3 minus 1 does not equal 5. It also does not equal 6, or 7 or 8 for that matter.
I've been trying to explain this magical equation to Adelaide in hopes that we can cut back on the number of times she nurses a day. But, apparently subtraction is a bit too advanced for an 11-month-old. So rather than simply subtracting the afternoon time, she thinks we should add 3 or 4 more times in the middle of the night to help bring the answer back to its original sum. Can you say backfire? :)
But we are having some rather wild and crazy afternoons in an effort to distract her. I have learned that it's best not to sit down with her from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., or she rears back so she's lying down in my lap and starts flailing about so I am forced to pull her in close so she doesn't fall. Lesson #1: Close proximity = bad idea.
Her determination is admirable, however. She has begun to pick up a flare for drama, thanks to her older sister, so if she falls down or I take a toy out of her mouth, Adelaide can stick out her lip and have her eyes brimming with tears before she's even turned around to look at you. Yesterday, she thought she'd try throwing herself on the floor and burying her head in her hands while weeping. She was so convincing, I think she had Hannah taking notes. Lesson #2: Two dramatic girls in one house = one exhausted mom.
Needless to say, our household needs to work on our math. Addition is apparently easier than subtraction, for there are days when 3-1 = 4 and others when 3-1 = 7. But mostly, 3-1 = 3. Those studies you hear on the news about math scores dropping across the country must start at such an early age. It has to be her teachers, like all those well-informed parents tell Anderson Cooper or Amelia Santaniello. Oh wait ... I can't use that excuse yet! :)
Alas, she's due to wake up from her nap any moment now, so the art of distraction is about to begin. I wonder what equation we'll come up with today!
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
School Isn't for Mommies
We have learned a lot of new things these first couple days of nursery school: running isn't allowed, there is another girl named Hannah in her class, hopping on one foot isn't a prerequisite like Hannah thought it should be, and they have these very yummy snacks called donut holes - "and some are sprinkled with sugar, Ma Ma!" :)
However the most important lesson Hannah has learned, is that mommies and daddies don't come to school. This was something we talked about in depth (for both of our sakes!), but I think Hannah must have thought it only applied to other children. She, of course, would be exempt!
So on Tuesday, that fateful first day, a chord was played on the piano, and the older kids who attended this school last year began to say goodbye to their parents and take a seat on the rug to begin the day. I looked down at Hannah and she was stiff as a board, leaning slightly to the side so she was able to seek refuge behind my legs, yet keep everyone in her sight at the same time. (As a side note, I should say that I am truly amazed a teacher can play a simple chord on the piano, and upon hearing that chord, the mob of children drop what they are doing and go to sit on the rug quietly. Is it a magic piano? Does it release some sort of neuron gas that forces children to be cooperative? But most importantly ... why doesn't my piano work like that?!)
I took Hannah's hand and guided her to the rug, telling her she was going to have SO much fun ... bla ... bla ... bla. But Hannah wasn't listening to me and she could see straight through my blabbering. Her eyes and attention were glued to a little boy who was sobbing uncontrollably a few feet away. His mother had just left the room and a teacher was holding him, trying to comfort him. Hannah turns to me with big, pleading eyes and says,
"Mommy, I just want you to come with me."
I don't remember exactly what I said at this point. What with listening to the little boy's heart-wrenching whimpers and looking at Hannah's lip starting to quiver ... I was on thin ice myself.
Then, out of nowhere, a teacher swooped in, severed the bond between Hannah and I and practically boxed me out in a move that was reminiscent of high school basketball. She flashed a smile as she turned away, pulling my daughter with her, and said she would take it from here and I should join the parents downstairs for a quick meeting.
But ... But ...
Jeff started to tug at my sleeve, coaxing me to follow the group of parents walking out the door. But ... But ... I hadn't gotten a chance to tell Hannah I loved her for the 105th time! I didn't have a chance to reiterate for the 96th time that she was not to leave the building with anyone but me. I didn't get a chance to introduce her to the teacher who had swept her away ... and that makes her a stranger ... which then made me realize I never really finished our "don't talk to strangers" talk with Hannah, and ... oh ... there were just so many things I had to cram into those last few precious seconds of saying goodbye!
