I've been valiantly trying to ignore that winter was inexorably coming, but considering that it's snowing like all can be outside, I think I have to admit defeat and concede that winter's definitely here.

And if my admitting defeat wasn't enough, Weather Bug just chirped to announce that the National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for the county, since it's just warm/cold enough for ice to form on the roads on top of the snow.  Guess I'll be waiting till tomorrow to make that run to the Evil Empire for last minute additions to the kitten birthing kit.  Which is a perfect segue into the joyful news:

We took Nova


and Dawn 

to the vet in town on Saturday for ultrasounds to determine if they are really pregnant and to get an idea if the kittens are alive.  They sure look pregnant with rounded bellies and pink nipples, but you just never know with older queens and their first litters.

It was really exciting to see the ultrasound images, even though I left it a bit late.  We should have done it about 10 days earlier due to the fact that by this time in the pregnancy the bones have already formed and can obstruct the view of the beating hearts, but I had to find a vet with an ultrasound first, since our vet in the next town over doesn't have one (yet, I'm working on her, grin).

Like I said it was very exciting.  We did Nova first, who definitely looks chubbier than her sister Dawn.

We saw at least 2 heartbeats, maybe 3, and something one usually doesn't see on ultrasound, which was completely formed rib cages and spines.  Since she's very even, it's most likely that there are either 1 or 2 in each horn, which would mean either 2 or 4 kittens. 

Dawn decided she had to go to the bathroom before we got to her (she's our bad traveler; by the time the 10 minute ride to the vet was over she was completely covered in drool, poor thing), which was probably a good thing, since we managed to see 1 heartbeat, but couldn't see anything in the second horn because she wasn't quite finished with the bathroom. :)

She's also very even looking and I'm hoping there's another live one hiding in the second horn.  So it looks like she may have 1 or 2 kittens.

2 would be a very small litter size for a Maine Coon, but with queens who are older when they have their first litter and TJ's record of 2 in his first litter, I would not be surprised.  I'm hoping for 6 total. :)  Although, when I remember the incredible mess the 4 in our first litter made... ;)

Seeing the heartbeats on ultrasound made it real.  I was pretty certain they were pregnant, but now it's TRUE. :)  It's as exciting as it is frightening, because along with updating my birthing kit, I re-read all the good information on what can go wrong and now I'm kinda just wanting it to be over, except it won't be over until they've been born, weaned, spayed/neutered and placed into their new homes, and really not even then.  There are so many bad things that can happen, but there's nothing like watching kittens learn to explore their surroundings.  So, it will be all worth it.

Anyway, I'm thrilled.  Dawn's due between Dec. 9-11th and Nova between Dec. 11-15th.  Wish us luck!