Update

We changed Sammi's appointment till tomorrow. It was a very cold day here today and with her having a hard time walking we could not get her up into the back (covered) of the pickup. We were going to use our trailer but its not closed in and we didn't want to risk her getting cold. She is also having a discharge that we hope is the beginning of labor. Tomorrow is suppose to be in the 60's so riding in the trailer won't be so hard on her. We are trying to keep her as stressfree as possible. I am praying she goes into to labor tonight and gets those big babies out so she can breathe and walk easy again. We got control of the ketosis and that is a good thing. We have been in the maternity building so much that when we came inside this afternoon to eat William said one of us smelled like a goat then after sniffing decided we both did! He had his shower before going over to put Fran to bed and I just apologised for my smell as I knew I would be right back out there and will take my shower later tonight. Fran isn't doing very well. She makes this mumbling noise over and over and can't stop herself. It makes her mad that she has no control and tries to tell herself to shutup. We stayed late last night trying to calm her down and her daughter said she kept it up till 4am. Tonight when we put her to bed she was asleep before her head hit the pillow because she was so tired. She still made the noises all day. Please say a prayer for her. She has lost a lot of weight and has just about given up eating. Fran still enjoys having the cards read to her and hearing all about the goats. She will listen for a few minutes and then want us to be quiet while she thinks on what we said then we can tell her other things. Thanks again for all your emails and comments. After things with Sammi return to normal I hope to be blogging regular.

Sammi

No babies yet. We spent all day yesterday trying to find a Vet in our area that would see a goat. I got to the point I almost tried to pass her off as a small horse since there are plenty of doctors for them around here. We just don't think the long ride to the state vet hospital would be good for her. Ms. Fran's granddaughter found a animal hospital with a vet that will see Sammi. Her appointment is at 1pm tomorrow. She will have a ultrasound and exam then see what the doctor suggests. We are hoping she doesn't have to have a C-section. Will let you know as soon as we know. Thank you for the emails, comments, thoughts and prayers. I know its silly but William and I both are doing every 2 hour checks even with the monitor as Sammi is like one of the family.

Miss Sammi

First thanks for the name ideals for first born. I am going to set up a poll so everyone can vote for their favorite one. Sammi is having a hard time. Because she is carrying big kids they have drained her energy and she is very weak. She has ketosis .We talked to a doctor at NC Veterinary Hospital and we will either get the prescription to induce her tomorrow or take her to the hospital and they will do it. We will see how she is doing in the morning. We give her molasses and karo mixture every 2 hours and that is giving her a little more energy. We set the alarm and take turns. Hopefully tomorrow will bring her babies and her health back.

First Outing

Diva and the little ones enjoyed a little fresh air and sunshine while we cleaned their stalls. The little ones had fun running and kicking up their heels. They even tried to eat some hay but decided they liked momma's milk much better!

3 of the little ones have names. The smallest buck was named Sargent Pedro by my grandson. The biggest doe is Dreaming Lisa and the smallest doe is Princess Diva. We need a name for the first buck so are having a contest. Winner will get a teeshirt with the 4 babies picture on the front and some soaps to go along with it. If you think you have a name leave a comment. Pedro,Lisa and Princess don't know what to call their big brother.

Future Diva

Calling for freezing rain tonight so I went out to put shirts and sweaters on the babies. Just couldn't resist taking this photo. I had the sign put away since last year when Diva had 2 boys.

The New Babies

These are the two boys. The bigger one was born first and weighed 4 lb 14 oz. The other one was born second and is the runt of the 4 weighed in at 3 lb 8 oz. We think he was squeezed inbetween his big brother and sisters so didn't get as much growing room. The third one born and only one named so far is Hidden Haven Dreaming Lisa. She weighed in at 3 lb 12 oz and is named after their Godmother Lisa over at Heart of the Nest . The fourth one born has her momma's attitude! She weighed in at 4 lb 4 oz. I am waiting to name the others till my grandson Quintin picks a name. I promised him a few months ago he could name one. As soon as he picks and names it I will name the others. Mom and babies are doing fine. They are nursing good and Diva has lots of milk. Her udder is as big as a cows! We milked her this morning and saved the milk to help with feeding the kids as its kinda hard feeding 4 when you only have 2 teats.

Diva Had Not One

Not two, Not three but FOUR babies tonight! 2 boys and 2 girls. The first boy looks just like Nitro, well actually all 4 look like Nitro but he is more so. The second little boy is kinda weak. We have him in the house tonight after letting him bond with Diva for a couple of hours. The third one was a big girl and then the fourth was a little girl. All 3 with Diva and doing well. They nursed and have been walking and even climbing on their mom but Diva doesn't seem to mind. Yesterday Diva was running Sammi out of the building. We tired putting Sammi back in so she could lay down but Diva would run her out again. When we checked we saw that Diva was in early stages of labor and wanted Sammi out of her way. William divided the building in half so Diva and Sammi could each have their own stall. It worked and Diva left Sammi along. This afternoon Diva's bag became huge and she was having contractions. I thought she would probably have her babies tomorrow and was hoping for triplets. William said she would have them late tonight and it would be twins. Well when the hard labor started she didn't waste any time. She had the first one at 9:20pm and the last one around 9:50pm. Mom and babies are doing fine. Sammi still hasn't had her babies yet. I think seeing Diva with hers is going to inspire her to get er done.

