Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Making Friends

Our kitty has a bit of a diva reputation. She really only loves The Boss, and tolerates the rest of us. She claims her rightful throne on his lap most nights as soon as the chaos of little gang members has faded to the upstairs. Like clockwork, we see her look around from "her chair" at about 8:30 every night. If she makes eye contact with him, she takes that as her invitation. She stretches, trills in her throat, and leisurely strolls across the room to The Boss's lap where she spends his t.v. time being petted and lavished. The kids have all recognized her limits and her boundaries of wanted attention and fallen into line accordingly. All her humans submit to her queenly ways.

Until September 27th, 2008.

Now, there's a mobile, squawking, noisy little human. Now there's toys strewn everywhere. Now there's little hands to rock "her chair" even if she doesn't want it rocked. Now there's little eyes peering through the cat door, babbling and attempting some kind of interaction. Any kind of interaction. Now there are grabby little hands reaching for a tail that she snobbily keeps JUUUUUST out of reach. Now. There's. ANOTHER! BABY! In. The. House.

I don't know if Maggie has forgiven us yet.

She weathered the birth of two of my children and survived the toddler-hood of all four older gang kids. I am seeing faint but hopeful signs, one month into the baby's arrival, that she just might weather this fifth interloper, too. Even in her advanced years. She just might be making friends with said baby.


Maybe . . . .

8 comments:

Salzwedel Family said...

Awww...who couldn't make friends with the beautiful Lil' Empress?

Stefanie said...

Tag! You're it :)

Kimberly said...

Love this post!! Our cats are having a few adjustment issues also, but have done better than I thought. They normally hate all visitors, and hide and hiss, but they have been tolerant of Anna Kathryn so far. They do like to tease her by scooting out of the way right as she crawls up to them. I love the Lil Empress's polka dot onesie--Anna Kathryn has the same one, I think!

heidi @ ggip said...

My cats were so shocked when we brought home baby #1 that they really might not have recovered. At least with baby #2 they didn't look at him like he was an alien being. The poor things, they just wanted ALL of our attention on their own terms!

Very well written post. I really enjoyed it.

Melody R said...

So glad you all are home from China. I have kept up with your progress the entire way! We just missed you in China. We left Sept 18th. Anyway, love the post! Our dog is reluctantly "allowing" our new son to join the family. They still have their moments but all in all things are going well! The pictures are too cute!

Congrats on your newest addition. She is beautiful!

Melody

Melissa said...

How cute!!

Pamela Dawn said...

Hi! I love your post- and your pictures are so cute! Your littl one is adorable! When we brought our little D home from China, he just fell in love with my little dog Cookie. Cookie is 5 pounds on a good day and is just so cute and little and hates the world except YOu know the kind that is a one person dog. (maybe more like a small cat, dog!) anyway, D tried and tried to hold , touch, pet grab, etc Cookie and she had nothing to do with him- poor little guy, He really loves Cookie, anyway, it is the same today as it was 5 years ago- Just the dog is now really old and really wants NO part of any of the kids! It is all working out- the dog just stays out of their way- ;)
Thank you for your post on my blog- and thank you for your prayers and kindness! Boy, I do understand the kids, the homework, soccar, gymnastics, driver ed- (all of them afterschool and needing rides home.... and I want to add more to this mix?? what am I thinking, except that I follow God! Again, my thanks go out to you a million fold. Blessings, Pam

Anonymous said...

My sweet daughter in law sent me this link...she told me she had recently received pictures of your sweet China doll! I am so happy for your family...that it all finally happened for you! Many blessings to you as you continue this journey!

Love,
A totally blessed mom of two China dolls and a bunch more kids and grandkids,

MH