Happy Birthday to....

FALLUJAH?

Hahaha - Nope. It was happy birthday to ME. My mom sent these as the "treasure" at the end of the scavenger hunt Jon sent me on. But look at Fallujah's face - he looks just as excited as I was about them! They have made delicious treats this week!

Studying

Sometimes I spread out all my studying materials so I can feel like I'm in college all over again. But often, on of my feline friends will come over and check out what I am doing. And sometimes he'll get comfortable.

Then sometimes his brother will come over to check out what we are both doing. And then HE will get comfortable.
And then it turns into bath time.
And I am forced to move on to the laundry or dishes or something else that needs to get done. I cannot disrupt bath time. It reminds me of when they were just little and fearful for their lives upon moving into a house with humans and would cuddle together and bathe eachother often. Now it's just once in a while, and I still find it precious.

It is currently a "semester break" so I am working on one of my elective classes: reflexology. Kinda fun! Here is a map of the foot that I did. I have to do 40 treatments to other people - I bet some of you wish you lived closer!

Baby Zech

Here is an update on one of the cutest babies ever...baby Zechariah from a few posts ago. He is six weeks old! Look at those chubby cheeks! His mom is so beautfiul and loving, too. It's kinda sad when they reach the 6 week mark and no longer come to see us.

Update on Life in Orlando

Besides gardening, this is what we have been up to:

• Jon went to Michigan for 4th of July weekend, leaving me home alone to do school work and deliver a baby.
• I have been working my a#@ off to get all of my clinical requirements signed off on and submitted to my school so that they can submit it to the national certification body - this is all so I can write my big exam in October.
• We are facilitators for our small group from Church - which is proving to be a bit of work, as we just got some new folks and our group is large, but haphazard.
• I am done teaching basic Anatomy and Physiology, but am now planning for teaching 4 sessions of Anatomy and Physiology of Reproduction.
• I taught 2 weeks of ESL for my old job - they were desperate, and I needed some money. Now I am back to just teaching Saturdays and doing clinic/birth center the rest of the week.
• I have a 1 inch incision on my forehead from where the dermatologist excised a basal cell carcinoma. It looks like a ton of bandages covering a big welt due to the swelling from the anesthetic. I'll have a similar incision on my shoulder in 2 weeks. Boo for skin cancer.
• I finally saw Avatar. I kinda liked the bird thingies.
• Jon gets to go to DC next weekend for work. Lucky butt. He really seems to be liking his job these days
• I was following the story of the Iranian woman who was supposed to be stoned - so relieved/thrilled/grateful that it looks like she might be spared.
• HOT - it is HOT here. But I know it is HOT for many of you, too.

There, that should be enough for now. Just wanted to update so that you know we are still alive and doing pretty well. I'll try to get some pictures up soon!

Bountiful Harvest

All from our very own garden!

happiness

This is me holding baby Zechariah about 10 minutes after his birth on Friday morning. Look at how wide open his eyes are! If you wonder why the funny hold, he was a little congested, so I wrapped him and was patting his back to help him cough up some of his yuckiness. He sneezed a couple of times and breastfed for a good while....went home 3 hours later. His mom was really excited to bring him home to meet his four older siblings. I wish I had a picture of him without his hat on - he had the most lovely curly black hair. So precious. He LOVED getting his hair washed. Looked at me directly in my eyes while I talked to him.

I decided to post about this because I realized at about 6:00am on Friday morning (the hair washing) that this profession makes me happy. Even though we had been there since 8pm the night before, and this was my second all-nighter of the week, I loved being a part of it. Mom was sitting on the toilet, watching me wash her baby's hair over the sink. Jennie came in the bathroom too and the three of us chatted for a bit about the birth while Zechariah soaked up the loving attention.

