Jun
17
2013

Celebrity Mums Who Went Au Natural

Water, drug-free, all-natural birthing mamas exist in celebdom, too!

Celebrity Mums Who Went Au Natural

So, I've been a bit quiet this last week, and for very good reason. Last Monday, we welcomed our second son into the world after an insane 19 hours of labour (for a second kid!). After what I assumed was a false labour Sunday night, Lachlan (Lauchie) David came roaring out around 9am Monday. I had Lauchie at home, with midwives and no drugs or other medical intervention. During the pushing stage, I had a bit of a break and I looked at Matt and said, "I'm never doing this again!" But afterwards, well, I feel great and am happy to have had the experience and probably would do it again, too (if we have a 3rd. Let's get me adjusted to the second!). 

After having this experience, I thought, "I wonder what celebrities have done home births?" And in doing a bit of investigating, I was actually surprised at some of the names that I came across. Have a look at some of the big-name mums who I found out also shared a home-birth experience, like me!

Alanis Morissette

This one wasn't too surprising. Alanis seems like a hippie mama with one foot planted firmly in the holistic. She had her son after a 25-hour home birth! 19 hours was excruciating for me, so I can't imagine 25 hours. 

Cindy Crawford

While the original 90s supermodel was planning a hospital birth, she found strength and serenity during pregnancy that fueled her decision for a home birth. So, of course, not only is she stunningly beautiful, she feels even more powerful while most of us are feeling tired and overweight! 

Gisele Bundchen

Another supermodel who opted for a home birth. She claims yoga and meditation helped her through her labour. I wish I'd had the forethought to try either of those things. I mostly moaned and wandered around the house wimpering!

Pamela Anderson

This one surprised me! Both Anderson's sons with ex-husband Tommy Lee were born at home, in the tub. She just doesn't seem like the type, does she? Although, really, what sort of "type" am I even trying to imagine here?!?!

While a home birth may not be for everyone, it was something I was hoping for with Henry and never got (I was induced because he was SO late). Having the experience this time was remarkable and I'm happy I had the opportunity. I guess if we ever did have a 3rd, I'd probably opt for the same thing with the hope that a 3rd baby would actually just pop right out. But for now, I'm going to be awfully busy trying to help H adjust to his new role as big brother (and no longer centre of our universe) and nursing a baby that gained 10oz of weight in 48 hours. 

But how can I resist this face?

So, spill it! Did you have a home birth? Would you consider it?

Jun
13
2013

NeXt by NE Summer Series for Kids

Rocking Mums and Dads can bring their kids to Canada's biggest music fest!

NeXt by NE Summer Series for Kids

AH, NXNE. The Canadian sister to Austin, TX's SXSW festival is expanding this year to include programing for families — the NeXt by NE concert series showcasing musical talent under the age of 15. If you've got kids that are into new music, and you want to expose them to concerts and festivals, this is an awesome weekend opportunity at Toronto's Harbourfront Centre. 

On Saturday, June 15, there is Longboard4kids, a 10k charity skateboard ride in support of the Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation. When the ride is done, there will be a concert. Included in the day, there are longboard themed movies at the indoor theatre and a Zine making workshop. Gen X parent's dream day, I think!

On Sunday, June 16 at the Redpath Stage at Harbourfront is a day of music by talented kids under the age of 15. The lineup includes:

 

Sugar Rush
Group of 11-14-year-old boys from Toronto playing alternative rock
 
LiveWire  
8-10-year-old rock band from Chicago, IL playing classic and alternative rock
 
Unfinished Business
12-13-year-old all-girl rock band from Toronto
 
Lyric Dubee
14-year-old singer-songwriter from Barrie, Ontario
 
Motion Device
11-year-old female fronted rock band from Bolton, Ontario
 
Oliver Pigott
From Canadian Idol and Being Erica
 
Showing kids that they can rock, too is a perfect way to kick off the summer, and it may spark a musical interest that you didn't' know your little guys and girls had. 
Jun
09
2013

Simon Cowell Egged on Britain's Got Talent

Former contestant seeks revenge live on finale!

Simon Cowell Egged on Britain's Got Talent

In oddly strange (yet somehow satisfying) news, looks like Saturday night's Britain's Got Talent finale was crashed by a former contestant. A contestant from last season, Natalie Holt, crashed the stage during one of the finalist's performances to throw eggs at judge/producer Simon Cowell. 

She later said, "I want to apologize to Richard and Adam (the two who were performing at the time) for overshadowing their performance. I have never done anything like this before and in hindsight, I have realized it was a silly thing to do." No rhyme or reason as to why, but I suspect I know: Who doesn't want to throw eggs at Simon Cowell and his ridiculous tight shirts and annoying "I know better than you" smirk from time to time? But it doesn't mean anyone should throw eggs at him...right? 

I'm wondering how she got past the stage security especially considering she wasn't even a contestant this season! This seems just a little bit strange, no? The two performers handled it incredibly well, though. You can watch the video here:

This seems like something that would never happen on Canada's Got Talent, and especially not on America's Got Talent, which is why I really think something about this is staged. But I'm not sure what. 

Although, seeing Simon get egged is pretty entertaining. 

So, spill it! What do you think of Simon Cowell getting eggs thrown at him on BGT?