They Say It’s Your Birthday!!!

Well folks, Asia is officially One today!! Hard to believe little miss is already a year old.

Lets take a stroll down memory lane……

(13 weeks old)

This was the first photo I took of her first morning home. She was a dainty little thing (still is). I picked her up at the airport at midnight, and neither of us slept a wink that night. She was a nervous ball of energy who wanted to see, smell, and touch everything in the room I tried to keep her in.

Bayou and Asia hit it off instantly, and my thoughts of keeping her separated in a guestroom for at least a week went out the window. The yowling of those two on each side of the door was enough to make me toss all sense out the window and just go for it. (I did pay for it with everyone getting a stomach bug for a few days…don’t do as I did!).

My husband went out and got me my anniversary present that day, so by that evening I was officially a photo fiend (Thank You Dearie!!!). Below was one of the first photos with the new Canon.

Asia has never missed a beat from the moment she arrived. She looked around, said okay, now what? Everything since then has always been “what are you doing?”, “whats that?”, “can I eat this?”, “will you throw that?”, “can I get in, under, on that?”. Essentially we are living with a spotted Curious George.

Oh little miss….how did we live without you before?

If you want a serious walk down memory lane, watch this video of the first morning home with her and Bayou playing. WOW was she teeny. They were playing chase already, “like peas and carrots”.

Or this video of her showing off her spots and chatting it up.

She also figured out how to get down from the cat ledge in a matter of seconds….somersault style. Here I was worried silly when she went up it the first time.

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It did not take her long to figure out that fetching was HER thing.

(15 weeks old)

The toys she likes to fetch have changed now and again, but she still LOVES to fetch.

Here was a video of her at about 15 weeks old. She still fetches with that tail straight up by the way, and it STILL cracks me up.

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I love this froot bat photo….one of my favorites since it pretty much captures her personality exactly.

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(16 weeks)

She still enjoys teasing Dexter, and Dexter still puts up with it (all be it usually with a grumble).

Dexter I believe is saying “I dare you….go ahead, jump on me”.
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She still thinks everyone is her personal pillow (except Dexter, she has learned he prefers to sleep solo).

Here was a video of her and Bayou bonding, but I am warning you. You need to be ready for this level of cuteness before clicking. Seriously.
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After she settled in I introduced her to the famous ‘Da Bird’ toy. Well, that was a no brainer, she loved it.

Here was a video of her enjoying Da Bird at almost 5 months old.
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Ahhh yes….the Dishwasher.

If the dishwasher door is open, she is ON it. That is a rule. I am glad she outgrew the need to climb around on the shelves though.
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One thing that amazed me when she arrived was how well she listened. I would ask her to get off something and with little reminder, she usually listened and avoided it going forward.

AHHHH….but that was BEFORE teenagerhood.

Somewhere around 6 months old it became super fun when Mom said ‘no’, to move faster, hide, or do whatever it was 10 times over. So much for the little angel theory!

Counter surfing and climbing the entertainment center were top on the agenda.

This was also about the same time she decided cardboard, especially empty egg cartons, were A LOT of fun to destroy.

Oh, and not too long after she decided that water filter pitchers were super interesting too, especially pushed around until they hit the floor. I almost left the replacement one out a few times now, but she is quick to remind me to put it away in the fridge as soon as I fill it. Appreciate that, can always do with a few reminders to pick things up.
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The first snow storms of the year brought her to the window with rapt curiosity. She still likes to watch the flakes fall.

This video was of her wanting to be with Dad outside helping him shovel snow, because he MUST be doing something cool and interesting.
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The day finally arrived and she had to be spayed. Surprisingly I made it through the day of her at the vet, but almost did not make it through the night with her back home. She had a reaction to the pain meds that were sent home, and I was up with her all night trying to keep the crazy crackhead from destroying her incision or hurting herself. Oy. We now know what NOT to give her post surgery, lesson learned.
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As Christmas approached, I contemplated our first tree. I decided to pass and wait until maybe next year. Just a few decorations out for photos proved that this would have been an adventure.

Dad made the crew a new cat shelf for Christmas, and we were all grateful for the new toy…..

…and Asia got to practice more monkey moves.

Note: do not put carpet climbing pole within 4 feet of keyboard in office. You have been warned.
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After I started working from home for a couple months, Dad started complaining that Asia did not want to bond with him anymore. Now she makes a point of sleeping on him more often so there are no hurt feelings. Of course now he complains that the cats are always on him. Sigh.
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One of the best things of all out of this last year is that Bayou now has a friend. He had been here for five years, and he needed a feline buddy, which was my main driver for getting Asia. The two have worked out great together, even if Bayou is double her size (she looks to be topping out at 8lbs even, Bayou is 14). I could not have asked for a better match between the two.

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Oh my little goof ball. We have really enjoyed the last nine months. Happy Birthday. We will be playing fetch and your favorite wand all day, promise.

All the same, I am excited for the next year just as well. I always have lots of photos and videos to watch of you as a kitten. Now it will be fun to watch you grow as an adult.