My Other Life Calling

A few weeks ago, I was a doula to a dear from for her first birth. For those of you who don't know, a doula (pronounced doo-lu) is a professional labor support person. You can hire them or they can simply be a close friend or family member of the mother. The idea is that this knowledgeable person is there "to mother the mother." These dear friends of ours, Sam and Jessica Selby, surprised and delighted me when they said, "So, guess who we put as our doula on our hospital paper work?....YOU!" (I admit I jumped up and down a  few times.)

In preparing for Eva's arrival, Birth and all things to do with it (especially a more natural approach) has become rather a passion for me.

At 41 weeks and 5 days past her due date, Jessica agreed to try castor oil as a last ditch effort to avoid a hospitalized induction. It worked! And I was able to help her through hours of super contractions until she asked for an epidural at 6 cm. Then we all took naps until it was time to push and I was able to help there too! (she said I had earned that  right.) I also helped them both get the hang of breastfeeding, something Jessica was worried about.

Gabriel Selby is a pretty darn cute newborn in my opinion. he didn't have a scrunched up water bloated face and was wide-eyed and alert as soon as he came out.

This whole thing was such a wonderful experience for me, I felt so...useful! I was able to do all the things I had learned to help Jess through labor and witness her as a goddess, a true daughter of God in her strength and glory. It was awesome.

Easter

In the Graham family, we have an Easter Tradition of setting out our Sunday shoes for the Easter Bunny to fill with treats and then hide (separately) anywhere in or immediately around the house. There have been times when we have gone to church wearing not-so-sunday shoes. My dad cheats and sets out an old pair that he wouldn't mind never finding...

Anyway, here is Eva's Easter Morning Face...until she realized there was candy all over the house within her reach. (she took s tumble out of the hot-tub the night before...have you noticed that my kids always have some biff wound going on? sheesh.)

 Here is Graham's Easter Morning Face!

(notice that the easter bunny is extremely nimble while egg laying, there are jelly beans on the alarm system behind G, and along all the picture frames.)

Eva finding her shoe!

Then the Easter Bunny came to the Ragdale's too!

Graham got the hand of it really quick.

Eva got kinda hung up on the treats inside...

 

But with a little help from the best older brother ever...

 She soon had a full basket!

 Cousin Lauren, just younger then Eva.

 The sugar daze is setting in.

(and I am blooming in the background)

 Later we had more food and partying with all the Packard cousins. 

(I love that Graham is shooting someone...)

Mothers Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all you mothers! I hope your day was made very special. Mine was spent with both our families and made delightful by all involved. Lee's rotation is at a hospital were he gets food from the awesome cafeteria and he has been bringing me my favorite drinks all week! Then he took Graham to the store with him and they picked out a bouquet of white roses and yellow mum, so fresh and pretty on my table! On Thursday Graham brought home a bouquet of hand-painted tulips from egg cartons for my "mah-ders day!"

With the flowers came a note. This is what it said: 

This is to Certify that my mom is the greatest! 

Here's why:  "because she gives me lots of grapes and food. She gives me green beans, and I love those!"

Love, GA...a...m"

(He signed his own name!)

What a sweetie!

(notice the nice lip...he said the couch hit him.)

We spent church and a mother's day luncheon with the Graham Fam. Graham's Primary class facilitated a gift for me too; a rose and a note. Here are Graham's responses to the prompts on the note:

My mom's favorite color is: blue

She loves to eat: grapes

My mom smiles because: she has a little baby in her tummy

My mom wants me to:   eat bacon

I like it when my mom:   makes bacon soda

If I could give her anything I would:  give her fruit

When she grows up she want to:  be a girl

My mom loves me because:  she has lots of watermelon

(It seems Graham - of all people - has food on the brain!)

Luncheon with the Graham was super. It was phenomenal food, including a lime-ice drink, salmon smothered in lime n butter sauted onions, vegi kabobs, a beautiful salad and bruccetta for the 3rd year running! We were pretty stuffed by the time we got to the Ragsdales!

Grandpa Ragsdale is just a little boy in a big body and loves his grandkids! 

He comes up with the best activities!

 

"Here kids, try this!"