N-ew kittens

A bit over a week ago, on Friday 24th of March 2017 we welcomed another litter of kittens from Helen in our cattery. According to my previous ultrasound examination, we were expecting three little babies and that’s exactly what we’ve got in N-ew litter “N”.

Helen was a bit restless since Friday mornin, but labor started after 3 p.m. For some time we already had a place prepared for her – something she had chosen on her own. No matter how we organised baskets, booths or beds for her, this time Helen prefered a simple cardboard hous. We just put it on a in a different way 😉
As usual everything had to take place in our bedroom, more specific – on our bed. Practicly all the cats apart from Dziabąg, wanted to “help” but we only allowed Elmirka and Whisper to participate, as they already have some experience in that matter 🙂 The girls decided to just show their support from a distance and observed everything from the pillows, windowsill or the heater. When Helen was really upset, Whisper cam to cheer her up.

First kitten to show up was a boy, who later turned out to be the smallest on of the three – he had 87 grams. Helen licked him veru carefully before she delivered another one. Second was a girl who required some help to get out, because her legs got a bit tangled in the umbilical cord. Thanks to quick reaction to help, the little one arrived to this world without complications and was a 97 grams of healthy baby girl. Before we managed to get her dry and weigh her, Helen delivered third of the kittens. It was a boy who turned out to be the biggest one in the litter – he was 102 grams.

When all of the kittens were carefull cleaned up, massaged and started to suck milk, we decided to let Cody in. So he can see his children for the very first time and maybe find out how it feels to be a dad. Honestly we were a bit concerned that because of his exuberant temper he might think these are new toys or he tries to play with the babies. But here is where Cody surprised us. As soon as he jumped onto the bed, he sat down in front of Helenka and the kittens, seemed to be greatly surprised and with curiosity watched them. If any of the little ones made a noise, he would get up and check if everything’s ok with his noes. We could notice that in this very moment something moved in his little silly mind and it was like he has grown up a bit.

Babies mom did very nicely trough the labor. In comparison to her first delivery with litter M, she was less nervous and seemed less tired in the end. She took great care for the little ones and wasn’t so stressed when we had to take them to be weight. She even left them with us for a while when she had to go use the litterbox and after some time she willingly ate her supper in bed. Rest of the evenine Helen had a constant support as Whisper, Elmirka and Cody were there for her. She wasn’t alone at any moment, there was another cat around all the time or they were almost all there.

Whisper, who became a great grandma for the second time 🙂 was helping with the babies and supported Helen. She came to clean up the little ones and their mom, was there when Helen had to use litterbox. Elmirka also wanted to get involved this much, but because of her own pregnancy we decided not to let her do it. But she still kept close. And she even tried to get the best view on the situation so she stayed on the top of the carton.  🙂

First 24 hours almost all cats slept in bedroom with Helen and Tomek and only Dziabąg kept me company in the living room (the next day I had to leave for my studies and I needed to get some sleep). Tomek, who shared our bed with other cats, controled the babies from time to time. He checked if the kittens are eating well, if Helen isn’t trying to take them out somewhere, is it warm enought etc. Luckily first night and another day didn’t carry any problems. All the control weighting of the babies showed regular weight gaining.

This last Friday the little ones turned one week old. They all doubled their weight from birth and grown a lot this past week. Because they will start to open their eyes anytime soon, they had thei nails clipped for the very first time yesterday.

Slowly we notice some darker colors to appear. Especialy on the noses and tips of the ears. We suspect that one of the boys may turn out to be a seal point and the rest to kittens can become tabby. But for now we just wait, time will tell.

Helen and her babies spent that Saturday morning with us in bed. When things like this happen, it’s very very hard to get up even to get some breakfast. It’s mostly because both mom and the kittens like to cuddle. And it is not possible to lift or even take away a (numb) hand from under these cotton little heads. Especially when they have such a spectacular dreams. They move their ears, wave their paws, make sounds, move their “eyebrows” or lap their tongues. And sometimes when they stretch or pull their feet in their sleep, they look like rapping 😉

Helen is a very good and caring mom once again. Sometimes she accepts some help – particulary from Whisper, who comes to help take care for the babies – clean them and also Helen sometimes. Lately Helen even put out her head for Whisper to wash and had a very funny face after that 😉

Cody sometimes checks up the little ones and reacts on the noises they make (for ex. when we weigh them or when they “fight” for mil supply). He comes to their “nest”, sits in front of it and observes. Or he sniffs them as if he was making sure they are all ok.

And the babies grow like a weed, are adorably fluffy and cute. We are looking forward to what will grow out of them 😉