Mary Breastfeeding Jesus: Christmas' Missing Icon

I saw the following Huff Post article: Mary Breastfeeding Jesus: Christmas' Missing Icon and wanted to share it. The writer makes some very interesting points about the church in regards to its shift in iconic photographs and artwork over the years. There are some beautiful pictures at the end of the article as well! Enjoy and Happy Holidays!

NBC's "The Voice" Opens Season Finale With Touching Tribute For Sandy H...

First Miracle BY A.E. Stallings

First Miracle BY A.E. Stallings

Her body like a pomegranate torn Wide open, somehow bears what must be born, The irony where a stranger small enough To bed down in the ox-tongue-polished trough Erupts into the world and breaks the spell Of the ancient, numbered hours with his yell.

Now her breasts ache and weep and soak her shirt Whenever she hears his hunger or his hurt; She can’t change water into wine; instead She fashions sweet milk out of her own blood.

i just want a damn pap

Yesterday I went for my annual GYN appt. I had an appointment with a new doctor who my friend recommended. I got to the office just before the appt (which as at 4:45pm) and my first thought was "oh shit" this is going to be a while. You see, there were about 10 women in the waiting room - waiting for 2 doctors. Not looking good... So I filled out the paperwork, returned it to the woman at the desk and sat down. I grabbed a magazine and flipped through it while watching the depressing news on TV. A half hour went by...I told myself...okay...be patient...

Twenty minutes later, I decided to ask what was up. The woman at the desk said "Dr. Behindschedule is running 45 minutues behind"

"I have been waiting for over 45 minutues."

"Let me check your chart"

A couple minutes later, she came back and said "It's going to be about another 20 minutes"

Now I was about to walk out at this point, and some people may have does just that but I needed a pap and a script, plus I had waited 6 weeks to see this doctor! And my friend said she was really nice! So I decided another 20 minutes was fine.

25 minutes after the 20 more minutues had passed, I seriously contemplated leaving. But I NEEDED A PAP! and my Rx!!!!!

Finally at 6:30 a nurse called me in. When she took me into the little room and asked me to remove my sweater so she could take my blood pressure, I explained that it might be a little high after that waiting room experience. She replied "yeah, this always happens with these evening appointments..."

WHAT?????? This is normal? Okay, I guess I have to find ANOTHER GYN!

The only saving grace was that I only had to wait another 8 minutes (naked) to see the doctor who was in the room for a total for 6 minutes. And thankfully (for them) I had no co-pay because I would have flipped my shit if I had to shell out money after that.

So that saga of finding a good GYN contintues......and boy do I feel bad for all of the pregnant women who have to deal with these horrible OB/GYN offices.

Fall cold remedies

Elderberry Syrup

As the weather shifts and colds are going around try this great (and yummy!) Elderberry Syrup recipe. It helped me fight my cold!

Other awesome cold remedies:

Astragalus tea

Ginger tea

Coldcalm

Luvs' Breastfeeding Commercial

This is hysterical. I love the mom, she is so sincere looking.

"When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives means the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving much advise, solutions or cures, have rather chosen to share our pain and touch our wounds with a gentle and tender hand."

-Henri Nouwen

Life is Terminal

Blossoms fall and weeds grow wild

Enjoy the ride dude

-Craig Kyusen

nursing panda

I have always loved pandas....and now this! Nursing Pandas!! Beautiful!

Healing from a Traumatic 1st Birth

This morning I woke up with a text from a past client who gave birth to her 2nd baby boy early this morning. She gave me the stats of the baby and wrote "Great birth!" I was so happy to hear this as her first birth was quite rough and left her feeling unsure about what she wanted for her 2nd birth. This time around, she ended up achieving what she wanted the first time: an all natural birth. This is the 2nd time in the last couple of months that I've had a past client contact me to tell me similar stories. It got me thinking about birth trauma and how subsequent births can truly HEAL some of the scars from traumatic births.

If you have experienced a traumatic birth, you may be frightened the next time around, as was the case with this client of mine. We met early in her pregnancy to discuss her birthing options. She expressed to me that she really wanted to try again for a natural delivery but was afraid because of what happened the first time around. When we met, she had been seeing her primary OB/GYN and wasn't sure if she should switch because he was very C-Section happy. I encouraged her to explore other options and she did end up switching to a very well-known midwife in the area. She signed up for hypnobirthing classes. She prepared for this 2nd birth and worked through her fears.

