PS- I did get that doula client!!!! Thank you so much everybody for cheering for me!
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Everyone Needs a Friend
PS- I did get that doula client!!!! Thank you so much everybody for cheering for me!
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Tomorrow I have my first interview with a potential client!!!!
Rebecca Smoochy
Doula Services
(123) 456-7890
smoochy4life@gmail.com
(123) 456-7890
smoochy4life@gmail.com
My services include:
• 2 prenatal home visits.
• Assistance with birth plans and birth options.
• Phone contact during pregnancy and after the birth.
• Continuous support through labor and delivery.
• A home visit after the birth.
• Photos of birth and newborn baby if you desire.
• A detailed chronological birth log.
• Lactation Support (within my scope of practice)
Childbirth is one of the most profound and intimate events in a woman’s life. A woman’s memory of childbirth is often deeply imprinted within her; and can have a profound effect on the way she views herself as a mother. It is my commitment as a doula to ensure that each mother and her partner are fully supported and cared for during this critical and formative moment. As your doula I will work to offer you physical comfort, emotional support, and to help you find your own voice in labor. This is the birth of your child! My purpose is to help facilitate your goals. I believe in your choices, and will help you gather information about the course of your labor and your options. It is my goal to provide safe, nurturing, and continuous care for my client and her partner to ensure the best possible outcome of their birth.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Q & A
In her last comment Ariel asked:
"I just wanted to ask about the two jacobs. Why did you name ur baby jacob? Isn't it confusing when both ur boys have the same name? And how did u come up with normy? Does it have a meaning? (If u don't mind that is)."
As long as I've known Smoochy he's wanted a son named after him. There is a long line of Jacobs in Smoochy's family and we wanted to carry on the tradition with our firstborn son. Plus, I love the name Jacob so I was glad to give him a namesake. As an added bonus, Smoochy's mom is also named Rebecca; so there are two generations of Jacobs born to Rebeccas! I've always thought that was pretty cool.
But it's not confusing because I really do call my husband Smoochy. Seriously. All the time. That's what he calls me too.
As for Normy, we really call him that as well. It got started as a joke and just stuck. Smoochy's uncle used to call his little brother Norman (not his real name). But Smoochy remembered it differently, and told me that the uncle called all of the cousins Norman regardless of age or sex. That cracked me up. I could just imagine a ton of little kids running around and this uncle shouting, "Hey watch out you little bunch on Normans!" So when Normy was little we used to kid, "Ah he's such a Norman!" Which morphed in to Normy and some how stuck. Normy will respond if you call him that. But he also responds to Jacob as most of our relatives don't like to call him Normy. I would never have named a child Norman, but I love the name now. I just associate it with my gummy grinning fatso of a baby boy!
As long as I've known Smoochy he's wanted a son named after him. There is a long line of Jacobs in Smoochy's family and we wanted to carry on the tradition with our firstborn son. Plus, I love the name Jacob so I was glad to give him a namesake. As an added bonus, Smoochy's mom is also named Rebecca; so there are two generations of Jacobs born to Rebeccas! I've always thought that was pretty cool.
But it's not confusing because I really do call my husband Smoochy. Seriously. All the time. That's what he calls me too.
As for Normy, we really call him that as well. It got started as a joke and just stuck. Smoochy's uncle used to call his little brother Norman (not his real name). But Smoochy remembered it differently, and told me that the uncle called all of the cousins Norman regardless of age or sex. That cracked me up. I could just imagine a ton of little kids running around and this uncle shouting, "Hey watch out you little bunch on Normans!" So when Normy was little we used to kid, "Ah he's such a Norman!" Which morphed in to Normy and some how stuck. Normy will respond if you call him that. But he also responds to Jacob as most of our relatives don't like to call him Normy. I would never have named a child Norman, but I love the name now. I just associate it with my gummy grinning fatso of a baby boy!
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
On the Mend
Thanks everyone for your well wishes. Normy is a trouper, and despite some pretty wicked diarrhea he's doing much better. I can totally handle the poopy stage of this icky bug better than the puking. The poor guy couldn't keep anything down yesterday. But, I hear it's going around. From the East Coast to the West Coast kids have the stomach flu.I've got to admit, I was woefully unprepared for this motherhood gig. When Normy was first born I had some serious misconceptions of how it would be.
For example, after reading Dr. Sears I was convinced that if we simply co-slept our baby would feel so secure, content, and loved that he would never ever cry. I expected him to get a little fussy when it was time to eat or have a diaper change, but I thought the rest would be smooth sailing. Imagine my surprise when colic set in at about 6 weeks old. Sure he slept great, but when he was awake he was SCREAMING. And the fact that he's a great sleeper? I think that has more to do with his love of shut-eye than co-sleeping. I don't think he even realized he was in our bed those first three months. He certainly didn't notice when we put him in a crib.
