Puppies and puberty

Well, it's been an eye-opening few days with our new pup. She is a total love but housebreaking is going to be tricky. She does know what she is supposed to do outside but because this poor thing had been stuck in a cage, she is not even crate-trained because all her life, she had no choice but to go potty in her crate where she was sleeping and eating. I think I will go buy some
stock in the company that makes our brand of paper towels. She is teething like crazy too and bites everything and nibbles on us too. The scary thing is Olivia had an allergic reaction the other day all over her face and I had to give her allergy meds. She has never been allergic to dogs but I have to assume that having scratches on her face made her react to the saliva(this dog is a big kisser). Liv has a doctor's appt. today so this is one thing I will be talking to her doc about. Liv has been having stomach issues. I swear that this is all about her hormones kicking in. I've had IBS and food intolerances forever and it always seemed linked to my hormones. She
started getting headaches too. I just got out a little care package the girls were given in school.
Being the always prepared type, I am going to give her a little pouch of necessities to carry in her bag in school just in case "the curse" shows up. So I just read the pamphlets that were included in this kit. I had to laugh. I know we need to look at this as a happy time(though it never was for me thanks to severe cramps and endometriosis) but this stuff was too funny.
They included a "HAPPY KIT" which contained small pads. Honestly, opening that gives me
no feelings of joy whatsoever. They have questions and answers about puberty and periods and all the changes your body makes. One question is "When will my breasts stop growing?" While
I can't see a girl wanting to know that, unfortunately, if Liv takes after me the answer will be
"about 20 minutes after they start growing." The book says, "you will start thinking and behaving more like an adult." Yeah, I'm not holding my breath on that one. Has the author of this booklet actually been around 12 and 13 year-olds lately?!!! It says that wearing a bra will provide support and coverage and make you feel more comfortable. It's been 95 degrees here this week. Any woman who lives where it's hot and thinks having that slingshot on makes them more comfortable, raise your hand.......anybody?....I thought so. You can paint a rosy picture all you want but sometimes these things us women have to deal with just stink. The booklet shows a calendar with 3 days marked "I have PMS" and then 5 days marked, "MY PERIOD'S HERE!!!" Somehow, I don't think most of us have that kind of enthusiasm though after skipping a few cycles myself and one pregnancy test later, I must admit, I almost wrote that on the calendar myself this month. 'Cept I had PMS for 2 and 1/2 months. I warn Tim that these next few years may be interesting. Olivia's hormones are ramping up just when mine are giving up. I guess delaying motherhood until the 30's has this backlash of putting you in a hormonal
flux just when your kid(s) are too. Bad planning. Hopefully, our daughter does not have the terrible pain issues I had. There is a question that says, "what should I do if I have cramps?"
I am an old pro at this. My advice: Take pain meds around the clock and score a few days off
of school. If necessary, book a flight to the UK and give Bernard a little shot to the shins. ;o)
"What to do if the cramps are REALLY bad?" Kick Bernard's car.

Just kidding B!

Ugh, the puppy just peed the floor again. I gotta figure out how to strap those darn pads to
that little whizzer.