What Does Your Anthem Sound Like?

I know it's been a while since I've written anything of substance. Sorry about that. I feel like I have so much to get my readers (if I have any left) caught up on that I don't know where to start. Like I'm afraid I'll start typing and never stop because there's so much to tell, but then everyone would be confused because I'd be telling it all out of order and it would make no sense.

So today I'm just going to ask for some help. I'm working on playlist. I am going through some changes (nothing major, just growing) and I need some music that reminds me of my ability to stay strong and positive.
Some of my Soul Sisters have already introduced me to the first few songs on the playlist.
A friend/doula client played india.arie's Private Party at her empowering HBAC (home birth after cesarean). I fell in love with the lyrics:
I’m havin' a private party
Ain’t no body here but me, my angels, and my guitar singin’ baby look how far we’ve come here
I’m havin’ a private party
Learning how to love me
Celebrating the woman I’ve become

Then there's Exactly by Amy Steinberg. I can't tell you how many times these words have helped me stay calm during stressful times:
i am exactly where i need to be
i need to be exactly where i am
i am surrendering so willingly
to be the perfect me inside this now
and truly how else could it be
destiny she blesses me

A beautiful midwife I know posted a cool song on her blog by Jill Scott called Hate on Me. I love her confidence and attitude when she sings:
Hate on me, hater
Now or later
‘Coz I’m gonna do me
You’ll be mad, baby
Go ‘head and hate
Go ‘head and hate on me, hate on
‘Coz I’m not afraid of it
What I got I paid for
You can hate on me

There's also Just Fine by Mary J Blige. There's no way you can be in a bad mood when you're singing along to:
No time for moping around, are you kidding?
And no time for negative vibes, cause I'm winning
It's been a long week, I put in my hardest
Gonna live my life, feels so good to get it right

Then there's a song by the Brazilian Girls which my Jane and the lovely MB introduced me to. It's a song that just makes me feel good (and laugh). I can't really post any of the lyrics, just in case my mom is reading.

So my friends, what songs brighten up your day, make you feel strong and powerful, or simply make you want to shake what yo' mama gave ya?

All He Had To Do Was Ask For Some Candy

I guess he knew that my answer would have been "No."

The Boys always get a lollipop when they go to the barbershop. I'm assuming Thing 1 had a sweet tooth. He got a hold of Hubby's beard and mustache trimmer and did this...


I had hoped we could fix it and still save some of his hair until I saw this...
and this...
I knew there was no hope after looking at this...
Oh well, at least he has a nice round head.

He got his trip to the barbershop and his sucker.

5 Years ago today...

I looked like this (actually imagine me 3 weeks bigger).

I was 34 weeks and 6 days into my final pregnancy. I had been having contractions off and on for a couple of weeks and had been to the hospital twice during that time. Both times I had been given a shot or two of terbutaline to make my contractions stop and was sent home to rest. When the contractions started up again on the afternoon of February 22, 2003 I took my "labor-stopping" pills, got in bed and waited for things to slow down. It didn't work. I called the doctor's office and was told to go to the hospital. I was convinced that we would just go get a shot and come right back home.

On the way to the hospital I decided to call my doula, just to give her a heads up. She was resting so I told her husband what was going on but since I was sure I was coming back home I figured I wouldn't disturb her. She called me back right away and asked the question that I now ask every one of my doula clients when they are (or think they are) in labor, "Do you feel like you need me?" For some reason (it must have been intuition) I said yes and asked her to meet us at the hospital. On the way there I noticed that the contractions were 4-5 minutes apart and I was starting to have to breath through them. I still thought I'd be home in time for dinner. Thing One and Thing Two had other plans.

Here is the rest of the story as told by my fabulous doula.

Dear Thing One and Thing Two,

Here is what happened on the day that you were born. I am the doula that had the privilege of being with your parents at your arrival. It all started when Mommy called to tell me that she was experiencing contractions again. She was already on bed rest and terbutaline. The contractions were consistent enough for Mommy to call and give me a heads-up. I was actually resting and Mommy let me sleep and left a message with my husband. I awoke to him telling me what was going on so I quickly called Mommy. She said that they needed to head over to the hospital to get checked out and that she was hungry. We talked about how once she gets to the hospital, she couldn't eat, and to do what she felt was right. So, as Daddy went through a drive in, Mommy got some food.

We all arrived at the hospital around 4:00pm. K was our fun nurse who enjoyed giving Mommy a hard time. First it was, "Why have a doula for a cesarean?" Then, "Why didn't you take more of the terbutaline?" Lastly, "Why did you eat on your way to the hospital?!" It didn't take Mommy long to realized the humor in everything she said. She checked the cervix and we were all surprised to hear that the cervix was already 4-5 centimeters dilated and 80% effaced. It was time for the two of you to be born today!

