Bye-Bye Maternity leave and back out to the barn we go. 
For the last 12 weeks I have been snuggling, rocking and staring at our sweet baby girl in awe and how did this perfect person become mine. I have been slowly for the past couple of weeks been going outside, starting with feeding cows. Vivian was so early and tiny I was a little paranoid about taking her outside. She is getting bigger and stronger and the cold weather has become less harsh that I am more comfortable to take her out for longer periods of time. I am so grateful for what Nathan and I do for a living. Not only that we produce a great product but that we are able to be home together and work together. When Everett was born I was working in town. I took 12 weeks of maternity leave but when my leave was up Everett went to daycare, I went to work and Nate was home on the farm. All three of us were alone, not together. Being that we dairy farm and I am on the farm fulltime now, we have been given the gift of time. At times we feel like there is never enough time in the day to get everything done especially when it is planting season and harvesting. For the last year we have been able to spend time together as a family everyday. Whether it is fixing fence, moving heifers, milking cows, feeding cows, checking to see if there are any new baby calves or going to town for parts.
We are together. 
We are able to hang out for a little bit before evening chore time on a snowy windy day.
Everett, Nate & Vivian
Vivian is able to take naps to the rumble and hum of the tractor while I am feeding cows or she can sleep to the soothing rhythm of the milkers ch-ch, ch-ch, ch-ch while cows are being milked with her daddy. Everett is able to get off the bus at home and have either his mom, dad or both meet him at the end of the driveway. Dairy farming is a lot of work but it is a good life.
We are the lucky few who get to do what we have passion for while keeping our family close and teaching them along the way.
what a great entry today ! You are a blessed family!
Love you all!
Jodi
What a great verbalization of what many feel. Thank you for sharing your story!
Enjoy every day! There is no better way to grow up than with Mom and/or Dad as your “daycare,” and the farm as your play yard. The only thing that limits you, as a child, are the limits of your imagination!