Lucky

Alternatively title : Animals really are a boys best friend

When I was pregnant Micah and I were concerned about how the animals would adapt to the new baby. He would be loud and grabby and sticky and loud. Our dogs are good dogs with the older two girls but, well, babies are different.

We figured the cat wouldn't care either way. He's a cat.

Fast forward to about 3 months ago. Will was just learning how to walk and he was walking with what we refer to as a "drunk zombie" gait. That is, he stumbles everywhere and doesn't bend his knees much. The dogs were constantly running in fear of his little body hurdling toward them. When he would get close to them initially they would look fearful.

After a little praise of them being "good dogs" when the boy was around Tasha realized it was her job to keep him safe. Ever since Molly arrived Tasha has been the big sister and her attitude and demeanor are certainly that of a protective, sometimes scolding big sister to Molly's devil-may-care lifestyle.

2 months ago when the boy would stumble/fall towards Molly Tasha would immediately stand up and put her head toward Molly's head as a reminder not to scamper off or snap (not that Molly has). She would also stand between the boy and Molly to corral him and protect Molly.

This month has brought unexpected patience from both dogs. Molly likes to lay directly next to the couch when Micah or I are sitting on it. The boy also likes to be on the couch in between riding his dinosaur toy and pretending to be a bulldozer with his head. So Molly is often used by Will as a step in order to crawl onto the couch. Now she doesn't even move or life her head as he steps on her. Tasha rarely has to even remind her to be polite.

Tasha also is the victim of the boys love and this weekend patiently allowed him to POKE HER EYES while he was sitting in his Grandma's lap. She sat there with her mouth literally 2 inches from his face and just let him poke. Grandma was so focused on the mouth that she initially missed the eye poking. Yet Tasha still loves him and has been known to share kisses with him from time to time.

It's the cat though that has garnered the most surprise from me regarding his love for Will. When the baby was new the cat was known to cuddle up with him and initiate his own petting from a few month old, still close fisted baby. Still, it comes as a surprise when I see Will laying against the cat and grabbing his tail while the cat contentedly lays there and doesn't nothing. He's never scratched or hissed at the baby.

This weekend though, he took his love to a whole new level. He thought the baby might be hungry given Will's demonstrated desire to place everything in his mouth and/or consume anything placed on his high chair. So he brought him a dead bird.

Dead.Bird.

Micah was horrified.

After a thorough shower with generous amounts of shampoo and soap I voiced that I believe it was very loving and noble of the cat.

After all, those flying things are hard to catch.

Cat & Mouse

Dear Jason-the-cat,

You are an excellent cat. One of the best I've ever had. Of course you are only the second cat I've ever had and I've only had you for about a year. Plus the other cat had urinary tract issues that cost several thousand dollars to correct. So far you haven't cost nearly that much so you're in my top 2 for sure.

You are loving and affectionate and I dare say I am one of your favorite humans in the house. I think it's because I so gently open your cat food every morning after your have meowed at me beginning at 5:30am. Just ignore the things I grumble under my breath, they aren't for such young ear anyways.

You are also very patient with all the small hands in the house and despite a death grip on your tail you have never once scratched or even hissed at the Baby. Or Lizzie. And only a little bit at Kylie.

You are obviously grateful for such a nice, comfortable home with couch to live on and a variety of delicious food to eat. I can tell by the gifts you bring in at least once a week.



While I appreciate IMMENSELY that you have begun bringing them in more often dead than alive I must ask that you refrain from the gift giving. The mouse on the kitchen floor Saturday was disturbing and it's becoming a habit. I realize that you are simply bringing me gifts which are in your nature but I have now had to bury and give funeral for 1 Edgar The Mouse and have had to quietly hide 2 more bodies when small little girls have not been looking.

Not to mention my mother in law freaks out when you bring them in and my husband steps over them as if he doesn't see them.

Please Jason, if you love me, stop bringing me mice, dead or alive.

How about you just don't pee on anything in the house and we'll call it good?

Love,
Lacy

The bed of brotherly love

I'm not 100% sure what is going on in this picture.

It's either:

a. Jason is so desperate for love that he will snuggle with a sleeping baby in an attempt for attention

b. Will smells like milk and Jason is trying to look for the source without waking up the small, loud grabby thing

I have my suspicions....

It's all about the milk

I'm on base!

Occasionally Lizzie and I will play tag in the morning before leaving for school. The couch and her bed are always "base" meaning whoever gets there is "safe" and can't be tagged. But they are it next. It's an easy game of run from one end of the house to the other really.

When I saw this the other night it reminded me of Lizzie laughing and saying she was on "base". I have a feeling Jason the cat is saying the same thing to Tasha. Can't get me, I'm on base!

Sibling Rivalry

Until Will was born, Jason the cat was the "baby" of the family. Small, loving and fluffy, he enjoyed a life of endless adoration by Lizzie and being carried around like an infant by Kylie. With me he snuggled with me in bed and I fed him every morning at 6 am, whether I liked it or not.

But now Will has come along and I think it's safe to say that Jason is feeling a little displaced.


This is a regular occurrence. I'll be sitting down, nursing Will and suddenly the cat will jump up on us and lay directly on the baby. Will seems genuinely puzzled by this furry thing.


Jason really enjoys his new cat play area and even lets the baby use it from time to time. But only the crap toys like the blinking sun and the mirror. He saves the squeaky birds and teethers for himself.



Luckily, Will still has the swing for himself. For now.

Caught

Could some one please tell me why Jason the cat always looks like he's been "caught" doing something wrong?

When I caught him here he was half laying in the baby's carseat, desperately trying to stick his head under the baby's hand to get some petting.

The baby, he is not so good at petting animals yet.

He is good at staring at the cat though. It's his serious face.