How Eskimos keep Their Babies Warm and more than one way to parent a child

Book Review

I've been doing a lot more reading lately. I can't wait till the weather cools to snuggle up on the couch or under the doona with a book. There is nothing more satisfying.

I've always been an avid reader but since the Internet children I've read less and less. Reading a book (s) for my own enjoyment used to be a part of my daily activity, now I'm more dependent on technology and finding less time to read 'paper' books. I do read to my children most nights and listen to them read home readers 4-5 days a week

I was sent several books to review in the past month so I've been very busy.

How Eskimos keep Their Babies : Parenting wisdom from around the world , has been absolutely delightful.

I learn so many things through reading. Reading gives me insight into other peoples lives and cultures and this book was eye opening.

A charming insight into child-rearing practices across the globe

How Eskimos Keep Their Babies Warm is the perfect read for fans of bestselling parenting book French Children Don't Throw Food.

'A captivating book, filled with some genuinely useful (and jaw-dropping) child-rearing tips from all over the world' Amy Chua, author of Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother

For any parent weary of the so-called 'expert advice' peddled in books and on TV, How Eskimos Keep Their Babies Warm lifts the lid on how other cultures parent their children, with some interesting – and surprising – insights. Mei-Ling Hopgood explores how mums and dads in other countries approach such issues as bedtime, potty training, healthy eating and playtime squabbles and offers some fascinating new perspectives on how to do things.

This inspiring, engaging and fun read proves that there are many ways to be a good parent - and more than one way to raise a child.

I've been a parent for almost 19yrs and spent 10yrs nursing children in hospital. I'm still learning how to be a better parent.

How Eskimos Keep Their Babies Warm is captivating and entertaining while providing views from other parents and solid research from anthropologists and childcare experts, it's interspersed with the author's experience and observation, to explore and back up the different parenting methods observed.

The author, Mei-Ling Hopgood has a warm , 'honest' personality and she writes with humour and gentle wit. I've learned a whole lot of new ideas and had some of my own views challenged.

Mei-Ling doesn't agree with everything and even challenges what experts tell parents ...especially about potty training infants. It was interesting and easy to read.

I am an accidental 'attachment parent' who breastfed because I could, practiced baby 'wearing' for a short time (because twins do make it more challenging) and co-slept because it worked for us. I had no set ideas and I didn't have solid reasons one way or the other. I've never openly judged other parents and I tried never to offend people ...though breastfeeding my preschoolers was certainly offensive to some.

The message is clear there is no way to be a perfect parent and a million ways to be a good one!

There is just no need to attack other parents choices. I enjoyed this post by Emma too.

Disclaimer: No financial payment  was received . One copy of  How Eskimos Keep Their Babies Warm was sent to me by PAN MACMILLAN AUSTRALIA Books.All opinions are my own. Like them on Facebook

Linking up with    Jess  #IBOT
 ♥

Have you felt yourself today ?

One of the reasons I am blogging about my breast cancer journey is to raise and spread awareness. I know that reminding people to check their breasts could save their life.

It is healthy habit that should be as much a part of your daily routine, like showering, dressing and looking in the mirror. 

You don't need to wait for a special day, check your breasts wherever and whenever works for you but do it regularly. A minimum of monthly is recommended.


I was always a little Breast Aware but even so I was slack and hap hazard about checking.
I wasn't aware of all the changes to look for ...it isn't just a lump.

Most breast changes aren’t due to cancer - but if you find a change that is unusual for you, see your GP to make sure.

I had 2-3 symptoms at diagnosis - though my breasts were always lumpy. I found this website which tell you what to look for

A new lump or lumpiness, especially if it's only in one breast. A change in the size or shape of your breast. A change to the nipple such as crusting, ulcer, redness or inversion. A nipple discharge that occurs without squeezing A change in the skin of your breast such as redness or dimpling. An unusual pain that doesn't go away.

