The Weekly Newsletter for Heart of Houston Birth and Wellness Families
Looking back at 2021
As is customary this time of year we are reflecting on 2021 and our first year as a real life birth center! This time last year Mary and I were celebrating our first dose of the Moderna vaccine and patiently awaiting the birth of our second HOH baby, Evangeline. If I'm being honest I really believed that COVID-19 would not be the focus of this year's holiday season aaaaand we all know how that turned out. Fortunately we had so many joyous moments this year we'll focus on them instead! So without further ado, here are our five faves of 2021.
5. All the babies!
As of today we have welcomed thirty three tiny new people into the world! Some were born here at the birth center and some at Texas Children's Pavilion for Women. That number does not include the five Whole Heart Collective babies that joined us this year. In case you were wondering that's: One hundred and fifty two squishy cheeks (both sets), three hundred and eighty rolly polly toes and thirty eight gummy grins. It's also an infinite amount of both hope for our future and ways in which the world is now a more beautiful place.
4. All the parents!
We love watching the evolution of a family. Especially first time parents. Each parent undergoes a metamorphosis before our eyes and we have the privilege to walk alongside them as they navigate their new reality. For our veteran parents the addition of a new baby is typically a more, ahem, relaxed event if you will. They've survived early parenthood and have kept their offspring alive and they're ready to level up! No matter what number baby for these families the Heart of Houston crew does not discriminate, we love each and every person that has walked through our tiny door. I can't wait to see what this next year brings for all of us.
The Community
I have this friend who jokes that folks pay me to be my friend since my circle is made up of many of my former doula clients. Truth is many of the deeper and lasting connections I made doing doula work happen to coincide with me becoming a mother. I had a solid community of parents ready to catch me when I finally took the leap and had a baby of my own and I am forever grateful for their nurturing and guidance. My FB and IG feeds are full of families that have stayed connected for 8+ years since they were in group together. Today I see the members of our HOH families connecting with one another outside of group and it makes my heart so happy. Community can look different for each person but a group text can be a lifeline when you need to vent or ask advice at 3 am. I love watching this community grow!
2. Our community partners
We've been blown away by the support and encouragement we've received from the local birthing community. Dr. Damla Karsan, our collaborating obstetrician, has been one of our biggest champions along with area doulas, childbirth educators and a long list of other birth professionals. We plan on highlighting each of them in future Bumpdate newsletters. Thank you to everyone who has hosted an event, taught at one of our pregnancy groups or just dropped in to show your support. We appreciate you!
Each other
Starting a new business is never easy. Leaving the security of steady income to start your own practice takes big.....ovaries. Building a practice that breaks the mold and bridges gaps in healthcare is a very heavy load. Shifting from being self employed for 12 or 20 years to work a 9-5 is, well, hard. And packing up your young family and moving across the country to join a fledgling birth center is a bravery I cannot begin to understand. Doing all of these things during a global pandemic is f*king heroic if you ask me. Not to toot our own horn but TOOT, TOOOOOOT. With Mary Love at the helm, Rowan, Bethany and I have all grown in so many ways this first year as a team. There have been heated discussions, sharing of knowledge, humbling conversations, a shit ton of high fives and too many fits of laughter to count. Each of us loves the work that we do and we are enjoying doing it together. 2022 looks to be a year of phenomenal growth for Heart of Houston and we're thrilled to share it with you, our friends and family.
New Year Day hike
Start 2022 out right with a family hike in Brazos Bend State Park. Come be a part of Texas state parks annual First Day Hike. Trails are semi stroller friendly and definitely babywearing appropriate. Be sure to reserve your day pass for the 8-12 time slot and we will meet at the trailhead by the play equipment. There is a $7 per person park fee. Hike is open to anyone who wants to join us!
Our 2022 event calendar is filling up with new events. Get all the details in next week's Bumpdate!
Upcoming Events
Zoom PP Support Group Wednesday 12/29 10am Zoom.
Latch Clinic: Now on Zoom Wednesday 1/12 10am, Leah Jolly IBCLC will join our weekly postpartum support group to answer your feeding questions. We have breakout rooms now so you can spend a few min in private with Leah if necessary.
Take a Walk PP Support Group :No walk scheduled for this week.
Pregnancy Group Core Class: Online zoom When Plans Change with Mary Love 1/16 2pm -3:30pm
Infant CPR: January 23 noon - 2pm. $45 a person, masks required please email Gail Gould at cprandsafetylady at gmail dot com to make payment, RSVP here.
Ongoing Events
Postpartum Support Group: Every Wednesday from 10-12ish and Thursday 9:30-11:30. Zoom link has been sent to all HOH clients and Whole Heart Collective members. Email Jessica if you need more information.
Queer Parent Circle: Second Sunday of every month 3:30-5pm Open to the public!
Birthworkers Circle: Second Sunday of every month starting Jan 2022 time TBD
Various Childbirth Education Curriculums starting soon: Rebel Birth weekly series or weekend intensive, and Bradley Method with Anne Zwicky. Birthing from within.
That's all for now! Have a great week everyone.
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