And baby made. . .five. . .

So those of you who have read my blog for a long time (meaning: before baby) know that my two dogs, Blanco and Tex, have been my "babies" for a while. I know some of you were leery about how bringing a real baby into the mix would change our "family" dynamic.

Karmyn commented on my post yesterday and asked how the dogs reacted when we brought Zane home.

My first thought was. . .I don't really remember. It was 1:30AM (remember, we had the munchkin at a birthing center and went home 5 hours after the birth) and I was too delerious/elated/exhausted/adrenalinized to register much of anything. But once my memory started to serve again, I remember that the dogs kept a respectful distance but were kindly curious.

Tex immediately adopted the "Nana" from Peter Pan role, running to get us if the baby was starting to stir or fuss in another room. Watching us closely to make sure we were taking care of "his" baby adequately. Just watching the baby for hours in general. Then he realized that Zane is very tasty so he spends his "quality time" with the baby licking (or trying to lick) his face, hands, and feet.

Blanco has been somewhat aloof from the beginning, not wanting much to do with the new bundle of joy. But lately he's been walking up to Zane more to get a closer look and to sniff him out. Just today, while I was in the shower and Zane was in his bouncer, I noticed that Blanco was spending a lot of time by his side and then running in and out of the bathroom. Right before I finished my shower, I saw that he had brought a toy to Zane (a really nasty thing, by the way, but the dogs' favorite!) and placed it on the bouncer next to him. I told him to get his toy and get it away from Zane (yes, he complied. Yes, Blanco IS smarter than a fifth-grader) because YUCK who wanted doggie germs spreading all over my baby.

What I didn't see until I was out of the shower was that Blanco had brought Zane SEVERAL toys and placed them in his bouncer next to him. He was trying to entertain the little fellow while I was disposed. And he was sharing. Very sweet. Call me--he can babysit. Real cheap.

While they are not perfect (case in point: the windowsills they keep trying to chew on in the study, barking and waking up the baby), our dogs have adjusted to life with baby rather well. They've been exiled from the couches (finally) and don't get as much attention as they used to, but at least I remember to feed and pet them at least a little bit every day.

So while the dogs are in no way my "babies" any more (funny how I didn't think it would happen but it totally did the INSTANT we had Zane--Karmyn, you totally called that one!!!) they are still really important members of the family. And they are taking some ownership of their little guy, who will in turn pull their ears and tails and torment them incessantly in the coming years. I don't know if they are ready for that. . . .me, either. . .guess that's why you give birth to a helpless infant who grows with you as you prepare for toddlerhood.

Gulp. Did I say toddler? I can't even imagine my little guy sitting up on his own but it's coming sooner than I think!!!

So that's my post on the dogs for the day. Yay, dogs. I heart you. Maybe you'll get an extra long walk tonight.

Here they are on "baby watch" as Z and I play on the floor. .don't they look worn out after all those late-night feedings??? .