Owen and His Cats

Owen loves his cats. And his cats tolerate him, although in the above picture Purna looks put-out that this little dude is trying to climb up into their window seat. Regardless, it's been interesting to watch the progression of their interactions as Owen has gone from newborn to baby to babbling toddler.

We're convinced that Owen's first word will not be "momma" or "dada" but "kitty." This is because, although he thinks that we are great, the cats really hold his attention and love and general admiration. Also, he is beginning to mimic our sounds, and the other day both Dave and I were saying, "kitty" over and over again. And Owen was babbling back and said, "Titty." We about died laughing. So his first word COULD be "kitty" although it might come out sounding like something else.

Milestones

Owen Plays his Xylophone while Floppy the Penguin Looks On

Owen has become a lot more mobile since Thanksgiving. He's rolling all over the place, spinning like a top, balancing next to furniture, reaching for Mom and Dad, trying to crawl, pushing up from a sitting to a standing position from my lap... and some teeth have decided to come in. So far he has two that have pushed through his gums, and I've had the shocking experience of being nipped by them while nursing. Wow that hurts.

Child development experts say that walking and talking usually go together. For Owen, it's mobility and mimicry. The other day I said, "Hi, Arlo" in a singsong voice, and Owen looked at the cat and said, "Aye Oh" in the same singsong voice. I almost fell over. Being a parent is just so awesome.

A Ghost in the House?

We were in the living room, enjoying the day, when Dave heard heavy breathing. In and out, in and out. Then it stopped. And started again. It was deep, almost a growl. What the??? Dave noticed that the baby monitor receiver was in the room, and had been left on accidentally. The breathing was coming from the baby monitor. But Owen was in the room with us! And generally the receiver doesn't pick up Owen's breathing anyway. We had a ghost in the house, and our ghost was breathing HEAVY.

Dave went to investigate in Owen's room, searching for the ghost. And there was Purna the Cat, sleeping next to the monitor, breathing into it.

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.