Monday, June 29, 2009

Not Me Monday




This is a hard one to do this week but here we go anyway.

I did not let my 2 year old walk around this weekend without a diaper until he came and told me that he had "made mess" and pointed in his room. Indeed a mess was found!!!

I did not let the above 2 year old watch himself in the mirror and jump on Mommy and Daddy's bed and fall down to get up and do it again and again and again!!!!!!

I did not go to the store and purchase 5-12 packs of Diet Dr.Pepper when I am in the middle of a Fitness Challenge that states I don't get points when I use artificial sweetener.

I did not "finish off" my hubby's french fries on Saturday night because I didn't want the 100 calorie pack of Sun Chips with my sandwich.

I did not feel old when a former high school graduate at church returned this past Sunday as a Heart Surgeon working at the University in the next city.

It was a long week with way more stress but these are truly some of lighter times this past week. I'm already saving up for next week.....Be Ready!!!!!

Laboring With You,
Doula Mama (Pam)

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Thoughtful Thursday

Hello Everyone!!!!

I was not sure that I would have time to write today but I am making the time. I tried to come up with a clever name for today but it's not to clever I am afraid.

Some of you are aware of the situations that we have been dealing with this week. I'm choosing at this point not to get into all of the details because they don't need to be rehashed here. In all of the driving that took place this morning and into the afternoon and the phone calls and the texting between 5-6 people, to say that it was crazy and a little nuts was an understatement. Have you ever tried to carry on a text conversation with 3 people? It is not easy!!!! Well, if you are a teen, I am sure it is a breeze......Hahaha!!!!!

All of that to say, I had a few moments of quiet in the car waiting at a gas station and a few driving home and really considered the fact that....
Absolutely None Of My Circumstances Are A Surprise To My Heavenly Father. Now, just think on that for a few minutes. Nothing that I have experienced this week was a surprise to Him. WOW!!!!!! He already knew the outcome. He already knew when the phone call was coming. He knew when I was at a breaking point. He knew when the call would come that we had placement. He knew what I needed when Kaleb slept all night. He knew that I needed Him and I couldn't do this on my own. I have stop and just reflect on that and I am just blown away. He knew!!!!!! He worked each detail out. No, some were not what I had wanted. No, some did not come when I thought they should. Yet, when I finally stop and think about it......It was all about His timing and it had nothing to do with me except for me to open my fingers from being so tightly gripped around the situation and hold my hands flat open and say "Here, you do it because I can't do this anymore". WHAT FREEDOM!!!!!!

So, maybe you have a circumstance that you are dealing with and wonder who, what, when, where, why and how. He already knows the answer and He is just waiting for you to say, like Kaleb often says "Here ya go." Let Him have it and just watch what He can do!!!!!!!

Just my thoughts for you today. Extra blogtime is always a good thing!!!!!

Laboring with you,
Doula Mama (Pam)

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

THANKFUL TUESDAYS

THANKFUL TUESDAYS!!!!!!

In the midst of the stess of everyday life we sometimes need to stop and count our blessings. The old hym "Count Your Blessings" always comes to mind when I start to ponder things like this. "Count your blessings, name them one by one. Count your blessings see what God has done. Count your blessings name them one by one. Count your many blessings see what God has done." I know you can just picture singing that in church.

Ok, in the midst of the week that I have experienced, it seemed rather hard to even start this list BUT when you get going, those things that seem to be so overwhelming and things that you have no idea why or what or even who was in the middle of it. GOD will always be there!!!!!! So, here we go.........

1-Thankful for a loving and supporting husband who married me and loves me inspite of me.
2-My beautifully handsome 2 1/2 year old that keeps me in stitches.
3-My "Head-On-Straight" 20 year old that makes me so proud.
4-My friends that have stuck beside me when circumstances arose and I couldn't see the end of my nose.
5-For Godly parents that just celebrated 44 years of marriage----We don't hear that very often.
6-Thankful for a church family that is so involved in supporting and ministring to a lost and dying world. We are teaching over 300 children this week in VBS that God loves them.
7-Thankful for a Prayer Ministry that can storm the gates of Heaven for the Lost, the Sick, the Hurting and the Lonely.
8-Thankful for the challenges that I face everyday because I have a God that is bigger than any of the challenges that come my way.
9-Thankful for time that I have to spend with my family in the midst of the stess.
10-Thankful for what the Lord has allowed me to do as a Doula, a Childbirth Educator-in-Training and a Prenatal Fitness Instructor. He opens the opportunity. It is up to me to walk in His direction.

