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01/10/2005
Cats
Charlie got a cat when he was a few days old.
Because we were in limbo, in a hotel with few of our belongings around, we weren't able to furnish Charlie's isolette with any of the personal touches parents like to add — photos of home, a special blanket, a CD of favorite lullabyes. I'd read that premature babies shouldn't be stimulated too much, so I didn't worry that Charlie's plastic box wasn't very cozy. I was surprised one day to see that one of the nurses had taped up a picture of a dog, a black and white graphic, the kind infants are supposed to see earliest. She'd written on it in black marker, "Charlie's dog!"
The next time I saw the nurse, whose name was Carol, I thanked her. "Well, a boy needs a dog," she said in mock indignation.
I told her we had cats instead. The next time I went in after she'd taken care of Charlie, I saw she'd taped a new picture up on the other side of the isolette. It was a cat, in the same high contrast style, helpfully labeled, "Charlie's cat!"
I swear to God Charlie preferred to look at the cat. When he was put to sleep on his back, he'd turn his head toward the cat. When he was placed on his side facing the dog, he would inevitably end up on his back, head turned toward the cat. He'd look at it, eyes wide, brow furrowed, clearly seeing something.
Charlie liked that cat.
Because Charlie's lungs were in such bad shape, I worried about bringing him home to a house with pets in it. The preemie book I'd read, which I highly recommend but hope to God you'll never need, cautioned against it, citing possible irritation from dander and pet hair. I asked one of the neonatologists (which I can never pronounce, so I usually say "the wee tiny baby doctor" instead) about the cats: would it be safe for Charlie to be around them?
"Don't get rid of them!" he said in alarm. But I wasn't proposing to; I'd thought of something less drastic like having them shaved and dressing them in fetching little velour suits, perhaps with "JUICY" emblazoned across the ass, just above the tail-hole.
The cats spent the first couple of days avoiding the bedroom. They would creep in silently when Charlie was asleep, slinking low to the floor, ready to back away hastily at his first gurgle. The younger one, the one I fondly call Nutless, was brave enough to sit up on his haunches and peer through the mesh of Charlie's bed, but still chicken enough to flee, claws skidding spastically on the hardwood floor, when Charlie made a noise.
A few nights ago when everything was quiet, I was sitting in the den feeding Charlie. Nutless crept in, hopped warily onto the sofa, and advanced far enough to sniff the back of Charlie's fuzzy head.
Sniff.
Sniff sniff.
And then...
Lick lick lick lick.
Since then, the cats have been largely unconcerned by Charlie's presence. I can only conclude that Nutless tasted baby, and found him unobjectionable.
As we were leaving, one of the nurses saw me removing the dog and cat from Charlie's crib to take home as a souvenir. She brought over a new book of pictures, including the dog, the cat, and several abstract patterns, so I could show them to him at home. As soon as we'd settled Charlie in for his first nap at home, I pinned a new cat to the side of his bed.
He likes it very much.
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What a precious picture...he looks so content and so healthy. Enjoy this time now that you are all home.
Jesus Gay-- he's bundled in there --- looks like my little one -- except she INSISTS on having a blankie over her face! Me? Sleep much? never.
wow what a handsome little devil you have there - cutie patootie cheeks too!
So glad you are home safe and sound and that the cats have accepted their new sibling with pleasure.
Your desciption of Nutless spastically clawing on the hardwood floor had me LMAO here.....my cat does the same thing when the dog walks into the room.
Hes soooo beautiful! Congratulations!
Charlie looks so healthy and sweet.
I am so happy for you and your family. Congratulations.
What a darling little redhead! Cat people are born, not made. Congrats to the entire family.
He is so beautiful. And so big now.
Glad there is harmony in the household.
Awwwww, he is so darling........
