Contrasting Births

Natural

Fast waves are crashing,
carrying her,
demanding surrender
as she gives in to each surge--
she opens.

Water soothes,
bubbles all around and massages
her back as she tries to let go
and surrender to the unrelenting surges.

The breaks are fewer and last only a minute
and I know her time is almost here.
"Hang in there...you're doing it."
"Yes, this is normal", I answer as she questions
her state of being.

Out of the water,
onto the bed...squatting, pushing,
piano sounds fill the room and calm her mind,
her heart.
But they do not make the intensity disappear.

Her husband reassures,
comforts and holds her.

Roaring now,
baby descends lower.
Rushes and surges overtake her and there
is no holding back.

First the head and then his precious
little being slides out as she
reaches down and lifts him to her chest;
her eyes gazing into his for the first time.
They meet.

Uniting- skin to skin.
Ecstasy. Joy and happiness envelope the new
family. They rejoice!

Pain ends.
A new journey begins now.

Medicated

Not what she had planned,
but what she became a part of;
a system, the way things are done.

Overdue.
Lost sleep.
Induction.
Consistent monitoring.
"Stay in the bed, you're on the monitor".

Uncomfortable, wanting to move with the
rushes and surges, but stuck in place.

Artificial contractions...
more intense than the normal.
Ways to cope decreased from restricted movement.

Slow progression,
discouragement.
Pain relief with medication.
Numbing.
Sleeping and rest have come to her, but so have...
pictocin.
More medicine.
More pictocin.

The interventions cascade like a waterfall.
One after the other.

Drug-induced fever.
Fetal distress ensues.

Pushing, long...hard.
Restricted once again of position changes.
Discouragement is higher than ever.
She doesn't believe she can do this still.
"You can do it."
"You ARE doing it."
"You are not allowed to give up. You must believe you can do this."
I have to almost yell at her.
3 and half hours of pushing...

"I can see your baby. You must push him out."
She decides to finally "do" it.
Two more pushes, he crowns...
and then he comes.

Limp and not well.
"Come on, baby"
Swarming all around in the room.
Emergency...intensity like no other.
I say, "talk to your baby"..."let him hear your voice".
He breathes.
They must help him breathe.
He breathes.

Baby is finally well.
He nurses his mommy.
It was long, it wasn't the way she wanted things.
But she did it and now they will do it together as the

Pain ends.
The journey begins.

Note: These were my last two doula experiences.

"Let the Show Begin!"

Getting my feet wet with a little kindergarten homeschooling has become quite a joy of mine lately. Kyla and Avery seem to love their mama playing with them a little more, even though I'm secretly teaching them a little more. Hmmm...playing and learning going hand in hand (imagine that). I hope this part of time will stand still for awhile as I watch them enjoy learning.

Today we had a story-telling time of the fairy-tale "Star Money" and we talked about why it is good to give and be kind to other people. The girls enjoyed learning the verse from Ephesians 4:29, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." It amazed me (as always) how quickly Kyla soaked up those words and told them back to me a couple times throughout the day. Now, only if I can soak up those words as well and put them into action!

Then the girls put on a puppet show and re-inacted "Star Money" with their little fairy puppets they got as a Christmas gift from Papa and Gaga Phillips. (Thanks, mom! They love them!)

As I watch Kyla enjoy learning; learning to read, learning to write and add numbers-she is showing me that it's not just about getting "school" time in. I see that they are learning all the time; all day long:-)

Avery's eczema is soooo much better!

Well, you haven't seen much up lately about Avery and her eczema mostly because we have seen a world of improvement since the beginning of July. She still has eczema, but it is very mild compared to the severity of it last year. Last year, it covered all of her arms and legs and back. Often it was weepy, crusted, red and inflamed. It was infected several times. Now, her eczema is a light pink, it has not been infected in probably one year, and it bothers her a lot less.

