Wild West

I am enjoying Texas more than I thought I would. My gracious hosts are showing me a good time. We laugh, eat, and wait a lot. We also go on walks, grocery shop, play games, and watch t.v. Isn't it funny how doing the most basic things can be so fun depending on who you are doing them with? I am having a blast being here. I thought I would share some of the not so basic things that I have done in the wild west:

- I got to dance in a rainstorm. The rain here is incredible!
- Ate authentic tex-mex and bbq
-We went to the San Antonio temple. It is closed for cleaning so we didn't go on the grounds.
-The Alamo and the river walk
-I saw both Iron Man and Iron Man dos
-Visited Military bases
-Dr. Captain Foster checked my hearing. I am in the normal range. Phew.
-We spend time at the single's branch. I love seeing Becky and Johnny in their callings and interacting with their friends.

I am going to be so sad to leave here. I have had such a wonderful vacation.

sitting, waiting, wishing, philosophizing

Here I am in Tex.As. I am here to be a birthing doula for Becky and Johnny. We are waiting for baby Foster girl to come.   I have never lived with a woman waiting to have a baby before now. As a birthing doula, (and keep in mind I am new to all of this) I check in every other day or so and then continue on my little way.  It is quite different when this anxiousness is a constant. We aren't desperate, at least I don't feel like we are. We have researched a few ways to induce labor naturally. We've also tried a few methods:  Walking, massage, spicy food, and essential oils. This whole sitting, waiting, wishing cycle has got me thinking about life in general. Sometimes it is good to wait. Sometimes there is more than one participating factor or person involved in your life experiences.

I want to talk more about these 'sometimes': Waiting is a tiresome act. It is a conscious effort to keep spirits high when waiting. When waiting turns into worry, the mind tends to tip toward negativity. In the scenario of childbirth, it seems counterproductive to fret for a few reasons. First and foremost, the inevitable, the baby will come out of you eventually- maybe not vaginally but eventually. Also, when the mind is relaxed the body will relax. When the body is relaxed, it will open up. Furthermore, any emotions you create, your baby is experiences them.

However, this all easier said than done. We live in a now society. Modern society created due dates. And if you haven't had your baby by its due date, take the baby out.  Which foreshadows my next 'sometime', we aren't the only participants in our childbirth timing. Believe it or not, the baby is an active participant. Babies intuitively know what to do. They get into the correct position, release the right hormone, and prepare to shimmy on down the birth canal. Not only that, but the whole universe is an active participant in your life, childbirth included. 

Science and birth rates have proven that more babies are born on the full moon than any other time of the month. Also, the lowest percentages of births happen around the new moon. These charts have been calculated for hundreds of years, from all over the world, and are all showing the same results. Coincidence, no! Like I said, believe it or not. I am not here to tell any 10 month pregnant woman not to get induced and not to get crazy anxious. I am here to say sometimes.


Sometimes it is best to wait. Sometimes it is best accept, acknowledge, and embrace your part. Sometimes does not mean a lot or a little- it has no measurement. Sometimes is not God's decision because sometimes is a congregation of factors, free will, and universal laws. This isn't a post about opinions, it is an observation about sometimes. Sometimes, a lot of things.....

a ray of sunshine

Wednesday was a beautiful day to have a baby! It may have been overcast and cold, but at 5:30 p.m. a 9 lb 1 ounce ray of sunshine was welcomed into the world.

Wednesday was the full moon and I was sort of anticipating the birth with that in mind. I love/hate the anticipation before a birth. For days or even weeks, I set my phone on volume high and tell myself to not go into a deep sleep because I don't want to miss any calls during the night.

I didn't miss this call. Marianne called me in the middle of the day. She had gone in for a check-up because the night before she was up with contractions. Gratefully, she was dilated to a seven, progressing, and staying to have her baby. I got to the hospital around 3:40.

We were all so happy to be there. The atmosphere was very laid back. Contractions were coming regularly and strong, but not disabling.  Marianne was in and out of the tub. Within a short time, things were intensifying. The contractions were getting very uncomfortable. Marianne moved to the bed because water births aren't allowed at that hospital.  After blood, sweat, tears, laughter, position changes, and 30 minutes of pushing baby Violet was here!

Immediately we all knew Violet's sweet disposition. She is calm and good natured.  She is absolutely  darling with lots of brown hair, big lips, and wrinkle line above her nose. Totally irresistible!!

I remember during transition looking at Marianne. I felt so helpless for her- I knew that no comfort measures could help her at this point. She was in great distress and discomfort. Then all of the sudden time stopped long enough for Marianne to compose herself.  It was as if someone came in the room and wiped the agony away. Her breathe slowed and her face changed. The world started spinning again and the next push Violet was here.

Childbirth is totally amazing. Every birth is different and yet the same feelings of reverence, admiration, and humility flood through me. I envision a gathering of angels present at every birth. They all get the invite and bless the new baby. They've come to celebrate family. I am happy to share in this celebratory  experience. That is one of the many reasons that I am a doula.