...I'm pretending we're not forecasted to get 14" of cold, fluffy, frozen rain...
The baby is doing okay. Today is his due date. He was large for gestational age when born which made him predisposed for bilirubin/jaundice issues so we had to spend a few days in the hospital at the "electric infant beach" as one non-pediatrician doctor put it. His numbers would not go down so we spent a lot of time checking and rechecking his bilirubin levels at the doctor's office even after we were let out. He has an overly healthy appetite and has been gaining weight very fast and isn't slacking in that regard so we did not get stuck being readmitted. His level went down by two points finally on Monday. He's now over 9 pounds and climbing. If he didn't have the normal post birth weight drop I shudder to think what his birth weight would be if he went to term and was actually born today.
I've mostly been not posting because I'm a little sleep deprived. Eating and pooping helps with bilirubin so I've been feeding him all night at every peep he puts out.
In regards to milking, we will make it work. I need my alone time in the morning. Not super keen on milking dwarves for cups of milk each, but dwarves were breedable in August, and the lamanchas didin't cycle this year until much, much later so maybe there is a place for both if I can handle it.
Today I'm extra tired because it turns out I'm the disciplinarian parent and the boys have been running my husband ragged at bedtime and refusing to go to bed because he's a softy. I've been passing out at 8 pm first because I was constantly sick, now because I'm getting up every hour, sometimes less for baby food catering. Last night I decided to stay up and put the kids through their paces in regard to bedtime before DH fell apart any more-so two or so fewer hours of sleep less for me but they got their BS called and I got them to bed with much tears before 11, which I come to find out is earlier than it has been. It will get earlier and less tearful again.
Lace got her band off again so her scur-horn is safe. Stinker.
Yesterday a small hawk grabbed a silkie while I was letting them range. The ducks got loud and tattled on the whole situation. The muscovy started doing their creepy, preditary "walk like an egyptian" strut towards it as muscovy do (good!), and I ran out with my new bat to persuade the bird to reconsider or play ball (he reconsidered and no hawk was harmed, but man, the birds of prey here practically need to have a weapon brandished over their heads before they do here-as if they are domesticated). As a result the silkie is in the house with only one minor puncture wound and I'm waiting for it to show some spirit so it can go back out. She's a funny little pullet and will probably be out by tomorrow. Back to no free range as long as the dog is living in her dogloo. I'll try to get a photo of the silkie later. I like those silly chickens. They are still laying, btw, keeping us in eggs still. Love that.
I'm afraid I've been slacking on my violet care. Apparently when it comes down to flora vs fauna I pick fauna. Sorry violets.
Sheesh, i still need to get a stall cleaned out for kidding. I guess I'm slacking there too.