OK....now it's your turn. I can keep going but I want you to do it now. In the midst of this life that we are in........grab a piece of paper and a pen or even the comment section and list 10 things you are thankful for. If you are having "One of THOSE days"....this will change your entire focus...I PROMISE!!!!!!!!!

Laboring With You,
Doula Mama (Pam)

Monday, June 22, 2009

The Slide Show You Have Been Waiting For!!!!!!!!

Not Me Monday

Not Me Monday!!!!!
I did not wait til it wa 10pm on Monday to do Not Me Monday!!!
I did not allow my 2 year old to eat on Snicker Doodle and one Chocolate Chip cookie, 2 cups of juice and 3 crackers for dinner tonight.
I did not have such a stressful 2 days that I cooked enough to feed Pharoah's army. There is no room in the refrigerator for the groceries!!!!!
I did not that when it is 90+ degrees outside to clean out the inside of my car this afternoon and make 4 trecks up the stairs to the condo.
I did not gracefully step the wrong way in front of Starbucks and grab the table before almost hitting the ground in my platform slip on sandles with freshly painted toenails on Sunday before getting the Skinny Vanilla Latte that I had agreed not to get because I wouldn't get the points on the Fitness Challenge.......
Happy Not Me Monday!!!!!!!!!!
Doula Mama

Monday, June 15, 2009



Well, I have finally decided to join in on the fun of "Not me!" Monday's. I spent over a year reading through McMama and decided it was high time. I think that by next Monday I will have to have some written down because this is harder than I thought.

I did not allow my 2 1/2 year old run around the other evening without a diaper so that he might tell me when he needed to "use the potty" until he chose to use the floor instead.

I did not go to the pool and try to get a quicker tan by using "accelerator" when it is almost 90 degrees outside. I did however put sunscreen all over the above mentioned 2 year old.

I did not go to church with a messed up pedicure on Sunday with the polish chipping and wearing the most comfortable black sandals.

I did not go to 3 grocery stores on Sunday for groceries and still find things that I forgot when I got home.

I did not sign up for a Fitness Challenge and then realize, I can't have a Skinny Vanilla Latte from my Starbucks.....what was I thinking!!!!!!!

All in all it has been a great week. God is good all the time. This was a blast and I will see you again next Monday if not sooner, like on Friday for "Flashback Friday".....hope you enjoyed!!!!!

Laboring With You,

Doula Mama

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Grab a cup of coffee

The Story!!!!!

This is a story that I have wanted to share for some time because it has become near and dear to my heart. This is a story of love, hard decisions, a precious little girl, a very strong Mother and an awesome Grandmother( I didn't ask Donna if I could call her that...)

I met Alex early last year as a patient in the office that I work at. I do the initial interview with all of the new OB patients. We go over EVERYTHING. Her Mom came with her. I was immediately drawn to her because of a series of events that she had been through and talking with her Mom, I completely understood where she, as a Mom, was coming from.

As I sat and talked with the 2 of them I knew that there was a connection. I knew that there was something there but for the life of me I couldn't put my finger on it. I followed Alex in the office throughout her pregnancy. Each visit, each ultrasound and just visiting with her and checking to make sure that things were well with her. The other piece of this puzzle is that she had made the decision from the very first visit that she was placing her child in an open adoption. WOW!!!! I was completely blown away. Her Mom stood by her through out the entire pregnancy. This was a young Mom that had made the ultimate decision. The ultimate act of love for this precious little girl. I was just amazed.

As I followed Alex through her pregnancy, we ended up going to Childbirth Class together at the YWCA here in Greensboro. We spent that time to chit-chat and catch up. I met her boyfriend at a couple of appointments. Very nice young man.

