Updates on Motherhood...

Hello everyone! Over the weekend I officially became a mother! I cannot describe what an amazing journey the last three days have been and I know it will only get better. I am so happy and blessed to have a healthy, beautiful, perfect little boy. He arrived Friday afternoon at 3:48pm, weighing in at 6lbs 10oz, and just at 19 inches long.

I labored from Wednesday night at 7:10pm, making two trips to the hospital over the next day before being admitted on the third trip on Thursday night. I had never heard of prodromal labor before but I was having pretty regular and painful contractions that were not helping me advance through labor. So basically it felt like labor but technically wasn't because it was not helping me dilate. It was not until Thursday night around 11pm that I was considered in actual "real" labor by the doctor. Madness!

Long story short, by the time I was admitted I was exhausted and the pain had increased to a point where I decided to get an epidural. Turned out to be the right decision for me even though I had not originally planned for it. One thing I learned through this whole process was just how quickly the best laid plans can change and you have to adapt to the situation at hand. I don't feel guilty or disappointed at all and I am grateful the option was available. I really think it helped me be present through what turned out to be a somewhat difficult delivery considering baby was turned sunny-side up and endured a bit of stress to his heart.

After the epidural, according to my husband, I became human again! I labored and slept in peace for a few hours until it was time to push. I pushed for about an hour and a half beginning around 2:00pm. Immediately after I began pushing, the doctor commented on all the hair she saw! He had like 3 inches of shiny black hair and it was amazing to see! Unfortunately like I mentioned above, he was in a bit of distress because he was face up and struggling to pass through my pelvis. In the end, I was able to deliver without needing a c-section but I was not able to hold him immediately. Two specialists and a crew of amazing nurses came in and took care of him, watching his heart rate and his head which was squeezed pretty badly. After about fifteen minutes, I was told all was fine with my son. I was able to hold my little bundle and it was the best moment of relief and love. Everybody thinks their kid is perfect and I have proven to be no different!

Hanging with daddy

All the nurses and doctors at my hospital were beyond amazing to me, my husband, and our son. They took such good care of all three of us and helped us adjust to this new life as parents. I left feeling confident and prepared for the next phase and by Saturday evening they told us we could leave the next day when we felt comfortable.

Supplementing with mommy

The ride home!

We got home later the next morning to begin our new lives as a threesome and it has been worth the wait. To all the parents out there, I appreciate your advice so feel free to continue to share. Thank you to all my readers for your continued support and encouragement. I <3>

Baby Is On The Way!

Me and the belly in quieter, gentler moments...

Hi everybody! Just wanted to drop a quick note to say I am officially in labor, contractions began at around 7:30 and are now 6 minutes apart. I am still at home and doing fine. This is definitely not what I expected but I am actually enjoying the experience, as painful as it has been and will surely be in the hours to come. Thanks for all your support and comments. I don't know when I will post again or get to moderate comments so thank you for your patience!

A Beautiful Side Note

I found this post about model Miranda Kerr to be so beautiful and I wanted to share...

On the 6th of January I gave birth to our beautiful little son Flynn. He weighed 9lb 12 ounces (a very healthy and big baby boy). I gave birth to him naturally; without any pain medication and it was a long, arduous and difficult labour, but Orlando was with me the whole time supporting and guiding me through it. I could not have done it without him.~Miranda Kerr via her blog: www.koraorganics.com

This process of becoming a mother has been both a whirlwind and a long 8 months at the same time! We just took birthing classes a week or so ago and since then, I have been scouring the internet for information and videos about birthing naturally. Through the classes I realized that childbirth does not have to be the scary, impossible, terrifying process I once thought it would inevitably be, what society always tells us it will be. Yes, pain is a factor and it is, well, labor. But I realize now that this is what our bodies were made to do and we have everything inside of us that we need to do it. It has been amazing to learn about what birth can be and to allow myself to discard the untruths of what it is not.

I realized too far into this pregnancy that I would rather deliver at a birthing center than at a hospital. I would prefer to have a midwife and a doula and I plan to have a water birth if I have another child. Not to knock hospitals, though. I toured mine and I think I will like the experience as well. I just saw some of the most beautiful images of women bringing forth life as they used the water to help soothe the transition and it looked like something I want to experience in my journey through motherhood.

(The following video is one that I found in my search. It seemed very peaceful, yet powerful. If you don't want to see a natural childbirth, don't watch!)

In addition to birth, I can't wait to breastfeed! Well, at least I hope I am able to. I know so many women who struggle and simply are not able. I feel like I have a good foundation of knowledge from the courses I took and I have dreamed about it on several occasions. I'll have to keep my fingers crossed on that one!

