Peace to all! I haven't logged into YMIB in a long time. So much has went on since then.

So, here we go: Last year I learned that I have Fatty Liver Disease. Conventional medicine says that the only cure for this is exercise. Thus, I started exercising like crazy, went to a 1200 calorie diet, yada yada, lost 28lbs in 8 weeks. Since then I have/had lost a total of 71.5 pounds, but 30 of that is back. I have not been exercising at home or gym.

My appearance has warped. I am a single parent and have not been to the salon in 8 months and have decided to go natural partially because of this. During my bout of PPD, I cut a lot of my hair because it was matted. I have shoulder length hair on the outer circle of my head, but 2 inch hair in the majority of the middle. Its all so uneven and Ive been somewhat embarrassed to go to the salon. Also childcare issues, etc.

The other night I was pleasantly surprised to see a Huggies diaper ad featuring a beautiful young dreadlocked mama and her adorable daughter. Have any of you seen the ad? It's part of a series about real parents and kids potty training. I loved it so much I wanted to share:
http://www.pull-upspottyproject.com/kids/lyon/

Spring time is here and as the weather gets warmer it’s still as important as ever to keep moisturised. No-one knows this better than mums-to-be who have a beautiful growing baby bump to look after. Stretch-marks and dry skin can cause discomfort to most pregnant women if not taken care of properly; something that The Hairoine hopes to help with her Whipped Coconut Mango Shea Body Butter formula. The ingredients in this intensely moisturising body butter not only work wonders on the skin but smell great too.

Shea butter is a pregnant woman's best friend! Applying Shea butter to the stomach improves the elasticity of the skin which can prevent or reduces stretch marks. It also relieves sore muscles and alleviates the 'itchy belly' syndrome that women get when their stomach is expanding.

Hello, Sisters!

For those of you who might be interested, there will be a "Good Birth Keeper" Doula Training in Houston, TX from April 24-26. The training is being hosted by theVillage and facilitated by The Natural Birth Institute.  If you would like to know more about the training, or if you are interested in registering for the training, you may contact me by email at devonlhill@gmail.com.

You may also contact theVillage directly:

Kimberley Traylor, MA

Lactation Specialist, Doula, CEIM

Founder/CEO
Their Birth Right, Inc. (theVillage)

info@theirbirthright.org

Phone: 281-733-5680 or 979-574-1117
_____________________________________________________________

Warm Love All! I hope every ones new year is off to a good beginning! Ours has been pretty good thus far. It seems as though organizing ones life never ceases to get easier, except I can say that I have developed a schedule and I am working on putting together a home planner which also includes my work/crafting/blogging ideas and schedules.(i will post about that later)

Nevertheless, we found out that we will be having a little girl!!! YAY!!! We we're all so very happy (especially my husband). To celebrate the news the little one and I made vanilla cupcakes with pink icing on them:) ([pictured above) LOL!

Greetings, Sisters! I'd initially posted this as a brief comment in response to PEECHEZ23's blog request to connect with other doulas.

 There seem to be many doulas/aspiring doulas here at YMIB, and I think it's wonderful that so many women are committed to empowering other women and families to rediscover and listen to the spirit within that we were all born with so that we may bring forth life in ways that are natural, non-invasive, non-intimidating, and well-informed. It's inspiring to say the least. By taking back that power, we have the ability to heal ourselves and our families in the most profound ways.

Many women experience post partum depression. This can lead to neglect of baby and other family members, trauma for the mother, and sometimes even death. Some experts blame the hormone oxytocin for post partum depression. Oxytocin is the hormone we release when we are in love, make love, and have orgasms. Pregnant mothers experience a constant release of this hormone during pregnancy. After pregnancy the oxytocin levels drop.

Oshun in Her abundance and wisdom

Obatala with peace and clarity and deep introspective thought

My Egun , My Ancestors, My People

Have once again viewed my life from the Spiritual Realm and found my body fit, my mind worthy and my life uplifting enough to allow me to

CONCEIVE

again!

*giggle*

It is with much pleasure and deep personal joy that I announce the coming of my Sixth Child

My lover and I decided that Iwatunde  (gentle character returns) would be an appropriate womb name and we both feel that it will be another boy

My second sun

Seen in dreams and oft spoken of...may be returning to the physical plane around June of 2009

I am happy and I feel that the timing is absolute perfection...my son is ready for a sibling and I am ready to give birth again

BUT

On 2-8-08, I awoke to some abdominal pains and called my doula (birthing coach), Sarah. I described the pains and that I think my water sac had broken because I kept feeling the urge to urinate every 10-15 min. Sarah confirmed that labor had begun and encouraged me to distract myself and be prepared for hours of inconsistent pain but to monitor the pains for their proximity and keep her informed. No problem. The pains were bearable, so I watched tv. I've always had string menstrual pains and this was similar in intensity. Then my OB’s office called to confirm my Mon. appt. if I did not deliver that weekend. When I told the nurse I think early labor had started she offered for me to come into the office for a resting monitor to track my contractions. So at 1pm we did that. Nothing to be alarmed about. Contractions were barely registering. I had one small one during the 15 min session. I asked the doctor to check to make sure my water hadn’t broken because I was leaking fluid. She thought this was unlikely but checked as a precaution. To everyone’s surprise I was almost 5cm dilated!

