Yesterday, at 5:30pm, Dixie's Chick delivered her first calf! And, as it turns out, he's our first calf of 2009, too! Alan went out to check on Chick around 5:00 yesterday. When he saw that she was showing signs of labor, he ran back to the house to get me. Sure enough! Two little white hooves were making their way into the world. 30-minutes later, Alan and I watched as Chick finally delivered.
What's so great about this little guy is that he's DUN (brown)! Chick is black, and the father of this baby is also black. But Chick's mother is Dixie (who's Dun) and Chick's father is Little Bit of Fire (who's Red), so how GREAT that she passed down some of the color in her genes to this little guy! We're thrilled!!
I'll never tire of seeing babies born on the farm, and I'll never tire of having babies here, either! This little guy is the smallest calf we've had born on the farm. He *might* weigh 35 pounds. Maybe.
We had a bit of a scare this morning. When Alan and I went to check on him in the back pasture, he was gone. Nowhere to be seen. Missing. Our hearts sank. What if coyotes got him? What if he was stolen from the pasture (not unheard of). I was so very sad...
Alan started walking the fence line to see if he could find any sign of struggle. I walked along the edge of the tall grass in our backyard. And then I saw him! Curled up bedded down in the tallest grass! I wasn't sure he was still alive, but when I yelled to Alan to let him know I found the baby, my voice startled him awake. I picked him up and carried him out of the tall grass.
We decided to move Chick and the baby to the barnyard, but we had to do it through the yard so we didn't get help from the donkeys. Once we had her in the barnyard and reunited with her baby, she was happy. Nervous, but happy. About fifteen minutes later, I grabbed my camera and went out to take photos. I was shocked to see that he was again MISSING! No where to be seen! And then I saw him, walking (staggering, really) along the edge of the fence in the tall grass down by the goat pen. I put my camera in the car and ran down the road to get him. As soon as he saw me, he came towards me. I picked him up and carried him back to the barnyard. ....so, Alan and I put up more fencing so he can no longer escape through the wire fence.
He really is very tiny. Without something next to him, it's hard to know just how small he is. I'll try to get a photo of him that shows his size. Chick isn't a very large cow, so for her to have a small baby is ideal. I could only get a few photos this afternoon before the battery on my camera died. So now, the batteries are all in chargers!
Yay!! A baby! And lots more to come of the next few months!
Oooooh...so Adorable!!!
TFS
Posted by: Dee | February 18, 2009 at 08:06 AM
Aww bless!
He is going to be a handful!!
Dawn
Posted by: Dawn | February 09, 2009 at 11:58 AM
Anna,
He's so cute! Let me know if you need a "calf-sitter". ;-)
Posted by: Michelle | February 03, 2009 at 02:55 PM
Congratulations on the new baby! He's adorable.
Posted by: Beth M | February 03, 2009 at 06:50 AM
Oooooh he is sooo sweet. I just want to kiss him. what a sweet little calf. Nothin cuter than a calf. Not even a piglet, and I think they are pretty cute.
congrats,
Beth F
Posted by: Beth F | February 03, 2009 at 04:10 AM
Such a sweet little one. Can't wait to see more pics. to get an idea of his size. I am so envious of your life on the farm with all those animals!
Posted by: Sherry | February 02, 2009 at 06:40 PM
What a cutie patutie! Can't wait to see more pics and hear what you decide to name him. You're art work is wonderful and I enjoy the farm updates as well. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Diane McNickle | February 02, 2009 at 11:06 AM
How adorable is your new little guy! I so very much love your cards and illustrations but truly look forward to the farm updates and new babies are the best. Can't wait to see more pictures and hear this ones name.
Posted by: Diana Blessinger | February 02, 2009 at 09:44 AM
He's gorgeous, Congrats Chick and you guys too. I love baby's of any kind.
Hugs
Nic
Posted by: Nicola | February 02, 2009 at 09:31 AM
So excited to see the pictures and read the news! Fabulous, and he's soooo cute! Seems like he really wants to be around the tall grass. I can't blame him.
