We're joining the Friday Introductions bandwagon, and taking time each week to introduce you to some of our amazing volunteer staff! Because our wonderful staff has grown so much, (amazing, truly.) we are doubling up each week on the introductions. First, we introduce you to Kristin, our PMAD support group co-facilitator. (say that 5 times fast!) She is blunt in the best way possible, a wonderful listener, empathetic and has just the right amount of sarcasm.
1) Introduce yourself!
Hi! I’m Kristin Morgan. I am 27, I have one baby boy, Harvey, who is almost 10 months old. My role with TMC is co-faciliatating the PMAD support group. Prior to that, I co-facilitated the grief support group.
2) How did you come to work with TMC?
I moved to Lynchburg from Rochester, NY when I was 7 months pregnant. While living with my in-laws (because that’s the living situation every parent-to-be wants…) my mother-in-law suggested I check out TMC. I did, and immediately fell in love.
Then, I had my baby and my world turned upside down. I experienced postpartum anxiety mixed with mild depression. That was 9 months ago and I’m still working through some stuff. The silver lining is that my current role as the co-facilitator of the PMAD support group is not just something I wanted to do for professional or theoretical reasons, but now its something that I have experience with and can speak from.
3) How do you take your coffee?
Mug half full of milk and half full of coffee. My mother says that I like a little coffee with my milk. But honestly, what do moms know?
4) If you could pick any vacation in the world, what would it be and why?
The Greek Isles. I am like 1/8 Greek (maiden name: Lazos) and my family migrated from the island of Lesbos. I would love to see if I could track down any living relatives. I also love exploring new cultures, places, and foods, so that would be a bonus.
Not doing that with an infant though. Refer to question 2—international travel + germs on airplanes + does this food have honey in it? + jet lag + omg is my baby crying on this plane right now!? + that guy just coughed , WHY didn’t he cover his mouth!? He must be some kind of sociopath that wants to get my baby sick. Either that or he has Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Probably both + am I going to get a staph infection from this airplane arm rest? I know a guy who totally did = anxiety provoking nightmare.
But no, I’m not neurotic.
5) What has been the hardest part about your motherhood journey?
Refer to paragraph 2, question 4: anxiety.
6) What has been the best part?
Watching this incredible person who I grew inside my body for 9 months grow (outside my body, thank goodness) into someone with a personality and preferences and joyous laughter and silliness.
7) Leggings as pants: yay or nay?
Yay, ONLY if you’re also wearing a shirt or tunic that covers your butt cheeks. The one caveat may be if you’re wearing exercise legging/pant/things. I don’t always cover my butt cheeks when I’m in those puppies. But I do most of the time because you never know who is staring at your badonkadonk when you’re slogging through that 2-mile run on the trail.
8) Favorite TV show?
If I’m feeling sophisticated and pairing my show with a Cabernet Sauvignon, I’d choose Downton Abbey. If I’m feeling goofy and pairing my TV show with a beer, I’d choose The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.
But I don’t always drink and watch my shows. Just most of the time.
9) Favorite junk food?
Cookies, cake, chocolate, sour punch straws (weird, I know), sour patch kids, raisinets, nutella, nutella and peanut butter, nutella and ice cream, nutella and apples, nutella and crackers. You get the idea.
But I don’t have a sweet tooth.
Because I have sweet teeth.
10) Best advice you’ve ever been given?
“There’s no way to be a perfect mother, but there are a million ways to be a good one.”
Next we introduce Debbie, a professional Doula and our 'Cafe Mama'. She delights in loving on new mamas and their babies, and is one of the most genuine, caring people you could ever meet!
1) Introduce yourself!
My name is Deborah Perdew, and my nickname is Debbie. I am 59, been married to the same wonderful man for 39 years and I have 8 grown children ranging in age from 36 to 17 years. I have been a home-school mom for 32 years and when my last son decided to take college classes in 2014, my home-school closed, as all 8 of my students were now High School Graduates and in College. I was directed by God to a new path. I have volunteered at Crisis Pregnancy Centers for 22 years and have had a passion to help young moms grow, become successful and flourish in their families and the community, and with the gentle nudging of friends { thank you Lauren Barnes ;) } I found myself training to be a doula with Dona International. It is the best job in the world and I was designed for it! I love being a birth doula and I have been also been able to work in the role of postpartum doula to many moms in various capacities.
2) How did you come to work with TMC?
Lauren Barnes is a dear friend and I had longed to “come alongside” her with TMC, so when she asked me if I would be willing to do childcare I said yes, and I am so glad I was given the opportunity to serve. Once I became a doula Lauren asked me to help with TMC and I was overjoyed to become part of this wonderful work.
3) How do you take your coffee?
Black
4) If you could pick any vacation in the world, what would it be and why?
Back to Hawaii to see my son, I have only been home for 2 days after a 2 week visit and already miss him dearly, plus Hawaii was beautiful!
5) What has been the hardest part about your motherhood journey?
Juggling: newborn needs, toddler needs, older children needs & desires to be met, while still teaching someone to read and keep a home running smoothly.
6) What has been the best part?
Love, I love all of my children so much and would call all of them my best friends. They bless me abundantly by allowing me to be a part of their adult lives, I wait to be invited “in” or to help and thankfully it happens often, so we are sharing life together. I had a very different childhood, so I also feel like the love we have together allowed me to heal and almost re-do my childhood with them as we played, sang, read aloud, went on adventures, cooked together, etc. and as a home-schooling mom I had all day everyday with them, they were my delight. In 1995 we became full time farmers, moving to the Eastern Shore of Maryland and the children ranging in age 16, 12, 9, 7, 5, 3 (two were yet to be born) all helped us establish and work our U-Pick Orchard and small Fruit Farm, and they reminisce about those days with us often. Those were precious days of learning and working side by side, watching things grow under our hands and enjoying the “fruits of our labor”. They all knew how important they were to us and how needed and I watched them flourish under the challenges. Love, total love.
7) Leggings as pants: yay or nay?
nay
8) Favorite TV show?
“Call the Midwife"
9) Favorite junk food?
Pretzels with hummus
10) Best advice you’ve ever been given?
Life is short, they grow up fast, love well, forgive quickly, make each day count.