Unfortunately 2009 was not a good year for b.b. We discovered this week that she was experiencing kidney failure and that there was nothing we could do to save her. We got her prognosis yesterday and on the same day had to make the tough decision to put her to sleep. Needless to say it was a horrible day for us and for b.b. She obviously was not feeling well and was deteriorating rapidly so I know it was the right decision, but we sure do miss her.
I feel like we've known b.b. since the very beginning of her life - literally. Her mother was a street cat that hung out at our first apartment out of college and Jeff and I saw b.b. being conceived when we were coming home from work one day. Julie Kuhnhein (Hewett at the time) took Mama cat in and cared for her during her pregnancy and then cared for b.b. and her brother/sister. b.b. came to live with Jeff and me in our new apartment in October of 2000 when she was 6 weeks old. We always joked that nature won out in the nature vs. nurture debate because no matter how kind we were to her, she had a defensive, protective nature that caused her to attack visitors to our house - namely Michael Wilson. My mom said (affectionately, of course) that she was almost more like an attack dog than a cat. However, she was nothing but sweet and wonderful to Jeff, me and Ben (well, Ben 98% of the time).
I thought I'd post some pictures of beebs from the past few years. I wish I could post some of her earlier pictures (before Ben came along we took tons of pics of her!), but alas we do not have a scanner.
I feel like we've known b.b. since the very beginning of her life - literally. Her mother was a street cat that hung out at our first apartment out of college and Jeff and I saw b.b. being conceived when we were coming home from work one day. Julie Kuhnhein (Hewett at the time) took Mama cat in and cared for her during her pregnancy and then cared for b.b. and her brother/sister. b.b. came to live with Jeff and me in our new apartment in October of 2000 when she was 6 weeks old. We always joked that nature won out in the nature vs. nurture debate because no matter how kind we were to her, she had a defensive, protective nature that caused her to attack visitors to our house - namely Michael Wilson. My mom said (affectionately, of course) that she was almost more like an attack dog than a cat. However, she was nothing but sweet and wonderful to Jeff, me and Ben (well, Ben 98% of the time).
I thought I'd post some pictures of beebs from the past few years. I wish I could post some of her earlier pictures (before Ben came along we took tons of pics of her!), but alas we do not have a scanner.
b.b. helped us test out all of our baby gear before Ben arrived.
Once he did arrive they enjoyed napping together. Notice that b.b. got the more comfortable of the blankets.
Once Ben started rolling over b.b. grew concerned that he might continue to make improvements in the motion department.
Celebrating Ben's first birthday.
b.b. wasn't the greatest at playing hide-and-seek.
Ben and "baba" as he called her.
This is how Ben gave b.b. hugs. He would make a high-pitched "aaaaah" sound along with the hug.
Ben and beebs on Halloween. 
b.b. showing some of her true colors when Ben overstepped his boundaries with her.
Here's the last picture I took of b.b. on January 15th. Soaking in her last bit of sunshine.
Elise came to check out the bears too!
For some reason the mechanical bears needed to take a 15-minute break so Ben & Elise sat and chatted about the first part of the performance.
Dancing to some of the tunes.
What an adorable family! I mean, what an adorable set of neighbors!
Tired little teddy bear!
