Fourteen Years Ago Today…
…I was vastly pregnant when I went to my mid-wifery appointment at 11am, this day fourteen years ago. I had been feeling twinges of what I thought -hoped- were contractions. Since I was nine days "late" I was certainly ready.
Over balanced and tottering, when I arrived at my appointment I was excited, anticipating, grinning from ear to ear. My midwife, Ellie Legare LAc, told me I was too cheerful to be in labor. I burst into tears, and she said, "Well, maybe you ARE." Some dilation. Recommended to go home for lunch, take a walk, a nap, rest.
It didn't take long for things to progress from there. We calculate eight hours of active labor, moving all over the house, in nearly every room, with yoga ball, on the bed, supported by my loving husband, Jamie. My mom was in town and staying with us especially and was there helping out in many ways, not the least emotional support.
At 6:01pm in our living room, with Jamie literally at my back, my daughter was born into this world, small, strong and squalling.
She didn’t have a name for nearly a week, though I like to say she named herself. In a fit of sleepless exhaustion in the wee hours during one of those nights, I pleaded with her, “Freya Bliss, *please* go to sleep!” Thus her name was revealed.
The past 14 years have been eventful. She made me a mother, was my gateway baby, teaching me a depth of love I had never previously conceived, illuminating stresses and delights anew. Now, she’s a person of her own, an incredibly talented artist, with a beautiful singing voice and a cuttingly dry sense of humor. I’m humbled and honored to be her mom.
Gratitude.
