OBSESSED

My mom introduced me to NieNie's blog just a couple of weeks ago, and since then I am absolutely obsessed. I read it constantly, over and over. She has years of archives to keep me busy, but her recent ones are incredible as well. I undoubtedly end up crying every time I read, which is kind of embarrassing when I'm reading them at work. But this one I read today broke me down into a puddle of tears. I hope she won't mind me copying a part of it here, but she is honestly my new inspiration. She is the most amazing wife, mother, and person I've ever heard of, and she will change your life with how simple and fantastic her life is. This post is about when she gave birth to her last baby naturally, at home. I love her. I hope I can be half as incredible as she is when I do this the same way.

"Since my birth experience to Mr. Nicholas Jones Nielson was a rather spiritual and personal experience, I thought I'd share only a few highlights in minor detail.

Having Christian at my side was so soothing. He was there when this beautiful child was created, so of course he was going to be there every second seeing this baby here into this world. That included: holding me when contractions started, timing, rubbing, kissing, wiping tears and-OH those eyes! Those beautiful brown eyes of his! They were my guiding light as I pushed out this nearly 9 pounder. He was not just on the side lines watching from a distance, rather close at my every whim touching, encouraging and affirming.

A birth is a spiritual occurrence if we let it. It is how we treat the experience that makes it so beautiful. I lay in my room with the most comforting, calming, gorgeous music playing. It was quite. It was peaceful, and very safe. Occasionally I would wander outside to smell the air and feel the wind on my body. It was invigorating.

Christian fed me fresh cantaloupe and berries and kept me hydrated with pure distilled water (and recharge a healthy version of gatorade- my favorite) People think that I am crazy for having a baby without any medications or that I even consider the idea of having it in my home (on the bed in which the child was made-CRAZY). I hear lots of:

"ohhh you are brave" but deep in my heart, I know it is our divine make-up that gives us all that opportunity. It is not just for the brave, but for every woman searching for confidence she didn't even know she possessed.

Sure it hurts, of course it hurts. Of course I wanted to quit and give-up, but that's when the angels enter in and somehow the pain and suffering is all worth it. In fact as I sit here and type this, I don't remember the pain--funny, since I seriously thought I was going to die during it all.

When Nicholas came out my midwife placed him on my chest and Christian and I were quite emotional. It had been a long, intense 14 hour journey. He lay peacefully there and blinked his charming eyes at us and then fell asleep.

We examined his chubby fingers, large head, broad shoulders, and mini toes. I lay there with an outsized grin soaking up all those "I'm a queen, look at what I just did" feelings. Then I got into a hot shower.

It was in one word, perfect in everyway. I am perfectly blessed to have such a wonderful body in which I can create, carry, and deliver in perfect health these darling little children into this world."