Gotcha!

MH (my human) was taking photos of my daughter 'Pot' last night - a task which isn't easy. For every image that is passable, around 5 are deleted. Mostly this is because the subject of the photos just doesn't don't keep still for long enough. By the time the camera has come into focus and the image saved... she will have moved. Her body might be there... sharp detail, perfect light, but at the crucial moment she'll have turned her head which in the image is fuzzy and distorted. Sometimes she thinks MH is playing and this square object must be a new toy, and she rushes forward to take a look making the image unrecognisable as the portrait it wanted to be.  Or, concentrating on my motherly duties  I will have walked across in front of the screen obscuring the view.

As subjects for a photo shoot, we are so badly behaved that some days MH is like the paparazzi clicks and flashed one after the other and rather than front page news, every shot ends up in the rubbish bin. However, last night, with no time to adjust the camera for the poor light conditions in the room this one caused a smile.... the person on the TV (watching I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here) seemed to be reaching right out of the screen with both hands in order to take a grab at Pot - Gotcha!

Coming when called! 5 weeks old

Little Pot is 5 weeks old today - and is developing her playful little kitten character which is so delightful to see.

I've been calling her "Pot" for a couple of weeks now as a temporary name and chose it simply because it is a play on her mum's name, Noodle). When calling  "Pot-Pots" she looks up and comes ambling over to see me. Ambling is most certainly what she does since she is still a little shaky on her legs and not sure about different surfaces she comes across under her paws.

When she is out and looking about, Mum stays close trilling sweetly to encourage her. It is sometimes in an open pose seeming to offer her belly or sometimes she is further wat and trilling encouragement. The video below shows the former in action.

I've seen little kitty testing out her larger surroundings, witnessed the beginnings of recognisable kitten behaviours such as mouthing and testing - her teeth with ever more pressure showing her gaining strength and confidence, and also engaging in play by interacting cautiously with the toys I've provided for her. It is a delight to watch her learn.

She is also keen to be held and to interact. If I put my hand down she will climb into it settling down into my cupped palm and is very accepting to touch, or she will bat and paw if a cupped palm is not offered, in her way telling me she wants that kind of attention.

Still no sign of interest in foods other than mums milk, but I've noted too that mum is also withholding food which seems now not offered on tap, Noodle pushing her away and making her wait. Is this reluctance due to pain? It doesn't appear to be since Noodle's teats look fine and not sore.. but I wonder if Pot is testing her teeth and mum is fed up with it, or if this is natures way and hunger drives the baby to try the solid food offered?

Update on coconut oil bath results

Noodle has become very dirty very quickly since having her coconut oil massage pre-bath this week. We won't be using it again.

Coconut Oil Massage & Bath PLUS Moving Day

What a landmark day!

My human (MH) decided to give this coconut oil massage malarky a go today and so she shut herself with me in the warm bathroom and opened a jar of 100% organic coconut oil.

Digging her fingers in it melted almost upon touch and the smell was divine... well she thought so anyway. I am reserving comment.

The massage was really quite nice but I knew a bath was coming so I was finding it hard to relax into it. It didn't feel heavy on my skin as I waited for the bath to begin.

Next, MH pulled on her exfoliating gloves. We don't use them for every bath but I'm guessing this one was to be special somehow.

Gloved and raring to go, now I was rubbed down with Johnson's baby shampoo into a smooth lather and finally, I was dunked back legs first into the water and rubbed all over to make sure every part of me was soapy and cleaned. I must confess, I don't make this easy for MH and am usually trying to find a way to leap out.

I was then lifted out and showered off with warm water and wrapped in my bath towel ready for ear and claw cleaning and lastly clipping any that had become too long.

MH was satisfied... my skin feels fine, much the same was a bath without the oil.

Meanwhile, the birth nest box we've been using has been moved out and in its place, a caged area set up allowing more room for my kitten to wonder about freely and to exercise her legs and grow stronger. The doors are open so we can wander in and out as we please so now Pot won't be confined to the box which she was unable to get out of. It's wonderful as there is space in there too for a few toys as well as my beloved heat mat, and of course a bowl of dry food for snacks. Lastly, for a bit later in her development there's space as well for a small litter tray when weaning begins.

Teeth & Testing Them

'Pot' the kitten is now just past 4 weeks old and is becoming very aware that there is life of some sort going on outside of the nest.

Her eyes capture me as I go by stalling me in my track. I reach in to smooth the flank of her mother who as always is purring and wanting my eyes on her. As my hand goes by, a soft paw, spread as wide as it can be, like a tiny baseball catchers mitt, reaches out. Oh, so you want to play, do you?