Sistahs,

Well, for the second time in two years, my blessed angel didn't come forth. Only the Creator knows why, but it doesn't stop my heart from being broken. In just 11 weeks, I had so many hopes and dreams for this child but tomorrow is another day. I thank the Creator for my nearly 5 year old Princess and am so grateful for her every minute of everyday. Today I hugged her tightly and told her I loved her as I gently kissed her ~ this ultimate reflection of my husband and myself.

Peace!

I read the book, “Tantra: The Path of Ecstasy”. The author describes a state of being known as tapas. Tapas is allowing yourself to feel and embrace pain. This acceptance of pain can cause feelings of ecstasy, when we do not try to avoid or escape it. The author, Georg Fueurstein, also relates tapas to some women in childbirth.

the divine in me salutes the divine in you

i was always taught not to put my business out there, but i write and i think its therapy to say things about myself out loud.

so i just had a miscarriage. i know how it happened, still trying to understand why. i feel guilty in a way and crushed. for so long i thought i couldn't mate, but i had my seed growing without even knowing, and by the time i found out, it was gone. but its a relief, i guess. not that my seed is gone, but that my womb is fertile. Jah knew it wasn’t the right time for me. but what hurts is everyone's disinterest with what happened. maybe its because i found out i was pregnant because of the miscarriage. but no one really wants to talk about it, not even my king. it hurt physically and emotionally. it still hurts. and i feel guilty because had i been more careful it wouldn't have happened.

i wanna believe that the universe is justified in its actions...im trying to. im not blaiming anyone...i just need to talk about it, and no one seems to want to touch on it...

Blessings,

I recently joined this amazing community and I must say you all are inspiring me to reach for a better life mentally, physically and spiritually. Finding Ymib could not have come at a better time. About a week ago, I realized I was pregnant. It was unplanned but not a surprise.

I would truly appreciate any suggestions on what I should eat for my baby to develop strong and healthy.

I also would like...no... I NEED to hear your stories about being pregnant. What did you do to stay healthy and sane. I am thinking about going to a midwife instead of a doctor. Have any of you used a midwife?

One of my friends who has two children explained to me that for her first pregnancy she went to a doctor/hospital because she was young and just allowed everyone around her to take control of her pregnancy. The second time around she went to a midwife and did everything on her own terms and she said that it was infinitely better this way.

badly...

i hadn't had a chance til today to truly get up off in that ole ask yeye

that ish makes me wanna hunt somebody down and conceive immediately!

truthfully...when i imagine my most free self
sometimes i get glimpses of marrying when i'm GREAT with child
with my belly out...
because that is the ancient goddessy way to get down
celebrate a fertile union...

in any case...what i want most
is to feel like i'm doin it all on my own terms
i want my OWN house in MY name
and my altima
and a steady income from doin something that i love

i'm ready to do like cocoyam from the odu
and settle down in the mud and bear children

i'm also aware that tho i want to have these things before i concieve
it might just be conception that pushes me to do what i need to do to achieve these things...

i had an astrologer read me once...impromptu like on the front steps of this metaphysical shop...just cause i stopped and said hi to him...and asked him how he got into the business of bein an astrologer...

Being pregnant is one of the most exciting times in a woman’s life. It’s also one of the most frightening. Stretch marks, widening hips, belly fat, milk-filled breasts and what is the leakage about? Your body will commit acts you never thought possible while you’re asleep. But this is your opportunity, your chance to leave an impression on the world through the miracle that is life.

I was a young mother, and was excited to be pregnant with my first child. I worried about how good I’d be at parenting, but nothing scared me more than how this baby was actually going to come out of my body. All the videos and birthing classes in the world don’t prepare you for the reality. I was fortunate. I know some mothers may be totally opposed to having drugs when they give birth but I was not.

I recall the day, that I chose your name
The first time that you kicked, I never was the same

How could I be so blessed to have you in my womb
A great responsibility, I need to make more room.

For soon you will be coming, I can't believe its true
I'm not sure if I'm ready, I have so much to do

Baby shower gifts come one after another,
but nothing can prepare you for being a new mother.

I wrote you all these letters, I even bought you toys
People thought "a girl", I knew you were a boy.

And then the day it came, my water broke at 3
I packed your bag that evening, forgot the one for me

I had you without drugs, the pain I can't explain
Tried to get up out of bed, I completely went insane

The nurse told me to push, said not to be a coward
I started to at 8 am was done in half an hour.

I remember it so clearly, you didnt make a sound
you had a weird banana head, but now I'm glad its round

I held you close for hours, I didnt sleep for days
I felt so overjoyed..... I sang, I cried, I prayed.

I prayed that you'd be smart, funny, cool and tall,
I prayed that you would worship God and love him most of all