No go - passed Julian off to Andrew.
I've been thinking a lot about gratitude. I remember last September, when Leah told me that she called Ina May Gaskin to ask about birth (and having the best birth experience) and that Ina May had told her that, "Its all about the gratitude." When Leah told me that, I didn't get it. I remember thinking . . . hmmm, maybe, but for me, its all about being relaxed and hypnobirthing and staying in the moment, breathing, etc., etc. In light of Julian's birth, I realize that its true - it IS ALL ABOUT THE GRATITUDE. I have a newfound appreciation for everything, since Julian's birth. Here are a few things I'm ever so grateful for:
Regarding Julian's birth:
-Bill Dwelley-having a midwife that is experienced, quick thinking, assertive and calm was everything. Had he been anyone else, things may not have panned out the way that they did. Had I been in the hospital, I would've had an emergency c-section and Julian probably wouldn't have made it. There wouldn't have been time to get him out alive. The fact that it didn't work to try to push the cord back in and we resorted to pushing Julian out asap was his life saver.
-My supportive, loving, generous, admirable parents.
-Being able to give birth to three beautiful, healthy, lovely children in my home and holding all three in my arms, without interrferance or intervention of any kind (dispite unusual circumstances such as prolapsed cord, not breathing right away with Julian and cord wrapped around neck with Francesca.) Had I been in the hospital for 2 of 3 of my children's births, my babies would have been whisked away for lord knows what and I would have missed out on that bonding experience, when all along, they were perfectly fine.
In General:
-My three healthy, perfect, sweet, loving, fun, creative, sensitive children.
-My husband who supports us and makes it possible for us to live our carefree days. He's a great dad and loving husband.
For Thanksgiving, we usually go around and say what we're thankful for, so I had this huge speech planned out in my head, but we didn't do that this year, we just said a blessing and went for it . . . so here is what I would've said, wanted to say, but didn't:
-Thank you to my family, for being so loving and supportive and kind and generous and influential to me throughout the years. I don't think I'm always an easy person to love, but you do it and you teach me how to be a better person in doing so.
-Thanks to Andrew for working so hard so that I can stay home and be a mommy for our children. And thanks, too for the children! I love them!
-I'm thankful for my entire family, not just my immediate family, for EVERYONE. I have a lot of love for all my extended family. I wish I could see you all more, that we lived closer, but I guess we just have to enjoy the time we do have together. You should all start blogs so that I can live in your lives, too. Love you all!
