Tick, tock, tick, tock...

Coldest day this year -30C sunny though!

Math was never my strength and apparently that is still true. Most people can add 150 to a number, but for me... it was something I calculated over and over until I came to the conclusion that Miss Freya was due to have her kids on Wednesday, January 25, 2012. In preparation for that, tonight when I fed her I decided to put her in her stall, sit on some straw and just hang out for awhile so that she would be used to me in the "room". Since this would be her labour room I figured we should both get comfy. Fortunately Len had cleaned out the stalls and chicken coop today and it was about 5C so it was rather pleasant and we hung out for about 45 minutes. Me, Freya, Jessica and Luki on the other side of the stall trying to figure out why we were hanging around. As you can see in the picture above, both Luki and Freya appear to be practicing parenthood on the lovely little Finnegan who adores pampering from any creature! 

Less than a week to kidding

About 2 weeks ago I decided that I should try to pin down Freya's due date for her first kids ever. First I realized I had been thinking she was bred at the end of Sept. 2011. I then looked back at photos and blogs and finally on Len's blog saw that he had a photo of Jack mating Freya on Aug. 31, 2011. So I was a good month off to start with.

I started my calculations again; I added the weeks, then counted the days, then figured the months and kept getting a different answer. When I finally got the same answer twice, I thought it must be correct. We were expecting babies tomorrow, Jan. 25, 2012. Well, after seeing Freya tonight and knowing that the babies had "dropped" and that she was definitely less active... (what mother isn't days before birthing?) I decided to count again and this time did the simple math.

If she was bred Aug. 31, well, Sept is 30 days, Oct 31, Nov 30, Dec 31 and we are now on the 24th... So she is due, likely Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012. Now, we could be a day or two off but the gestation is 150 days and we do know Jack got at her a few times that week... So get ready for the birthing story coming to a blog near you soon! 

The Lion King

Rachel was out on Sunday taking some pictures of the animals. Sunday was the coldest day so far this winter. We went to bed at about -22C and woke up to -30C! OUCH! Frozen pipes and water at the new end of the house but the old plumbing is holding up very nicely!

As you enjoy these photos of our "furry farm family" keep in mind it is about -26C at this point of day. Sunny, clear and FREAKIN' cold! The weather has now improved and was at +7C today which was glorious although the roads were a virtual ice rink! Saturday, birthing day, the weather appears to be good and I am very happy that Miss Freya did not give birth last weekend!

I am ready for my close up
Mr. Spielberg!

Well, time to tuck in munchkins. School was cancelled today - much to their disappointment - seriously, they were disappointed! (Kids, they are just NEVER satisfied!) Back to routine tomorrow and my task at hand is to work on my pantry room since Len has the shelves up. It will be a task, but one well loved! Have a great day!