It's no wonder children cry when their parents leave! I was ready to shovel 15 life lessons down her throat and top it off with a few kisses and some "I love yous" in 10 seconds or less. Good grief!
But Hannah did great. Her teacher said she stood and watched everyone pretty much the whole time the first day, but by the second day, she had learned how to make stars out of Play-Doh. This apparently gave her just enough confidence to loosen up a bit and have some fun.
So with some extra snuggling and a promise of ice cream pie every night to celebrate, it seems our little girl can fly. Hopping on one foot may not be required as she thought it was, but I told her I thought maybe they saved that for Clown School! :)
Monday, September 6, 2010
A Whole New World - Addi Update
While I'm not about to break out into the Aladdin song with the same title, things are quite different around here, and it definitely makes me want to sing! Adelaide seems to have outgrown most of her intolerances (eggs, possibly soy, and preservatives being the only ones left right now), and she is finally sleeping through the night! Not having to get up 5 times a night and having some decent meals can do a LOT for a person!Gone are the days spent scouring (and scowling at) recipes for something that could withstand upteen substitutions (not to mention my cooking), and it's been at least a few days since Hannah's put down her fork and said, "Ma Ma, this tastes like bugs," so there must be an improvement! Kudos to my mom for providing several recipes and making food that not only didn't taste like bugs, but was good! She even found and had a grocer order "butter" that had ingredients we could all pronounce, yet was still dairy, soy and preservative free! Who knew?!
Several months ago when it seemed everything under the sun was causing Addi problems, I would often dream about my first meal and all of the indulgences I would have once Addi stopped nursing. But since we've slowly been testing one item at a time and she's been handling it so well, my "one perfect meal" has been replaced with a month's worth of gluttony! Our family rarely eats out, and since December when Addi started having problems, it wasn't even an option. But we've hit the restaurant scene this past month like rock stars! It's been great knowing I don't HAVE to cook all the time!
But the other night when Hannah (who is also a devout ice cream lover) asked why we were having ice cream "again," I realized maybe I was going a bit overboard. But then again ... I have at least 8+ months of catching up to do, so maybe I'll just have to wait until she goes to bed ... then hit the freezer!
Whoooo hoooo!!!!!
Born to Run
Our little Addi is on the run! Perhaps from her sister, or maybe the dog ... maybe even the law someday, although we hope not! But she is moving those two feet of hers faster than anyone can get out of her way. Only her squeals of laughter precede her!
Although, like her older sister, I'm not quite sure it can be considered walking as she does it so quickly. In fact, when people ask when Hannah first started walking, I never really quite know what to say. She went from crawling to running, and at 3 years of age, we're still waiting for the day she starts walking. (the exception being when we need to go someplace in a hurry, and then Hannah can make a snail look fast.)
Between dodging Hannah who's continually flying around and the dog's tail that is at a killer height, it's kind of like watching Addi bounce around like a pin ball machine. But she doesn't seem to mind! On days when her big-butt diapers are in the wash and she's wearing skinny-butt disposables, she looks rather startled when she falls down and there's not 3 inches of padding protecting her, but even then she doesn't protest much. At least she's learned at an early age - you have to be kind of tough in this house to make it!
Now I definitely need to get a new pair of sneakers ...
Although, like her older sister, I'm not quite sure it can be considered walking as she does it so quickly. In fact, when people ask when Hannah first started walking, I never really quite know what to say. She went from crawling to running, and at 3 years of age, we're still waiting for the day she starts walking. (the exception being when we need to go someplace in a hurry, and then Hannah can make a snail look fast.)
Between dodging Hannah who's continually flying around and the dog's tail that is at a killer height, it's kind of like watching Addi bounce around like a pin ball machine. But she doesn't seem to mind! On days when her big-butt diapers are in the wash and she's wearing skinny-butt disposables, she looks rather startled when she falls down and there's not 3 inches of padding protecting her, but even then she doesn't protest much. At least she's learned at an early age - you have to be kind of tough in this house to make it!
Now I definitely need to get a new pair of sneakers ...
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Just Go, Ma Ma!
