First baby of the year.

My cell phone goes off, it's a text from @fishyculture, CALF COME NOW. What? I thought we had a couple weeks before the babies started showing up. First one can come anytime right? Heifers are so unpredictable. Their first calf, anything can happen. So many thoughts run through your head. I've worked a few cattle ranches and I know how rough it can be. Sometimes they have trouble giving birth and have to have the help of a come along to help deliver. Sometimes the mother won't have anything to do with the new calf. Have you ever tried to milk a range cow for colostrum? In the first few minutes it looked like Mama was having nothing to do with this little creature wobbling around following her. She kept backing away. @fishyculture jumped in old blue and headed for town for replacer milk just in case. I stood watch at the top of the pasture, with a pair of binoculars. Wanting to just give them time to get used to one another. That baby was very persistant and finally Mamas voice changed to a low loving moo and in a little awhile, the baby was enjoying it's first meal.
I think the kids, @longsilver and @fishyculture were up every 4 hours in the night to go out and make sure everyone was doing okay. One more heifer to go! I hope she delivers as easily as her sister. I hope everyone is okay this morning and that the night was uneventful. I asked what they were going to do if they had to bring the calf in on the back porch to keep it warm during the night, they said they were gonna use my electric blanket! I would give up my binki for a baby calf. :)