I also thought if we used disposable diapers they would never leak. Um, no. That theory was quickly debunked. It's not even worth discussing how crazy that one was. And in fact, if it wasn't for a commenter on this blog I would not have realized that the shoulder-laps on his clothes could be used to peal soiled outfits off him without going over his head. Thank goodness too, who knows how many more sleeper sacks would have met their end on my scissors...
But, my biggest shock has been that breastfed babies do indeed get sick. Well, crap. Somehow I imagined my immunity-rich-boobie milk to be this super impervious defense against all viruses and bacteria. I snobbishly ASSumed that the only babies with runny noses were bottle fed kids in daycare. I was a moron. Normy has now had two colds and one stomach virus; all of which have been mercifully short-lived. But I am sure there will be many many more to come. And there's no stopping it.
There may be a few of you reading this shaking your heads in disbelief, wondering 1) how in the world I've made it this far; and 2) why the government doesn't require prospective parents to take a class or an exam before procreating. Well, 1) I'm a quick learner, as long as I can do it the hard way. And, 2) proposed testing has already been squelched by network lobbyists for fear of loosing their pool of cast members for reality TV shows.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Normy VS the Flu
Rotavirus 1, Normy 0
Regular scheduled blogging will resume after my baby can hold down a meal...
Monday, February 12, 2007
I Am Not Quiting
If you can make it through this post there is a Normy related treat at the end!!!
The doula training I attended was held in a beautiful second story Victorian building in San Francisco. After I ascended the stairs and entered the warmth of the studio one of the first things to come into view was a vase teaming with a dozen long stemmed red roses. On the first morning of the weekend-long class the roses were still tightly closes buds. By the following night once our training was complete all the roses had opened to their fullest bloom almost as if on queue. It was the perfect metaphor for the intellectual and spiritual growth we aspiring doulas had undergone together. Our wise instructor invited us to each take a rose home with us. I gladly and triumphantly brought mine home, dried it, and placed in a vase on my mantel to reminder me of the all the fabulous women I had just gotten to know, and as a daily reminder of my goal. I saved it to remind me of my aspiration to truly become a doula.
Since then I look at that rose every day and feel a little sad, and a little disappointed in myself. I really have not done much to further my dream.
Why not?
Well, I could use a ton of different excuses. The holidays overwhelmed me. Normy and I have only been home two out of the last four months; and never in one time zone for more than three weeks at a time. Plus, he is still so small and until recently was exclusively nursing. Bla Bla Bla… excuses.
The truth of the matter is that I’ve been a pussy about it. I’ve never been good with follow through. It is my single greatest weakness. I have never seen ANY goal to completion. When the going gets tough (or boring, or uncomfortable, or scary), I quit.
And even more than that, I’ve never had a real goal before. I’m 28 and this is the first time I have ever REALLY wanted anything enough to call it an honest-to-goodness goal. And frankly, I’ve been a little scared.
Scared to put myself out there.
Scared of rejection.
Scared of just all-around sucking.
It easier to read books on birth and doulas; to read blogs by doulas, to day dream about becoming a doula than it is to actually take steps to become a doula. And I’m unsure about what the next step is.
The little voice in the back of my head whispers, “Silly, the next step is to attend a birth.” Then my knees get a little jiggly and my stomach does this flipping thing. To make that happen I have to talk to people; in a way I have to sell myself.
I’ve always hated doing that. When I was in Girl Scouts (That only lasted one year…before I QUIT) and it came time for cookie sales, I was useless. Where other girls had the guts to hit up all their parent’s friends, their neighbors, and to go door-to-door for blocks and blocks, I felt uncomfortable asking ANYONE. My order form was turned in for one box of Thin Mints for my mom, and that was it.
I tried my hand at real estate for a short stint after I had QUIT work on my masters. After QUITING real estate I used to quip to people, “I simply don’t have the intestinal fortitude for shameless self-promotion required to flourish in that business.” As though if I said it with big words it some how made it okay that I didn’t have guts because I had brains. Ick. I had made the cold calls, I knocked on doors, and I passed out my card. I just wasn’t willing to do it vigorously enough to get the pay off.
And trust me, I know that becoming a doula isn’t really like selling Girl Scout cookies or like getting listings. But the weakness in me that prohibited me from doing those things is the weakness in me that is tripping me up now. And I have to get over it.
I have to work through it. Because THIS TIME I really do want it. I really do feel like I will be a wonderful doula. I never felt any really passion for history or real estate. I was just doing those things to have something to do. I am on fire for work as a doula.
