the mama's and the papa's

I made KC and I "papa" and "mama" collages to focus on throughout the pregnancy and during labor. I just finished mine (with just a few weeks left!), so here they are!!

In my many years of taking many many photos, I've managed to build up quite a collection of doubles. I used mostly old photos in my collage, including most of the cloud pics, all the flowers and trees, and all the landscapes.

I wanted all of the elements to be represented to be reminded of my strength. The flowers are to help me visualize my cervix opening up in case I am having any difficulty dialating. I even have a mama and baby giraffe at the bottom to help me get through the labor knowing that at least I'm not giving birth to a giraffe! The butterfly represents our spirit guides and ancestors who have been watching over us and the baby this whole time.

Detail of the Mama collage...the goddess in the center came from a calender...a very empowering image of birth. The womyn at the bottem are Ali and Lila from our troupe. They will be at our birth to offer support and the power of dance and sisterhood.


KC's is made mostly using old calanders I've gotten from Sundance. It's great...after February, all the calenders we had in the store for sale for that year are taken off the shelf, covers pulled off to send back for credit and tons of free calenders for the employees!

The image in the middle is of a native american man with an eagle painted on his back. This image reminded me of KC's deep-rooted spirituality and love of nature and all living things. On the left is Oregon...the trees with the blooming magnolias, the tepee as the yurt KC had built in our backyard, and my immage within, nesting and growing our baby. On the right is Minnesota, our true home. The picture of the tree in the center is from the boudary waters area (from a 'great forests of this country' calender), as is the rainbow at the top. The light shining thru the trees is what will be guiding us home when we soon return. The light above KC is his focul point, with baby in mind, to guide him thru our labor with strength and clarity.


Here is what the flyer turned out like that Heather made from our Bryce Creek pics. I have this in a frame with the background a mosaic of a tree picture that I tore up for the pieces.