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~ This diary is continually updated as the kittens grow. Add it to your favorites for easy access. ~ |
| Grainne's Kitten Diary Fall 2020 |
| This reads from the bottom up. New entries are added at the top so its easy to follow as they grow. |
| The music used on this page is Let Them Be Little by Billy Dean |
| These kittens are the progeny of our sire Polo and dam Grainne |
| This kitten will go to waiting family on our kitten list. |
| _______________________________________________________________________ |
| December 22nd - Molly helped me wrap packages this week and she
had a visit with her new owners and went to her forever home. This was
one of my hardest good byes I've had to do. As an only kitten Molly had
bonded to me and had learned some simple commands. This one was a bit
harder for her momma too. She keeps looking for her. Molly is an
outgoing, people centric kitten, I know she will adjust well and be an
excellent companion for her owners.
Closing Stats #1 Molly – Now lives with her family in Rhode Island.
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Such a beautiful Seal point girl Molly 12 weeks of age. |
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Molly picking a bow for the next gift |
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This bow is going to be just right... |
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I just need to fluff it up a little bit... |
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Now its just right |
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Molly is sleepy and about to nap with Momma. |
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| December 15th - Molly had her spay surgery yesterday. Everything went very well and she came home just after noon. She is such a loving kitty and the pain meds she was given really bring that out in her. She has trained herself to be calmed by my tapping on my leg to call her to my lap. That really helped to get her attention. She always responded. Then she realized if I just put my hand down to her height she would get pets. She is so much like her mother. She runs to my hand and presses her head up into my hand, participating in the act of being pet. She just loves it. She been making biscuits non stop and purring. This med makes her very happy. To work off her energy she has been really focused in attacking the fox and weasel toys, just in play. Its kept her physically quite and focused. She just likes to grab the tail and toss it about. Her pupils are blown wide from the med too. Her incision is tiny and looks really good. She is not licking it at all. I don't think she knows she had surgery. She is such a good kitty. |
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Molly just home from surgery |
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Her incision, surgical glue on the tiny skin incision and dissolving sutures in the muscle wall. |
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Peeking over the top of her favorite lounging place. |
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Molly and Mum |
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| December 10th - Molly will be eleven weeks on Saturday. She is showing she is becoming ready to leave her momma. Momma has become more of a friend to torment then a momma of comfort. They chase each other back and forth with Faux attacks thrown in. Molly has still shown no interest in our Christmas tree so we will add the ornaments this weekend. Mauer went in for a Vet check and Molly road along. Separate carriers facing each other. They were both quiet the whole way. | |
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| December 5th - ten weeks old -
Molly went to the vet this week. Dr. Gould said Molly was a little more nervous but that was to be expected. This was her first solo big adventure. She had no siblings to keep her company and Momma did not travel with her. She did really well. She talked quite a bit in the car. I noticed if I talked to her she talked even more. She had a great check up with no health concerns. Her pre-surgery blood work looks great so she can have her surgery next week. She did really well with her vaccination and we saw no reaction to it. at all. |
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The string is the best part. I like to carry everything by its stringy part. |
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| November 28th - Nine weeks old - Molly is really enjoying herself playing with toys and climbing up and down the cat trees. We brought in our Christmas tree. She didn't pay much attention to it after giving it a good sniffing. She was much more interested in the cat tree being moved and the new perspective it gave her. She started playing with a mouse carrying it by the tail and dropping it so I picked it up and tossed it about four feet. She ran picked it up and brought it back to me. We did this about four times before I decided to try to film her playing fetch with me. I was able to get a couple clips before she went running off on a new adventure. | |
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bi-weekly weigh in...... Molly is 2 lbs. 3.5 ounces = 1010 grams - up 92.5 grams This is Molly's last weigh in. Its not too accurate as she would not stay on the scale and stop moving, lol. She is done with being a baby. Molly is free feeding just dry kibble now. I quite the canned when I saw her run into her room after an afternoon of playing to have a drink of water and eat. |
