1st October 2009 - approximately 57 days pregnant

I know last week's entry is missing - we had a very busy week, and my parents were visiting from Ireland so I didn't have much time for diaries!

Phoenix is actually having to slow down now due to being so large.  She is still eating very well which is wonderful, and spending a lot of time sleeping to conserve her energy.  I think that pregnancy must suit Phoenix because despite looking rather like a Shetland pony, she is still surprisingly agile, and seems very contented and pleased with herself.  She can still get to her favourite spot on top of the fish tank, and spends most of the night pretending to be a breeze block on my feet.

The most exciting thing to report this week (and possibly in my life to date) is that it is now possible to see and feel the babies moving.  It's just the most amazing feeling, and I can waste so much time with my hand on Phoenix's belly feeling the little wriggles and kicks.  I do wonder what they are up to in there.  Are they dancing or playing some strange kitten sport?

I don't know if we will have time for another diary entry because I'm finding it less and less likely that Phoenix will hold out until my estimated birth date.  Check back next week, and we'll know more!



 

16th September 2009 - approximately 42 days pregnant

Ok, so now Phoenix is big.  I am scared to look away from her because every time I look back she has grown again.  She is so ridiculously glowing and beautiful that I find myself just staring and staring at her.  We are up to three dinners every day (that’s not counting breakfast of course), and she’s always first to the plate and last to leave.

I missed seeing it, but Tony tells me she was coming into the living room the other day and forgetting about her belly got stuck once her head and shoulders were through the door <sigh>.

9^th September 2009 – approximately 35 days pregnant

We are now seeing a definite bump!  Phoenix is eating every time I look at her, unless she is asking when the next dinner time is.  Although she is doing a fair amount of sleeping still, Phoenix has decided that she really ought to do as much hooning around as she can while she is still able.  The speed and agility at which this girl moves despite her expanding waistline is impressive to say the least.

I am more than happy with Phoenix’s progress and condition.  It is become quite apparent that she has a belly full of kittens, her coat is still wonderful, and her appetite is just huge.  She is never a large girl, and she if she tells me she’s hungry I don’t have a problem with her having some extra food.  Apart from eating enough to sustain the kittens, she needs to build up her own reserves too.

26^th August 2009 – approximately 21 days pregnant

I was delighted to notice beautiful bright pink nipples on Phoenix’s belly.  This is the best early indication of early pregnancy, and we are thrilled that things seem to be going nicely to plan this time.

Phoenix is ever so slightly rounder than usual, but not very much yet.  This is fine; I wouldn’t expect a big bump just yet.  She is in excellent condition though, and still more than happy running round the house as usual with the other cats.

One thing that is noticeable at the moment is how tired Phoenix is.  She is spending a lot of time fast asleep.  Not napping or dozing, but completely out for the count - bless her.  This is quite normal; it’s just down to the amount of energy her body is using for the babies.

5^th August 2009 – Honeymoon

After her phantom pregnancy we wanted Phoenix to be mated and have a litter as soon as possible.  So when she came into full call soon after we realised that the last time had been a false alarm, she had her honeymoon with our own Valentine.

We are very lucky in being able to have Valentine as an inside boy.  He has such a fantastic nature and is such a gentle and friendly boy that he is just a joy to have around the house.  This means that he and Phoenix are good friends already, and there is no tension or territorial issues to overcome when it comes to letting them have time together when Phoenix is calling so that they can mate.

We now have to wait for around three weeks to find out if this mating has been successful.  It’s important for Phoenix to now have a successful pregnancy, so we will be keeping everything crossed.