A special afternoon, for a special mama-to-be...

Last Saturday, I had great pleasure in being involved in a beautiful Blessingway ceremony for my wonderful friend Merrin.

A Blessingway is a lovely alternative to a traditional baby shower, where the mother is supported and pampered by her closest friends in celebration of the impending birth. Here is a link if you want to read more about the tradition:
http://www.natureschild.com.au/flex/blessing_way/68/1

And here is the glowing mama-to-be, Merrin (2 days shy of her due date)...

Mel and I comparing our bumps.... I think Mel's was kicking her in this pic...and then hers kicked mine....My beautiful friend Eefje...Preparing to be pampered, with some Henna on the belly...Whilst the Henna was applied, we went around the circle and each of us presented Merrin with a bead for her blessingway necklace and a blessing flag we had created to be displayed in her birthing space. Here is me presenting Merrin with one Charlotte had created for her...

Belly henna applied... time to sit back, relax, eat chocolate and chat... The most amazing group of women... many of whom keep me centred and sane...Merrin and I both have two wonderful midwives attending our births. Clare (left) and Sal (right)...Feeling squeezy...Lighting candles from Merrin's purple birthing candle, that we would then re-light at home when we knew Merrin was in labour...Showing our support of the mama-to-be... And the sun sets on a beautiful afternoon....