The first...

Our family has had a lot of firsts this past month. Isabel had her first day of Kindergarten, Cecelia had her first day of preschool, and Isabel got her first pair of glasses. It's funny to me that I am so emotional about all these firsts. I thought I would have no problem letting go. I was and am excited for each of my girls to wrestle with life and win. I think the part that bothers me the most is that it signifies some big lasts to me as well. It's the last time Isabel and Cecelia will ever spend all their days with me. The last time Isabel will not need some kind of vision correction, be it glasses or contacts. Don't get me wrong I am thrilled for my girls. They are expeiencing life and all it has to offer. I couldn't be happier with their ability to adjust to their new situations and thrive there. I know that with these new firsts come freedom for me. I look forward to that too, but I am also not needed in the same way anymore. That is the part I look forward to and dread all at the same time. In all of this my husband has stood with me through these firsts and lasts. He has made a conserted effort to keep our relationship strong so that there's more to "us" then our kids. I will always be grateful to have such a wonderful man to journey through life with.

Alien baby

So I am just catching up now on some things that family and friends have been wanting to see so bear with me. Here is a shot of Sydney, a.k.a. "nuggets" before she was born. I had eaten some ice cream and that seemed to always make her really active. I felt a little like Sigourney Weaver in Alien 3.

Who says labor hurts?

Okay so people are always curious about what labor is like for a natural, hypnobirthing "freak". So here is a short clip of some of the time I spent with my husband and two closest friends while birthing my fourth child. The clip is taken while I was dialated to a 6/7. We had so much fun laughing and telling stories. I wish I could post the whole thing but I don't want the whole world peaking in on one of my most private moments. I am posting this portion because I am so passionate about pregnancy, birthing, and the tiny babies that God gives us at the end of all that hard labor. So enjoy and I hope it peaks some interest in another alternative for birthing.


This is a little later in the birth process. People assume that you stay "under" the whole time but once you have enough practice you can put yourself under just during contractions as this video shows.