GOOD MORNING!
How was your week? Did you and your kids participate in any Halloween festivities? Eating your kid’s candies counts (yummy mini Caramilk bars, anyone?)! We’d love to see your costume pics, so please send them our way.
Halloween musings
I never really liked Halloween. I think I stopped going out when I was 11. While I love candy (anything soft and squishy!) I’m not a fan of dressing up. I see these families that dress up in themed costumes, like the Adams Family or The Incredibles, and think, ‘That’s so cool! We should do that’. But I know deep down I won’t. But I do love seeing my kids get all excited. (Sylvia)
Game: Which doula gave birth to these children?
What we’re reading
Heather is reading The First 40 Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother by Heng Ou:
This is a stunning coffee-table-worthy book that will make you feel safe, held, and nourished just reading it. This is how postpartum looks in most other cultures around the world, and how it should look here, where 25% of new parents get postpartum depression. As a team, we focus a lot on the new mother and this book is a great way to start!
Mika is reading: The Birth Conspiracy – Natural Birth, Hospitals, and Doulas: A Guide by Rivka Cymbalist:
Move over ‘What to Expect When Expecting’! This book is a practical guide for anyone interested in learning about birth. Rivka Cymbalist, one of Montreal’s most respected doulas, and my Doula teacher, captures how each birth is very unique. A must-read for Doulas and parents who are interested in working with Doulas!
An evening out
Jenny saw the amazing play Other People’s Children at the Centaur Theatre:
I don’t know how to summarize this play in a sentence that would do it justice! It was an intense dance between a couple trying to figure out their ever-changing family, including the addition of a live-in Nanny from overseas. It’s not the kind of play you walk away feeling like all is peacefully resolved. It’s raw and real and not hopeless, but… haunting. If I were in the thick of maternity leave I’m not sure I’d want to see it, but five years out, it was just phenomenal. Big congratulations to everyone involved!
What we’re watching
Sylvia: I just finished watching ‘The Haunting of Hill House’ on Netflix. Very fitting since it was Halloween this week too. I really liked it! It’s a great story about family, grief, and ghosts, of course. And there were just enough jump scares to be on the edge of your seat or jump into your sweetheart’s arms. BOO!
Affirmation of the week
Heather: “I will welcome my baby in peace and joy.” from The Nurturing Root: 30 Birth Affirmations and Quotes that will Inspire You to Rock Your Birth.
How Doulas Relax
Ayda: I’ve started knitting and find it really meditative. It took me awhile to get the hang of it, but I watched some tutorials on YouTube which were helpful. There are lots of great patterns online too. Scarf, anyone?
Best Baby Gear
Brrr….can you feel winter coming? You’re going to want to keep baby nice and warm when it’s -20! What better than a cozy Sac Igloo from 7 a.m. They also have some really toasty baby carrier covers for those really cold days when you just need to get out.
Favourite recipe for the new mother
Mika: I love plain popcorn! Popcorn is high in fibre and contains zinc. If you sprinkle a couple of tablespoons of nutritional yeast on it (which you can buy at the health food stores) you’ll be adding vitamin B to your daily intake too. Simple and nutritious!
What we’re working on
Birth, birth, and more birth!
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Well, that’s been our week!
We’d love to hear from you. Any particular item you enjoyed? If you have any anecdotes or mom and baby gear to share with us, we’d love to feature you in an upcoming episode!
Have a happy Sunday,
P.S. Are you on Instagram? Follow us on our Rock the Cradle profile and we’ll follow you back!