OK, well the pilot light is burning, now I just have to give it some gas.
I am going to do this. And here is my plan.
1) Network Network Network. I will get in-touch with doulas in my area. I will ask them advice and pick their brains regarding the work they do and how they got doing it. I won’t feel confident taking on clients of my own until I have mentored under someone and actually seen a birth or two. I will start this week!
2) I will get signed up to observe the prenatal training at a local hospital. This is the next step to completing my certification requirements and will give me a chance to meet some parents-to-be who might be interested in working with a doula-in-training. (I’ve already contacted the hospital)
3) I will be more open with my acquaintances about the fact that I am aspiring to be a doula. I do a couple Mommy n’ Me-type activities with Normy and this is the perfect place to put myself out there and possibly get references.
4) Set aside time every day to study childbirth, lactation, prenatal nutrition, etc. The more energy I put into educating myself the more confidence I will have when the opportunity presents itself for me to speak with a potential mentor or client.
I wish I had more items in my plan, but this is a start, and I am sure I will be able to add more to the list as I start doing the above mentioned. Things in life tend to build momentum once you just get the ball rolling.
So that’s where I’m at. Hopefully I will start posting more doula related stuff on this site as I get my ass in gear!
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The doula training I attended was held in a beautiful second story Victorian building in San Francisco. After I ascended the stairs and entered the warmth of the studio one of the first things to come into view was a vase teaming with a dozen long stemmed red roses. On the first morning of the weekend-long class the roses were still tightly closes buds. By the following night once our training was complete all the roses had opened to their fullest bloom almost as if on queue. It was the perfect metaphor for the intellectual and spiritual growth we aspiring doulas had undergone together. Our wise instructor invited us to each take a rose home with us. I gladly and triumphantly brought mine home, dried it, and placed in a vase on my mantel to reminder me of the all the fabulous women I had just gotten to know, and as a daily reminder of my goal. I saved it to remind me of my aspiration to truly become a doula.
Since then I look at that rose every day and feel a little sad, and a little disappointed in myself. I really have not done much to further my dream.
Why not?
Well, I could use a ton of different excuses. The holidays overwhelmed me. Normy and I have only been home two out of the last four months; and never in one time zone for more than three weeks at a time. Plus, he is still so small and until recently was exclusively nursing. Bla Bla Bla… excuses.
The truth of the matter is that I’ve been a pussy about it. I’ve never been good with follow through. It is my single greatest weakness. I have never seen ANY goal to completion. When the going gets tough (or boring, or uncomfortable, or scary), I quit.
And even more than that, I’ve never had a real goal before. I’m 28 and this is the first time I have ever REALLY wanted anything enough to call it an honest-to-goodness goal. And frankly, I’ve been a little scared.
Scared to put myself out there.
Scared of rejection.
Scared of just all-around sucking.
It easier to read books on birth and doulas; to read blogs by doulas, to day dream about becoming a doula than it is to actually take steps to become a doula. And I’m unsure about what the next step is.
The little voice in the back of my head whispers, “Silly, the next step is to attend a birth.” Then my knees get a little jiggly and my stomach does this flipping thing. To make that happen I have to talk to people; in a way I have to sell myself.
I’ve always hated doing that. When I was in Girl Scouts (That only lasted one year…before I QUIT) and it came time for cookie sales, I was useless. Where other girls had the guts to hit up all their parent’s friends, their neighbors, and to go door-to-door for blocks and blocks, I felt uncomfortable asking ANYONE. My order form was turned in for one box of Thin Mints for my mom, and that was it.
I tried my hand at real estate for a short stint after I had QUIT work on my masters. After QUITING real estate I used to quip to people, “I simply don’t have the intestinal fortitude for shameless self-promotion required to flourish in that business.” As though if I said it with big words it some how made it okay that I didn’t have guts because I had brains. Ick. I had made the cold calls, I knocked on doors, and I passed out my card. I just wasn’t willing to do it vigorously enough to get the pay off.
And trust me, I know that becoming a doula isn’t really like selling Girl Scout cookies or like getting listings. But the weakness in me that prohibited me from doing those things is the weakness in me that is tripping me up now. And I have to get over it.
I have to work through it. Because THIS TIME I really do want it. I really do feel like I will be a wonderful doula. I never felt any really passion for history or real estate. I was just doing those things to have something to do. I am on fire for work as a doula.
OK, well the pilot light is burning, now I just have to give it some gas.
I am going to do this. And here is my plan.
