Blossom Grows Up

I just thought this was really cool, that a former childhood TV star, grew up went to school, had a family, and is now back at acting. She has home birthed, home schooled and has done many other ways of parenting. Here is a interview with her:

Anyone who watched TV in the early '90s knows Mayim Bialik as Blossom Russo, the lovable teen who lived with her two brothers and hung out with her best friend, Six. After making her mark as a Gen X TV icon, Mayim took nearly 15 years off to earn a doctorate degree and start a family. She now has two young sons (Milo and Fred) and has returned to TV in high-profile guest spots on "Bones" and "Saving Grace." On this episode of "Spotlight to Nightlight," host Ali Landry catches up with Mayim and talks about her non-traditional approach to parenting.

Wow, Just Watch It

You really need to watch this video, if you are pregnant, thinking of becoming pregnant or know of someone who is. It is powerful. Once again, with all the dealings of the health care system and the economy Obama really needs to watch this and start addressing these issues.

Reducing Infant Mortality from Debby Takikawas on Vimeo.

Baby of Mine

You have babies, they grow into adults sooner than you want, they leave the home, and they come home again and leave yet again. Tonight our oldest left yet again, this time off to Grad school at UC Berkeley. She is so independent, which is comforting and scary at the same time. I have no doubt she will do well, she always has.

On our recent trip to the Grand Canyon she stepped to close the edge, I say be careful and she says "Mom stop worrying." Me? Stop worrying, not a chance.

I tell her as she leaves, "Be careful and every now and then think of what mom would think." She looks at me and says "Mom . . ." I hold my fingers up barely apart and say "Just a little, every now and then?" "Just a little," she says. I hug her knowing she will do things that I wouldn't, and also knowing for as grown up as she is, no matter what, she will always feel safe in my arms, because after all she is and always will be my baby. . .

Breastfeeding could save 1.3 million child lives: WHO

WHO says that breastfeeding saves lives and most women don't get the support they need to do it. We as mothers and fathers need to encourage others to breastfeed. It not only saves lives, but also builds minds and bodies. For those who want to go "green" what better way to start than with a natural birth and feeding.

You can read the article here:

Teaching new mothers how to breastfeed could save 1.3 million children's lives every year, but many women get no help and give up trying, the World Health Organization said on Friday.

Less than 40 percent of mothers worldwide breastfeed their infants exclusively in the first six months, as recommended by the WHO. Many abandon it because they don't know how to get their baby to latch on properly or suffer pain and discomfort.

Cesarean vs. VBAC: A dramatic Difference

This is a beautiful video and story of an empowered woman. After two c-sections she choose a home VBAC water birth. While parts are graphic the video shows just how rough birth can be and then how gentle. Thank you Alex for making this video.

Cesarean vs. VBAC: A Dramatic Difference from Alexandra Orchard on Vimeo.

Nursing Moses

A friend let me know about an article that is in People magazine, a wonderful story of what a community of women can do. The story is about baby Moses, whose mother died right after giving birth. The baby's father knew it was important that the baby be breastfed and knew how passionate his late wife was about it. So a group of 20 woman got together to nurse this little baby, this is what women use to do when a mother was sick or had died, women took care of women. How wonderful that these women are willing to help this baby and family out.

You can read the article here : http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/528296.html

Calling All Pregnant Women: The BPA Industry Wants YOU!

This article was written by a former student of mine. A great read.

According to internal notes that were leaked out by the Washington Post, companies like Coca Cola and Del Monte are seeking out “young pregnant women” to tout the benefits of Bisphenol A or BPA. A meeting took place on May 28th with canned food and beverage industry representatives to combat legislative efforts to restrict the use of BPA.