Molly and Pippin's Babies

[Colby and the Dwarfs]

Aww I can't wait to see them!

Zelda says she'll be a godmother if needed. I mean, they need an old, wise woman in their lives! Lol.

[DrKMcK]

Believe me, the time will go faster than you think. And then you'll be so amazed at how quickly the whole thing went. At this point you really are okay; Molly will do all the work. Just go on as you are and with the little extras in her food. It is exciting, but also stressful, as you want eveything to be good. Try to relax and enjoy them. Good girl Molly!

[corrieberry]

Could I take the blankets off the cage now? I want to see what is going on in there!!

I also need to hoover our room today - I wasn't going to (skank) but we now have someone coming to view the room thinking about renting (we have to find someone before we leave and given the flatmate situation it's a huge deal)...Should I double-smother the cage in blankets to mask the noise, or should I risk moving the cage VERY CAREFULLY to another room quickly?

When Molly shifted off her nest for her morning porridge this morning, the tissues moved a bit and we took a quick photo in which we count nine babies! And that's only the ones that were visible, you can see more hidden behind the tissue but not enough heads to count them. I know everyone says you shouldn't count, but I am going to double her rations - it all goes overnight and whether or not she's stashing it, I don't care, she needs all the mommy fuel she can get.

I took Pippin out for a morning cuddle (shamefacedly admitting it's the first time he's been out in three days) and told him he was a super daddy - he didn't care and was more interested in the yoghurt drop I was trying to tempt him with.

[DrKMcK]

I think it's okay to take the blanket off. Actually, I never put anything over the cages when my hams had litters. If you have to vaccum, I'd do it quickly. It shouldn't really bother the hams as they have to have heard it before, at least Mama did. I'm not so sure moving the cage is a good idea with the babies being so young. Mama will know she's been moved and that can stress her.

[corrieberry]

OK thanks DrK, I need to move some things around and then I'll do the hoovering as quick as I can. It wouldn't be so desperate if she didn't throw all of her bedding out!!!

[corrieberry]

I am so proud of Molly for the way she has dealt with pregnancy and babies. She has been so protective of them - yesterday I was shaking out a bin bag to replace the old one and she was eating from her bowl - as soon as she heard the noise she shot back to the nest to make sure they were OK.

Everytime I change her food or water, she comes out to investigate what is going on. It doesn't matter how quietly I do it, she always knows something is going on. The first few times she nipped me, and I was super upset (she's never bitten) and even more proud of her for being so loving and protective!

I've taken to carrying sunflower seeds in my hand as I do the swap so that I can offer her a peace offering, which she doesn't seem to mind so much. She is such a wonderful hamster, and I'm so grateful to AmyHague for having reared her and given her such a great start to life, and also incredibly grateful to Molly's sweet nature, for looking after me when I've needed her but also letting me know what she is happy with

Now the babies just need to start wandering out so I can shower love on them too.

[DrKMcK]

It sounds like Molly is doing really nicely. It's going to be a treat to see the babies. Corrieberrie, you are going to be in love with them. It's nearly impossible not to be. When they first come out they are so vulnerable, and it's always a surprise that anything that little is able to trundle about the cage with eyes closed. It's such a great experience.

[corrieberry]

Molly spent a lot of last night begging to come out, and this morning I found her sleeping IN her food bowl. I think she's feeling rather like she's a bit overwhelmed with babies! I said "shouldn't you be with your babies?" And she looked at me sleepily and about two minutes later slowly went back into the best and closed the door. Silly hammy!

[amie]

I've love to have seen a photo of her in her food bowl!

Do you think she might have been a bit hot and having a little cool time away from the pups?

Hope all continues to go well for mum and pups.

[Hekomi]

She probably wanted a break, poor thing! She must be knackered. I can't wait to hear about them leaving the nest! What day are they at now?