The wonderful Christine Dopf and Nile (22 months). Christine is currently 6 weeks pregnant and is also mother to Zion (lost to miscarriage 4/10/2016).
Pregnancy with Nile was spectacular. Christine and her husband took a delayed honeymoon about a year and a half after their wedding and it was there that she felt her baby would be coming soon. She and her husband ran into the ocean in the midst of a thunderstorm and she recalls it as the most spiritual moment of her life. The storm was happening all around them but in the middle they could still see the sun setting and the sky was aglow with color.
Christine was planning a home birth and had been laboring off an on through the better part of a week when her water started leaking. They made a plan to pack a bag and head into the hospital for induction the following morning when she was hit with an intense contraction. She labored through the night and her midwife joined them in the morning. Christine was progressing but once she was at 8cms things stalled and they decided to transfer to the hospital where she received an epidural and was able to rest.
Christine had always felt that Nile would be born during a thunderstorm and as he was crowning she saw lightening out the window. Nile was born shortly thereafter and her birth photographer went outside to capture the sky when he was earth side and it looked the same as the sky had on her honeymoon.
Christine's second pregnancy with Zion's was very much wanted but just as they found out, she began losing the baby. Conceiving again has brought some anxiety but Christine is trying to stay positive and hopeful.
"My body has grown life three times now. For this new baby, my body is a vessel, an opportunity, a beautiful place to grow.
For Zion, my second child, my body was all he knew. His life began and ended in a womb of endless love. This baby is forever in my heart instead of my arms.
For Nile, my first child, this body is where he grew for nine glorious serene perfect months, it patiently held him as he slowly made his way into this world. Since his birth (For 22 months) this body has nourished him day and night with milk, comforted him, loved him, snuggled him. And continues too. This body is his world. Bob constantly asks me, 'what is it like to be his God, his universe, his everything?' It's an enormous responsibility and an honor.
I didn't start loving my body until I became pregnant for the first time. I didn't grow up loving my body.
Why shouldn't this body be celebrated and loved by me?! How could I ever teach my children positive body image if I can't look at this body with immense pride and acceptance. I want my children to love themselves and their bodies no matter what challenges life hands them.
These children have made me a mother, I grew these children"