It’s that time of year again. Kidding season is finally upon us! This year Lotus was first up in the kidding order, and on day 147 she kidded with beautiful twin gold-colored does, sired by Zedoary.

Lotus and her 2015 kids

Knowing that kidding was imminent, toward the end of last week we had moved Lotus up to the new kidding pens. She then spent most of Friday and Saturday out in the sunshine, browsing on her favorite blackberries…

Lotus LOVES her blackberry vines

…and taking an occasional moment to lay down, and rest. Not that laying down, on a slope, when you’re heavily pregnant, is very easy.

A very pregnant Lotus

Then Saturday evening, around 8PM, we could see on the barn cameras there was a notable shift in her posture and behavior. Labor was finally starting.

I didn’t intend to, but I ended up sleeping the night in the workshop, across two camp chairs, so I’d be close to hand when she started pushing. Last season her first kid, Rosie, decided to be a little difficult, and Lotus needed some help, so I didn’t want to be too far away.

Lotus in the Kidding Stall

It was really cold in the workshop that night, and around 3AM bundled in two sweaters, a jacket, fleece-lined jeans, and three layers of blankets, I was almost tempted to crawl in the stall with her so I could sit under the heat lamp, but I didn’t want to disturb her. I also didn’t want to disturb Mr. CV. I’d sent him to bed late on Saturday evening, as there really was no point in both of us losing sleep. I toughed out the cold, and the following morning, right as Mr. CV was bringing me a steaming mug of hot coffee, Lotus started to push. A couple of minutes later, the first kid of the season was already on the ground!

Just born – Lotus’ first doeling!

Lotus meeting her new daughter

Lotus was very crabby through most of her pregnancy this season, ramming and crashing into anything that got within two feet of her. It was SO out of character for her, as she’s usually a very mellow, and level-headed goat. For the last few months I was all but convinced that maybe testosterone was running amok in there, and that she was going to present us with all bucklings this season, but no, not a buck in sight!

Lotus is a very attentive mother

We cleaned up her first daughter’s face and nose, and Lotus immediately went to work cleaning up the rest of her brand new baby. Just about 20 minutes later her contractions started again. She found a spot to lay down, away from the baby that was already born, and quickly pushed out a second doe. So quickly, that Mr. CV actually missed it, as he’d gone back to the house to grab a heating pad.

A beautiful gold and white doe with blue eyes

Two doe kids is a fabulous way to start off kidding season!

I have to admit I’m a little sad that both of Lotus’ doelings are already pre-sold this season, but I’m very happy to know that they will both be going to fabulous new homes, but not for a few weeks, so I have some time to enjoy them before they leave.

Of course, giving birth, or being born, is incredibly hard work, so by early afternoon all three were snuggled down for a well-deserved family nap, as you can see from this barn camera snap-shot.

All snuggled down for a family nap

Each of our senior does have a theme assigned to them for the purpose of naming their kids. Lotus’ kids are all named after California native plants. Her kids so far have included Mariposa Lily, Mojave Rose, and her son Desert Indigo. Following along the same theme, this season we’re happy to introduce Curbstone Valley Madia Elegans. Just “Maddie” to her friends.

Maddie

and the blue-eyed doeling is Curbstone Valley Golden Poppy.

Poppy

The babies are healthy, bouncy, and of course, incredibly cute. As the resident farm photographer I feel it’s my duty to capture as much of that as possible, especially while we have a brief break before the next doe is due. Besides, socialization of dairy goats, that will eventually need to be handled at least twice a day for milking, is extremely important.

Really, how could I do anything else?

I really could stare at them for hours, even though at this age they behave much like most other babies. They don’t do much beyond eat…

Snack Time!

…sleep…

Nap attack commencing in 3…2…….ZzzZZzzzZzz

…explore…

24 hours old, and they’re already investigating the hay bin

…bounce bounce bounce…

Once they master control of their legs they quickly discover that bouncing is fun!

…and of course, as they’re Lotus babies, ham it up for the camera…

Only 48 hours old, and Poppy already knows how to work the camera to her advantage

Smile for the camera, Maddie!

This short video shows Lotus tending to her 2015 daughters.

Unlike last year, we have a little bit of a break between the first kidding, and the next. Ocean is due to kid next, around March 10th, and will be moving up to the kidding stall later this week.  She’ll be quickly followed by Minnie, and Lia, so it may be a little while before the next post, but hopefully we’ll have lots more babies to show you then!