Best of the birth world this week!

I loved this poster created by Salem Birth Support. Again, families need support after birth!! I've been so lucky to receive loving support after each baby!

A giant study was published this week about the safety of home birth. It was thorough and the commentary was fair and without judgement. Commentators on both sides of the issue applauded it. Forbes did a great write-up as well as Science and Sensibility.

With my own upcoming birth, I've been getting really into emergency preparedness lately! Especially preparing for childbirth in an emergency situation; whether that by during/after an earthquake or simply a precipitous unassisted birth. I printed out this free emergency childbirth guide and have started collecting items. I think I'll keep the kit in the car for now!

How the system fails breastfeeding families. On a birth/breastfeeding page this week, a community member explained that her family doctor prescribed her cold and asthma medications incompatible with breastfeeding (her child was under 1) and when she pointed this out to her doctor, she (the doctor) shrugged and told her she would need to stop. Um, what?! First of all, you don't "just stop breastfeeding." It's not that easy for mother or for baby. And if this doctor really wanted to promote the health of her patients and society at large, she would have taken a couple of extra steps to find her an alternative that was compatible with breastfeeding. One commenter stated that she takes Thomas Hale's book with her to all doctor appointments now. Smart! But too bad mothers are the ones that have to educate their care providers on evidence-based information. Not all doctors of course. But I see and hear this kind story too often. If we want a more healthy population, we have to start at the beginning and actually support families in their breastfeeding goals. But for now...be your own advocate! And know your stuff! 

I found two great articles this week about informed consent in childbirth: No Thank You and 10 Responses to Pressure to Consent.

And lastly, I am really loving this Dr. Seuss inspired meme about breastfeeding anywhere!

Best of the birth world this week!

Yall! I have so many ideas and not enough time! But I feel the need to simplify a little. Maybe a few days away will do the trick. Or throwing away my phone. Or both. While I work through these thoughts, enjoy some birth and breastfeeding links...

A dad's opinion on their experience with a doula. I love this:
"Do you know the quickest way to remove a hospital gown from a woman in the middle of an intense contraction? Can you coach her through the hardcore transition phase and hours of exhausting pushing? Do you have any clue what occiput posterior position is and how problematic it can be for the mother? When blood comes — and there will be blood — will you have any idea how much is normal scary and how much is legit terrifying? No. Because you’re not a doula."

Cervical dilation is unpredictable. So take a step back, cool down from all the vaginal checks and let the woman's body do her thing. There is no need (in a normal, healthy) labor to check the clock in relation to mom's cervical dilation.

Maybe I should change this blog post to "best of women's issues"...but this video is important. I'm sick of people thinking everything can be fixed with a pill and the latest FDA approval of "women's viagra" is troubling. It's a pyschoactive drug taken daily over a long period of time and we have no idea what it's effects will be!! Please don't be a guinea pig for this crap.

How dads can help with breastfeeding. Nate was such a great cheerleader for me!

Have a great weekend!!
Summer nursing painting via J Kirk Richards.

Best of the birth world this week!

I found myself saving so many articles this week! Here are some of my favorites...

I read about this group model of prenatal care a year or so ago. Glad to hear that it is still going well.

For the love of women. Beautiful.

It's so mind-boggling that continuous monitoring is still used for low-risk moms. Even being informed as I was during Colden's birth, it's hard to say no to pushy nurses. "For most women, when the doctor attaches an electronic monitor to your belly, the chances of complications go up, not down."

Like everyone who watched the undercover Planned Parenthood videos, I was shocked and horrified. The PP's executives spoke about fetuses in such a crude manner you couldn't help but cringe. Abortion sickens me but I am trying to come to place where I can view mothers in love and understanding as they go through what is probably the hardest decision they will ever make. I still don't know enough about whether or not PP really is making a profit off of aborted fetuses. I doubt that's the case and I don't think they should be defunded because they give numerous other benefits (birth control, cancer screenings etc) to low-income women and they're everywhere! However, I did really like this article, What About the Mothers.  Whether or not Planned Parenthood is defunded, I would like to see a rise in the amount of women-centered health care providers that support women throughout their childbearing years. Whatever you think about this issue, you ought to read about how aborted fetuses have helped you. And while we are on the subject, listen to this Radiolab podcast about one family's journey learning about how their son's short life is affecting others.

