Well we have gotten the kittens through the first 7 weeks of their lives. And boy what a difference from the beginning. They are running the households now; racing around like little maniacs. Wrestling continuously. Perpetual motion. Karin and Mike have named them Cammo and Bailey. I have gone along with the Cammo, but call the little girl Kiwi when she is at my house, as I already have a dog named Bailey. They have had their first vet visit, been vaccinated, dewormed to get rid of those huge bellies, and declared healthy. We were also told that we shouldn’t give them any more bottles.
OK, that sounds easy in theory. Even my daughter says when they are old enough to go to the door of the fridge, and hold their own bottle they are too old to supplement with milk. BUT, they are still adjusting to cat food and often get sick and still don’t drink near enough water.(my justifications) Karin and I try. We do well for a couple of days. Then Karin and Mike went on vacation and Karin gave me the bottle back because she was concerned about the amount of fluid they are taking in. So now and then, my husband and I just give them a gulp or two of mostly water-with just a little of their formula mixed in for color. They love it so.
We tried and succeeded in confining them for, about 5 minutes. From a cardboard box, to a kitten playpen, to a 3 foot tall dog pen. Sooner or later they scaled them. We put blankets and then more fencing on top of the dog pen. Cammo got his head stuck. OK, no more pens. 
We would just have to try to make sure they didn’t get walked on and put them in the bathroom at night when they are running over us so much that the scratches and sneak attacks make sleep impossible. Now and then they do go to sleep, and snuggle with us and it is so sweet.
They have no idea they are kittens and in fact, I believe, they think they are dogs. I have plenty of both and they want nothing to do with the cats but have bonded completely with the dogs. My pits are so taken with them it is unbelievable. Two dogs that were rescued from the street and shelters. One almost put down, male pits no less, and they have adopted these kittens. Karin’s dogs have done the same. They, albeit reluctantly, let the kittens play with their ears and tails. Most men are afraid to touch them, Ha. I have visions of the cats going with the dogs in another couple of months when someone knocks at the door. Standing on guard with their big brothers, ready to protect their family.
I’m not sure how long we will be babysitting these little munchkins on a daily basis. Right now they need supervision around the dogs and Karin also has kids at home that may not be quite as concerned about their safety as we four adults are; so for now, I get to bond with them daily. They are doing well.
Don’t laugh if you hear a story several years down the road of old cats with buck teeth and an old cat lady that still bottle feeds them. It will just be yours truly.
Thanks for reading! keepsake16@yahoo.com
To see the story of these kittens from the beginning see:
It takes a village-our journey begin: htp://www.examiner.com/x-2332-St-Louis-Pets-Examiner~y2010m5d31-Takes-a-village-to-raise-abandoned-kittens--Expect-the-worst-do-your-best--A-three-part-story-
Dying young-now there are two: http://www.examiner.com/x-2332-St-Louis-Pets-Examiner~y2010m6d2-Dying-youngnow-there-are-two--Our-personal-journey-with-the-kittens-Part-II
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