Edwin and I had our first bout of "worried-parent" syndrome this week. I said, "Hey, does the back- side of Vincent's head look flat to you? You know, ...I've been reading a lot about babies that lay on their back too much and that makes their head become flat. If we keep him on his back for much longer, he's gonna have to wear a helmet."

"Now, that you say that... it does look kinda flat..."

"Maybe we should wait until his four month check-up and ask the doctor if he thinks it's serious."

"You've got a point, but, hmmm... it does look flat."

Hence, the introduction of "Snugli." After much research, I introduced this aww-inspiring device into our morning routine. I place Vincent into this marcupial-like pouch and carry him around during my daily chores. What sounds like torture to most, seems to be most entertaining to Vincent. We fold laundry together, wash bottles, take out the trash and even stop by every mirror to check out how we look. He loves it so much that he cries with disgust when I take him out and place him in his play gym. Who knew my life as a housewife could be so exciting?

This weeks drama also inculded a doozy:

First I must preface this story with a disclaimer:

*The following entry in no way represents the cleanliness or everyday interactions of the Cavazos family. Please do not forward the following information to any social worker or child protective service. Seriously, we love our kid.*

Wednesday morning: Edwin and I talk on the phone, "Hey, did you hear strange noises last night?"

"Yeah, I heard some unusual movement coming from downstairs, but it wasn't significant enough for me to check it out."

At that moment in the conversation, my memory directed me towards the evening before. I remembered sitting near the fire place as I watched TV with Edwin and Vincent. I remembered hearing strange sounds coming from the firepalce and thinking to myself, "I've got to ask Edwin if he closed the flue to the chimney." But, alas, I never remembered to ask him and we went to bed.

The conversation continued:

Me: "Hey, Hon. I'm here near the fire place. Did you close the flue last time?"

"I don't remember."

"Wait, I got it - yes, it was open. Shoot. I just closed it."

"OK. Well, Ill talk to you soon. Love you."

"Love you too."

So, the morning ritual continued with Vincent in the "Snugli." We just finished folding laundry upstairs and washing bottles in the kitchen. We were in the living room and I said,
"Hey Vincent, do you wanna go say 'hi' to your birdie, Charlie?" I then swiveled towards the main hallway and there it was... a big...... fat......, hairy........, disgusting.......

RAT

I felt an involuntary scream come from my body as I hop-scotched backwards and fell over the couch - all the while, clutching Vincent. This, of course, starteled the rodent. He scurried towards me (I guess to run towards the fire place where he entered) and eventually ended up under the couch.

"Edwin?"

"Yes"

"There is a *#$*& rat in the house!"

"Oh - Jeezus."

Just then, the rat scurried away from under the couch and into Edwin's room. You know, the room with all of the expensive electronics? Of course, you know. That's the best place for a rodent to hide.

"OK. Here's what you have to do, Kristin; form a barrier of boxes that tunnel towards the garage dooor. Rats tent to follow the walls and if this one sticks to the maze of boxes, it will end up in the garage and we can let the dogs take care of it."

"So, you can't come home for lunch?"

I immediately starting constructing a labrynth that my father, an engineer, would be proud of. I used bar stools, picture frames and whiskey boxes to create the race-track of rat champions. Then I got the broom out, stood on Edwin's office chair and swatted at the couch. There it was - a nose with whiskers that made me shrill with fear.

Suddenly, my luck changed and Edwin came home! Sweet!

After pointing out the enemy, Edwin picked up his trusty golf putter and went to war. The rat ran to and fro and then back again. Eventually, he got stuck in between block files.

"Get my be-be gun"

"Oh, crap."

I went and got the be-be gun, all the while envisioning rat guts spewed all over the carpet. Not a pretty thought. Edwin fired.

I won't go into detail the events that followed. I will say that after the 'showdown' in the garage, it took a while for Tess and Lucy to understand that they wouldn't be put in a black plastic bag for the trash.

Then, thankfully, Vincent unknowingly woke up and wanted to know when he can ride in the "Sugli" again.