Posted by: Claire | February 02, 2009 at 08:27 AM
YOur new baby is the cutest! I cannot believe the scare you had..My heart was in my throat reading about it. You picked him UP? WOW..can't wait to see his size next to something I recognize. Hugs to you! Janet in nc
Posted by: janetwmarks | February 02, 2009 at 07:16 AM
Oh a name just came to me as I looked at his sweet face again, "Dundee" (for Dun, and D for Dixie) Just thought I would throw that out there.
Posted by: Ida P. Krause | February 02, 2009 at 07:16 AM
I was so excited to see a baby born on the farm again. I am looking forward to all the new arrivals.
Posted by: Laurie in MN | February 02, 2009 at 06:46 AM
I see someone beat me to say "name him Chick's Filet"......LOL!
He's a CUTIE!!!!!! Congrats! :)
Posted by: QC | February 02, 2009 at 05:48 AM
I'm glad she waited till you got home from CHA. What a lovely surprise!!
Posted by: Pat Woodruff | February 01, 2009 at 09:15 PM
How sweet. He's so cute!
By the way, I know how much you love photography so I tagged you for a challenge. You can check it out at:
http://mynee.typepad.com/mynee/2009/01/a-challenge.html
Posted by: Melanie | February 01, 2009 at 06:48 PM
OH my gosh.. so totally adorable!!! It was so great to get to spend some time with you at CHA. (umm.well.. now you know how "nuts" I really am) . lol Always in awe of you talent girl!
Posted by: Vicki Chrisman | February 01, 2009 at 04:10 PM
How sweet! I can't wait to see the new additions!!!!!
Posted by: Vicki | February 01, 2009 at 03:37 PM
He's so cute! What a little stinker scaring you like that! Can't wait to here more about him as he grows.
Posted by: Juli Fish | February 01, 2009 at 02:38 PM
What a Cutie! I love dun babies!
Congratulations
Dan
Posted by: Dan Butterfield | February 01, 2009 at 12:31 PM
He's beautiful!!! You should name him Houdini!!
I just love coming to your blog....
Happy New Year!!!
Hugs,
Vicky~~
Posted by: Vicky Sitterly | February 01, 2009 at 12:22 PM
Just 2 cute!!!
Posted by: Karen Lee | February 01, 2009 at 07:55 AM
Nothing like a new baby! I've missed the farm report of your blog......More please
Posted by: Colleen in NH | February 01, 2009 at 06:34 AM
oh he's precious! sounds like he likes the tall grass! glad he wasn't taken! *whew*
congrats on the new family member!
janice
Posted by: janice | February 01, 2009 at 02:10 AM
Isn't he sweet?! I'm so glad he was okay. Is Dixie Chick a good mommy?
Posted by: Shellie Daniel | January 31, 2009 at 06:36 PM
Oh soooo cute!!! I've missed hearing the latest barnyard news. Always enjoy your pictures and tales of what's happening
Posted by: Ellen | January 31, 2009 at 01:24 PM
Congratulations on the new babe! He sure is adorable :D He looks tiny form the photo and already has a mind of his own! Sorry, I missed you at CHA - I was so looking forward to meeting you!
Hugs,
Kim
Posted by: Kim Teasdale | January 31, 2009 at 11:16 AM
Oh he is just beautiful!!!! What a little cutie you have there and quite the little adventure seeker too ;) Enjoy him!!!! Looking forward to seeing lots more pictures!!!
Posted by: Merry | January 31, 2009 at 11:14 AM
Just adorable! Congratulations. - Can't wait to hear what you name the little guy.
Posted by: Ida P. Krause | January 31, 2009 at 09:43 AM
Absolutely precious! Thanks so much for sharing your stories... they are so sweet!
BTW... I left you a little award on my blog... :)
Posted by: Barb F | January 31, 2009 at 09:04 AM
He's adorable!! You'd think he wouldn't stray far from his mother. That must have been very scary for you and Alan. Hope all is well now and I'm looking forward to more 2009 babies! TFS
Posted by: Cindy H. | January 31, 2009 at 08:26 AM
Does that mean another baby naming contest?! I am already trying to think of names that go with "Chick". So far I came up with "Chick Pea"(he is so small), "Chick-a-dee"(but he isn't black or a female), "Chick Little"(play on Chicken Little), "Slick"(rhymes with Chick and he disappears easily), "Chick Magnet"(he is a cute fella!) and "Chick's Filet(you know, like the restaurant, but you can call him "Fil" for short). I better quit as I am hogging all the comments space! LOL Congrats, anyway, on another cutie!