Are we more casual about the effects of labor induction than we are about our pregnancy eating and hair-dying habits?

Before you take any herbs or buy brewers yeast for low milk supply, do all these things.

And I love this cute and awesome project to help new moms.

Hope you had a lovely week! ♥

Best of the birth world this week!

Some of you may have heard that I participated in nurse-in at Hobby Lobby in Orem, Utah recently to encourage their staff to have a more proactive policy that supports breastfeeding mothers. Here is the Daily Herald article. And here is what Target has been doing lately in regards to the same issue.

Amazing shot of mom and dad catching baby.

I loved this. "Read your baby, not the books."

The day a friend corrected me. Makes me want to turn Bridger back around to rear-facing.

Women are the stewards over birth. This article highlights some of my favorite parts of The Gift of Giving Life.

I love Every Mother Counts 10 times more since they announced their new series on childbirth in America.

I usually don't like Baby Center, but these photos of how your baby fits in your womb are pretty rad!

Such a beautiful story and what a sweet dad doing skin to skin with babies in the OR!

P.S. Colden and I are using the Ergobaby Ventus in the photo above. We love it!! Sold my Original and Performance to get it...super worth it!

Best of the birth world this week!

Well a whole week went by and no new posts! This re-emphasis on my blog is going really well ;) I do have a couple in the works so hang in with me! As usual there is lots of birthy and motherly goodness around the inter-webs this week...

I've had The Gift of Giving Life on my shelf for a few months and I am finally diving into it. I am so happy I am because it is full of wisdom and is confirming my testimony of my eternal role as a mother. I love the theme it emphasizes: approaching conception, pregnancy and childbirth with faith, not fear.  (P.S. It is sold at Deseret Book and on Amazon.)

It's a long one, but an important one! "This experience taught our family so much. If we could offer any advice to mothers- or fathers-to-be – or anyone in need of medical care – we remind all to be vigilant, to ask questions, and to ask them again. Talk to your doctor and EVERY doctor you see. Do everything that is necessary to take care of yourself and your child."  Yes, doctors make mistakes too. So keep asking questions!


The Dutch are simply amazing. So much goodness in this snippet of parenting in Amsterdam. Makes me proud of my heritage. Also makes me want to move there! I especially love that each women gets a kraamzorg (translates to maternity care) for 3 hours for 8 days following the birth. Sounds a lot like what a postpartum doula would do here. Of course their's is probably funded by the state...

I found Indiana Adams randomly the other day and I fell over laughing reading her birth stories. She is a great storyteller. Take a peek at birth story one, birth story two and birth story three. You will not be disappointed!

I am confused why it took so long for NPR to report that the UK is recommending low-risk women to deliver outside of hospitals, but they finally reported on it this week and made a good point: in order for outside of hospital births to be the safer and more pleasant in the U.S., we need better midwife-doctor relations.

This smart re-design of the booster seat is genius. Can't wait til production next year. I want to see more of it!

Beautiful painting of mother and child nursing by J Kirk Richards.

My Parents Were Awesome

Back when I had a boring office job, I visited a handful of interesting tumblrs and photo blogs. One of my favorites was My Parents Were Awesome. I was recently reminded of it and came across this gem:

Wouldn't you be proud to be the daughter of this lady?

I bet there are loads of old photographs of my parents that would fit in this tumblr. I can think of one where they are staring out across the Grand Canyon together looking so young and so in love. I love that photograph. I'm gonna try and snag a copy of it the next time I visit.

22

Happy Birthday to Me!

A list of 22 things I grateful for on this 22nd birthday of mine.

