Birth Fair!!

There is a wonderful birth fair happening tomorrow - I'll be there with PPRDA, and I am very excited to be a part of it!

Accounting - what??

So I am still wading through a swamp of business related information - it reminds me of when I first started researching dairy goats (or doula training, for that matter). At first, it is a huge, overwhelming cloud of professional opinions and helpful (or not so much) tutorials. Books, websites, blogs - arg! But as we have had our goats for almost two years now, I think we are getting the hang of it. Not to say we know it all, or that everything we do is 100% efficient, but I feel less.. stressed about it. After I start wrapping my head around a new topic, I really get into the research and can glean truly helpful information from the stuff I don't need.

It's nice to have that example in my mind as I beat my head against a wall, trying to figure out how businesses work; I know it won't be overwhelming forever! :)

Colorado SBDC!

As I am new to the world of self-employment and business ownership, I contacted the Colorado Small Business Development Center last month to make an appointment for business counseling. I was not expecting to get a lot out of it, but I was very pleasantly surprised! The counselor (a CPA for this session) answered all of my questions and got me off on the right foot for the next steps of my small business. If you own a small business or are thinking about starting one, I would HIGHLY recommend their services. They offer counseling, classes, and many resources for all aspects of a small business, and their services are very reasonable (frequently free!).

I am really looking forward to diving in and continuing to set up my business, knowing there is so much support and help available - thanks SBDC!

Doula Network

I am working on getting my name out on doula related websites, and I just signed up at Doula Network. It's pretty cool! Check it out..

Hospitals are Busy!

My husband had surgery last week (it went very well!), and as I waited for him I was reminded how strange a place a waiting room is. Not necessarily in a bad way at all; it just feels like time has stopped. You know that the only reason you are there is to wait, and you can occupy yourself until your waiting is over; BUT it is hard to live in the moment when you are away from the action and presented with the hard work of waiting.

"Hard work?! Waiting? No way!"

Seriously! I only just recently became attached to the idea of waiting as hard work. It really resonates with me, though - truly existing, being fully oneself, and still accepting the questions of waiting is very difficult. And filling the waiting with constant noise or busyness can cloud the mind and stall growth. Dealing with thoughts and emotions as they come across your mind allows you to be prepared for the resolution of your waiting - growth happens in waiting, and growth is not easy or simple. Waiting is hard work!

I am reminded that life is what is happening right now, and the act of waiting for the next life event is hard to integrate into a balanced and healthy life - dating, marriage, pregnancy, children - each event is something to look forward to, but be careful that you don't just look forward instead of choosing to look around and  experience.

Relationships

I attended a beautiful birth this week - I am so blessed! The thing that struck me as we supported momma during labor was the blessing of relationships. Momma had the support of dad, an amazing team of nurses, two attentive doulas, a wonderful doctor, a caring family, and many eager friends. As a doula, I know that I can offer a special, unique relationship to a laboring woman - I can be a safe listening ear, an understanding gaze, a comforting touch, a supportive shoulder, a gentle word or suggestion. What I cannot offer is history; I cannot be the one who has watched her grow and nurtured her through childhood, loving her as only a mother can; I cannot be her rock, stabilizing her and showing love and concern and acceptance like a spouse or partner; I cannot give her medical care, observing and analyzing and interpreting data like her nurses and doctor can. I am not a best friend or a sister, but I offer a piece of the puzzle. And each mother's puzzle, each mother's need is a little different, and that's ok!

I think that sweet little baby will be incredibly supported by not just a loving family, but a loved family. That is a beautiful thing.

~*H