YES! Carmella DID :)

With almost no exception, I go to the ranch on Saturdays, every week. Every so often, I will have a commitment on Saturday, and go on Sunday. That is what happened this week. I was invited to a going away party for a dear friend's son, that is going to Oregon to attend college. So, this week, I was at the ranch on Sunday.

The morning started out with me having coffee with my very special friends, Bob & Jackie. I hadn't seen them since my birthday party. Great coffee, yet even better company :) Then, around 8:15AM, I was off to the ranch. Rick was transporting 3 pet males to a client's new farm. I've learned you introduce pet males to a new Alpaca environment to "test the waters". There could possibly be something toxic on the land (especially certain plants, trees and weeds). You would not want to expose your producing females, crias or herdsires, without first knowing it was safe for them.

So, I spent the morning with Pati and the herd. They are now on baby watch for Carmella, Star, Malea, Dusty Rose and Ariana (I think in that order). Carmella, Ariana and Malea are in the north field; Dusty Rose and Star are in the main field. It's like watching a tennis match :) Head to the right, head to the left, head to the right, etc., etc., etc. Watching to see if they go to the poop pile and do nothing; to see if they are chewing their cud; are their ears down?; are any of them laying on their sides?; can you see their vulva?; is it elongated? are they eating?; (applicable to north field) - where is Lillith the Llama midwife? Of course, the phrase "a watched pot" comes to mind. B U T, around 11ish, Carmella had gone to the poop pile twice, and done nothing, she had been laying on her side with a very elongated vulva and she appeared to be restless. Within 30 minutes, Lillith came running down to Carmella's side, all the way from the northeast field. While Lillith stood "midwife watch", Carmella started pushing. It took a bit of pushing before out popped a leg, then a nose, then another leg. YEAH! Pati helped by gently pulling the legs in a downward position, to make it easier on mom. Plop, there is a healthy, baby boy on the ground! While he lay on the ground, he was checked out by some of his "aunts:" Athena, Cher, Dip N Dot, Malea, Lillith and KoKo. I hope no one is offended by the photo I posted of this blessed event. This personifies Lillith the Llama Midwife, and you get a peak of MR. BOJANGLES as he entered the world at approximately 11:33AM on Sunday, July 27.

Mr. Bojangles? The perfect name for this little guy. After Carmella passed her placenta, Pati carried the cria up to the shed to weigh him and take he and mom to the nursery. This bouncing baby boy weighed 17+ pounds. In less than an hour, he was up walking, trying to nurse, running, nursing, hopping, nursing, nap time, running, nursing, hopping. What an active little guy and cute as a button. Some horse owners were at the ranch today and Rick brought them up to the nursery to see the new baby. He performed, dancing all around the nursery, raising and lowering his head and neck, and acting very much like Mr. Bojangles. What a perfect name!
Rick & Pati are always so good at coming up with names that truly fit the personality of the Alpaca. Congratulations, Rick & Pati, and THANK YOU, Carmella, for letting me witness your delivery.

In between enjoying the new little boy (who, at that point, was unnamed), Rick and I took Felix and Alpha for a walk. Felix was in a great mood in the morning, but was not very cooperative on his walk in the afternoon. I think he's still upset that he didn't get a walk last weekend, yet Apolla and Kona did. Alpha was his great self, and yes, has even more spots. We just don't know about him. We weighed the boys today: Felix 123.9 pounds, Alpha 112.8 pounds. Alpha is catching up to Felix! Alpha is such a good looking boy. I really hope he will grow into herdsire material. He was my first cria and it would be very hard to part with him.

I spent some time in all the fields early in the day. Norma Rae looks like an adult (and is bigger than some of the adults) and not quite 11 months old. Pati Cake couldn't get any blacker, and is getting pretty tall, too. Star is obviously very uncomfortable as she waddles around with her BIG belly. It will all be over soon, Star. I am so anxious to see your first cria. Her actual due date is August 9th, but she could deliver any time. Maidens can be unpredictable. I'm only 30 minutes away when she starts labor. I will drop whatever I'm doing to be there :) Vanilla Sundae is getting a belly, but not as big as Princess'. They are both due the end of November. Meg Ryan? Same story, who knows? If she is , her due date is late September. She doesn't look pregnant to me, but I know that doesn't necessarily mean anything. If not, I would like to make a concentrated effort, in the next few months, to get her pregnant. Not me, silly, Snowmass Jericho's Conquistador (lovingly known as Fred).

Rick got back from Ramona. He missed the whole birth. He swears the Alpacas watch for his tail lights, then go in to labor. I think he's right. Rick, Pati and I hung out on the patio, libating (is that a word?) and discussing our upcoming cruise. It's getting closer and closer. We are all very excited to spend a week in the Caribbean aboard a floating resort, in cabins with balconies overlooking the ocean. Oh yes.

Pati and I passed out treats and laughed at the Mo babies. Biff, Tiffany and Vanessa are so funny to watch. Wrong Way and Brandi seem to have teamed up and spent some time neck wrestling. Wrong Way like to air spit :) Watch out, guys, here comes trouble....and his name is Mr. Bojangles! He's going to terrorize the main field :)

Yes, another GREAT day at the ranch.