Wednesday Randoms

It's too late to think clearly in my congested head.  Maybe it's writers block, or the fact that my sinuses make me feel like I would be better off without them.  I stooped low today when I went to the doctor and begged for antibiotics.  I never take antibiotics.  This head is bound and determined to feel better by tomorrow at 4:15 when my plan takes off for Vegas.  I will feel like a million bucks.  And Barry Manilow will call me up on stage and sing to me in that heart-melting voice. 

I'm not really going to see Barry in Vegas.  But I would if he was in town.  He'll be in Florida.  Jerk. 

I will, however, see my amazing girlfriends from college.  And as Jason said tonight, "You are all going to have so much fun!".  

Yes. Yes we are. 

Here are few random facts about life here on the farm.  (I've decided I can call it a farm now because we have goats, but I am not planning on becoming a farmer any time soon)......

• In case you missed the plane writing in the sky, or the overhead announcement on the speakers in every public place, Ella is 6.5 years old now.  We made cupcakes and sang.  It's a big deal to the 6.5 year old.  She even told me, "Sometimes I forget and tell people I am 6, but really I am 6 and a half!!".  Don't forget.  
• Owen is continually subjected to becoming a Prince.  He is told to dress up in very specific outfits and marry his sister.  He usually obliges because he is so nice and as long as it doesn't take time away from his Lego creations or garbage dump activities or couch jumping gymnastics, he is o.k. with it.  What a great brother.  He can be seen wearing a chocolate milk mustache on a regular basis since we found Dark Chocolate Almond Milk at the grocery store.  I think he is obsessed. 
• Sam won't kiss me.  When I ask him for a kiss, he turns his head to the side and points to his own cheek and has that sly little grin.  What does this mean for his future?  I will not dwell.....Watching him play with the big kids makes me feel like he isn't a baby anymore.  Sigh.  He talks more everyday, especially when his siblings teach him words.  I just wish those words would encompass more than just "potty" talk.  Poor third child.  
• We had significant snow fall last week for Kansas and I chose to make the best of it - which says a lot for this Mama who loves 60 degrees and sunny weather.  I took the 3 kids sledding on a genuine sledding hill.  It was fantastic and the hour was full of so much laughter.  I was very proud at how appropriately dressed we all were in our Minnesota hearty winter wear.  The Kansans looked on in amazement of our dress and our sledding skills. 
• We have two goats.  They are wonderful.  They wag their tails like dogs when they are happy to see you.  They give me kisses because they love me (and would like to eat my nose) and they seem to enjoy it here.  However, how do I get one of them to stop charging the dog with her head?  How do I get the other to not chew on the dogs fur?  These are the things I ponder each day.  Fascinating, really. 
• I love my husband.  Don't be fooled by the fact that I write this after the goat information.  I really do love him.  He strives each day to be a great Dad and husband.  I love watching the kids attack him with hugs when he comes in the door after work.  I love falling asleep in his arms.  
• Our dog is trying to bury her beef tendon stick, as I type, in any room with pillows.  She is frantically digging in the couches and seems a bit disturbed.  Strange dog.  And random, I know. 
• I made guacamole today that was good.  Now my hands smell like garlic, which is bad.  

Let's not forget the cute bunnies followed by cute goats. 

 

If I don't fly away with Barry, I'll be seen back on the farm next week. I wonder how much laundry will be awaiting my return?  

A Handful

There has been an outpouring of concern over our little bunnies.  After many emails and phone calls, I thought I'd better publicly announce that all 5 are doing well and are getting cuter all the time.  I love them as only a mother can.  You know what I mean....

Ninia is nursing them twice a day - which is once more than normal for rabbits - so we are thrilled we don't have to get her pumping.  I also don't have to position them for feedings or provide shells after nursing.  This is proving to be easy stuff. 

Enough lactation consultant humor. 

The little bundles are now covered in peach fuzz.  Super cute.  I love that they can all fit in my hands at the same time. 

Golf Eggs

My husband loves golfing so much that he bought the breed of chickens that lay golf eggs.  Now, if only we could genetically engineer them to lay the Nike brand instead of Top Flite.  Those Nikes are worth a lot of money.  

Seriously, these golf balls are an amazing tool in teaching our chickens to lay eggs in their nest boxes instead of, say, on the hard floor or anywhere on our 4 acres that would be impossible to find. 

It's amazing what kind of strange tips you can find on the internet these days. 

Baby Bunnies!

Jason and I were up late last night having our monthly budget meeting.  We are really wild like that.

I decided to check on our bunny, Ninia, before I headed to bed, knowing that Friday had been her "due date" for my first attempt at breeding our two Holland Lops.  And there they were - 5 freezing cold, hairless, squirmy and adorable bunnies.  Success!

31 days ago, I put the two rabbits together and watched in horror as they attempted to breed.  The female jumped on the male.  The male jumped on the female backwards.  What was wrong with these rabbits?  Don't rabbits have the reputation for making a million babies each year?  It was my first attempt at this, so I knew I needed to plan for the potential for her to have babies.  Let's just say, I wasn't holding my breath.  The pathetic part is that I even palpated her belly several times this month and didn't feel a thing.  So much for my nurse experience....

The 5 little bunnies would have quickly died in the 9 degree weather outside.  50% of Holland Lops loose their first litter due to their inability in knowing what to do with them (I never claimed they were the smartest breed).  We had placed a nest box in her cage for her to, theoretically,  build a nest for the upcoming bunnies and birth them in there - but she didn't do that.   Her lack of nesting only confirmed my suspicions that there wouldn't be any babies.

No nest built, and babies born on the cold wire, could have been devastating.  The providential moment that I walked outside to check on her saved those little naked babies.  Jason and I brought all of them inside and began warming them up.  As I held them skin-to-skin, I was rocking back and forth.....what's with those intense mothering instincts?  We had to get Ella out of bed to share in the excitement!

Now Ninia just needs to keep them alive.  We aren't so sure about her mothering instincts - but hopefully she can dig down deep and find some.

Baby bunnies will be for sale in 9 weeks. And don't worry, they will be much cuter by then!

Goats Are Great

There couldn't be a better way to greet 2011 than by adding two beautiful dairy goats to our family (just role with me on this one...).

We are thrilled to welcome Amaya and Zoe to our crew of animals! 

These girls are really friendly and love to play.  It isn't easy to take pictures while being chewed on by several goats at a time, but here is a shot of Ella snuggling with Amaya.  

The most exciting part is that they are both pregnant and due to freshen (birth) this spring!  Although goats don't need a labor nurse (who does really?), I am pretty excited to have some birthing mamas on the farm.  And talk about the need for a lactation consultant.....these goats will make a gallon of milk per day!  I'm back in business. 


Anyone need some cheese?  Ice cream?  You know who to call.