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| November 26th - Happy Thanksgiving! - experimenting with feeding times didn't work. Molly would just eat a lot less and I would throw away food. Giving her a mix of canned pate gravy with dry kibble seems to be working well one or two times a day. I do believe she is now free feeding the kibble too. She is such a good kitten. She can easily entertain herself but loves to play. Andrew was playing with her today and he left the room to check the oven and she called out to him to come back and play. It was so cute. She really is a lovely kitten. Her dusty baby coat is giving way to a lighter more clear coat as she grows. Her contrast is beautiful. |
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bi-weekly weigh in...... Molly is 2 lbs. 0.25 ounces = 918 grams - up 114 grams We stop weighing kittens when they reach 2 pounds but I'll do one last Saturday for her birthday. |
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| November 21st - eight weeks old - Molly's personality is really starting to come out. She is becoming very playful. When she plays with Momma every so often Momma takes her down forcefully. I believe Molly gets a little too nippy with her when she is wound up and momma is teaching her. She is very gentle with me and always licks instead of using her teeth. She does still show instinctive concern. She will run a couple of feet when spooked then stop and turn to look to see if its safe. Which is pretty incredible most kittens will go fully into cover. I scheduled her first well visit with the Vet the first week in December. |
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Playing with the feather wand |
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Tuckered out sleeping on the sofa |
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bi-weekly weigh in...... Molly is 1 lb. 12.25 ounces = 804 grams - up 78 grams |
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| November 18th - Oh my goodness. I already thought Molly was over the top adorable but she got so much cuter today. She has learned how to play with the small feather wand. She even dragged it off to her play house. (a space in the desk that used to house the computer brain) If I tap on my knee she jumps up onto my lap. She loves curling up on my lap to take a bath and just sit with me. She loves being stroked. She watches the screen on my phone games. She and Momma where scampering about playing 'cat and mouse'. Momma was the mouse I do believe and Molly was stalking her. She enjoys playing in the sun. I did see momma eating Molly's kibble today so I added some kibble to the wet food to make sure Molly knows the texture as food. I do think she is a little on the thinner side for a kitten her age. I was hoping she would free feed off the kibble and I didn't want to interfere with than. Now that she's becoming more active I want to be sure she is eating enough. I'm going to feed her more canned food. After she fattens up we can try to switch in more and more kibble and see if she will eat just kibble. | |
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I'm sleepy |
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Molly's a licker. She's giving momma a bath. |
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Molly playing in the sunny kitten room |
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bi-weekly weigh in...... Molly is 1 lb. 9.5 ounces = 726 grams - up 85 grams |
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| November 14th - seven weeks old - Molly is starting to come into her own. Momma is no longer coddling her. Molly was in the kitchen having her snack and when she finished. Molly went to the kitchen cat tree to play. She called and called for momma. Momma pushed Molly to be comfortable on her own. Grainne just sat in the living room and looked at me.. She waited a few minutes then she went to Molly. Two weeks ago momma would have run in a panic to her. Molly is in the I adore you stage. She likes to sit on my lap and stare up into my face. I noticed she can watch the TV and does with interest. I've been turning the TV on in the kitten room so she has some unexpected noises happening in the background. She is still a bit sound and movement sensitive. She doesn't have a gang of chaos makers, siblings, to condition her, but she really isn't fearful, just cautious. If he alerts she recovers almost instantly. I think as she gains experiences she will become a very comfortable and confident cat. She is so gentle and loving, and smart. I adore her too. |
7 weeks of age |
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She is getting ready to reach up and grab my phone, lol |
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bi-weekly weigh in...... Molly is 1 lb. 6.5 ounces = 640 grams - up 50 grams Molly is now eating less that half a small can of baby cat food as a treat each day. She is free feeding baby cat kibble. She is no longer getting milk from Momma. |
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| November 11th - Tom had a tuna sandwich so I took a tiny
bit of his tuna and held it to Molly. Molly is a licker. She likes to
lick so I expected her to lick it. It took some time but she did eat the
bit of tuna. She liked it. A bit later I saw momma kicking Molly away,
she wouldn't allow her to nurse. I've been waiting for that. I took
Molly to the kibble but she showed no interest. We mixed up a bit of
baby cat canned pate with a bit of warm water. I used my fingers to get
molly to lick a bit of it. It took a little bit but she did finally
realize she could eat it, and that she actually liked it. I am so happy
to see her eating solid food! She went to bed last night with a very
full round tummy. She was very hungry She had more I mixed up for lunch
today. I noted she is now using the litter box too. We will try to
slowly transition her to eating the kibble too. I think she just needs
to learn she Can eat it.