1) Network Network Network. I will get in-touch with doulas in my area. I will ask them advice and pick their brains regarding the work they do and how they got doing it. I won’t feel confident taking on clients of my own until I have mentored under someone and actually seen a birth or two. I will start this week!
2) I will get signed up to observe the prenatal training at a local hospital. This is the next step to completing my certification requirements and will give me a chance to meet some parents-to-be who might be interested in working with a doula-in-training. (I’ve already contacted the hospital)
3) I will be more open with my acquaintances about the fact that I am aspiring to be a doula. I do a couple Mommy n’ Me-type activities with Normy and this is the perfect place to put myself out there and possibly get references.
4) Set aside time every day to study childbirth, lactation, prenatal nutrition, etc. The more energy I put into educating myself the more confidence I will have when the opportunity presents itself for me to speak with a potential mentor or client.
I wish I had more items in my plan, but this is a start, and I am sure I will be able to add more to the list as I start doing the above mentioned. Things in life tend to build momentum once you just get the ball rolling.
So that’s where I’m at. Hopefully I will start posting more doula related stuff on this site as I get my ass in gear!
And Now!!!
Poofs with Normy...
Poofs with Normy...
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Sunday, February 11, 2007
The Blog as Baby Book
Norman the Tank: 8 Months Old, 23 lbs, 28"
Tomorrow Norman turns EIGHT MONTHS OLD. My head is swimming. It’s hard to believe Normy was ever the squishy newborn with the giant cone-head depicted in this picture. He’s gone from being our pet rock to this vibrant little guy who eats at the dinner table, laughs, and rolls around our living room like a tumble weed. (Thanks Amber for that analogy, I use it all the time!) We are entering an extraordinarily fun stage of parenting.
Normy has been a vocal little dude for a while now (as witnessed by last months green bean encounter). However, just within the last week or so I’ve noticed the faintest hint of consonant sounds creeping in to his vocabulary. The slightest of “Doo” and “Goo” is audible when he is quietly chatting to us or his favorite toys.
Among which are his ponies, his airplane puzzle board, and his stuffed kitty. How funny, two of the three of these toys I received at Smoochy’s Aunt’s house for Hobo-Christmas!!! I cut off the manes of the Little Ponies because he was eating the plastic hair. Now he will sit and repeatedly stroke the little stumps of their tails. It is so adorable!!! He is fascinated by the airplane puzzle pieces and delights in flipping over the puzzle and then picking up each individual piece for inspection. He also spends a good deal of time with them in his mouth.
His fascination with toys and his ability to manipulate those toys has been such a benefit! Not only is it hilarious to watch him attack all his little pop-up animals (For example, he furiously slaps and grunts until each of them have been closed under their little trap door once again. Ahh the order of the universe has been restored!) but, I am relieved to finally be able to set him up with something to do that allows me the freedom to attend to other things. We are in this blissful (if however brief period) where I can leave him contentedly with his toys in one spot, walk away to ______ (eat, vacuum, make a phone call, get the mail…) and return to find him just where I left him happily playing.
Not that Normy isn’t making strides at independent mobility. As I mentioned earlier, he is a champion roller. He can successfully get from point A to point B by steamrolling. This has served him well for the last month or so, but it is lacking some in efficiency. He often misses his mark or gets to his destination facing the wrong way. He has been working on the army crawl, however he is having some trouble coordinating his left arm, which more often than not stays pinned beneath him turning his crawl into a tumble. I’m please that he is trying, and even more please that it is taking a little bit. I am nervous about baby-proofing the house. I know soon I am going to have to give up my new found free time in order to chase him from one end of the house to the other!
He is still our toothless wonder. He’s experienced no drool, no restless sleepless nights, and no other sign that teeth could be in his near future. This isn’t slowing down his desire to eat though. He is a champion stage 2 Gerber baby food eater. He LOVES bananas, apples, pears, sweet potatoes, carrots, green beans, squash, and barley cereal. The only food he has ever snubbed is peas. And seriously, who could blame him? I’m not sweating it; I hate peas, and will probably NEVER serve them at my dinner table. Anywhoo…Norm’s doing great with thee meals a day and enjoys his sippy cup of water. Pretty crazy huh? My little man is really growing up.
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Well, he’s up from his morning nap. So I’m off to read him a story and sing a couple rounds of Itsy-Bitsy Spider (Which he goes NUTS for!). I hope every one had a great weekend and this new week gets off to a good start for y’all!
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Just another day with Normy...
"Hey Mom, can I help?"
"Yea! I love folding clothes!!!"
"Here, let me help you with that."
"Mom, why are Daddy's underwear so big?"
"I just...can't...quite..."
"Oh crap."
"Forget it. This chore sucks."
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