Kitty

Lil and Kitty, 1.1.12

Found out today Kitty has cancer, and while we're waiting to find out if it's a treatable form, I'm  mentally preparing to explain kitty-angels to Lil.

It's a sad evening here, but with both girls asleep it's like being in a cloud of melancholy. Lil had a magical way to keep my mind focused on happier things after Granmary died, but this is going to be a lot tougher for her. I don't know how or what we will find to distract ourselves when Kitty isn't pit-pattering around, stealing Lil's tiny mousies, or cuddling in her bed.

Sometimes there's just no way to "be strong" for your kids. It's just gotta be messy and sad and ugly crying. I have a feeling that Lil will be the one surprising me with her resilience, and Bitty babe will smile in the face of my sadness.

end of month report

Back when Mama had a job, EOM (End of Month) was a stressful time. Lots of numbers to crunch, and so much pressure to make profits and bonuses and all that. So now that my main focus is incubating and raising children (for the time being), it's about time to take stock of Lil's most recent accomplishments.

so much to be proud of!

• She can find her knees, nose, toes, head, eyes, and bellybutton. And her bottom.
• She can crawl on the floor and meow like a kitty.

"if she walks like a kitteh, and talks like a kitteh...?"

• She can say "buddy," and "that guy."
• She can make her stuffed animals dance.
• She can feed herself with a fork or a spoon without disastrous results.

 

nom

• She will put the phone to her ear and say "Hiiieeeee." (She can also use the camera, and play Fruit Ninja.)
• She learned which way to wave when you say "bye."
• She calls Papa "Daddieeee" and Mama "Moggieeee."
• She makes friends easily with 5 year-olds.
• She can wipe the floor, or her high chair if you give her a damp cloth.

 

little Ms. Clean

Not bad. I think we're ready for Lil's Q3.

a budding photographer

lunch with friends

Lil loves to take my cellphone. She will snatch it up whenever I put it down, she will even unplug it from the charger without my knowing. She had a tendency to call the first person in my phone book until I added some security measures. Today I was using a photo app called Vignette to snap some cute pics of her bothering playing with the Cat when she sauntered over and stole the phone right from my hands. So I showed her how to use the camera feature (sort of), and after randomly hitting the screen a few dozen times, here's what she came up with:

Lil self-portrait #1

Lil self-portrait #2

"footsies"

This last picture isn't one she took herself exactly, but her hands were on the camera/phone.

love.

internet cat lover

Lil discovered that on the interwebs, kitties don't run away from you. In this video, Mama introduces Lil to Maru, the box-loving cat from Japan. The only way to describe Lil's reaction is ape-shit. 

And no, I didn't burn dinner.

video tues(wednes)day: cat + lil are friends, continued

Ok. So we all know that Lil just loves the Cat. She has nearly jumped from the tub to rescue him, they've cuddled during her infancy on many occasions, and she's always giving him hugs. Today though, he definitely reciprocated... although it only lasted a split second (watch closely around 0:14 when he displays his affections). It's obvious to me that his tolerance has blossomed into something much greater.

my best friend

Lil's found a new way to express her affection: hugs! And she has hugs for everyone and everything she loves—Mama, Papa, her sippy cup, Jenny Giraffe, Woofie, her shoe... and her Kee-Kahs. Last night I found The Cat pinned under her while she quietly hummed him a song...

This may turn out to be Lil's first taste of unrequited love.

"where, oh where has my big kee-kah gone? where, oh where could he be?"

video tuesday: lil speak

Lil is undoubtedly finding some words here and there. She has been saying "Dada" and sometimes "Mama" for a while now, and she's been working on a few others. "Nana" could mean banana, or nursing ("baba" could also possibly be her word for nursing). "Dah" is what she says when she points to a dog. I swear she almost said monkey ("mmm-keh") and horse ("usss") last week. But there is one word she says clearly (often in a whisper) while pointing at the object. Kitty ("kee-tah" or "kee-kah") is Lil's official first word. She not only says it when she sees one of our cats, she says it whenever she hears them too!

This week's video needs a bit of a set-up. While taping Lil doing something silly with a bath toy (a kind of foamy color-form type thing), The Cat started meowing at the bathroom door (I think he really needed to use the facilities). Lil stops making funny sounds and becomes very serious about Mr. Kitty's dire needs. I cut the tape when Lil attempts to climb out of the tub to rescue him. Now that's loyalty.

bonus: more kitty snuggles

Yesterday after the party, Lil came home and crashed in her crib. But someone got there before she did. Like Goldilocks in reverse, Lil blondie arrived home to find a furry creature all cuddled up in her bed! Rather than try and move the cat while balancing a sleeping baby in one hand, I just arranged Lil next to Kitty and let them be.

Lil slept for over two hours, and for most of it, Kitty stayed curled up right by her side. Apparently Mama isn't the only one who's crazy for baby cuddles.

bonus: cat's in the cradle close-up.

one is too young to share, the other too proud to beg

Here are some stills from today's taping of "Lil and Kitty Talk Footwear" in Lil's Crib. I wonder who she'll interview next? Seahorsey, perhaps, on how he's dealing after suffering abuse at the paws of The Cat. Or maybe Woofie, on what it's like representing an endangered species. It might be Pink Bear (aka, Mr. Pink), talking about the relationship between color and gender identity ("Do the other animals accept you for being both male and pink? Have you ever thought of giving up the bow tie?"). 

I just hope I'm there to capture it on camera.

finally found common ground

as usual, Lil keeps the goods just out of reach

video tuesday: the cat's in the cradle

Actually, Kitty got in Lil's crib and the two of them had a mostly gentle pow-wow regarding a gold sandal. Part of me believes that Lil was really trying to convince Kitty to try them on.

Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to sell footwear... trust me.

new video: lil kitten

It's Tuesday again, and we have another video for you.  Here is Lil from the weekend's photo shoot, cruising through the jungle in her irresistible leopard print romper.  Nothing too exciting, but she is a baby wearing a cat-eared romper.  And she babbles.

a new perspective

There have been tummy time poses, but today we reached a whole new level.  Lil now prefers to look at the world right-side up, and she looks like a new lady with her head off the floor.  After a long, long walk and lunch with friends, Lil was one step away from sleepy town.  Luckily Kitty (not to be confused with The Cat) came in and kept Lil smiling long enough to get some pictures.

Lil's been seen in this flutter sleeve tee before, but Mama picked up some second-hand denim capris over the weekend.  They're perfect for these late spring days, keeping Lil cool, yet protect those chunker thighs from the sun.  Mama broke out her all natural sunscreen from Episencial Skincare for her exposed parts.  Unlike most natural baby sunscreens, this nice light formula doesn't leave Lil looking ghostly white.

You may be wondering why the music cube is down by Lil's feet.  Although she is capable of turning it on with her hands, she prefers to play with it with her feet.  I think that's perfectly normal.

just shy of sundown

Kitty makes the world stand still