So when I recieved the text from her this morning that said "Great birth!" I was immediately curious as to how it went! She had a perfectly natural, uncomplicated birth. Here are some good resources about preventing traumatic birth as well: http://givingbirthwithconfidence.org/2-2/traumatic-birth-prevention-resource-guide/

Birth in the Squatting Position

Birth in the Squatting Position

GRAPHIC!

I saw this awesome video at my doula training. It is a must watch!!

happy friday :)

Happy Friday! This story warms my heart: Bulldog Adopts Litter of Orphaned Kittens

a lovely homebirth story

http://celebritybabies.people.com/2012/08/15/josie-maran-blog-homebirth-backyard/

Check out the link above for a beautiful homebirth story. My favorite part is when she tells how she was wearing her necklace that was made for her by the ladies in her life at her shower. A necklace with blessings for her birth. This is my favorite part of a baby shower :)

Here is how I do it:

-Include a little note in the invitation for each lady to bring a bead of her choice along with a story, prayer or blessing about pregnancy, birth or mothering (or you can specify birth wishes only, its up to you)

-At the shower, gather all the ladies together and go around the room to have each lady present her bead with her story/prayer/blessing to the mother-to-be

-Have someone designated to create the necklace as you go

Voila! A beautiful momento for the mother to take home

a new cousin to love

Today I am reminded of how lucky I am to be part of a such a huge, wonderful family. My cousin gave birth to a beautiful, healthy baby girl this morning, they named her Emma. When my grandparents had 8 children, I am sure they had no idea how much love would come from these little creations. Now we have a family full of love that keeps growing each year. I feel so blessed to be one piece of this puzzle of two hearts that were joined together. Congratulations to my cousins, Katie and Len, on their new bundle of love.

Home Birth Debate goes on

“What we're talking about is felt risk rather than actual risk,” explains Barbara Katz-Rothman, professor of sociology at the City University of New York and author of much scholarship on birth, motherhood, and risk. Take our fear of flying. “Most people understand intellectually that on your standard vacation trip or business trip, the ride to and from the airport is more likely to result in your injury or death than the plane ride itself, but you never see anybody applaud when they reach the airport safely in the car.” The flight feels more risky. Similarly, we can look at data showing our risk of infection skyrockets the second we step in a hospital, “but there's something about the sight of all those gloves and masks that makes you feel safe.”

From the article: How to Scare Women by Jennifer Block

"The midwife considers the miracle of childbirth as normal, and leaves it alone unless there's trouble. The obstetrician normally sees childbirth as trouble: if he leaves it alone, it's a miracle." —Sheila Stubbs

"Pain is good...it lets you know your alive"

I am currently taking anatomy and physiology 2 at a local community college and have "fallen into" a couple of conversations with women in my class that somehow turn into talking about childbirth. Of course I always run with it and ask the women as many questions as I can. One of my classmates, Sue, went into detail about her pregnancy and birthing experience with her 1 and only child. She told me some crazy stories: riding motorcycles, going off roading and just living the way she normally would. When she described her birthing experience, she told me she didn't take any drugs. She said she enjoyed being in control of the situation and participating in the labor. When we talked about the pain, she said "Pain is good....it lets you know your alive." Needless to say, I thought she was a pretty cool chick and appreciated her honesty about her birth experience. She said she wouldn't have had it any other way.

birthing tip of the day

Simple advice from a new mom:

GET A DOULA GET A DOULA GET A DOULA

(I didn't ask her to say this)

What really matters after the birth...

"Write off the six weeks after birth. Don't blame yourself for a single thing and expect nothing of yourself. This is what matters: that the baby is fed somehow, held, kept warm, and that you get enough sleep that you don't go crazy, and that you are both healthy. This is what doesn't matter: anything else - not whether the baby is on a schedule, not what either of you wears, not whether that other woman who was due around the same time is doing better than you are, not whether you love the baby yet, etc." -anonymous

Check your ego at the door

Advice from mommy Sam:

1. Get the puj tub! Nothing has saved my back more, haha. It's this fold up tub that conforms to your sink so you don't have to bend over a newborn in a big tub. Love it.

