Wednesday, my sweet Miss Jacob didn’t come to dinner. The sheep always come to dinner. Sheep are pigs. It was late and already dark. Wednesday was an unusually nice and warm late winter day here. A day that felt more like spring than anything I’ve come to know as winter this year with its steep snows and icy temps. I watched the goats and Poky nibbling all day on anything green they could reach at the fence lines, so I wasn’t too worried about Miss Jacob. I figured they had all been out nibbling at the fence lines and they have acres and acres of pasture and fence line. If she was at the far end nibbling away, it might be making her late to dinner.
Thursday morning, I went to look for her first thing, just to be sure. I remembered that Wednesday morning I’d seen her stretched out rather slothfully on the ground. In fact, so slothfully that I’d gone up to her and said, “ARE YOU DEAD? GET UP!” Because I have Honey and Pepsi flashbacks any time I see one of the animals on the ground. Trouble is, animals like to nap. On the ground. And they get annoyed with my hysteria every time they try to take a nap. I’m pretty sure Miss Jacob said something like, “Leave me alone, Woman. I’m taking a nap, YOU FREAK.” Still, I was getting worried and just needed to see her yesterday morning to be sure.
I saw two little black things gamboling about on shaky legs in the far pasture. I raced back to the house for my camera. By the time I went back down to the meadow bottom and hiked out into the pasture, they were in one of the sheep shelters. Two babies!
I was so excited that I didn’t even notice that THIS WAS NOT MISS JACOB. This (below) is Miss Jacob.
I heard a tiny, plaintive baa-baa from somewhere behind me and turned to find another baby on the bank across the creek. Three babies!
Then I saw what that baby was running toward–my sweet Miss Jacob, and another baby! Four babies!
I whipped back around, realizing what had completely escaped me in my initial excitement. That was JESTER in the sheep shelter.
They BOTH had two babies!
Jester had come to dinner the night before, so hers must have been born overnight.
They were already up and getting around, as were Miss Jacob’s, whose little lambs must have been born in the evening, keeping her from her dinner.
The babies are all nursing and looking healthy.
The mamas are being very accommodating.
Even Jester.
When I went down later to check on them again, the babies came right to me and let me pet them and pick them up.
Mr. Cotswold had one very busy day some five months ago to knock up both of them so that they delivered within hours of each other.
I had been starting to wonder if Mr. Cotswold had been busy at all. We initially had the Jacobs and Cotswolds separated, but they kept managing to somehow bust around and get back together. Chasing and separating them over and over, we got a little tired of that, and we don’t have a Jacob ram. After consulting some experienced sheep farmers as well as a farm vet, we put the Jacobs and Cotswolds together, assured that the Jacobs should be able to deliver babies from the Mister. (And, yay, they have!) An added plus is the promise of some interesting fiber with the combination of the Jacobs’ naturally variegated wool and the long, crimpy curls of the Cotswolds. Months went by and no babies had appeared…. Sheep are woolly, so it’s hard to tell what’s going on in there….until something frolics across the meadow.
Still waiting now to see if the Misses Cotswolds will deliver some pretty white pure Cotswolds to us, too.
I don’t care what the calendar says–it’s spring on the farm! We have babies!
I think they look like monkeys.
We have a monkey farm!
Nic, SD says:
Yay! That’s so awesome!
On March 12, 2010 at 1:19 am
BuckeyeGirl says:
:snoopy: :sheep: What happy news! THOSE are just the sorts of surprises we could get used to!
On March 12, 2010 at 1:26 am
Lacey says:
So CUTE! I want to come live with you during lambing season! Congrats. I’m glad everything went well and you have healthy babies.
On March 12, 2010 at 1:33 am
nursemary says:
Congrats. They are adorable!
On March 12, 2010 at 1:39 am
Blessings says:
Congratulations!!!!!How wonderfully cute they are!
The mysterious life of animals on a farm..
~~HUGS~~
On March 12, 2010 at 1:39 am
Thunja says:
Aaawwe- you’ve had a great day!! They are so CUTE.
On March 12, 2010 at 1:48 am
Tobey says:
congratulations on the lambs…baby sheepies! They are gorgeous and I can’t wait to see more pictures.