I had 2-3 symptoms at diagnosis - pain, discharge on squeezing (because I had pain) and my breasts were always kind of lumpy. I did see my GP immediately, both times I had nipple discharge. May 2011 it wasn't breast cancer (that I know).

How do you reduce your risks ? 

I had no family history .
I breast fed for over 4 yrs .
I have never been overweight.
I'm active and I've had a reasonably healthy diet with only a little alcohol consumption.

How do you calculate your risk based on evidence ?
Calculator

 I didn't know that an inherited faulty gene only accounts for 5% of all breast cancers. Even then breast cancer is so common that it need not be a faulty inherited gene that causes BC within the same family.

I thought it couldn't happen to me , though I've had several mammograms and ultrasounds despite that misguided belief...just for reassurance.


So have you felt yourself today ...you can never be too busy !


Cheeky checkups is a campaign aimed at younger women because mammograms and ultrasounds are apparently less effective at detecting breast cancer -   https://www.facebook.com/NBOCCCheekyCheckUp


Like further information, visit www.nbocc.org.au/resources
This not a sponsored post I am just continuing in my quest to remind everyone how important it is.

Grateful for breastfeeding twins and sunshine

Just living is not enough. One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.

Hans Christian Andersen 

The sunshine in Sydney this week has been like Spring and just what I needed to boost my spirits while feeling so unwell.
My boys loved playing in the sun too and it gave me moments of peace :).

I've seen a few posts this week as part of World Breastfeeding Week.
I wanted to say it again how grateful I was for the support I had to breastfeed my twin sons.Mostly my dear husband.

Once upon a time as soon as I sat down at computer I would be greeted by this sight ...he would bring me the Zoo breastfeeding pillow.

Firstly, I will never beat up any mum about her decision to breastfed or not, nor bash you with lactivist slogans.

Some of my dearest pro breastfeeding friends couldn't get it to happen with some of their babes , because things don't always happen the way we intend or desire.

I know other lovely women who just as soon didn't see breastfeeding as being for them. No worries I don't judge.

I wanted to share my story on breastfeeding twins , as it is my wish that those who choose to breastfeed twins are well supported, able to understand the difficulties and remain hopeful for the future...especially if they have one twin who won't breastfeed.

(Most of story is re-posted).

My twins were born a month premature and most babies under 36 weeks don't have a good sucking reflex.

Though many can start to breastfeed or bottle feed they also have nasogastric tubes (NGT) because sucking exhausts them easily.

So they space the NG tube feeds with a breast or bottle feed initially. I started hand expressing colostrum the same day - like 1-2 mls. Yes mls.

It was a few days before I my milk came in ... then I spent the next three weeks hooked up this pump 5- 6 times a day for 20-30 mins or more each session. I was so determined to breast feed.

 

S was having a bottle of expressed breast milk (EBM) about every 9 hrs and two tube EBM  feeds in between.He was very reluctant to suck the teat.

The midwives in the Nursery were not that keen for me to breastfeed, it seemed, and I had to fight to let him suck at the nipple at all while he was having a tube feed. He just wasn't interested in the teat/bottle. They kept saying he wouldn't suck. They said not to "tire him out".

J - took to the bottle with expressed breast milk very well and being so little at 2 kgs with a tiny mouth he was having problems attaching. *sigh* So we didn't try him as much but he was up to having a bottle of EBM every six hours, days before his brother, who 800gm heavier.

We were only in the nursery for them to gain weight and feed ...

Finally at 19 days old they let us go home. J - was only having bottle feeds. S only got his NG tube out the day before we left. He was having breastfeeds with bottle feed top up and bottle feeds overnight when I wasn't there. He wasn't keen on top ups ... wasn't hungry obviously.

We left hospital with a long list of do's and don'ts. The main one was to overfeed and force top ups on S offer S extra top up feeds after a breastfeed and feed both at least every 3 -4 hrs.

S never had another bottle . Ever !

