amed and sidemen

we spent the week traveling the beautiful island of bali. after working so much for the past five weeks, it was really nice to relax by a pool and not be on call at any moment. we could not have picked a better spot than ahmed where our hotel pool looked over the ocean. i took nancy's advice and worked on my tan; the last time we talked on skype, she commented that i was looking too pale and needed to get a tan. so, i have one now as she saw last night! i am greatly enjoyed getting it this week!

we also met up with some friend in sidemen (pronounced like cedarmen but without the r) at a retreat center for great veg food, swimming in a river by the largest mountain in bali and laughter, laughter, laughter. we watched the sunrise and sunset as often as we could either over the ocean or over the mountain. we felt like fish after all the great times we spent in water this week.

ez worked on catching a cold and is now wiping snot on my shirt when she lets up on nursing long enough for me to wear one. this is making me feel pretty overwhelmed right now and i would appreciate some good mama thoughts b/c i am not having many myself. shame on me.

in birth center news, i have attended about 15 births now. the day before i left, i got to attend two births and one was very special. i have gotten to know the parents via prenatal visits and spent over 12 hour with them in labor doing all kinds of fun stuff like moxibustion and calling in the chiro to give her (and her mil) an adjustment at 8 cm. there was a part going on in the afternoon at the clinic so there was lots of really yummy veg food, all the volunteers and staff and their fams, some priests and dr. spock's wife, of all people. ez grabbed her backpack, then informed me she was going to her best friend's house and kissed me goodbye. i felt a bit like it was first day at preschool or something else equally weird (clearly for me, not her!) where she was independent before age two. (and, yeah, now i am struggling with her being a bit too attached...where is the balance?) the birth was beautiful and so many funny things happened as well as heart tugging beauty like a dad and mom singing into their first born's ear. yep, i was crying. it was a great last birth before heading out into the wonderful world of bali.