Rachel 2-21-07

Rachel & Gabriel

4/25/07

Well... The kittens continue to grow and are developing their own, unique, personalities. After Annette showed an interest in the kittens during the Vet visit (earlier in the week), we gave her the opportunity to visit with them in the nursery today. Overall, things we quite well. The kittens are certainly not afraid of her and she is quite tolerant, though they did start to overwhelm her after awhile. Leroy was particularly interested in her and followed her throughout the room. A bit of "socialization" took place, as Leroy kept poking at her, but all in all they got along. A great first introduction!!

Waiting for the Vet, with Annette overseeing the whole affair!!

The kittens LOVE Annette. She visited with them for a little bit today.

After a bit, Annette "tried" to get away from her admiring hoard, with little success. :-)

We three kittens...

Leroy, learning what it means to be a BIG Maine Coon Cat!

4/20/07

It's been awhile since pictures were taken... These are a few quick snap-shots and we will do more this weekend.

4/3/07 Vet Visit Day!!... At 5 weeks, 5 days and a smidge less than 2 lbs. across the board, these kids are active, full of spirit and developing into wonderful kids. Of course, none of them like Vet Visit Day, but they all have to go through it, several times and other than the occasional expression of dislike towards the vet, things went well.
Murphy Brown	Molly Brown	Leroy Brown	James Brown	Charlie Brown

3/19/07

This morning, Rachel decided that her kittens needed more space. Though we had put up a small / low fence to define their area, she wanted them "free" and moved them over the fence, to under the bed. When we found them, we agreed that the kittens needed more room to romp, so we moved the whole group into the "nursery" and put the fence across the doorway. The previous litters (Olivia & Mitzi) found this to be more than adequate.. A few hours later, we found that she was still not happy - she had again re-located the kittens to the area under the bed. After all that - She wins.

The kittens are "free" and are having a blast wandering around our entire bedroom. They have no fear and are full of spunk!!

Pictures are on the way...

3/18/07
Day 24... Everyone is doing pretty well. On day 18, Murphy, Molly, James and Charlie broke the 1 lb. mark, Leroy caught up on day 20. They are getting very mobile and are starting to venture out of their birthing area a bit. Still a bit tentative, but every day they go another step farther. They have reached the stage where they are starting to look like "little toads"... They will sit inside their carrier, looking out at us with big round eyes and their bodies are just "plump", rear legs are splayed out to the sides and they look like toads. It is a stage we enjoy very much!!
Murphy Brown	Molly Brown	Leroy Brown	James Brown	Charlie Brown
			James was a bit "persnickety" this morning and we couldn't get another decent picture of him

All the kittens are becoming very curious about their surroundings and their personalities are starting to come out, but one, Molly, is leading the "pack". She is often the first one to wander out to the front to see what is going on when we come into the room and she loves to wander off after being weighed to look at what else is around, right outside her world. Not only is she currently the largest kitten - she is definitely going to be a "pip".

Any day now they are all going to "break out" and then the real fun begins!!

3/11/07
Day 17... They are looking around, wandering off when put them down after weighing, and all the other things that kittens do at this age. Oh... yes, and they are growing like weeds!!
Kitten 1 Murphy Brown	Kitten 2 Molly Brown	Kitten 3 Leroy Brown	Kitten 4 James Brown	Kitten 5 Charlie Brown

3/3/06

Just over a week has gone by and mother and kittens are doing well. Eyes are open(ing) and they are quite active and doing very well at finding the necessary "spigots"!!. Their markings are starting to show a bit more and we may actually be able to start telling them apart!
Kitten 1	Kitten 2	Kitten 3	Kitten 4	Kitten 5

2/24/07
Rachel's kittens are now 24 hrs old. Rachel is doing a terrific job with her kittens, but is still interested in her "creature" comforts... She likes to keep up with her hourly feeding schedule that she started, before giving birth!! A very attentive mother,... she watched (very carefully), this second weigh-in!!
Kitten 1	Kitten 2	Kitten 3	Kitten 4	Kitten 5

2/23/07

The Babies Are Born!!

Rachel and Gabriel are pleased to announce the birth of 5 new Maine Coon Cat kittens!! Born this morning, starting at 4:00 a.m., mother and babies are doing fine. Pictures will come tonight / tomorrow.

1 - .35 lb (5.6 oz)
2 - .37 lb (5.92 oz)
3 - .32 lb (5.12 oz)
4 - .30 lb (4.8 oz)
5 - .30 lb (4.8 oz)

2/21/07 - Due Date!!

On her due date, she looked like she was going to pop! Very uncomfortable, out of balance and quite restless... But throughout it all, she remains sweet and affectionate.