Truman is starting to get famous for his pumpkins- this picture shows what he has left this year. And again he tried several new varieties. I thought I had better get this seasonal photo up- as it is unbelievably that time of the year again.
Pretty soon it will be Thanksgiving (and before that, Charlie's baptism).
Truman and my pumpkin
Truman will be Charlie's great-godfather/uncle (as he is my sponsor).
I also finished my first week back at work. I feel mostly caught up, as I have a somewhat smaller caseload, and my coworkers have been great. Its been tough, though, every day a little more so. There's always something tugging at my heart, and its almost like I've reverted back to my, not so far off ago, post-pregnancy emotional state. I'm such a mess sometimes, which makes me feel so ridiculous, because my life is wonderful!
I've been in discussions with my boss and her boss, working out my part-time status. Its so difficult- even though it does not seem like it should be (I just want to work part-time so I can be with my baby more!)- and not because of where I work. They are trying to accommodate me and my new restrictions, so to speak. I knew that I would probably take a pay-cut, lose my benefits and have to move to a foreign part of the company. But honestly, my options really aren't that great, and change, no matter how wonderful, is hard. And why should I have to be demoted, worry about my finances, insurance, disability benefits, retirement, career, etc. just because I've made this choice? It feels like I'm being punished. And now it sounds like I'm whining. Except, I know in my heart that this is the only thing that I want to do, and all of the negatives are nothing compared to being able to stay at home during this time in my child's life. Its going to be so worth it. (I know I say this a million times, but maternity leave would be so much better if it lasted for a full year.)
One interesting thing I've come to realize, is that every mother/parent goes through this struggle to some degree- making a choice, sacrificing something. I'd never realized that before. (And oh so many other things I've learned; naive little me.)
~Becky
Polly before she gets milked. She has a nice silkly udder, and is easy to milk. 
Our first new mom who lost her babies because they came too early. She likes to get milked. She also is fun to milk and has a nice udder too. 
The last three that were born. They love to run around the milking stand as I am trying to milk. 
These are the oldest ones that get fed the milk from their mothers. They are sure growing. Sometimes they run around the pen and jump off the wall.
This Mom had three one large 9 lbs and the other two were 6 lbs . One doe and two bucks.
Ivory had two, 10 lbs each, one doe and one buck.
Here is a new Mom. Larry raised her last year and named her Polly. She had one big buck.
Here is our first kids of the season. Oreo had one doe and one buck.
I started with recipes for about 8 varieties of cookies, and ended up making 4 (with extra plain-jane cookie dough waiting in the fridge, perhaps for a Christmas Eve decorating party?). And that's going to be it for now. It gets to be a lot of work, baking so may cookies with an infant around- doable, but a major workout. And its tired me out. Charles and I are going to do some cuddling tomorrow, I think, instead of baking cookies. We prepared this sampler plate for Trav, for when he gets done with work tonight. So we've got molasses, hershey kiss peanut butter (a little crumbly), a lemon-glazed white cookie, and a Christmas cookie with orange zest kneaded in the dough and a semisweet chocolate drizzle (my favorite this year). After we decorate cookies, we'll have a little more color in there.
And Charlie got a visit from his Grand-mummy Wiste today (and Zia KT and her friend Eveline). Fun was had by all. However, Charlie's fighting a little cold and teething perhaps? So he wasn't quite his normal self - even so, he has a hard time not smiling.
Truman, making lefse (watch out for feisty Norwegians!)
Megan spilling secrets in Spanish to Charles
And Grandpa Wiste, showing Charlie the birds
There will be another cow calving later this year that also has the possibilty; however we're not sure if the Mom has the Red gene.
Isn't he handsome?
There was such an overflow of milk around here that two semi-trucks were needed to haul it all away, another sight not often seen around here :)
Truman is starting to get famous for his pumpkins- this picture shows what he has left this year. And again he tried several new varieties. I thought I had better get this seasonal photo up- as it is unbelievably that time of the year again.
Truman will be Charlie's great-godfather/uncle (as he is my sponsor).
