they have arrived

Pretty low key arrival of the Bottle Rockets (AKA the Interlopers!) today.
They arrived with little fan fare, and pretty much merged right in. Ted brought them over from 50K about 5:00, and we introduced them. They are a bit bigger than the crew I have, but not too much, maybe 3 or 4 oz.

Initally, Sierra checked them out, and just sort of kept a wary eye on them.The itty bitties had no trouble with the integration, and the Rockets seems to be thrilled to have some more siblings to cuddle and share body heat with.


New family for the Rockets

A little later, I went in to check on them, and Sierra was not with the babies, but they were all asleep. They work up when I came in, and cried a bit, so I got Sierra to go lay down and I put Kelsey and Halicy with her, and they bellied up right away. Sierra checked them out pretty throughly and settled down. I snuck Caddo in, and as long as he wasn't up front, Sierra let him nurse...except he never did find a nipple. When he came back up front, she hissed at him. The hiss didn't seem to phase Caddo, Arnie had a full belly, since I had just fed him, so he was sleeping, and was content.





Sierra decided segregation was better

So, I guess I will just keep an eye on them. I will feed the Rockets around 2 or 3 AM, and back in at 6 to feed again. Hopefully Sierra will warm up to them by then.


Reintegration of the itty bitties

not yet

We didn't get any more babies today. Seems we couldn't get a vet appointment until tomorrow afternoon. So Sierra gets a reprieve. In the mean time, everything here seems A OK. Everyone seems happy and healthy. I am still supplementing the babies with a bottle a couple of times a day. Everyone gained weight today, with the exception of Kelsey, who actually lost 1/8 of an oz. I don't think it's a big deal, but I will check her in the morning again, just to be safe.

I did come up with a name for the yet unnamed little girl. She looks like her brother Hogan, but a little lighter, and she has some orange toes on her right front foot. I decided to name her Sage. So, everyone has a name now. Whew. I was starting to feel the pressure.


Newly named Sage


Sage and Hogan show some milk mustaches.


Sierra looks a wee bit fed up with the baby thing.


Sage peeks around Dot's head


Halicy wants more!


Kelsey close up

when it rains...

Got a call from the shelter yesterday. They have a couple of bottle babies that they are hoping can come and be integrated into Sierra's crew. Once they are vetted, if they pass, they come here, to see how it goes. If you want to get a pre-look, check them out at www.50kittens.com

In the mean time, everyone here seems to be doing fine. Sierra is still attention starved, so I am trying to give her some more love. It's tough when the itty bitties hear my voice, they come screaming, trying to climb on me.

Stay tuned tomorrow, and let's see if we get 2 new arrivals to add to our brood.


Hogan pops up to see what the noise is all about.


Kelsey, Halicy and the as yet unnamed sister snooze.


Everyone resting.

miss one day!

Wow. Sorry guys. I missed Friday, so I am posting tonight, Saturday. I was rather shocked when I first walked into kitty central this morning. Why? No kittens in their usual corner, and none to be seen at first glance.


Humm...Something is missing.

Upon further inspection, I saw a little furry tail sticking out of a very small cardboard box in the opposite corner.


The new "home."

Well, that didn't contain them for long, and as you can see, Kelsey and Halicy made a break for it. I closed the door, except for a crack, and saw Sierra immediately go get them and bring them back. She is on top of them, for sure!


Kelsey and Halicy try to escape.

I just noticed when I zoomed in on Kelsey that I see some teeth poking through!


Yay! That means they will be trying out Sierra's food soon. She should be happy about that. Speaking of Sierra, she is so starved for attention that she falls all over me when I got in to weigh, and check on everyone. She is really gonna make someone a great lap cat.


This was a random shot of pure cuteness




In the mean time, I added a couple of "walls" to help mama contain the little travelers.



It's bedtime now, everyone found a tap, and all is right with the world.

rampin' up

These little guys are really starting to move around. All of them now try to climb in my lap on their little wobbly legs. I have a feeling I am going to be crawling with itty bitties in a few weeks. Literally! They are awfully cute though.

Kelsey is the one who hears me and immediately starts howling and trying to get to me. This morning, she was squawking, and trying to get to me, and Sierra promptly came over, picket her up and put her back in the far corner! I wish I had the camera with me then.

They are all growing, so I am not too worried about supplementing them. We range from 7 1/2 oz, to 8 3/4 oz. They really do grow up fast...


Kelsey is the first one to the bottle...



And now takes a look around



Is it just me, or does Dot look like ET hiding in the stuffed animals?

big new world

Wow these guys are growing up fast! The gestation period for cats is only about 60-65 days, so considering that, I guess eyes open in less than a week, and moving around in less than 2 is about right. They are really starting to look around and explore. I am going to have to make some changes soon!

I have started to split a bottle 5 ways a couple of times a day, and Kelsey and Hogan took to it the fastest. Halicy cracks me up. She is a little more difficult to take the bottle, but once she latches on, she sort of goes limp, and almost balls up while she has at it. Kelsey has now started to come looking for me to feed her when she hears me come in the room.


Kelsey looking for the giant food machine

Everyone gained weight, and seem to be doing well. Hogan had his eye lids stuck together this morning, but after a warm water wipe down, he has been fine the rest of the day. Hopefully that will be a non issue, and no more glued eyes!


Hogan takes a big step down while Halicy gives a shove


Hogan and "Dot" take a look around




Kelsey and Dot


Everyone belly up to the bar. Always room for jello

supplement

Well, It's Tuesday, and I decided the itty bitties might need a little more nourishment than mama can give them at this point, so I decided to supplement their diet with a bottle of formula a couple of times a day. 3 of them latched on great, and 2 didn't. I figure any help I can give Sierra will help out even the ones that don't take to the bottle.

I did a quick check last night, and sure enough, 4 girls and one boy. So, I need two more names for this litter. Any suggestions?


Kelsey was one that latched on, and got her belly full.


Sierra is still being a good mama, and here's a shot of her post kitten bath. Didn't quite get that tongue back in.


This picture is a little creepy to me...What was that horror movie where the scary dude had all the tortured children in/on his body? Freddy Kruger? Well, whatever, this sorta reminds me of that!


This is what a puddle of full kittens looks like.


They are starting to get a little feisty now, and bite at each other.