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She ate it on my lap, lol. I'm just glad she finally did eat. |
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bi-weekly weigh in...... Molly is 1 lb. 4.75 ounces = 591 grams - up 50 grams |
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| November 7th - six weeks old - I'm still haven't seen Molly eat solid food. I've tried giving her wet food and she has no interest. I think we are beginning to see the results of Molly not having siblings. She has bonded very close to her mother and nurses all the time still. Momma will have to play a roll in when she quits nursing. We are seeing the difference in her play too. Molly knows how to entertain herself but she is slow to catch on to movement play with us. She loves momma's tail but her other toys don't have siblings to bat them around so she is not as used to movement play. The instinct is there, I've seen it. I think its just a matter of giving her the extra time she needs. I'm starting to think she may stay with us a bit longer that a usual litter would, because she is going to need that time to mature. Momma wants her to run and play. I've seen them do it once but Molly just isn't quite ready to let go and run yet. I believe she spends playtime at night because she sleeps all afternoon when I'm trying to play with her lol. She still isn't hiding and chooses to sleep out in the open. | |
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It was hard to get photos of her not nursing, lol |
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Her eyes are a very deep blue. Almost like cobalt or denim |
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bi-weekly weigh in...... Molly is 1 lb. 3.0 ounces = 541 grams - up 28 grams |
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| November 2nd - Molly still won't go to momma favorite baby nest behind the sofa. She want to sleep in the cat bed out in the open. If spooked she will go between the sectional for safety but she won't stay their very long. Most of the time she is pout in the living room she is sleeping. I must be really boring, lol. One time I had a lap blanket over my legs and she climbed up the underside of the blanket to play in my lap, under the blanket. She may be an under cover cat. |
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bi-weekly weigh in...... Molly is 1 lb. 2.0 ounces = 512 grams - up 32 grams |
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| October 31- Happy Haunting - five weeks old - Molly's
weight is better and more in line with what we expect. I still haven't
seen her eat kibble. She zooms about or naps most of the day. Her
favorite plaything is Momma, lol, much to momma's dismay. Momma with pin
her with a paw across her neck. I do see that she is teaching her about reciprocal
biting, which is a good thing. Molly so far is very gentle with the use
of play biting. She is so fast and so cute I usually miss the cutest
antics by the time I get the camera on. Today she Halloween kitty pranced
all around her momma, challenging her before darting off and up
the cat tree.
We've decided to hold off on Mauer. She was out with him and he pounced a full body covering hold on her. It was too overwhelming. He may be to old and rough for a sweet baby. The lighting was not the best for these photos. I'll try for some better eye color when the sun is out. |
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Caught in a yawn |
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Attack! Momma |
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Momma Attack! |
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bi-weekly weigh in...... Molly is 1 lb. 0.875 ounces = 480 grams - up 14.2 grams |
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| October 28th - We decided to let Molly wander out and explore. We want to try and see if she can play with Mauer. Having a play mate other than bossy momma would be nice for her. She had no reserve at all. She didn't hide on the way or even hide once in the living room as most kittens do. Momma wanted her behind the sofa but she wouldn't go, lol. | |
Doors open, come on out Molly. |
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Molly discovers the cat furniture |
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And up she climbs |
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It might take a little more time to figure this next level out |
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The pillow on the back of the sofa is nice. |
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She's so tiny |
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Mauer meets Molly, Molly shows no concern |
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Mauer is not quite sure what to think. |
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I think he knows she is a baby. He's very careful with her. |
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We kept their time together short. |
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Molly took a nap with Momma |
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When she returned to her room she took a nice big drink of water. |
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bi-weekly weigh in...... Molly is 1 lb. 0.375 ounces = 480 grams - up 14.2 grams A smaller gain than we would like to see but given that she is transitioning and running around a lot burning calories, not unexpected. |
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| October 25th -
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Afternoon weigh in...... Molly is . 15.75 ounces = 448 grams - up 14.2 grams Now that she is starting the transition to kibble we will begin weighing her twice a week. It gives a more stable picture of how she is doing. |
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| October 24th - four weeks old - Molly has been teething all week. She's chomping litter. She doesn't like it, lol. I haven't actually seen her eat kibble but I think she is. We should see litter box evidence soon. | |
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| I missed weighing her on Saturday so the weight is a day later on Sunday. | |
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| October 23rd -
Afternoon weigh in...... Molly is 15.25 ounces = 434 grams - up 21 grams |
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| October 22nd -
Afternoon weigh in...... Molly is 14.5 ounces = 413 grams - up 10.7 grams
"I'm ready to be weighed" |
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| October 21st -
Afternoon weigh in...... Molly is 14.1 ounces = 402 grams - up 10.7 grams |
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| October 20th - Molly is such a cutie. | |
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Afternoon weigh in...... Molly is 13.75 ounces = 391.5 grams - up 10.7 grams |
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| October 19th - Molly is keeping her weight gains up despite
being really active.