2. Even if it gets really tough, you have to keep in mind that it will always get easier. My first was so hard, but it did get easier.

3.don't take it personally if you have a tough baby. It's not because you're a bad mother! Babies are born with their own, separate personality and some are just grumpy. Has nothing to do with you and all you can do is ride it out!

4. Check your ego at the door and accept as much help as possible. The beginning can be rough and you need your strength.

tip about sleep(less) shock!

"...biggest shock for me was the sleeplessness and early 5 am wake up calls. I knew about the frequent wake ups in the first 3 month but did not know it would last even till now, 18 months old, even with trying cry it out, it does not work. He periodically sleeps 2-3 weeks through the night, but than has weeks of waking up...i think teething. So I wish someone had told me to expect not to have a child who sleeps through the night. Everyone always asks, how does he sleep? Is he sleeping through the night? I have tried everything the books say and he doesn't. I thought it was me or I did something wrong, but now I think it is all temperment . Most people whose kids sleep did nothing to make it happen. So I wish someone would have told me it's okay if they don't sleep though, it's tough, but there is nothing wrong, it's normal, it's okay and you're okay!"

Motherhood.....a new tip

Motherhood is often described as a selfless job which is definitely true. Changing diapers, feeding an infant and many other things of this nature will become your new routine. My wish for you is that as you enter this selfless time in your life, that you remember to set aside time for yourself. It is the best gift you can give yourself, your baby, and your partner. Do not be afraid to ask for help from family, friends and neighbors because having a baby is not meant to be a walk in the park. Take time for yourself every day, even if it is just to take a shower. I know this seems like a simple tip but it is something I so often see new moms forgetting to do. Take care of yourself so that you can take care of your baby.

tip from a new mom

tip from a new mom

I wish that someone had told me how hard the beginning of motherhood would be. That being a mom was not happy and fun in the beginning at all. It is physically painful and emtotionally tiring and you feel sad for a while. It really takes about 3 months before you start to feel good about the entire thing.

Tips for moms to be

Tips for moms to be from a new mommmy

Here are some things I wish someone had told me:

1. Research and meet up with expectant moms/new moms in your neighborhood BEFORE you give birth. That way you will already have people to support you and compare notes with when the baby arrives.

2. Arrange to have someone very close to you (your mom, mother-in-law, or sister, or hired help) provide ROUND THE CLOCK help during as much of the first month as possible. Especially when your husband/partner has to go back to work. It should be someone you won't feel shy about asking to help you with specific tasks, like making you a meal, taking out the garbage, and doing your laundry.

3. If you plan to breastfeed exclusively, you should try to pump a few feedings early on and have your husband, or other helper give the baby some night feedings so you can get a few long stretches of uninterrupted sleep.

4. It may sound silly, but practice opening and closing your stroller and taking the car seat in and out of the car before the baby comes so you are really familiar with these new tools. It was overwhelming and frustrating to wrestle with them and deal with the baby at the same time.

5. Stock your pantry and freezer with healthy food that is easy to make and eat quickly.

Pregnancy & Postpartum Mood Disorders and Depression

Pregnancy & Postpartum Mood Disorders and Depression HELP IS AVAILABLE 24/7 - call 855-422-2255

The Postpartum Resource Center of New York

Postpartum Progress

Postpartum Support International

i carry your heart with me (i carry it in my heart)i am never without it (anywhere i go you go,my dear;and whatever is done by only me is your doing, my darling) i fear no fate (for you are my fate,my sweet i want no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true) and it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant and whatever a sun will always sing is you here is the deepest secret nobody knows (here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows higher than soul can hope or mind can hide) and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart) e.e.cummings

Thalasso Bain Bebe par Sonia Rochel

You were pregnant for nine months; you are postpartum for the rest of your life. -Robin Lim

