Minky & Me

The move was ridiculous. We foolishly were very unprepared. I think it was a combination of being overwhelmed as well as unrealistic about how much we needed to do. Clearly we did not throw enough stuff out. Even the movers kidded us (I think it was kidding) about how much stuff we had. My mom was here for an entire week pitching in here and there. It was a great help.

Very cute moment on Wednesday, our first full day here. Uncharacteristically, Minky couldn’t fall asleep for a nap and asked to go into Mainey’s room. Mainey, not feeling well, was lying down too. I left her with my mom and ran downstairs to make a sandwich. When I got back upstairs, lunch in hand, I peeked through the door to see Minky and Mainey conked out together. They slept for a couple of hours. It is a testament to how tired Minky was that she actually fell asleep lying next someone. That has been pretty much unheard of since she was about three months old.

Today our friend Lucca came to play for a couple of hours while her mom, Hariet, worked. Hariet generously watched Minky last week for us while we tackled boxes.

Lucca decided to take a break from the playing and stretched out on the couch. Minky joined her.

In the throes of packing and it’s hell. I keep telling Layr that we need to get rid of stuff. We collect way too much junk.

I’ve tossed a fair amount of things. Shoes I haven’t worn in years as well as clothes. There have been other things too but my mind is such a muddle now I can’t think of what else.

Anyway, I just came across this can of sardine paté. Oh, this little can has a lot of sentimental value. I would never eat the contents now. It might kill me. But regardless, I’ve been carting it from house to apartment to house for twelve years.

Today, after taking a few photos, I tossed it.

There isn’t enough time to recount how I got it or why I’ve been holding on to it this long except to say it’s a souvenir from a trip to Europe. I’ve got a sh**load more to throw into boxes. Here’s a flash scrapbook (thanks a million, Brian) of the trip, though. If you’re curious, take a gander.

Tomorrow we move.

This was my fourth wedding anniversary breakfast this morning.

Minky’s second birthday is coming up. When asked how old she’ll be on her birthday she says, “be two years old.” She simaltaneously holds up and stares at her thumb and first two fingers.

Over the weekend I asked what she’d like to have at her party and she said, “ice cream and pancakes.”

The other day on one of our many visits to the new place, we saw a neighborhood cat. You can’t swing a cat over there without hitting a…well, you know.

The cat scampered over to us much to Minky’s delight. All cats are adored by Minky, even Rusty, the meanest cat that ever lived (sorry, Mom). The kitty wasn’t so sure about a nearly two year old petting her. She trotted away several times but not quickly enough to allude Minky the Intrepid. When finally cornered, the cat swatted a few times, much to my daughter’s surprise.

I must have said, by way of explanation, “the kitty is getting a little nervous” at that point because back in her car seat a few moments later, I heard Minky say several times, “kitty’s getting a lilla nervous.”

When I told Layr about this he said, “she probably now thinks ‘nervous’ means that she’s about to get scratched.”

Minky has used the following phrases regularly in the last month.

“Bye bye ever guys.” A combination, I believe, of “bye bye guys” and “bye bye everybody.”

“How’s this works?”

“Bye bye. Going to work.”

“What’s that guys doing?”

“Wanna brush a teef.”

“Wanna use a poo poo potty.” This origin of this phrase alludes me. I am resistant to using it.

“Take a jammas off.”

“Nudie nude.” Said once Minky has taken her jammas off.

“Wanna read a book.”

“What’s Coco doing?”

“Tristan, do it again.”

“Thank you, Mommy.”

I feel like I’m on the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition show except there is no tractor trailer truck and we’re paying for it.

Paint on the walls!

Looking from the same vantage point before we opened the wall and moved the door, which you can see a hint of at the left edge of in this photo.

The fireplace.

It’s a far cry from this:

Daddy and Rocky leaving to go to work.

These pictures don’t really give much of a sense of the house but I thought I’d put them in for posterity’s sake. Here is the kitchen as seen from the dining room.

Here is the same shot later in the afternoon with the new door.

And here is the fireplace – not attached or painted yet.

Welcome Snowfish. Here she is taking a look around at her new part-time home. We had so much fun with her today that The Brawn decided to get a companion for her that he named Cosmic River. The battery had run out of the camera by then, though.