On March 12, 2010 at 2:18 am
Julie says:
Congrats! They are beautiful! Reminds me of a spring a couple years ago when we went to Holland to see the tulips in bloom and there was a petting zoo near a playground where my kids were playing. A sheep gave birth ~ we saw the whole event and then all the other animals (goats and other sheep) walked over to welcome the newest member. It was a wonderful experience.
On March 12, 2010 at 2:58 am
Becky says:
Well all right!!!!Hurray!!! Nice surprise!!!
On March 12, 2010 at 4:33 am
Kathleen in Michigan says:
How exciting!!
On March 12, 2010 at 5:07 am
Tracey In Paradise,Pa. says:
:snoopy: Congratulations GRANDMA!! How simply wonderful!! They are so precious..What a wonderful start to a early spring.New life!!
Hugs Granny Trace
On March 12, 2010 at 5:10 am
blossom says:
Gorgeous monkey babies!
On March 12, 2010 at 5:11 am
lisa says:
*SIGH* I’m in love.
On March 12, 2010 at 5:14 am
Kieran says:
How wonderful to see these pictures first thing in the morning! They’re gorgeous lambs! I just kept saying, “Awwww,” and smiling as I scrolled through the pictures. Congratulations and have tons of fun with them!
On March 12, 2010 at 5:41 am
Deborah R says:
How we do rejoice when we can welcome new life into the world. Welcome, little monkey lambs!
On March 12, 2010 at 6:07 am
Jill says:
oh that is just wonderful!!! they are so cute!!
Jill
On March 12, 2010 at 6:14 am
Leah says:
What a big surprise to find so many little lambs! You have to think up a lot of new names for them now. :sheepjump:
On March 12, 2010 at 6:15 am
carsek says:
They are just adorable!! Spring is truly here. I like their little faces. Good luck!!
On March 12, 2010 at 6:22 am
Runningtrails says:
You are so blessed, Suzanne!! That is wonderful news! Four new sheep babies! You will have lots of sheep dotting the meadow next year and lots of that wonderful wool! I am so happy for you it brought tears to my eyes. How wonderful it must have been to be surprised by four little lambies, healthy and folicking in your very own sheep meadow!
And probably more to come in white!
On March 12, 2010 at 6:29 am
Rose in VT says:
It’s a smiling, black and white lamb!!! Cutest ever! Congratulations!
On March 12, 2010 at 6:29 am
Connie Trippett says:
They are so cute. And Im glad all went ok with the births. Are you expecting any more babies on the farm this spring?
On March 12, 2010 at 6:31 am
Diane says:
Congrats!!! They are beautiful. What a great surprise to start the spring off with.
On March 12, 2010 at 6:39 am
Johanna says:
Congratulations! Please post lots and lots of photos of these lambs as they grow!
On March 12, 2010 at 6:49 am
NorthCountryGirl says:
Congratulations! Wow, what a surprise. Four new babies…now you’re a Grammy! They should have some very interesting wool with the color and crimp of both breeds. I’m so happy for you. Yep, Spring has arrived in West Virginia!
On March 12, 2010 at 6:53 am
Kathryn says:
Congratulations, Granny! They are beautiful babies. Ooh,four new names. What fun!
I sure hope Clover got the hint!
On March 12, 2010 at 7:02 am
amber swafford says:
beautiful babes! I love baby animals…sigh… :sheep: :duck: :cowsleep: :turtle: 😀
On March 12, 2010 at 7:03 am
Rose H says:
That MUST be the nicest thing to wake up to :sheepjump:
I’ve been facinated by watching ‘Lambing Live’ on the BBC in the UK all week, they gave out a handy tip with newborns….if they’re asleep and you’re worried that there’s something wrong with them, lift them the their feet – if the stretch they’re fine – if not keep an eye on them. (They showed it with one that was about 12 hours old)
Give ’em all a hug for me!
On March 12, 2010 at 7:04 am
CindyP says:
Dot…dot…dot…dot — 4 more dots! What a true sign of spring :sheep: Can’t wait to see if there are more Cotwolds’ to arrive :sheepjump:
On March 12, 2010 at 7:06 am
Heidi says:
ADORABLE!! Our first babies are due Easter Sunday.
On March 12, 2010 at 7:07 am
Carmen Smith says:
OMG they are ADORABLE! How exciting!!!!
