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”
Well done, Queenie! 🙂
So thankful all turned out well and another baby has been welcomed onto the Farmy. Rest now, my dear C. You need it, I think. No, I know.
Finally….everyone safe and arrived! Now you can regroup, getting ready for the wiener pigs coming in the very near future!
❤⊱彡 Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
Hope that station is playing STAND BY YOUR MUM. I was totally surprised about Queenie. Thought she would make us wait long like Daisy. Oh but Baby Bobby is so cute. It’s that white curly furry head that knocks me out. I can imagine how worried you were. Worried sick when nothing was happening for so long.
And the light on TIma has her looking like a little porcelain doll.
I’m sure i would have been pacing as well, thinking dire thoughts. I’m so glad it turned out well even if she is a nervous nellie. Perhaps a spy cam is in order, but then one of the birds would be sure to peck at it..ha I hope your bread turns out well. Slather some butter on it, you deserve it!
Oh celi this is wonderful news – all are well and safe and new life is there on the farm! Hope you get some rest 🙂
Welcome to the little bull calf and good job Queenie! I can see why she’s a little nervous with all the other babies around and this is her first one. I’m sure she’ll settle down soon. Someone else said this, but it really is striking how different the two calves look…really underscores their different breeds. Hope you’re getting some nap time today.
What a harrowing couple of weeks you have had, Celi. Midwife, adoptive mom, milkmaid, etc. You must be run ragged. The new Bobby is darn cute….but Daisy’s calf is even cuter (shhhhh don’t tell Queenie). The new Kunekune is just the cutest thing and there is Boo watching. Queenie will settle down, especially when to weather allows them to go outside and run around a little. Did Queenie’s udder ever swell up?
Truly wonderful news!
Congrats on the 2nd baby. Nanny Boo doing his job as usual. Cute little farm family you have there!
The animals seem to know exactly what to do all by themselves, without human involvement. i’m sure that as soon as everyone can get outside there will be a world of difference in you work schedule.
Congratulations!
What a night. The result is good but you must be shattered
What a relief it must be, to have another safe birth. It was hard labour for you too.
What a night you and Queenie had…whew! The Little Bobby has such an adorable whiteface, such big eyes. And Nanny Boo sure knows his job by now….so many babies to look after. 🙂