A little look back…our girls when they were only months old…Lord knows, don’t take me to see kittens because I. cannot. leave. without. one!!!!

I realize that some of the people that read our blog may not be interested in this particular post. For those of you that DO think your pets are your “babies”, as we do (and you know who you are), well, this one’s for you.

Allie and Siena turn 3 this month, so what better way to celebrate Charlie’s kitty sisters than to throw them a birthday party? We got these two shortly after we returned from our honeymoon in Italy. They were rugrat kittens who were fostered together at Treehouse, a cageless shelter in town that specializes in cats only. We almost lost Allie the first weekend we had her to a mysterious sickness some cats get when they exit the shelter environment. I begged for one kitten and we ended up with two, and they couldn’t be more perfect for our family. Here’s why:Allie is a jet black shorthair. She’s densely packed (read: heavy), prefers to be alone, and shakes her collar when she needs a little extra attention. She never really gives anyone the time of day except for Vann. To say that she loves Vann would be a huge understatement. They actually have “quiet time” on the couch together every morning, Vann flipping through the weather as she nuzzles his neck and purrs louder than a freight train. Me, she can take or leave. But, wouldn’t you know it, God made the perfect cat for moi….Siena is a black and white longhair with curly whiskers. She is most definitely the most popular girl in school. Social and verbal (almost annoyingly so sometimes), she LOVES people and is always up in all the biz. She sleeps with me. She likes to follow me around somedays, ready to claim my lap the instant I sit or lie down. She greets the mailman everyday, and alerts us when there are visitors at the door. I jokingly call her my “Dog-cat”, because, let’s face it, she’s more like a dog than a cat. I had a beloved childhood cat that was put down the year Vann and I started dating, but I’m afraid that Siena is now the cat that can never be replaced in my heart. She is truly my little daytime companion, aside from Charlie, of course. She relaxes me and makes me laugh. All in all, I MIGHT be a little obsessed with her…she is my 7 pound phenom!!I hope you’ll excuse the “waxing poetic” about our feline friends. I happen to think that cats are the best pets ever. We do want a dog someday, when we have a yard, etc, but that puppy will definitely have his hands full with these two ladies. They rule the roost. You’ll notice that Charlie is enjoying the birthday cake that Vann picked out. We think she thought it was HER birthday…..

On our walk home we came across this gorgeous tree on our block. I’m not sure if it’s a Dogwood, Magnolia, or something entirely different, but the petals are so lovely and I had to snap some pictures of Charlie under it. Welcome, Spring!!

This afternoon we took full advantage of the gorgeous 60 degree weather. Auntie Em came to visit and she and Charlie had a ball!!! We spent quite a bit of time in the Square chasing “Duckies” (Pigeons) and Charlie got to put her new shoes to good use. We needed a sturdy pair of sandals for summer and ended up with these darling pink See Kai Run‘s.

After the party we made a quick stop at Ms. Lauren’s house to say hi to Baby Georgia. Charlie got over her issues and played very nice, which made Mommy happy. Little Georgia is being dedicated at church on Mother’s Day and we are so excited for that special day!!

This morning we went to the Mouse House for Lauren Mouse’s 2nd birthday brunch party!! I would have taken more pictures but Miss C threw THE MOTHER of all tantrums. She could not be consoled. I really felt like I might go insane. Luckily, after taking her downstairs and giving her a firm talking-to (and threatening her with a nap in a crib that wasn’t her own) she calmed down and seemed to have fun for the rest of the party. The birthday girl enjoyed cupcakes and was so grown up. I remember when that little peanut first came into this world!! Happy Birthday, Baby Girl!!

Everett and Charlie…

Mommy, Charlie, Ms. Colleen, and Baby Anna!

Last week Ms. Kim kept Charlie for a few hours while I went downtown. Charlie loves spending time with her good friend Emilyn. They had so much fun playing in Emilyn’s Step 2 house that I don’t think she even noticed I had gone!!

We all know that “vintage rehab” translates into “small closets”. This wasn’t an issue Charlie’s first year of life because most of her clothes went in her dresser and Mommy had twice as much space. As you can see, even the top rod that Poppy added (that can’t be reached without a ladder, mind you) is now filled to the brim. *Sigh* It appears as though my daughter has taken over my space. Ahh…to have my very own closet someday. A girl can dream, right??

Charlie in Baby Gap…