Our new calf is here

Today was the day Lilac had her calf. She started to act restless late in the morning. She kept trying to go into the blackberry brambles and hide out. We really didn't want to have to help deliver a calf in there! A little after noon I took her out into the yard and walked her around for a little bit to see if she would eat a little grass - she hadn't been acting very interested in the hay. She walked around and ate a little bit and then all of a sudden laid down. We were able to get her up and Todd and Abigail pretty much dragged her back to the grain bin and got her inside and then Todd had to head back to work. Things started happening pretty fast, then so I called the kids out so they could get in on the action. They all stood around the wall of the grain bin while Lilac delivered the calf. It was a pretty cool science lesson!

It was a very cold day, and the calf got pretty cold and listless shortly after being born. I stayed out in the grain bin with them most of the day drying her off, rubbing her to warm her up, trying to get her to stand and eat. When Todd got home from work he brought out a heat lamp and more blankets and we finally got her

warmed up and drinking from a bottle.

Winter Weather

Today is a very cold, windy, snowy day! So, of course, we have a heifer ready to calve. She's been showing signs for a few days now and we're hoping she will wait a few more days until the weather calms down before she has her baby. We are really excited about this baby! The mama is one of our Jerseys - a sweet girl who follows us around like a puppy dog for hugs, petting and especially treats! We are hoping to be able to milk her after she calves. It will be a new experience for both her and us! We don't really have a shed or barn for her to calve in, so we cleaned out the grain bin on Saturday so she can at least have a dry warmish place to be. It is really a pretty good size for her and her body temperature keeps it warm enough so her water doesn't freeze. There is someone who works with Todd who has an aunt who will come and teach us how to get started on the milking business.

Charlotte's Birthday and our Anniversary

Today was our 13th anniversary and Charlotte's 9th birthday. The years together have gone very quickly! The kids pooled some of their money and sent us out to lunch today. I picked up Todd from work and we went to the new Mexican restaurant in Shelbyville. It was a nice little date :) and it was so sweet of the kids.

Thanksgiving

We went to Clint & Dawn's for Thanksgiving this year. We headed up there Wednesday and came back home Sunday. It was really nice spending time with their family. The kids had a lot of fun together - it was a houseful!! Some of them went out hunting early in the mornings - Daniel shot his 3rd deer of the season, which was pretty exciting. They got to track it across the field and had to pull it out of a creek. We had the traditional Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday, and then got up early to go black Friday shopping the next morning to get a few bargains. The men and kids spent some time splitting wood for their wood burning stove and we spent one evening over at Clint's parent's house getting some wood split for them too. We didn't take our camera along, so we didn't get any pictures of our time there :(