Almost New Years Eve

I've been on vacation for nearly two weeks, so I've been spending a lot of time with the kittens. I can't get over how quickly they're becoming cats.




We spend a lot of time playing with ping-pong balls. Agnes likes to chatter and chase them, while Henry is all about the vertical leap. I'd swear he's jumping 4 feet straight up in the air. It's impressive! He's also taken to jumping on to my tall dresser and then sitting on top of the television that is on the dresser top. He's into height.

Agnes is as sweet as ever and I'm constantly touched by her openness, which sounds totally bonkers, but I can't think of how better to describe it. She's very expressive and seems to be a happy little girl. She's moved from sleeping on my pillow, to sleeping next to me with her head on the pillow. I love it!



Henry took a break, but is back to sleeping between Ian and I. I'm pleased to report that he's also returned to rushing in to sit on me and purr in the morning after he's had his breakfast.


I'm looking forward to the continued joy these two will bring us in the new year. I've found myself saying a lot lately that cats make everything better and that, my friends, is the truth.

Fire Baby

On Christmas, Henry discovered how much he enjoys warming himself by the fire. The fireplace is much better than Video Yulelog

Life is Good

I thought it fitting that Agnes was intrigued by the Charlie Brown Christmas Special, particularly because she shares certain qualities with Lucy, only she's less vain and more sweet. Still, if she had a football, she'd work it and Henry would fall for it, every single time.




I have some cute new photos on the way that I hope to put up tomorrow.

Santa was kind to the babies, who enjoyed a few new toys and a video of birds, which got Agnes all riled up. They both enjoyed the piles of wrapping paper, as any respectable cat would.

We had a fire in the fireplace all day, and Henry is quite the fire baby. He loves the warmth, which he luxuriated in. It's been a good day for humans and kittens, alike.

Ghosts of Christmas Cats

I'm Ready for my close-up, Mr. Bergman

The kiddos, like every cat I've known, enjoy basking in lamp light. Perhaps they know the lighting suits them.



Perhaps, unbeknownst to me, they're fans of Ingmar Bergman films, or maybe I've watched Woody Allen's "Love and Death" too often. I can just hear them saying, "Wheat.. fields and fields of wheat".

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

This photo is actually a little misleading because the winner of the "Naughty Xmas Cat" Award goes to...

Miss Agnes Pettibone, for excellence in batting ornaments, chewing twigs, skidding across the tree skirt, and climbing a third of the way up the tree.

She's very proud and would like to eat thank everyone for their support.

Please join me in congratulating her!

Xmas Collar

Here's my babydoll keeping vigil while I work on the computer. You can catch a glimpse of her Xmas light themed Collar.

I love that one of her paws is apricot and the other is gray. The colors are reversed on her back paws.

Henry "Winkler"

Henry has winky eyes. It alternates between the two. Here he is giving his best Popeye impersonation, practicing his pirate moves or signaling to Agnes that he got her directives on doing something naughty.

Her Majesty

Here she is folks! Agnes, Queen of the Towel Rack with Sir Henry, Keeper of the Counter Top.

Beauty Room

While the night belongs to energetic Henry, Agnes shines in the morning. She's extra sweet and interactive, and enjoys hanging out in the bathroom while I shower and get ready for work. She routinely curls up on my outfit du jour, which I typically set on the counter whilst showering. To minimize the kitten fuzz on my clothes, I started draping said rags over one of the towel racks on the backside of the bathroom door.



This morning, Agnes's desire to lay on my clothes won her over and I found her stretched out on my clothes as they were draped on the towel rack. I moved the door, cat included, but she only dug her claws into my trousers and continued to purr.



She's also a fan of the shower curtain and has earned the self-explanatory nickname of "shower curtain licker".

Kitten's First Turkey Day

Since he doesn't seem to mind, and because it was a holiday, Henry sported his collar and bowtie on Thanksgiving.



Agnes was interested in the smells emanating from the kitchen.


In the end, they each got a little taste of this lovely bird that Ian prepared. They both tried unsuccessfully to insinuate themselves into the scene at the dinner table, but finally gave up and took to napping instead.

We're Back in Business

Life is good at Chez Pettibone! The kids are nearing 9 lbs, as are their personalities.