THINGS THAT MATTER

OUR LIVES BEGIN TO END THE DAY WE BECOME SILENT ABOUT THINGS THAT MATTER
-MARTIN LUTHER KING JR

The Night You Were Born

The Night You Were Born

Dear Oliver,

I met your Mommy pretty late in her pregnancy with you. From the moment we met, she expressed how ready she was to meet you. We all thought you would be born very soon, however, you stayed nice and comfortable inside Mommy through the end of August, and then through Hurricane Irene which I thought I would have to go out in to get to your birth. But you had other plans.
Your Mommy, Daddy and big Brother Henry had been anxiously waiting your arrival for a few weeks before you decided it would be a good time to come. Then on September 4th you were ready. And I mean ready! Your mommy called me at 5:30pm to say she thought that it would be the night! About an hour later, she called again and said the contractions were 10 minutes apart. An hour later, they were 4 minutes apart! So we all left for the hospital. When I arrived at the hospital around 8:30pm, your mom was in very active labor. The contractions were about 2 minutes apart and strong. Your mommy was amazing through each one, moving around and coping beautifully. Not long after I arrived, Mommy said she needed to push. Daddy and Henry walked in just in time and after about 5 minutes of strong pushing, you were born - perfect in every way. The look of love and joy on Mommy and Daddy’s faces was priceless. When you were first born, you gave out a nice cry but then settled peacefully on your mommy’s chest and nursed for the next hour. It was a beautiful moment of bliss.

Happy Birthday Oliver!

"Where I live, there are rainbows..."

"Where I live, there are rainbows..."
By B. Wong

I am an 80 year old grandmother of a dozen precious grandchildren ranging in ages from 4 days old to 27 years reflecting a rainbow of ethnic backgrounds – Chinese, Hawaiian, Spanish, English, German, Korean, Norwegian, Italian, and French. I was born in Paradise – in Honolulu on the island of O’ahu when Hawai’i was still a territory of the United States of America.

As a child, I lived on the beach at Paiko Drive, gathering seashells and catching tiny fishes. Every summer was spent on a ranch in Upcountry Maui. My spirit was able to expand by the sea, the sky and the wide-open spaces. There was time for dreaming and watching clouds by day and counting stars at night. I was introduced to the best of Portuguese culinary arts by Godmother Santos who bakes the most delicious bread in her outdoor brick oven. I was also introduced to Japanese cuisine by the Goyas, a family I lived with.

I was fortunate to have inherited the rich traditions of the Chinese, the Hawaiian and the Spanish from my forebears whose adventuresome spirits impelled them to come to our islands by sailing vessels from China and Spain. The Chinese brought their shrine of Buddha and the Spanish, the cross of Jesus Christ.

From the Chinese, I inherited their work ethic, their industriousness, love of study, deference to elders, a reserve, and an appreciation of the creative delicacies of the Chinese cuisine. My father, respected physician, worked 7 days a week for 26 years without ever taking a vacation.

From the Hawaiian, I inherited a love for the aina, for the ohana, family & children (my maternal grandmother cherished each of her 15 children), for the music and dance, for the unhurried way – time to listen, time to laugh, time to talk story, time to relax, time to enjoy simple things in life – ho’omanawanui (after my maternal Chinese grandfather died, my maternal grandmother reverted to her Hawaiian culture – language, dress and food – back to fish & poi).

From the Spanish I inherited a passion for God, a deep and abiding faith and love from His Church. Forever etched in my mind is my favorite painting of Jesus – El Prendimiento by the premier Spanish painter, Goya, which may be seen in the El Greco museum in Toledo, Spain.

From the American, I inherited my educational and spiritual formation. The Maryknoll sisters and priests from the East Coast – mostly Irish, nurtured my soul and brought me into a deeper relationship with God. As a child of 7, I was taught to sing ‘Jesus, Jesus, come to me, all my longing if for Thee’ – a simple hymn that would precipitate a momentous personal encounter 36 years later.

The Ursuline Sisters in Westchester, New York (an order founded by an Italian) completed my Higher Education in Fine Arts and led me into a deeper contemplative life.

An incomparable year at the Sorbonne in Paris, la plus belle ville du monde – an introduction to La Vie en Rose, a taste of the finest in French culture and the culinary arts, as well as the extensive subsequent travels around the world (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, England, Scotland, Ireland, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Israel, Greece, Egypt, India, Thailand, Hong Kong, Japan, Philippines, the Samoas, Fiji, Tahiti, BoraBora, New Zealand, Australia, Mexico, Guatemala, Canada, and the Virgin Islands) enlarged my horizons and deepened my appreciation of all cultures. I was enriched by the best of every culture & since I was very adaptable by nature, it was easy to heed my mothers very wise counsel – “When in Rome, do as the Romans”.