1. Sweet little baby kicks in the morning when I wake up.
2. My husband. It will just embarrass him if I elaborate. So I won't.
3. My fantastic family.
4. Also, the loving family I married into. I really scored in that department.
5. The Gospel of Jesus Christ.
6. Temple marriage.
7. The joy of being barefoot in the summer.
8. Watermelon.
9. Cheesecake.
10. Cake pops.
11. My education.
12. Quotes like this.
13. Articles like this.
14. Birthday packages.
15. Good reminders like this.
16. Our teeny little apartment.
17. The big box of baby clothes in my closet. We are so blessed.
18. The other box of baby blankets in my closet.  Can't wait to cuddle him in those!
19. My new bathrobe :)
20. This video.
21. The past 22 years of happiness.
22. The potential for an eternity of happiness!

The latest bits & pieces

It's weird to me that now that I have all the time in the world, I blog much less. Last semester it seemed like I had at least a half-decent post 3-4 times a week. Now you're lucky to read a half-decent post once a week from me! I don't have any excuse except...it's winter. Gray skies were never very inspiring to me. However, lately it has been really sunny and slightly warm. (Come on spring!!) So here is a quick-ish summary of my life lately.

As has become the pattern, I subbed twice this week. Both times at Provo High. Can I just say that I definitely do not miss high school? And I just laugh at the seniors who think they are the coolest things on the planet because in just a few months as they start their freshman year, they will be the least cool thing on the planet, or at least on their campus.

In other news, a fire has been lit underneath me and I am finally getting around to finishing my online class. I won't say if that has anything to do with it being due in two weeks.

I have also been researching strollers a good deal lately. I thought I was settled on the Bumbleride Indie, but why I kidded myself into thinking I needed a jogging stroller, I'm not sure. So I think we are going to go with a Quinny Buzz. That is if we can find a decent used one. No way am I paying $600+ for a stroller.

Last night I attended the BYU Blogger Meet-Up with Erika. It was at The Chocolate, so of course I enjoyed it! It was good for me to go out and be social. And it was fun to meet with other bloggers, even if I hadn't heard of most of them. I couldn't help but laugh (to myself and out loud at times) at the trendiness of all who attended. So many trends in one room! All the barrel-rolled curls and colored jeans and lace tops and heeled oxfords! It's more than one can stand! (For more than two hours at least). But maybe I was just jealous that I can't fit into my skinny jeans anymore and that I can never afford Anthro. (More photos and info about the Meet-up).

photo via

In happier news, Erika and I made friends with a fellow blogger, Kirsten. We spent our time chatting about married life, hoping to win the 3B Yoga gift bags and cursing the ones who did win them. But I can't be too upset, I did win $50 to Quincess Boutique in AF. And we all snagged a couple free passes to 3B Yoga. I'm gonna try the prenatal class soon!

Other random things that have been intriguing me lately:
Selling modest wedding dresses on eBay. Check 'em out!
Snow art.
Read this if you are interested in the purpose of KONY 2012.
These wooden toys for our little man.

As the weekend approaches, we are looking forward to more warm temperatures, movie night with friends and perhaps even a little fondue :)

Have a happy weekend.

Happy Friday!

image via

In honor of our announcement this week, all Friday links are about babies and pregnancy. Enjoy!

Interview with a one year-old. This had me laughing out loud.

Porn for pregnant ladies. (Don't worry, it's not dirty!)

Happy baby pose really is one of my favorite yoga poses.

I love this bike baby announcement.

A funny birth story from a dad's point of view.

Have a lovely weekend!

Friday Links

Can it be summer again? Nate and I were discussing this week that we have all but forgotten what it feels like to be warm when outside. How sad. So in honor of remembering summer, I am making key lime pie this weekend! I'll let you know how it turns out!

Here are some fun links from around the web. Have a lovely weekend!

The addiction of indoor tanning. Scary!

What I lied about before marriage. ;)

This looks like a way fun hotel!

Watch a bookstore come alive when the owners leave! So fun. 

 Photo via.

