How does that saying go? A burden shared is a burden halved, and a joy shared is a joy doubled? Well, my joy sure doubled when Joy gave us two beautiful twin doelings on July 3rd!

I can’t believe I’ve let so much time pass before blogging Joy’s birth story, but to be fair…there isn’t much to tell. Why? Well…

I missed the birth. I know, I know. I failed. But hey — all’s well that ends well. (I am just full of colloquialisms today, aren’t I?)

I knew the morning of July 2nd that Joy would be kidding very soon. Her udder had doubled in size and her ligaments were no where to be found. Her behavior hadn’t changed yet, though, and did not change at all up to the birth — and that’s why I missed it! She might have been a touch more clingy when I last checked her just a couple of hours before I would find her kids, but Joy was a bottle baby. She is always clingy.

Still, I was surprised when I walked into the barn for her next “check up” and found two wet little bundles of…ahem…joy.

And do you want to know what I did first?

Yep. Lifted their tails. Who needs to dip umbilical cords in iodine or be sure everyone is nursing? Finding out the sex is obviously so much more important! I may have even squealed a little when I realized Joy had given birth to not one, but TWO doelings. One for me, and one for the reservation. Hallelujah!

Following along with Joy’s (Joy to the World) naming theme as well as the birth month, I chose the names Christmas in July and Summer Noel.  Summer (above) will be staying here at Tiramar.

And thus ends kidding season.

Cheers