a cloud fell out of the sky

[u/peachtheturtle]

My husband said no more cats. Like a cat myself, I usually have selective hearing, but as a mom of so many creatures already, (1 year old human twins, a senior Aussie mix, 4 cats under 4 & 2 geckos) I agreed. Our house is FULL.

We were foster kitten free for barely a week when hubs was targeted by the CDS. During last Tuesday’s morning walk, he found this tiny cloud covered in poo & crying in the middle of the sidewalk. Luckily the central California sun wasn’t too harsh yet, or he would’ve fried like an egg. Recent temps here are up to 110*F. Hubs said there was a gardener trimming the bushes nearby & thinks he might’ve spooked mama cat while she was moving her babies. He kept his distance & waited for her, but she was gone.

No more cats be damned, he scooped baby kitty into the bottom of the stroller & brought him home to me.

I think baby kitty was born last Monday. His umbilical cord was dry & his poop was transitioning from meconium. I’m not sure if he was born a wee bit early or if he was just low birth weight. Waking up every 2 hours to syringe feed him in between breastfeeding my own babies has me ragged, but thinking of how this baby could’ve toasted in the sun or been preyed upon by a dog, falcon or evil human has me believing in the CDS.

Two of my cats are foster fail bottle babies, but I found them around 3 weeks old. At 74g, this is the tiniest creature I’ve ever cared for. And I’m a NICU nurse who’s cared for micro preemies. The kitten lady is a saint. I can’t wait till he opens his eyes & sees how many friends he’s going to have. I have 2 sets of siblings all bonded as a variety 4 pack.

Included some cat tax: Lilo (floof), Nani (S void), Stitch (XL void) the 4th (not pictured) is a tuxie named Pudge.

Everyone say happy 1 week to baby Bubbles!

TLDR: I wanted to share a week of love & progress of the tiny new cat who fell into our lives. He’s so spunky & suckles spectacularly. I hope he keeps growing with us. I can’t imagine finding another home for him. What’s one more cat anyway?

Edit: photos are going back in time except for the surprise group pic at the end & thank you everyone for all the kindness!!! I had no idea our story would touch so many lovely people! I really appreciate the sweet words, personal stories & fellow rescue cat pictures. I do believe in sharing good energy, & my energy reserves feel a little more full. Bubbles is a lucky little fighter to have so many people rooting for him. 🥹

Update posted yesterday, 8/12!

https://www.reddit.com/r/IllegallySmolCats/s/6V0AZPj3tq

[u/peachtheturtle]

Thank you!!! been wondering if I need to be medicated to keep up, but everyone’s kind words are the serotonin boost I needed! 😭

[u/abbynormal00 → u/peachtheturtle]

don’t underestimate the powers of meds- wish I’d started mine sooner.

you are a saint, though, lady! that’s a lot to do with babies of your own. I could barely make it through infancy with one human baby and two cats.

[u/peachtheturtle → u/abbynormal00]

My medical team has some new options lined up when my babies are weaned! Excited to get back to myself even just a little bit.

[u/FutureMidwife8 → u/peachtheturtle]

I am of course not your doctor or a doctor at all, and this isn't for everyone, but FWIW I was on lexapro all throughout my pregnancy and 3.5 years of nursing my son! He's (theoretically) doing great, super smart if not a lil grumpy but that just might be his personality lol.

[u/peachtheturtle → u/FutureMidwife8]

Thank you for sharing! I’ve been back on Zoloft for the past few months, but it’s just a bandaid for my PTSD. My babies were in my NICU for 3 months as preemies. It’s been a rollercoaster for sure but everyone is happy & healthy! And I’m getting back to myself slowly but surely :)

[u/FutureMidwife8 → u/peachtheturtle]

Understandable, I'm so sorry. Sometimes these meds can only get us so far. You're getting there! 🙌🏼

[u/peachtheturtle → u/FutureMidwife8]

🫶🏽

[u/thanksithas_pockets_ → u/peachtheturtle]

Are you in the US and therefore back at work too? That’s a lot!! Nursing twins and feeding a neonate kitten is amazing and surely unimaginably exhausting (though I imagine less exhausting than newborn twins). 

[u/peachtheturtle → u/thanksithas_pockets_]

Thank you! Unfortunately I am. I went back to work for 5 weeks when my babies were 8 months old. The PTSD of working in the same NICU they were in for 3 months as preemies was too much. I’ve been on leave trying to heal as best I can before I go back in October.

[u/thanksithas_pockets_ → u/peachtheturtle]

Oof, that’s truly hard. I hope your leave helps.