Finding Balance.

Again, time passes and it seems as if there's no tangible record of all that has happened during this first month of January. My thoughts have been like a pool of water in a state of unrest, hitting one side, causing ripples until the wake hits the other. Back and forth, back and forth.

This month has proven to be quite a balancing act between meeting the needs of our home, my relationship with HD, being mom to Zea, easing back into work and squeezing in personal time. Each area seems to have its unique challenges in keeping the peace, propelling it forward, or making sure it gets accomplished. Just when I feel things have been figured out, out of nowhere something comes to upset the routine and turn it all upside down.

For example, this month Zea has started a Parent/Child class in the Waldorf Method (our preferred educational philosophy). Once a week, HD and I, attend the class with Zea to see the method in practice and chat with other parents to get a better understanding of how to implement the theories at home. This has been our darling girl's first regular interaction with other children outside of Sabbath School. After attending three classes, Zea got sick replacing our perfect Thursday harmony with dissonance.

Another example is getting back to work. I love, Love, LOVE my line of work. Although my original plan, prior to coming into motherhood, was to abandon my job and embrace my "new path", I missed supporting mothers and thought I would gently ease into working. Well I eased in as gently as a whale rolling into a swimming pool this month.

In addition to giving prenatal tours of Labor and Delivery I was able to witness three mothers as they experienced the rite of passage of becoming a mother. This is INCREDIBLY exciting for me, when I'm with them, but it can become a logistical nightmare before I get there. I am soooooo blessed that HD's schedule is currently flexible enough to stay most of the time with Zea, and even more so to have my mother and mother-in-love nearby to step in when we are both unable.

So, here's to an even more unpredictable 2nd month of 2010.

Although you are short, February may you be absolutely unforgettable.

The BEST job ever!!!

What's better than combining two things you love? Take a look!!

Frida's Here! from Deidre C. on Vimeo.

See more here.

Next up

As many of you know I'm a doula, i.e. a childbirth coach. The typical nine to five kind is not my kind of job. I am blessed to attend births and witness the miracle of not only a new person coming into this world but the transformation that takes place in men and women becoming parents.

Thanks to my buddy Erica, I was able to share in a class of hers over a year ago, one of the students in that class decided that she wanted me to be her doula at that time though she was not with child. When she did find out that she was pregnant it was about the same time I did too but I didn't want to turn away her patronage. That is how she came to be my very last client before my own birth.

Over the weekend, she had a beautiful birth which resulted in a beautiful baby girl. It was perfect timing though the mom was more than ready to deliver I was grateful that everything went as it did. Observing her strength and courage to surrender to the power of birth encouraged me as I prepare to do the same any day now. . . I'm next up!

That was my last birth. On the side I occasionally take portraits of preggos, solitary folk and couples. My latest was an engagement session of my very good friend Denise and her fiance David. They are next up to get married. Things in both of our lives are crazy so this was the first time I've truly been able to see them interact. Thanks you two for your patience with the computer glitches. Here are a few pics from our time together.








With these two gigs behind me I now sit and wait for BC arriaval. . . NOT. There are sooooooooooooooooooooooooo many things to do before this baby comes. . . we'll see if BC will wait for just a couple more weeks. ;o)

What exactly do doulas do?

When explaining my job I generally use words like, "provide emotional support, physical comfort and information". There's so much more than that. It is almost indescribable how we operate. Each and every birth is different. We are not there to take the place of partners nor take the spotlight. I wanted to share this video because it depicts the role of the doula very well.