Thank you all so much for your kind and sweet comments on yesterday’s post – I truly appreciate them so very much.
I feel like I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now, as far as sleep goes: I figure another week, I’ll be able to let them go 5 – 6 hours overnight, and I’ll be able to catch up on my REM sleep. Fingers crossed!
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As I mentioned yesterday, I didn’t take a lot of pictures of the Nestlings over the past three weeks, but I did get some, and here are a few of my favorites.
Wee baby Wren.
And wee baby Wren’s crossed paws. Because she’s been a LAYDEE from the very beginning.
He doesn’t do it so much any more, but for a while there Rufous would often fall asleep in my hand after his belly was full.
Starling, the day I got her and Plover.
Plover, same day.
And again. I should recreate this picture, they’re quite a bit bigger now!
Starling, checking out the microfiber cloth. (I roll up a microfiber cloth because kittens sometimes like to flop across it while they’re having their bottle. I’ve tried it with cute baby blankets, but there’s something about the microfiber they really seem to like.)
Seriously, Rufous? Seriously. I think this might be the best picture I’ve ever taken. I am dead from the cute.
When Wren was in the crate by herself, I heard some noises and went to see what was going on, and she was wrasslin’ with the stuffed mama kitty.
Rufous, out cold after his feeding.
You can’t really tell from this picture, but Plover’s eyes were staring to open. (Currently, they’re about halfway open. She’s going for the slow-creak open rather than the ::plink::, apparently.)
Rufous and Plover have a cuddle.
All kittens are doing well! Everyone’s gaining nicely. Rufous is still being tube-fed (which he doesn’t like, and so I tell him “You know how to rectify this situation, young man,” but does he listen? NOPE.), everyone else is taking the bottle nicely. Wren is about 3 1/2 weeks, so I think I’m going to put a small litter box in her crate and see what she thinks about it. Her incisors (those little nibbly teeth across the top and bottom) are coming in, and we should be seeing canines any time now, too.
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Jay likes to play with my clothing. Everything is a toy to that boy.
Daisy always looks so baleful when her kittens (Myrtle in this case) play with her tail, but I think she secretly doesn’t really mind.
Jay’s turn with the tail!
Zelda in the tunnel, hanging out.
I do not recall what made Myrtle put on her floof suit, but put it on she did.
Now that her kittens are getting older, Daisy is starting to PLAY, and it’s lovely to see.
Nick’s telling secrets, and Jay’s listenin’.
Jay in the sun.
Nick’s all “Hallo, lady.”
Zelda’s so floofy. And so SOFT.
Nick’s hoping to hear that the milk bar will be opening soon. (Daisy hopes he’s not holding his breath.)
I think I’ve mentioned that the Catsby kittens have been using the litter boxes really well – I haven’t found any accidents in well over a week, since I moved litter boxes to the end of the room where they spend most of their time. I decided the other day that I’d start slowwwwly moving litter boxes toward the other end of the room with an eye toward eventually moving them into the closet where Daisy’s litter boxes are. I cautioned myself not to RUSH them, we don’t want the kittens to start having accidents, do we? So I started moving them verrrry slowly, like 5 inches at a time.
Yesterday at bed time I went in to scoop Daisy’s litter boxes. There are two boxes in there, but she really only uses one. I could see that the litter box she doesn’t use had been at least stepped in, so I scooped that box, and you know what? Those little stinkers started using that litter box – in fact, as soon as I scooped the litter box, Zelda came in, used it, and then went along her way.
I guess I can move the other litter boxes a little more quickly, huh?
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Charlie likes to steal Khal’s bed occasionally, and he’s not sorry.
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Posted on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/Tumblr) yesterday.
The Nestlings collage.
This picture of Myrtle and Zelda in the top of the little blue cat tree reminds me very much of this picture of Beignet, Praline & Roux from 2017. ❤️
YouTube link
Zelda seems to be stuck in fast forward!
“Ooh, I know! I know! Pick me, I know!” Jay’s that kid in class who always knows the answer.
YouTube link
I’m not entirely sure why Jay does the thing where he stands up and rubs his ears with his paws (maybe I’m making them itch by poking them?), but it’s utterly adorable.
Nick needs a kiss. Oh, okay, fine – if I MUST.
Good night innernets. (From top: Rufous, Wren (left), Plover and Starling.)
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Previously
2022: Kudzu giving me the teenage attitude.
2021: Canasta in her onesie.
2020: And then they donned their Floof Suits.
2019: So so so sleepy. (Albert and Willie)
2018: No entry.
2017: Praline has a think.
2016: Throwback Thursday: Newt and Maxi.
2015: I think it’s safe to say that the kittens have found their crazy.
2014: Livia Monday.
2013: No entry.
2012: About Rupert.
2011: Crooked Acres, after the tornadoes.
2010: “Rowr?”
2009: The Seven.
2008: Killing me with the cute.
2007: No entry.
2006: No entry.
2005: No entry.
You are such a blessing. What you do for all the sweet babies that come to you is incredible. Thank you!!
Such a wonderful, happy post for Cinco de Mayo! Is it time to bring out the Taco truck? As I progressed through each picture, I kept saying “ oh, that is the sweetest photo ever” until I realized they’re all the sweetest photos ever! HOWEVER, I must agree that that one photo of Rufous (and everybody knows which one I’m writing about) IS so cute and funny I couldn’t stop laughing! It’s thrilling to know the tiny kittens are dong well, thanks to your love and attention. And, that picture of Charlie is priceless!
The Catsby clan are loving their toys and Daisy’s expression when her tail is being played with is great. She’s such a patient mama. Take care of yourself Robyn, and have a great weekend!
Good morning. I just had to say that you are such a brave soul. All those kittens!! I do hope the littlest one soon let you have some much-needed sleep. Bless you for all you do for these lovely little ones.
I love the picture of Plover snuggling up to Wren! Wren looks so much bigger, despite that fact that she too, is tiny. Also, I want every little ornj boy to be a Stompers — I’ve got hope for Rufous!
Poor little babies. You are a wonderful person to care for them and your knowledge of baby kittens is amazing.
You probably already know this, but “Rufus” is an old (English?) nickname given to red-headed men. An example is King William II of England, who was also known as “William Rufus” due to his red hair. So, Rufous is very appropriately named!
I did know that! 🙂
I went into “Cuteness overload” at the photo of Rufus after his feeding. OMG.
We had a tux named Prissy who would sit by my husband while he got ready for work and ask for pets. If he didn’t pet her often enough (he was trying to shave, after all) she would sit up on her hind legs and rub her head like Jay. We always thought she was thinking, “Since you’re not gonna pet me, I guess I’ll just pet myself.”
That sounds adorable!
Just wanted to chime in with everyone else, sending you strength and love for this difficult task. The passing before your eyes are one of the hardest parts of fostering.
For me, at one point, it was like I went into a different dimension, just a strange feeling of being on the edge of living and dying. You would think that after the kittens reach a certain age, you’d be out of the woods, but I can’t claim that. Probably because I’m too new to be effective enough to see the warning signs.
Prayers to you and the little ones, that the road ahead has sunny skies and restful sleep for all.