Emma the Cat

I’ve just came off a very busy couple weeks at work (and at home) which required me to take a self- enforced internet sabbatical to get everything done.    

There were many highlights including the first camping trip of the season which was a blast  --  both figuratively and literally (thank-you 70km winds for that free microderm abrasion treatment).    Then we spent the Victoria week-end in the garden (vegetables planted and 1/3 of the annuals are in, photos soon).   It’s also been a VERY rough couple weeks in the “terrible twos” department.   I do stand by my claim that 2 ½ kicks ass compared to 18 months… but man, 2-year olds have their challenges.  Note to self: buy earplugs….and more wine.

From the twins’ perspective, the most exciting development has been the addition of Emma the cat to our household.  Emma is an awesome cat.   She is good-natured, patient, loves people etc.  She came to us from our friends, Elaine and Tyler who are moving to the States and weren’t sure they should take Emma with them.  They travel a lot and worry that she wouldn’t get enough attention.  Also their two-year old daughter has decided she does NOT like Emma for some unknown reason.  

There is certainly no lack of attention at our house.  If anything its too much love.  The twins would cuddle and pet Emma all day if she would let them.  When she retreats under the bed for a break the twins plead with her to “Come back!!!  So we can be a family!”   Emma does venture out for cuddles with Greg and me each night after the twins are in bed.  I guess she prefers the company of beings who are more predictable and less shrieky.  Hopefully the novelty will wear off soon and E will be able to hang out with us without being constantly harassed by the twins.  

I’ve wanted to get a pet while the twins are young.  I had dogs growing up and it makes me a little sad to see B and C so afraid of animals.   I’m not ready for the responsibility of a dog but a cat seems to be a good balance.  The only real work is supervising that the cuddles stay gentle.    

I am a little worried about Charles developing a cat allergy.  He has been watery-eyed and runny-nosed all spring and I suspect that he’s allergic to snow mold or something.  But he seems to be ok with E so far -- and he spends a lot of time with his face buried in her fur with no apparent ill effects.

It’s neat to see B and C display so much empathy towards Emma.  They try hard to be gentle with her and get so worried when she’s hiding.  “Emma, are you scared?  Do you want to cuddle with my Mama? Then you won’t be sad.”   B kept asking to come home from camping because she was worried that E was all alone and missing us. 

I think it’s also good for them to see that Emma is an independent creature who doesn’t bow to their every whim.   It’s so funny to see Charles stalking upstairs with his stormcloud face, complaining that “Emma is NOT listening to me!!!”  Yeah, I can’t imagine how frustrating that must be <eyeroll>.

Cheers and happy Wednesday!
Sandra


Her full name: Emma Jane Soul-patch



Getting a cuddle from C and B



Up on the pool table - her favorite place to hide from the twins.



Outdoor adventures

I am thoroughly enjoying this spring outside with the kids.

It’s already a gazillion times better than last year.   Yet another example of how 2 ½ years old kicks ass compared to 18 mths.  I may yet realize my dream of working in the garden while the twins play.

When we picked this lot to build our house, we obviously didn’t have toddlers in mind (the drowning hazards, the forest filled with predatory animals etc.)  And the lack of fences is a big issue.  It will be awesome for grade school kids, but right now, it’s a challenge.  

It's important to us to spend lots of time outside with the kids but it can be frustrating.   Last year we had to constantly hover around them in a 2 foot radius to divert them from hazards.  And they’d run away.  Lord, how I hated the running away.  Our neighbor’s trampoline was a frequent target.  Nothing could dampen the siren’s song of that stupid trampoline.  And then I’d charge after them and round them up while they giggled manically because there is NOTHING more funny than me chasing them and looking like an idiot.

But this year they’ve had no trouble staying in our yard (so far).  Occasionally they cast a longing gaze at the trampoline and mumble sadly “The jumpoline is for big kids only” but that’s it.

And it’s the same thing with the front yard.  We spent all last summer trying to keep them off the road.  Endless discussions about the dangers of cars and getting lost that all fell on deaf ears.  This year, we drew a chalk line at the bottom of the driveway to mark the boundary and problem solved.  They stay on the driveway.  Of course we still have to watch them but we’re actually getting a little yard work done too.

Everyone has things they miss from their child-free days (free-time, a night-life, sleeping in,  privacy in the bathroom, etc.)  Those things didn’t seem like sacrifices to me  -- a small price to pay for the joy the kids bring me.  But I do miss spending a whole day working in the garden.  I squeeze in as much as I can during naps and after the kids go to bed but it’s not the same. 

I’m looking forward to this summer.  And oh boy, just wait until next year.


Throwing rocks into the pond (from a safe distance)



Look Mom, no escape attempts!




 

Inspecting some deer droppings.  "We won't touch it, Mama.  Poop is dirty"



 

Quote of the day:

Charles:  “Mama, up please. Up Please. Up PLEASE!!!!”

Me: “Sorry bud, I can't.  I’m already holding Becca.

Charles [angrily biting into each word]: “No, Mama.  You can carry TWO babies!  YOU! ARE! REALLY! STRONG!”

My Secret Shame

April 24 to 30^th was infertility awareness week.  I wanted to write something to commemorate the occasion but didn’t.  For a couple of reasons.

1)  I was really busy at work with the personal tax deadline and all.

2)  I couldn’t think of anything original to say. There’s already so much out there on this topic that’s more profound, funny and interesting than I could write.  Especially on short notice.

So instead, I’m posting a link to what julie wrote over at "A little pregnant".  Julie’s blog is about as interesting, profound and funny as it gets.  If you ever have a free weekend (and a jumbo box of Kleenex) go and check out the archives from the beginning.

In any event, infertility is not my secret same.   Heck, I divulge the gory details to pretty much anyone who’s interested (and a few that weren’t).  No, the shame is not how we conceived the twins;  it's that I'm now exploiting them for my own amusement.

So here it comes….my secret shame.  (hmmm, with all this build up maybe I should have picked something more embarrassing to write about --  like the time I ran out of feminine hygiene products and had to use the kids’ diapers instead.  No, I’ll save that for a really slow news day)

My Secret Shame:

I think it’s hilarious to teach the twins rude playground songs from my childhood.  Nothing really offensive mind you and certainly not any of the racist ones (judge not, it was a different time)   Mostly just harmless toilet humor.  Yes, I know I’ll probably regret it someday but right now... it’s just so darn cute.   Here's an example.

Come one…tell me this isn’t cute.

In case you don’t recognize it.  They are trying to sing this song from the movie Parenthood.  The last time the twins had stomach flu, Charles (my OCD child) was despondent at having made "a really big mess" and I sang that song to cheer him up.  It was a hit.

Here comes the really shameful part.   If the twins start singing one of these ditties in public or in front of the in-laws  I act all innocent and embarrassed.  Then I blame it on dayhome.   Yep, they must have learned it at dayhome.  Those older boys are such a bad influence on my poor sweet angels....(sorry Sharon)

Oh and BTW,  I don't think I'll be posting another video clip again any time soon.  That was WAY too much effort.