celebrated something like this before.  And the CEBR Rescuers say they are hoping to Christmas puppies, but I don't think I'm ready yet.  My temperature this morning was 100 even.  I feel like I have energy, even though my belly is really bulging today.  I think I have to pee all of the time.  What a pain!  Dr. Navin is on call just in case it's time...but I'm thinking not today.  My momma told me to remember to wish everyone a happy holiday.  Keep me in your thoughts!

Thursday, December 25th, 2008:  Merry Christmas!  What a day I had!  I actually woke up foster momma in the middle of the night with some really heavy panting.  She was really worried that maybe it was time.  She stayed up with me, soothed me, took my temperature and checked to be sure everything looked ok.  It was fine.  I was just a little hot.  She let me cool off with a spin in the backyard, and I went back to sleep about an hour later.  I woke up and got to meet family and friends on Christmas day, partake in the Christmas dinner -- shhh-- don't tell anyone that momma let me cheat a bit.  She also started adding lots of pumpkin to my food to help me with a (ahem) stool issue.  And it started to work.  I love the pumpkin.  I love food in general.  A few times throughout the day I got a bit restless, everybody sat on the edge of their seats thinking maybe this was it...but alas, I just had gas.  So, I went to bed early to rest up after a long day full of family and fun.

Friday, December 26th, 2008:  Well, today was a big day for me.  I'm getting bigger and bigger by the minute.  I  went in for my scheduled appointment with Dr. Navin.  I was so excited to put on my collar and get into the car, although it was pretty treacherous trying to get through the ice and into an SUV.  foster mommy loaded up all of the puppy supplies, water bottles, blankets, a carrying bin, etc, etc.  We took the long ride out and I was nervous thinking that maybe I would come home a mommy with puppies in tow.  After examining me, Dr. Navin decided that I wasn't quite ready yet.  I am starting to produce milk which is a great sign, but I'm not exhibiting any of the tell tale signs of pre-labor such as panting and pacing, nesting and restlessness.  My temperature remains steady and although I'm dead tired, I'm just not ready for pups yet.  We did an ultrasound and I got to see at least 3 of my pups and their heartbeats - strong and steady.  Dr. Navin even said one of the pups is a big one!  That little devil must be the one that keeps kicking my bladder.  So, he asked me to hold on for a few more days through the weekend.  My foster mom says I'm letting those puppies bake in there.  We want to be sure they are good and done!  Monday is the day I'm shooting for.  Let's see if mother nature agrees!

Saturday, December 27th, 2008:  What a day today has been.  I have been snoozing all today.  I think I'm feeling kind of strange too - worn out.  I turned down my hard kibble today so I got a can and a half of Natural Balance lamb - yummy!  Now, I have the worst gas.  My foster momma can hardly stand it.  I was really happy to meet Anne today, a CEBR Volunteer who came over to "bulldog sit" with me while my foster mom ran some errands.  When she got home all was well, but I spent most of my day in my crate.  I'm not eating with my normal voracious appetite and I have been sitting around panting in spurts.  I think I feel some movement but don't want to scare my momma.  She took my temperature and it's dropping so we think the puppies will be coming soon.  I'm not nesting yet, or panting terribly hard or terribly restless but something seems a little off kilter today.  Those puppies are pressing on my bladder and kidneys and even my lungs!  There are lots of babies in there and I just want healthy little ones.  Today is officially day 59 of the gestation period so the puppies are fully developed at this point which I am thankful for.  I anticipate taking a middle of the night ride to the vet.  We'll see! 

Sunday, December 28th, 2008:  At 1:00 am I was feeling really sleepy and just not myself.  I told you all that this would happen!  My temperature dropped to 98.6 degrees and my momma knew labor was coming.  She stayed up with me all night looking for the signs of labor, but nothing.  She was panicked I think!  She nodded off around 5:30 am for about 20 minutes and I decided to use that window to start my labor.  I just wanted to keep her on her toes!  When she awoke, there was a puddle of liquid and I was clearly having labor pains.  She jumped up, scooped me up, loaded up the car and we went racing to Dr. Navin.  It was quite early, but we needed to get there ASAP!  I've never seen a woman drive so fast (don't tell the police!)  I was such a good girl the entire time, and never once panted, paced, nested much, or made a peep.  I had a very easy surgery (I have had so many C-sections before).  At 8:10 am I delivered two beautiful baby boys into a room of open arms including CEBR volunteers, friends and family.  It was a real party in that delivery room!  We thought there were more pups in there, so did I really.  I gained lots of weight and my belly was dragging and sagging, but when the veterinarian inspected my uterus, he realized that it was riddled with scar tissue.  A real mess.  But that doesn't matter now.  This is my last litter and I love them dearly.  I'm a wonderful mom and am doing beautifully with my puppies.  Be sure to check out the Puppy Cam to witness us in action!  I will post more on my puppies page in the upcoming weeks.