And cat makes 5

Our semi-neurotic cat, Karly, has been on "vacation" at my mom's house since a few months before Abigail was born. We loved Karly but just thought that having two babies and a cat might be a bit much for awhile. A few months turned into more and then we moved...and our current house didn't allow pets. When it came time to renew our lease last month, I made a pitch to the management company in the off-chance the owners might change their minds. Much to our surprise, the owners agreed to a cat!

The day to bring Karly home has been much-anticipated by one Nathan Ko. "Karly's coming to my house?" "We need to buy her food to eat at the store." "She needs a bowl for her food." "I want to show Karly my toys." And on and on it's gone! Sunday we woke up and decided that bringing Karly home would be a good thing to do...and that unleashed Nathan's excitement! We set about making a list of things we'd need to buy at the pet store. He, of course, was thrilled to sit down with his own pen and paper and "write" his list. So cute...

We drove to Sacramento, stopped at Target (the cool, independent pet shop down here is closed on Sundays, darnit), and then spent the afternoon at my mom's before putting Karly in her carrier and loading her into the car.

Now normally, Karly H.A.T.E.S. to travel, so you can imagine the return trip both John and I were anticipating. But instead, picture two little people bundled up in their jammies, snuggled with their animals and blankies for the trip home. Nestled ever-so-securely between their car seats sat one elderly cat in her purple carrier. Atop that carrier lay two pudgy toddler hands, one each from Nathan and Abigail, both gently patting the carrier and saying in the sweetest voices, "Hi Karly" and "It's okay, Karly." The usual panicky meowing was so much calmer and eventually all three went to sleep...Abigail with her hand still outstretched to comfort the kitty she so desperately wants to squeeze.