I knew my mother's intuition was he didn't want the top up and I knew he was p o o ping and p e e ing enough plus gaining weight. It wasn't that I didn't have the supply.

I was pumping milk for J round the clock. I knew that while I could I wanted to give them both breast milk.

I felt guilty I wasn't able to get J to attach to the n i p p l e. I saw a lactation consultant but we had no luck. We tried shields - no luck. He just screamed and arched his back. He had a touch of reflux too so we added thickener Karicare .I knew it was upsetting him to push him any more. I let it go. I tried every him so often if he nuzzled me.

Having a twin still breastfeeding meant I was able to maintain a good supply for both. I know people expressing for just one baby have a lot of difficulty maintaining supply. A baby sucking is the best method for making milk.

So for the next 4-5 months I expressed - sometimes 5-6 times a day. Sometimes with the tandem collection kit, sometimes whilst breastfeeding S on one side and sometimes while bottle feeding J . Sometimes, I did all at once. I juggled everything with the help of my dear husband. He enjoyed participating in feeding J his bottle too.

Then I mastered three times day expressing.I wish I had known about the pumping bra though ... I spilt a few precious bottles juggling my books or keyboard and holding bottles/pump kits.

One day J was screaming for his milk ...I had to warm the bottle from the fridge. I had just set up to express and thought I would try him.

He was also in a Pavlik harness for his hips (from 4-6 months) to make matters more complicated in trying to position him the right way to breastfeed.


But surprising he attached and I could feel him feeding, hungrily, properly for the first time. He did it again later .Over the next few days he was down to one -two EMB bottles at night ( so I could sleep LOL and Daddy could still help)

I continued to express one feed because he had been diagnosed also with the kidney VUR reflux and I wanted to make sure he was getting a good drink to flush his kidneys out. Then one day at about 7 -8 months I stopped expressing.

S & J continued to breastfeed at 21 months. till 4 years 3 months actually. Editted ...

Pretty controversial when I was feeding them even as toddlers - my brother and others disapproved - but so what , it was our journey. I am not suggesting it be someone elses.

My friend who had 30wk premature identical girls. She started both her twins breastfeeding after being home a few weeks on bottle , first with a nipple shield then nothing. They are now almost 7 months old.

Penny shared some of her good and bad breastfeeding experiences in her post on Sshh, mummy’s on the phone this week ... I love the line all mums need support whatever their choice.

Kellie Three Lil Princesses shared Tips that MAY help make breastfeeding easier 
Mostly some things she knows about breastfeeding -what worked for her and how she managed to get through.

A fellow twin mum Grace shares her thoughts and tips on breastfeeding twins and this is what the Australia Breatsfeeding association has to say about breastfeeding twins.

Do you have any breastfeeding tips or stories to share, let me know and I'll add them , twins or not.

What are you Grateful for today ?

♥ Never miss a post

Boobies, Breastfeeding & Pink ribbons

Its Pink Ribbon Day and today sees the launch of Register4.org.au Australia’s 1st online community for volunteer breast cancer research participants. By joining us you could help researchers spend less time finding volunteers and more time to find a cure! Log on to www.register4.org.au and register today!


Answering a few questions about your lifestyle may help researchers find answers, a faster cure & save lives.

Today is a good day to come out and talk about my boobies ...Two weeks ago on 10.10.10 my twins breastfed for the last time.

It might shock or surprise people that I allowed my sons to breastfeed past their 4th year.
I know the idea of breastfeeding preschoolers wasn't on my agenda when I started 4 years ago.

When I started breastfeeding, my one month premature, twins, it was doubted by many I would establish BF at all. It was a tough start. It nearly didn't happen because I didn't get a lot of support in hospital.

Once home , I breastfed one and pumped for his brother who refused to attach to the breast . He didn't breastfeed for over 5 months. I was extremely relieved when he changed his mind.

So 'our' breastfeeding journey has reached it's final destination.It wasn't a deliberate choice to stop that day , it just happened that we were away for the weekend.My brother & his family were away with us, the next morning my boys hurried out of bed to play with their cousins.
They forgot ...I knew it.

