Katie Van Slyke thinks some of the youngest goats on the farm may already realize that a major change is coming.
With Bella heavily pregnant and seemingly only days away from delivering, the current youngsters have suddenly become especially playful, dramatic and determined to keep everyone’s attention.
Katie joked that it almost seems as though they know new little brothers or sisters are on the way.
Their message?
“Look at me. I’m still a baby.”
Clover and the other young goats were putting on what Katie described as a full “slideshow,” climbing, kicking one another off their favorite play area and competing for the top position like little queens defending their castle.
Meanwhile, Bella was off to the side doing something much less glamorous.
She was carrying their future siblings — and looking increasingly uncomfortable while doing it.
Katie now believes the dynamic of the goat herd could change within a matter of days.
The Young Goats Are Putting on a Show
Katie immediately noticed that the younger goats seemed especially energetic.
They already enjoy playing on their slide, but this time they were taking things to another level.
They climbed.
They chased.
They knocked one another around.
And they took turns trying to claim the best position.
Katie eventually decided they were playing their own version of “Queen of the Castle.”
The timing made it even funnier.
Bella is nearing the end of her pregnancy, which means these young goats may not remain the newest babies for much longer.
Katie wondered whether their extra attention-seeking behavior was somehow connected.
Of course, she was joking about them consciously understanding the situation, but the comparison made for an adorable scene.
Bella Is Busy “Cooking” Their Siblings
While the younger goats played, Bella was keeping things much quieter.
Katie described her as being across the area “cooking their siblings.”
Bella’s growing belly has clearly changed what she can comfortably do.
Katie said she appears to be scratching herself against anything she can find, including the fence.
That made Katie wonder whether Bella is simply becoming increasingly uncomfortable as the pregnancy progresses.
The physical changes are also affecting Bella’s activity.
Katie said she has not seen Bella getting onto the higher structures the way she might normally do.
Even with the ladder available, she seems to be avoiding the highest spots.
The tallest place Katie has recently seen her manage is the manger.
For a goat accustomed to climbing, that alone is a noticeable change.
The Current Babies Are Already Four Months Old
Katie also reflected on just how quickly the current group has grown.
The two youngsters featured in the update were born around the beginning of May.
That makes them approximately four months old, or about 16 weeks.
Katie could hardly believe how much time had passed.
They may still act like babies, but technically they are already growing into the next stage.
One of them apparently hasn’t fully accepted that transition, though.
Katie caught her still sneaking a little milk from her mother.
So even while the girls were acting confident and grown up on their play structures, there were still reminders that they are very much the current “babies” of the group.
Are They Babies or Grown-Ups?
Katie jokingly asked them to make a decision.
Were they acting extra babyish because they wanted attention?
Or had they suddenly decided they were grown?
Their behavior suggested a little bit of both.
One moment they were roughhousing and competing for the top spot.
The next, one was still finding her mother for milk.
That contradiction is part of what makes the upcoming change so interesting.
Right now, they are the youngest goats around.
Very soon, they could become the older girls looking down at a brand-new set of tiny kids.
How Will They React to Bella’s Babies?
That question became the main theme of Katie’s update.
How will the current youngsters react when Bella finally delivers?
Katie genuinely isn’t sure.
For most of their short lives, they have been the only babies on the farm.
Cricket had also been part of that younger group, but Katie explained that Cricket left for her new home at weaning.
That means the remaining girls haven’t really had to share the “baby” role with much younger newcomers.
Bella’s kidding will change that immediately.
Suddenly, there will be much smaller goats demanding attention.
The current babies will no longer be the tiniest.
And they will have to figure out exactly where they fit into the new hierarchy.
Katie Remembers Briar Going Through the Same Transition
Katie has seen a version of this before.
She mentioned Briar and tried to remember how she reacted when younger kids were introduced.
Katie recalled that Briar seemed upset at first.
Then something changed.
Briar realized she was no longer the smallest goat in the group.
That apparently gave her a new sense of confidence.
Briar had always been somewhat of a runt, with her sister Bloom growing larger than her.
Once smaller kids arrived, Briar seemed to realize there were finally goats she could boss around.
