Housesitting adventures

So Sarah and I both went home for the holidays, and we were absolutely torn up with motherly guilt over what to do with the babies. Our usual housesitters were all out of town visiting their own families, and the thought of boarding the cats (especially at the vet, which was the only place with any space) nearly made us sick. Plus, boarding is ridiculously expensive.

Then we found Tails of the City Pet Care, which I very highly recommend! The owner of the branch that covers our area was absolutely wonderful. She came over to meet the babies, and they took to her right away. Then once we were on our trip she e-mailed us pictures and updates every few days. It was so perfect, because our minds were at ease (and it was affordable!) and the babies had their familiar home with normal meal times plus play time each morning and evening. From the pictures she sent, we could tell they were quite happy and comfortable with her!

Simon was a bit shy at first, but that soon changed...

I just heard a bird outside!!!  *huntress mode activated*

Okay, I like you now. I sit on your lap. Hope you didn't have plans for the rest of today...

I like your shoes, they smell like lots of interesting animals...

You are very nice, you feed us and play with us. I knead your back and purr loudly.

Massive photo post: December 2012

Part II of the very-late back-posting of photos, this time for the month of December. The theme of "Simon sleeping cutely in Shauna's lap during The Rachel Maddow Show" continues.

Tandem napping... River looks so happy! (December 4)

Why you type on this thing instead of petting meeeee? (December 4)

Simon during and after Rachel Maddow. He's so snuggly!!!

(December 4)

Snoozing and being adorable during Rachel.

(December 6)

Oh, I can't take this talk of the fiscal cliff! Wake me when it's over!

(December 6)

Laptime cuteness! Gawd I can't get enough of that little pink tongue! 

(December 9)

I guess it was a stretch-out-on-the-floor kind of day!

(December 10)

MORE fiscal cliff talk?! Save me!!!

(December 11)

A rare photo of both their faces!! My stately babies.

(December 17)

You type on the warm thing, I'm just gonna nap here...

(December 18)

Three-way napping (this is common in our house!)

(December 18)

My snuggly boy during Rachel Maddow. I love his face in the second picture!

(December 18)

Sleeping under the light, her new favorite spot.

(December 20)

Derrrrrrrrrrrp??? This is possibly my favorite picture of him, ever.

(December 21)

Massive photo post: October and November 2012

Wow, I guess I got behind after I started working that job that I really like! Much less time for kitty-blogging, apparently. Until yesterday I hadn't even gotten pictures off my camera, phone or iPad since the end of October, eek! Lots to catch up on.

So here is a survey of the Fall 2012 Cuteness from Simon and River. I realize I sometimes take more pictures of Simon, but he does more goofy things! River is so dignified and prim that she tends to just sleep curled up gracefully, not sprawled on her back with paws everywhere like the Derp Man. He also tends to be the one who jumps in my lap while we're watching Rachel Maddow every night (many of the lap pictures below are of that).

On the couch watching Rachel Maddow... love that white belly!
(October 25)

 Simon with Sarah's foot
(November 1)

The Derp Man watching Rachel with me (more fuzzy belly!!)
(November 3)

Derp? Streeeeeeeeeetch... he loves it when I sit on the gliding rocking chair.
(November 4)

I'm sitting on mommy to "help" her nap... is that a treat in your hand????!!
(November 8)

I like the ottoman.... especially falling into it while grooming myself....  *awkward slurp*

(November 10)

Sooooo relaxed and comfy...
(November 10)

Cat in a box! River loves it when we get packages...
(November 10)

 Ear rubs and lap time for Little Squeak!
(November 11)

Playing with the rope toy, it somehow ended up draped over her back...
(November 12)

 Lazy babies greeting me when I got back from visiting Rhode Island
(November 19)

I think he missed his lap time while we were gone...
(November 19)

Watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade with my dreamy-eyed boy.
(November 22)

More lap time with the Riverlet
(November 23)

This cat never ceases to make me laugh! Watching Rachel with kitty lap-warmer
(November 25)

Slurp... snooze.... mrph? Simon the lap man listening *intently* to Rachel.
(November 29)

One-year homecoming anniversary!!

At this very moment one year ago we brought our babies into our apartment, opened their cat-carriers, and watched as they crept around the various rooms looking cautiously, meowed to each other in a chirpy conversation... and then hid under the green chair for two days.

Since then, they've completely taken over the apartment and our lives with their squeaky, hungry, playful little ways. One year ago we never could have imagined how much we would love them or how their sweet little faces would charm just about anything out of us.

And now we can even attempt an arms-length family portrait, which we might not have tried even a few months ago!!!  Simon and River, our sharp-clawed little darlings, we love you!!

Slurp!

 What's going on?! Why you holding meeeeeee???