I'm sorry I have to go all southern on you,but
Oh My Gawd! That boy is so gorgeous I could just eat him up with a spoon! That fuzzy head is just begging to be kissed. My son is two months old and my cat has yet to do more than give his toes a cursory sniff before hauling tail. She and my son eye each other warily from a distance, but no one ever makes a move. Cats + Babies = Uneasy Truce.
Reading that story and then seeing that beautiful picture made me cry.
I'm really really happy for you all!
Oh what a lovely little boy you have...
Thank you, Julie. That picture made me tear up, in a "thankgodthankgodthankgod" kinda way.
What a pumpkin!
We have cats too and I think my son prefers them to dogs. Sometimes I'll turn on animal planet and if there are no cats on, he'll yell "more cats more cats more cats." What with that and the pink tutu he ran around in at Christmas, my husband is getting worried. In my son's defense, he was also wearing a viking hat.
He's a handsome little boy. :)
Chubby Charlie! And I love the strawberry blond hair. Oh, so sweet.
De-lurking to say congrats! He is beautiful.
awwwwwwwww.... love the red hair. He looks happy :)
Just watch out for this:
lick, lick, lick.
And then...
nibble, nibble, nibble.
I mean, if you ever have me over to visit.
That is truly the YUMMIEST picture I've seen in a loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong time!
Your baby is so cute I'D lick him!
I almost started bawling when I read your post. After all you've been through, it's wonderful to read a "mommy post" about your new baby and his preferences. What a sweet, sweet family.
God bless you all,
LadyBug
Mmm...delicious baby head... I'd love me some of that. What a cutie.
My heart just melted. Congratulations.
What a fine looking young man. It must have been hard to keep the little girl babies away from him in the nursery!
He is beautiful!
At the sight of his adorably round, fuzzy baby head, I swear that I got tears in my eyes. I am so happy that he's here and such a gorgeous, healthy boy.
He is beautiful. Glad to hear the kitties have taken well to him, and vice versa!
AAAHHHH! He has red hair!! Being married to a strawberry-blonde, and the mother to one as well, I find that I have a great affection for sweet little redheads. But I swear, I've never seen one as cute as Charlie. He's absolutely PERFECT!! Omigosh Julie ... the lips, the nose, the ears, his little chubby hands! I could just eat him up! =)
Good lord is that child adorable!
What a beautiful baby boy! He looks healthy and strong. Congratulations!
he's so beautiful, it's amazing. Congrats again!
What a CUTIE!
And good taste in pets, too. :)
Gorgeous...
xxoo
Julie, what a beautiful, beautiful boy. The fact that he already loves cats is, I think, indicative of excellent taste (and fabulous breeding). Chicks dig boys who love cats.
Pretty damn cute.
He's gorgeous!!!
ADORABLE!!!!
So glad to here that Charlie is a cat lover and that the cats pose no danger to him! Welcome home.
OMG he's SO perfect! Cute kitty too. :)
He is beautiful.... just beautiful!!!!!!!!
Smart boy. And gorgeous to boot.
Oh, he's so cute! I just love newborn babies!
Oh Julie, he is just gorgeous! Just Perfect. It must feel so good to be home.
Holy crap, he's so pretty!!!!!! I love the cat picture, I'll have to find one for our new baby.
That picture is so sweet.
I am so glad to hear that the cats are ok with Charlie. So many people are scared of cats and babies.
My latest cat came to me because her owner had a baby and refused to have the cat around in case he breathed in her fur. Her loss.
No fair! You get to kiss and hold and hug that much cuteness whenever you want!!!
He is beautiful! AND SO BIG!!! Welcome Home.
Being the mother of a redhead makes me very partial to them and I must say that he is absolutely adorable. I'm so happy for you guys.
He is absolutely gorgeous. I am thrilled for you that you are all home safe and sound. :)
I'd lick his head, too! As Mary Poppins says (yes, an Adult who is fascinated/brain-washed by this Disney flic...) He's practically perfect in every way. I also like abstract pussies.
Aw, he's a fuzzy wuzzy doodlebug.