2-22-19 Friday

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I will be calling Almanzo every other name I can remember Mrs. Olson calling him like Galzammo or calling him Manny bc that was Laura’s nn for him. Yes I watched the show religiously. Only read some of the books.

I distinctly remember her calling him “Zaldamo” at one point, and it still makes me laugh!

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Those kittens are big! How do they compare in photos to other litters at one week old? I would not be surprised if their one week weights equal or exceed Caroline’s weight.

I don’t have photo comparisons between these guys and previous kittens at the moment (because yesterday was a busy day and I didn’t get a chance to go back through pictures), but the weight range of previous litters at 6 or 7 days old breaks down like this:

Katia’s kittens were 5.6 – 7.8 ounces.
Kristi’s kittens were 5.8 – 7.3 ounces.
Mercury’s kittens were 6.5 – 8 ounces (at 6 days old).
Nola’s kittens were 7.3 – 8.7 ounces (at 6 days old).
Regina’s kittens were 6.9 – 7.9 ounces.
Khaleesi’s kittens were 5.2 – 6.8 ounces.
Kate’s kittens were 7-8.5 ounces (at 6 days old).

(I don’t have weights on Emmy’s, Maggie’s, or Kara’s kittens.)

The Half Pints ranged from 6.5 – 7.9 ounces yesterday, so I’d say they’re right in line with where they oughta be (and aren’t the giants they seem to be!)

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I have a question, do you know what the right weight for a 3 month old kitten is? My kitten turned 3 months old a few days ago, and he weighs 2.2 lbs, and he’s the biggest of his litter.

It depends on the kitten, of course (some are going to naturally be smaller, some larger), but Susan (the Challenger’s House manager) once told me that about a pound a month for the first few months (1 pound at 1 month, 2 pounds at 2 months, etc) is about right, and that seems right to me. (If someone else has a different answer to this question, please chime in!) Any possibility yours are munchkins?

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I was curious about the Charles/Caroline bonding thing. It didn’t seem like it to me either (from the pics and based on what you were saying, Robyn) but I’m still curious so I have a question.

How do you know he’s bonded to HER and it’s not just a matter of him needing *A* (i.e. ANY) cat companion? Is it that he’s just lonely and needs a pal or is it something deeper than that, and how can you (i.e. we, as possible future foster moms. i.e. me) determine the difference?

That is a really good question, and honestly I don’t know for sure that it’s Charles being bonded to her and not to just any other cat. With a litter of kittens, it’s easy to tell because the bonded kittens seek each other out. With just Charles and Caroline (as adults), he seeks her out, but is it because she’s the only other cat around? I don’t know!

Maybe as the kittens grow, we’ll be able to tell (ie, if he seeks out the nearest kitten to snuggle with rather than looking for her.)

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Robyn, I had read that kittens have a “favorite” nipple when they nurse and they always go to that nipple. Have you seen that in your experience? I noticed in the video of the half-pints nursing, that they did not seem to have “assigned nipples”, the 2 most active seemed to be trying a few. Did they not read the manual or are they having a hard time making up their minds?

It’s been my experience that they have a preferred nipple, but if they can’t get to it, they’ll whine a little and then give up and go to another one.

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To kick off your weekend in style, how about a little series (that may never be repeated again or might be repeated with every litter of kittens; who knows?) I like to call (drumroll please)…

Kittens in Mugs. (Because why not?)

Laura.

Albert.

Willie.

Mary.

Almanzo.

Some of the kittens got a little complainy when I was taking pictures, and Caroline was too busy eating to care, but guess who moseyed on over to see what was going on?

Willie and Pa. “Whatcha whining about, kid?”

Mary and Pa. You can’t tell from this picture (or the previous one), but he actually licked those kittens on their little bitty heads to reassure them. How sweet is that?

Willie and someone’s toeses.

Line ’em up! That’s Mary facing the opposite way from everyone else.

Albert takes a snooze. Or is wide awake. Who can tell? Open those eyes, kid!

Laura at the milk bar – and do you see Albert back there hugging his mama’s arm? Awww.

Laura’s all “Hi, innernets! Hi hi!”

Lined up at the milk bar. At the top (nearest Caroline’s face) and moving down, we have Mary, Almanzo, Albert and Laura – and Willie over there on the far left.

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Kara, looking over the windowsill into the kitchen. Is she a pretty girl, or what?

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Previously
2018: Kristi and Katia’s story.
2017: Squirrel yoga.
2016: “LADY. Come on! You’re late for nap time!”
2015: No entry.
2014: And then Mariette grabbed up the Straw Cylinder and said “MINE.”
2013: “Halloooooo, laydeez!”
2012: Okay, drama queen, dial it back.
2011: Fingers crossed!
2010: No entry.
2009: I wish they didn’t get nervous and run back upstairs if I run into their general direction, like they think they’re in trouble.
2008: No entry.
2007: Smackdown at the Anderson Corral.
2006: No entry.
2005: No entry.

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