Hearts & Bones

Birth Doula & Placenta Encapsulator living in Los Angeles. Born & raised outside Philadelphia. Wife to Tommy Germ. Doggie Mom to Trebek and Zillie. Seeking fertility & freedom from PCOS. www.douladevon.com

[douladevon]

Today Mom-Mom @mfahy2 flew home to PA after a super amazing two week stay with us in CA. We are so lucky to be surrounded by many friends we call family, but when she comes to visit it’s a clear reminder that no one can ever fill her shoes. @tommygerm and I will miss having our coffee made for us every morning, and Simon will miss you playing with his piggy toes and rocking him to sleep. Thank you for loving us so much. We love you so much too and hope Batz doesn’t seek revenge. 😘😘😘 . . . . #simonpatrick#mommom#mummum#grandmom#grandson#baby#boy#firstbirthday#california#vacation#summer#spoiled#cancerbaby#funinthesun (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BzxGMXvgil3/?igshid=ey8nvi0y6j4k

[douladevon]

Baby for hire. Will smile, laugh, kiss, ugga mugga, and dance in exchange for the following: ranch, clementines, blueberries, being chased, walks in his new car, Sesame Street, songs from Moana, hanging upside down. Serious inquires only. . . . Photo by @knockedupandthen . . . #simonpatrick#babyforhire#smiles#giggles#food#dancing#walking#oneyearold#sesamestreet#moana#motherhood#momager#blackandwhite#cutie#mommy#babyboy#toddler#motherhoodunplugged#danieltiger#uggamugga#photography#babyphotography#firstbirthdayparty (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BzfDUfDAc6X/?igshid=kfuq47jften6

[douladevon]

Saturday was one of the best days of our first year of parenting. Both of our Moms few to town and threw Simon the best 1st birthday party we could have ever imagined. And then all of you came to celebrate our little boy. To everyone who has helped us this year, thank you. Your love, hugs, time, meals, money, prayers, gifts, hand-me-downs, dog walks, and advice has kept us on our feet. @tommygerm and I could not have done it without you. And most importantly, the biggest thank you ever to the woman I’ve walked side by side through pregnancy and parenthood with, @knockedupandthen, for capturing the most incredible moments from Simon’s party. I’m so lucky to call you my friend. 💛 Love and thanks to you all!!! Xoxo, The Germs. . . . . #simonpatrick#noodle#firstbirthdayparty#smashcake#one#birthday#thefirstyear#cupcake#funfetti#mom#dad#motherhood#oneyearold#happybirthday (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bzce-mkAjUk/?igshid=1x3on2kbniykr

[douladevon]

One year ago at 5:46am on June 28th, Simon Patrick entered the world. It was not an easy journey in the end. A changed birth location and care provider at 42 weeks, an extra week of pregnancy and the tests that came along with it, a home induction that didn’t work, 6 days of labor, 4 very long trips in the car in active labor, 12 hours at 9.5cm, and 4+ hours of pushing. Over the last year I’ve spent a lot of time healing physically and mentally and I’m just now finally starting to move through my birth experience and come out the other side with so many lessons learned. Motherhood on the other hand has been the best experience I could have asked for. For now at least, I know Simon is our soulmate, here for @tommygerm and I alone. He has healed our hearts, strengthened our arms, chosen his name, and showed us time and time again the power of love. He is our entire cosmos. Happy 1st birthday my sweet boy. I love you. . . . . . #simonpatrick#noodle#mushmush#blimpyboy#happybirthday#oneyearold#birthday#birth#labor#pregnancy#birthcenter#postdates#babiesofinstagram#motherhood#motherhoodunplugged#breastfeeding#healing#postpartum#soulmate#momlife#happy#family#cosmos#spiritbaby#rainbowbaby (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BzPjM4mgO0L/?igshid=1mq00avya04rt

[douladevon]

This full moon just woke me up from a dead sleep. It’s light was spilling into the bedroom so much I thought someone’s headlights were shining on our apartment. And now that I’m wide awake I’m remembering that even though Simon’s birthday is still 12 days away, he was born during the same Strawberry full moon last year. This moon is bringing me such a familiar energy that I’m actually cramping right now. #contractions ✨we are stardust 🌙we are golden 💥we are billion year old carbon 🌱and we got to get ourselves back to the garden . . . . . #strawberryfullmoon#fullmoon#labor#contractions#cycle#body#feelthethings#ruledbythemoon#birth#energy#pisces#gemini#cancer#june#woodstock#csny#stardust#golden#carbon#garden#wearestardust#baby#teething#dinosaur (at Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County) https://www.instagram.com/p/Byzf-V4ABbD/?igshid=s0cwicn3855j

[douladevon]