According to Katie, she then took it upon herself to push the younger babies around.
That memory makes Katie wonder whether history is about to repeat itself.
There May Be a Little Adjustment Period
Katie’s prediction is that the current youngsters probably will not welcome the new babies perfectly from the first second.
She thinks there may be a transition.
At first, they may be unhappy about losing their status.
They might be jealous.
They may be confused about why these tiny newcomers suddenly have everyone’s attention.
But Katie also thinks the feeling could change quickly.
Eventually, they may realize something exciting:
Katie has essentially given them new playmates.
Or, as she jokingly put it, new “play toys.”
Once that realization happens, the younger goats may become much more enthusiastic about Bella’s kids.
There Is One Big Rule: Don’t Mess With Bella’s Babies
There is one important warning, however.
Bella is not likely to tolerate anyone bullying her newborns.
Katie specifically pointed that out to the current youngsters.
Bella already has a strong personality with them.
And once she becomes a protective mother again, Katie expects that attitude to become even stronger.
Her message to the girls was basically simple:
You can play with the babies.
But you probably should not be mean to them.
Because mama Bella will notice.
That could create some entertaining herd dynamics once the babies arrive.
The young goats may want to investigate.
Bella may want them to keep their distance.
And Katie will be right there watching the introductions unfold.
Bella Is Looking Increasingly Uncomfortable
Away from the playful chaos, Bella herself continues to show signs that she is getting close to the end of pregnancy.
In this particular update, Katie focused less on technical labor signs and more on Bella’s general comfort.
She is scratching against fences.
She is no longer climbing as high.
And her large belly seems to be limiting some of the activities she would normally enjoy.
None of those observations alone confirms that labor is beginning immediately.
But they reinforce what Katie has already been saying:
Bella is very pregnant.
And the end is getting close.
“In a Matter of Days” They Could Become Big Sisters
Perhaps the biggest line in the update came near the end.
Katie said she thinks in a matter of days, the two current youngsters could officially become big sisters.
That wording shows just how close the farm may be to another kidding.
For weeks, Bella’s pregnancy has been something to watch gradually.
Now the timeline has shifted.
It is no longer simply “soon.”
It could be days.
That means every check on Bella carries more anticipation.
Every change matters a little more.
And every night could potentially be the night.
The “Queens of the Castle” Better Enjoy It
Katie ended with a playful warning to the young goats.
They should enjoy being Queens of the Castle while they still can.
Their control of the play area may soon face competition.
But there is another reason their reign could become more complicated.
Once Bella is finished kidding and returns to what Katie jokingly called “fighting shape,” she may reclaim some territory herself.
Katie suggested Bella might have no problem knocking the younger girls off their favorite perch once she is no longer carrying a belly full of babies. 05091.txtTXT
For now, however, Bella appears content to let them play while she focuses on the much bigger job happening inside her.
A New Goat-Herd Dynamic Is About to Begin
The upcoming birth will change more than Bella’s life.
It will change the social structure of the entire group.
Bella will become a mother again.
The current babies will become older sisters.
Buttercup, Blossom and the rest of the goats will have new little personalities to meet.
And Katie will get to watch another generation begin finding its place within the herd.
Some introductions will probably be sweet.
Some may be chaotic.
There could be jealousy.
There will almost certainly be plenty of climbing, chasing and head-butting once everyone is big enough.
But that transition is part of what Katie is looking forward to seeing.
The Calm Before Bella’s Babies Arrive
For now, the newest babies still haven’t arrived.
The current youngsters remain in control of their castle.
They can climb.
They can play.
They can demand attention.
They can even sneak a little milk when they think nobody is watching.
But their exclusive status is almost over.
Bella is nearby carrying the next generation.
Katie believes those babies could arrive within days.
And when they do, the farm’s current little “queens” will have to decide whether they are ready to become big sisters.
Katie suspects they may be annoyed at first.
Then they’ll probably realize the truth:
New babies mean new friends to play with.
Until then, Clover and the others can enjoy their final days at the top.
Because Bella’s babies are coming — and the goat playground may never be quite the same again. 🐐❤️
