Motherhood Needs to be Celebrated

Glenni Lorick, Editor-in-Chief

Excitement is in the air! Mother’s Day is right around the corner, and that means that the valley’s first Celebrate Mama! event is quickly approaching. Make sure you mark your calendar for May 3 and plan to join us at the Von Braun for this free celebration. You’ll enjoy a fashion show, demonstrations by Riviera Fitness and The Little Gym, special musical presentations and the incredible Mama Marketplace where you’ll find jewelry, day spa gift cards, Longaberger baskets, and a host of other beautiful gifts for the special women in your life. You can also participate in the Regal Nissan and Mercedes Benz of Huntsville Silent Auction to benefit Choose Life of North Alabama.

This year Mother’s Day will be especially meaningful to me because my own mother has just moved here from southern California. For the first time my children are able to have Grandma nearby. I can’t wait to have three generations of my family enjoying Celebrate Mama together!

Some women long to be mothers, but can’t produce eggs. In this issue you’ll read about an exciting technique that gives these women new hope. You’ll also learn about the warning signs of autism and how to combine breastfeeding with a difficult work situation. With the increased attention to childhood vaccinations in the media, Valley Babies has taken an objective look at all sides of the debate. And you won’t want to miss Sue Rickman’s exciting story about her waterbirth at Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital in Florence.

In her column, Amy George introduces us to an exciting new support program for NICU parents. Our featured physician in this issue is Dr. Michael Powell of Huntsville. Our interview with Dr. Powell was too long to include all of it in the magazine, so be sure to visit our website to read the full interview.

Enjoy these beautiful spring days, and we’ll see you on May 3 at Celebrate Mama!