The Easter Bunny

Never a dull day here.

Easter morning we woke up to find Annabelle in labor. Annabelle was born on the farm to our first milk cow Lucy. You can see the post about Annabelle HERE.

We had Annabelle artificially inseminated with sexed Guernsey semen, hoping for a nice heifer with the fabulous traits of both Jersey and Guernsey.

We were not disappointed at all.

Although Annabelle did require a slight amount of help via us pulling, the calf came out beautifully and a good size for a heifer.

 I was a little worried when Annabelle did not immediately pop up and start licking her baby. In fact, she just layed there in sort of a daze.
Thankfully I have reliable farming neighbors with years and years of experience. Farmer Joe assured me that Annabelle would soon perk up.

We assessed the baby and she was breathing fine, so we carried her to Annabelle's heads she could sniff her.

Within seconds Annabelle was perking up and licking her new baby.

It did take her a while to get on her feet, but she did quickly once other cows started sniffing around.

Of course Willow insisted that we name the calf Bunny since she was born on Easter. Who could argue with that?

Annabelle is doing good milking, especially for a first time milker. She lifts her feet some but doesn't kick, and Bunny is a darn good eater.

We let her out to exercise and stretch her legs today after her breakfast.

All in all, a good dairy week so far :-)

Happy Tuesday Ya'll!

8 Weeks of.....nothing

My absence was not planned, but it was rather a necessity.

My year started out as normal, a million projects and plans brewing, but then that all changed when a pregnancy test showed that baby number 8 was on the way and morning sickness hit me hard.

Life came to a near screeching halt. I was sick with all of my pregnancies, but this one has been the most intense by far. Now that I am finally getting out of the first trimester, it has eased up a bit and is mostly intense  just throughout the afternoons and evenings.

If you have seen me or spoken with me anytime over the last 8 weeks, I apologize. I was not myself. I was either 1. Very nauseated or 2. Just up from a nap and very nauseated or 3. Very nauseated and drugged up on phenergan. Either way, we were keeping this pregnancy secret until I passed a certain week and trying to act normal has been difficult.

I am blessed to have teens who can drive, grocery shop and cook. I am also blessed to have teens who can do all of my farm chores. I have an immense aversion to milk at the moment. Can you imagine? The sight and smell of milk totally turns my stomach. This makes milking cows rather difficult and the irony almost laughable.

Although most of our friends are very happy for us and our new addition, I have heard some skepticism from a few. At this stage in my life I think it is quite humorous. You don't get to where we are in life, lots of kids and a farm and homeschool, without the ability to ignore sceptics.  That is a take away lesson for those of you struggling to farm or have more kids or homeschool. You will never get EVERYONE on board with your plans. Do it anyway.
We have never regretted any of our children and this one is no different.

Anyway, lots and lots has happened here during my brief respite...too  much for one post. I will spend this week catching everyone up on all of the farm and family news. Although I was down and in bed most of the last 8 weeks, that doesn't mean the farm activities stopped.

Thanks for hanging around!!!!!!