Just kidding

The last post was talking of all the kids and milk we were going to be drowning in.  WELL, the ways of the Lord they be mysterious, and all our plans are for naught.  Every leetle one of 'un  (Oh, excuse me.  I have been reading  The Yearling aloud to the children and the vernacular of the characters is almost well, catching.) 

We did happen to have Daisy, Buttercup and Bluebell freshen.  But what a disaster!!! We are in part of the country that is deficient in selenium.  This can cause all kinds of problems with goats and ours suffered from this lack.  Daisy was ultrasounded at the beginning of December 2009.  She had mulitples and we eagerly expected her to have triplets again.  But, alas she gave birth to a very large single buckling that was already deceased.  Poor Daisy, she retained her placenta and the stress ruined her milking ability.  This could have been her peak year too.  Next was Ian's '09' kid Bluebell, she had a single doeling, named Honeysuckle.  She lived for 7 days.  All of a sudden without warning, she was gone.  It was very sad.  The vet had already been out twice and checked out Daisy, gave her meds and what not, helped Buttercup with her placenta and meds.  He said give Bo Se injections (selenium and vitamin E) at two weeks of age to the kids.  With the passing of Bluebell's baby, I quickly gave the TWIN doelings from Buttercup, Holly and Juniper, the Bo Se injection (along with the rest of the herd) they were born the Sunday after Honeysuckle. 

The great news is Holly and Juniper are thriving!  They are so beautiful and doing really great.  We were so worried about them because of the weather that we brought them inside the house. 
They wore diapers and slept in our old playpen.  Up until they were over a few weeks old we took them out to bottle feed and play with them in the house every day. After feedings, I would quickly herd them outside to "tinkle." Mary's little lamb did not interrupt school the way these two kids interrupted our homeschool!  Jumping on the couches and running all over.  It was a lot of fun! 

They are in the barn now and doing great. Not one of the other goats freshened.  Dr Steve was here again for ultrasounds at the beginning of February and confirmed Snapdragon, Marigold, Violet and one of the black alpines for pregnancy.  But now, almost two months later we have had no more kids born.   I have a few thoughts on this: #1, Dr Steve is a little inexperienced with goats.  His first u/s predictions were off by a month. #2, we have the selenium deficiency which disrupts reproduction. #3, I gave everyone the Bo Se injection, even though it clearly states that it has been known to cause abortions in sheep.  I discussed this with the vet at length.  He said we always give this.  We do it because we want the does to have stronger kids born and not retain placentas.  The warning is there because it can happen.  You have to weigh the risks/benefits.  I opted to give the injection after seeing the tragic results with Daisy's case.   #4, we had some EXTREMELY cold weather.  Single digits, snow, wind and ice. This messes everyone up.  #5 I really think that we got some pretty poor hay.  I really do.  I hope I am wrong on this account but until we have it tested. . . We got some alfalfa hay from up the road and will be looking forward to fresh spring browse growing and a new cutting of alfalfa hay this spring!!

So, we have had just enough milk to feed our two remaining kids, some to the neighbor who needed goat milk for his "kid" and a little for us.  Buttercup is giving over a gallon of milk a day, Bluebell about 2 quarts, and Daisy about a quart every-other-day.  The kids are drinking 2 quarts a day each (gallon total).  There is almost no waste whatsoever.  I haven't made any cheese yet.  But I am dreaming of making soap! :)  Whew, what an update. 

As for the family, my biggest priorities are to make Taylor more comfortable in all his many sicknesses (this is the second bout of bronchitis this year, plus the 2nd straight week he has been sick with vomiting and stuff), homeschool the children, and get the house decently clean.  Abby and Matthew finished another of their Learning to Read LightUnits and Ian took his Mathematics Test today.  Progress is slow but I am so glad we are starting to get in the swing of things again. 

The FlyLady http://www.flylady.com/ has been helping be get CHAOS at bay and everytime I do a task, I think Oh! FlyLady would be proud!  Give her a try, she is great encouragment. 

More than anything, I know that the Lord has been helping me to make it through each day.  I rely on that relationship and the priviledge to bring all my many needs, shortcomings, praises,etc to Him.  I would be nothing without His Love for me. 

Until the next quiet moments,
Ami

And the God of Peace shall be with you. . .