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Pregnancy & Childbirth
December 4, 2002:
 Thirty-Eight Weeks

I was still feeling really rotten. The doctor gave me antibiotics because it turns out I have an ear/eye/throat infection.

I had really been looking forward to the Blessingway and terrified I'd have the babies before I then. So, even feeling horribly ill, I was terribly excited. Everyone filed into the basement and I was told to wait upstairs. I really hate surprises and was excited and anxious. Finally April came to get me!

As you headed down the stairs, there were white Christmas lights strung on the stairs heading down. They had moved all the furniture around and made a cozy nest for us to sit on the floor in a circle. The circle area was separated not only by furniture and lights but tulle hung from the ceiling and skirting that entire section of the room. They had a ton of candles and no other lights but the white lights and candles. There was a low table for the "alter" in the center, and a ton of pillows (particularly for me!). They even had my belly casts up surrounded by candles. It was simply gorgeous.

We started the ceremony by Eve reading some ancient Blessingway information and describing the alter and the items on the alter. Then we smudged the room and ourselves. Then we passed around a beeswax goddess candle to light our votives (which had purple ribbons) as we introduced ourselves and told of our mothers, grandmothers, children and grandchildren. April then started the Blessingway Necklace.

She said such nice things and described each bead she placed on the necklace. She also surprised me by having beads and blessings from Sharon and Pam. Everyone went around the circle adding beads and saying very inspiring things. Some people had read poems, or written them, other spoke from the heart about birth, about strength, and even about me. It was very uplifting. We were all in tears.

Juliet, my friend, made more traditional blessings. Kim, another dear friend, wove us in yarn, and we cut the pieces after we were all tied together and tied them to our bodies to be kept there until the babies are born. Juliet placed a wreath of roses on my head, and officially the ceremony was over.

It was so amazing and powerful. I felt so lifted up and strong. I really wish more women had amazing friends and circles like this to help encourage them on their life's journeys.

We piled upstairs for yummy deserts. At this point I was so tired and ill, I just laid on the couch. Denay, April and Hilary actually massaged me until I was near sleep. It felt great.

December 5, 2002:
 Thirty-Eight Weeks, One Day

Still sickly and snowed in. April is busy cleaning and the kids are playing outside. I just want to crawl in a hole...

December 6, 2002:
 Thirty-Eight Weeks, Two Days

Today was much of the same, though tonight we had a party for our friends for Chanukah. It was laid back and full of good food.

Lilah and Benjamin both got sick in the middle of the night. *sigh* Hopefully I won't get the stomach bug too!

December 7, 2002:
 Thirty-Eight Weeks, Three Days

I actually left the house today. My sister and I went shopping with April. We also went to lunch. I was exhausted with not much effort. Walking isn't very comfortable. My hip really hurts badly, supposedly because one of the babies is breech and laying on that side. I'm used to my back hurting so this is new...

December 8, 2002:
 Thirty-Eight Weeks, Four Days

April left today. It's sad! She was so helpful. Not to mention I wasn't behaving and having the babies for her while she was here... She said she'd forgive me and that she was here when I needed her because of being ill and having the kids home from school. She'll just have to come back.

December 10, 2002:
 Thirty-Eight Weeks, Five Days

What a great day! After all of those contractions, I got out of bed with no sleep. I was tired and cranky, but I headed to the scheduled ultrasound. Kevin actually went with me, which is a big surprise. The biggest surprise was yet to come. Baby B (Nose) turned vertex (head down)!

Never in a million years did I think it would happen. It was a very pleasant surprise. I was all prepared to give birth to Nose breech, but what a relief I don't even have to think about it now. It must have been all that rubbing on my Blessingway necklace last night...

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Photo reprinted with permission of Robin Weiss.

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