On March 12, 2010 at 7:10 am
Carol Langille says:
Oh My GOSH!!!!! They DO look like monkeys but adorable monkeys! Congratulations, Suzanne….I know you are excited about your new babies and they are just precious. I’m just wondering which one, or more, will wind up as lap lambs!
Pet them and hug them and snuggle them all for me!
On March 12, 2010 at 7:12 am
Kelly Walker says:
WOO HOO!!! Babies. It is spring. They are so beautiful. Please send more photos soon. I was just posting my photos from an unusual visit to the Conservation Research Center to see rare animals but your animals are much cuter. 🙂
But mine can be seen on the blog if your are interested….Red Pandas, Clouded Leopards, etc.
On March 12, 2010 at 7:16 am
Laura says:
:sheep: :sheep: :sheep: :sheep:
What a fabulous surprise!!!!!
On March 12, 2010 at 7:24 am
Miss Kitty says:
Congratulations!!! How wonderful!
On March 12, 2010 at 7:31 am
Valerie says:
What a wonderful and exciting morning ewe had yesterday. Congratulations Woman! Spring sure is in the air. :sheep:
On March 12, 2010 at 7:38 am
Linda says:
That was a very nice surprise. I hope you have more to come and am glad everything went well for you.
On March 12, 2010 at 7:41 am
Nita in South Carolina says:
How exciting! And what a wonderful surprise for an almost-spring morning!
On March 12, 2010 at 7:53 am
Mim says:
Congrats…..You lucky dog….Isn’t nature just great….Animals do not need us to take care of them…but they do enjoy our company :pawprint:
On March 12, 2010 at 7:57 am
Shannon says:
I want to kiss their little monkey faces 😉
On March 12, 2010 at 7:59 am
Missy says:
They are adorable!
On March 12, 2010 at 8:08 am
cherylinsunnycal says:
Awwww how sweet! I love Spring – farm babies are born, trees are budding and everything looks new!
On March 12, 2010 at 8:14 am
M.J. says:
Hooray! Can’t wait to see films of them running around, gamboling in the pasture!
On March 12, 2010 at 8:26 am
rain says:
FANTASTIC!!!! :snoopy: they are beautiful!! bring back memories of my shetlands giving birth at night-going in the barn in the morning and finding surprises :heart: (Yes they could stay out-but my daughters never would let them)!And to top off a perfect yesterday-I found out from my daughter and marine son-law—I’m finally going to be a gramma!!!!!!!!! :snoopy: :snoopy: :snoopy: :snoopy: :snoopy: do you think I’m excited!! :happyflower: The knitting needles are clacking away!!! :heart:
On March 12, 2010 at 8:27 am
The Retired One says:
OMG…they are ADORABLE!!!!!!
On March 12, 2010 at 8:31 am
C Aultman says:
Congratulations! What a very positive start for spring!
On March 12, 2010 at 8:32 am
Anke says:
They are soooo cute! They do remind me a little of Yoda… 🙂
On March 12, 2010 at 8:33 am
Jenny says:
Oh my goodness! How cute!!
This post should almost have a cute warning! What a way to start the day. With the temps we’ve had the last few days, it’s not hard to convince me that spring is here.
~Jenny~
On March 12, 2010 at 8:42 am
Phyllis Ryan says:
HOORAY FOR THE NEW ADDITIONS. WHAT A WONDERFUL SURPRISE.
On March 12, 2010 at 8:46 am
heidiannie says:
What a wonderful surprise to answer your worried heart!
LOL – You yelled “Are you DEAD? GET UP!” at a ewe getting ready for birth. If she’d been human, she would have bit your arm off at that point!
Just goes to show, animals are gentler than humans.
On March 12, 2010 at 8:48 am
claudia w says:
This is just a testament to how well you care for your animals! You have healthy babies even not knowing you were going to get babies. Congratulations!!!
On March 12, 2010 at 8:48 am
Paulette says:
Wow, how exciting!!
On March 12, 2010 at 8:54 am
stephanie says:
Oh, for GOODNESS SAKE!! They are the cutest stinkin things I’ve ever seen! Congrats!
On March 12, 2010 at 8:59 am
KentuckyFarmGirl says:
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! They are so cute! I am so excited and happy for you. My mom’s mare had her colt this morning so I’m going to take pics a little later! Definitely Spring around here too!!!!!!
