Monica Weiand – Far Eastern Colorado
“but you’re pregnant, you can’t…”
Argh! It’s frustrating, honestly. I’ll rewind to my last update and catch up from there.
My last entry we were just getting started into our wheat harvest. I had one good day in of training another person on the grain cart. We had a plan for me to run it in the mornings, then do a “shift change” in the afternoon. Other than the super dewy mornings we couldn’t run, this plan worked! I was able to help with harvest suppers, keep my step daughter on her horses for rodeo finals practice, my fantastic mom helped immensely getting Miss Nugget’s nursery going & I even got to rest some. As wonderful as that sounds, it was still just… Weird. Weird to me since I’ve been the grain cart runner since I was in my teens; even when I held an office job I was able to take off to help. That’s 15+ years of habit built up! My “spot” has been in the field, from start to finish of the day; and I’ve loved it. The other cart operator did just fine, harvest ran pretty smoothly other than a few minor breakdowns. We were extremely blessed to only have 1 field peppered by hail; it was recrop & still made 35 bu/ac. Past that the farm average was 70 bu! We binned some that tested with high protein & last I knew the boss’s were working on contracts to sell it at a premium.
Even with this welcomed new chapter in life, I found myself missing the field. Can you other moms relate? I’m struggling to accept my newer priorities. I’m wanting to help everywhere as before, but knowing that “taking it easy” is in my best interest but still tough on my strong-willed, independent, personality. Ok, I’m stubborn… 🤷
I’ll still mow a while, taking it slower but getting the job done. I feel I’m doing well at listening to my body for when it’s had enough. After harvest there was some farming to do, but that didn’t seem to last too long. Fair & rodeo finals came & went. I kept the trusty steed at a walk, but was still comfortable in the saddle until last week. So I’ll hang up my riding boots for now; another reality I’m not wanting to face.
I’m currently 35 weeks in, 5 weeks to go! Optimally, anyways. Only the Good Lord knows when Miss Nugget will make her appearance. The doctor isn’t concerned, but did say that once I’m at 37 weeks if she wants to come on into the world we’ll let her! It’s becoming more real now. Carpet is in, crib is up, dresser is FULL of clothes & supplies. Things are going well! She’s growing, as am I, as expected. My blood pressure continues to stay good. I sleep well. I am still getting on the spin bike about once a week. I’ve slowed down considerably, but I want to keep at it while I can. It helps my hips so much.
With all the advice I’ve received, I was gearing up and confident to take the baby with me in the grain cart once corn harvest starts in October but… I’ve been told I will be staying home. What?! I can do this! I think. Truly, I have no idea and this is the best plan, even if I don’t think I like it. This is my first baby, I have no clue what I’m in for. And I’ve been reminded with others having babies that even with a perfect pregnancy, things can change drastically at delivery. What if I have to have a C-section? That’s 6 weeks (at least) of recovery and having a lifting restriction. Baby plus the car seat alone will exceed that. What if something else goes haywire and my recovery is more difficult and longer than anticipated? Praying that it doesn’t, but there’s no guarantee. The only guarantee is harvest will come and they’ll get through it, as they always have. Maybe towards the end, if I’m feeling up to it (and I will! I just know it! Since I hold all the answers and power ) I’ll get into “my” tractor and cart before winter shop work starts. Maybe I’ll be driving our semi? There’s 200 acres of soybeans to harvest sometime before the corn, but I think it’s close enough to corn and my due date (Sept 20) I’m out of that also.
I guess I feel guilty; I’m still on the payroll and feel like I should be doing more. Why? Why not accept that I have a wonderful job, caring family-oriented bosses, and, evidently, a terrific maternity leave plan that hadn’t been discussed (this pregnancy was a surprise after being told for 15 years I’d never conceive so there was no need to discuss the possibility, right? Ha. God is so good!)…? It’s just not how I’m wired. It’s tough to find good help and I’ve taken a lot of pride in being that good help all these years. I have been accepting more help (moving boxes and bags, housework, etc.) lately, though, so I am trying. This will all work out, just how it’s supposed to. It always does. As with everything in farming, it’s a season…something that will pass and I need to enjoy it. I just have to keep calm and carry on!
1. Be ready to go at the drop of a hat...sometimes without a lunchbox.
2. Has removed the word impossible from her vocabulary!
3. Can hold a baby, take care of a toddler and drive a tractor or combine all at the same time.
4. Must be able to cook for a crew - large or small.
5. Must be able to read minds.
6. Must be able to banter with a parts man until he realizes you DO know what you're talking about.
7. Must be the entertainment director for those rainy days.
8. Be a wife, mom, friend, helper, cook, problem solver, taxi driver or extra crew hand at all times.
9. Can handle the call that makes you react, "You need what? When?" Dropping everything you're doing to make it happen.
10. At the end of the day say, "I really do love this life".
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