We finally have baby does! Our first ones ever born at Hidden Haven!!

Signs of Spring

Spring is just around the corner, or at least it looks like it around here.

There are also signs that Saint Patricks Day is just around the corner.. Who knew!?

Quiet Sunday

Still no babies from Sammi. I got tired of going out to check on her and had William to hook up the baby monitor. Not only do we get to listen to her grunt but the monitor picks up the roosters crowing and every other animal close to Sammi and Diva. Fran had a rough night last night so we spent most of the morning with her. I am afraid she is wanting to give up. She loved the Valentines cards from everyone and has them sitting on the table by her bed. I am making another book for her cards as the first one is already full! She loves for you to turn the pages of the book so she can see the cards. She still can't believe everyone took time to send her cards and write such sweet notes. We are getting ready to put her to bed. She hurts when you bend her knees or move her arms and its impossible not to when moving her from bed to chair or vice versa. I had to promise not to exercise her legs if she would eat. She doesn't want to eat so its a chore finding something she will eat or making a bargain to get her to eat. Haven't had the camera out today but will take pictures of something tomorrow if there are no babies. I am setting up a shopping blog called Hidden Haven Treasures. Have a few things listed but haven't had the time to unpack the vintage items I want to sell. Hopefully I can do that this week. Time seems to slip away from me. Have a blessed week and pray Hidden Haven has a blessed one too please.

No Babies

Sammi has decided to stay pregnant forever. No contractions or anything else. She acts like she isn't even pregnant. Eating like a horse, laying in the sun and teasing Diva. I have a teeshirt and tote bag ready to give to the kids godmother as soon as I have kids photos to put on them. I am also going to do a tote give away to celebrate the new kids if they ever get here. On a different topic Flower, my satin bunny had 9 babies the other night when the temps were down to 21F. She has always been a awesome mom so we weren't worried about the babies. We put in extra bedding for them and left them alone. The next morning William went out to find she had taken the babies out of the nestbox and put them out in the cold on bare screen. All were dead except for 2. William brought the 2 in and I have been bottle feeding them for 5 days. They are like mexican jumping beans. When I take them out to nurse they are bouncing everywhere! One is black and one is gray but I haven't named them yet. I really didn't think they would live after being so cold all night. The first couple of days I kept them wrapped in a baby blanket that I put in our bed under the electric blanket. Now that they are doing so well they are in a small box with bedding and a blankie. We are finally a one cat family again. Whiskers is the only one we kept. He belonged to my mother and I promised I wouldn't find him a new home and keep him. Baby Kitty didn't go far though as the handyman adopted her. We tilled up some of our garden spots today. We have cabbage, carrots, radishes,lettuce and onions to plant in the next couple of days. William is still working on his truck. Please say a prayer that it will be a inexpensive repair and he can get back to work soon. Life here at the homestead is busy, stressful but I wouldn't trade a bad day of homesteading for a month of fun and easy days of city living. Have a great weekend and don't forget to count your blessings!

Babies

Just not Sammi's. Sammi has decided to stop with the contractions, eat and get some sleep. Since there hasn't been any other discharge since the plug and she isn't in distress we aren't worried yet. The babies kicked when we checked her a few minutes ago. Diva is staying close by her side and I will go out to check her throughout the night. I am not even going to try to predict when she will have those babies. At least she isn't crying at the moment. But on to the babies. My daughter Maggie's dwarf goat Mandy had identical twin boys yesterday. They are smaller than a basketball but are adorable!

Still Laboring

Sammi just started about 30 minutes ago into regular hard labor. The past day and night she had some very hard contractions then they would stop. Looks like we will have babies today. She isn't in distress so all I have been doing is rubbing her head and back and talking to her. I spent the night with her and Diva last night. Diva is such a super lamaze coach! She seems to be breathing with Sammi during each contraction. When Sammi would have a really hard contraction she would lay her head on Diva. Diva would sit so still till it was over then turn her head and give Sammi such a sweet look. We have a huge shed so there is plenty of room for them but they chose to be side by side last night. This morning Sammi is ready for her own space and moved to the other side. I was just out of the shower with a wet head and in my PJ's when William took some pictures. Hopefully the next ones you see will be of Sammi and her babies!

