Ally kitty loves Dreft. It’s her catnip. I was sorting pink sleepers and she sidled up next to me with a hungry look on her face and vigorously rubbed her face in the pile. I call the motion lip-grinding, because it’s seriously what it looks like. Rewashing baby clothes that had been smeared with cat hair and spit got old fast, so we used Babyganics or All Free and Clear, just as safe and neutral in smell. Still, it could have helped Ally with what must have been a difficult transition time.
The new baby made alarming noises and sudden movements, but at least he smelled like heroin to her. I don’t think Ally kitty suspects that two more of those small humans will come home to greet her shortly, but Devon knows that something is up. Our daily conversations about the New Babies are starting to sink in (Do NOT sit on the New Babies! That HURTS Mommy!). Devon has taken to lifting my shirt to check on the New Babies several times a day. He chuckles at my round stomach, pats it, and then stares inside my shallow belly button like it’s a portal to another dimension. This is endearing when we’re at home alone. It’s not so cute in Cracker Barrel.
We put one major check mark on our To-Do list this week. I’m happy to report that we’ve bought a suitable vehicle for a multiple child family.
Minivan people? Us? I’m sure you all saw that one coming, though this was a bit of a surprise for those following our vehicle search. We had all but decided on a Dodge Ram 2500, the truck that we’d been dreaming about for four years as we made do with one car while Craig was in grad school. I was NOT going to put a one-year-old in the back seat of a minivan, and most have only two middle seats. It turns out that newer models have an 8-seater option with a middle seat that installs to make three car seats possible. Then we can leave the back row down for groceries, a triple stroller, etc.
I’m also proud of Craig, who made the decision and then convinced me. I know a lot of guys who would be seriously miffed about giving up their Cummins Diesel engine for a V6 Mama Car with power side doors and a back-up camera. Yep, I married a good man, someone who knows how to make the responsible choice and then convince his hormonal and bovinely unattractive wife that it’s what he’s secretly always wanted.
We had also been basing our truck decision on some incorrect assumptions about our future. As I mentioned in my first post, we’ve known that Craig’s upcoming graduation means moving this fall. Up until lately, the job search was revealing much more demand for entomologists in colder places: Illinois, Maryland, Iowa… Places where you need a 4-wheel drive vehicle. As it turns out, the paperwork was finalized this week for Craig’s new job with the USDA in Vero Beach, Florida. We’re thrilled to be decided at last, and even more floored that we’ll be spending the next few years in a town that half the people we talk to have been to on vacation. The only way it could be better timing is if I could expect to fit in a bathing suit anytime soon.
As you can see, it's not looking likely. But, on the upside, another big hurdle in the upcoming move has been settled, too! Our house sold in nine days, amazing in the nationally stagnant housing market. The sign in the front yard really drives the point home. In five weeks we’ll be welcoming the New Babies home. In ten weeks that home won't be ours anymore, and we’ll be loading the twins, Devon, and even a reluctant Ally kitty into the new van and leaving Kentucky for Florida.
Sounds like fun.
No comments:
Post a Comment