On March 12, 2010 at 9:00 am
Fannie M Wiggins says:
They are adorable. Congrats. And a big congrat to Rain on her grandchild. I hope everything goes well and you have a beautiful healthy grandchild. Have a great day and hugs to all.
On March 12, 2010 at 9:04 am
Mary says:
Such cute little monkeys! Congratulations.
On March 12, 2010 at 9:11 am
Jessica says:
I still have flashbacks to Honey and Pepsi too and I thought this story was going to end badly! Congrats you’re a sheep grandma!
On March 12, 2010 at 9:16 am
Debbie in PA says:
Wow, what an amazing surprise that must have been. It’s kind of funny, given that we have all been waiting to see if Clover, is, or is not, pregnant. Meanwhile, the sheep have been “incubating” all this time!
Congratulations!
On March 12, 2010 at 9:17 am
Barbee' says:
Well, have you ever!!! Suzanne, I’ll have to update my running total of your animals. Now, you have:
1 duck
2 hogs
3 dogs
6 sheep + 4 (2010) lambs = 10 sheep
7 goats
10 cats
30-40 chickens
… that I know of. This is so much fun! Do we get to name the four monkeys – huh? – huh? – Huh?!
On March 12, 2010 at 9:22 am
Euni Moore says:
Beautiful babies. So glad that Spring has finally come for you. Wish I could see the little darlings. Give them hugs from Colorado.
Euni
On March 12, 2010 at 9:22 am
Amy - Citygirl says:
Awe, how cute…. what a great surprise! You better up the cookie ration. 😆 you’re going to need extra soon. Can you milk sheep?
On March 12, 2010 at 9:31 am
Jen R. (emeraldsunshine.org) says:
YAY! Congratulations!
On March 12, 2010 at 9:34 am
Eve Davis says:
Congratulations on having two sets of twins. I love the babies. Thank you for sharing.
On March 12, 2010 at 9:50 am
Mary says:
They are so cute–and I’m so happy for you. Can’t wait to hear of the adventures of these new additions. Love the new format. I still love Clover.
On March 12, 2010 at 9:51 am
Marianne G says:
Amazing! Congratulations! You want to make me farm, though I’m sure my city neighbors wouldn’t be very happy about.
On March 12, 2010 at 9:58 am
MNStacey says:
Oh! Congratulations! What fun! And you didn’t even have to help!
On March 12, 2010 at 10:02 am
Gini says:
Oh my GOSH! They are the cutest little monkeys EVER!!
On March 12, 2010 at 10:09 am
Nancy says:
Congratulations, grandma Suzanne! Farming life is swesome!
On March 12, 2010 at 10:27 am
Nancy says:
or Awesome, as some might say ….
On March 12, 2010 at 10:27 am
Debbie in Memphis says:
I’m so excited for you!! New babies!! They just need some bonnets 🙂
On March 12, 2010 at 10:33 am
MousE says:
I love spring.
Congrats on healthy monkey sheep babies!
On March 12, 2010 at 10:35 am
marymac says:
That is great news in the morning. I love seeing your photos and the happy mommas. I can feel your excitment through cyberspace!!!!!. Wish I could be there to help you celebrate.
On March 12, 2010 at 10:37 am
Susan at Charm of the Carolines says:
Congratulations!!!! They are all so beautiful!!!
Susan
On March 12, 2010 at 10:38 am
Cate says:
What a beautiful creation on your farm! I’m delighted for you!
On March 12, 2010 at 10:51 am
jean says:
Congratulations.
In the last photo it isn’t as much a monkey as a Gremlin. I’m not sure why.
On March 12, 2010 at 11:03 am
Debnfla3 says:
They are just the cutest things!!
Happy days on the farm with those babies!!!
On March 12, 2010 at 11:04 am
Donna Mc says:
Happy Birthday!! Welcome to the farm wonderful wee-monkey-faced babes. I’m thrilled for y’all. And I wanna hug ’em all.
Looking forward to lots of baby pictures.
On March 12, 2010 at 11:13 am
Michelle Willingham says:
Congratulations! What will you name them?