I offer my other hand to pet her and she seems to want more, she takes my finger between her two front paws and opens her mouth to explore what it is. She has teeth! They are tiny spikes, but she has not yet learned (or perhaps doesn't have the strength) to bite and hurt me.

Later, I tickle her soft warm belly, and she really engages in kittenish play..I wonder at the kind of life she would have in her nest now had there been siblings in her litter. Her play touch is gentle and sweet, all four limbs, over which she has not quite full control, overextend with the hands and feet open as wide was can be so I can see each little web of skin between each finger and toe.  They try to wrap around the fingers of my hand, their tiny talons touching my skin but there is no power in her at all yet. I become aware of my face stretched into a smile and of my heart filling with love.

Soon, she rolls over and heads off towards one of the toys I've placed in the nest, she mouths it for a few seconds, but loses interest when there is no reaction... then she turns and comes back towards mum for a feed.

Naked Noodle

So, my human (MH) decided I'd had enough respite and that I needed to get into the bathtime routine again! 🛁🛁😖🛁🛁

Before 'Pot' came along (Pot as in Noodle, get it?) the vet had had her bathing me every third day, so I guess I've had quite a reprieve since my cesarean and so really shouldn't mind so much. And, to be fair on MH it was pretty quick - soaped, dipped and (almost) straight back out. Of course,  then I had to have my my ears cleaned, then nails wiped down those that needed it were clipped. I was getting impatient by the end of it but at least I get some treats.

Talking of clipping,  MH also clipped Pot's claws, having bought the teeniest set of clippers she could find. They looked gigantic when clipping such small and dainty looking claw tips! One wring move could have been a disaster.

Dainty those claws might look, but let me tell you, they are also like little needles as she scrabbles about all over my tummy and when she is digging them in during feeds.  Pot was pretty well behaved during it all considering she didn't know the routine....and MH was trying so hard to be gentle and not make any mistakes. I didn't make it easier either as the whole time I was getting in the way trying my best to bring Pot back to the nest. Silly really since MH was doing it for my comfort. I just couldn't seem to help myself.

Anyway, after all that, with Pot finally back in the nest her tummy was topped up and we settled ourselves in to have a little nap.

Suddenly though, all hell broke loose. Guns were going off eft, right and centre. Bombs were dropping KABOOM! And the sky was lit up in all colours. MH didn't seem to batt an eyelid and just continued watching T.V. The only sign she'd noticed was that she picked up her remote to adjusted the volume. Seriously what's with that? Surely she should be taking cover???

After a while though the battle seemed to be done. For the rest of the night there was only the occasional rally of gunfire in the distance.

The war went on for two more nights. MH says it's a tradition and it happens every year. Odd that I didn't noticed it before...... maybe I only did this year because I have to be responsible for my child...

Speaking of responsible...... look how I sheltered us in the war zone 

(my human uncovered my bottom to show how neglectful I was 🙈)

Kitten Fail! Video Clip.

I videoed this short clip last night as I watched her fail completely as she rooted around to feed. I do not know how she can get it so wrong still and still manage to be the little Miss Piggy she has become. She is so very very cute though and I love to see her eyes wide open.

She is very much hearing and seeing well now and beginning to notice and interact with the world. Exciting times!

Purring

Almost no time at all has gone by since I looked over the side of the nest box and saw two round black pearls I wasn't expecting to see and which has me do a double take, yesterday I heard the feint sound of little Noodlet purring.

She was suckling away, with her paws all stretched out, arms straight which seems to be her favourite feeding pose, and though Noodle was also purring loudly and with gusto I felt I could pick up a new sound. I listened harder. I leaned right in stooping down my hair cascading down and engulfing them and yes, it is a purr alright.

It is quieter than her mums of course since she is so tiny. But as a purr it is not the same kind of sounds. Almost another language - or one that is being learned.  Noodle's purr rumbles.. there is a depth to it and it does not stop, as she breaths in and out. It is continuous and yet at the same time the ins are distinct from the outs. PurrrrrrrrrrUrrrrrrrrUrrrrrr

Noodlet's purr is staccato. As if it is only possible yet on the in (or out?) breath. It reminds me of a needle on a well oiled and almost silent running sewing machine purr - purr - purr - purr. I expect it will get louder and louder and I long to video record it to keep it forever!

I've noted too that she is seeing and focussing more now, and her hearing coming on as her ears open up. She is showing some interest in interacting. The playful kitten is emerging I think!

Halloween Noodlet