Lastly, I know many of you are also mothers. I want to hear your birth experiences, if you care to share. Tell me what it was like for you to bring forth life and to nourish your little one. What were the highs, the lows, the unexpected moments?

Merry Christmas Eve and Happy 90th Grandma!

Publish Post
Hey everybody! I am back in NC with my family celebrating my grandmother's 90th birthday as well as Christmas Eve. How exciting to be home with the family! I wish you all a Merry Christmas and I hope you are safe no matter what your travel plans or traditions. I love all of you and am so grateful for your continued readership and support! Merry Christmas!

From Ms to Mrs!

Hey guys and gals! Pardon me for the long haitus but thanks for the well wishes! The trip to Cancun was more than relaxing and my wedding went off without a hitch this past Saturday. The weather was beautiful at 10 am when we exchanged vows in front of our close friends and family. It was very laid back and calm, just like we hoped for, and we were really able to take in the moment.

Of all the things to worry about at a wedding- the dress, the cake, the weather- I was most preoccupied with the hair! I just know how humidity can NOT be my friend sometimes and so during the planning process I was at a loss for a style. My husband requested that I wear my hair out in some way so of course I wanted to oblige. I knew that no matter what, I wanted to rock a natural style with no heat! Understanding my hair and how it rarely holds a set in the warm summer months, I was hesitant. But, once I decided on the style, all I could do was hope for the best and let go!

So,the night before, I twisted my hair (dry) with Miss Jessies Curly Pudding. I then rolled each twist on a small perm rod and let it set overnight. I chose not to wash my hair the night before because I wanted it to be full and somewhat stretched. I was not 100% sure how it would turn out and I definitely did not know how long it would hold up over the course of the day. But the MJCP gave it just the right amount of hold and I was very pleased, even as the temp rose outside while we walked around taking pics. My mom bought me the cute flower clips for a but of decoration and bling--- thanks ma!

The wedding itself was perfect for us. Just close friends and family joined us on the day and everything was extremely relaxed. We really got to focus on each other and those around us.

So, in addition to the vacay and wedding, I started my new job. Needless to say, I have been busy! I hope to get back to some sort of regular posting and I really appreciate your patience in my absence. I hope you like the pics and take care!

~NL

Naturally Leslie is...

UPDATE: Thank you to all my readers! I am so excited to be marrying this man and I am so grateful for all the well wishes. Now...so much to plan! We don't have a date yet but my mind is already spinning with the details of dress, hair, cake, hair, cake, hair, cake. Ok, so the hair and cake are two really important parts to me! We plan on a very small event which makes me very very happy. I will share more as the weeks pass. Thanks again for all the love and support!!!!

Getting Married!!!!!

...details to follow!

Happy Mother's Day!

Mothers are the reason why we're here...and we're so glad to have this day to celebrate them all. So make sure you take the time to give thanks for all the wonderful women in your life who mothered you.

Mom and Me

Grandma and Me

My Godmother Aunt Betty

From my heart to all the mother's out there~~~HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!!

Golden Soul Love Shakedown!

Oooh do I have something amazing for you guys! I was casually visiting one of my favorite sites, Offbeat Bride, when I saw something that took my breath away. You may or may not recall how I've mentioned in the past that I loooooove natural brides. And ladies and gents, I found one! These breathtaking shots were captured by the Austin, Texas based photographer, Lauren McGlynn. If you're in that area and looking for a photographer, check out her rates here.

Please meet Thomas and Starla who were wed September 6, 2009.

What a beautiful bride! Here are just some of the amazing details from their special day......

Such a pretty and unique gown...

Prepping her beautiful natural hair...

I love the cornrows...

Such a cool hairpiece!

Don't these two look adorable? And I'm luvin that dress and the gorgeous flowers, btw!

I am madly in love with this wedding! It looks simply but elegant, heartfelt and joyful. I love the colors and the overall style of the bride.

To see the entire set of captures, check out the photographer's blog here.

This just reminds me of how beautiful natural hair can be when left simple. I like how the bride chose to let her natural texture shine through and take center stage on her big day. Talk about care free! Just goes to show that natural hair IS elegant, formal, and special enough for an occasion as grand as this!

And stay tuned...Not only did this bride allow me to use her photos, I am hoping to get an interview for a more in-depth look into her natural style and her big day!

If I were a Spring Bride...

I would want to look just like this...

(Photo Credit)

Light, airy, natural. And did I mention how much I love butterflies? Well. I do.

Wedding Weekend!