Friday links and such

(Sigh of relief). It was a busy week. I turned in 5 papers and gave 2 presentations. And that was all before Thursday! And as of yesterday at 1:25 PM, I am forever (until grad school, maybe, in like 30 years) done with university lectures. So happy that portion of my life is over. Nate, the lucky fool, is completely done with this semester, he has zero finals. I have four, one of which is a paper. I'm not terribly worried about them, just anxious for the semester to be over! And as for what happens after this semester, I have applied for six jobs now. Does anyone know the average number of applications before actually getting a job? Sigh.

As always, below are some fun and interesting links from around the web.

Keeping your marriage healthy after baby.

Great poster on eating right.

If I had an iPad, it would be carried in this.

I get my laughs in at work whilst reading Nat the Fat Rat. She cracks me up!

Ideas for giving experiences this Christmas.

An amazing prize will be given to the reader who can give the title of the children's book this illustration came from.

Have a lovely weekend!


photo

Weeeekend: Linking up

Hey! So I did think of some more "up" ideas...maybe this won't be so hard after all. 

We have a packed weekend of studying, church Christmas parties and engagement parties. Maybe we'll squeeze in a trip to H&M? Please? 

December has barely even started and I am proud to announce that I am basically complete with my Christmas shopping. A never-before-done trick by yours truly. We'll see how long I can wait before I burst and tell Nate about all the perfect gifts I got him!

As is tradition, listed below are some interesting linkage from around the web I've been wanting to share with you!

Have you seen this recent article about Mormon bloggers?

Am I the only one that didn't know about J.K. Rowlings' Harry Potter Prequel? (Just click "Download ebook", it's free!)

The coziest living room!

Education.

Banning paddling in U.S. schools. (My elementary and middle school allowed paddling, I wonder how much they do these days?)

Haunting.

Something I really take seriously is Uggcitrin, the Ugg boot vaccine.

A cute advent calendar that is perfect for my old frame re-do.

I hope y'all have a lovely weekend. Maybe you have some snow where you are? 

photo credit

Happy Weekend + Friday Links

Photo via Seasonal Love.

Happy wedding day to Kennedy and Trevor! We are headed up to Salt Lake today for their wedding. Tomorrow, weather permitting, we are getting OUT of the house for a hike. I really need to breathe some fresh air! I also might try and hit up the Bijou Market that is in Provo this weekend. Here are some fun and interesting tidbits from around the web, well, mainly Pinterest:

Really looking far into the future with my newest pinboard: Cabin Fever.
Planting a pineapple plant.
In case anyone was wondering, here is my Christmas wish list ;)
Clever idea for a wedding.
Just beautiful.
Viewing is mandatory.
The Easter Island heads have bodies! I had no idea!

 Hope everyone has a lovely weekend!

Happy Weekend + Friday Links

Today is Nate's birthday! I had several spectacular surprises planned for him, but he guessed them all! That is partly my fault, I can't keep a secret. Especially one as cool as horseback riding!! Hopefully the snow is light enough for us to have a good time. I'll be sure to share lots of photos about it next week!

In honor of Nate's birthday, the links this week all about Nate and manliness:

Why I love him.

One of the best days of my life.

The CDC urges us to prepare for the Zombie apocalypse.

The watch we both want for Christmas.

The Cordial Churchman's plaid bowties.

Wooly tie.

Boat dreams.

Thinking north.

Chopping woodman.

Happy birthday babe!

Bits of Happiness + Friday Links

Source: bippityboppityboo.tumblr.com via Lacey on Pinterest

Bits of happiness

1. Eating almonds
2. Chilly mornings
3. Skyping with family
4. Checking off things on my list
5. Late night Oreo break with Nate

Here are some interesting and fun links from around the web:

A good reminder about media usage for children under 2 and their parents.
I had no idea you could send packages in the mail like this!
Love this ruffly Christmas tree skirt.
My friend Mary's journey. She is such an inspiration to me!
Nate and I saw The Hundred Dresses last night. Loved it!

Other than a bridal shower tonight, we are hitting the books all weekend, hope everyone else has a relaxing weekend!

