Just so that you don't think we got rid of the animals, or forgot all about them, or have become incapable of taking pictures of anything other than Calvin...here's a couple of the other stinkers living in our household.
Cookie has a way of testing boundaries and Moose has a way of telling on her. No matter where she is or what she is doing, if it isn't quite legitimate the wiener dog will let us know. 
Tonight we were relaxing in the sitting room and that little stinker of a dog was running back and forth between the bedroom and our feet doing his best "Timmy is down in the well" impression, only to point out that the darned cat had ensconced herself in the basket beneath the bassinet draped in the clean baby linens. It wasn't quite legit, but it wasn't quite off limits either - the mosquito netting only covers the actual cradle of the bassinet. Good job Moose.
Today was a great day! Our friends, mom Becky and baby Liesl, came over this afternoon to visit and to see Raspberry's room. Since this was the first time any of our animals had even seen a baby we didn't know what to expect, but we are excited to say that all went very well! Becky is a wonderful and relaxed mom who loves animals and wanted Liesl to meet dogs, so they even spent some time down on dog level, which seemed to please everyone. Diamond was the least interested, quickly determining that babies don't scratch necks or hand out treats, Ollie was just Ollie, and Cookie was unconcerned (as is par for the course, we never saw Oahu). Moose, on the other hand, was gentle but extremely intrigued. When Liesl tried out our swing (which we are proud to say is assembled correctly, and was baby approved) Moose stood up on his hind legs and followed the swing back and forth. When Becky tried out Raspberry's changing table in the nursery Moose was so interested that Jon held him up so that he could see, and Moose and Liesl carried on a light conversation (we think, although it was beyond our comprehension). Of course at four months old Liesl is twice Moose's size, and probably about twice the size Raspberry will be when he first comes home, but we figure this is a good start. Plus, Jon got to watch a diaper change and hold a baby for the first time, and our baby set up was tested and approved by a veteran first time mother and a baby. Liesl was even entertained by the wallpaper animals on the nursery wall while she was being changed, which was exactly our plan. Yeah! Thanks Becky and Liesl!
What's worse than dog hair being attracted to freshly laundered and static filled clothes from the dryer? The entire dog being attracted to freshly laundered clothes just out of the dryer. Here you can see Moose hone in on the warm clothes immediately, then hop from one pile to the next so as to remain on the warmest one possible at all times.
No news is good news for baby development. 
It's been another week of steady growth for Raspberry. He has become an acrobat, busy a large portion of the time, and his swiping kicks suggest somersaults. What stimulates him the most? Singing in choir, drinking orange juice, and Cortney trying to sleep.
Our nesting instinct is working its way through the house. We've cleaned the clutter out of the basement and organized it. Next up is Jon's office, and then the nursery (currently Cortney's office). We have a musical safari planned for Raspberry's room, and we'll keep you posted as that renovation develops.
Saturday, July 1, 2006