Afternoon weigh in...... Molly is 13.4 ounces = 381 grams - up 10.7 grams |
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| October 18th -
Afternoon weigh in...... Molly is 13 ounces = 370 grams - up 14.2 grams
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| October 17th - three weeks old -Our eldest son visits on the weekends. He sat
with Molly and she really liked his arm hair. She kept head butting his arm.
lol
Afternoon weigh in...... Molly is 12.5 ounces = 356 grams - up 10.7 grams |
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| October 16th - I noticed momma is kicking Molly in the head
when Molly wants to nurse, so I added in training bowls and baby cat
kibble for Molly. We also added the training litter boxes. The kicking
is really gentle. I think she is just telling her the milk needs
time to replenish. If Molly is hungry it may be time for her to start solid
food. Now she has that option.
Afternoon weigh in...... Molly is 12.1 ounces = 345 grams - up 14.2 grams |
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| October 15th - We brought the run fence in today. I checked at
the door around midnight and I could hear Grainne's soft meowing to
Molly. She was talking to her quite a bit. Molly was out running around
in the dark. lol.
Afternoon weigh in...... Molly is 11.6 ounces = 331 grams - up 10.7 grams |
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| October 14th -
Afternoon weigh in...... Molly is 11.25 ounces = 320 grams - up 10.7 grams |
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October 13th - Afternoon weigh in...... Molly is 10.9 ounces = 309 grams - up 10.7 grams |
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| October 12th - Molly is out walking for strength training. What a difference one day makes. | |
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Afternoon weigh in...... Molly is 10.5 ounces = 299 grams - up 14.2 grams |
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| October 11th -
Afternoon weigh in...... Molly is 10 ounces = 285 grams - up 10.7 grams |
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| October 10th - two weeks old - Molly is maturely really nicely. Her weights are really good. She loves attention and enjoys being held. No yelling for Momma. She is starting to explore a little and is very curious. Showing no fear. She is a calm, solid kitten. We are seeing her pupils developing nicely. Color is just starting to come into her eyes. I trimmed her nails for the first time. She was very good and patient with me holding her paws. | |
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Afternoon weigh in...... Molly is 9.6 ounces = 274 grams - up 14.2 grams |
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| October 9th - thirteen days old - Yesterday morning I
found Molly in a 'nest cave". I stack two beds together to give it
a higher bolster rim, deeper bed. Momma had put her between the two
beds. I figured the top nest needed washing and changed out the beds.
Today same cave, lol. She just likes the cozy protected feel I guess.
Afternoon weigh in...... Molly is 9.1 ounces = 260 grams - up 14.2 grams |
Hanging with Momma - sunny window contrast |
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| October 8th - twelve days old -
Afternoon weigh in...... Molly is 8.6 ounces = 245 grams - up 14.2 grams |
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| October 7th - eleven days old -
Afternoon weigh in...... Molly is 8.1 ounces = 213.5 grams - up 17.8 grams |
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| October 6th - ten days old - Molly is growing very nicely. She is developing a sturdy little body, eating well. She is now working on strengthen her neck and legs. She hold her head up well and is very comfortable in my hands. Her eyes are fully open but they are still developing. She doesn't cry out and looks about as I stroke her head. |
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"I'm Fierce!" |
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Afternoon weigh in...... Molly is 7.5 ounces = 213.5 grams - up 10.7 grams |
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October 5th - nine day old - Afternoon weigh in...... Molly is 7.1 ounces = 203 grams - up 14.2 grams |
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| October 4th - eight day old -
Afternoon weigh in...... Molly is 6.6 ounces = 188 grams - up 14.2 grams |
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| October 3rd - one week old - Today when I started
talking Molly responded to hearing me. Her ear flaps are now open. Her
eyes are also progressing with opening a bit more.
