Cat Tail

"Cat Tail" is a test of skill and also a favorite past-time of Alexa's. It requires nothing more than mild cooperation from the target cat, because the sweet baby is usually game. The consequences for the cat are not so dire as to promote complete avoidance. Sasha basically saunters just beyond the babies reach, sits where the baby can see her, and the contest begins. As evidenced in the videos, the cat usually knows when to accelerate the speed of the tail swish to avoid being caught. Sometimes, however, the sweet baby gets it right. She really yanks on the tail in one instance, but chooses to attempt to devour the tail in the other clip. These cracked me up while I was shooting them, as you can hear.

The first tooth

It started out as a light pink spot in the lower middle-right gumline. It was pretty obvious that it was going to come through any day. Sure enough, she opened her mouth real wide for a spoonful at dinner time, and when she tilted her head forward, mouth agape, you could plainly make out a little white fang. Why a fang? Mainly because the first time she latched on to my finger with that thing, I thought I was about to be cut deep. Turns out it was only a flesh wound. Yay first tooth!

Alexa's First Birthday Party

Well, not really "her" first birthday party, but the first one she was invited to. This is the story behind the first picture in the post "Attack of the Sweet Baby". I just have to give a play-by-play of the event - Alexa is out of control. It was my friend and co-worker, Rebecca's, son's first birthday. When we arrived at the party, Alexa couldn't keep her hands off Jayden, the birthday boy. Thank goodness Jayden just learned to walk the week before, otherwise he would have had to wait to be rescued every time Alexa got her hands on him. She absolutely loved him! All she wanted to do was put her little hands all over him, whether he liked it or not! He never got upset; he just kind of looked at her and then slowly walked away. There were a few other kids at the party, but Alexa liked Jayden the most.

At the end of the party, Rebecca suggested we get a photo of all the kids on the couch. I put Alexa on the end for the simple fact she can't keep her hands to herself. However, I should have realized that putting Jayden next to her wasn't the best idea. As soon as I set her down, her hands were all over Jayden - pulling on his head, ears, and hair, trying to shove his face in her mouth. Boy, did she want to give him sugars!! Every time her hands went up for Jayden, I quickly ran up and tried to put her hands to her side - hoping we could get the picture taken before her arms flew up again. No luck! Jayden can take care of his own though; he quickly climbed off the couch and moved down to the other end. So smart. Don't underestimate a 1 year old!

However, that didn't stop Alexa. She quickly focused in on the next unsuspecting victim - the cutest little girl, just 14 months old. She had no idea what she was in for - poor thing. As you can see from the picture, Alexa wasted no time attacking her. She dove for the little girl in half a second! Before we knew it, crying ensued, parents rushed to help and Jayden fell off the couch! It was mayhem. I quickly excused us and apologized profusely. I was "that" parent - the one who's kid makes other little ones cry! So embarrassing, but Alexa was so cute. She just wanted to give sugars. Who doesn't want sugars?

The photo was actually taken by the victim's mother, who was actually very nice. She emailed this photo to Rebecca a few days after the party. Total action shot! I loved it because when I told the story, I saw doubt in the eyes of those I told. Now I had proof!

Attack of the Sweet Baby

Alexa likes babies........for lunch. That's how it seems at least. She's going through a stage of wanting to grab other babies and squeeze them really hard or give them some unsolicited sugars just to let them know she likes them. It doesn't translate all that well. This first picture kinda speaks for itself. I wasn't there to personally witness the mayhem that ensued, but I can imagine the sound of a screaming baby as well as the next person. Just another victim.

In next few pictures, she was enjoying her first playdate, and trying to "show some love". You can see where the introductory maneuvers were initiated, alas, Mommy was there to save the day. Hazel, the unsuspecting guest that night, wasn't to be spared for long. In the next picture, Mommy wasn't there to play handler. In the last picture of the sequence, the aftermath is apparent. Hazel obviously values her cute face and didn't appreciate any attempt(s) to remove it.

In the last pic is Nina. Nina is the daughter of some friends that live about 1/4 mile away, as the crow flies. She is a little older and can take care of herself in a playroom brawl; which means she was unfazed when Alexa wanted a bear hug.