Dear baby...in my client's belly,
I can't wait to see you especially since your due date was last week.
See you soon :)
Your doula!
xox

T'es tellement belle avec tes cheveux plein de soleil et de vent, tes égratignures, tes bleus, tes mains sales, ton eczéma, ton nez qui coule...

a little rainy day

 

note: an entire night vomiting and she doesn't even look tired! 

Mother's day present (DIY)

Alice, with some obvious help from her second family (daycare), made watercolor coffee filter flowers for me. This is sssooo adorable!

 

 

 

Soon, I will be a "real" doula!

Dear Alice,

Your mom is freaking excited! 

My very first client will soon be in labor as her due date is May 18th. I have a mini "heart attack" every time my cell phone rings!

I completed my training a few months ago and I immediately started to give prenatal classes to two lovely couples. I had a real blast creating all my documents and, to be honest, I think that I'm doing a great job transmitting my passion and knowledge regarding childbirth, breastfeeding, post-natal care, etc. That being said, I realized that active listening will be my best friend and that it is very wise to carefully select what to say because there is such a thing as over communicating.    

Of course, sharing theoretical information is fun but what I love the most is to empower future parents by slowly making them realized that they naturally have the abilities to embark on this amazing adventure. The little knowing glances between them as they get more confident is such a rewarding gift.

At the end of each prenatal meeting, I always thank them to include me and trust me, a perfect stranger when you think about it, during that very intimate moment...a moment when women (and men) are vulnerable yet extremely powerful.

Alice, you are not a baby anymore but you are still my little girl so please forgive me if one morning you wake up in the family bed and the "boobies" are absent. I know that you won't appreciate this situation (and that your father is scared shitless of this very precise moment) but I wanted you to know that your mom is having (well, I hope) a wonderful time and that you will have all the "lait de maman" that you want when I get back home...probably extremely tired but totally amazed by the miracle of childbirth.

Je t'aime
Maman xoxo

 

note: picture and business card from the lovely Bess!

girls just want to have fun

 

My friend, a wonderful Waldorf mom, knows how to make my daughter happy!

She also knows how to make my wall/furniture/clothes/dog/and toddler messy...with colorful black board chalk!!!

(note: very strong color pigments but also very washable)

For my little cat lady!

Wooden "cat lady" and her best friends ;)
by Mielasiela

Crazy, I forgot to post that picture!

Dear Alice,

A few weeks ago, after a visit to the Botanical Garden...

Me: Alice, can you remove you winter suit please?
Alice: No Dodo (toddler talk for sleep in French)
Me: (smart ass me) On the carpet?
Alice: Dodo
Me: (smart ass me) Would you like me to pat your back while you sleep on the carpet?
Alice: Yes
Me: (smart ass me) But of course my love. 

3 minutes later

Me: Dan, we have a "problem".
Dan: Should we let her sleep like that?
Me: I don't know...

You woke up 2.5 hours later!