Thanksgiving Day

Slept in. Read a passage from the list of scriptures in the back of the prayer book. Bike ride- it is chilly! Shower. Bake a Pecan Pie. Off to Kendra's house. Hi to Kendra's family. Talk to Mom and Gangee while she finishes getting ready. Drive out to the farm. Beautiful day. Hellos and Nice to Meet's Yous. A scripture is read. We hold hands for prayer. Time to eat!!!

Sweet potato casserole with pecans on top, stuffing, turkey with gravy, moist cornbread, green bean casserole, and a cranberry salad. Then, pecan pie and a sliver of pumpkin pie for desert (as Dougie would say). There was more food than this. This is just what I ate. And it was delicious!

We ate outside. Good company. Veronica, Dario, and Miguel are from Equador. Omar and Patti are from Mexico. Then, Kendra's family and in laws and a woman who had lived in Charleston with her children. They are a pleasant group. We laugh many times. Then, to the carport for a pinata!

You call after desert. Then, many of us head out for a long walk into the fields. It is beautiful and I love it! Conversations. Beautiful sunshine and land all around. The kids are cute. Dario says that farm land is the best gift you can to children. Back to the house for goodbyes.

On way home, Stephanie calls. She is with Joel, his parents and grandmother, and Eli. They are heading through Gainesville in about an hour. We meet at Cracker Barrell for a light supper. What a nice treat to end a nice day.

This was my second Thanksgiving away from family and both were a nice day.

Life is Good

The past three weeks I have had a birth overnight between full days of classes or clinic. And He provided for me and I enjoyed them so much. This past week was one of my favorite births. It was a couple that I had met a handful of times in prenatal visits. I came in a few hours after she got here since I had a class that was difficult to miss. When I walked in Mom was laboring by the bed with Van Morrison playing in the background. "You are doing great," I told her after she finished the contraction. "You look like you've done this before." She had not (first time Mom). She smiled and said "thanks."

I enjoyed the birth so much. I was given freedom to fully be midwife. That is always enriching. The birth went really well. It took some time. She was tired. We gave many suggestions to keep things moving. She listened. Progress. Encouragement. Patience. Everyone is doing great so we let her take her time at the end. Baby born in the water at 12:52 pm. 9 lbs 4 oz with a 14 inch head!

Mom and Dad were appreciative. Dad made us a homemade pumpkin pie, which was delicious. Mom gave us handmade bags they had made with their screen printing business. I loved their birth for a few reasons. Mostly I got to be the midwife and it went really well. Also, they really appreciated us and their exprerience. That is always rewarding.

The week began running the stadium at UF with Chrissy and ended playing tennis at the Gainesville High School courts with Sean. Many classes, a wonderful birth, and a long day of clinic in bewtween. It was a good week. Life is good. And, oh, I LOVE my job!!!

Boys and Girls

Upon my speedy arrival at 12 am to a birth last week...

Amy: Wow, that was fast! (Pause) Are you awake yet?

Me: (Smile) Not Yet...

TWO HOURS LATER...

Dad: Am I holding her right?

Me: (Smile) Yes, you are doing very good.

Dad: Is it okay for her to suck on her hand like that?

Me: Yes, babies have a strong need to suck. She probably has been doing this a while.

A second birth in the week...

Mother: I am going to break the bed.

Her Mother: You are not going to break the bed.

Mother: I just did. (Laugh)

Mother to Husband: I need you. No, I need you HERE. Over here. Now.

Husband: She is not really pushing yet. Are you? Is this it?

We all laugh many times. We joke to her, you can laugh the baby out if you would like. Of course, this does not happen. It was good to laugh though this late in the game.

Baby Girl one day. Baby Boy a few after. Everyone doing fine. Now for a new week.