Even though it seems impossible, because she's always been a dear, Agnes is sweeter than before. Mornings, in particular, she's chirpy, flirty (lots of wavy, curly tail) and asks to be picked up. She'll tap at the back of your legs and then look up at you, and put her paws further up, as if to say, 'pick me up'. She purrs readily.



Henry is quite the lap cat and continues to plop himself down where he pleases and then purrs like a maniac. He's still challenging me for supremacy over the kitchen counter, but he's responding more to be told to 'get down', so I don't have to pluck him off as often. He's the one in bed when we hit the sheets and he runs in to wake me up when Ian rousts me out of bed to get ready for work.



Despite the strength of their individual personalities, they continue to do things in unison, like a drill team. They'll walk side-by-side and there seems to be an official Pettibone bath time because they can be found bathing at the same time, the licks almost timed perfectly together. It's ridiculous and hilarious.

Chew-Chew-Chew on You

More photos soon. Young Sir Henry chewed through the USB cord used for my camera, despite my assumption that I had cleverly tucked it away from his little teeth. I need to buy a new one.

Henry T. Pettibone - Guilty as Charged

Name: Henry T. Pettibone (a.k.a., The Butterscotch Kid)

Statement:
What do you expect? I'm a teenager. I can't help what I do. That's why I am defiantly and repeatedly hopping onto the kitchen counter, opening and crawling into the cupboards, eating my way through a second phone charger cord, and coming back to kill the toilet paper after being gently redirected by my humans.

I also confess that I'm skilled at charming those around me with the powers of my cuteness. I've got a purr that won't stop and with a mug like this, who could resist?

I'm rebel and a lover. Who doesn't love a 'Bad Boy'? I've got them wrapped around my tail.

Nearly Half a Year Under Their Collars

They are, give-or-take a few days, 6 months old. I can't convey how much richer and enjoyable life is with these characters in charge. They are lovers and clowns, children and friends, pillow warmers and alarm clocks, murderers of paper products and USB cables, and beasties of the most respectable nature. I pinch myself and die a little everyday (from cuteness).

Kitties Don't Like Mondays

The kittens did not want us to go to work, this morning. Agnes demanded she be picked up and petted, and Henry was all about curling up on any available lap. He was also trying to use the laptop, but that's another story..

As I was putting on my shoes, both were sitting side-by-side on the coffee table staring at me. It's so hard to leave them, but there is nothing better than coming home to them.

Caturday

We're having a mellow morning. Ian is working, I'm on the sofa with Henry snuggled up by my side, and Aggie is very chatty and on Kitty Patrol.

Ch-ch-ch-changes.

The babies are doing great! They're chilling out, counting the days until the new president takes office, and breaking in their winter coats to beat the chill of winter, as it sets in.




They become more 'cat like' all the time, and inserting themselves into the middle of 'whatever' is high on there list of activities. Part of the morning routine (after breakfast and a few fiery demon laps around the house) is hanging out in the bathroom while I get ready for work. Henry finds the shower endlessly intriguing, while Sweet Agnes hops up on the counter and is showered with petting and girly-talk.

This is an example of the typical "Monkey-See-Monkey-Do" antics. Where there is one kitten, another will soon follow.

Campaign Fatigue

Agnes's face says it all. It's almost over, thank goodness!

Although she's only 5 months old (and a cat) she knows that democracy only works when citizens participate. If you are an American Citizen, we're hopeful that you'll get out there tomorrow and make your voice heard.

Angel of The Morning

Sir Henry seems to have exercised his demons and transformed himself into a gentleman. I say so because he spent the night curled up on my pillow, purring, and this morning he was all about keeping me in bed to cuddle and pet him.

Unrelated to his transformation.. The hat didn't stay on long, but he seemed to enjoy the bowtie and collar.

Devil Children

These beastly beasties kept us up much of the night. They both scaled the Roman shades that cover the window that our bed rests against. They also took turns walking along the window ledge, swatting at each other. Rinse.. Repeat...



We threw them out of the room a couple of times, only to have them cry at the door. Wimp that I am, they were let in, only to have them go ape-shit on the shades.



