We have waited over a year since we lost our beautiful Balinese kitten. He died of FIP and the vet told us to wait at least six months before getting a new cat because the virus can linger in the house.
DS1 is very excited about having not one, but two kittens this time (brothers from the same litter - both Balinese again), and DS2 is apprehensive because he thinks they will scratch him. He has put up a 'Beware of the kitten' sign and added an extra 's', which sums up his attitude, I think. However, he has chosen one of those toys on sticks from the pet shop, so at least he can play with the kittens from a safe distance.
Am feeling curiously apprehensive. What if I don't love these kittens as much as I loved ToffeeKitten? They will be very different from him, I'm sure, but that is probably a good thing. Part of the reason he was so closely bonded to me and wanted to be cuddled all the time was because he was ill, after all.
Anyway, I will be posting photos of our new kittens later, for all those who love kitten pics.
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The litter tray
Our kittens are arriving today!
ToffeeWhirl · 16/08/2014 10:38
They look fine to me. (Love those tufty ears!) As I think I mentioned above, I'd just go about your business as normal although it would be prudent not to do any hoovering or hammering etc (loud bangy stuff generally) for a few days until they're more 'au fait' with Toffee Towers.
Good that DS2 is being braver. 
Maybe just keep an eye on him to rein in any over-confidence though. As these are new kits to him, he wouldn't want to get off on the wrong foot.
Well done all so far.
Thanks for your reassuring words, cozie. No danger of Ds2 getting over confident - he still won't actually stroke the kittens. But yes, I will bear that in mind.
Toffee Towers 
!
at spraying them with water!Exactly, Fluffy! I thought it was a terrible idea. DH is the most gentle man you could meet, but he does get some funny ideas sometimes. He's never had a cat, so I think he just googled and came up with this advice from somewhere. He's even ordered the water pistol. But don't go and call the RSPCA yet - I will ensure the DC use it on him instead 
.
cozie - they are 14 weeks.
We've had a good day with them. They are definitely getting a bit bolder with us, although they still wriggle free if we dare to pick either of them up. Both my boys are being brilliant with them it's just DH we need to keep an eye on. DS2 cleared out their litter tray this afternoon and has been building them another kitten playground out of boxes. DS1 spent some time with them when he was on his own in the house for a bit - it was nice to know he had company when we were out.
As soon as one of the kittens comes and sits on his lap, he'll be fine. (That's almost inevitable with Oriental strains - they seem to make a bee-line for the people who aren't coo-cooing at them.)
They should calm down once they get a few weeks on them and the autumn weather sets in. (You'll find two little bodies next to the radiators/sleeping in the airing cupboard among the towels or something.) Having the two of them actually means you're less likely to lose them when they ferret out a cozy spot - two bodies bulking larger than one etc.
Neutering will help of course. (I assume that's on the cards for the month after next ?)
All sounds good.
I'm sure you're right about DH, cozie. He's a softie really.
I will tell him that they're likely to calm down after a few weeks - that might reassure him. And he mentioned that neutering should help - he must have googled it. (Yes, definitely on the cards, but am going to give them a week or two to settle in before taking them to the vet for their first visit. Even though I am secretly desperate to use the gorgeous new wicker basket I bought to transport them 
).
They are delightfully bonkers this morning. We have all had a go at playing with them, but they're still not worn out and are chasing each other round the room as I type. I can hear lots of crashes and thumps as they skid around the floor.
That's what I love about kittens for the short while of their kittenhood - they're so high octane about everything. They don't play, sleep and eat, they PLAY, SLEEP and EAT!
Is DH's nose still out of joint or is he adjusting?
DH is slowly coming round. After all, they are irresistible. They now rub up against our legs when we go into the dining room in the morning and they have both started rolling onto their tummies to let us stroke them.
The occasional 'Oh Darling, I think you're their favourite person - Really!' is often helpful in the early stages. It's always believed.
And at least you won't have traumas over neutering from the sound of it. ('You're really going to cut my boy's balls off?')
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Yes, tabby point. I love his markings, especially his little striped face. DH said he was rolling on his back to have his tummy tickled first thing this morning (the tabby, that is, not DH ).
I have just managed to shut them in the dining-room cupboard by mistake. I opened it briefly, then turned to chat to DS2, who had come downstairs to watch the morning kitten show. He pointed urgently: "Mum!" I turned round to see little paws reaching out from underneath the door!
When I opened the door, they ran out, looking a bit cobwebby and dishevelled.
Today's the day we set them free to explore the house. They are more than ready. I was worrying that they might hurt themselves if they jumped through the gaps in the bannisters and down the stairs, but my neighbour (long-term cat owner) reassured me they'll land fine. I suppose I'm still not used to having cats that are so agile and able.
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