A Picture For All You Crackers Out There...

I LOVE FLORIDA!!! Words cannot express how good it feels to be home right now. But that picture says it all; bare foot and loving it. Funny though, I have become completely sensitised to the heat and humidity after living in the wonderful cool of the East Bay. Right now it is 62 degrees in Naples, and the South West Coast of FL is experiencing record lows for this time of year. It's only supposed to get up to 76 today! Ha Ha! Yesterday Normy and I walked around Coastland Mall and giggled at all the folks dressed in sweaters and pants to keep out the 70s! Brrrrr! ;-)

Getting here was all a blur after coming off the high of doula school. The weekend was pretty intense for both Smoochy and I. I was absorbed in learning a craft and having the most empowering and incredible bonding experience with about 12 other would be doulas; while Smoochy and Normy had their first real mono y mono time that lasted longer than a trip to the grocery store. It turned out to be great for all of us.

Doula Training was one of the most life altering experiences I have been through. I know that is a pretty big statement to make. However, I believe that as my life continues to unfold from this point that I will be able to look back on this one weekend with these amazing women and recognise it as the spark that set me on my path. The weekend seminar was hosted/taught/lead by Felica and Nicki, best friends and two of the most peaceful and profound women I have ever met. It is no surprise to me that their reputation is San Francisco provides them with FAR more potential clients than they can take on. The generosity and beauty of their souls created this amazing place in which my fellow doulas-to-be could learn, let go, and love.

Sounds a little hokie to you? Sorry, I guess you would just have to have been there. The women I met at the doula training are as valuable to me as the skill set and knowledge that I gained on the art of supporting a woman through her labor. I learned something from each and every one of the lovely and strong women that attended this seminar. I walked away from it knowing not only all of their names, but their stories, and secrets too. It was awesome and inspiring. Even if I am never to be a doula (which isn't the case!) I take away from the weekend the experience of sharing a passion with a group and how that passion can give you an instant camaraderie and bond that allows you to open up completely with one another.

It was great for Smoochy and I too. Night after night I came home to him lit up from my experiences and it rubbed off on him. We had some of the best conversations we have had in a long time, and as a result I feel reconnected and revitalized in our already steady and loving relationship. But more that that he really had some great bonding time with Normy. Smoochy has always been a very hands on and involved father. I have never had to ask for him to pay more attention to his son. However, there is nothing quite like the 24/7 care for a child all. by. yourself. It wasn't easy for him at first because Normy wasn't used to a bottle and not only did he refuse it initially but once he got going on it the bottle often made him puke. A LOT. That made it very challenging for Smooch. However, by Sunday the boys had hit there stride and that night I came home to not only a happy and full baby but a clean house!

Now I am in Florida and Smoochy is on a plane to Germany. (As you all know!) As I mentioned in my last post this is a whirlwind trip for both of us. Neither of us had much of a chance to process it, much less pack! Doula training was over at 8:00 pm Sunday night and Monday morning at 9:00 am Normy and I were in the air on our way to Naples. If it wasn't for Smoochy I would never have gotten packed. Well, Normy has JUST woken up from his nap and we've got things to do, so I am going to leave you with a couple of the cutest shots so far from our Florida vacation!