Hello and welcome to life post corn planting.
Dairy Man barely knows what to do with himself after spending 90+ hours a week in a tractor planting over 1,500 acres of corn. That crazy man worked 95 hours two weeks ago. NINETY-FIVE. Dairy Man’s quip was “Jess, some people are 9 to 5ers. I’m a 95er!”
He’s so clever.
Did I mention during that time we were also cutting triticale and hay? And of course the manure hauling never stops this time of year.
This life, I tell you. It’s been sheer craziness.
But I would be remiss if I didn’t let Anders share another bit of craziness that has found its way into our lives.
You heard it here, folks (or on FB/Insta a few weeks ago…oops). Our little Dairy Boy will be a big brother in early December! We’re thrilled by God’s grace and can’t wait to welcome this new little blessing into our family.
Anders has no idea what he’s getting into. He mostly just likes to yell “I be a big BROTHER!” and do research.
Jersey, on the other hand, is already acting surly. He seems to know what’s going on and it definitely can’t be good for the furry firstborn.
DM can’t wait to grow our team of future farmhands. I’m sure he’s already working on the lawn mowing schedule.
And me? Amidst the excitement and joy I’m freaking out. I have no idea how I will handle two kids and a needy border collie, especially during times of year like planting season where Dairy Man doesn’t show his face for weeks.
This year it was all I could do to juggle a full-time job, pregnancy, grocery shopping, meal prep, cleaning, laundry, daycare, one busy toddler, and general living (showering, eating, sleeping, etc.). But even in the midst of this insanity, Anders and I found a good rhythm. We adjusted our expectations and learned how to get by with just the two of us. We ate more bread for dinner than I’m proud of (mix morning sickness with no husband–would YOU want to make filet mignon?), but we made it.
Come December, everything will change.
All of our carefully-constructed routines will be thrown for a loop and I’ll have to learn how to juggle two kids with very different schedules and needs.
The upside of having a baby in the dead of winter is that DM will be around. The cold season is so much slower on the farm (as long as our pipes don’t freeze). Anders was born in April and DM was in a tractor planting corn two weeks later. Not my favorite. This time will be different, slower, give more time for our family to adjust, and for that I’m grateful.
Don’t let all my overzealous type-A fears fool you, I’m SO deeply excited for this next chapter in our lives, sleepless nights and all.
I’m savoring the newness, the comfortable anticipation of this second pregnancy. DM and I feel slightly prepared (we’ve done this before, right?) and terrified (what if it’s a girl!?).
We can’t wait to see what God has in store for our family.
And I can’t wait to rekindle my lifelong love affair with food. Any day now… #morningsicknessmustdie
Modern Farm Wife 
What an exciting time, thank you for sharing!
On Thu, Jun 9, 2016 at 2:59 PM, Modern Farm Wife wrote:
> the Modern Farm Wife posted: “Hello and welcome to life post corn > planting. Dairy Man barely knows what to do with himself after spending 90+ > hours a week in a tractor planting over 1,500 acres of corn. That crazy man > worked 95 hours two weeks ago. NINETY-FIVE. Dairy Man’s quip was “” >
Thanks, Lynn!
“What if it’s a girl?!?” Haha….totally relate! 39 weeks pregnant with our first baby: a girl! Excited and terrified all at once.
So exciting, Donna! Best wishes to you and your family as you get ready to welcome your little lady to the world.
Speaking from experience of having three children. The youngest just graduated HS. My first born, I was on the tractor harvesting corn silage within 4 days of her birth. The second child I was driving HMSC wagons two days after his birth. We figured it out by the third-born in late winter. Pregnancy leave! Yes I was able to “leave” the house, not the daily chores( positive -able to see my husband). Infant joined us in a crib on wheels. Later the children played within eyesight. Jumping from the barn loft floor into the cotton seed pile-many a lost shoe. Hide and seek anyone! All the miniature farm equipment took up residence in the finely ground commodities and the tricycles and bicycles had a great time in the alley ways and front mangers. The cows were well adjusted to any kind of noise. Humor and a positive attitude go a long way. My body was back in shape in no time. Our children are very healthy. Wishing your family the best and many blessings. Make the most of each day and realize that every tomorrow is a blessing.
Love this! You are a trooper. And yes, every day is such a blessing.
Congratulations, Jessica! I am thrilled for you and your beautiful family!! I had 3 kids under 5 when I was at home helping with just a small hobby farm of 70 acres. I wanted to get out of the house for a little solitude very badly 2 weeks after our youngest was born. I heard Joe on the phone trying to find someone to rake hay without much success. Since I grew up on a farm and raked AND baled hay, I said, “I have an idea: Let’s hire a babysitter for 2-3 hours, and I’ll rake hay!” To my surprise he said, “Sure, if you think you remember how!” That sounds like a challenge, doesn’t it? It did to me! Soooo, I had a wonderful afternoon in the sunshine with the delicious smell of fresh hay and some real “Holly time.” One catch to in this story: I could barely walk the next day due to pushing in the tractor’s clutch on every corner of each winrow (sp) of hay. Dr. Boss couldn’t believe I thought I could rake hay after having a baby just 2 weeks prior! So….I survived; had 3 beautiful children and a full-time job. If I can do it, so can you!! Best wishes always, Jessica. 🙂
Ha! Wow, Holly. You are one tough cookie! Thanks for the encouragement. 🙂