I'll start with the youngest, Nico, or as I call him, "Nicobaby." Nico was a 5-week-old kitten that ran across the street in front of my car. I snagged him from the grass as he bit me to the bone. After a vet visit (broken by healing leg, hip dislocation, malnutrition, dehydration) I became a 24/7 nurse to this teeny tiny baby. I had to keep him contained for his leg to continue to heal, so he lived either in my arms or in a small pet carrier next to my bed for weeks. Eventually I could let him sleep on the bed -- he chose my shoulder as his favorite spot. Nico is now a brilliant indoor stalker and hunter and his favorite toy is our Yorkshire Terrier, Layla. Nico and Layla grew up together and I believe they don't realize they are cat and dog, but just think they are the same.

Nico is also a good luck charm for the Texas Longhorns. When we found him, I was driving our daughter to a UT Football game. When we saw Nico run across the street she shouted, "Mom stop! It's an burnt orange kitten. It's a sign from God!" 

I have a little tradition with Nico before every UT Football and Basketball game on TV, I hold him and raise his little paw high in the air as we sing, "The Eyes of Texas." He's a good sport and tolerates my voice just fine.

Here's Nico at about 8 months. It's my favorite photo of him. He hasn't grown into his ears yet and he's a little on the small side, but he's a healthy little guy and I love him. 

Oliver is my birthday sweetheart and Shadow is my long-time companion. Shadow is about 12 years-old now. We found him with four other black kittens in a flower pot outside a convenience store. We helped the other three find good homes and Shadow became our boy. My youngest daughter is especially close to Shadow as he always slept on her bed when she was younger. Shadow is quite a big cat now and I have to monitor his eating constantly. We're working on kitty exercises daily and he maintains his dominion over the household with an iron paw.

Oliver was given to me as a birthday gift in 2006. I had a particularly rough year and having a new baby to raise gave me a great deal of comfort and enthusiasm for life. Oliver is the color of grey wool flannel fabric. He loves to ride my shoulder and could actually stay right there all day with no problem. Oliver had been rescued by my sister-in-law and she raised him until he was adoptable age. I knew nothing about this as my husband and his sister had cooked up this birthday surprise for me. Imagine my delight as he walked in on my birthday -- also Easter Sunday morning -- with my new tiny baby to love! Oliver is a beautiful baby and I couldn't make it through a day without him.