Posted by: Janet S | January 31, 2009 at 08:15 AM
What a cute new little baby!
Posted by: Michelle | January 31, 2009 at 07:14 AM
How sweet and beautiful and might I add - precocious is this guy - he certainly has a mind of his own. He's beautiful and It's got to be hard to keep your hands off him - or do you - lol. I couldn't - it's a wonder any of my animals can walk from being held and carried so much. Anyway, enjoy this sweet little boy.
Posted by: Dru Cabral | January 31, 2009 at 06:39 AM
What a thrill to have a new baby and waht a terrible scare to think he was taken off. I love seeing the pictures and will be anxious to see more. Do you have a name yet?
Posted by: Kittie | January 31, 2009 at 06:27 AM
Oh Anna, he is absolutely precious. I can imagine the fear when he went missing. For him to try it twice, has me smiling big time. Sounds like he has a mind of his own. I would love to see a picture of him next to his momma.
Posted by: Sandy Hill | January 31, 2009 at 05:44 AM
The baby is adorable!
Posted by: Erika M | January 31, 2009 at 05:43 AM
What fun, another new baby at your place! Sounds like he's a little Houdini.
Posted by: Sher Miller | January 31, 2009 at 05:40 AM
He's gorgeous! Lush photos anna - it's amazing to think he's brand new to the world and yet he looks SO comfortable lying in the sunshine! Can't wait to see more of him - have you named him yet? :D xxx
Posted by: hello gorgeous | January 31, 2009 at 05:40 AM
Thanks so much for sharing your joy! He is adorable.
Posted by: Ruthy | January 31, 2009 at 05:39 AM
How beautiful. Congratulations!
Posted by: Toni K | January 31, 2009 at 05:17 AM
Oh wow Anna - he's so cute.
Carla (cardsbycarla)
Posted by: Carla | January 31, 2009 at 04:32 AM
I look at the pics and could only think....awwwwww!
Posted by: paula | January 31, 2009 at 04:21 AM
haha, I just now saw some of the other posts, with the Houdini idea...LOL too funny! Seems we're all on the same wavelength! :D
Posted by: diane mcvey | January 31, 2009 at 04:05 AM
Oh, he's just BEAUTIFUL! And what a pretty color...that's a blessing! So nice when those genes come through for you! :D You might have to name him Houdini, the way he seems to escape all the time! LOL It's so neat to have the first baby...I can't wait for more! It's such a JOY to follow your blog, and all the animals. I LOVE IT! :D
Have a great weekend with your new arrival!
Posted by: diane mcvey | January 31, 2009 at 04:03 AM
Congrats!!! He's a sweetie! I agree with everyone above- Houdini is a great name! Or maybe "Hoovedini" is more appropriate!!!
Diane
Posted by: Diane Cooper | January 31, 2009 at 03:55 AM
What a sweet little guy! I can't wait to hear more about him as he grows up!
Posted by: Cheri Howard | January 31, 2009 at 02:48 AM
Congratulations!!
Beautiful Baby :-)
Kropelka
Posted by: Kropelka | January 31, 2009 at 02:18 AM
Celebration time! Sounds like your little vagabond will be staying closer to his mama, thanks to that new fencing. What a sweetheart!
Posted by: gailanne | January 31, 2009 at 12:01 AM
Or you could call him Alcatraz as he is such a great escape artist?
So happy it is baby season again!
Also wondering what Tiny Tim is wearing these days???
Posted by: Sue | January 30, 2009 at 11:33 PM
I agree...Houdini fits him perfectly. So glad you are keeping us up to date with the critters. They are so much fun. Thanks.
Posted by: Deane | January 30, 2009 at 09:31 PM
He's so CUTE!! Congrat's to you both. There is something so sweet about baby animals, you just want to hug em'! Looking forward to seeing more pics and hearing more stories. :)
Posted by: Dotty | January 30, 2009 at 09:28 PM
He is beautiful! Thank you for sharing this wonderful event.
