April 20, 2013

Keep on the Sunny Side

Oh my goodness.  This weekend has been really rough, but also wonderful.
Funny how that works.

My two ewes Ingrid and Emma finally lambed.  Ingrid began lambing Thursday evening around 8:00.  Everything seemed to be going well, normal presentation (head and both front legs coming out together), but she wasn't getting on with it.  I wanted her to do this on her own, but at around 10:30 I decided it was time to give her a hand and pulled the baby out.  Unfortunately, it was dead.  Nothing I did revived it.  Also, I was beginning to notice a bad smell.  An hour later another lamb was showing, but after feeling around I discovered that both of its legs were back.  Quite stuck.  I could tell that this one was also dead and the smell was worse.  With my brother holding Ingrid still, I tried unsuccessfully to push the baby back in so I could get at least one leg around.  But it was really stuck.  So, my bro and I switched places.  Thank the Lord he has small enough hands to be able to reach in there!  He successfully brought a leg forward and got the baby out.  I'm guessing that they'd been dead for a while, although not too long since they seemed fully formed.   I have no idea why they died, but I know there wasn't anything I could have done differently.
That is an experience I hope never to repeat.  It was horrible.  But I praise the Lord for being there with us and helping us to get that lamb out without injuring Ingrid!  Also, that it only took us about 30 minutes...that's a huge blessing right there.

Ingrid is doing well, eating, and looking perky today.  We're giving her shots of penicillin once a day for two or three days to make sure of that.  Better safe than sorry, the way I look at it.  I would hate to lose her, too.

But despite that, life on the farm has it's sunny side, too.  This morning when I went out to feed the sheep, I discovered two new faces, a ewe and a ram lamb!


They'd probably been born for about hour or so as they were both up and mostly dry when I discovered them.  Emma didn't need any help and she's such a great mom.  It was a bit windy, wet, and cold today and this evening, but they're all as snug as can be in the lambing pen under the shelter.


Above is the ram lamb and below is the ewe lamb.


I decided to name them Amy and Rory.
For those of you who are not Whovians, Amy and Rory are the 11th Doctor's companions in the British TV show Doctor Who.  And Rory is awesome.  Just sayin'...


That's Amy above, and Rory below.



Amy snuggling with her momma.


Yes, I think Amy and Rory are the perfect names for these two...


*smile*

And here's a few pics of Sweet Pea and Katniss...


Katniss is 1 1/2 weeks old now, and getting bigger every day.  I'm calling her my "monster baby".  Seriously, that's a big baby!  And she never stops moving.  She's probably the most active lamb I've ever seen, although her yearling sister Maggie (aka the Nibblin' Lamb) comes close.  There's a log in the sheep pen which Katniss jumps over.   It's just about the cutest thing ever and she makes me laugh so hard.  Here's a short video of her...


Oh, and pay no attention to what I'm saying while filming.  Well, you can if you want to, but I was talking to my Aunt Lizzie on the cell phone while filming, describing Katniss to her. *grin*

And that's it, lambing is done for the year.  No more midnight trips in the rain to the sheep pen!  I can sit back, relax, and enjoy my lambs.
Happy Trails, y'all!  I hope you all have a blessed Sunday!

p.s.
You've all left such lovely comments on my last few posts!  I haven't had time to respond to them yet, but hopefully tomorrow or Monday.  You're the best readers ever:)

13 comments:

  1. Sorry for Ingrid...
    Happy for Emma and Amy and Rory.
    And Katniss is waaay cute and funny. :-)

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  2. What excellent pictures of the new lambs Natasha! And the video is a kick. I am so sorry that you lost the two lambs by Ingrid, but I'm glad that you and Alex could save her through your quick efforts. May they live long and enjoy life at Cedar Springs Ranch!

    Will

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  3. Wow, what a harrowing lambing situation for Ingrid!! I am glad that she survived the ordeal . Your new lambs are quite precious. This is such a fun time of year to enjoy the lambkins antics!!