I have not posted in a while due to work and getting ready for this past weekend in Nashville, TN. My uncle got married on Saturday and I just got home a few minutes ago. I thought I would post some pics of us cause my mom's hair looked great. Mine was ok, it was so humid I just decided to pull it back into a bun and call it a day. The wedding was small and very nice...hope you guys had a great weekend as well!

My mom did a twist out with, of all things, Pantene's Time Renewal Replenishing Mask. It held up pretty well in the humidity.

I pulled my hair back in a bun using Fantasia IC gel. The back started off as a puff that I did individual two-strand twists in. After that, I tucked them all under with a hair band to make the "bun" part. I wore my scarf until it was time to go to prevent frizzies...but they were pretty much inevitable given the heavy moisture in the air.

Me and the bro...

Tiziano e Kelly

One of my favorite Italian singers, Tiziano Ferro, has a new song with Kelly Rowland. The Italian version does not feature her but there is an English version on which she sings. As I mentioned in my post on her newest song, When Love Takes Over, I really like when she ventures out and does something atypical as opposed to sticking strictly to R&B.

The Italian version of the song is called Indietro or Behind in English. The English version is called Breath Gentle. I the Italian version but I like that she sings on the English one, and they do sing a little in Italian at the end. So here is the duet version.

Music for my Monday...

...and Tuesday! I love this song. For about 3 years dance music was an obsession. It has since simmered into slowly burning flame that gets stoked every so often when I hear a cool track like this one.

I have not heard this here in NC but I caught my first listen on the way to ATL this weekend. It reminds me of Mexico and Italy (two places you gotta go if you want to dance in really cool clubs) and I can't resist the urge to move when I hear it. I really hope Kelly makes a whole album like this. Her voice fits well with this type of music and she could finally truly set her self apart from Beyonce's pop and RnB songs.

So that's what I'll be humming on this lovely day...and this might just be my summer anthem. What's yours?

A Natural Bride...

Hello guys and gals! A Naturally Leslie reader, God's Favorite Shoes, was kind enough to pass along a link to the wonderful wedding featuring Nancy,a natural bride, and her groom Adam over on The Bride's Cafe. Thanks! I love natural ladies and I love simple weddings so when the two collide it's like **bliss**! The fantastic shots you'll see below were captured by Mollie of Bloom Photography.
I don't know what I love more...the cute dress, the bride's coily short do, or the rustic and romantic setting. I love that she got her dress at Nordstroms and their lunch catered from Whole Foods (one of my FAVORITE spots to find all things natural). This makes me want to stalk more photography websites in the search of other beautiful natural brides. I know so many ladies wonder what they would do with their hair on such a special occasion but Nancy shows us that sometimes all you need is a simple flower to compliment your kinks and curls. So thanks to Mollie for sharing her work and a special thanks to Nancy and Adam for inspiring us with your style, your love, and your hair!

Isn't this romantic...

So thanks again to The Bride's Cafe and Bloom Photography! Head on over to read about Nancy & Adam and to get more wedding inspiration!

My new favorite song...

...by my favorite singer. I have the Spanish version of the Italian CD this was on, so I am hearing it for the first time tonight. I could be disappointed that it took this long and I'm just now hearing it. But then again, it's kind of like discovering a little hidden treasure, like finding money in a pocket you haven't checked in a while. By the way, it was a song she wrote for her sister's wedding. Couldn't you just imagine a lovely bride walking down a rose petal-covered aisle to this? Ahhh...I just love love. *sigh*


Here's the translation:

I Take You
I take you
Your hands
And I take us.
Look at me

I take the one who
Is my tomorrow.
Love me.
I am here

Love me
For however much time next to you
I will tell myself at night
And I will protect you

I will have more feeling together with you
If I think that you have me.
Always close to each other

Ask me today
Ask me today
About sharing with each other
If it will even turn off the darkness

I take you
I take you
Your hands
Love me
I am here
Love me
Love me

Pedro Zamora

I personally can't wait to see this(it airs tonight at 8 on MTV Tres and MTV):
.
Some of you may be old enough to recall Pedro Zamora from the Real World San Francisco, the openly gay, HIV-positive Cubano who struggled with the illness on the show and later passed away on Nov. 11, 1994, the day after the final episode of the season aired. The youngest child in a close-knit Cuban family, Zamora discovered that he was HIV-positive after donating blood to the Red Cross. His story, however tragic, inspired change and forever altered the face of reality TV. Even then president Bill Clinton called Pedro one morning to thank him for his contributions as an AIDS activist and educator (in fact the movie opens with Clinton’s call). From http://latina.com/blogs/get-cultured/pedro-zamoras-life-remembered

The actual Real World cast; Pedro's in black.
What a remarkable story.