So interesting!! Most of my experience with calving is from watching All Creatures Great and Small (love that show!) and maybe some other movies. But I remember seeing a newborn calf along a two-lane road in the farm country of California, and several cars stopped to see the calf. That picture at the end is so sweet! 😍
Calving time doesn’t bring up romance and motherhood for myself, but having grown up on a dairy and beef farm, these words sure bring memories of childhood and the many hours my mother put into helping my dad when the calves were being born. I was the observer from the other side of corral panels and have heard many a comments of comparing pregnant cows and women!
Ok I love this so much! So many interesting details about calving season. January is such a dreary month, how lovely that life comes from it. And that pic of you two. ❤️❤️
I love this story so much (as well as your side-of-the-road birth story!)
One question I have: how often (if ever) are you called upon to assist with delivering a calf? It sounds like that’s primarily your husband’s thing, but have you ever had to step in - and get an arm in?
Thanks, Meagan! I personally am never called in! Ha! It would be desperate times if I was the one needed to pull a calf. ;) I've been there to assist, but never on my own. We have four employees, my hubby, my BIL, my FIL, my SIL, and all of them are able (to varying degrees!) to pull a calf when needed. I have stuck my arm in, because I was curious. And the amount of pressure is crazy during contractions, which makes sense! Your arm can go numb after a while.
About a year ago, my brother, who is a farmhand, sent a photo of new calves to the family chat, and a note that said "I know how much you like the calves." My husband said "I bet he has a new girlfriend he meant to send that to." Sure enough, and they'll be getting married in May. :) Must be something about calves!
This is true in so many ways! Calving is like the other long seasons on the farm, where we wives share our husbands with whatever it is that needs their attention. It’s such a joy to watch the new life coming into the world, and gut-wrenching when it doesn’t go well. And yes, the pregnancy jokes. 🤦🏼♀️😂
The straw that made my husband decide to switch to fall calving was the spring of 2019 when we had a major weather event that left a ton of mud and cows heavy with calf unable to get up. He had to perform a c-section himself, an experience he never wants to repeat!!!
Are you even married to a rancher if he doesn't crack some joke about "calving" during your pregnancy? 😉 Calving and I have a love-hate relationship. I love being outside and around the calves but the weather and the long days and nights takes its toll. 💙
Beautiful writing! I love how this calving season brings back so many different memories for you. What a marker of time passing for you and your family.
LOOK AT THAT BABY!!!! I love how those significant seasons change and evolve and become a bookmark, a measuring stick, showing where we’ve been and where we are and where we’re going.
I love your stories! ❤️
Thanks, Ashley!! ❤️
This is stunning, Stacy. When are you writing a book? It's time.
Thanks, Callie. 💛 I’m thinking about it. 😉
Love the Friends episode style description—which you 100% delivered. Great storytelling, friend!
Thanks, Laura!! And for noticing my Friends reference. 😆
So interesting!! Most of my experience with calving is from watching All Creatures Great and Small (love that show!) and maybe some other movies. But I remember seeing a newborn calf along a two-lane road in the farm country of California, and several cars stopped to see the calf. That picture at the end is so sweet! 😍
Thanks for reading, Joy! The calves are really sweet.
Thanks for sharing, love it!
Thanks, Mom! :)
Calving time doesn’t bring up romance and motherhood for myself, but having grown up on a dairy and beef farm, these words sure bring memories of childhood and the many hours my mother put into helping my dad when the calves were being born. I was the observer from the other side of corral panels and have heard many a comments of comparing pregnant cows and women!
Wow -- dairy & beef! That is a busy life! Ha, I bet you learned a lot growing up, listening to those conversations. :)
Ok I love this so much! So many interesting details about calving season. January is such a dreary month, how lovely that life comes from it. And that pic of you two. ❤️❤️
Thank you, Lindsay! So true about January.
Another great story. Love you
Thanks, Dad. Love you too.
I love this story so much (as well as your side-of-the-road birth story!)
One question I have: how often (if ever) are you called upon to assist with delivering a calf? It sounds like that’s primarily your husband’s thing, but have you ever had to step in - and get an arm in?
Thanks, Meagan! I personally am never called in! Ha! It would be desperate times if I was the one needed to pull a calf. ;) I've been there to assist, but never on my own. We have four employees, my hubby, my BIL, my FIL, my SIL, and all of them are able (to varying degrees!) to pull a calf when needed. I have stuck my arm in, because I was curious. And the amount of pressure is crazy during contractions, which makes sense! Your arm can go numb after a while.
About a year ago, my brother, who is a farmhand, sent a photo of new calves to the family chat, and a note that said "I know how much you like the calves." My husband said "I bet he has a new girlfriend he meant to send that to." Sure enough, and they'll be getting married in May. :) Must be something about calves!
The ladies love the baby calves! Ha! That's hilarious. And funny that your husband caught on right away.
I love reading about your farm life!
Thanks, Wendy!
This is true in so many ways! Calving is like the other long seasons on the farm, where we wives share our husbands with whatever it is that needs their attention. It’s such a joy to watch the new life coming into the world, and gut-wrenching when it doesn’t go well. And yes, the pregnancy jokes. 🤦🏼♀️😂
The straw that made my husband decide to switch to fall calving was the spring of 2019 when we had a major weather event that left a ton of mud and cows heavy with calf unable to get up. He had to perform a c-section himself, an experience he never wants to repeat!!!
Oh my goodness, I cannot imagine doing a c-section! I've only watched one (by a vet) and it was a lot.
Are you even married to a rancher if he doesn't crack some joke about "calving" during your pregnancy? 😉 Calving and I have a love-hate relationship. I love being outside and around the calves but the weather and the long days and nights takes its toll. 💙
"I've got the chains!!" And no, you are not. Haha!! My hubby had to eat his words when he DID have to deliver our third. Jokes on you! ;)
I'm always excited at the beginning of each season (harvest, calving), but then after awhile it gets old.
😆😆
Beautiful writing! I love how this calving season brings back so many different memories for you. What a marker of time passing for you and your family.
Thank you, Jessica!! It was fun to write this and think back over the years.
LOOK AT THAT BABY!!!! I love how those significant seasons change and evolve and become a bookmark, a measuring stick, showing where we’ve been and where we are and where we’re going.
Yes, so true! It makes looking back easier, when there's a marker of time to look for.
That's so kind of you to say, Pam! Thanks so much. There will be more cow stories in the next couple of months, I'm sure! :)