Mutton Busting at the Houston Rodeo

Poor Hannah, she was due on Saturday, so technically on Sunday, “she was overdue” and pigs “don’t go late.”  Been there done that.

I went 14 days over with one of my children. My husband had to keep me from killing the nice people who kept asking, “haven’t you had that baby yet?”

But, good for Hannah she was in early labor, she was miserable. She was tossing and turning, biting at the bars, she was leaking milk. I wanted to sit next to her and help her breath, “in through the nose, out through the mouth.”
“you can do it Hannah, only a little longer…”

You think I am joking, but I am telling you as a hormonal pregnant woman I was getting a little emotional watching the pig.

Having had a few of my babies in a hospital, I prefer a birthing center, I was also about to prison break Ol’ Hannah out the “birthing pen” and get her a little more comfortable in a nice bed with some pillows and ice chips.

But the A&M students supervising the birth assured me that this was the best place for the babies so Hannah didn’t roll over on them and squish them.

My husband, realizing I was getting a little too attached and emotional about a pig, and tired from watching her do “nothing” for half the day (try that when I am in labor buddy!) drug myself and the kids away to go to the concert.

Fast forward to the end of a scream fest of little girls for the Jonas Brothers…

My middle daughter wanted to leave and go see if the pig had babies. Yipee, so did all the other kids! So as the last song played, and little girls cried, we bolted for the exit to march the mile back to the other venue to see the Hannah late on a school night!

When we got there, Hannah had just had her 2nd baby! One by one, Hannah had her babies. I think I cried a few times. After an hour and 6 babies, we had to leave. The little kids were already asleep and the bigger kids had finally had enough of live pig birth. Really? Does that ever get old? 🙂

I said “goodbye” to Hannah and wished her luck.

Then as I walked away, I realized, that Hannah was only pregnant for 116 days.

I have been pregnant for 1,830 days so far,
Hannah was in labor for 4 hours,
I have been in labor for 64 hours.
Hannah had 6 babies in 1 hour,
It has taken me 12 years to have 6 babies.

Then I quit feeling bad for Hannah, started feeling bad for myself, and wondered if she tasted like bacon?

Sadly, last night there were no pigs giving birth. I asked about Hannah and they looked at me like I was crazy. To make up for pigs not giving birth, we thought we would head over and watch Mutton Busting instead.

Riders must be 5-6 and weigh less than 60 pounds. The Mutton Rodeo guys wanted to know if we had any that would qualify as they scanned the sea of children that were with me.

“I am 6!!!” Yelled my Pippi Longstocking look alike.

They whisked her off to be the next Mutton Busting champion…

I am not seeing bull riding in her future, thank goodness!

I am so thankful for community events that are available to expose my kids to birthing pigs and riding sheep. I am not kidding. My kids miss out on all kinds cool experiences being “city kids” and  not having animals other than a Labradoodle. The Labradoodle wont be having any babies either!