Gardens and Belly Bliss

The other morning Sam and I met up with the rest of the learning co-op at Red Butte Garden for a field trip, wrapping up our month of nature lessons.  I was surprised at how long we were able to spend meandering through the paths with a gaggle of little ones.  They LOVED exploring the paths and plants.  At the end we spent some time in the children's garden where they were able to get thoroughly soaked in the fountain, climb on enormous lizard statues and crawl inside vine-covered houses.  It is a really magical place- for kids and grownups. Then, as if the day weren't lovely enough already, I dropped Sam off at his aunt's house and went and had the most blissful prenatal massage of my life!  Ooh, just thinking about it makes me go all squishy and relaxed again...  I had a few massages when I was pregnant with Sam, and they were good.  I mean, it's hard to go wrong with a massage, especially when you're pregnant and achy.  But this was in a whole separate category of its own.  Rebecca Overson (remember her beautiful birth story?) has a peaceful little office just around the corner from my house where she works muscle magic.  The thing that made her massage different is that I could just tell that she had been pregnant before.  She just knew exactly where the sore spots were and how to work them out.  Oh, and the coolest thing?  I got to lay on my stomach!  That alone was practically worth it.  I havn't laid on my stomach for months, and it's one of those random things you miss.  But she has these special adjustable pillows so you can lay all supported and face down. 
I'm such a believer in taking time for Mom.  I was so sweet to Sam and Clay after having a little pampering myself.  And it doesn't always have to be something like going out and getting a massage (but sometimes, it does!), a quiet walk, half an hour with a book or in a bubble bath, these go a long way to restoring balanace and sanity and making me feel human again.  But, if you're preggie right now, a few massages from someone who knows about pregnancy aches and pains, are just what the doctor ordered!  And seriously, if you have a pregnant friend, forget the cute baby clothes, toys etc.  Just get her a certificate for a prenatal massage.  You will be her best friend!  I think Rebecca even has a few specials going on right now, including a new client special.  You can also get credit toward your own massage if you refer friends (doesn't everyone know at least have a dozen pregnant ladies?).