Tree of Life Midwifery

The Dream

Upon discovering that I'm pregnant, I quickly calculate my estimated due date, May 24th, 2007. I check, "Butler's Lives of the Saints" to see whose got a Feast Day around that time. I like the name Philip, but Stephan says no to Neri as a middle name. I also like Madeleine for a girl. Later, Nicole suggests Olivia and it's settled. (Mind you, this is still the same night I had a positive pregnancy test. I'm funny that way.) I love that name, and refer to the cluster of cells as, Olivia Rose, frequently. Nicole and Theresa just call the baby, Wayne... some inside joke, I don't know.

Then at around twelve weeks, I have a dream. It was like the "Fantastic Voyage". I get a special ultrasound that enables me to shrink down and take a journey into my own body. So cool! I was walking into a large room that is my own uterus! There are several babies in there of different races. (This may reflect my motherly affection toward the babies I've help into the world or possibly my desire to be a foster mom.) and then I saw MY baby. He's was actually wearing a little suit. I recognized him as my own by those distinctive thick Cajun eyebrows! He was pouting...clearly pissed off! "Oh, what's wrong?" I asked. He scrunched his eyebrows even more, "Every one keeps calling me OLIVIA!"

I woke up laughing so hard. I'd seen him, it's Philip! He's only 12 weeks from conception and already a force to be reckoned with. He's not even born and he already has complaints. That's my kid alright! He's assertive and a snappy dresser.

I better brush up on my mothering skills, read some more books...I've got to warn the world...make room... Philip Andrew Melancon is coming! Now I'm really scared; it looks like he's here to stay!

A week later, I have an ultrasound and sure enough, no doubt, BEHOLD THE MAN! I donate all the pink baby clothes my sister gave me to the crisis prenancy center.

Philip 24 weeks 4 days