It’s been a really, really big week over here. If you read past newsletters, you knew my mini Aussiedoodle was pregs. It was a bit of a surprise to us, but a welcome one because everyone in our area wants a dog just like Shoshi. She’s about 25 pounds of hypoallergenic fluff and spends all her time either cuddling or chasing bears off my property.
Seriously, she’s saved my own kids from bear attacks several times. A full-on Disney movie hero dog.
Anyway, we knew she was pregs and the vet did a manual feel-eroo of her belly about two weeks ago and said “four to six pups.”
When she went into labor on Tuesday, that’s what I expected. The first four came and I thought maybe we were done. Then two more came (and yeah, I dog doula-ed alongside my toddler… wow, wild). But wait.
I cleaned up. Lightly mopped the area (we turned my home’s ping pong and game room into a dog birthing center). Went back to work. I had a bunch of conference calls and press zooms to tend to. And then I heard my four-year-old daughter screaming, “It’s a murgenzee! I need towels! I gotta get more babies out! They’re coming!”
OMG. Three more babies came out. And now I have nine (9!!!!) very healthy, adorable little mini Aussiedoodles in my home and I’m basically unable to sleep because all I want to do is look at them.
I posted a bunch more pics last night on my not-used-enough Instagram account should you want to see them more.
And I have to give the biggest shoutout ever to Emily at Petsmart’s PR. She sent over the most adorable doggo maternity kit I’ve ever seen, and wow, it truly helped.
Birthday shoutouts to these gorgeous souls who deserve the best year ever:
Brooke Qilafi
Charles Johnson
Jen Berson
Lisa McKendall
Penny Skowski
Tamara Hollander
If you’re birthday is coming up this week or you want to give a loved one a shout-out, just holler. The whole point of this weekly newsletter is sharing things that make people feel Extra Good, so let’s do that.
Onto the goodies!
Smile-inducing:
A duo of 81-year-old women are on the adventure of a lifetime: Seeing the world in 80 days
65% of children in Singapore are nearsighted. But some parents reported that letting their children play outside regularly resulted in them having perfect vision. Literally eye-opening, eh?
NY landlord becomes legal guardian of 93-year-old Holocaust survivor: 'She had no one else’
Eye-opening:
If you're unmarried when you turn 25 in Denmark, it is customary for your friends and family to cover you in cinnamon. I would’ve been a whole donut.
In 2016, Domino's Japan tried a Reindeer Delivery Program. After only one week, they pulled the reins on it after the reindeer continually shook their antlers, refused to stop at delivery spots, and kept dislodging the pizzas from their delivery pouches.
What I’m loving right now:
My SIL sent me this oil-based Nivea shower gel from overseas last year. It was impossible to find in the US until recently, and this scent is only available from one retailer. Try it if you have dry-ish skin. It’s so good.
This scalp brush is literally the best one I’ve ever tried. It’s genius. It dispenses scalp serums and products directly from the bristles. It massages, it soothes, it saves marriages. I am not kidding, it’s my favorite thing on my vanity right now. I use it daily. Am obsessed. The serum it comes with is also a wonder, but you don’t have to use that… you can use whatever.
Sales I’m shopping right now:
Madewell tanks are $11.50 each right now. Scoop up all your fave colors while the good ones are still in stock and sizes are plentiful!
This top-rated stick vacuum is marked down to $85. Normally $200. It’s good. I have one. Competes with similar Dyson models (though the battery doesn’t last quite as long, but it doesn’t bother me bc I never vacuum for an hour straight).
One of my fave swimsuits ever is marked down to $112. So flattering and easy to wear. Loads of sizes and available in either black or a soft white and blue print.
Amazon’s bestselling plaid shacket is on sale. Loads of colors, sizes XS through XXL.
Musings:
If it’s your birthday or a friend’s in the coming week, comment here. You’ll get a shoutout in the next newsletter.
Do you have a parenting or birth story essay you want to share? I’m helping my friends at Today’s Parent source some new life-affirming and it-happened-to-me essays from real parents. If you have an important story to share with them (and their millions-strong audience), holler.
Do me a favor? Tell a friend or colleague about the Extra Good newsletter. Means a lot to me.
Talk soon, bubbeleh. <3
The pictures of mommy and puppies are so adorable and I love how your daughter helped! Have a great weekend staring at those babies!
My birthday was Wednesday. I’m a little behind but 🎉🍸