An Apology to the Cat

There are so many times that dear Bailey probably owes our Cat Aerial an apology.  I'm sure the cat can think of even more times than I can, starting from the day we brought Bailey home.  This morning, Bailey gave Aerial the most sincerest of all apologies that the cat HAD to have felt it too.

 

So the monster, as in the three year old, throws fits sometimes, fake fits.  They're not even real.  I can deal with real ones better than I can these faux tantrums with this whiny twinge and exaggerated noises.  I assure you, they could drive the sanest of the sane to commit abuse.  And sometimes, I find my grown-up self playing along, mimicking every octave and every alto whimper.  Immature, maybe, but sometimes I just can't help myself.

This morning was not that immature moment.  I was desperate to get her ready for school because I knew she'd regret this later, as would I.  And those fake cries were so bothersome after all...  So I told her that Aerial wanted her to stop and that she was hurting the cat's ears, and they were the only ears she had.  Now, I'm sure that the cat would agree with me.  The cat most likely could've done without the fake tantrum too (in fact, the cat would honestly like to do without Bailey's existence at all, but oh well).  And those really are the only ears the cat will ever have.  Shortly after I explained the cat's dilemma to Bailey, she stopped her faux tantrum and as we were getting ready, she excused herself for a second because she just had to see the cat.  She told me she had to apologize to the cat.  Actually, she asked permission.  And in the sweetest little voice, with little snifflings that only true sincerity finds, she told Aerial the Cat that she was sorry; that "I'm sorry I hurt your ears." 

 

I didn't get to videotape it, but it was one of the most darling gestures I have ever witnessed, especially since it was fueled by own selfish attempt at efficiency.

The First Day of the Rest of My Life

Today my life as a different mother began.  So far, my life as a mother has consisted of terrible discoveries during silences, a lack of sleep since the moment my child was conceived, notorious interrupted phone conversations, arguments of epic proportions over cartoon characters, and every medium I could possibly consider (and especially the ones I never thought of) smeared over my walls.  But today, today started a new chapter.

For almost two hours today, I had nothing to do.  Well, to the contrary, I had a lot to do, a never ending list of things I never am able to get to.  But to ordinary folk, I had nothing to do because during that almost two hour period, I had no Bailey.  She was missing.  She was missing, indeed.  Why?  Where did she go?  She was at school.

That's right, Bailey readers.  Bailey started school today.  Our genius had her first day of preschool today.  There were times we thought this day would never come, like when I called back in January and was smacked with the awful revelation that other mothers knew something I didn't.  Only two weeks after enrollment started for the September 2007 term, I was already number 11 on the WAITING LIST.  Yeah, number eleven!  It was some sick and twisted joke.  But fate had another plan for us and rather than a Christian preschool, we found a fine arts preschool.  It seemed to be exactly what we needed.  This program is more activity based and less strict lesson base, which is critical since those basic lessons are things Bailey has known for so long, her head spins when you quiz her.  Yeah, not a pretty sight.

My new life has now begun.  Three times a week, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, I will be Bailey-free for a couple hours a day while she spends her days driving other people mad.  (Kidding, really.  Hopefully.)  Maybe I can make my holiday cards I've lagged on for the past six months.  Will I finally write articles that are a year and a half late?  Eventually, maybe I'll finally use my scrap booking materials I JUST had to have.  Whoa!  I can do laundry downstairs without worrying about what the midget tornado is doing upstairs (she causes some of the worst disasters then).  Yes, I think I will find things to do.

Today was not that day.  There was the oddest silence in the house.  I was not used to this.  I kept thinking I was missing something, that something extremely hideous was going on in the next room.  I was on the phone and kept looking over my shoulder to see what chaos had ensued while I was speaking.  It was such an usual experience, that I thought I was losing my mind.

I didn't miss her (because I knew she was having a grand ol' time), but it was a bit uncomfortable only because this is not something that is typical for me, not in the slightest.  I'm never in my home alone.  Ever.  I'm going to get used to it though, I'm going to have to, I think.  Because when I picked up Bailey today, she didn't want to leave.  I'm curious though, since she was the only one who didn't make any crafts, I'm wondering just how well behaved she was there...

I can't think about that.  I won't think about that.  I have legs to shave tomorrow.

 

Today was the first day of the rest of my life.

Yes, I will still have those moments of uncomfortable silence when I discover things I wish I hadn't.  I'll still never sleep since that's not my style.  And the interruptions and the arguments will only become worse as time progresses, but I do hope the smear catastrophes have died.  I also hope that Bailey enjoys her new life too.