Special Guest

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today's blog will be contributed by the mother of Iris and Birthday girl today!

 
Reflections from Alisa Dawn Rasera-Holden's last moments of pregnancy &1st couple of days of motherhood:
In the spirit of technology, here is a recap from text messages on the early eve of
Tuesday, 9/21/10 -

stage notes:(Alisa's cell from home Alameda after an afternoon walk on beach to Wally's cell on Treasure Island as he was in final prep for huge production)

Alisa: 4:38pm-What time is your dinner break?
Wally: 4:51pm-How's rainbow?
Alisa: 4:58pm-Giving me low back pain:( but good! Mom may be en route back.
Wally: 5:05pm- That is what I thought am not planning on being here tomorrow.
Alisa: 5:08pm- U might be able to!Mom is going to leave in a  bit from LA. U should be fine finishing out the night. Alarm will sound if needed. I'm sorry honey:(
Wally: 5:12pm- I want to be there to be your support. If your mom is coming then I should be there, I don't want to miss anything!
Alisa: 5:13pm-u won't!! only come if you feel like you can leave. I really seem OK.Im in touch with midwives. U r closer than my mom! When you can, call me k?
Alisa: 5:16pm- On 2nd thought...totally not opposed to u coming home:) I don't know how to time this mess!

(fast forward to  9/22/10 moments after midnight.. staring at the little rainbow dancing around on my tummy, while we sing "You are My Sunshine")


Did anyone check the gender? No rush, really! We waited this long!
These are the moments that change my life forever... in the MOST wonderful way!
I loved the blessing of being pregnant but while those 7 hours on Tuesday night were the hardest I have EVER worked, they were full of purpose, support, resilience, trust & love.

Iris Grace has already taught us so many life lessons in her brief time here on earth & out of utero. Heck, she taught us a lot while in utero! Today is my 38th birthday  ( which I really did think I'd be literally sharing, but Iris was very committed to being a last minute Virgo girl instead:)
She is the result of every birthday wish I have made for a very long time! For those who are familiar with the mysterious journey to parenthood, the reward of a long wait with lots of twists & turns is that I have never been more certain about the desire to have this child, grateful for making the choice to desire her & that our souls were completely meant to be. Listen deeply to your heart as families come in soo many ways if you just stay alert to your call. "Being ready" for us, was being present & truly keeping the faith... whatever that can mean:)

Watching my sweetheart Wally, embrace being her Daddy is the other great reward of this week! He is (as I always knew he would be by watching him with our doggie!) a gentle , loving, protective
,nurturing, excited, humorous, kind, adorable & patient person in this exhilerating time for our family.

He was a dream birth partner & brought all of himself into those wild card moments with Iris & I & for that I am extremely grateful!
The outpouring of love from our families, friends & neighbors has been above & beyond ( and that includes but is not limited to facebook posts, emails, calls, texts, gifts, flowers, food, prayers & thoughts!)
Iris knew what she was arriving to... a world that has joys& sorrows;conflict& resolution; hope & darkness; a community with outstretched arms of love  that will help hold her up when she needs holding & teach her to reciprocate. Her birthday makes mine have new meaning & has filled the space in my heart  that has been vacant & awaiting her arrival for so long!

The spirit of my Grandma Schefers  told me while looking at a full arched rainbow "not to worry honey, she is coming!" She was so right:)