Brotherly Love

Most people who know us are well aware that our first loves were of the feline variety: Desmond and Molly.  We refer to them as "the kids."  We are their Mommy and Daddy.

Molly is an ultra-adorable princess who is cautious around visitors and loves getting belly rubs while rolling around on her green throw rug.  

Molly can be aloof at times.  No surprise there - she's a cat.  Having Molly curl up next to us is an honor.  So, Greg and I had no choice but to institute The Rule of Molly: when Molly is cuddled on one's lap or against one's leg, one is not allowed to move and disturb her in any way unless she is in imminent danger.  This includes getting up to answer the phone and use the facilities.  (The Rule of Molly was  grueling for me to follow while pregnant.)  The Rule has since been modified to allow disturbance if Abby is in imminent danger.  

I know what you're thinking.  But come on.  Every family has their quirks.

Despite Molly's incredible cuteness we are fairly certain she moonlights as a ninja.

Since Abby's homecoming Molly has been avoiding the new little lady in the house and vying for extra affection from Mommy and Daddy.

Desmond is a people cat. 

He turns into the devil around other felines (except for his sister Molly), but around humans Desmond is the most laid back cat in existence.  You can hold him upside down and sideways, toss him on the bed, cuddle, kiss and squeeze him and he just goes with the flow. (Marie and Caitlin, don't get any ideas!)

Desmond loves water.  He bats his water dish until the water makes small waves and only then will he drink it.  Each morning he waits for Greg to step on the scale with him and then without him and then report his weight.  Desmond will meow until this task is accomplished.  Once done, he saunters out of the bathroom and goes about his business.

He has many nicknames.  Desmond-brain.  Brain.  Desmond-fish-brain. Poo-poo hiney-head.  Poop.  Little Buddy. 

But one of Desmond's most lovable traits is that he's a Mama's Boy.  Every time I'm sick or sad, he's right there next to me.  When I had sinus surgery years ago, Desmond stayed with me in bed all day.  He didn't leave to eat, drink or use the litter box for at least eight hours.  And up until the arrival of Abigail, he slept in my arms every night.

When we came home from the hospital with Abby, she and I camped out in the bedroom for a few days.  I was still recovering from the C-section.  Desmond didn't come upstairs during the first few hours home.  By the evening he sat on the bed, but in the farthest corner from me and Abby.  Throughout the next day, Desmond slowly inched himself closer, little by little, until he was cuddled next to us.

Now he is the best big brother ever.