The other night, Jeff and I got to have a little date night ... alone ... without the girls! It was very exciting! No laughing - this was a big change for us. The girls come everywhere with us! Healthy or not ... it's just what works for us.
So I'm building it up with Hannah that afternoon about how she gets to go to Auntie Melanie and Uncle Burke's house and have dinner there ... all ... by ... herself! If she were older, I would add, "like OMG!" She immediately started picking out the dress she was going to wear, her necklaces that would adorn her neck, and instructing me on how she wanted her hair to be braided.
SOO not my child. :)
But a little bit of her girliness rubbed off on me, and while she was in quiet time and Addi was napping, I headed upstairs to fancy it up a bit myself. When Hannah came out of her room, she stopped and stared at me, mouth gaping open.
I'm not sure mascara and a ponytail qualifies as fancy, but I didn't want to be even more of a disappointment to her, so I played along.
Lest I should forget!
So the hour when Caleb and Melanie come to pick the girls up finally arrives and Hannah barely even turns around to wave goodbye to me. I tried to brush it off by finding the positive: she's getting to be such a big girl. We won't have any issues with nursery school in the fall. Look at her take charge - she'll be a strong leader someday!
But all through the movie, even walking past the storefronts after the movie, my arms felt awkward. They weren't carrying Addi or holding Hannah's hand. They were just ... empty! And they weren't doing anything! I tried putting my hands in my pockets in an effort to give them some sort of purpose. But then I thought if I tripped, the outcome would end very badly! Maybe the problem was that I was walking with a slight tilt as I didn't have Addi's weight holding one side of me down. But then I think I overcompensated and was leaning the other way. Nothing worked - it just felt dumb. Sad, I know! Especially when there are days when having empty arms is all I want!!
Somehow I managed to stumble to the restaurant without tripping over myself, and we sit down next to a table that has about 12-14 people sitting around it. Among them is a cute little girl who is prancing around on her tip toes, showing off a ring she borrowed from her mom on her tiny little finger. Her face was beaming!
She was Hannah with blond hair!
But one look at Jeff told me he didn't see the resemblance. Looking back on it, I think only a delirious mother who had just seen a very sappy movie and obviously needs to get out without her kids more would see any such resemblance! But then the little girl skips over to a little boy, leans over and starts whispering to him about the beautiful ring she is wearing. He looked to be about the same age as Addi.
That was it. I couldn't keep my eyes off of them for the rest of our meal! The mom must have noticed me ogling her children as she practically pulls her chair over to our table and starts chatting with us. Turns out both our kids were just a few weeks apart, and it was all I could do to keep from sweeping her two kids up in my arms!
Needless to say, the girls fared far better than I did on their adventure. Shocking, I know! :) While we were settling down for bed, Hannah and I were snuggling, and she turns to me and says,
But I think that girl's on to something! If a little bling and make-up shocks her and I can't even make it a measly few hours without seeing my children in others ... I obviously need to just GO!
So I'm building it up with Hannah that afternoon about how she gets to go to Auntie Melanie and Uncle Burke's house and have dinner there ... all ... by ... herself! If she were older, I would add, "like OMG!" She immediately started picking out the dress she was going to wear, her necklaces that would adorn her neck, and instructing me on how she wanted her hair to be braided.
SOO not my child. :)
But a little bit of her girliness rubbed off on me, and while she was in quiet time and Addi was napping, I headed upstairs to fancy it up a bit myself. When Hannah came out of her room, she stopped and stared at me, mouth gaping open.
"What's on your eyes, Ma Ma? Why are you wearing earrings? Are you being ... fancy?"
I'm not sure mascara and a ponytail qualifies as fancy, but I didn't want to be even more of a disappointment to her, so I played along.
"It's just some make-up, Honey. I thought I'd get fancy, too!"
"But you're not going to Auntie Melanie's. Just Me and Adelaide. ALL ... BY ... OURSELVES. Not you."
Lest I should forget!
So the hour when Caleb and Melanie come to pick the girls up finally arrives and Hannah barely even turns around to wave goodbye to me. I tried to brush it off by finding the positive: she's getting to be such a big girl. We won't have any issues with nursery school in the fall. Look at her take charge - she'll be a strong leader someday!
