New Visitors . . .

Things are progressing here at the farm after the birthing two weeks ago. All of the babies are doing great and have transitioned to bottle feedings well. Sucking down milk likes pros. Except Glory who still refuses to put her pretty little mouth around one. I've orderd another type to use with her, but they haven't arrived yet, expected them 3 days ago. No amount of coaxing will change her mind, she even went two feedings without eating and still wouldn't take a bottle. It's like dealing with a stubbord child, but this one you can't reason with no matter how hard you try. So she is still taking nourishment off of her mama, Sugar. That is until the new nipples arrive hopefully on Monday.

Our visitors today were Dallas and Cody, who brought their Mom and Grandmother with them. The boys wanted to see the baby goats! They arrived around noon and in time to help with the mid-day bottle feeding. Of course the two boys picked out the two bucklings to feed. Leaving the doelings for the "girls" to feed. The weather wasn't warm enough to let the kids out into their playpen to play. So the boys are coming back in warmer weather to see the goat babies kick up their heels and jump around.

Dallas feeding Pepper

Cody feeding Buckshot

Dallas holding Annabelle

But they did feed the chickens and turkeys some scratch grains. Petted the mommy goats and saw Sassie do her "teeth trick". Dallas is another horse lover in the making and enjoyed leading Sassie around the barnyard. Then up to the upper pasture for her to graze for awhile. Thanks Dallas and Cody for your help today with feeding the baby goats and helping out. Smiles were seen on all faces present and I believe they had a wonderful visit. You guys have an open invitation to come back anytime!

I decided to go ahead and start the seasonal changes in the house today. I usually wait for the first day of the month to change the flags and little decor items throughout the house. But the weather is so pretty and it just felt like time to make the swap. So all the Winter Snowman decor was packed away and Spring items were pulled out. Yes, I know we still have three more weeks left of winter but. . . . well I am ready for warmer days! It looks cheerful and reminds me that Spring is just around the corner. Despite the predicted snow for next week, I think for the most part it is really just a suggestion.

I had plans to work out in the yard and gardens today, but the wind still has quite a chilly breath. I am anxious to start digging in the dirt, but know that it will be quite a few weeks before I can plant any tender plants out. Yesterday at the feed store we bought a few more fruit trees, bushes and vines. We now have Apple & plum trees, blueberry and fig bushes, grape and blackberry vines to add to our future fruit harvest. They will need holes dug this week, so I may get the chance to satisfy my craving to dig in the dirt then. We need to get them planted soon as they need to get established before the heat of Summer arrives. Looking forward to all the beautiful Springs blooms they will put forth. The peach tree in the back yard is already showing buds swelling with the little warming trend of low 50's we have had a couple of days in a row.

Waiting to get my hands dirty,

Deborah

Separation Woes

Today began the process of separating the kids from the does. We had hoped to accomplish this at an earlier time after they had spent a couple of days with their Moms. But life doesn't always follow our plans. Does it? We decided to start milking the ladies 3 times a day to start with, as each one was quite engorged with milk. They needed some relief in a bad way! So the bottle brigade began with feedings of freshly squeezed milk, heated to a comforting level. All of the babies took to the bottles with a little coaxing except Sugar's little girl. Glory would have nothing to do with nursing from a bottle. She would go hungry first and proved in on two separate occasions. I couldn't let her get weak from hunger or she might get really sick. After all, she was a baby and this foreign object felt nothing like the warm squishy one that mom had. So we decided to let her nurse from mom till the new nipples come in. Hope it's soon!

Well, you would have thought we were committing murder down at the barn. With all of the hollering going on, which was bad. But the heartbreaking sound was when they started wailing! I could imagine what they were feeling and hated to cause them such grief. By having the babies on bottles we could get them use to human contact, necessary as they become milkers next year and monitor how much each one was taking at each feeding. Plus we need to make sure the does were being milked out, one for comfort, two to check for infection, but also to keep milk production up. The babies only nurse for about 2 months or so, then all of the milk will be used for our own consumption. We drink the milk, cook & bake with it and I plan to try my hand at cheese making this year. I've already had a few request from some friends to let them know when I have some ready.

Last feeding of the day was the end of a tiring and stressful day for all. The girls were still calling for their babies. We were sure the neighbor up on the hill was probably mad at the noise that had been going on all day. Going back to the house to wash bottles, process the milk and eat our own dinner at such a late hour, did me in. As the does cried outside, I was crying inside over a sink of soapy water. Lon wasn't quite sure what to do, but keep ckecking on them and letting me know they were getting a little quieter. I know it will get better with time and everyone will adjust. I am just not sure how long I can take the stress of the separations. A mom's heart will breaks at the cries of other moms and babies. Regardless of whether they are two legged or four.