Happy Birthday and Happy first Father’s Day to the light of our lives, @tommygerm. Nothing has made me happier than watching you step into the role of Fatherhood. You are home, you are warmth, you are our son’s belly laugh, his shoulder to sleep on, his favorite dance partner, and his literal safety net. You are our entire cosmos. Thank you for everything you do for us every second of every day. I’ve never known a harder working man than you and you do it all for your family. Thank you for always turning towards me, even in our hardest moments. I love you. We love you. . . . . #happyfathersday#firstfathersday#happybirthday#gemini#twin#dad#daddy#dadsofinstagram#babiesofinstagram#dada#son#simonpatrick (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bywsy9yghq1/?igshid=1jo53npmer5lw

[douladevon]

A 10 minute snippet of our day: Simon tried to drink a full glass of iced tea while I was peeing. He poured it all over himself. I cleaned him up and the floor and the table and toys. Then once he was in a fresh diaper, he pooped. So I cleaned him up again. Then while I was spraying down his diaper I left him naked for two seconds and when I walked back to dress him he had peed on the floor and was playing in it. So is this toddlerhood? I’m exhausted and out of wipes. . . . . #toddlerhood#toddlerhoodunplugged#motherhood#motherhoodunplugged#oneyearold#messy#cleanup#wipes#clothdiapering#messytruth#rainbowbaby#fingerfoods#blw (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/ByrptRhAEWB/?igshid=ene75oeklw6t

[douladevon]

One year ago today (6/10) was my “due date”. LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLLLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLLLOL. That date was chosen and reviewed for weeks with my reproductive endocrinologist. It was based on the exact length of my cycle, the exact date of conception, and a very precise measurement taken at 5 weeks, 6 weeks, 7 weeks, and 8 weeks. We knew exactly how far along in pregnancy I was, to the day. But what no one knows is exactly how long each individual baby needs inside the womb. Simon needed 42 weeks and 4 days. He came in his own time, no hospital induction, no pitocin, just patience and 6 days of off and on contractions. No red raspberry leaf tea, acupuncture, birth ball, reflexology, massage, sex, walking, relaxing, eating a box of dates, castor oil, pumping, or membrane stripping was successful in starting labor. Even as a doula I was driven by fear in the end because of a 42 week deadline. If it weren’t for my husband and midwives I would have had a very different birth. Thankfully at 42 weeks pregnant I was transferred into the care of a Dr who was happy to give us more time. Simon was 8lbs at birth. . . . . #simonpatrick#nosuchthingasaduedate#42weekspregnant#labor#birth#induction#midwife#birthingcenter#losangeles#doula#babiesofinstagram#11monthsold#douladevon (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/ByhKk_jAApY/?igshid=2z65hsmms1w2

[douladevon]

Suuuuuuuuper sad little boy with 2 new teeth coming in calls for a little Toy Story with Daddy before tubby time. . Also, I’ve been waiting my whole life to take this picture, and say these words, and feel the craziness of parenting a teething almost toddler. Grateful doesn’t even cut it. . . . . #simonpatrick#teething#11monthold#toddler#babyboy#toystory#snuggles#daddy#nanny#dog#babiesofinstagram#motherhood#motherhoodunplugged#rainbowbaby#infertility#ttcjourney (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/ByZtPxMgf5D/?igshid=3pmwuauc1g7r

[douladevon]

Took this little video of my boys when we were leaving the park tonight. Captured a special visitor in the form of a blue dot fluttering near Simon. 👀 . . . . #simonpatrick#spiritguide#guardianangel#patronus#tinkerbell#follower#dad#son#babyboy#sunday#summer#evening#dusk#sunset#park (at Johnny Carson Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/ByPLN3WghRS/?igshid=kbm9otqryy4e

[douladevon]

Simon’s 10th month is filling up with moments that seem too big for such a little boy. The way he can independently play and navigate his little body without help has allowed me the ability to take a few more sips of hot coffee each day. He loves to dance to the sound of absolutely anything...dogs barking, neighbors knocking, weird tv commercials, the toaster timer, dishes clanking in the sink, and obviously Moana. Sometimes he dances so hard he falls over. He understands many signs now and uses some of them, knows who Mommy, Daddy, Zillie, Trebek, Mom-Mom, and Memes are, and we just noticed he loves to sing with us. What we thought was baby babble has turned into a different sound when we sing. He mimics our tone and rhythm in a way that has freaked us out on many occasions! Speaking of freaking us out he started waving two days ago, but not to us, oh nooooo. He’s clearly waving to what we can only hope is either my Dad or @tommygerm ‘s Dad cause he just looks up and giggles and waves and says Dad-Dad at ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. It’s cool. It’s cool. I’m fine. Life with this little boy is big and hard and even when everything seems to have gone to complete shit, he lifts us back up with a big hug and a slobbery kiss. . . . . #10monthsold#simonpatrick#noodle#mushmushman#pastel#baby#boy#teething#babiesofinstagram#waving#ghosts#mommy#daddy#perfectpitch#amomcandream (at Toluca Lake, California) https://www.instagram.com/devongerm/p/BxKI667gxET/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1067os2l4zqau