At least once each week (lately it feels like a lot more), I get to be present in some of the most intimate moments in a family's life together. Sounds cheesy, but it really is quite remarkable. I need to remind myself not to take this for granted. And I believe it makes such a difference that these women are not medicated - they are feeling every ounce of the pain and depend on their partners and us to help them cope. They trust us to assist them in delivery without the use of tons of medical technology. They trust their bodies. And then, four hours after their babies are born, they pack up and go home to rest with their family. Because they are not sick. They are not feeble. They are new mothers - some of the strongest peeps on the planet!

Our New Baby

Hee hee - did I get some of you excited with that title? Sorry...not a crying, pooping, cooing baby yet. But, a live, changing, growing baby all the same - a new garden!

Jon signed up for a community garden plot about a month ago. I'll be honest - at first I sighed, and said, "Well, this is your baby...don't count on me for anything". But I love it already. Here are some pictures of how it started, and what it looked like last week. It already looks different. We'll keep updating as we go.

Currently we are growing tomatoes, jalepenos, bell peppers, okra, cucumber, zucchini, beans, pumpkin, eggplant, sweet potato, oregano, rosemary, thyme, spinach and sunflowers.

Our first harvest!

When in Morm....

This post is long overdue, and for that I apologize. In April, we went to Salt Lake City. Jon had a Solar Cities Conference, and I defended my thesis. It was a nice "break" from routine in Orlando. I spent most of my free time roaming around the downtown area of the city. The whole Temple Square area was absolutely beautiful, as you can see from the photos.

Flowers and mountains galore.

When in Morm...do as the Mormons! Here I am in front of the Temple, and then in front of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

The picture on the right is taken on top of the Mormon conference center. It is a huge greenroof, which of course Jon went nuts over. Yes, that grass you see is on the ROOF. In the picture on the left, you can see that same greenroof in the background.

City Hall (left) and inside the public library (right).

Jon was talking about this food truck for weeks before we went to SLC. You have to go on the internet in the morning to find out where it will be parked that day. We found it on the last day and ate its wonderful delicacies...Asian-Mexican fusion. Those are lemon-grass chicken tacos, ginger beef tacos, some sort of calamari taco, and some root chips. Yum!

Other BC Pictures

The Olympic Torch in Vancouver

Heidi, Brady and Trey

A big fat octopus for sale at the market.


Hanging out with our dear friends, the Barnhoorns, in Stanley Park and Steveston.

'nuff said.

Brian & Jess

Back in March (feels like ages ago!), my brother was married to his wonderful fiancee, Jess. It was a beautiful day and a beautiful wedding. We are so glad we were able to be there!

Ho Hum

You might think that since I haven't been posting, I haven't been doing anything.

False.

I've kindof been crazy busy, so posting pictures has not found its way onto my "Need to do" list.

I am writing now, at 12:18 am, because I am waiting for a baby to make his/her way into the world. This little one is a surprise - no one knows if it's a boy or a girl, although we all have our hunches. I love surprises.

We got back from our B.C. trip last week and are heading to Salt Lake City next week. In between, we are both busy with work, school, planning, etc.

I will post pictures of our trips soon, I promise. Until then, you'll just have to read someone else's blog.

babies, babies and more babies

I honestly feel as though this is the only topic I can write about.

Today is Tuesday. And I am back at the birth center. A lovely baby girl was born four hours ago to some first-time parents.

Last Wednesday, a baby girl was born to a second time mother.

On Thursday, three baby boys were born to three first-time mothers.

On Saturday, a first-time mother tried for a very long time to have her baby here but was brought to the hospital for a bit of medication (I missed that one - Saturday is my official "day off").

On Sunday, a baby boy was born to another first-time mother.

If you are counting, that is 6 babies and 1 long labor in 7 days. I "managed" 5 of them, and assisted for the 6th (the third baby born on Thursday).

So we have been BUSY!

The young mom that is here now had her baby just four hours ago - has already showered, eaten, and is being discharged by the birth assistant as we speak. I'm okay with that, since I have been here since 4:45a.m.

