Queenie began her labour at 6pm. By 8.30 pm nothing further had happened.
I led her into the barn, trailing streams of waterbag, so she and her calf would be safe from the coyotes, she ate her dinner and then lay down for a sleep. While I proceeded to have a nervous breakdown.
Boo Nanny had babysitting duties while I fretted.
I tried not to check her too often because she needed to relax and focus. Plus every time I went into the barn throughout the night Marcel set up such a caterwauling. And even when I crept with cat steps to the corner Queenie would rise up and glare at me. But time was passing, a long time.
After 6 hours had elapsed I made myself lie down for two hours and wait. I was sure that after all this time the calf must have died. There was nothing I could do.
But I was wrong. I crept back into the barn just before 1am and there he was, a little bull calf, lying in a steaming pool of hot fluid, clothed in his birth cape looking very surprised. Queenie would not get up for a long time. By then she was exhausted and confused. Once she was up and was licking her baby I left them to it. She was furious that I was anywhere close to the calf. She is a very protective nervous mother. 
And that is why I was unable to post at dawn this morning. I wanted to get this photo for you. This morning she is still being very pushy with her baby and has been making running attacks at the Big Bobby who is in the next pen because he is getting too close. The new Bobby is very frisky too and wants to leap about and she wants him to stay still.
So I closed another gate, shut down more doors as there is wind coming today, effectively putting the Bobby and Marcel across a corridor and letting Queenie and her Baby have a small but private back pen. Luckily it is warm. I took the Big Bobby’s coat off yesterday, it will be warm today too they say. 
Turned the radio on for white noise, they like Country Music – I am getting to like it – which is just as well as it is the only station I can get on this old radio) and they will all have a very quiet day.
Dogs inside. Me staying out of the way. Hopefully Queenie will relax and let her calf drink some more.
I hope you have a good day. I am going to make some coffee and a couple of fried eggs then start the breads.
Your worn out, satisfied, hungry friend on the farmy,
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
71 responses to “Late night, early morning”
Whew, how exhausting! I caught myself holding my breath as I read this post. I hope everyone has a good, calm, restful day today!
Another baby. Wow, so much new life on the farmy. How wonderful!\
Hope you have time to put your feet up for a while today C.
🙂 Mandy xo
Wonderful news! Poor Queenie is probably as exhausted as you, and I am sure once she has rested and fed her Bobby she will calm down. Is this her first calf? New Mums can be so pedantic wanting everything to be just right. By the second one as long as they are clean and fed we don’t hover around so much LOL.
Hope you get lots of rest yourself my friend.
hugs Lyn
Way to go Queenie. What a beautiful little Bobby. You must be so relieved Celi…enjoy the moment!
He’s adorable! Welcome little one!
It’s nearly 1 am here Down Under and a sleepy me crawling out of bed decided on the ‘long road’ to the bathroom: had a sixth sense there would be news! Congratulations on Bobby Junior . . . . yes, a little girl would have been lovely, but the old saying does go ‘as long as it’s healthy’ 🙂 ! And we all have a gorgeous girl in Tima . . . . do hope you can get a few moments of quiet rest during the day and a good deep sleep when the evening arrives . . . . I bet you are worn out!!!! ni-ni!!!
you and boo sure have a lot of babies to keep an eye on! i am so glad the little one arrived safely.
Another gorgeous new baby!! ❤ ❤ absolute bliss I tells ya! ❤ ❤
Have been anxious right along with you. So glad for a safe delivery. Have really enjoyed all the pictures and your new format. I really feel like spring is finally on it’s way, especially with all your farm babies. Hooray. Rest up and take care around new momma.
So my dream about Queenie’s calf being a girl was wrong. I’ll have to work harder to hone my future telling skills. So pleased all are well!
The two new bobbys are adorable. I may have missed this but are they both staying with you. They aren’t being sent to slaughter are they?
Congratulations to both Queenie and you! I am glad both mother and calf are doing well.
Nancy
http://www.workingmomadventures.com
So relieved that Queenie, the future mother of your herd of grass-fed beef cows, came through like a trouper her first time out! I was confused for a moment that you referred to Daisy’s week-old calf as the Big Bobby, but then realized that it’s the same in human families when the youngest suddenly becomes the Big Brother or Sister.
Congratulations!
Mary
What a relief that the little one is here safely. You must be a nervous wreck. And look at the date – the vet was right 🙂
I love the picture of dear little Tima with the kong. She has such an expressive little face. Sheila certainly has some competition in the popularity stakes with Miss Poppy and Miss Tima in town.
Big smiles. (They enjoy a tune now and then). Everyone rest up!