Gentle Jasper Joins the Family

Be careful when you answer truthfully. It may lead to unexpected results.

For example, when we applied to adopt Oliver, the application asked us what type of cat we were looking for. We answered "A Blue Russian or a Siamese, male with a great personality." So when we went to meet Oliver (and take him home), his foster mom brought along Oliver's foster brother - an adorable male Siamese.

He was getting over a respiratory infection, so she wasn't ready for him to be adopted. And we were only wanting to adopt one kitten.

But he was SO CUTE.

It took about one day for us to regret not taking him home. I called her the next day and asked her if we could adopt him, too. 

And that's how sweet, adorable, cute-as-can-be Jasper came to live with us.

He's SO CUTE. 

I mean...that face.

Everyone who sees him says that they want to eat him. Common phrases that Jasper hears are "You are so sweet!" and "I could eat that ear!" and "I want to bake him in a cake!" and "I could make a muffin from him!" and "That face!"

We understand. We tell him that, too. In fact, his nickname is Muffin, because we'd love to bake him in a muffin and eat him.

He's lucky we don't when he's naughty and tries to steal food while I'm eating it. 

Or get in the way while I'm trying to cook.

Or get in the way when I'm trying to clean (dishes and the litterbox!).

Or attacks his dad's shoes when he's trying to tie them.

Or goes crazy and plays on, over, under and around the furniture (within a 10 second span).

But he and Oliver love each other.

And honestly, despite the naughtiness at times, he has the sweetest, most gentle personality. He's our love muffin.

Welcome to the family, Jasper. We needed you.

Catching Up on Two Months

My blogging has been pathetic of late. Hayley Daily? More like Hayley Whenever.

But to be fair...this is what happened during the last two months:

First week of September | We went to a Cowboy's preseason game. It was in no way spectacular, other than the people we spent time with in our suite.

Labor Day weekend | We had our first ever downtime in months. No Galloway running group. No obligations. So we spent our time on mini-road trips exploring and eating.

Second week of September | I went to Cleveland for Content Marketing World and had John Cleese as a keynote speaker. It was as awesome as you might imagine it would be.

Second weekend of September | We hosted former Olympian Jeff Galloway for a weekend packed with activities.

Third week of September | We went to Addison's Oktoberfest.

Third weekend of September | We started a four-week running form class in addition to our regular Galloway running activities. Plus we ran a half marathon.

Fourth week of September | We went to McKinney's Oktoberfest.

Fourth weekend of September | We hosted the Dallas Marathon's Executive Director for a run with the Galloway training group.

Fifth week of September / First week of October | We said goodbye to our Ben. Plus I had a presentation, a kick off planning meeting at work and a huge special event in downtown.

 

First weekend of October | I broke my foot.

Second week of October | Helped with a large city-wide special event.

Second weekend of October | Tami got married. I made lots of signs. And a speech. Then Kelly hit a huge raccoon on his way to run a marathon. He ran the marathon anyway and we towed our car from nowhere East Texas to Tyler to be repaired.

Third week of October | Big work meetings and photo shoots. I get my first Stitch Fix box (I'm in love!) and I have the best Boss' Day ever. Oh, and we adopted Oliver.

Third weekend of October | Kelly runs the Haunt Jaunt 1 miler as Mr Pumpkin Head, to the delight of children and his wife. He then runs the 5k and places 4th in his age group...less than a week after a marathon and hours after a 15 mile training run with the Galloway group.

Fourth week of October | We spend all week playing with and taking photos of Oliver. There's also lots of reassuring for the Bridget-boo.

Fourth weekend of October | We adopt Jasper. We also hung out at Steinfest.

Fifth week of October | Another photo shoot, a grand opening and a memo of understanding issued between Bridget and the kitten boys.

Fifth weekend of October | The first weekend we've had at home to rest in forever. And ever. And we didn't even stay home the whole weekend - on Sunday (November 1), Kelly ran the DRC Half and since I was still booted, I handed out finishers medals to all of our Dallas Galloway runners. Now that was fun!

Anyway, that's my excuse for falling so far behind in blogging and I'm sticking with it.

I'll try to catch up over the next month or so - but no promises.

Oliver is Everywhere

Most people who read this blog are friends with us on Facebook as well, which means that you already know that we've added a new little boy to the family.

Oliver is by no means a replacement for Ben. No kitty can replace that love muffin (whom we still miss). However, Oliver has filled a major sadness hole in our hearts.

And a sadness hole in Bridget's heart as well, although we've had to deal with stress and depression on her part over the loss of Ben and the addition of such a cute new critter.

So.Much.Drama.

Anyway, like most kittens, Oliver is an extremely busy boy. So busy that we've decided to add another kitten to the mix (Coming soon to the Hayley home!) to help him burn off energy. Hopefully it will also redirect his play attacks from Bridget, who is not amused, to a furry thing that will appreciate a good game of hide-and-pounce.

What we've found since adding Oliver is that he is ev-er-y-where. At all times, in all places, you can find Oliver. He's busy.

Unless he's sleeping. Then he's just cute.

Needless to say, we've moved plants, books, centerpieces, food, breakables, glasses of water, Bridget, notebooks, boxes of Kleenex, trash cans...you name it...to safeguard from busy paws.

Unfortunately there's no safety for the toes - Oliver likes to burrow and we've both been awakened with a kitty under the covers cuddling or toe-nibbling to wake us up. We prefer the former.

We've also mastered the art of helping him remember that he must stop playing to use the litter box. That was more of a chore than you might imagine, but hey - he's only 4 months old and it's harder to remember that you need to go potty than you might think.

It's a very good thing that he's so stinkin' cute.