7 baby bumps

I just thought I would introduce you to the group of lovely people who have committed to spending the next 12 Monday nights with me. 

Aren't they something?  These are the 7 couples who are attending my summer session of natural childbirth classes.  Such a fun group they are.  This week we had a very real and enlightening (I did the enlightening) talk about bodily functions in second stage labor (or the lack of controling them).  Lots of laughing! We also talk about really official stuff like nutrition, anatomy/physiology, coping with contractions, and typical behavior patterns for the laboring mama at each phase of labor.  You know, like cussing in transition.  I am sure that I never swore- wink wink...but as a doula I have seen it all! It is so helpful for the husband to know what to expect from his wife.  I think it helps him to know how he can help her if he understands how far along she is in labor.  If she is swearing...you are in the home stretch.

I am always just so impressed by the husbands.  Each one of them contributes to the pregnancy and labor experience in his own way. It is very interesting to watch them progress with their wives. Eventually they arrive at the startling concept that there is indeed a baby growing inside their wife...and that it is indeed coming out at some point.  For some men, this doesn't happen until they first see the head emerge at the moment of birth!  Others get it much earlier.  I had once couple who underwent an in-vitro fertilization and they actually watched the conception happening on a screen in real time.  For that husband, it was very real from the get go. In any event, I am thankful that they are willing participants coming week after week to listen to me blather on about amniotic fluid and the perineum. 

(probably this is where I should give my husband props for doing the same for me. 3 times. You are the greatest labor support person any girl could ask for honey.  I am not sure that I could've done it without you- except for maybe that one birth (Hannah's) that you insisted on drinking that smelly coffee 2 inches from my face while I was working through transition in the tub.  I probably could have done without that.  Otherwise, you were a Godsend :) 

Looks like August and September are going to be busy!! Can't wait to meet all those little babes.

lots of action

It was a big weekend around here....

 

Our town celebrated it's annual Apple Blossom Festival.  We never miss the parade.

There was lots of flag waving, and dancing in the streets.

For a few hours all the world seemed right and wholesome.

After a busy day on Saturday I was called in at 12:45am for a birth. I arrived home Sunday morning to see my family stumble out of their beds at 7am.   I managed to catch a nap that afternoon and it was a good thing too because I was called again Sunday night at 10pm.  I am definitely feeling fatigued this morning after back-to-back-all-night-long-births.

Good thing I have these two little bunnies to cozy up with all day! Happy Monday (I think that is what day it is)

8am and its midday

So here is a sure sign that I was at a birth EARLY this morning:

Starbucks.  Blech!  I don't really like their coffee, but at 5am it was all that was available.  A soy chai did quite nicely actually.  Another sweet birth for the books.  What was particularly touching about this one was that the birthing mother had her sister there for support (her husband too).  I never had a sister (a crazy but wonderful younger brother instead)...and I am intrigued by the dynamics of female siblings.  Because I have three girls I often wonder how they will interact as adults. Will Emma be there to encourage her younger sisters during their labors?  Will they desire the comfort of each other's familiarity in a moment such as that?  I hope so.

So, already things are moving right along, in fact- I cannot believe that it is only 8am. It already feels like midday.

(aren't these great?  we found them at the thrift store yesterday!)

We are taking a long weekend and I may or may not squeak in another post before we leave.  If not, you'll know where I am.  We are off to visit my Dad and my Grandparents.  Grandma and Grandpa winter down south, and they have just arrived home after being gone for some time.  I am anxious to see them.

I am taking these with me:

With my grandma doting over the girls, I hope to have some time teach myself how to "knitting in the round."  Usually I crochet, but I really like the look of knitting better- especially these sweet little berets.  And, the way crafting has been going around here...I'd better start them now for next winter!  Any tips?  I can pretty much do the basics on regular needles.

Off to make myself a sandwich :) and dig out my umbrella- it's raining again!

ps. How's this for finished piles? Marathon folding session last night.