Meet My Bipolar Cat Gracie

I've been too preoccupied to blog here and on Everything She Wants lately.  Saturday my husband and I finally took the plunge and got a cat.  Sort of.  We are fostering a 10-month-old kitty from For Animals Inc.  Her name is Gracie.  She's an adorable brown and gray-striped tabby.  She's sweet and petite.  Well, at least the petite part is consistent.

Most of the time Gracie is a mellow baby.  She doesn't make much fuss...during the day. She naps, eats, purrs, and attacks her mouse toys.  We take turns petting, pampering, and playing with her.

At night, she's a different animal.

Once it's clear that we've gone to bed, around one in the morning she starts to meow.  And meow.  And meow some more.  

We've been putting her in the bathroom with her litter box and bed when we go out for the day and letting her have free reign of the living room at night.  But once the crying starts, in the bathroom she goes, where she continues her meow remix.

Did I mention she's adorable?  I'm getting really attached, however, I'm getting really annoyed too. We can't figure out if she's sick (she's been sneezing and may be trying to cough up a hair ball) or if she's just nervous to be in a new environment.  Whatever it is, it's day four and Mama is tired.  If she cries again tonight, Gracie may not make it through the two-week foster care period.

I've read that I should put her bed in the bedroom with us, yet the thought of waking up with a cat in my bed creeps me out.  Her staring at me while I'm eating is a big enough adjustment.  I'm not a hardcore cat person (yet).

If there are any cat owners reading this, I'd love some feedback, advice, or words of encouragement on how to get Gracie to stop crying at night. That would be purr-fect.