But all through the movie, even walking past the storefronts after the movie, my arms felt awkward. They weren't carrying Addi or holding Hannah's hand. They were just ... empty! And they weren't doing anything! I tried putting my hands in my pockets in an effort to give them some sort of purpose. But then I thought if I tripped, the outcome would end very badly! Maybe the problem was that I was walking with a slight tilt as I didn't have Addi's weight holding one side of me down. But then I think I overcompensated and was leaning the other way. Nothing worked - it just felt dumb. Sad, I know! Especially when there are days when having empty arms is all I want!!
Somehow I managed to stumble to the restaurant without tripping over myself, and we sit down next to a table that has about 12-14 people sitting around it. Among them is a cute little girl who is prancing around on her tip toes, showing off a ring she borrowed from her mom on her tiny little finger. Her face was beaming!
She was Hannah with blond hair!
But one look at Jeff told me he didn't see the resemblance. Looking back on it, I think only a delirious mother who had just seen a very sappy movie and obviously needs to get out without her kids more would see any such resemblance! But then the little girl skips over to a little boy, leans over and starts whispering to him about the beautiful ring she is wearing. He looked to be about the same age as Addi.
That was it. I couldn't keep my eyes off of them for the rest of our meal! The mom must have noticed me ogling her children as she practically pulls her chair over to our table and starts chatting with us. Turns out both our kids were just a few weeks apart, and it was all I could do to keep from sweeping her two kids up in my arms!
Needless to say, the girls fared far better than I did on their adventure. Shocking, I know! :) While we were settling down for bed, Hannah and I were snuggling, and she turns to me and says,
"Ma Ma. I'm all done snugglin'. Just go."Ouch. Two points for being blunt!
But I think that girl's on to something! If a little bling and make-up shocks her and I can't even make it a measly few hours without seeing my children in others ... I obviously need to just GO!
Monday, August 30, 2010
Deep Thoughts by Hannah
The girls and I were driving in the car the other day and Hannah decided that being a walking encyclopedia of strange facts would be the best way to entertain us all. Adelaide giggled with every animated gesture Hannah did, and I giggled at every little random factoid she spout out.
It was one of those very proud mom moments that makes you all warm and fuzzy inside.
We hadn't talked about compost with her, so I wasn't sure where she picked that up, but was exceedingly proud of her comprehension nonetheless. Then she followed it up with:
And ... there it went. Poof!
Well, it was good while it lasted!
"Goats live on mountains, Ma Ma. When I'm bigger - like Marta - I can live on mountains, too."Glad to see she was setting such lofty goals, but not sure living with goats was every mother's dream.
"Insects have six legs. Except spiders. They have eight. They're anakids."She rattled off a few other facts from books we've read or discussions we've had, but then she surprised me with one:
"Arachnids?" I ask.
"Yes, that's what I said, Ma Ma."
"Hmm. OK"
"When garbage gets old, it turns into dirt."
It was one of those very proud mom moments that makes you all warm and fuzzy inside.
"Why yes, Hannah, you're right! How did you know that?"
"Mmmm. I don't know, I just did," she said. "But that's kinda silly!"
We hadn't talked about compost with her, so I wasn't sure where she picked that up, but was exceedingly proud of her comprehension nonetheless. Then she followed it up with:
"And when water gets old, it turns into trees. And the sky eats clouds when it gets hungry."
And ... there it went. Poof!
Well, it was good while it lasted!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Would this require a visit from Social Services?
The humidity is melting my brain. That's the only excuse I can come up with right now! We've had a few embarrassing mishaps in our house lately. Surprisingly, they all took place out of the kitchen - go figure!
