Hanging out on Mount Royal Spring 2011

I don't think I've ever gone 5 months between blog posts before and now I feel the need to explain myself. Clara, Leo, Marc and I are all well. We have had no major disasters, emergencies or health problems that could explain my silence. We've just been b.u.s.y.

At the beginning of this year I promised myself that this would be the year I immersed myself in my doula work. I've privately called it my year of "yes". My plan is to say "YES" to every doula opportunity that comes my way. As a result I've already witnessed 11 humbling and beautiful births, have provided countless hours of prenatal education, and have had the absolute pleasure of supporting new families in the days and weeks following the arrival of their babies. This is so the job for me.

Of course, life with an on-call mom is quite different for the entire family. I like to think everyone is coping well. Marc is very supportive, even when I disappear for 24 hours leaving him responsible for school lunches, drop offs, pick ups, and all the other little things that come up over the period of the day. Clara and Leo are also very accepting of my absences and when I come home again I get the most glorious welcome back hugs. I think the time alone with their Papa is also a really amazing side effect of this job. I feel like both kids have a better connection with Marc these days, he tells me they have great times together doing stuff they enjoy.

We are on the verge of adding another major change in our life - Marc has quit his job and is embarking on new adventures. He has taken a leap in the spirit entrepreneurship and has been enjoying telling everyone that he is taking an early retirement. Who knows what the future will bring but we are open to all of it.

Self portrait on the mountain

For anyone curious, you can find me on my two doula business sites:
MotherWit Doula Care - a collective of doulas who work together in the Montreal area
Doula Laurel - my personal little spot on the web.

Marc is working on a few projects... I'll share as they become available. For now you can check out SaveWall.com in its Beta version.