a mountainous and unexplored region of the heart*

kirsten at squam, canon digital rebex xti

"Once you get over the fear it's a cinch, " she said.
And then she leaped into a mountainous and unexplored
region of her heart.

We arrive yesterday early evening and spent a few hours with K until we all got tired and needed to catch up on some much needed rest, knowing we won't get much rest soon! She's doing well under the circumstances but is uncomfortable. Her contractions slowed down and the doctor suggested she go home and get rest and monitor them, knowing we'd be here with her to take her right in when they got worse again. I think they just want her moving around to get this going. So, today we are talking her on a walk. Curious if any of you have any tips to get the labor going. Healthy, safe ones, that is.

They all feel it should be any day now and very soon. So glad we are here and not waiting at home because as long as it took us to fly and drive here, we would surely miss the birth.

She told us last night she wants to try elle~naturelle, no meds and they have a birthing tub in the delivery room. We love the hospital. Its a brand new one (only a few months old) and looks like a resort. They even have a garden path for pregnant women to walk...with a water fall. We are so impressed! The doctor and nurses are well aware of the adoption and being wonderful and sensitive about it. This whole process is blowing me away.

A sweet friend sent me some birthing visualizations to use while K is contracting during the real deal. This morning I spent time memorizing them while drinking my yerba mate. This all feels so surreal.

I feel like a protective momma bear with K and want to make sure she has all she needs. I just adore her to the core. I feel our son getting closer. We laid in bed last night knowing he will be between us soon and I put my hand there to whisper a prayer and tell him I love him and cannot wait to hold him close to me...skin to skin.

As Kirsten's mantra above says, I am indeed venturing into a region of my heart that has been unexplored. Discovering parts of my capacity to love that I didn't realize existed. Love for K, love for this baby, love for my husband and the journey of adoption.

We will keep you updated. Like I said, we are all joking around about him coming on election day. In fact,we might just borrow Obama's mantra during the birth..."Yes We Can!!!!!!". hee hee.

More soon.

{any tips on helping her through the birth would be wonderful. K and i were never able to take birthing classes together. i've done some research but i imagine many of you have some earth momma tips i haven't heard of yet...thank you from the bohos and K & T}