Calving…joy, excitement, wonder

Every morning for the last several weeks Derrick and I wake up and one of us says “think we have any babies this morning?”  It’s become a tradition every year in the spring (and fall since we calve then also).  Every day we both go back and forth to our calving lot and maternity barn looking over the cows that are close to being due.  At night we decide who should be moved into a calving pen in the barn where they can have their babies in nice warm dry bedding.  And we check on them again before bed time and depending on the cow and the situation even during the night...yes when this happens I am definitely wearing my pjs and muck boots;-) 

 

"Mamas and babies out in the winter maternity pasture"

There is a certain joy that comes along with calving season.  Seeing those new babies with their mamas doing so well and exploring their new world and the knowing that you helped them come into this world.  There is excitement (though my husband seems to think it is more an impatience) that comes with the anticipation of a new calf.  Will it be today?  Will it be tomorrow?  Yes, every cow has their due date but we tend to go more by the physical signs of the cow because we all know a date on the calendar doesn’t mean a baby will be there that day.  Heck, I myself had two babies a month early!  Derrick comments daily that though calving season is his favorite time of year, he will be happy when it is over.  That’s because my manly husband who tries very hard to be tough, worries about each and every one of those mamas and he cares for and worries about each one of those calves…and that is what makes him wonderful. 

And then there is the wonder of that new baby coming into this world.  It doesn’t matter that I myself am a mom of four wonderful kids and that I have delivered three times myself.  Seeing a baby, any baby for that matter come into this world is amazing!  You really get perspective on your own life when you see a new life come into this world!

 

"A mama and her baby last summer on summer pasture"

We have been very lucky this year, all our calves have been healthy and energetic.  And our mamas have done an amazing job as well.  We have watched and waited and have been lucky that we have not had to step in and assist with any births by pulling a calf.  (This is when the calf is too big, stuck or not in the correct position and we have to step in and help the mother for both her health and the calf’s) 

All in all it has been a great year so far, though we have a few more weeks left and more calves to come.  I know Derrick will be glad for a few months of rest when spring calving is over and he can focus on crop season (though he will have a few more gray hairs I am sure).  Before we start back up in again in September with more babies to come and I for one can’t wait!