On March 12, 2010 at 11:21 am
Michele says:
I am so happy for you what a nice surprise, your farm is growing in wonderful ways, this should be an exciting and full spring and summer so much to look forward to! :happyflower: :happyflower:
On March 12, 2010 at 11:25 am
Miss Becky says:
WOW! That last photo is fabulous!!! :heart:
On March 12, 2010 at 11:27 am
UlrikeDG says:
Oh, my! They’re sooooo cute! I WANT BABY SHEEPSES! Half an acre is plenty, right? RIGHT? :sheep:
On March 12, 2010 at 11:28 am
Cousin Sheryl says:
FANTASTIC! :snoopy: :shimmy: :sun: 😆 :sheepjump: :sheep:
Why didn’t you CALL me and I would have rejoiced with you LIVE!
You have started something now – -by calling them “Monkey Babies.”
You should give them MONKEY NAMES! Here are some suggestions – –
Chimp
Tang (short for orangutan)
Spider (for a spider monkey) and
Macaque (pronounced Ma-Cack)
Here are some other monkey names/name parts you might consider: baboon,capuchin, gibbon, lemur, gorilla, grivet, howler,mandrill, Mangabey, marmoset,rhesus,saki, squirrel,tamarin, titi and uakari
(I have a reference you can look at!)
I want to come over and hold them and pet them and love them!! They are BEAUTIFUL! :fairy: They look so exotic!
A BIG CONGRATULATIONS!!! Way to go, Farmer Cuz!
:snuggle: :heart: :hug:
On March 12, 2010 at 11:50 am
Christy O says:
They are adorable! I’m going to have to have some Jacob lambs, I’ve got a ewe but haven’t bred her yet.
On March 12, 2010 at 11:51 am
Merino Mama says:
CONGRATULATIONS!!! This is wonderful! I’m so happy for Ms. Jacob, Jester and you! Our oldest Jacob mama, Ginger, is ready to pop any day! It’s been Any Day for about a week now! I can’t wait. And all of them were black too. Ginger’s baby, Sheena, who’s now a mama (it was her first baby boy that she had last year that we lost yesterday) always has one white one and one black one. But Ginger’s have always been black. Again Congratulations and ENJOY!!!! :snoopy: :woof: :shimmy:
On March 12, 2010 at 11:58 am
Darla says:
I love your new monkeys, how sweet
On March 12, 2010 at 11:59 am
lishusm says:
After reading your blog today…and feeling so good seeing the new babies… I decided to do something I told myself I wouldn’t do. I went to sam-e to check out “Brigitte”. I was thinking, there’s NOTHING she could blog about that would make me feel as good as Suzanne.
I read her last weeks posts. She writes well. I found nothing there I wanted. The thing that stood out the most were the comments… or should I say “lack of” comments. The most I found were 14. I want to scream at sam-e. Just scream.
I love your blog Suzanne. Just love it. :sheep:
On March 12, 2010 at 12:01 pm
Aedrielle says:
Suzanne, that is simply amazing!! They are SOOOO cute!
And you’re right – what impeccable timing and accuracy on behalf of Mr. Cotswold! I hope to see some baby Cotswolds soon, too!!
Grats to you!
On March 12, 2010 at 12:06 pm
Karen B says:
:sheep: What a wonderful way to welcome spring! :happyflower:
On March 12, 2010 at 12:07 pm
Helen says:
Oh, how wonderful!!! Congratulations on your new babies, Suzanne!
On March 12, 2010 at 1:15 pm
Rys says:
What a wonderful surprise! We had a similar event take place this past Saturday. One of my nannies presented us with twin girls. I didn’t think this particular nanny was bred!
I LOVE springtime and healthy babies.
Rys
On March 12, 2010 at 1:55 pm
Yankee in NC says:
Suzanne, Congrats on you new babies! :duck: Surprise babies are so cool. I have a goat hwho is due any day now and I am dying with anticipation…so maybe not knowing they are pregnant is easier!
They are so cute and I just love picking out names for my kids!
On March 12, 2010 at 2:04 pm
catslady says:
Oh how wonderful – 2 would have been a big surprise but 4 is a super surprise and especially since all is well and you never had to worry!!!! Names – what are their names :sheepjump:
On March 12, 2010 at 2:19 pm
Nancy in Iowa says:
Congratulations! I’ll be watching closely to see if they have horns like Mama or none like Daddy, or somewhere in between! Curls AND horns – wouldn’t that be cute? :sheep: :sheep: :sheepjump: :sheepjump:
On March 12, 2010 at 2:21 pm
Susie Doty says:
They sure are cute monkey faces. I can’t wait to see the yarn from the :sheep:s! Do the kids help take care of them?
