Here I sit at a PACE meeting, the only one present, yet again. But hey, it’s guaranteed time out of the house and if someone needs the support, I’ll be here. Plus it gives me time to think and accomplish PACE/PPD things that I have been meaning to do but just can’t get to while caring for a 3 1/2 year old and and an 18 month old! (Like write Senators and design publicity items!)

Preggo brain has officially taken over though – I came here last week even though there wasn’t a meeting. No wonder NO ONE showed up! hehe!

On a plus side, I did the Maternity Fair this past weekend. The interest was great, I nearly ran out of brochures! I also got a primo spot – right up front so that when people walked in, I was one of the first booths they saw. I was very very happy with that lovely surprise. Suppose it helps that I know the woman who Coordinated pretty well but I certainly didn’t ask for a primo spot. Just lucked out!

I had some great conversations with a lot of moms and with quite a few professionals. Managed to network more than anything. Plan on following up with that this week. My approach towards folks was just to let them peruse the table and if they picked up info, I thanked them, if they had questions, I answered them. I had one husband pick up info for his wife and also had quite a few women thank me for my work which was a reward in itself. I don’t feel that being pushy about PPD is something that is necessary, especially when dealing with the pregnant population. Certainly don’t want to add to their fears at all. When pregnant moms approach me, I tell them about the group and always add that hopefully this will be the only conversation we have, but if they need me down the road, I am here for them. That line always gets a giggle or two.

I have another fair coming up in October, sponsored by the place we have our meetings. The table/spot is free, so of course I’m going to take advantage of it. I’m also going to try and get home to my parents’ house sometime soon. Mom wants me to take two weeks but with the way the PACE meetings are between now and December (and um, factoring in that I’m nearly 5 months pregnant now), it’s just not possible. Plus if my mom and I are together for more than oh, three or four days, things get um, tense. I love her dearly, but we do better at a distance and we both know it. Even with nearly 400mi in between us sometimes things still get tense.

Back to the maternity fair… hopefully I will soon be doing training/educating with some local breastfeeding counselors as well as a local hospital’s L&D staff. I also managed to meet & greet with some local doulas and ran into an old college friend who is a child photographer now. Pretty cool! (We last ran into each other here when my husband and I were just getting ready to move to SC so it’s been awhile!)

I gotta run, it’s 40 minutes into the meeting, I’m still solo, and I have some specific projects I would really like to get done this evening if no one shows up.

Remember… if you are suffering from PPD:

You are not alone

You are not to blame

You will be well with help!