Knights Becoming and a Lady in Waiting

Oh, Baby, Baby....

... and baby, and baby, and baby... all in all, I believe NINE babies.

Okay, many of you now believe I've lost it.  (Honey, I never had it to begin with! *laughter*)  Really, it will all make sense in a paragraph or two (or ten), depending on how well my babble-meter is working at this time of the night/ morning.

We had a pretty average morning.  Get up.  Eventually get dressed, eat, tidy the house a tad.  I nudge my reluctant ones to get moving so we can make it to the library before naptimes.  You know-- all those regular things in the life of those schooling with littles.

We drove to the library with no real problems, got our books, got checked out.  3DS2 did think he was going to make a break for it at one point, but I caught him before he got too terribly far, so it was considered a successful outing.

On the way home, Princess Moo (4DD6mo) fell asleep.  Since her morning nap is usually only 45 minutes or so, this was fine.  She could finish the nap at home in her carrier if needed.  The boys ate a snack and looked at library books.  I listened to one of the speaker tapes from the HSing convention I attended.  We were all in pretty good spirits.

We walk in the door and I hear squeaking.  Okay, Sally and Heidi are usually pretty quiet, but they do speak up on occasion.  Just in case, though, I thought I'd check up on them.  I peeked in the cage, ascertained that both were there, started to walk away, turned back, and looked again.

I no longer had two rats.

I had SIX rats... and from the looks of things, more were on the way.

Miss Heidi (who may now be called Mrs. Heidi at whim) was PREGNANT.

After I hyperventilated, turned blue, passed out on the floor, and saw my life flash before my eyes, I called the pet store to see what we should do.

The kind pet store lady offered to take Miss Heidi back.  I balked at that.  The boys are rather attached to the little rascal.  Then she offered to take the babies in three or four weeks, when they matured. Good call.  Just one thing... "Do I need to put the other rat somewhere else?"

Of course I do.  Rats get territorial, apparently, and leaving a rat in with babies that are not its own is a prescription for frequent trips to the backyard with a little garden trowel.  Now, I like my kids to learn life lessons naturally, but this case of survival of the fittest is a bit extreme for littles. 

So we hop back in the car, go to the pet store, and pick out a second cage.  Whee.  We run back home, set up the cage, and transfer Sally out before she has time to do more than sit on one of the babies (really, I caught her doing that).  She seems content enough to be alone, making me wonder if having Miss Heidi was a good idea in the first place.

But the babies, naked, hairless, eyeless little teaspoons of rodent, are kinda cute in a "don't make me touch them" way.  When they squeak, it somehow reminds me a bit of a baby mewling to nurse.  I sorta like them. 

I am NOT tempted to keep them, however.

I counted the last time Miss Heidi moved away from the squirming ball of pink pygmies.  Nine.  I counted nine.

Would anyone like a rat for your children?

Rats!

7:06 AM, Apr. 18, 2006 .. Posted by kidsus8

I definately do not want any baby rats, we have enough spring mice coming to visit on their own! Thanks for sharing your story, you have a fun way of writing which makes your blog most enjoyable to read.
Blessings,
Andrea

Untitled Comment

10:05 AM, Apr. 18, 2006 .. Posted by JennLovesJesus

Gosh, all of this talk of rats is making me thirsty! Go drink your water, Chelo! And run when you go get it! :)

Untitled Comment

3:22 PM, Apr. 18, 2006 .. Posted by nsremom

TOO hilarious.

Are congratulations in order???

or condolences.

LOL.

Aaaiiiieeeeeeeeee

1:55 PM, Apr. 19, 2006 .. Posted by MuckFootMom

(shuddering) I think I picked the wrong day to pop in, Rat Baby Day. I'm no fan of rodents, I'm not even sure I like my CATS anymore, LOL!

I was going to say do come help me declutter! But, uh ... don't bring those .... (shudder) rats!

But, um, Congratualtions, Rat-Grandma? LOL

Untitled Comment

9:59 PM, Apr. 19, 2006 .. Posted by OreoSouza

Oh wow! Uh. No thanks on the rat offer. I just highly respect you for having the critters in your house at all. You deserve Mother Of The Year!