I'm exhausted...but thankful for a bunch of healthy moms and healthy babies...and being that much closer to being done with school!

Oh Canada

The True North Strong and Free has done it again!

The GOLD MEDAL for Hockey is OURS! Hip Hip Hooray! Way to go, men!

I had a hockey party planned for today. I invited a whole bunch of American friends (I have no Canadian friends here). They didn't know it, but they were going to be eating cake decorated like a Canadian flag, listening only to Canadian artists, and forced to sing (or listen to) the Canadian National Anthem before the game.

I was pumped.

And then I got a call....
OF COURSE...some little American baby boy decided to be born WHILE the hockey game was going on. I saw about thirty seconds of the game. After the birth, I ran out and turned the tv on (muted, of course) and saw that it was 2-2. Then I had to return to the room. I came out again about 3 minutes later and they players were shaking hands. What the heck? What happened? The other midwife and I stayed glued to the silent tv...looking at faces to try to determine the outcome. Then it came - the replay. Canada had scored.

Super-dee-duper.

Good day. Canada wins gold. Baby Griffin born. Everybody happy.

....well...besides you Americans who care about hockey....

Oh Dear

It has been quite a while since I posted last. And I don't even have any fun pictures to upload. How dull. Although there is not so much "news"...life has been pretty busy for the past few weeks as I am not on call for every birth at the birth center. That, on top of my clinic days and teaching, sometimes adds up to very busy weeks. All depends on when babies feel like being born. Two weeks ago, I had both a 16 hour shift at the birth center, and then a 36 hour shift. Yes...thirty six hours....poor mom had broken her water but wasn't having contractions. Plus clinic, plus tutoring, plus teaching. But then this past week it was quiet...had one labor last night and now I'm at home resting.

In other news, we FINALLY got curtains for the living room! I have wanted them since the day I moved into this place over three years ago. Jon was always against it, saying we shouldn't buy things like curtains for a rental. But with the last few cold snaps we've had, we have been putting blankets up over the window to prevent drafting. So I guess that finally convinced him curtains could be a good idea. We just got cheap ones from Ikea, but they look lovely. I feel so much warmer and cosier. There was also another addition to our living room this past week - a new TV. Yup, finally got ourselves a flat screen like everyone else and their mothers (and OUR mothers!). Honestly, it's a little bigger than we had originally planned, but man, the Olympics look great!

We are thrilled to be going to B.C. again in March for my brother's wedding. I think it'll be a lot of fun to see him and Jess get married - I can imagine it will be a good party. Also,, we will get to meet little Trey Amos for the first time. We will also go into Vancouver to see the Olympic sites. All things to look forward to.

As a church, we have been reading through the book of Acts. A member of the church writes a different devotional every day that gets sent to your email. Jon and I have each written one. It's fun to read what people think about/reflect on while they read Scripture. Something that is really striking me lately is the whole Saul-Paul thing. I mean, Saul was horrible! Horrible! Like, I think we could compare him to some of our big-bad-wolves of today: Kim Jung Il, Saddam Hussein. And then, he saw the light. Literally. And people like Barnabas actually decided to work with him! And then he went on to write a bunch of letters that we still read today. I can't help but think that this is an excellent argument against capital punishment. And an excellent example of just how transformative grace can be. Pretty amazing.

Alright...now I'm just starting to blab. It is time for homework.

A Big Week

Looking back, I would have to say that the week of January 24 - January 30 has been one of the biggest weeks of my life in terms of important events. Not that I feel that elated or overjoyed....for some reason events just run into days and obligations and tiredness and routine...But now I sit here and I think - hmmm, that was a pretty good week.

I'll tell you about it in chronological order.

1. Sunday - I managed my first birth that counts towards certification.

2. Monday - Jennie Joseph and our staff were recognized by City Council and the Mayor for providing prenatal care with the goal of improving infant mortality in Central Florida. Januaray 25, 2010 was named "Heads Up on Infant Mortality Day".

