Cat vs. Baby: ain't no big thing

After months of trepidation, followed by curiosity on the cats' part, then curiosity on Holden's part--the relationship seems to have balanced out. Holden no longer feels the need touch (er, grab and pull...) Fred or Tim, and the two cats have decided that the baby is nothing to fear. In fact, they often enjoy sharing the same stretch of land as though he is one of them. I'm curious to see how this relationship will continue to evolve as time passes, especially once Holden learns to walk.

Cats vs. Baby: Getting ready to rumble

Holden's learned to pull himself up onto his hands and knees! Just one step closer to the day when we have to really, truly, baby proof.
So far, though, all movement goes backwards...

Only so long, though, before the cats have a true nemesis! But not yet...

Because, really, how threatening can this be?

UPDATE: cats vs. baby

In the newest battle between feline and unborn child, the cats now have an even greater upper hand. After purchasing a new video camera (Flip Video Ultra) so we can take videos of the Short Stranger when he arrives, the first two videos taken were of the cats ... yes, THE CATS! So, one more point for the cats.

And here's the video to prove it:

Cats vs. Baby: The cuddle offensive

This week as we've stepped up our efforts to prepare for the Short Stranger's arrival by reading up on breastfeeding, the labor process, etc., our 3 cats have responded with a coordinated effort of distraction that I'm calling the cuddle offensive. If I'm surfing early labor symptoms on my lap, one--sometimes two--cats respond by attempting to wedge themselves between me and the screen. The same goes for Mike when he tries to read any one of our books on labor and pregnancy.

This case is aptly illustrated below in two pictures of Mike attempting to read Penny Simkin's The Birth Partner, a book we strongly recommend, incidentally. It's one of the only books we know that provides an in-depth guide for a partner during the labor process (find reviews here at Amazon.com).
Notice in the second photograph that Tim succeeds at stealing away Mike's attention. Of all of our cats, he's the most skilled at this kind of face-to-face combat.

Based on these pictures alone, in the battle of cats vs. baby:
Cats: 1 pt.
Baby: 0 pt.
(Undoubtedly this will change once the Short Stranger is born.)