The next morning back at home I was out of bed early; they liked to come and snuggle in with us and then BF .They got distracted because I was up already.

The third day I simply said 'No'.

It was hard when one especially cried and begged me please for "Boobie Nilky" , trying to convince me he was still a little boy and wanted boobie milk not milk from the cup/cow.

(I took this at the farm 9.10.10)

Over the last 2wks they have still asked every few days...the other day one tried to tell he was little because his legs didn't reach (...the bottom of the bed).
Today both asked as they cuddled into my chest. One softly murmured "Boobies, I can see your boobies" (I was wearing a singlet)
Am I sorry to end - yes - but I know it was time. I'll miss it in many ways and I 'm thankful that I had the support of my husband so I could breastfeed.
I have very lumpy breasts and I've had several mammograms over the years. Each time it is scary.
Breastfeeding for 6 months or longer is just one of preventions.
One in nine women will contract the disease by the age of 85 and about 36 Australians are diagnosed with it every day...1% are men.
I hope that one day we can cure all cancers.
I registered at Register4 for answers, cure, future,life ! Only takes 3 minutes.


*if you came here to see pictures of Breastfeeding twins or even my boobies sorry to disappoint ;)
♥ Never miss a post

In an emergency ...

It's World Breastfeeding week 1st -7th August 2009 and the theme this year is 'helping mothers and babies in emergencies'

The Australian Breastfeeding Association celebrates World Breastfeeding Week from 1-7 August. World Breastfeeding Week is an initiative of the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) and is celebrated by over 120 countries around the world.
This year's theme is 'helping mothers and babies in emergencies' and is quite relevant to Australia. We are prone to short-term emergencies such as cyclones, bushfires and floods. More importantly, we are strategically placed to help our neighbouring countries in the Pacific region with their disaster response. It is important that donors and non-government agencies (NGOs) understand about the importance of breastfeeding in emergency situations and that the indiscriminate distribution and use of artificial formula in emergencies is dangerous.

Find out all the info here.
They have some great info on breastfeeding and swine flu (H1N1) too
They have a bucket load of links ;)

the phone number in Australia is
1800 mum 2 mum
1800 686 2 686
(how cool is that)

♥

Never miss a post

A journey of a thousand miles

begins with a single step ~ Lao Tzu

... then it is only 10000 steps (a day) to better health !

I am now more than half way (64%) through my virtual Northern territory outback adventure. The '10,000 steps' goal puts a focus on the accumulation of activity across the whole day instead of the pressure to do it all in one burst.

I have done approx 319,284 steps since 20th October...199284 in November. I thought I was fairly active running around after twin toddlers and doing housework but I was wrong.

Some days before I do my official walk (including pushing them in the stroller) of about 5000-6000 steps - 45mins-1 hr , I can barely manage 4000 steps or even less. This surprised me ... I am often exhausted by lunchtime and all I want to do is sit and chill .(shhhh ok I confess I do for a bit more for a read and a blog I don't watch much TV anymore)

These are the National Physical Activity Guidelines for Adults

1-3 recommend the minimum amount of physical activity you need

to do to enhance your health. They are not intended for high-level fitness, sports training or weight loss. To achieve the best results, try to carry out all three guidelines and combine an active lifestyle with healthy eating.

Guideline 1
Think of movement as an opportunity, not an inconvenience.
Where any form of movement of the body is seen as an opportunity for improving health, not as a time-wasting inconvenience... so picking up after your children is good for you.

Guideline 2
Be active every day in as many ways as you can.
Make a habit of walking or cycling instead of using the car, or do things yourself instead of using labour-saving machines.

Guideline 3
Put together at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most, preferably all, days.
You can accumulate your 30 minutes (or more) throughout the day by combining a few shorter sessions of activity of around 10 to 15 minutes each.

