sixwordstories | (no subject)

What's wrong with her?

Big day, I think. Too much excitement, ya know? First she had her two month checkup, then we had dinner with my folks tonight. Little run in outside the house, I think she picked up on it.

Everything is okay now, correct? Did you talk softly to her? Does she have a favorite song?

Yeah, she's not screaming she's just unhappy. Whimpering mostly. I got her right now, she likes it when I hold her while I surf the 'net. There's a cat on either side of me and a dog on the back of the couch, too...she loves my animals. She's just squirmy and won't go to sleep.

I will send happy and calm thoughts your way for her. What color are your cats?

Thanks, she'll benefit from it.

The cats? Well, Hardeen's a tabby mix, he's partly white. Kel's a black cat.

Very good! They sound nice. I love animals.

Yeah? You'd love my cats, Hardy and Kel are crazy. Never met cats that liked dogs, but I just got this white German Shepherd puppy? Name's Prometheus...you'd think these three grew up together or something. They all get along, especially when they're with the baby. Otherwise Prom bugs the shit outta the cats, trying to make 'em play when they don't want to. It's pretty funny.

Oh, that sounds wonderful! Animals getting along like that is just lovely and I'm glad they love the baby. Did they like her right away? I have a dog and an alligator egg for pets right now.

Absolutely. Kel used to sleep across my girl's sternum before she started to show, and now Hardy insists on sleeping in her crib. He curls up in the corner and just lays there watching her, and I can't keep him out. It's kinda...cool...

...wait, did you say alligator egg?

That does sound really cool. They will probably protect her and be good friends to her.

Yes. The egg will hatch soon so I probably should buy some crickets.

They already do. Hardy bristles at me if I walk into the room while she's sleeping, and Kel actually watches her on the changing table. For the moment, he can actually keep her laying still with a paw on her tummy, but when she gets bigger it won't be so easy anymore.

Wow...you're serious. That's...sorta cool. Where do you live that you can have a friggin' alligator, babe?

That is very cute. And, I live in Pennsylvania. I have an enclosure for the alligator and many books on care and handling. I did a lot of research.

Sounds like it...wow. That's kinda cool! And I guess it ain't real weird, I mean shit, my friend Channing owns a panther.

I think it will be very interesting. A panther? That sounds like a fun pet...

Who?

My baby girl. Rough day, I think, she's just unhappy and won't go to sleep.

Ohhhh...y'gotta baby?

Yep. Two months old, her name's Mayilia.

Wow. Cool. I've only seen a baby once.

No kidding? How old are you, little bro?

Almost eleven. I don't get out much.

How old is she?

Two months old, and she had a pretty wild day. She's not a happy camper, bless her heart.

Poor dear. A good sleep will help that, at least.

S' what I'm hoping, if she'll ever go to sleep. I got her in my lap, and my cat's got his chin on her foot, so she's starting to quiet down a little.

*smile* They always take more time to fall asleep when they're tired out.

Do they? I'm new to this parenting thing, and I been lucky 'cause May's a pretty good baby. Sleeps well, hardly ever cries her head off or anything like that. She was even brave at the doctor today, had to get a bunch of shots. She was so good, barely made a sound.

She sounds wonderful. But yes; in my experience, the more tired they are, the more upset they get, and the harder it is for them to settle down.

She is. [small smile] It might sound weird, but I've literally waited a lifetime for this little girl.

You got kids of your own, Mister?

*smiles* It makes sense to me.

I have one, a daughter, Cosette. She's nearly grown now.

Still boggles my mind to think that one day, my little girl's gonna be grown...I already don't like it. [laughs]

Thanks for the advice...I mean, I appreciate your help. I'm Tommy, by the way.

*chuckles* It happens far too quickly.

You're welcome; I was lucky with Cosette, I had a lot of help. It's nice to meet you, Tommy, I am Jean.

Need some help?

I'm okay, thanks...little bit's just unhappy and breaking her father's heart over here. She had a pretty full day, I think the excitement's just not sitting well with her.

*nods* My sister's kid is about 6 months and cries a lot. Mostly from too much stimulation. I can try something that works for him, though, if you want me to? I'm good with kids. *smiles*

Sure, let's give it a shot.

[carries the whimpering two month old over, kissing her forehead and cooing at her]

Hey, May May! You wanna make a new friend, pretty? Huh? C'mon, let's say hi...let's say hi, Miss May May...

*smiles, holding out his arms, speaking gently* May May... I'm John John... We've both got double name nicknames!

[carefully, he passes him the baby, keeping one hand on her back. Baby May just whimpers, little face scrunched miserably as she gazes at the stranger and makes a grab at a fistful of his shirt.]

*smiles down at her, his voice going to a very soft whisper* Hi May May... Too much excitement for one day, huh? *gently rubs his finger up and down her arm, then begins to sing (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8hNTa-B4JI) quietly, bobbing his legs up and down to soothe her*

[May whimpers a little more, slowly going quiet with the unhappy little pout still on her face. After a minute, she settles for attempting to shove her fingers in her mouth, eyes still locked on his face. Tommy grins and leans over to kiss the crown of her head, murmuring.]

I think she likes the singing. You like the music, pretty girl? You like to hear the song?

[May coos at that, making Tommy laugh]

*smiles, singing some more, very softly and quietly like a lullaby* "It's just a little a lullaby to keep myself from crying myself to sleep at night, oh, just a lullabye to keep from crying myself to sleep, oh,just a, just oh, just a little lullabye..." *looks up at the man with a soft smile* I sing it to my niece and nephews all the time whenever they can't sleep.

Edited 2009-02-20 20:03 (UTC)

[May coos...then smiles and squeals, reaching out to curl her little fingers firmly into one of the man's nostrils. Laughing, Tommy reaches out to gently disengage her hand.]

Sorry 'bout that...I think she likes you. [grins]

*laughs, scrunching up his face as she grabs his nostril* It's okay. My youngest nephew's... A little older than I'd guess May May to be. He grabs worse things than my nose. *looks to him with a smile* John Jordan. I'd shake your hand but... You know. Holding a baby and all.

[laughs and helpfully reaches out to take the baby back, who promptly nestles against her father contentedly while he offers John his hand.]

Tommy Karras, it's nice to meet ya...and this little brunette bombshell here is Mayilia. Say hi, baby girl! Say hello!

[Her response is to smile, then fumble to suck on half of her fingers]

Yeah, she likes you...anyway, she's a little over two months old now. Getting to be a little grown up, this one.

*smiles, handing the bundle over and shaking the man's hand* Cool to meet you, man. *gives a little wave to the baby with a curly smile* Hi Mayilia! Such a pretty name for such a pretty girl!

*nods* I would've guessed around two or three months... *looks at her, still smiling* She's beautiful.

Yep...named for my parents, Mayer Samuel and Cecilia Weiss. She looks just like her mother, God rest her.

That's... Really, really cool, actually. Wow. *smiles, then frowns* I'm... Her mother died? Was it in childbirth?