Kitten conundrum

I am torn on which — if any — of the kittens to keep.

They are almost 10 weeks old — old enough to be adopted out, really. I think there is one (the yellow one, mama's boy) who still tries to nurse, but Keaton is just as likely to walk away if there is something else that interests her (food, a chance to go outside) as she is to let them nurse. 

And they are quite rambunctious. Especially about the time I am going to bed and starting about an hour before my alarm goes off in the morning. And several times in between. I can hear them when I go to bed, running and jumping around in the bedroom next to mine. Buster even seems to be kind of tired of them and maybe a little jealous when they get attention. 

Plus, five cats pooping and peeing in the litter boxes (Keaton does spend a lot of time outside, but she will use the litter box once in a while). And eating. I thought Keaton was looking a little skinny, so I started getting her some canned cat food. Now, of course, that's what she prefers. And the kittens always want some, too. 

And then there's getting them fixed (I've made an appointment for Keaton for next week) and their shots and other health expenses that might arise.

So, there are reasons to let them go on to other homes. But they have also kind of worked their way into my heart in their own way, so it will be kind of hard.

I thought early on about keeping one, along with Keaton. And it seemed like early on the one I call the quiet one would be the one I'd keep. It seemed like there was some kind of connection. She looked at me a certain way the others didn't, and when I walked into the room, she was always the first to come running up to me, mewing and trying to climb my leg. If I picked her up, she'd crawl onto my shoulder, and if I was sitting, she would sit on my lap as I petted her.

But lately, she hasn't been that way. I pick her up and she squirms to be let go. I pet her and she moves away a lot of the time.

The mustache kitten, though, has grown more affectionate in the last couple of weeks. She'll sit in my lap and let me pet her and purr loudly. Keaton will purr when I pet her and the black & white boy will purr a little when I play with him, but mustache purrs So Loud. She also likes to play with Buster, taking a swipe at him with her little paws whenever he walks by. He often doesn't notice, though, as he's busy chasing the little black and white one as it runs behind and under everything like he's teasing Buster.

Plus, she's got a pretty unique look.

On the other hand, after I got home from having some surgery last month, mom went to feed the cats and the quiet one came running out of the bedroom and into my room, mewing loudly all the way, right to my bedside as if she knew something wasn't right with me. That's kind of a special connection.

Sigh. Why do animals have to be so soft and fuzzy and cute and funny and full of love?