3. Wednesday - Trey Amos landed on Canadian soil and flew that same day to Edmonton, Alberta with his mom and dad. Possibly the hugest answer to prayer ever for our family. I am officially an Auntie.

4. Wednesday night - I submitted my thesis: "Mobile Maternity Care: Providing Health Care to Women Who Lack Access to Prenatal and Postpartum Services." That was almost two years in the making - so a huge weight off my shoulders.

So this week, it really felt like things were "falling into place"...

...I am well on my way to finishing up school...

...we are being recognized at the Birth Place for all the work we do...

...Trey is finally home where he belongs...

...my thesis has become what I was hoping it would be...

Now if only I could sit back, kick my feet up and feel great about life! I WILL feel great about life...but instead of kicking my feet up, I will finish a 10-page paper (feels like nothing compared to Mr. Thesis), I will do the laundry and dishes, I will head over to the clinic this evening for skills verification, I will prepare my lesson for my ESL class tomorrow morning... and that's as long of a list as I care to think about right now.

No Woman No Cry

I spent the day hanging out with Christy Turlington on the set of her new documentary entitled "No Woman No Cry." That's because the "set" was our birth center clinic!

She and her crew have travelled around the world learning about and filming about maternal mortality. Here is the link to a website about the film: http://www.nowomannocrythemovie.com/

Pretty cool, huh? I brought my camera but never took any photos because it just seemed awkward. She was just so normal and friendly, and most of our clients had no idea who she was, so I just acted nonchalant and cool even though I was super stoked about the whole thing.

The film crew will be back tomorrow. I keep trying to get into background shots! :) What a dork. I'll post about it again when the documentary is eventually released!

Haiti

I've had floods of phone calls and emails this week. A lot of folks called on Sunday and Monday asking about the marathon. Thanks for the support! Yes, I finished. No, not an amazing time. Yes, it was the coldest day Central Florida has seen in 20 years. No, I didn't win first place.

But then on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday I had even more phone calls, emails, questions - "Is your nephew okay?"

My nephew is in an orphanage in Haiti - an orphanage lucky enough to have all walls still standing and no children injured or killed. So yes, he is okay. But time will only tell how things play out in that country. Food and water and medicines are scarce. The number of orphans is said to have doubled. Riots, looting, sex trafficking and slavery are all imminent on the horizon.

This country needs our prayers, people.
Please pray for my nephew, the other orphans and for all those living in Haiti.

I have read the words "people who are affected by the earthquake..." But I keep thinking - shouldn't we all be affected by this earthquake? There is so much in life that should affect us - but sometimes we don't let it. I pray that I will start to be affected by more.

Please join me in praying. And giving.

42 Hours Till the Shot Gun!

And we are having record low temperatures!!!!! YIKES!

A Cat's Christmas

Those of you who know me well know that I used to be a cat-hater. Until, of course, my own little furry friends found their way into my life. Now, I cannot imagine life without these beasts. Even now as I type this, they are chasing each other around the house. One will hide in a very predictable hiding spot and pounce on the other when he gets near. Then the race around the house on the wood floors. No, they are not de-clawed, so yes - it is really loud.

Anyhow, my little guys got stockings again this year. Heidi was saying how her dog, Sam, could go and get her own stocking and get the treats out of it when told to. I admitted that my cats were not the clever. BUT....Christmas Eve, I put their presents in their stockings. They each got a creature with cat nip in it and another fuzzy mouse. Later in the evening, I walked into the living room and the cats were playing on the floor with their new toys - both stockings laying on the floor as well.

"Who gave the cat's their stockings?" I cried, disappointed that I missed it. No one did! Those guys sniffed out that cat nip and got those stockings down themselves. AND, on top of it all, they each got their OWN stocking! I'd like to think they are just super smart.

And here is Fallujah enjoying the Christmas decorations: