This summer I had the honor of being the Doula to my sister-in-law, Jen, my brother ,Andy, and my first nephew, Malikye!

Jen was due the day after I flew in from California to Texas where they live. The clock was ticking if I had any hope of hanging out with Malikye before I flew back. We all did a lot of walking, eggplant eating, swimming, squats, and acupressure  to encourage Malikye but he took his sweet time. Since I had lived in Austin for the past few years, I took a few days to attend the wedding of a dear friend. I packed my doula bag and hoped I wouldn’t have to leave the ceremony in the middle of my reading and have to rush to the birth in heels. Malikye stayed put until all the festivities were over and I had hopped into bed before Jen’s contractions started. What a good boy, Auntie Linda got about 6 hours sleep before I got the call from my brother, unsure if his wife was really in labor.

On July 10th 2011 at 7:55pm, Weighing in at 8lbs 6oz, My nephew was born!

Jen’s labor had began early that morning. She rocked, walked and bounced her way through the every-3-minute contractions like a rock star! Andy gently held her hand, slow danced with her, and encouraged her.

Andy comforts Jen

When Jen finally got into the tub (and Andy with her!) she progressed quickly, within an hour she was pushing. Malikye, looking was born into a room where everyone from the midwives, to both grandma’s were (and this Auntie/Doula) laughing and crying at his arrival because we were filled with so much love!

Momma says hello!

No one loved him more than Jen and Andrew, and they held him and told him how much he was loved right away.

It was the best birth I’ve ever been to! I’m 100% biased because I think my nephew is perfect (breastfeeds like a champ and never lost an ounce!) in every way!

Best day of my life! Best birth of my career!

ps

Has becoming an Aunt or Uncle ever made you feel this way?