Babies babies and more babies....

So far to count...in one day and one day only...I had 7 new kids and another bull calf. I have 4 more Jerseys to calve out and 4 more does. I was hoping for a little breather but went out today and found youngest Jersey (Thelmas daughter)..calving and in trouble. I mucked my way back to the house and grabbed the chains and hollered for my oldest son who had just arrived . I had him do the pulling and I did the instructions...then tucked baby and Momma into the barn on some dry hay...out of the knee deep mud. I just went out to check new baby and he was already up and nursing well. I was so lucky to have Colin here to help, it took more strength than I have to pull and a lot more muscle to get him hauled to the barn. We think he weighs around 80 pounds and so far the biggest one I have had yet. 5 calves and all healthy and thriving . What are the odds of 100% bulls anyway?

Tomorrow I will walk around and get some pictures of everybody. The kids and the latest calf are only a couple days old and are absolutely adorable. All Alpine Toggenburg crosses and too cute to describe. Colin had just hooked my goat/cam up and it was running on the goats for just a day before everyone decided to kid within hours of each other. I didn't have lamps set up yet so watching them from work saved then all as it was really cold on Wenesday. I had just gotten back to work after the second doe kidded and had put the other doe (who was close) inside to watch also. She waited until I got back to the office and THEN got down to business. This time ....I again called on Colin who lives across the road to go over to set her up in her own pen and put the lamp on them. It was amazing to see her kid within minutes and by evening I had a total of 9 kids total and everyone safe and warm.
The snow is melting fast today and the mud is pure slop. Also....I hope I don't scare that son of mine off and he moves anytime soon....I know I would manage without his help somehow...but it sure is a huge help to have him close.
I am going to go back and look at some June July and August posts now. It has to be warm and dry one of these days!

and I thought he was dying!!!

he definitely sounded like it when I got to his shelter. My little Toggenburg boy (Mr. Delicate) was screaming horribly. I jumped the fence snaggin my pants and ripping some skin. Fell to my knees and crawled into the building to find him laying OK but still screaming bloody murder. I had him with two of his Togg girls for all of this winter and recently decided it was time to move him to the boy pen. While my little fainter buck is smaller than him , my big Alpine is huge. The Alpine is the gentleman though,,the fainter...well...he always is the BOSS.

They were not bothering him these last few days,,but I think he had a case of lost love. I ran with him in my arms to the house and put him in front of the pellet stove. I gave him a dose of penicillium and put a small amount of sweet feed in front of him. The only other thing I had done with him when I moved him was to worm him with Ivermec. Within an hour he was standing and warming nicely. He felt like he had shriveled down to nothing in these last few days and I kept him in until he was walking around trying to escape his boundaries. He is alive and well...and to date now...EXTREMELY spoiled!!

The LAST Snow Storm of the Year!

If you say it...it will happen.

Meanwhile back at Winter Wonderland..the pups are enjoying a winter roll in the snow and the baby calves are finding the flavors of molasses licks pretty tasty!

Momma cows get a tasty treat of cracked corn while Rudy the oldest calf has a very noticeable addiction to the sweet lick mineral while the newby is just interested in playing.

..and lesson to self....stay farther away from the gate when moving snow.

(p.s....for a better chuckle... click on each photo for better viewing)

another blizzard and one steamy baby

Momma was looking pretty uncomfortable and I moved her to the baby ward in the barn. While she got down to business right away, she was taking longer than I liked. I was getting a little worried that this Grandma cow was taking too much time...so several hours into the morning I did the panic call and had the vet come out and check her. She was just a little exhausted and not pushing enough. It took a little extra tugging and some chains to get this boy into the world, but it was COLD...who can blame him. Just a very nice Bull calf and no complications...just too much hesitation on Momma's part this time.

Check out the steam coming from the Momma and this just born baby. Wind chill is still at -20 , but they are inside and temperature is suppose to hit into the 20's today.

I will see how dry he is later this afternoon when I get home from work. He may just be sleeping over in the house in front of the pellet stove tonite.

