It's been a long two weeks. The smallest kitten died earlier this week, apparently the result of a recurring infection. But the other two, one male and one female, are quickly turning into small cats.

During the last week their ears unfolded, they've become self-aware, displaying cleaning behaviors, and have started interacting with each other and with us. Just yesterday, one of them reacted and cried when we came into their room. It was a first. They are still wobbly on their feet, but growing more confident daily. They're peeking over the sides of the box where they've spent their first weeks, and it's probably only a matter of days until their legs work well enough to propel themselves out.

Their colors are emerging slowly. Their tails, ears, and noses have darkened first, and their legs now show just a faint hint of color. So far, their hair is just a little long, but what that means in the longer term isn't clear.

And if it isn't obvious, this is one happy photographer!

We can't easily tell them apart yet. The female is still bigger, but their coloring is virtually identical. This leads us to believe they are going to develop into beautiful Siamese cats. Here they are side by side...you let us know if you can tell which is which.

We are fast becoming Siamese-aholics. All kittens are cute, but these guys are really cute, especially in view of the incredibly dismal conditions they were conceived in. And now that they are beginning to interact, it's just going to get better.

Soon they'll start to eat food out of bowls, but for now, Cybelle is still the very best. And what a great mom she's been.