Keaton and Kyler 3 weeks old!

They are growing up.  They are little kittens now, no longer helpless little babies.  Keaton is darker than Kyler.  They are walking on their legs now.  Taking pictures was hard as all they do is run when I have them on the table to take their pictures.  They have no fear of the edge.  I put them on the table furthest away from me.  They see me then scoot right to me.  I have to be ready to snap their picture.  Many turned out blurry as they are action shots I guess.  No sitting for these babies now they have found their legs.  Kyler is so funny when he runs as he looks like he is a bit tipsy but he is just discovering how his legs work.  They are eating well and I still get up at 2 am.  They both gained 100g in the last week which is wonderful as 10g/day is a good weight gain.  They have consistently gained weight every day so are growing at a good rate.  They purr a lot too.  I have cut down a little box and put some litter in it.  Hard to believe they will be using the litter box on their own very soon.  They are indeed young kittens, not little babies.  How fast nature enables them to mature.  Yesterday they were playing with each other a bit.  They had their paws around each other's necks.  It is so entertaining to watch them learn to play.  Three weeks is a time for a lot of learning.

The Good and The Bad

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I will start with the bad so I can end on a good note.  Kensington started getting weaker and declined last weekend.  I tried everything I knew but lost her on April 7th.  My heart was broken as she was an adorable little girl.  She purred for me right to the end.  I lost Hunter on Thursday.  He, too, started failing.  I think he was premature as he was the tiniest baby I ever got.  I thought he was just a runt and each day that went by gave us one more chance for him to survive.  He gained weight so very slowly but he was going in the right direction.  But seeing how the K babies grew and matured only showed how Hunter was not developing as he should.  He never lost the newborn baby look either.  At least his eyes had just opened enough in the corners (very late for his eyes to open a crack which also showed that he wasn't an average baby) that we could look each other in the eyes before he died.  He purred right until the end.
     Now, for the good.  Kyler and Keaton are growing at an enormous rate!  They are 2 weeks old today and have they ever changed.  Kyler has gone from 104g to 270g and Keaton from 82g to 214g.  Their eyes opened a couple of days ago so now they look like real kittens.  They are very plump and eating a lot.  They are learning to walk on their legs and are moving around the cage a lot.  They can hear me now so there is no sneaking into their room.  I call their names as I am going down the hallway into their room with their bottle.  They wake up and start meowing as they wait for me to feed them.  I still get up at 2 to feed them so they can continue to grow and eat well.  They purr so much and it makes me smile.

Kyler, Kensington and Keaton

Here are 3 pictures each of Kyler, Kensington and Keaton at 6 days old.  Kyler and Keaton are boys and Kensington is a girl.  They are eating incredibly well and a lot  They were (in order) 104g now 162g, 88g now 126g and 82g now 122g.  They are all growing before my very eyes.  It is paying off to get up during the night to see all the babies thriving, growing and happy.

Hunter--One Week Old

My he has grown in a week! He has gone from 62g to 112g (almost doubled in size) in just 7 days.  He is a good boy and very calm.   He is a sweet little boy.  He is eating well and is very happy.

Tiny Update

My happy little family this morning.  We had a good night though it took the littlest one a few minutes to settle down for a sleep.  I think all are boys so names will be decided on shortly.  The 82g baby was 92g this afternoon, 88g was 106g and the 104g was 120g so significant good weight gains.  They are purring for me and are happy babies.  Hunter gained 4g today which is okay, hopefully more tomorrow.

My Family Grows

My family is growing.  It often happens that new kitten additions come in groups.  Litters come in quick succession then a lull then a quick succession again.  Welcome to my new little "K" kittens whom I am suspecting are all boys but a good look in real daylight will confirm my initial thoughts.  They were born 3 days ago to a 10 year old mom who retained placentas after the births, had to have surgery and is not doing very well.  She hasn't eaten much and is on medication that the babies should not get through the mom's milk.  They weigh 82g, 88g and 104g.  They took easily to the bottle and have had 2 feedings so far.  They are enjoying being under the heat lamp (I tell the babies they are on a beach in Tahiti).  They are a bit thin but a few good feeds and they will be back on track.  The littlest one purred for me as I fed him.  Now Hunter will have siblings to grow up with.
     Hunter is becoming pudgy.  He was 102g tonight!  He has gained over 50% of his original weight and it shows in his solid body.  He is now 5 days old and looking good. 

All Is Well

     I plan to take pictures of Hunter on his weekly birthdays and inbetween if he is doing something cute and special.  Hunter is growing at a good pace.  He was 90g last night and has already gained for today (4g) so I am anticipating another good "official" weight tonight.  He is purring for me now often when he is drinking from the bottle and usually after when I am making him pee (he makes little grunting noises which is so funny).  For the night I feed him between 10-11 pm, at 2 am, at 5 am (I seem to wake up at this time so thought why not) then before I go to work.  It is working for him so won't rock the boat.  He is very strong and can lift his head up now.  His eyes are becoming more defined so soon he will be able to see his world.
     I have a couple of comments from Hunter's mom's foster mom.  She is going to have a good rest of her life just as Hunter is.  Give her a hug from me (and I hope she gets the name Hope that you chose for her, it is perfect).  Tell her baby Hunter is doing well and I will try my hardest for him.