So many people have touched my life and I have been shaped by their love – a love to transcends all cultural barriers – love, beauty and truth are universal, I am eternally grateful from the memories which continue to sustain and nourish me.

Now I have come full circle and am content to live a quiet and peace filled life bless by the sounds of silence in my garden by the Bay in Hawai’i Nui – for I live, there will always be rainbows. Grace a Dieu.






Beautiful vignettes from Mrs. Wong...I am so lucky to reap the benefit of my grandparents doing a favor for a couple of 18 year old girls over 30 years ago. So I share her vingettes that she wrote to help me with a project in college for my mulitcultural education class. I have learned more from her than I ever will in any class.

The Hidden Risk of Epidurals

I often hear my clients say that their doctors have told them there are no real risks associated with an epidural...which is just plain false.

Here is good article about some of the risks associated with epidural: The Hidden Risk of Epidurals

Know the facts!

"When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives means the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving much advise, solutions or cures, have rather chosen to share our pain and touch our wounds with a gentle and tender hand."

-Henri Nouwen

Life is Terminal

Blossoms fall and weeds grow wild

Enjoy the ride dude

-Craig Kyusen

Words every laboring woman should consider before they choose a care provider.....

"If a woman doesn’t look like a goddess during birth, then someone isn’t treating her right."
~ Ina May Gaskin

Your doctor may be well-known, and even well-liked but that does not mean he or is she is right for you. Find a care provider who treats you and your pregnancy gently. The way you are cared for during your pregnancy is a reflection of how you will be treated during labor. Do not ignore signs if you feel uncomfortable during your prenatal visits, or if you feel rushed in and out of each visit. There ARE doctors and midwives out there who will listen to you, help address your fears and answer each and every question you have.

Birth Ritual

Birth Ritual

New being, new citizen of the world, new carrier of cloud wisdom and moonstones, new flame of the universe, new eyes of animals too old to see beyond their footprints, new repetition

Of old ideas that people thought had died long ago, we stand before you, ready to protect your small breath of life, ready to teach you songs, ready to help you plow the fields cluttered with our mistakes. Your

Recent journey affirms our faith in ancient circles. You are the voice of us who tried to change the world. You are the continuity of seasons and migrations, the best or worst of all that has gone before. New being,

The ancestors are depending on you to surprise them. Little one, our prayers for you come with love and heartbreak. The world you enter is dangerous and filled with imbalance. Knowledge comes from experience, not from

Easy answers. Resist those who would have you blindly follow them, dear child of buffalo and hawks, ladybugs and fireflies. Turn instead to the rhythm of waves, the pattern of grass, the shape of clouds, the music of raindrops, and the color of autumn leaves. Strong

Mountains and saplings await you. The tongues of animals are anxious to speak to you and the river is eager to teach you dance. Learn from the vagaries of winds, the honking of geese, the dance of trembling leaves, and the way that shadows mystify.

New being, this all you will need to be at home in the world.
New being, this all you will need to recognize your song.

-Nancy Wood, Shaman's Circle

“There is no other organ quite like the uterus. If men has such an organ, they would brag about it. So should we.” - Ina May Gaskin

Get Upright and Follow Urges to Push - Step 5 of 6

Nothing is more precious than the rare, exquisite, and utterly unrepeatable essence that is you. When you offer yourself to another human being-by revealing yourself, by disclosing your fears and dreams, the losses that have shaped and transformed you-you give the greatest gift that you can, the gift of your unique essence.

Far from being selfish, true self-disclosure is a miracle of intimacy, for in revealing our tender, intricate inner self, we allow the person to whom we are speaking, to see not only us, but also to see himself, to discover that she is not stranded, all alone with her feelings, lost in the human condition.

this pic says it all....

‎"Birth isn't something we suffer...but something we actively do and exalt in"
~ Sheila Kitzinger

This is for you!

A beautiful video!

I Heart My Perineum

a great post about efforts to maintain an intact perineum during birth

A Natal Hypnotherapy birth