Perhaps the most mortifying was when Hannah walks through the doors of the library for story time singing Aerosmith lyrics. It was a combination of Dude Looks Like a Lady, and Love In an Elevator. (Highly inappropriate, I know, but she loves Aerosmith, and thankfully most of their lyrics go right over her head at this point.) I was hopeful since Hannah sings rather off tune and it was a mixture of the two songs, it would throw anyone within earshot. But, since she has sung this beautiful medley in front of the same librarian twice now, I wasn't so lucky. All I could do was shrug and say, "I only have her father to blame." :)
The next mishap took place at the park. Hannah wanted to ride her trike to the park the other day, and since her steering was getting better (although it really couldn't get any worse!), I thought I could handle pushing Addi in a stroller and use myself and the stroller as a guard rail to keep Hannah's trike out of the middle of the road. My mistake was adding our lug of a dog to the mix - Penny pulls as if she's running the Iditarod, and all is lost if she spots a squirrel or rabbit! But hindsight is 20/20 ... at the beginning of the journey, none of these things were raising red flags. Afterall, how hard could it be - a walk in the park, right? So we set off and all was going smoothly. We made it to the park, and Hannah picked up speed in her excitement. Right before you get to this particular park, you have to make a 90 degree turn and the trail slopes downhill ever so slightly. So I'm coaching Hannah from a few feet behind and telling her to make sure to steer when the trail turns and to keep her eyes on the trail ... don't look at the dog ... look where you're going ... Hannah, don't look at the dog, yes she is cute ... Hannah, look where you're going, good job ... no, I don't know the dog's name ... focus on turning ... you got it ... Hannah you need to slow down now ... Hannah slow down ... Hannah ... HANNAH ... OH DEAR GOD ... STOP PEDALING ... NO, I mean keep your feet on your pedals, but SLOW DOWN! STOP MOVING YOUR FEET!! Oh nuts ... HAAAANNNNAAAAAHHHH!!!
Well, it was over quickly, I'll say that. She handled the turn beautifully, but then went into overdrive down the hill and in her panic (and mine!) lifted her feet up as she was going so fast and sped out of control. I swear she was nearing 20 mpr near the end! Meanwhile, I am sprinting after her while pushing Addi in the stroller (who is giggling, thinking this is the best ride ever!) and Penny is loaping along, but of course trying to go perpendicular to the way we are heading for some reason. It was at this point that I began wondering ... do I let go of the stroller so I may have a prayer of catching Hannah and prevent the nasty road rash that will surely be coming? There's a 5-point-harness on the stroller afterall. No. That would be bad. Dang ... Who's idea was this anyway?!
And then Hannah fell. By the time I got to her - the silent scream had turned ... well, not so silent. And those who hadn't already turned to see what all the commotion leading up to this point was about now turned to look at the deranged mother who had let her daughter go barreling downhill while running after her screaming like a crazy woman. Not our finest hour. But I am ever so thankful for the good samaritan and her dog. Turns out the dog's name at the top of the curve was Lucy, and she provided the best form of distraction we could have asked for. Without it, we still may be making our way home from the park.
The last mishap is the most shameful. We were at Target, and I had everything we needed wedged around Hannah who was sitting in the front seat while Addi was in her car seat in the main cart compartment. (In case you can't picture it, this leaves very little room for anything other than cute girls in the cart!) Things were going smoothly as Hannah hadn't started complaining about the frozen bag of broccoli making "her leggies cold" yet, so I thought I'd chance it and check out the plastic storage bin section. Thrilled that I not only found what I needed, but that it was also on sale, I pulled down the 30-gallon bin and stood there facing the girls wondering how I could get this out to the car without making a scene. Hannah could read my thoughts and was instantly worried. "What ya doing, Ma Ma?"
Truth be told, I was trying to figure out if I could balance the bin on top of her baby sister. I could, couldn't I? Granted, Addi would be entombed in blue plastic, but maybe if I upgraded to a clear plastic bin, that would be better. Maybe I wouldn't have to send her to therapy later in life as she would be able to see out. I got as far as lifting the bin up to eyeball the measurement when I noticed a little girl about 7 years old, stopping to stare, mouth gaping open. This was bad. If a 7-year-old knew it was wrong ... someone would surely call Social Services.