Posted by: Carole | January 30, 2009 at 09:19 PM
What a little Houdini pulling a disappearing act not once but twice. Sweet baby lucky you getting to hold the wee baby. I look forward to this years babies I so enjoy all your stories and pictures. TFS Ann Lind
Posted by: Ann Lind | January 30, 2009 at 09:17 PM
awwww, such a sweet little guy!
Congrats!
Hugs
Julie
Posted by: Julie Phillips | January 30, 2009 at 09:12 PM
AWWWWWW, he is so adorable! And what a little stinker already, taking off like that!
Luckily you didn't miss his birth. Dixie chick must have wanted to make sure you were back from CHA for the big event! ;0)
Congrats!
Anette(snowmom13)
Posted by: Anette Eakins | January 30, 2009 at 09:03 PM
Congrats Anna (and Alan)! What a beautiful baby boy!!! Farm life is so much fun ... especially when BABIES are involved!!!
Smiles, Hugs, and Blessings!
Hallie <><
Posted by: Hallie | January 30, 2009 at 08:13 PM
oh, he looks like the dusty color of coco..so sweet, I just wanna kiss him! You always have so much good stuff going on!
Posted by: kim lenhart | January 30, 2009 at 07:26 PM
I am so glad she waited till you got home!! What a little daredevil...trying to run away all the time. LOL
Posted by: Shannan Teubner | January 30, 2009 at 06:52 PM
I am so glad she waited till you got home!! What a little daredevil...trying to run away all the time. LOL
Posted by: Shannan Teubner | January 30, 2009 at 06:52 PM
What a beautiful baby! We don't start calving til later due to the really cold weather here. Nothing says spring around here like new chicks and calves!
Posted by: Debbie Fisher | January 30, 2009 at 06:42 PM
Oh, how fun! You hadn't said anything about who's pregnant, so this is a nice surprise! Seems like only yesterday when Chick was born. Isn't she less than a year? Or am I confused? The latter is likely! LOL
Love the stories and pix of life on the farm just as much as your beautiful art. Thanks Anna!
Posted by: Lisa Hjulberg | January 30, 2009 at 04:37 PM
The wandering dixie!!! He is going to keep you laughing.
It's a good life!
Terri E.
Posted by: Terri E. | January 30, 2009 at 04:30 PM
Oh how sweet! I love that you share these amazing pictures with us!
Posted by: Danielle | January 30, 2009 at 04:30 PM
Congratulations, Grandma!! He's adorable!
~Lacey
Posted by: Lacey Stephens | January 30, 2009 at 04:14 PM
Congratulations on your New Year Baby, Houdini! I loved that he walked towards you already. He must have imprinted on you when you carried Little Houdini back the first time. I love it!
Posted by: Gabriela | January 30, 2009 at 03:43 PM
He's such a pretty brown color and he looks big but 35 lbs isn't very big! Hooray for new mama Dixie Chick!! Glad you're back home and just in time for the first birth of 2009!
Posted by: Viv (VivLyn) | January 30, 2009 at 03:26 PM
The baby is just too cute. I wanna come on down to the farm and watch the critters being born.
Posted by: sherry Eckblad | January 30, 2009 at 03:05 PM
You need to name him Grassy! Or Grass-a-frass. He really is cute. I love baby animals too. I won't eat veal for that very reason.
Posted by: Rebecca Ednie | January 30, 2009 at 03:03 PM
Congrats on your new baby, he's so sweet :). We had twin girls at christmas - the start of this years babies, and like you, I love watching them grow.
Posted by: Sian | January 30, 2009 at 03:03 PM
What a beautiful baby. So happy for you. Missed your blog for few days . . . I have a questions about CHA. Can any old crafting afficionado go to CHA or do you need to be a retailer? Thank you.
Posted by: Katie | January 30, 2009 at 02:53 PM
Oh isn't he just adorable. You are so blessed to have such a rich life with all these different animals. I think you should name him Houdini. I hope this errant behavior isn't shades of things to come....
Posted by: Barb Hardeman | January 30, 2009 at 02:44 PM
Congratulations on the new Baby! He's a real cutey! (bit of a sneaky one, scaring you all the time with his disappearing, but still very cute).
Posted by: Lisa - Australia | January 30, 2009 at 02:42 PM