On March 12, 2010 at 2:53 pm
Kelley says:
babies! :sheep: :sheep: :sheep: :sheep: adorable! makes my day! k
On March 12, 2010 at 3:03 pm
Drea says:
This made me smile so wide. Cute babies!
On March 12, 2010 at 3:13 pm
Estella says:
Darling babies!
On March 12, 2010 at 4:14 pm
Amanda says:
Aw limmy lambs. 🙂 I miss lambs….
On March 12, 2010 at 4:30 pm
Lori Skoog says:
What a great post! Beautiful photos, especially the last monkey shot! I hope they continue to do well. Congratulations!
On March 12, 2010 at 4:31 pm
Lynn says:
Perfect baby lambs!!!
On March 12, 2010 at 5:01 pm
Peggy says:
They are so cute and seem to love the camera. Looking forward to lots of pictures.
On March 12, 2010 at 5:15 pm
Mimi says:
Congratulations on the adorable additions to your barnyard! They are the cutest little babies.
On March 12, 2010 at 7:08 pm
Cranberry says:
O.M.G! I am so confused at all the mommies, babies and daddy’s and SHEEP, not to mention the goats, but they are all so beautiful! Glad there were no problems. Dad and I used to go out and sleep in a very small COLD trailer in the spring when the cows were calving and many times dad and I had to pull the babies from their mommies to help. Must be easier for goats! They are such beautiful babies! Congratulations! Spring is here!
On March 12, 2010 at 8:03 pm
jan~n~tn says:
Oh- How very blessed we are.
This morning after breakfast,I went out to find the sweetest little St. Croix lamb, curled up with her momma.
Now we need to get the other two ewes to drop and we’ll be knee deep in sheep 😆 :happyfeet:
Congratulations on your new additions.
On March 12, 2010 at 8:04 pm
Frances says:
O I can’t wait to have my own monkey farm!!! They are adorable!
On March 12, 2010 at 9:15 pm
5kathleen2 says:
Spring has sprung on the farm…how wonderful. They are just too cute. Need more pictures and names for them…hey when will we have Clover babies?????? :snuggle:
On March 12, 2010 at 9:20 pm
Dessa says:
Awwweeee!! Too cute!! I want goats soooo baaadddd. Almost sounded like a goat there myself, huh. LOL
On March 12, 2010 at 11:20 pm
kerri says:
Oh happy day, Suzanne! :sheep:
So glad the babies and their mommies are doing fine.
What a wonderful spring surprise :sheep:
On March 13, 2010 at 12:14 am
Beth C says:
This is SO. COOL!
One day? I want goats. And Chickens. I do!!
You inspire me. Please do your magic upon my spousal unit… :shimmy:
On March 13, 2010 at 12:37 am
Sasha says:
Oh how sweet! Congratulations 🙂 :sheepjump:
On March 13, 2010 at 1:00 am
lavenderblue says:
Four little lambies. How great! Ya gotta learn to spin yarn now ’cause you’re gonna be knee-deep in it.
On March 13, 2010 at 9:55 pm
lavenderblue says:
P.S. When I first read the title of this post, I thought “What’s Morgan gone and done now?!!!”
On March 13, 2010 at 9:58 pm
Shirley Corwin says:
Oh, how sweet! Made me get all teary! Spring on a farm, how wonderful. They are the cutest little things ever! I bet you’re a proud mommy!
On March 13, 2010 at 10:08 pm
Jessica says:
awwwwwwwwww!! four lil babies running around, that is awesome! I especially love the photo of the one on it’s knees nursing, how cute is that!
On March 14, 2010 at 12:23 am
Jodie in Texas says:
4 little lambs went frolicking!!! :sheep: :sheep: :sheep: :sheep:
On March 14, 2010 at 6:37 am
auntbear says:
I’m with cousin Sheryl…give ’em monkey names :yes:
On March 14, 2010 at 11:17 am
Lynne says:
:sheep: Tooo cool… I am so bad I instantly thought…hmmm what will that look like knitted into some luscious little item…
do baby sheep have baby sheep breath like puppies have puppy breath????
On March 15, 2010 at 5:53 pm