Surrogate

Surrogate - to put in place of another; substitute.

So, I am approaching the age of 40 and have given birth to 4 wonderful children already at this time in my life, and never would've guessed that at this time I would be taking care of so many new babies on a daily basis.  Oh no, I haven't started a in-home daycare or becoming a foster mother or anything, but I have become a surrogate Mom to many adorable baby calves around the farm.

This morning while walking outside to bring down the second group of cows to come into the barn to be milked I thought I was seeing things.  You have to cut me some slack, it was early (about 6 am), it was still dark outside and because I get up so early now I was likely still not fully awake so it's possible to see things that may not really be there.  But I wasn't really imagining anything, out in the cowyard, surrounded by a lot of curious cows was a tiny little calf who just greeted the world.  Like that sight wasn't surprise enough to me, but as I continued south through the cowyard I spotted another one!!!!  Twins!!!

The newborns!!!

It's funny how my natural instinct takes over to want to take care of these little creatures and make sure they aren't harmed.  Initially I thought there was no way I could carry them the distance I needed to so that they would be inside the barn where it was warmer and not have a chance of being stepped on by the bigger cows outside but when Jeff didn't have the time at the moment to do this for me I decided "when there's a will, there's a way" and I walked out there with the mindset that I was going to "DO IT!"

With all my might I picked up the smaller of the two first and it seemed pretty easy and despite her being wet yet and a tad full of cow manure from being born out in the cowyard, I hauled her into the barn.  I was quite dirty after this and I'll admit, the second one seemed a lot heavier to me but again I was determined and got him into the barn too.  So damn cute!!!! 

Along with these two little ones I also have 12 larger calves in the two pens in the barn and 6 smaller ones (5 in huts outside and 1 inside by the twins) who are depending on me to be their surrogate Mama and feed them each day and I'm happy to be there for them.  It's my nature.

Oh sure, these little ones aren't going to give me hugs and make me pictures for my fridge or anything but I do guarantee that they will slobber me with a ton of wet kisses whether I want them to or not and I feel obligated to make sure they stay fed and are loved.

They likely don't realize at all what love is I guess, but I do, and that's what makes this part of my job that much easier for me.  They're kind of like my own kids, except thankfully for me, my kids are potty trained :)