The Miracle of Life- kitty style :)

I had the privilege of witnessing our cat, Misty, giving birth.  It was THE coolest thing I've seen in a while.  She had climbed into the box with Midnight (which was a little strange since the two have not been talking since Midnight had her kitties), and had popped out two, black, little mouse-like kittens when Nate discovered them.  He brought me up to the closet and we both watched in awe as she and Midnight did it all!  I could NOT believe how helpful Midnight was being!  It was so incredible.  I couldn't help but think about my own little sister and that I hope to be able to help her be a mom someday.  It was SO SWEET!  She was cleaning up after everything, licking the babies, even licking Misty every couple minutes.  She was a total kitty midwife!  Maybe this sounds cheesy to other people, but to me it was a pretty spiritual experience.  It amazes me that these animals who have only been alive for a year themselves have the instincts necessary to give birth and care for newborns.  It's so cool.  They were a little funny right after the births, they weren't really sure what they wanted to do.  I felt like the box was a little overcrowded so I put Midnight's kittens into a new box with a fresh towel.  When Misty heard Midnight's kitties crying, she jumped out of her box with her newly nursing babies falling off of her, and climbed in with Midnight's kitties.  Kinda strange right?  Well, even stranger, after that, Midnight came in and heard Misty's kittens crying so she jumped in with them, and grabbed each one by the back of the neck and hopped into the other box to put them with everyone else.  So weird.  So I took the opportunity to throw away the dirty towel and put in a fresh one.  Then tried one more time to move Midnight's older kittens into the new box and separate them all, but the two mommies just kept switching kitties and wanting them all together!  It was so funny.  At one point they were nursing the other kitty's babies.  I got a little worried, assuming they are like people and have important nutrient containing colostrum at the beginning, I didn't want the new babies to miss out on that, so I forced them to switch for a while.  I have no idea really, but just using what little knowledge I have :).  So anyway.  I just sat and watched them for quite a while.  They are all so cute!  I haven't been a big fan of the pet idea for most of the last two years (since we got Buddy), but suddenly I felt like it was the coolest thing ever :).

Erika was adorable with Misty.  She came home shortly after this all went down and was right there with me, just oohing and ahhing over the kittens.  We both couldn't get enough of them.  She kept petting Misty after me and saying, "Ohhh, it's okay Misty... you are such a sweetie!... It's tough, I know, with four, you can do it!... you are such a good mom!" So cute!!  I love her gentle, nurturing side.  Again, I can't believe that quality can exist in such a little being, even my four year old daughter.  Divine Nature.  I loved those minutes with Erika and the kitties.  

Erika was so excited to tell the girls.  She was planning how she was going to say it.  We didn't want to wait for the kids to walk home, we had to go pick the kids up from school.  We blasted "Because I'm Happy" on the way and then the minute the girls climbed in the car Erika said to them, "I have a surprise for you in our room!"  I think they thought she'd cleaned it or rearranged it or something because they smiled and looked excited, but really had no idea what she was talking about.  So I said, "We have 2 cool things to tell you.  One Misty and Midnight are friends again, and...."  I left a break so Erika could tell them the other thing.  She practically screamed out, "Misty had her babies!!!"  Everyone got so excited and happy!!  It was so fun.  We came home and everyone crowded each other out in the girls' closet (starting to see why that choice of placement was such a good one- good job mommas), they oohed and ahhed.  Nobody could get over how much Misty's kittens look like Midnight and Midnight's still look so much like Misty!  Weird.  Genetics. 

It was a fun... minute and half, where everyone was thrilled.  Wasn't QUITE as exciting to everyone as Midnight's.  That novelty has ended I guess.  But that is also good in some ways.  They need their privacy.  I loved being there for it all though.  

That evening was stressful for Kelly- she was really worried about her kittens because Misty was refusing to nurse.  I can't say I blame her.  I really can't imagine what nursing 4 little kittens (with claws) all at once.  Sounds irritating.

It was really cool to sit and talk with Kelly though, while we were watching the kitties that first day.  We were watching the new little ones struggling, blind little mice, sniffing around for their food, getting stuck on the towel or fighting over baby bottles :).  It was cool because she was saying how hard it was to not help them and how you just want to reach in and do it for them.  Then we got talking about how it is probably hard for Heavenly Father to sit and watch us struggle and make wrong choices, take wrong turns and stuff and have to repent, but he lets us because he knows that it will make us stronger.  These kitties are not going to develop the muscles they need and the know-how they need to survive if we do it all for them.  They have to learn and develop and be challenged in order to survive.  We thought that was a cool analogy.  Really gives me some perspective.  I feel the same way about my kids.  I want them to experience hardship and consequences so that they can grow.  It really can be so hard though.  

Day 2 for the new kittens was a lot better.  Misty was up there pretty often, nursing them.  I went up during the afternoon to watch them (they really are just so cute- I watched them for a good half hour!).  Both mommies were feeding their babies when I got up there, but Midnight was done shortly after, and went and laid down in the girls room on the floor (I can hear her saying, "okay that's enough for now- mom's taking a time out!" That's what I'd say anyway).  Her kittens were not done eating though, apparently, because they started crying.  Misty always jumps up when she hears Midnight's kitties for some reason.  Makes me wonder if it takes a while for the newborns to "talk" and so they're not saying specifically what they need but the 2 week old ones are.... or maybe I'm just crazy :).  Either way, Misty jumps out of her box, leaving her newborns to fend for themselves, and lays down to nurse Midnight's kitties.  Midnight doesn't seem to mind, but then Misty's kittens start to cry.  She does nothing.  SO being the intervene-er than I am- I reached in, grabbed Midnight's kitties and took them out of the box and set them in the bedroom, near Midnight.  Misty got bugged, but I kind of persuaded her to take care of her own kitties.  She kept wanting to get out, and rescue Midnight's whiny kitties, but I wasn't letting her.  She finally gave in and laid down to feed her babies. Midnight's cute kitties finally made it to her and were nursing.  They looked more comfortable being out in the middle of the floor, they're getting so much bigger now- I think we need a bigger box.  Anyway.  After a little while one of Midnight's kitties that hadn't made it to her yet was crying, so Misty jumped out of her box, quickly snatched up Midnight's kitty in her mouth and hopped back into her box with her babies' cousin :).  I don't know what her obsession with them is!  She's so bizarre.  One was enough I guess.  So I took that one back out, put it with Midnight and then left the room to do some laundry.  When I came back 20 or so minutes later, Misty had snatched up 2 of Midnight's kittnes and was keeping them hostage in her box.  Midnight didn't seem to care.  One of her kitties has made it's way under Erika's dresser and was crying too.  Kinda cute, but I"m glad I didn't forget about them :) who knows what they would have gotten into.  Anyway.  I've rambled on about the kitties long enough.  Probably doesn't even make any sense.  It was fun for me :).  

Back to life and taking care of my own kids I guess :).  I'll have to post the pictures later.. they're on my phone anyway, so they're not all that great.  I need to get some good ones with my real camera.