Weekend Wrap-up + Friday Links

Again, I really appreciate all of your thoughtful comments on Disney Princesses: Good or Evil?. I actually had the post written about two weeks ago and finally got the nerve to post it. I tried to be as objective as possible, and I hope that was apparent. But for full disclosure, I LOVE Disney and will be showing as many of the movies as I can to our (future) little girls and little boys. I think the stories and the characters are wonderful. But, what really matters is what we reinforce at home. So thank you for indulging me in that discussion.

So in light of our discussion this week, the links I want to share with you are all about fairytales. Enjoy!

Source: stumbleupon.com via Katherine on Pinterest

Want your children to be intelligent?

Adorable.

Fairytales in real life. So in love with these!

Just for laughs...hipster princesses.

Princess hobbies.

Princesses and their parents.

Fairytale wedding photograph. Can't wait to try this sometime!

Castle clubhouse!

A true fairytale.

And setting the record straight.

Have a magical weekend!

Happy weekend + links

Source: youngfolksociety.tumblr.com via Joy on Pinterest

Well, our hiking trip to the Uintas got snowed out. Hopefully we can go to Stewart Falls instead! Here are some things I've been wanting to share with you:

How I got Nate to eat grits.
(He even got seconds and thirds!) Seriously one of our favorite meals now!

Best birthday present ever.

Mourning the loss of our generation's greatest creative mind: Steve Jobs.
Can't wait to see Big Miracle. (I teared up a little during the trailer!) 

Gorgeous styling for a winter wedding.

Have an adventurous weekend!

Friday Links

Source: google.com via Joy on Pinterest

This weekend the LDS Church is having the semi-annual General Conference. All over the world, people can hear from our prophets and apostles! I look forward to it all year. (Especially this one since the last one in April I was in pain!) Do you have any General Conference traditions? I think our's usually centered around pajamas, journal writing, a big yummy breakfast and lunch outside. Nate's tradition is to bike up the canyon and listen to the Saturday morning session on the radio. I am joining him this time around with a picnic. My bike isn't finished yet (but we are getting close! more about that next week), so I am driving up to meet him. You can watch General Conference online right over here.

Cotton and Curls has a great post this week about a ton of medical supplies that were donated to a nursing home on a teeny Chinese island by the LDS Church. Check it out here.

Did you hear about Facebook's new and completely different changes that are coming in a couple weeks? I think it sounds rather interesting! Check it out on their blog.

Really loving this simple kitchen.

Taking a drive up the Alpine Loop this weekend.

Perfect fall outfit.

Also, a Manhattan artist displays street etiquette. (via Designmom)

Have a lovely weekend! 

Adios to Netflix + Friday Links

Source: doodleflix.tumblr.com via Cassie on Pinterest

After finishing our X-Men marathon this week, we said good-bye to Netflix. Even their online streaming and quick shipment of DVDs is not worth their new higher price. And now, two sites instead of one? Do they have any customers left?

An outdoor school in Midway. Sweet! This is exactly what we want for our kids. (And...it's a public school!)

I made this monster smoothie (fruit + spinach) for breakfast and I actually liked it! Couldn't even taste the spinach. (I actually just used about 1.5 cups of frozen strawberries, one banana, a little milk and a heaping cup of spinach.)

Have you been watching Project Runway? This is my favorite look by far! 

Is anyone going to this Soel Swap on Saturday? Looks fun! Maybe I'll find some boots!

Can't wait for General Conference next weekend! These ideas for kids during Conference look fun!

Friday Links

Enjoying a little bit of home last night with Chick-fil-a :)

I  procrastinated some homework and made an "about us" page. Check it out if you like!

Raising kids outdoors. (This is totally our plan!)

Finally, someone speaks out about the ridiculous baby-prop photos!

Aibileen's wisdom.

A great refresher on how to take in your trousers.

My favoritest favorite Pinterest board.

This weekend we are catching up with some of Nate's old roommates and then avoiding the game crowd entirely by going to the temple on Saturday night. Yay!

Have a lovely weekend :)