I tried to make a video of her talking to me about holding her. Momma does like when Molly talks, it worries her. I can't even play the video with the sound on in the house. |
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Afternoon weigh in...... Molly is 6.1 ounces = 174 grams - up 10.7 grams She is gaining the exact same amount every day. Getting all she wants and needs with no competition. |
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| October 2nd - six days old - | |
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Afternoon weigh in...... Molly is 5.75 ounces = 164 grams - up 10.7 grams |
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| October 1st - five days old - Her eyes are just starting to peek open on the inside corners. She is doing really well. She is comfortable with being touched and held. She will call to her momma when I hold her. Sort of a, Momma what's happening? | |
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This one shows the dark on her ear edge. Given how dark her nose is this one really isn't needed, lol She is with out doubt a seal point. |
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Afternoon weigh in...... Molly is 5.4 ounces = 153 grams - up 10.7 grams Nice consistent gains. |
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| September 30th - four days old -
Afternoon weigh in...... Molly is 5 ounces = 142 grams - up 10.7 grams |
| September 29th - three days old - Molly has
shed her cord and her nose leather is shading quickly. She is going to
be a beautiful dark seal point.
Afternoon weigh in...... Molly is 4.6 ounces = 131.7 grams - up 10.7 grams The light from the window is causing high contrast in this photo. I'll try for a better one tomorrow. I tried to take this quickly. Momma has no one else to distract her when I try to sneak her kitten away for photos. I don't want to distress her. |
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| September 28th - two days old - Molly is doing
well. She nurses well. She had a very unusual big gain from all the
unshared colostrum her first day. I'm not at all surprised she dropped a
bit today. Kittens often take a day off after eating like piggies. I'm
not worried because she is active and alert.
Afternoon weigh in...... Molly is 4.25 ounces = 121 grams - down 3.5 grams |
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| September 27th - one day old - Momma moved Molly to the bed in the corner
cabinet during the night. All is well today. Molly is alert and nursing
well. She hissed at me, lol. I'm new she needs to get to know my scent.
Right now see can't see or hear and everything is new to her.
Afternoon weigh in...... Molly is 4.375 ounces = 124.5 grams - up 21 grams |
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One day old |
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| September 26th - Birth Day - I think this is the easiest
labor Grainne has ever experienced. They are nice sized kittens too.
3:40 pm - Kitten one was born easily, head first, after very minimal labor. She just popped out followed very quickly by her placenta. This was not a stressful experience compared to past litters. She weighs 3 5/8 ounces. I'm fairly certain she is a girl. She had a few minor contractions moving the next kitten into place then labor stopped. Its not unusual for a cat to stop labor. They can stop for up to 48 hours then begin again. There is usually a cost to this process though if any placenta has detached. Kitten two was born quickly once contractions started, at 6:15 pm. All at once with the placenta. He was unresponsive. I tried compressions & puffs, swinging, rubbing, etc. all with no success. He weighed 3 3/4 ounces and looked perfect. It's heart breaking. Because he came with his placenta I do believe he detached early on and sat in the birth canal with no oxygen to support his life. Molly is doing exceptionally well. She is active and hungry. Momma is taking good care looking after her. The
Stats at birth #1 3:40 pm – Molly – 103 grams ( 3.625 ounces ) #2 6:15 pm – Bosco – 107 grams (3.75 ounces) Stillborn The names Molly and Bosco come from the game Deep Rock Galactic. 'Come here Molly' and 'You're a good girl Molly' will be frequently used phrases. |
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Momma hugging Molly close, keeping her safe and warm. |
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September 19th - We can see and feel at least two kittens moving. One in
each horn of her uterus.
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July 2020 - Grainne was bred beginning July 20th. She will be due around Sept 25th. |
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