We probably owe much of this improvement to the NAET allergy treatments she is receiving to rid her body of allergies. Her dairy allergy is nearly gone, and so are other environmental allergies. Another thing that has definitely helped is just having Avery older. She tells us when her skin "hurts" and says, "I need my butter" (when she is asking us to put Shea Butter on her skin). Another thing that has been extremely helpful is finding the right probiotic for Avery. With the help from her naturopath physician that she saw last year combined with my research, I have found that Lactobacillus GG has been linked to improving eczema and, overtime, actually HEALING allergies. She started taking the probiotic Culturelle about 2 months ago and since then her digestive upsets are completely gone and her eczema is looking very mild. Occasionally to keep it under control we use just over-the-counter 1% hydrocortizone, but we are so happy that a little bit of hydrocortizone is all it takes to keep her comfortable.

Ahhh...sunshine

The sun decided to come out today to play
and brought with it some warmth
to brighten up our day...


...doll babies...

jump rope...

and sidewalk chalk!

Kyla and Avery loved their few minutes in the sun,
until it was time for naps :-)

SouleMama

I don't even know her personally, but I love this mama's blog. I found it after reading one of her books, The Creative Family (in hopes for our family to do more "creative" things together :-) )

Her writing is so sweet and personable. Sometimes I even feel my heart slowing down a bit as I read. All the art projects she does with her little ones is very inspiring, yet it doesn't make me look at it and feel like "less" of a mother. I gather that she is rather down-to-earth.

SNOW DAY!

It doesn't snow very often here in Charlotte, but we are enjoying Pete being off of work today and Kyla woke us up at 7am because she wanted to go play in the snow! Avery doesn't quite know what to think. It's really cold outside and she just kept covering her face with her hands.

Enjoy the weather wherever you are! It's a cozy winter day here!

I couldn't resist...

she looks hilarious! :-)

Megan's baby shower

I felt so honored to be able to host a baby shower with my friend Stacey in honor of Megan and Patrick's 3rd little blessing due in February. Megan and Patrick are expecting their 3rd boy, Samuel Patrick Creehan! Megan and I were pregnant "together" while we lived on opposite coasts for our first 2 babies, and it has been a blessing to live near our dear friends while they await the arrival of Samuel. I am also excited that I get to be a doula for them at Samuel's birth!

Feeling a little like Abraham...

I think I have a taste of what Abraham might have felt like when God told him that his descendants would out-number the stars in the sky. He was probably wondering how that would be possible since he was old, his wife was old, and they didn't have any children to begin that sort of family tree.

Pete and I were talking last night. It's easy to get a little discouraged and wonder, "How, Lord?" How are we going to be able to save money for the Philippines with our money so tight and an economy so bad off? How will the Lord provide? We feel like God is telling us to go to the Philippines, but we have not a dime in savings and an income that just pays the bills and meets our needs. How in the world will this work out and be possible?

We've seen Him provide, and we always have exactly what we NEED. But this ride of faith seems to be requiring so much more faith than I have. Please do keep us in your prayers. Please pray God will show us what next step to take.

He tends His flock

"He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young." Is. 40:11

This verse brings great comfort to me! Knowing that God gently leads those that have young makes me picture in my mind God putting his arm around moms and dads and gently leading them while they raise little ones. :-)

Christmas Bears

In downtown Charlotte last year we took the girls to see this life-size orchestra of bears, playing Christmas songs and singing. We took them again this year and the girls absolutely loved it. They both wanted to wear their tutus and they put their tutus to good use as they danced and did ballet to the music while the bears sang. It was adorable!

Visit to Virginia

We visited our families in Virginia BEFORE Christmas this year, since I am on call right now for a birth with a mama due on Jan. 7th. The girls had a great time going to look at the lights in downtown Richmond and getting some time with their aunts, uncles, and grandparents.

Pete and I enjoyed a nice afternoon to ourselves on day and we both went to get our haircut at a nice salon in Carytown that my sister (and fashion consultant) recommended to us :-) Our new "dos" and afternoon out was a nice Christmas present from mom and dad, thanks!

There We Go

We are planning on hosting a couple spaghetti dinners and evenings teas here in the next few months so we can share with our friends about the Philippines and ask for prayer support along the journey. If you live near Charlotte, NC and want to come to one, just leave a comment below!

We have a website called Our Journey that is now up and running! It tells you all about what we will be doing in the Philippines and ways you can pray for us and ways you might be able to help. (Hint: anyone expecting a baby anytime soon? I'm putting all money aside that I earn as a doula toward the Philippines!)