Owen and Myah's Play Date

We are lucky enough to have friends who can take Owen on a random Sunday morning while Dave taught Sunday School and I had a bar review session. It helps that their daughter is only four weeks older, and she teaches Owen all kinds of big-kid things, like how to crawl. Myah just started, and I'm sure Owen will not be far behind, because once she started sitting up, Owen just couldn't stand to watch her and not do it himself.

We have come to accept that Owen likes going over to Myah's house because Myah has better toys. In fact, last week I saw a Fisher-Price commercial with a really fun toy, just perfect for Owen's age, and I excitedly described it to Dave and said, "I hope Myah gets one!" I use the excuse that our apartment is too small and Jim and Dina have room for all these fun toys, but really, it's because I'm a toy snob who has a child who loves all toys that make noise and flash lights. So it's really to Owen's benefit to play with Myah, because he has a great time. And his mom is a snob who really needs to get over herself and buy him that noisy crazy toy that he will love. But only once Myah tries it out herself and approves.

Disclaimer: Please do not send us noisy, crazy toys as a result of this post. Please don't. No, really. Please.

Friends, Friends, Friends

Yesterday Owen had two play dates: one with Myah (one month older) and one with Silas (two months older). And for the first time, Owen actually responded to them! In the past, he's either slept through the encounter or looked over their heads at the light fixtures.

During his play date with Myah, they laughed and played patty-cake (with help from Myah's mom, Dina) and pretty much got a kick out of each other. When Dave arrived to pick Owen up, Owen cried, just like when you were a kid and Mom said it was time to go home, and you'd reply, "But I just got here!" That's pretty much how Owen felt about leaving.

Then, when Silas and dad Jason came over for dinner later that night, the two kids went wild when they spotted each other! Owen, who was straddling my leg, started jumping up and down, laughing and smiling at Silas. Silas, who at 5 1/2 months is tall and lean and sturdy, reached out for Owen and planted a big old kiss on his forehead/nose/eye. Then they bumped heads, as I imagine they will do many times in the future. It was amazing to watch them interact! Then we put them down on the carpet to play, and Owen kept a keen eye on Silas, documenting his every move. Hopefully he'll learn a thing or two, like rolling over and scooting around on his belly.

We've just enrolled Owen in part-time day care for the Fall, and we've been wondering how he'll respond to a room full of babies. Based on my impression from the interactions yesterday, the answer is: fine. As I've been told many times before, it's harder on the parents than the kids. (A perfect example of this happened two hours ago, when I sat Owen up and loosely supported him by pulling him forward with his arms. Then with a powerful jerk, he fell back and hit his head on the carpeted floor. It startled him more than anything and he started crying, so I started crying, and Owen stopped crying, but I kept crying because I felt so bad. Sigh...)

Owen and Purna (the Cat)

A Present for Owen, a Present (Box) for Purna

As a pregnant person, and now as a mother, I often am asked about the interactions between cats and babies. There are a lot of old wives tales out there - about cats "sucking the breath" out of babies, for example, and smothering them, and licking the milk out of their mouths. And a lot of people believe these tales to be true, so much so, that I spend a surprising amount of time defending my cats and insisting that I am not going to give them away.

Arlo, admittedly, has been a tad jealous of the baby, but Arlo is scared of Owen, too. There is no need to fear Arlo sucking Owen's breath away.

Purna is in love with Owen. As I write, Owen is lying on his floor mat, taking a nap. Purna is sitting two feet away from Owen, watching him sleep. She brought her toy mouse over and placed it with Owen's toys.

When Owen sleeps in the cosleeper next to our bed, Purna stretches out on the bed, preventing anyone from climbing or reaching into the cosleeper with Owen.

When Owen cries, and it takes us a little too long to get to him (or we can't calm him down), Purna comes and finds us. One time it was taking me too long for her liking, and she stood up on her hind legs and pushed on my thigh. Usually, though, she cries, too.

When Owen gets his diaper changed, Purna watches to make sure everything goes well.

It's very satisfying to have your animal become so protective of your child. So no, I am not giving my cats away in order to keep them separate from Owen. Instead I will let Purna's catnip mouse toy mingle with Owen's stuffed mushroom toy. Owen and Purna are becoming friends, and I'm glad for it.