Believe it or not, taking care of four kittens is easier than taking care of one.

[Siwsan]

Madoc and Arthur had siblings to play with and by the time their siblings were adopted, Madoc had Gryff and Arthur had them.

Right now, poor Merlin has just me. Sometimes I can put him in the playpen (if he's sleeping) and get some stuff done. Other times he wakes right up and starts chirping for me. I put him in a soft sided carrier and brought him to the kitchen. He still chirped because I wasn't holding him. A sling or pouch doesn't work because he crawls right up and out of them. I'm getting a muscle knot in my shoulder because he spends so much time there so I'm shrugging it to help him stay put.

One carrier benefit, though, was Madoc stood next to it, looking through the netting and over the top, sniffing away. No hisses. No growls. Merlin was chirping away.

Fortunately my best friend will be here on Monday. She's a seasoned cat mom and will be thrilled to help with the magical kitten. I'm sure the two of us can come up with some sort of containable 'transport' device.

He MIGH just be in a deep enough doze for me to get a few more things done. Hopefully.

[niyad]

1. You are such a wondrrful kitty mom. Merlin is one very lucky little boy.

Sending vibes for energy for you, and calm and security for little Merlin.

[Siwsan]

4. His eyes are becoming much more defined

The iris is changing to a slightly softer shade of blue. Until now they looked like a couple of black buttons, unless he was in daylight.

He's also learned how to get out of the playpen, if the door is unzipped. It takes a few tries but eventually he coordinates his little legs enough to get out. He's getting really fast, too.

I'm hoping he and Gryff are able to bond. Gryff is the only one who will hop up on my lap when I'm holding Merlin.

[littlemissmartypants]

2. The magical kitten indeed. I know that he's got me under his spell.

Thanks so much for sharing his adventures with us. ❤️

[mjvpi]

3. I lived in Utah for 12 years. This was often heard about children.

My apologies to any woke members of the LDS church. Obviously in 12 years I made any good friends who were in the fold. Our last 8 cats have been from shelters, but as a kid we had kittens around a lot.

[3catwoman3]

5. Last year, at my school of nursing 50th reunion, I saw a current student...

…with a backpack that had a big clear bubble window in the front most chamber. She had a little 8 week old tuxedo kitten in there who was contentedly looking around at everything. The student was wearing the pack over her chest rather than her back, so she could see her baby.

Maybe Merlin would like that?

[Siwsan]

7. I actually have one of those

He's so tiny, I'll have to put a light colored padding on the bottom so that I can see him, but I'll give that a try.

I tried putting him next to me but that wasn't sufficient. He wanted to be ON me. He loves to nap between my neck and the chair back. Another cause of muscle knots since my neck is slightly 'craned' forward.

[bamagal62]

6. I imagine Merlin is seeking

your comfort and body warmth. I hope you can come up with a "kitty baby bjorn " that allows her body to be next to yours.
I love reading your pots about all your kitties. Thank you for saving them.

[2naSalit]

8. It's good to know that he's...

Being care for with so much concern for his well being. Has he started to curl his tail yet? That usually happens as they learn to balance while they learn to walk at about five weeks.

[Siwsan]

9. His tail is like a little spike

Merlin is still a little shaky in his walking but he does manage to get around. He is already a champion at climbing. I've noticed he is starting to be able to retract his claws.

I won't be able to let him do teething on my fingers for much longer. Those little chompers are coming in to full view.

[2naSalit]

10. When I was a kid...

My brother and I came up with names for the different growth stages of kittens, often our prime entertainment, and this stage we called "pencil tail". Once they start curling their tails is when they also start learning to attack, they also start wagging their tails at that point. It's so cute. They start moving their ears about them too.

I'm trying to think of what could work for teething. Hmmm. Perhaps your friend can help with that mystery.

[Warpy]

11. Of course it is

My advice to anyone who wants a kitten is to take two, they're small. They amuse each other and when they get tired, collapse into a heap someplace besides the keyboard of your laptop as they keep each other warm.

[onecaliberal]

12. I love hearing all about this...