I had another long tunnel to dig us out this morning..with 4-5 ft drifts covering my entire road leading to the highway. I am about to Holler ..."UNCLE"!!!

How many days till Spring!!?????

The one piece of equipment I could not be without..

Meet my friend , my savior, my right arm and the one thing I whisper sweet nothings to in the dark hours before dawn.

"The Bobcat" but perhaps I should rename her. I like to think she would like a strong name like Sarah Connor from the Terminator. She can take a punch and keep fighting. She has definitely had her workout this winter and a few necessary fixes along the way. (Thank you Son!!)

Tonite she dug a path to a water hydrant that has been surrounded by 4 ft of snow. I have paths to everywhere and while it is starting to snow another 6-7 inches tonite, she waits for me while I feed and carry water. She is my Rock!

Ten Things That Make Me Happy!

This request comes from http://shanstergoatsnmore.blogspot.com/ a wonderful blogger buddy who is most recently into selling some of the nicest Goatie Lotions you could possibly purchase. Check her out!! It is just amazing stuff and it comes from some pretty amazing industrious Goaties!

Shanster has given me a challenge to list Ten things that make me Happy! :)

1. Home- Yup...number 1 on my list. I am a middle aged gal who has lots of diverse interests, but find my favorite pasttime is puttering around my place. Whether I am redesigning the setup or taking care of my pets, it is the place where my blood pressure hits bottom and I totally find peace.

2. Children- They are actually my number 1 priority and I have become ingrained in always looking out for them, but they are older and I can sorta let my guard down.

3. Close Friends- If it weren't for a couple very good close friends in my life, it would of been pretty dull. Can't imagine a world without sharing my good times with them and my impulses...they all know about the impulses...which leads me to number 4

4. Impulses- I am probably about the most impulsive person that decides to think about something and then the next thing I want it and then I go get it! I love impulses!!

5. Adventures- Taking a walkabout or a driveabout (with a good friend/sister), Now that has always been a Good Time!!

6. Grandchildren- and actually that should and could very well be at the top of my list. I always use my granddaughter's face as my visualization when I have been to the Dr and they are checking out my blood pressure. She is my ZEN!

7. Great Blogs and Kindred Spirits- Shanster Goats N More is a Good one! Refer to first sentence in post!

8. Sunsets- Any one of them will do and add a nice warm evening with a frosty cold brewsky sitting on the deck and I am in total bliss.

9. Springtime- Absolutely thrilled when the birds are making the springtime noises and the ground is warm to touch.

10. A Good Thunderstorm- Love them and all the smells and sounds that go with. If I go from a zap of lightening standing in a Thunderstorm then know I was enjoying myself. Wouldn't that be the way to exit this world...with a Bolt of Lightening and an enormous clap of Thunder!?

and http://goatgirlsbuddy.blogspot.com/ ...your Next!

Weekend Warrior and a little assistance on my part...

There are a few projects in my basement to complete.

Actually the entire basement is the project and tackling one room at a time, it could be possible.

The basement has not been finished and while we have rooms with walls, there is no sheetrock. Wiring is almost complete as I need the family room wired yet, but one bathroom and now one bedroom is almost done. I have my master bedroom to finish along with the master bath and a large family room. Not sure what to do yet with the utility room, but that is the last thing I will worry about.

So far with a good kick start from my brother-in-law, he had finished the sheetrock and taping in the room and last weekend I completed the texture and painting. Now this weekend we did the trim and hung the closet doors and entry door. I put the knotty cedar on the walls and my son handled all the leveling of doors and hardware and of course ran the saw. I layed the linoleum on Sunday and layed down the pad for the rug. I need to finish a few pieces of rail trim yet, but ran out and need to buy a few feet more. Colin put up the lights and I think we just may have assembled a new room for my youngest son. Now for my bedroom I am going a bit more fluffy but I definitely love the knotty cedar look. I really like the wood look and that will be a look in almost every room. I would really like a rock tile look on the walls also so I am taking any suggestions!!