These two.

I got out my camera the other night to capture the interaction between Ava and Bentlee. They love each other equally and I just love to watch them.

This last one made me laugh. It's like she is saying: 'um, lady? Do you ever put that thing down?'

[P.S. and the answer is: 'No kiddo, I really don't. So you better get used to it.]

Buddies.

Bentlee has been hilarious with Ava lately.
He is always near her. Whenever I am on the couch with her, he's there. Whenever she is on the bed, he's there. Whenever in her jumper, he's close by. The other night I was lying on the floor with her and he plopped down right beside her and rested his head on her belly. 
I think someone is in love.

The outcast.

I have this feeling that Bentlee feels like he has been somewhat replaced since Ava arrived. He quickly went from being spoiled and loved on by me all the time, to me constantly telling him to settle down, or to go lay on his bed. I've tried my best to still give him a lot of attention, but lets face it - he's a dog, and I have a baby now who keeps me more than occupied.

He loves her though. Anytime she is crying, he nervously tries to lick her. Anytime she is napping in her room, he is laying outside her door. The other morning he even stole my spot in bed beside her and cuddled up to her for more than an hour. He is also known to stop her swing constantly by standing in front of it while trying to get to her. It drives me insane. Especially, when she is seconds from sleep and is then suddenly jolted awake. (I smack his butt every time, but he still does it.) Ha!

I do think it took him awhile to figure out exactly 'what she was' though. The first week was interesting. He didn't really know what to do with her. But, now, I think he has it figured out.

I think he knows that this little mini-human is here to stay, and I think he is okay with that.

Because life isn't fair.

Bentlee has had his world a little rocked as of lately.

A few weeks ago, he got out of the house without us knowing and ran away.
Luckily Lee found him about 10 minutes later about 2 blocks away wandering the streets.
[Might I add? I never knew that losing a dog could make me feel like my child was missing but in my case - it does.] He was then held prisoner in his kennel for punishment and because we were afraid he would keep digging in the backyard when we couldn't watch him.

With all the rain/snow we have been having (yes, in MARCH) it has become a huge mud-pit back there anyway, and guess who likes to track it all over the house?
I finally got sick of following him around with the swiffer mop and decided to block his doggie door and just take him out to potty until the weather clears up.
Well, he isn't a fan. We have had a lot of company lately helping with the remodel and he will just sit at the window. looking depressed:

I find it kind of cute, but something tells me that he isn't finding it very funny.

This boy and his toys.

Bentlee is a total spaz about all of his toys. AKA: his "babies."

He's a total chewer, so I have always appreciated the fact that he prefers to snack on his things, rather than mine. (Okay, well most of the time.)

I however, made the mistake of buying him one that squeeks yesterday, and I swear - that thing hasn't left his mouth since last night.

He is currently gnawing on it as I type and my head is literally pounding.

Looks like it's time to take it away and pop a few Tylenol.

And, from now on? He will only get toys that don't make annoying-ass noises.

Lesson. SO. learned.

He's not big on sharing.

Bentlee loves to ride in the car. He prefers to go with us everywhere and in the morning when I take the kids to school he knows that he always gets to go with us.

Another thing he loves about riding in the car is the front seat. I swear he thinks he's human and he usually just sits there staring out the window content as can be. But, when Kaylee is with us they like to 'fight' over who gets it. She usually wins this battle by tricking him. He gets in first and takes his spot in the passenger seat. She then opens the back door and calls him. He gets excited, jumps in the back, and she quickly jumps in the front. Usually, it works like a charm and normally he just shoots her a look like 'Gaww, she got me... again.'

However, the last few mornings he has refused to settle for the backseat and instead they ride to school looking like this:

Kaylee gets to complain the entire time trying to get him off of her, but he just sits there. Happy as a clam, like nothing is wrong in the world. 

It's a good laugh... everytime.

The on-looker.

We have a house being built across the street from us and Bentlee is totally obsessed with sitting by the window and watching them work.
I timed him the other day: 37 minutes sitting in this position.
Oh, to know what he's thinking...

Besties.

These two have had a bond like no other since day one.
Every week there is almost always an 'awww' moment shared between them.
This week it was this one:

Layton was all comfy on the couch when Bentlee decided he wanted to snuggle.
Layton just looks over his shoulder with a chuckle and says: " I love you too buddy".
Yep, pure CUTENESS right there.

The prisoner.

Bentlee has resorted back to his puppy-ways in the last couple of days.
He has been sneaking items into his back yard and chewing the crap out of them.
Not exactly sure why he is acting this way but he is on thin ice in this house.
The day before last he chewed up Kaylee's brand-new sandals, yesterday I found a flip-flop, and a shoe that he drug out, and this morning?  It was my cutest Victoria Secret bra - ripped, torn, chewed, and half-eaten.
I totally flipped out on him (doesn't he know that those are freaking expensive?)
I know it surprised him, because usually it's Lee who acts like a raging lunatic when hes naughty.
I locked him in his kennel for 3 hours and I didn't feel even a little bit bad for him. He's lucky he didn't die.

All I know is - if he doesn't cut this crap out... like NOW, he will be in lock-up all the time and that cage is going to be his new home. Permanetly.
[[You don't eat my favorite bra and get away with it Mr. Bentlee.]]