![charlene (left) and her brother (right)](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2082/2252309294_f8fd7a1053.jpg)
No,,, we didn't get kittens. I am sorry to mislead you with the photo. You may not recognize her, but that cute girl on the right is itty bitty Charlene Butterbean! That's her brother on the left. They were probably around 7 to 10 days old here. Sadly, brother didn't make it. You can see he was just a frail little thing.
Kim and her roommate at the time, Sarah, were their foster moms and the baby beans came to them when they were just a couple of days old. Charlene looks so different now, but when I look at that tiny face, I can see her in there.
In addition to the baby beans, there were lots of big cats and other critters for the babies to mingle with. Charlene was awfully found of this bunny.
![baby charlene and the bunny](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2115/2251512691_13f32a1982.jpg)
I fell in love with Charlene nearly the second I saw her and I knew she just had to be ours. Craig wasn't sold on the idea of a second cat. To give her a test run (and Craig the hard sell) Kim dropped her off so we could "baby sit". Craig was in the shower when she arrived, and when he came out of the bath room, I immediately handed Charlene over to him. He said "I know what you are up to" as he took Charlene. He held her in front of him and kissed her on the nose. Then he carried her into his office and sat down at his desk. Charlene spent the morning napping on his lap.... and the rest is history.
If you scroll down through the pictures below, you can watch Charlene grow before your very eyes !
![charlene at four weeks](http://farm1.static.flickr.com/215/467184501_a3033aba5a.jpg)
Four Weeks Old ( the first day at our house)
![springtime charlene](http://farm1.static.flickr.com/192/467174130_b364a402ba.jpg)
Six Weeks Old
![charlene in a stocking cap/sleeping bag](http://farm1.static.flickr.com/196/467173692_b0ecc81603.jpg)
Seven Weeks Old
![belly shot](http://farm1.static.flickr.com/184/467177079_17253c3a68.jpg)
Ten Weeks Old
![charlene at 3 months](http://farm1.static.flickr.com/198/467179231_09bdd2a0f1.jpg)
Twelve Weeks Old
![IMG_1118.JPG](http://farm1.static.flickr.com/160/410984803_aa3a4b3fc6_b.jpg)
Three and a Half Months
![IMG_1519.JPG](http://farm1.static.flickr.com/146/410985333_0a2da225c0_b.jpg)
Five Months Old
![charlene butterbean](http://farm1.static.flickr.com/151/410985969_86b24c8478_b.jpg)
Seven Months Old
![charlene](http://farm1.static.flickr.com/146/410986665_3e37cd5360.jpg)
Ten Months Old
![IMG_3784.JPG](http://farm1.static.flickr.com/185/411009935_bf8eb90be2.jpg)
One Year Old
![charlene butterbean lounging in the livingroom](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1049/1304282887_a2bfb1e2f8_o.jpg)
Charlene Today ( nearly two years old)
Awwwww! I wouldn't have been able to let Charlene go, either.
ReplyDeleteShe is so cute! especially in the early pictures where her eyes can't seem to focus. They are adorable at that age.
ReplyDeleteThe changes are amazing! Certainly because the marking does not appear at once.
ReplyDeleteShe is an adorable lady.
Charlene is a beautiful, distinctive cat and reminds me of Maddie. What breeds are in Charlene's heritage?
ReplyDeleteShe's a beautiful little girl! I just love her markings and blue eyes :)
ReplyDeleteShe is such a beautiful cat!
ReplyDeleteI love how her "mask" gradually makes its way up her face as she grows.
ReplyDeleteAwwww... Charlene and the bunny. Thanks so much for this post :)
ReplyDeleteSuch a gorgeous kitty! She looks like my Bou. Aww. :)
ReplyDeleteAlso, I believe she's got some Birman in her (http://www.cfainc.org/breeds/profiles/birman.html).
Charlene is a little homely in the first picture.. but after that she just gets cuter and cuter!
ReplyDeleteCute as a button from the start!!!
ReplyDeleteSuch a beauty, right from the beginning! Your home and Charlene - a match meant to be.
ReplyDeleteOh what an awesome review of a pretty-kitty's life!
ReplyDeleteI think she knows how lucky she is in EVERY image.
I makes me think of the first day I met the kitten who ended up mine a few months later.
Awww, such memories
signed, the forgetful KatBoxJanitor
She was an adorable kitten and has grown up into a stunningly beautiful Ladycat. I can see why she stole your heart! Since I was adopted as an adult cat, there are no kitten pictures of me, which sometimes makes my human very sad.
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is stunning and gorgeous!!!!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, cute, cute, cute! I wish I could see those pictures, now. :)
ReplyDeleteo wow!!she really got more and more beautiful as she grew up. shes GORGEOUS=)
ReplyDeleteCharlene is a gorgeous, GORGEOUS cat. What a looker!
ReplyDeleteWhat happened to Charlene's mother, that she and her brother were left alone so young?
ReplyDeleteLOL "I know what you are up to."
ReplyDeleteI'm glad he accepted the theft of his heart so graciously.
RosieLB
Hey thanks everyone,, Because of you and all your nice comments, Charlene will never have self esteem issues.
ReplyDeleteJeanne, i don't know who her mama was. they were dropped off at the humane society. no one knows.
What a remarkable kitty, especially since she turned out to be so nurturing. Meezer-related breeds often are, though.
ReplyDeleteI love your blog. The "Cornelius Shuffle" is priceless. We call that a "War Dance."
Keep up the good work.
I'm totally falling in live with Miss Butterbean! She has white paws like my Momo. I dream of fostering kittens and finding good homes for them like you do. Until then, I will read your blog often.
ReplyDelete