Thankfully silence is all I hear for now,

Deborah

Kids at Play

. . . . on a sunny Saturday. It was warm enough to let the kids come outside with their Moms for a little fresh air and sunshine. I am sure the does appreciated getting the chance to stretch their legs by getting out of the kidding pens. The youngsters seemed to love being able to run around and do the same with the pent up energy they were spending ~ Jumping around, kicking up their heels, climbing on cement blocks, saying hello to each other and checking out the "other" Moms was a favorite activity of all under the age of 1 week . I had to watch everyone carefully, as each Mom was protective of their own, and could be rough towards ones that wasn't. (I won't name, names). Amber was great, she acted like mother hen to all of them, didn't matter to her. The other two first time moms were being a challenge in keeping peace. But it was good to see them all up moving about . . . .

Sugar's little doe, Glory with Anna's big boy Buckshot to the right.

Amber with her twins, Pepper and Cinnamon



Buckshot checking out the camera, Pepper right behind him and Cinnamon with the blue sweater has finally gotten a chance on the blocks.

Glory playing queen of the hill, with Annabelle checking out the throne.

Anna with her beautiful doe, Annabelle


In case it is confusing who goes with whom by the pictures, here are the family's genealogy~

Amber's twins are Pepper and Cinnamon ~ born February 13, 2010

Sugar's single doe is Glory ~ born Valentines Day, February 14, 2010

Anna's twins are Buckshot and Annabelle, born February 15, 2010



Watching life at play,

Deborah

We are Complete!

After an exciting weekend of babies being born, I was ready for some time with just sitting and watching the new arrivals. During morning chores I was watching Anna for any signs that her time might be near. Guess I was a little bit anxious or it could be called paranoid and didn't want to miss any subtle signs she might give me. Lon was back at work and all of the chores and care of the new families was mine to do. We were thankful that he had been home and was able to be a part of the births too. She seemed to wander around the yard and didn't want me to leave her this morning. I just figured she was missing Amber and Sugar. Maybe feeling a little lonely and left out. I kept watch as I finished putting out hay and wondered if it could possibly be more to her behavior. After all the prior false alarms with her , I didn't want her to really go into labor and not take precautions. So I put her in the corner pen between the other two does and their babies. Went back up to the house to prepare just in case and let Lon know she was acting funny.

In the meantime, I received a sad phone call to let me know that the doctors were sending my daughter-n-love to surgery. We had been thrilled to hear that she was pregnant again and were hoping that after so many loses that she would be able to carry a child to term. It was not meant to be again, she had a tubal pregnancy. My heart ached for her and my son who was trying to take care of her in his own grief. It was decided that I would pick up my granddaughter from preschool and bring her out here to the farm for a few days. Her mom would need some bed rest afterwards and daddy needed to work and take care of things at home. A quick shower and preparations to make the hour drive to be there in time to pick Leah up was made. It was then that I realized that I was probably going to miss Anna's birthing too.

I called Lon to let him in on the sad news and my change of plans for the day. Then headed back down to the barn to check progress. Lo, and behold Anna was in the process of giving birth! Her baby was partially delivered and struggling to breathe, so I quickly cleared it's face and with the next push the little spotted buck was free. She and I worked to dry him off and I kept an eye on the clock, knowing I would need to leave by two in order to be at the preschool by three. Leah is could stat till 4pm but I didn't want her to be the last one picked up. I knew she would be thrilled to be coming out to stay at the farm. It was only yesterday as they left, that she begged to stay with me. I promised her that she could come back out after Anna had her babies. Not knowing how soon it would all take place.

Within 15 minutes from the first one, Anna gave birth to a doe. Who she promptly rolled over on top of it the process of getting back to cleaning up her baby boy. I quickly scooped up the baby, sack and all onto a pad to put within reach of Anna's face. She seemed to have forgotten that she had just birthed to number two. So I wiped the little girl free from the birthing goo and placed her under her mommy's nose. While picking up the little buck out of her line of sight and finished towel drying him off. Time was 1:30 pm at this point and I didn't want to leave without seeing them nurse. So silent prayers were continually being lifted for her to gain her strength and pass the afterbirth. I had noticed from the two previous births that the does would not let their babies nurse until after doing so. My time was running out and I was needing to leave soon!! Prayers were heard and answered affirmatively as by 2:15pm all had been accomplished and I was heading back to the house to change clothes and head out. I was later than planned in picking up Leah, but she never knew and was excited to see her Nana and the new babies. News that she was going home with me to stay a few days overshadowed the questions about where her mommy and daddy were, thankfully.

Anna's baby girl~

In the midst of a loss today, I was given a glimpse of life. I may have not been there for all the births, but I was blessed to be midwife to these. Thankful and rejoicing in the 5 new faces and 3 trouble free births, with a very heavy heart for my family.

Deborah