[douladevon]

Today is our last In & Out day. 42 weeks and 4 days on the outside. And you can swipe over to see what 42 weeks and 4 days pregnant looked like. Feels good to say I grew this little boy! So bittersweet to watch him grow bigger and stronger every day. . . . . #inandout#42weekspregnant#42w4d#labor#birth#birthingcenter#midwife#babyboy#breastfeeding#motherhood#motherhoodunplugged#pregnancy#polaroid#douladevon (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/devongerm/p/Bwnq_caA92b/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1shfj624s0fv2

[douladevon]

Someone replaced my baby with a 9 month old! A 9 month old with four teeth and a massive appetite who yells, babbles, and laughs at me all day. Simon can be found pulling himself up to stand, letting go, and wobbling for a few seconds before plopping back down. He can also be found nursing 700x a day to store enough calories for all of the standing and dancing and wiggling he does. My Mom resume now includes a new job title: Talent Wrangler. I have never broken more of a sweat than when Simon does not want to be held and simultaneously does not want to be put down. (This also usually happens while I’m trying to hold a conversation.) When he’s not nursing he’s crawling everywhere, snacking, dancing, eating more, yelling at the dogs, drinking water out of a regular cup like a big boy (and only spilling half of its contents), rolling around at every park in Toluca Lake, screaming Dada at the top of his lungs and then laughing hysterically, playing peek-a-boo with himself, kissing Mommy, and stealing her food. Our days are completely insane but full of giggles and snuggles. Oh man, so many snuggles. 💛 . . . . #simonpatrick#noodle#mushmushman#kindisthenewcool#9monthsold#teething#ambernecklace#crawling#standing#laughing#giggles#snuggles#baby#boy#rainbowbaby#blueeyes#blw#foodie#breastfeeding#motherhood#mommy#resume#talentwrangler#losangeles (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/doula.devon/p/Bviv7orANp8/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=19gxuh85dxdgp

[douladevon]

My little Irish Potato, Simon Patrick, spent his day cutting his fourth tooth and attached to his Mommy. 💚 . . . . #simonpatrick#noodle#stpatricksday#irish#boy#potato#pale#bald#blonde#fair#green#plaid#8monthsold#teething#attached#rainbowbaby (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/doula.devon/p/BvJAXNegtw-/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=excxz9lpgit1

[douladevon]

We’ve got a crawler! Biggest motivations were the Amazon remote and a water gun. We’re gonna need a bigger...mat. . . . . #simonpatrick#first#crawl#motivation#amazon#remote#jaws#weregonnaneedabiggerboat#crawling#noodle#rainbowbaby https://www.instagram.com/doula.devon/p/Bu6h6CAAnD0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1tquxp91him91

[douladevon]

Happy International Women’s Day. Eh, but I don’t really know what that means and it feels weird that we have all of these international whatever days but no international men’s day. 🧐 Hint: every day is international men’s day because those fuckers can take a shower whenever they god damn please! How about we just celebrate women (and all minorities) (and dogs) every day. I feel like I wrote this same thing last year. Oh well I’m tired. Ok new idea, for international women’s day this year how about all men take the mental workload on for like 48 hours. Cool? Cool. Bye. . . . . #internationalwomensday#imtired#mentalworkload#yourturn#breastfeeding#motherhoodunplugged#8monthsold#douladevon (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/doula.devon/p/BuxuLxWg_vc/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=3d2a8ftfsyvq

[douladevon]

Thank you to everyone for thinking of me yesterday and sending lots of loving messages! Simon and I were delayed getting home so I turned 33 somewhere over Albuquerque with a sleeping babe on my lap. Tommy and Simon let me sleep in and I woke up to Porto’s breakfast. Then Simon and I spent the day together and once Dad got home from work I snuck out to get the most amazing body scrub gifted to me by my favorite Doula Parade ladies @knockedupandthen @gettingzigiwithit @bloomingtreebirth @lalatheredhead So, so happy to be back in LA with @tommygerm 💜 “Yesterday it was my birthday. I hung one more year on the line. I should be depressed, my life’s a mess, but I’m having a good time.” - Paul Simon . . . . #happy#birthday#haveagoodtime#paulsimon#simonpatrick#33yearsold#delayed#flight#bicoastal#philly#losangeles#socal#californi#sunny#olympic#spa#purebliss#bodyscrub#softskin#celebrate#doulaparade#blueeyes#baby#mushmushman#bestgiftever (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuaY5_tgiAz/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1jbvu93vpe12