Update to "How we Came to Name Them..."

I finally updated my story about my last three children's names.  One of the authors from the Gift of Giving Life blog asked if I would do that so she could use it as a guest post on the blog.  Now, four months later I finally had the time to do it.  I added  more about Talita's birth, added a little more detail about our son, Tyler, and added a few recent pictures of my kids.  It was a joy to be reminded of just how much the Lord has guided and blessed our lives.

Love this quote on Motherhood

“Motherhood is the greatest potential influence either for good or ill in human life. The mother’s image is the first that stamps itself on the … young child’s mind. It is her caress that first awakens a sense of security; her kiss, the first realization of affection; her sympathy and tenderness, the first assurance that there is love in the world.”

David O McKay

The Birth of Malakai Thomas Reeves

I love so many things about this birth video. First, a real birth pool in a hospital room--not a cramped, hard tub in a cramped bathroom! I love that they let her do that. All moms & nurses need to see this! They need to know what is possible in a hospital when mom's wishes and desires are respected. Second, that everyone left her alone during labor per her request, which created the atmosphere for her husband's sweet whisper. I loved that. Third, that she and her husband calmly & quietly "caught" their baby. I was also impressed at how relatively calm and quiet the midwives stayed after the birth. The midwife rubbing the baby’s head was so gentle—such a contrast to the way most nurses rub the baby. About the only thing that bothered me was cutting the cord so early. It seemed like as soon as they cut the cord and took the baby away, they were comfortably back in their standard hospital mode, ready to do their “stuff.” Gloria Lemay has written extensively about how the cord needs to stay intact, especially in situations where the baby needs a little help with breathing. She has many suggestions of how this can be done with the baby on or next to the mama. You could tell the baby was not happy being separated by his cry. However, it appeared he was reunited with his mama pretty quickly as she was still in the pool. All in all, an amazing birth. It really looked like they honored and respected the mother’s wishes and desires. Very cool. Thanks, Mamas & Babies blog for sharing this.

OBGYN v. Midwife [The Hilariously True Appointment Comparison]

This has been my experience as well. I loved my midwives and I even loved the pregnancies where I used a midwife!

You Do Have a Choice

I saw this short (7 min) Birth Documentary on Mamas and Babies blog that has this excellent quote at the end:

"You are constructing your own reality with the choices you make...or don't make. If you really want a healthy pregnancy and joyful birth, and you truly understand that you are the one in control, then you must examine what you have or haven't done so far to create the outcome you want."
Kim Wildner
(Mother's Intention: How Belief Shapes Birth)

The documentary is pretty good too. I loved the nurses' candid explanations of the common medical procedures done during labor. I wish I could open the eyes of all women to the idea that they don't have to be a passive spectator in the births of their own babies. There is such a better way.

Moments That Matter Most

This video was awesome the first time I watched it, but it gets even better the more I see it. The mom closing her laptop...the son coming home...dancing in the kitchen...it's all good. Makes me cry.

Forks Over Knives - Official Trailer

This is an awesome trailer. I can't wait until the movie comes to my town. The research in it totally confirms Dr. Joel Fuhrman's book and Tandi Hartle's pregnancy nutrition recommendations I wrote about in another post.