{naked as we came}

In the months before Lucy was born, I spent a lot of time carefully selecting music that I wanted to play while I was in labor at home. I compiled CD's from my personal collection as well as from the library and set them neatly in a stack next to the CD player so they would be ready when the time came. I chose music that was calming, relaxing, and inspiring to help me bring my baby into to the world.

I ended up being in labor for about 34 hours after all was said and done. When things were easier and much less intense in the beginning, we opted to watch the Harry Potter movies. We've seen them all many, many times and it was something we could watch but not have to be too engaged in. We also love the music in the movies and thought it would make for some good background noise. We watched, we snacked, we snuggled, we talked...until the power went out the first night. No more Harry Potter for us. The power did come back on the next morning though...and back on the movies went. (Seriously...anytime we watch those movies now, I am immediately reminded of labor...)

But I digress...

The last 6 hours or so of my labor were the most intense. This is when it was time to turn off the movies and turn on the music. I was really needing to focus at this point as I quickly spiraled into the deep space that I like to refer to as "labor land". I sat on the couch with my dear friend and doula, Michelle on one side...and my husband on the other side. I felt myself melting into my own body and the music as the contractions came quickly one after the other. At one point, the song "Naked As We Came" by Iron and Wine came on and it felt so perfect right in that moment. Between contractions, I focused on quietly singing along. This has now become my song for Lucy.....the little girl who has changed my world.