Perhaps the most mortifying was when Hannah walks through the doors of the library for story time singing Aerosmith lyrics. It was a combination of Dude Looks Like a Lady, and Love In an Elevator. (Highly inappropriate, I know, but she loves Aerosmith, and thankfully most of their lyrics go right over her head at this point.) I was hopeful since Hannah sings rather off tune and it was a mixture of the two songs, it would throw anyone within earshot. But, since she has sung this beautiful medley in front of the same librarian twice now, I wasn't so lucky. All I could do was shrug and say, "I only have her father to blame." :)
The next mishap took place at the park. Hannah wanted to ride her trike to the park the other day, and since her steering was getting better (although it really couldn't get any worse!), I thought I could handle pushing Addi in a stroller and use myself and the stroller as a guard rail to keep Hannah's trike out of the middle of the road. My mistake was adding our lug of a dog to the mix - Penny pulls as if she's running the Iditarod, and all is lost if she spots a squirrel or rabbit! But hindsight is 20/20 ... at the beginning of the journey, none of these things were raising red flags. Afterall, how hard could it be - a walk in the park, right? So we set off and all was going smoothly. We made it to the park, and Hannah picked up speed in her excitement. Right before you get to this particular park, you have to make a 90 degree turn and the trail slopes downhill ever so slightly. So I'm coaching Hannah from a few feet behind and telling her to make sure to steer when the trail turns and to keep her eyes on the trail ... don't look at the dog ... look where you're going ... Hannah, don't look at the dog, yes she is cute ... Hannah, look where you're going, good job ... no, I don't know the dog's name ... focus on turning ... you got it ... Hannah you need to slow down now ... Hannah slow down ... Hannah ... HANNAH ... OH DEAR GOD ... STOP PEDALING ... NO, I mean keep your feet on your pedals, but SLOW DOWN! STOP MOVING YOUR FEET!! Oh nuts ... HAAAANNNNAAAAAHHHH!!!
Well, it was over quickly, I'll say that. She handled the turn beautifully, but then went into overdrive down the hill and in her panic (and mine!) lifted her feet up as she was going so fast and sped out of control. I swear she was nearing 20 mpr near the end! Meanwhile, I am sprinting after her while pushing Addi in the stroller (who is giggling, thinking this is the best ride ever!) and Penny is loaping along, but of course trying to go perpendicular to the way we are heading for some reason. It was at this point that I began wondering ... do I let go of the stroller so I may have a prayer of catching Hannah and prevent the nasty road rash that will surely be coming? There's a 5-point-harness on the stroller afterall. No. That would be bad. Dang ... Who's idea was this anyway?!
And then Hannah fell. By the time I got to her - the silent scream had turned ... well, not so silent. And those who hadn't already turned to see what all the commotion leading up to this point was about now turned to look at the deranged mother who had let her daughter go barreling downhill while running after her screaming like a crazy woman. Not our finest hour. But I am ever so thankful for the good samaritan and her dog. Turns out the dog's name at the top of the curve was Lucy, and she provided the best form of distraction we could have asked for. Without it, we still may be making our way home from the park.
The last mishap is the most shameful. We were at Target, and I had everything we needed wedged around Hannah who was sitting in the front seat while Addi was in her car seat in the main cart compartment. (In case you can't picture it, this leaves very little room for anything other than cute girls in the cart!) Things were going smoothly as Hannah hadn't started complaining about the frozen bag of broccoli making "her leggies cold" yet, so I thought I'd chance it and check out the plastic storage bin section. Thrilled that I not only found what I needed, but that it was also on sale, I pulled down the 30-gallon bin and stood there facing the girls wondering how I could get this out to the car without making a scene. Hannah could read my thoughts and was instantly worried. "What ya doing, Ma Ma?"
Truth be told, I was trying to figure out if I could balance the bin on top of her baby sister. I could, couldn't I? Granted, Addi would be entombed in blue plastic, but maybe if I upgraded to a clear plastic bin, that would be better. Maybe I wouldn't have to send her to therapy later in life as she would be able to see out. I got as far as lifting the bin up to eyeball the measurement when I noticed a little girl about 7 years old, stopping to stare, mouth gaping open. This was bad. If a 7-year-old knew it was wrong ... someone would surely call Social Services.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Feeling Greatly Outnumbered
When Jeff and I decided to have another baby, I kept asking him ... "what will I do when they run in opposite directions?! There will be two of them and only one of me?!"