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  4. Amy and Rory... I was thinking that. :grin: They're sooo sweet! That vid was just great.

    I'm so thankful that Ingrid stabilized so well so far - your'e all still in my prayers.
    And the song you shared was just perfect. Thanks, dear:)

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  5. I'm so sorry about Ingrid's babies... and yet completely excited to hear about Amy and Rory! It's confusing sometimes to live a world so marred and broken by sin - sad and painful one day, but with sweet blessings in the next. Isn't it going to be awesome in Heaven to have the wonderful joy of life WITHOUT all the horrible stuff?!

    Also, I have to say that it's impossible to watch that video of Katniss without the most enormous of grins upon one's face. :D

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  6. You realize that if Amy ever has a baby girl, you will have to name her Melody . . .

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  7. Oh, Tasha! *Hugs* I don't know what to say--both lambs stillborn--how awful! So glad Ingrid is OK, though.

    And PTL! about Amy and Rory--at least the Lord gave you two new lambs for the two He took away, wot? Rory is soooo cute--he looks like he's wearing a mask! And Katniss' jumping antics are a hoot! You may have to call her "The Wigglin' Lamb"! :-P

    God bless,
    ~"Tom"~

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  8. The lambs are so cute! I love the markings on their faces.
    Good to hear your sheep made it through. It must have been a very scarey situation to deal with. Good thing you have such a wonderful helper.
    It's always wonderful to have the little one's like Katness, bouncing around to cheer you up after dealing with a bad situation. Don't they make it all worth the while?

    Kimberly

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  9. Thank you all so much for your sympathy over my lost lambs. I really, really appreciate it. You guys are the greatest:)

    Hana-Marmota - Teehee, she is that!

    Will - Thank you! I love taking pictures of my lambs:)

    Winnie - It certainly wasn't pleasant, but it could have been a whole lot worse. I'm thankful that it wasn't.
    My new lambs are totally precious! I'll be sharing more pictures, soon:)

    Kellie - And why are we not surprised?? Great minds think alike, and all that;) Actually, I thought of the names as soon as I hung up the phone after talking to you Saturday morning. *grin*
    So am I! Thank you for the prayers, dear:)
    And I'm so glad you liked the song. It's one of my new favorites and it seemed to fit perfectly.

    Tayler - That's exactly how I feel, sad but excited. Heaven will be amazing!! I can't wait!

    ladyofrohan - Oh yes, I wouldn't dream of naming her anything else! I like the name Melody:)

    Tom - Me, too. I'm actually pretty okay with it...which may sound a bit heartless, but it's much harder when they're born live but weak and you have to watch them die. I'd rather have it this way, although it certainly wasn't fun.
    Yes, indeed! Praise the Lord!

    Kimberly - It was definitely scary, but now that I've experienced it I'm better prepared and more relaxed about potential lambing problems. It's definitely a growing/learning thing! I'm so thankful for my helper!
    Seeing my healthy lambs running around and thriving, yes, that makes it worth everything. It's not always easy, but I love this life so much!

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  10. Tasha, I was so sorry to hear about Ingrid's little lambs. Needless to say, it was very relatable...my heart ached for you as I read the first part of the post.

    On the other hand, it seems like we both learned this year that although the Lord takes away, He also gives! Congratulations on Amy and Rory! They're precious. And Katniss is growing so much!

    Too bad baby animals don't stay little, huh? ;)

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  11. Thank you so much, Maribeth. We've both had more than our share of trouble this year, I think. The not so pleasant side of farm life.

    Yes, indeed! He is faithful!
    I know, if would be nice if they stayed little for longer:)

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  12. Good grief they are so precious. I am envious to death of your country-girl, sheep-raising, gun-shooting life. Wahhhh. Hehe. Seriously.

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  13. Anna! I'm so glad you stopped by! Sorry I didn't respond sooner, but you know how it goes. ;)
    lol! Well, the gun shooting doesn't happen very often, but I do love this life I lead. It's never boring, that's for certain! :)
    I hope you get your flock of sheep someday. There's nothing quite like it:)

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