Pregnancy was difficult for me. I resented having to share my body with someone else. It was hard to look at gaining weight positively. Sleep evaded me that last trimester. It was impossible for me to feel comfortable both physically and emotionally. I had so much anticipation over labor and giving birth. My due date came and went. Weeks went by and I was miserable. I had never waited so long for something I wanted so badly. Finally, I called a friend to come help me with a project to celebrate my over-ripe belly. We giggled and laughed through the half-day process. I got completely naked and smothered myself with Vaseline jelly to prevent my fur from sticking to the gauze. Layer by layer, a plaster bust of my pregnant body took shape. The experience provided me a whole new perspective of my body- I was a flexible, nurturing, living container.
Three days later, my water broke. Thirty hours later, I gave birth to my first son. Holden Frasier Perry weighed 7 lbs 11 oz. He's been an amazing addition to my life. I feel enriched and blessed for all of the struggles of pregnancy and birth. Today is his first birthday. Today, I am celebrating the limitless love, the mystery of creation, the joy of feeling movement and life inside you, the pain of contractions, the blood of birth, and the sacred strength of a woman. Today, I've painted this reminder to myself. I am thankful and humble.