After a short two weeks of limited practice, today we got to fly solo as grandparents. Our kids had an art installation project to work on, and they needed to be able to use their hands for something other than baby cuddling. The Littlest Smith spent several hours here while they were busy.
I admit to being pretty rusty caring for a tiny person. It does come back in short order, but there is a little rush of anxiety when that small face scrunches up, preparing to announce her displeasure at something as yet unknown. For the most part, her needs are simple. She wants a full tummy, a clean bottom, and to be held non-stop. It was the last part I was slow to learn. I kept thinking maybe she wanted some time in her portable cradle to wiggle and flex her muscles. Nope. All she wanted was to be in the stretchy carrier, strapped to my chest. Once the ground rules were established, we got along perfectly.
She was only here briefly last week, not long enough for the cats to notice her. Not so this morning. As she sat on my lap, noisily sucking on a bottle, the girls came to inspect her. Neither was amused. Jackie came up first, with the biggest eyes I have ever seen. Athena wandered by once, and then she parked herself in the entrance to the hallway, from whence she glared balefully at us for the next three hours, nonstop. It wasn't until much later that the boys investigated the new kid in the house. Harvey looked at us like he had been gravely insulted, and Alfred sniffed her blanket once and then lost interest.
She is supposed to come over again tomorrow, for a shorter visit. I'm not sure Athena's jealousy will be so easily contained next time. I'll try to keep my camera closer for it.
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