I started having steady contractions and awoke at 12:30am with stronger and more frequent contractions. After timing over two hours, it was certain, Esther and I were officially beginning the birthing process. My birth partner, my daughter and another sisterfriend, Esther, departed for the Birth Center at 3:30am or so. We got settled in as my contractions continued thru the morning.

My attending midwife, Maureen, a rockstar for a womyn... suggested that since I hadn't yet dilated past 5 centimenters in 4 hours, that she might send me home. Okay, I was not at all interested in resuming from scratch the many contractions I had already vested at this point and I was confident that this was it... Maureen put me in the birthing tub, gave me some homeopathic and before we knew it, contractions were back to back and I had dilated to 8 centimeters! Of course, the really hard work was on the horizon but we knew it was gonna happen very soon.

So, onto the bed and onto my side I went! My birth team... Cat, Donia and Doreen supported me physically, mentally and spiritually, and Maureen kept me focused and brought forth Esther in 2 pushes... there's a lot of detail in between there that I won't go into, but know that it is no small wonder that Esther has arrived, strong, healthy and vibrant, and that I came thru the same. I was in the best of hands.

My daughter Mich'al handled the call list and cut her baby sister's cord -- I distinctly recall her saying "I love you Mama" just after Esther's entry from my womb...

Everyone is resting, bonding, and peacefully embracing the wonder of Esther. We are thankfull that she and I are both well and that we're able to be together.

I am a blessed womyn... I have a wonderfull sister circle, friends, and family who have supported, encouraged, loved, and sustained us!

Esther - hebrew, meaning "star", also derived from persian "Ishtar" goddess of love, war and fertility.

Amaris - hebrew (Amarit), promised/given by God; also, born under the moon

Esther is named for her great, great paternal grandmother, Queen Esther Byrd