Towards the end of her pregnancy, Alex had chosen a precious family that had already adopted one little boy and were going to adopt Alex's precious little one. I was excited for Alex and her Mom and this new family. The only thing that I was concerned about was how I was to be apart of this. What was my role going to be? What was my response going to be the day this little one was going to come? Was I going to cry the entire time? I can cry at the drop of a hat!!!!! I just knew that the only thing I could do was to pray and pray hard. I even had my Sunday School Class praying for her, this little girl and the adoptive family and for me. It was awesome. I shared no names but they always asked how "My Mom" was doing. Alex, there are so many people that love you!!!!! I went to work one day and knew that she was scheduled for an ultrasound and in walked, Alex, her Mom and the Adoptive Mom. I was blown away and what a picture of love and sacrifice for this little one. Everything went well and now it was time for us to wait for her grand entrance into this world. That is always the hard part but worth every minute.

If you remember back in March I had blogged about attending the Twinkle Twinkle event at Women's Hospital. Well, I am talking to people as they come through and my phone start vibrating. It's Alex. Oh dear, what in the world am I going to do? Early labor had started. I was thrilled. Once again, the Lord had worked it out, as He had from day one, that none of my Doula-ing would interfere with work. It was a Saturday!!!! Is He good or what???. She actually came to MAU (Maternity Admissions Unit) at the hospital and they told her to go and walk. She ended up coming to visit me at my table. Chatting right through her contractions and smiling and excited all at the same time. I was sooooooooooo proud of her!!!!!! I packed up after the event. Alex had returned to MAU to be evaluated again and to decide on if she was going to be admitted or we were going to wait. The phone call came. ADMIT!!!!!! The clock had started and the hard work was ahead.
Alex was awesome!!!!!! No epidural!!!!!! I was so impressed with her maturity. She handled the contractions like a champ. We talked her through each and everyone and for the most part, the lights stayed low and Alex remained very quiet. Her Mom and I took turns walking her through her contractions. At 6cm, she agreed to a single dose of Stadol. We talked about not fighting the meds and to just try to relax and let her body work. Well, let's just say, that was all that it took. Her Mom was assured that it would be a while and that she had plenty of time to go and take care of some business and she would be back in plenty of time. It was just me and Alex. I sat quietly. Talking her through a contraction and then just being quiet. Praying. Praying for whatever I felt that I needed to. All of the sudden, the screen changes and I realize she is pushing but she hasn't said a word. The room started with a flood of activity. I am calling a nurse, texting her Mom to hurry and we are having a baby. Her awesome doctor arrives and then you hear this running down the hall.....it's her Mom. SHE MADE IT!!!!!! She pushes 20 minutes and SHE IS HERE!!!!!! BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!! It was a moment like no other. It was all I could do to not lose it there on the spot.
Just a beautiful baby girl with so much love to give. I found out that her Adoptive parents were already at the hospital. We snapped as many pictures that the cameras could do and I offered to go out and show the parents pictures of their new daughter. What a privilege!!!!!! I was just blown away. I returned to the room. Alex was now a Mom. She had a precious baby girl. She loves her like nothing else. She loves her oh soooo much!!!!!! What a blessing.
After everything was ready, I left with Alex's permission and went and told the new parents they could come and meet this new little one. There was so much love in the room for this precious little girl. She was just smothered with it!!!!!!

It was a delivery like I have never experienced before. It was a journey that I would not trade for anything in the world. Alex will actually be seeing her fora weekend visit. She is growing up so fast!!!!! Alex is an awesome MOM!!!!! I am just so proud of her. Proud of her that she chose life! Proud of her healthy pregnancy! Proud of her awesome work with Labor and Delivery! Proud of her decision for adoption! Proud of her for keeping her goals in mind and seeing it through to completion! Proud that she has grown up in the last year to be a beautiful young woman and mother!!!!
I am thankful for her awesome Mom, Donna. I am thankful for the privilege of being a part of her life. I am thankful for being a part of this family. Thank you Alex and Donna for allowing me in to this very special time!!!!!!!!! This is why I am a Doula!!!!!

Laboring with you,
Doula Mama (Pam)


PS- I couldn't decide on what picture to add so I will add a slideshow.