Ha! That goes to show just how silly we were - running in opposite directions is the least of our worries at this point! Hannah and Adelaide have officially joined forces, and apparently Jeff and I didn't get the memo, so we are left in the only remaining spot ... the opposing team. While we may have the size advantage, we don't have speed, and we definitely don't have the skills necessary to keep up! Since Addi was born, our girls seem to have an inherent way of knowing what the other one is thinking, and at times it seems as if they use it just to see how gray their mother's hair can turn throughout the course of a day. Call it ESP, sisterly intuition or whatever you want ... whatever it is, Jeff and I are in the dark! Not a day goes by when the girls don't use this to their advantage - and I fear it will only get worse once Addi starts talking. They can conspire on a whole new level at that point!
Recently, however, it has all become rather absurd since the cat and dog have joined forces as well. We keep a box of dog treats on a shelf in the entryway, and I watched as Arthur jumped up on the shelf and Penny simultaneously sat down and started wagging her tail in anticipation. I nudged Jeff to look and said, "Silly dog. She thinks the cat is going to give her a treat!"
A minute later I ended up eating my words.
Arthur proceeded to meticulously open the flaps of the box with his paws, reach his head in and pull out a bone. Arthur is a rather strange cat, so I laughed thinking he was going to eat the dog treat he just helped himself to. Nope! He jumps down from the shelf, prances over to Penny and lays the treat by her feet. Jeff looked at me in amazement, and I looked at him in horror ... for I knew the treat was collateral for helping him escape out the screen door earlier that day, which means Arthur and Penny now have an understanding between them ... and I, am officially doomed.
So now that the furry ones are in cahoots, that makes the official count 4 to 2, or 4 to 1 for the majority of each day. And I was worried about TWO of them running in opposite directions! So if you see a crazed lady lugging a baby while chasing a runaway cat with a toddler and a half-brained coonhound running after her - I'd appreciate a kind thought or two to help even out the score until I catch the damn cat. You can still laugh - I know I would! - but a kind word or even a little prayer would be mighty helpful! It only seems fair!
I'm off to take a shower - worked up a sweat chasing the four of them around today!
Ha! That goes to show just how silly we were - running in opposite directions is the least of our worries at this point! Hannah and Adelaide have officially joined forces, and apparently Jeff and I didn't get the memo, so we are left in the only remaining spot ... the opposing team. While we may have the size advantage, we don't have speed, and we definitely don't have the skills necessary to keep up! Since Addi was born, our girls seem to have an inherent way of knowing what the other one is thinking, and at times it seems as if they use it just to see how gray their mother's hair can turn throughout the course of a day. Call it ESP, sisterly intuition or whatever you want ... whatever it is, Jeff and I are in the dark! Not a day goes by when the girls don't use this to their advantage - and I fear it will only get worse once Addi starts talking. They can conspire on a whole new level at that point!
Recently, however, it has all become rather absurd since the cat and dog have joined forces as well. We keep a box of dog treats on a shelf in the entryway, and I watched as Arthur jumped up on the shelf and Penny simultaneously sat down and started wagging her tail in anticipation. I nudged Jeff to look and said, "Silly dog. She thinks the cat is going to give her a treat!"
A minute later I ended up eating my words.
Arthur proceeded to meticulously open the flaps of the box with his paws, reach his head in and pull out a bone. Arthur is a rather strange cat, so I laughed thinking he was going to eat the dog treat he just helped himself to. Nope! He jumps down from the shelf, prances over to Penny and lays the treat by her feet. Jeff looked at me in amazement, and I looked at him in horror ... for I knew the treat was collateral for helping him escape out the screen door earlier that day, which means Arthur and Penny now have an understanding between them ... and I, am officially doomed.
So now that the furry ones are in cahoots, that makes the official count 4 to 2, or 4 to 1 for the majority of each day. And I was worried about TWO of them running in opposite directions! So if you see a crazed lady lugging a baby while chasing a runaway cat with a toddler and a half-brained coonhound running after her - I'd appreciate a kind thought or two to help even out the score until I catch the damn cat. You can still laugh - I know I would! - but a kind word or even a little prayer would be mighty helpful! It only seems fair!
I'm off to take a shower - worked up a sweat chasing the four of them around today!
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