Everyone was in a bit of shock, especially Mommy. She really didn't think your birthday was going to be for another week or so. Nurse K prepared the chart and Mommy for the upcoming births. We actually had quite a few visitors too. Aunt R had Cousin J in the waiting room, Aunt J and Uncle M, with Granny, and Grandma and Papa watched your brother and sister. It actually was a pretty fun couple of hours as we anticipated meeting the two of you.

Dr. H came in and did a quick ultrasound to confirm your transverse presentations. He was very kind and soothing. Dr. Y the anesthesiologist introduced himself and explained his role. C came on at 7:00 to be our nurse and it was soon time to go to the OR. At 8:00pm Mommy was wheeled back to the OR as the family waived from the waiting room. C stayed with Mommy as Dr. Y administered
the medication while Daddy and I looked in the window. Once Mommy was settled, we took our places by Mommy's head.

Before we knew it, Thing One was born at 8:21pm, weighing in at 5 pounds 4 ounces and 18 inches long. Thing Two was one minute later at 8:22, weighing in at 5 pounds 8 ounces and 19 1/2 inches long. You were both so cute. Thing One made more noise than Thing Two who was just trying to figure out what had just happened. The nurses brought you to Mommy for a few minutes and then you were taken to the nursery for observation. You both were doing great.

After meeting your parents while Mommy was pregnant with Girl Thing, I looked forward to working with them at some time. It really was a joyful time with many giggles. Mommy was so brave and did beautifully. Daddy did his best to keep everyone smiling and it worked! It truly was a joy for me to be a part of this wonderful celebration. Thank you for letting me be a part of your birth-day.

Love,

Doulala's Doula

Biblical Twin Birth

My mother called me today to ask me to explain this scripture to her.
Genesis 38:27-30. It says:
27 Now it developed that in the time of her giving birth, why, here there were twins in her belly. 28 Further, it turned out that when she was giving birth one extended his hand, and the midwife at once took and tied a scarlet piece about his hand, saying: “This one came out first.” 29 Finally it developed that as soon as he drew back his hand, why, here his brother came out, so that she exclaimed: “What do you mean by this, that you have produced a perineal rupture for yourself?” Hence his name was called Pe′rez. 30 And afterward his brother upon whose hand the scarlet piece was came out and his name came to be called Ze′rah.

I can't picture this birth. Baby A's hand came out (and was out long enough to have something tied around it), he drew it back then Baby B was born, causing the mom to tear?
I told her it couldn't happen. I also told her to keep in mind that the book of Genesis was written by a man. My mother reminded me of the scripture that says "All Scripture is inspired of God", meaning that since God inspired Moses to write about this birth, it must have happened. I still believe this is physiologically impossible.
Any birth professionals out there who can make sense of this one for me?

Seven Things

The Beautiful Brooke tagged me over a week ago. I've been so lazy about posting that I'm just now getting to this. I am supposed to name seven weird or random things about myself.
I think this will be tough because I am an open book, I guess that leads me to the first random thing.
1. I get off on people knowing me well.
I guess I figure if other people know me inside and out, the more likely they'll be to help me figure out who I really am.

2. I graduated from high school when I was 16.
I skipped Kindergarten (started first grade when I was 5). When I was in 3rd grade we moved & the new school felt that I was too young to be in 3rd so I was sent back to 2nd grade. After repeating 2nd grade the school realized they made a mistake so they put me in 4th grade. I blame never finishing 3rd grade for the fact that I'm not smart anymore.

3. I can't stand cottage cheese or ricotta.
There's something about the lumpy, clumpy texture that just makes me want to puke. I also can't stand cold salads made with foods that are supposed to be eaten warm (potato salad, macaroni salad or any other pasta salad, egg salad. BLECH!)

4. I love creativity.
The people I admire most each have at least one or more artistic talent. (writing, singing, playing an instrument, designing, sewing, crafting, acting, dancing, speaking more than one language, being an educator) . I often wish that I can be more like them. I try to surround myself with creative people, secretly wishing that I will somehow soak up some of their creativity.

5. I style my hair with conditioner. That's it.
It took me years to figure out how to keep my curly hair manageable. A few years ago I left conditioner in my hair after a shower and I loved how it kept my curls from frizzing. Since then that's pretty much all I do, take a shower, brush my hair out, put conditioner in it & let it air dry. Simple.

6. I go over my cell phone minutes every month.
No matter how hard I try, I can't seem to use less than 1500 minutes a billing cycle. That doesn't even count the amount of time I'm on my home phone. I love to talk. My mom has a picture of me at a year old, with a toy phone to my ear dragging it around the house (I don't think cordless phones were invented back then. Thank goodness somebody came up with them). Who could have guessed that I would still have a phone to my ear most of the time.

7. I can't stand the sound of AM radio.
It drives me nuts and I don't know why.

Whew, that was tough. If I remember the rules of this meme correctly, I'm supposed to tag 7 other people. Since I'm so late at doing this and most of the bloggers I know have already done this, I'm not going to follow the rules.

Anything else you'd like to know?