The Return of Tuttle and Bad Mothering

Every time I see Tuttle I think, Will he come back? I'd like to pretend that he loves us and considers us his new home, but I figure we're just his convenience store where he refuels on kitty food on his way home from work. BUT, Caroline and I were hanging out on the couch yesterday and I saw something pass the window out of the corner of my eye. That Chloe, I think, "she's so silly," I say (because Caroline likes to hear it). So we get up I peek out the window and who do I see? Tuttle! But this time he doesn't need me. He's helping himself right on top of the kitty bowl:
(By the way, if you're wondering, we use a plastic salsa and chip dish for kitty food. TIP: Fill the chip ring with water so ants can't cross to the food. That was Chris' idea.)

Anyway, Bad Mothering? I was arranging some fake flowers into two hanging baskets and Caroline was watching. She started getting bored so I let her play with a set of the flowers. So...I didn't know that the dye from the flowers would come off all over her face and clothes, with the potential to cause some kind of skin reaction. Luckily, I got her cleaned up so fast, I didn't even have time for a picture. That's too bad-she was really cute with her first real mess.

Oh, the joys of motherhood...and the not so joyful days of stay-at-home motherhood. Don't get me wrong, I do love it most of the time, but we have our ups and downs. The downs primarily being me going crazy at the house all day watching the second hand tick away on the clock. I would continue my painting hobby or make some cards or something, but Caroline (bless her napping little heart) wants to be played with 59 of 60 seconds of every minute! I look forward to Chris coming home all day. The first couple of months I thought, It's time to nurse AGAIN! Now I think, When do we get to nurse again? I'm just one of those people who needs a job. But I desperately want to witness everything she does this fall. I got a sick feeling in my belly thinking about leaving her with a sitter (although we have a great one, I think). My heart aches thinking about it. So, yes, I do go crazy during the day, but here's what makes it ALL worth it: