The Long Awaited Arrival

Adopt the pace of nature.  Her secret is patience.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

After a very long year of adventures with our family cow, we finally have a beautiful little calve.  Ginger's birth could not have gone smoother, especially as a first time Mama.  Her labor and delivery lasted about four hours, taking place at the perfect time of day, late afternoon.  From the start, Ginger is a wonderful mother and her little one is strong and healthy.  After all these pictures I know you are wondering...it's a boy!  We named him Cocoa for his soft brown coloring.  Mama's udder is massive and so full it's tight to the touch.  We have our work in store for us the next week or so relieving her engorgement and making sure she stays healthy.  Baby Cocoa has no problem finding the teat so hopefully he will keep the milk flowing. 

And oh the milk...from the look of her udder I think there will be a whole lot of it.  It's pretty unbelievable that we actually made it this far, that we actually pulled this off.  Does having your own milk cow make you a real farmer?  This amazing experience today sure does make me feel like our jobs are official, although when I see that udder I do feel a bit intimidated.  We are praying for the best with all of this milking business and can't wait to see what Cocoa's personality is like and what role he will fit into on our little farm.  I have to say that learning the art of animal husbandry has been a blessing beyond belief, so many healing experiences.  We are, once again, humbled and overflowing with gratitude!