Finally!

I've finally gotten around to sending in the last couple of pieces needed for my ALACE certification. Now, I just need ALACE to deal with their organization problems so they can certify me.
I should have been finished over a year ago. But, life got in the way. I promised myself I'd finish by the end of 2008. Then little Johnny developed a cyst on his eye, which turned into a horrible MRI experience, followed by several months of visits with our pediatrician, an opthamologist, a neurologist, and finally an eye surgeon. On April 8th, the cyst was removed in a relatively "minor" surgery. Any surgery requiring anesthesia is not "minor" in my opinion. Thankfully, he's okay now. He needs another MRI in March 2010 to check the spots on his brain that were found with the first MRI. The Neurologist is not concerned about them yet. But I am.

So, we're moving forward. Next school year, I will have one child starting high school, one starting Kindergarten and one starting Preschool. What an eventful year it will be!

I'm hoping to go back to school, myself, for massage therapy. I'd love to be able to offer my Mamas prenatal massage! But, I need to gather some tuition money before I can start. So, for now, I'm working on getting certified through Baby's First Massage. I'll be able to teach parents how to communicate with their newborns through the amazing power of touch. I'm very excited about adding this skill to my doula work!

Just here

Not much happening for me in the doula world. It would help if I advertised I'm sure. That's on the agenda, really! I just have to do it.
I should be going to a wonderful NEIDA picnic for birth workers this Saturday. But the kids will be gone for the day, and hubby surprised me with a day out for a massage, manicure, and pedicure. Possibly a movie and dinner afterwards. I can't pass it up! Sorry, doulas, see you next time! I'll be hanging out at the spa...

My favorite things

I was recently asked by a mom about my favorite part of birth. My immediate answer was "the delivery." Watching a new baby emerge is the most fascinating part of childbirth. But, after thinking about it for a day, I don't think it's really my favorite.

My favorite part of the whole process is the expression on both parents' faces just after the delivery. The father - filled with unbridled happiness and pure joy, unable to control the smile that lights up his face. The mother - ecstatic, joyful, and relieved. For that one moment, it doesn't matter if the birth went according to plan or went way off course. Nothing matters except that their new baby is here.

Long Break

It's been too long since I posted here. And much too long since I've attended a birth. My last client was had a beautiful baby girl in January. Unfortuntaly, my entire family, including myself, was sick with the flu. So, I missed it! Luckily, I had a backup who was able to attend the labor and birth and everything turned out wonderfully...for them. But, man, I was so bummed to have missed it.
In December, I attended the birth of a beautiful baby boy. What a treat this birth was! The parents were adorable and loving. Grandma was visiting from India to help with the new baby. She didn't speak much English, but we didn't have a hard time communicating at all. Dad was somewhat put-out because Mom preferred holding my hand to his. She'd ask for me if I walked away even for a moment. But Dad understood, and was always nearby for when she did reach for him. It was a wonderful birth.
My November client was not so lucky. More than a week before her due date, after an office visit with OB trying to scare her into inducing, and then a hospital visit with more scare tactics, Mom went home to wait for her labor to start, naturally. A few days later, she was back in the hospital with more scare tactics. Her baby was "too big" to fit through her pelvis, or so the OB said. What a load of crap. Why didn't they just let the poor woman out of the bed so she could move and open her pelvis? Instead, she was left laying on her back, squashing her pelvis, to push. The baby did get stuck, shoulder dystocia. Of course, there are other contributing factors to the whole situation. I won't go into them here. I'll just thank the Gods that the baby is alive and well. He does have some damage that will hopefully be repaired, but he is well and healthy.
This birth is the reason I have not sought out more clients. I'm afraid, I guess. What if this happens again? Or worse? It was a horrifying experience. I'm not sure I could do it again. I know it's irrational. I'm told that all doulas will go through similar experiences at some point. I just have to process it, and move on. Thankfully, NEIDA is hosting a workshop on traumatic birth this summer. I'm definitely going to make sure I'm there.
I think I'm ready to move on now. I've gotten a couple of inquiries lately. I will follow up with them and get back into the groove. I just need to give myself a kick in the pants and go to it.

They're going!

They're going! I can't believe it! 3 1/2 days without the boys! I'll be a mess, of course, with missing them and worrying about them. But I sure could use a break!

What's the Buzz?

Not much happening here this week. I don't have any clients lined up right now. So, I have some extra time to spend on the ALACE CBE program. I'm considering attending ALACE's doula training workshop for a second time. There's one nearby in November. I think it would be interesting to go through the workshop with a little more experience than the first time. Of course, last August I was completely green and new to this work. So, it could really be interesting. I'll have to see if I can get the time away from work and kids.

The boys are supposed to be going away for 3 1/2 days this week! They're going on a trip with Grandma and Grandpa. I'm so looking forward to getting a little bit of time off from the kids. I don't have any Me things planned. Just lots of work around the house and on my final exam for my doula certification.

But, my plans may not come to fruition. Mike came home from his parents' house today and said Grandpa is feeling well. He's diabetic and occassionally has circulation problems in his legs. One leg is swollen now, and they, obviously, won't go on the trip if he doesn't get better by Wednesday. I don't blame them at all! Of course, I want him to be healthy and well. And traveling with circulation problems would not be safe nor smart.

But....I so want to be selfish and whine just a little. oh man, do I need that time off! His health is more important, though. So I may have to be a big girl and just smile and take it well.

Day Out with Thomas

Yesterday, we took the kids to the Illinois Railway Museum for a Day Out with Thomas the Tank Engine. Rowan had a great time. It was really quite fun. Even Morgaine said it wasn't as lame as she expected it to be :)

We got to take a short train ride with Thomas! Woohoo! It was very exciting. We also got to see Sir Topem Hatt (okay, he was lame. It was a guy in a giant stuffed suit and a plastic head. A little creepy, actually).











The museum also has many trains on display. We took a tour through several of them and also watched a magic show. Rowan was quite impressed with the Thomas made of Legos.

And John? Well, he thought the whole day was exhausting...