The Katz Nest

Some of my pets adjusted to the new baby instantly.

Others needed time.

And now, four months later… things are finally starting to feel normal.

Cooper

Our border collie, Cooper, fully embraced his role as the “extra parent” from day one.

In those first few weeks, he was always right there—ready to lick away tears and “help” however he could. If the baby cried, Cooper responded like it was his personal responsibility.

Now?

Let’s just say reality has set in.

The crying is no longer a team effort between Cooper and the baby. He’s accepted that I’ve got the parenting covered… for the most part.

Of course, if I’m not watching closely, he’ll still sneak in a few kisses whenever he can.

Cooper is 10 now, and more than anything, I hope I get to see him and my son grow together. I can already picture the day they’re running around the yard—honestly, Cooper might be able to keep up better than I can.

Sebastian

Sebastian’s journey has been slower—and more complex.

He started out excited about the new baby, but as the baby became more active, louder, and more unpredictable, Sebastian became more unsure.

And honestly?

He’s still figuring it out.

He’s comfortable being near the baby when things are calm—especially during naps—but the moment those little legs start kicking or the noise level rises, he’s out.

So we’ve taken things slow.

We celebrate the small wins:

• Sniffing the baby
• A quick kiss
• Bringing toys

I never force interactions. Everything happens on his terms.

He needs to feel safe—not pressured.

And over time, that approach has paid off. Now he’s starting to want those interactions, especially when he knows they come with praise and attention.

Sebastian is only six, and I fully expect him to grow into a slightly grouchy old man who just wants his mom—but that just means we’ll keep adapting as both he and my son grow.

And just as importantly, we’ll teach our son to respect Sebastian’s space.

The Cats

The cats have adjusted pretty much exactly how I expected.

Feta

Feta, our semi-feral kitty, continues to avoid the baby—just like she avoids most humans. Nothing has really changed for her, and that’s okay.

Jelly

Jelly, my sweet orange boy, is neutral. He doesn’t seek the baby out, but he doesn’t avoid him either. If he happens to be nearby and there’s an opportunity for affection, he’ll take it.

Nemo

Nemo, our classic orange cat, has surprised me a bit.

At first, he was hesitant—but it didn’t take long for him to decide the baby was pretty great.

Now, he’ll sometimes come running when the baby cries, and during nap time, he’s more than happy to cuddle up or offer a few kisses (which the baby isn’t always a fan of—thanks to that sandpaper tongue).

As time goes on, I expect Nemo to become even more attached—especially once food becomes part of the equation. Babies tend to be very generous snack providers.

Where We Are Now

Things aren’t perfect—but they’re good.

My son is happy.
My pets are happy.
And our home feels full in the best possible way.

Final Thoughts

If there’s one thing this experience has taught me, it’s this:

Your life doesn’t have to completely change for your pets just because you’ve added a baby.

In many ways, keeping things the same is exactly what helps everything fall into place.

Because when your pets feel secure, they can adjust.

And when they adjust—your whole home thrives.

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This isn’t the end of the story—just the beginning.

I’ll continue sharing updates as our family grows—the good, the challenging, and the real.

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