They must have had too much sleep in the afternoon, or there were too many ions in the air, or they're getting into the "Trick" of the Trick-or-Treat swing of things?

I'm exhausted.. and it's a good thing they are so damn cute. Razor sharp claws will be trimmed this evening. They can't climb as efficiently after a mani/pedi.

A Room With A View

The back door is fast becoming a favorite look-out point for our fuzzy protagonists. This is where the spiders unwittingly go to meet their untimely demise at the hands (or rather, paws) of two fierce, albeit, novice killers. It's also a choice vantage point for stalking, squirrels, birds, falling leaves, and, occasionally, Ian working the grill. I'm waiting with great anticipation to hear the "Ack-Ack" sound (chattering sound of the feline hunter), but have only heard the Pettibone "Brrr" sound and Agnes's trilled meows. Girlie can sing quite a lengthy song.




This photo also shows the kids working in tandem, something they do a lot. Lately, I've accused them of wanting to join a drill team, or creating the new sport of Competetive Synchronized Furniture Leaping. They're defintely a team.

P is for Personality (and Partners in Crime)

This sweet, thoughtful little face belies the mischievious beasty within. Henry is into everything these days. He's been hopping up onto and knocking things off the kitchen counter, running across the furniture and up the walls like it's a banked track, and has a strong need to put the beat down on any and every roll of paper towels. He's naughty and having a great time.



Little Miss is in cahoots and is not the innocent bystander she'd like us to believe she is. We've caught her standing look-out by the kitchen door and when approached she gets flirty (the diversion) allowing Henry time to jump off the counter or quickly put on a nonchalant face.

My, How They've Grown

The babies are 5 months old and are both over 7lbs. With chicken treats as my devious method for luring them, I've trained them to scratch on a scratching post. They've stopped scratching on the chair in the living room, which was the intention, but it's also turned into a little trick. They show me they can scratch and I give them a treat. This evening, I came home and they both ran over to the post and began scratching vigorously. I am swollen with pride.

Check out the meaty little paws on this fellow!


The wrestling is getting more entertaining. There is often a blur of butterscotch and gray zipping by and glimpses of tails and limbs mid-air.

Check out the gams on this little gal!

Agnes is still the boss. She's taken over my pillow in bed at night. I've taken to scooting down and surrendering to her will.

More Soon

There are more new pictures coming soon. I haven't had time to offload them from my camera.

This past week, the kids have filled out a bit more. Agnes's post-meal belly, which typically looks as if she's swallowed a small rodent whole, protrudes a bit less, and Henry's legs and leaping abilities continue to strengthen and amaze.

It's been very peaceful and loving around our house. Everyone, including the humans, enjoy staying in bed as long as possible. Agnes, in particular, has been more affectionate and giving us the long rounds of the Pettibone purr, which is loud and seemingly endless.

Speaking of Pettibones, get yourselves over to Laurie C's Itty Bitty Kitty Committee-Etsy shop to order yourself a Pettibone Portrait Pack, which features wee Agnes, Henry (nee Carmine) and their adorable siblings. A portion of each sale will go to the Humane Society's Foster Program. Portrait Packs of other adorable kitten families that Laurie's fostered are available, as well.

Shapes

Now that Agnes has claimed her throne as Ruler of All Household Creatures, she's taken to sprawling out on the sofa cushions, where she holds court, accepting belly rubs and chin scritches, as she pleases. I have made mention that she resembles an otter when she's on her back and she still permits me to shower her with adoration. Here she is keeping a close eye on her brother who was about to insert himself into the scene.




I hope Henry will forgive this slightly unflattering perspective, but his body position reminds me of a bubble bath bottle from my childhood. I also like it because the past few evenings I've come home to see him peering down at me from that window as I pull into the driveway.

Weighing In..

We weighed the kittens again and Agnes is a full 7lbs! That's about 1.5lbs she's added in a little over a months. Other than the big post-meal belly, she is a clean, lean, kitten machine.

She has added even more phrases to her vocabulary. I'd even venture to say that she's talkative. Most recently, she started to sing out and add a playful "brrrr" sound on the end when she wants attention. This new song is generally followed by a paw tap on the leg, requesting she be picked up, or prior to her presenting her belly and the 'air biscuits' she hasn't quite mastered.





