Apologies for worrying a few people... suffice to say I have not been dealing with Cami's loss very well at all and have been in quite a mood. It wasn't improved by a minor (but yech) infection, another flu which of course Laurent caught as well and then Nic, obnoxious amounts of contractions that amp up for 3-4 hours before going no-where and not sleeping more than an hour or two a night for the past few weeks courtesy of all of the above while attempting to keep pace and being majorly unimpressed with myself for not keeping up with training.

By this week things have leveled out and I had Sif, Jayne and Jen over along with their little people and an impromptu blessing way which was cheering. For those not familiar it's sort of like a baby shower but more to celebrate transition from one stage to another and represent support from the women around you. Also a bit different is that gifts are more symbolic than material which is nice given we've still got everything from Laurent's babyhood - ie everyone has a candle lit at the blessing way to take home to light once labor begins, everyone gets a bracelet to wear until the baby arrives safely or everyone brings a bead to contribute for a necklace to wear in labor representing their well wishes. So now I have a lovely lotus henna design on my bump, a red bracelet (left hand) and a jade lotus bracelet (right hand) which you can see here...

as well as the beads that will be a necklace once I find my crimp beads.

La was also very impressed with the whole event as A.) people were visiting, B.) there was a lovely banana cake and C.) Sienna was one of those people. I may be forgiven for this baby being human instead of canine yet given it heralded three things high on his awesome list in one day.

Other than that the pregnancy has continued to be boringly normal. Last MW's visit was Thurs. BP 120/80, bubs is happy, position is good, everything is ready to go. La having got the procedures down pat fished out the equipment and A had a "helpful helper" who 'took my blood pressure', used the Doppler to find bubs heartbeat and the placenta sounds after bossing her to 'put the cream on it' to make it work and turn the volume up.

In the meantime, time in the evenings that's too uncomfortable to do much is being invested in sketching and attempting to better my knitting. I'm still far from 'good' - just simple stuff which is dressed up a bit with embellishments but it's nice and rhythmic and doesn't require too much thought.

Last but not least... the last few days of La being an only child...

We meet again, Mister Tail!

Itty Bitty Kitty playing Ferocious Ninja Death Warrior battling The Evil Lace Tablecloth does not realize IttyBittyKittyTail is not Evil Lace Tablecloth.

Itty Bitty Kitty is NOT amused the human observed this monumentally embarassing judgement of error.

You Know It's Too Hot When...

the two most hyper beings on earth... a 3 year old and a kitten.... are flat-splat

Super Stealth Ninja Kitty says "The chasey-zippy-mouse toy will never spot me stalking it from HERE!"

The aforementioned chasey-zippy-mouse toy, favorite of both little people and little kitties. La thinks it's too funny to watch itty bitty kitty pounce after the toy...

Itty bitty kitty is little but mighty!

"Jasp-burger is a pretty kitty mum!"

The little man has settled in well. He's not met the girls up close yet, though he's seen them while being held and coming from an Aussie owning household probably won't be too shocked by them. Other than that he's been alternately eatting, playing, getting attention (which results in demonstrations his purr-box is in fine working order) and chilling out in the bathroom where his food/litter and what is likely to become favorite snooze spot (curtained cupboard) is. Not bad for a tyke who has been here only a day!

La is fascinated by him and already attempting to clicker train him. LOL Poor lil' kitty didn't last 24 hours before getting a bizzare nickname though- La pronounces Jasper as "Jaspburger" or in moments of total tongue-twist "Cheeseburger" who came from "Gate" (Kate).
Peering out from the cupboard
Ferocious tiger kitten pouncing on paper.

Itty Bitty Kitty arrives

We had been looking for a kitty for a little while when we heard of this fellows litter. We'd been looking for a male who'd be on the large side who hadn't been born outdoors and outside all it's life, happy to live with rowdy dogs and small children as well as enjoy keeping any mice from thinking our house might be a nice place to set up house. These guys promised to fit the bill on all accounts so it was just a matter of waiting for them to be old enough to be vaxed, neutered and microchipped. Today the little guys were ready to meet us and this is the little fellow who came home.

We're thinking he may end up dubbed Jasper (we're remarkably original...) unless sometime in the next few days it really doesn't suit him. As you can see he's not much fussed by the whole moving houses gig. This was shot on my lap in the car as I was petting him and he was purring and rolling to give me better access to a sweet spot. He's currently sprawled limp as a noodle in my lap sound asleep, so more photos will have to wait till tomorrow.