laying low

Nice weekend. The last few have been busy so it felt nice to chill out a bit.

Saturday morning waffle breakfast. I like the anticipation that the one-by-one system of a waffle maker provides. It's hard to wait, but worth it.

Lunch was on the town with the girls. Just the girls. I forget sometimes how much these ladies need time without their brother tagging along. We had such a nice time doing a little make-up shopping (Emma is getting so big!), and little school supply gathering. We even worked in a little chocolate. Happy.

Dinner was this.

Plus sausage (which is the only thing that the kiddos ate).

I also had an all-nighter birth Saturday (another mama "brewing" now- I'm headed out again soon). Thankfully I took a nap, watched this and this, also kinda fell in love with this guy:

I downloaded this one too! Free! Perfect for dancing and laughing at yourself. I really hope this guy makes a record.

Oh! And tried out some diy sea salt hair spray.

Perfect for those lazy "air dry" days when you can't imagine picking up your hair dryer (today). I really like it.

what I will remember

Sometimes it's good to catalog things-- to tuck them carefully away in your mind. I know that I won't always be a birth assistant, I don't think I could hang at 85 years old. Because the privilege is here now, I want to remember this special thing that I am a part of.

I will remember the sound of my quiet phone ringing in the middle of the night, and always being thankful that it was because someone needed me for a happy reason.

I will remember showing up to work at ungodly hours like 2:10am with no make-up and crazy hair that I had slept on while it was still wet.

I will remember how no one cared. (see above)

I will remember the way that a women's body looks all round and full with baby.

I will remember the comforting little "choo, choo" sounds of those small but strong heartbeats.

I will remember offering hot towels, and cold washcloths, and back rubs, and hand holding, and reassuring smiles.

I will remember sleeping (or not sleeping) in shifts. For hours.

I will remember being shown the delicate balance between standing back and giving space, time, and respect to the process... and stepping in with guidance, encouragement, and help.

I will remember how loudly my stomach growls at 4:30 am.

I will remember how I found myself invested in these growing families and invited in to one of the most intimate moments of their lives.

I will remember the tools of my trade being simple and fitting easily into a large duffle bag. 

I will remember the knowledge, the experience, the gentleness, and the sacrifice given by the midwives that I worked for. Marvelous women.

I will remember the scrubbing, the washing, the sanitizing, the mopping, the changing and making ready again.

I will remember the salty sweet smell of "new baby" and how I would often come home with it on my shirt.

I will remember some the best naps in my life were taken afterwards (and documented by 11 year olds who sneak into your room).

I will remember that mostly...I just stood back, tears in my eyes, in total awe.

I will remember. 

I've been up to my elbows in:

Laundry. I washed all the bedding, and towels, and curtains, and rugs over the weekend. It was a perfect day for hanging them out to dry. I just love drying off with crispy stiff towels and crawling in to bed with clean sheets that smell like sunshine. 

Yard work. I planted all my outdoor pots. It feels nice to have a little color here and there. I can't wait for them to fill out, get bushy, and flower.

And Babies. I had a 12 hour double header at the birth center yesterday. Two mamas, two labors, two babies, a couple of curve balls, one midwife, and me. Whew! 

So after 3 days of work, work, work, I finally got a shower, some clean clothes, and something other than a ponytail.  

The kids and I are headed out to have some fun!! This girl needs it.