Waiting Room

Grab your magazines, snacks, knitting or whatever helps you pass the time and join me in waiting. Sammi has been having contractions on and off all day. She has spent most of the day laying in her stall moaning. She has gotten up a few times and stood out in the sunshine but you can see her arching with each contraction. I am so hoping tonight or in the morning she delivers her babies! Going to go pace the floor and pray for girls! Doesn't she look like she is ready to pop!

Teenage Romance

BossyToes came into season last month but we wanted to wait to breed her. This month she came in and since we are trying to sell the boys (Frosty Dan and Brown Robyn) we decided we would let one of them breed her. We brought Brown Robyn over to see how it would go. They were like teenagers! First she totally ignored him. Then she would rub on him to tease then jump up on the logs where he couldn't get her. After about 30 minutes they were kissing, cuddling and no way could you get between them. They did the deed and we left them together overnight since they were having so much fun together. This morning we took Robyn back to his pasture and neither one seem to mind. Think they had had enough of each other.. Guess it was just puppy love. It was the first for both of them and I think it was special for both.

Robyn is checking BossyToes out. He wasn't sure what to do.

BossyToes is saying catch me if you can.

Young love takes over and they go off to do their thing and smootch

Brown Robyn didn't seem to mind he was dating a older woman even if she isn't that old herself.

Deb tagged me for a meme. I need to write 6 random things about myself. I am suppose to tag others to do the same but I can't keep up with who has and hasn't been tagged. If you want feel free to consider yourself tagged and let me know so I can pop over and read your list.

6 Random Things

1. I am the baby of the family and to ask my siblings I was spoiled. I don't think so.

2.From a little girl I have always enjoyed being around animals. Seem drawn to the ones with special personalities.

3.Hot chocolate makes me sleepy. If I have a hard time going to sleep I make a cup of hot chocolate.

4.I have more fun being a grandma than I ever thought I would. I just wish I lived closer to the grands so I could spend more time with them.

5. Someday I want to live where it snows alot. Would like it to be on a mountain top in a cabin, like the grandpa in the story of Heidi. He had a cabin, snow and goats!

6. I love to read and have not read a book in several months. Thats very unusal for me. I have a stack of books waiting for me to read.

Valentine Parade

I told Ms. Fran about Diva's valentine headband and she wanted to wear it and wish each of you a Happy Valentine's.

Sammi didn't seem too thrilled on having her photo taken. She is a bit moody waiting on the babies to be born. On my way back from taking her picture Sonya, DiDi and Leonard were waiting to have their turn. I think they actually enjoyed it!

Another Day

Things are kinda quiet around the homestead. No more babies at the moment. Diva thinks she will try and have hers before Sammi. She rolled her eyes at me when I went out with her valentine headband. I have no mercy on a pregnant goat! It was 78F yesterday and more of the same today. We are suppose to get heavy thunderstorms and wind this afternoon. Want to get some outside chores done this morning and then head for the soap shop while it rains. Hope everyone has a blessed day.

Blue Monday

Patricia lost her baby. She and her husband wants to thank each of you for all your prayers and thoughts. She ask that you keep her and her husband Chris in your prayers as this is a very difficult time for them.

Ms. Fran is having a rough day. She was fitted for and is now wearing a neck brace, hand brace and has feet braces to wear at night for her drop foot. Its something new in her routine and so upsets her. She can't take them off so the only thing left for her to do is vent at those around her. We know she doesn't mean some of the things she says, and though it hurts we keep on doing what we need to do to help her. She still loves the cards she gets in the mail and we all read them to her. She is still amazed everyone is so sweet and still thinks of her.

William is having some major problems with his big truck. He can't go out on the road again till they are fixed.

Sammi and Diva haven't had their babies yet. Sonya and DiDi's babies were picked up by their new owners. All 3 kids are house goats right now being bottled fed and spoiled. 2 of the owners have goats and the third owner wants to purchase a couple more from us when we have them. DiDi and Sonya are giving us lots of milk and doing fine. Sonya missed Windy for a night but DiDi doesn't even seem to know or care that her two are gone. I sure do miss them! Broke my heart to let them go but there is no way we can keep that many bucks. I have been blessed that the owners have emailed and given us updates. Windy's owners sent us some photos. He sure is one spoiled goat!

We will get through this blue Monday and look forward to tomorrow. Have a blessed week.

Faith of a Mustard Seed

I'm asking for all you to pray again for Patricia http://jaimefits.blogspot.com/. The doctor couldn't get a heartbeat on Friday. She will be going to another doctor Monday for a second opinion to see if she has miscarried the baby. With every ounce of faith you have please pray they find a heartbeat Monday. Patricia has gone down some very very rough roads to be able to be a mom. All the things she has endured has not weaken her faith. In fact her faith in God has carried her through. I believe in miracles and I am going to keep praying for a heartbeat.. please join me.