February in a leap year

I have no idea where I am at, but best to update. I have been still knitting and crocheting but not as much as usual. I had my birthday last week...I think.  My 8yo told me I was 24 so I will take that.  Been reading much into politics so that is heavy stuff. I have given up milk this year and also Hungry Jacks. I am not much into those foods anyway so it wasn not that hard. I watched earthlings recently so that has me thinking. I am vegetarian and since my husband has been watching vegan and juicing videos he has been eating better, though he still eats meat just less so. Anyway, been into watching political documentaries and thinking about the very important things in my life. I am not a religous person - in fact I don't feel comfortable with organised religion - though I have been thinking about my belief in God.  I have never been an atheist though agnostic in some ways, I rather believe there is a God and Savior of this world. I try nt to think too much about how evil the world is because its true that those with power often abuse it, take advantage of it and corrupt the people. That said, would I? If I could make a world I wanted, would I? If it would benefit my family and I and maybe in my own mind, the community at large. I am probably one of the very few people who does not want for riches or power and maybe this is the reason why. I could say more but suffice to say I have been thinking about the value of duality and that we are all capable of good and evil and its up to the individual to make their own choices as best they can. To feel only happiness is against nature.

The two big kids started school last week. My daughter started high school. (She is 12 in a couple weeks).The school has been incredibly lacking in communication with us. We were told they would send us information, it never came. We called and they told us they didn't have a booklist. My daughter starts school and discovers the other kids had books.  So past few days we have been searching for books when most stores have sold out.  If the teachers tell my daughter off for something that is out of her control I will  not be impressed.  Meanwhile my boy started grade 4. 

Av is home with us and he has plans for the year so its going to fun.  J has started talking in sentences which amazes me since it seems to have happened to so quickly. He likes to copy Av saying things like "That doesn't make 'ense". At 40 months breastfeeding at least once a day.

Day is crawling everywhere, even up stairs and crusing. He likes to eat fruit everyday. He is a fruitarian but I think he would happily eat almost anything.

Its a short month, February but being a leap year so here's to one extra day!

World Breastfeeding Week (My breastfeeding story and thoughts)

This week is World Breastfeeding Week. I support breastfeeding, I have breastfed 5 children, 4 of them my own. The other child was a week old. His name was Benjamin and his family were Australian by birth but lived in South Africa, they had come home to have their first child. Unfortunately the mother was struggling with it all and was very exhausted. She basically collapsed on the floor of MCHN after a playgroup I was attending with my eldest daughter at 6mths of age. I offered to feed their child who was screaming while the mother talked to the nurse (who offered formula as her solution *sigh* ). I spoke to the father while I fed Benjamin, he contently fed and fell asleep which his father was very thankful for.

When I was pregnant, I didn't give much thought to how I would parent. We had little money and didn't really buy into the idea that babies need to cost a lot of money. My mother told me of how she managed without a pram and the like. I thought using cloth nappies and breastfeeding was normal, less wasteful and cheaper. I didn't consider I would have problems breastfeeding, it was was just how mothers fed their children. I don't remember seeing many babies being breastfeed as I was growing up but do remember when I was a teen I knew someone who was feeding her 5 year old. It was very normal and not something to freak out over. Even still when I had my daughter I thought I would feed her til she was 1, no less, no more. I weaned her 2 weeks before her 1st birthday because she was biting me and I couldn't handle the discomfort at the time. I was upset that she didn't feed til her first birthday. Thankfully when my second child started biting at 8mths I persevered and he self weaned at 18mths. My 3rd child self weaned at 21mths. My 4th child is still feeding at 22mths. I did wean him from day feeds because I found it challenging to feed him so much during the day and neither of us were happy. He continues to feed at night on demand, sometimes once, often many times during the night. I really want to feed him til he is 2. Breastfeeding is not so easy as they get older but it is still beneficial. It could be said I have had an easy time of breastfeeding but it wasn't without its challenges. Sore nipples and mastitis and lots of feeling touched out. Our culture barely tolerates breastfeeding so it is hard for women to keep feeding their babies til the recommended age of 2 and beyond. I know embarrassment is one of the reasons why women stop or don't attempt to feed. And other people's comments on it. When I was pregnant with our first my husband was shocked when at our 20w scan a researcher wanted to know if I was going to breastfeed ( I didn't think it was a choice as such) and he didn't want me to. Now he understands it but back then he had only known people to formula feed as he was (he was adopted but I wonder if he would have been breastfed otherwise). My mother in law was shocked my SIL was breastfeeding her 2 year old, saying it was illegal. My mother saying it's not right to feed past 2. It seems the world is against mothers nurturing their babies. As a society we are in such a hurry for our kids to grow up and be independent and never at their own pace.

I support breastfeeding. Not with any conditions.* Not "as long as it is done discreetly". Not "as long as the child is under 1" Not  "as long as it doesn't upset anyone". Its not about others, its about nourishing and comforting a child. I wouldn't dare put any conditions on others especially childrens happiness and well being.

For Xavier

For my cousin's first baby.
The singlet/ vest is a test knit from tikki.
The hat was crocheted from an idea I had in my mind.

For anyone who would like to use it for personal use, here is how I made it.
(I used 3.5mm hook and 5ply wool/acrylic)
(Worked in DC) Started with 5sts, inc in each st for 2 rows, dc in each st for one row, inc in each st for one row, dc for 5 rows with no inc. Ribbing - alternate fpdc, bpdc for 4 rows

Boobah for brain power

This was a fun project. I saw the pattern on Ravelry and thought I needed to buy some pink yarn. Why pink, I do not know. I don't know if anyone has boobahs this colour.
Av loved the colour and wanted me to make a hat for him. J only kept the hat on while I fed him, advocacy times two.

Parliament House

We took the opportunity to visit Parliament House after the Rally. We have never been before.
We sat in the South gallery of the House of Representatives sitting. My husband I think surprised himself with how much he enjoyed watching the ministers and prime minister talk. I found it interesting also. They were discussing whether we were in a recession or if we over it and also about school funding.
Its not every day I breastfeed while Julia Gillard looks up at me and Tracy Bartram by my side!