Ree Drummond Welcomes a New Baby and Shares a Heartwarming Update

Ree Drummond is best known for her recipes and her calm, welcoming presence on Food Network, but every now and then she reminds fans that her life off camera can be just as demanding as anything in the kitchen.

In 2024, the Pioneer Woman celebrated becoming a grandmother when her daughter Alex welcomed a baby. Not long after, another newborn entered the Drummond family—this time under very different circumstances.

A Discovery in the Field

Ree and her husband, Ladd Drummond, have raised a big family over the years. They share four biological children—Alex, Page, Bryce, and Todd—and in 2018, they opened their home to a foster son, Jamal.

These days, with most of their kids grown and out of the house, life on the ranch in Pawhuska, Oklahoma takes up much of their attention.

That routine was disrupted recently when Ladd noticed something unusual while feeding the cows. One cow that had recently given birth appeared overly full of milk, but her calf wasn’t nearby. Sensing something was wrong, he went back to the field to check.

What he found was a newborn calf, alone, weak, and freezing.

Without hesitation, Ladd picked the calf up, loaded it into his truck, and brought it somewhere warm.

More Than One Life at Risk

The calf wasn’t the only concern. Because the cow hadn’t been nursing, she was also at risk. After milking the mother, the Drummonds focused on keeping the calf alive.

The newborn was too weak to stand, so nursing wasn’t an option. Bottle-feeding became the only way forward.

Ree later shared the moment on Instagram, giving followers a glimpse into the realities of ranch life—something she doesn’t often highlight compared to her cooking content.

A Small Win and a Name

As the days passed, the calf slowly began to regain strength. Ladd attempted to reunite the calf with its mother, but she still wasn’t strong enough to nurse. For now, the decision was made to keep the calf warm and continue bottle-feeding.

They named her Bessie Lou.

Providing an update, Ree wrote, “The calf is alive and getting stronger every day.” She added that they planned to try one more time to reunite the calf with its mother.

She also acknowledged how common—and exhausting—situations like this are for people who work with livestock, writing, “Shout out to all our fellow ranchers and farmers who have undoubtedly had their share of extra work (including bottle calves) over the past week.”

Fans Quickly Got Attached

Ree’s followers are used to seeing her share recipes and family moments, so the story of Bessie Lou struck a different chord. Many quickly became emotionally invested.

One fan commented, “We’re all invested now and will need regular updates!! Ree is the very best!!!”

Another wrote, “Thank you for sharing this beautiful (tireless) practice of love and care. Cheering that little one on!”

Others appreciated seeing this side of her life:

“These peeks into this part of your life are so beautiful.”

“I’m so used to seeing you as Pioneer Woman. It’s fun to see you as a Rancher’s wife.”

Bessie Lou herself became a favorite almost instantly:

“Bessie Lou is a star, and thanks to her foster parents, has he start of a good life”

And some fans admitted they were emotionally all in:

“If this baby doesn’t make it I don’t wanna know. I’m too invested in this now!”

“This has to be the best video that I ever seen. You’re truly a Pioneer Woman!”

Life Beyond the Kitchen

The moment didn’t involve a recipe or a TV set, but it showed something just as real. Ranch life doesn’t always follow a schedule, and sometimes it demands quick decisions and long nights.

For Ree Drummond, helping a newborn calf survive was simply part of that life—and for fans, it was a reminder that behind the Pioneer Woman brand is someone still doing the hard, unglamorous work when it matters most.

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