Sir Henry, seen here getting his gentleman on, now weighs 6.4lbs. He's been a little behind his sister in growth and teeth development, but he has more energy to burn and is a more lanky. He doesn't engage in the 'MEOW' unless it's during the shark frenzy that occurs while their food is being transferred from can to bowl, but he narrates almost all of his actions with chirps and grunts. I am curious if the other Pettibone kittens have similar vocal tendencies.

Thank you!

Thank you to Theo at Cute Overload for setting things right. The post remains on CO, but the mysterious Helen B. has been removed.

Welcome to all the new folks checking out Agnes & Henry! I'll be posting some new pictures later today and look forward to sharing the continued adventures of my little cats.

Not Cool

I would like to make a public notice that photos from this blog were posted on the http://www.cuteoverload.com without my knowledge or my permission. Someone identifying themselves as Helen B. submitted photos and text from this blog.

I have contacted Cute Overload and requested that the photos be removed.

I am a fan of that site and appreciate the response from those who found this blog via that site. We all love the cute and fuzzy. However, let me be clear, it is not legal, nor is it ethical to claim someone's creative work as your own.

Thank you..

Nibble Nibble

While that chair was talking smack to Henry and was worthy of few sharp teeth, what's really going on is that the kiddos are in their 4th month and are teething as their adult teeth come in. It's either that, or EVERYTHING is delicious.




I just want to soak in those gorgeous eyes. She's been such a good little buddy, this week. I went to bed feeling very sad last night and was comforted by stereo purrs; Agnes by my head and Henry snuggled up on my chest. It's the best white noise on the planet.

Lil' Miss and The Butterscotch Kid

Pssst.. so far so good with the ew-nay, atbox-cay. (knock-wood)

The colder weather has lit a fire under these two little conspirators. It's been a regular spider massacre, which makes for excited, prideful kittens. Their new favorite game involves burrowing under the bed covers and biting toes, thighs and each other. Then there is the 'Kitty Raceway'. They're lean powerful muscles propel them from one piece of furniture to the next.

The other night Agnes scared off a HUGE neighborhood cat, who likes to visit the kittens by appearing at the living room window. It was pretty funny to see a little cat running off such a large beastie.




The cold weather has also turned Henry into a lap cat. I spent several hours curled up with Sir Henry and a book over the weekend. Agnes enjoys that sitting on the back of the sofa within petting distance, but offers up her belly, readily.

Busted..

So, this little darling had herself a little pee on Ian while we were dozing off to sleep, Saturday night. Earlier in the week, she did the same, while he was sitting with her on the sofa with the quilt across his lap.

She seems perfectly normal, happy, active and using the litter box, so we hit the interweb to research potential issues and solutions, and to determine if we need to take her to the vet, right away.

We think the problem is based in the battle for territory and dominance that is going on between A&H, so we got an additional litter box, opened the front room back up to them, and will get a cat tower soon to increase the vertical territory for the critters.

They've been well-behaved, but Henry seemed a little more needy this weekend, instead of his normal cool as a cucumber demeanor, where he would plop himself down and start purring, he'd come ask for attention, and Agnes was all over Ian for affection, which isn't something she's really done before. He's loves her to bits and gives her equal time, but she's been a little more bonded to me than him. I'm hoping that she was just marking Ian as her's.

This morning, Agnes chasing and pouncing on Henry, instead of the typically other way around. We're hoping it's just a little cat power struggle and that they'll work it out. We'll give it another couple of days and call the vet if she pees again.

Feeling Like It's September

The fuzzy buddies are adding to their bulk and their fuzziness. It's feeling a bit like Fall the past few days and they're putting their lap sitting skills to the test. Henry likes to crawl under the covers in the bed, as does Agnes, but to a lesser degree. She still favors the pillow.

Lol

This one is ripe for LOL Cats..

Pettibone Profile

Thank you for all of the comments on yesterday's pictures. I swear there was no staging involved! Agnes and Henry are that ridiculous all on their own.

They've both taken to sleeping by my head on my pillow at night and I've awakened to find them striking a similiar pose. These little siblings seem to enjoy each other.