Guideline 4
If you can, also enjoy some regular, vigorous activity for extra health and fitness. ... see below

So I am inviting you to join in ...

Hi 'Valued friends & readers' ,

I have found this great website that has heaps of physical activity information as well as a free Step Log where we can record and keep track of our steps. I thought that you might like to check it out.

Tips and tricks to stay motivated


Q - How do you record other activities in steps

Recording Other Activities in Steps
10 minutes of moderate intensity activity = 1,000 steps

Moderate Intensity Activity causes a slight, but noticeable increase in breathing and heart rate. You should be able to maintain a conversation.
10 minutes of high intensity activity = 2,000 steps

High Intensity (or Vigorous) Activity makes you “huff and puff” and is where talking full sentences between breaths is difficult. ... does making l o v e count ?


Tips and tricks to stay motivated

Advice of the day

1. Buy a pedometer ... beats counting. I got a new one today ((under $30 from Rebel sport) and new walking shoes...Don't even think of taking your pedometer to the beach. A walk on the beach is purely for pleasure (but no-one told me how hard it is on soft sand) and a freak wave or rather the salt water ruins pedometers.
2. Wear sensible shoes - the best you can afford in a style you like. Reflexologists will tell you true relaxation begins with the feet.
3. To assist you in reaching your goals and to get into a routine - schedule your daily walking or exercise goals and extra activities in your diary, like you would an appointment (best if you don't reward yourself for meeting your goals with chocolate or edible treats but then again at least you worked a bit of it off if you do sometimes).
   
See your Dr if you have any concerns about starting an exercise program and start with small steps ...

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Lao Tzu

PS .I wish someone would design a chart to tell me how many steps a certain chocolate bar or other treat was worth ...then I could decide if it was ...

PPS I can't talk about Menu Plan Monday & food today ...we have both been to the dentist- I had an extraction of an extra tooth (it's been at the back of my jaw at an angle for years(?) and Dh had a filling ... dare I mention the dentist says to floss every day.
He also asked me was I still breastfeeding (I am twice a day) and told me Breastfeeding is good for my children's immune system. I was very impressed this coming from a man.

Never miss a post

Express ...

Heads : E X P R E S S

This word evokes many memories ... of course for me ... to do with breastfeeding my twin sons.

My twins were born a month premature and most babies under 36 weeks don't have a good sucking reflex.

Though many can start to breastfeed or bottle feed they also have nasogastric tubes (NGT) because sucking exhausts them easily.


So they space the NG tube feeds with a breast or bottle feed initially. I started hand expressing colostrum the same day - like 1-2 mls. Yes mls.

It was a few days before I my milk came in ... then I spent the next three weeks hooked up this pump 5- 6 times a day for 20-30 mins or more each session. I was so determined to breast feed.

S was having a bottle of expressed breast milk (EBM) about every 9 hrs and two tube feeds in between.He was very reluctant to suck the teat.

The midwives in the Nursery were not that keen for me to breastfeed, it seemed, and I had to fight to let him suck at the nipple at all while he was having a tube feed. He just wasn't interested in the teat/bottle. They kept saying he wouldn't suck. They said not to "tire him out".

J - took to the bottle with expressed breast milk very well and being so little at 2 kgs with a tiny mouth he was having problems attaching. *sigh* So we didn't try him as much but he was up to having a bottle of EBM every six hours, days before his brother, who 800gm heavier.

We were only in the nursery for them to gain weight and feed ...

Finally at19 days old they let us go home. J - was only having bottle feeds. S only got his NG tube out the day before we left. He was having breastfeeds with bottle feed top up and bottle feeds overnight when I wasn't there. He wasn't keen on top ups ... wasn't hungry obviously.

We left hospital with a long list of do's and don'ts. The main one was to overfeed and force top ups on S offer S extra top up feeds after a breastfeed and feed both at least every 3 -4 hrs.

S never had another bottle . Ever !

I knew my mother's intuition was he didn't want the top up and I knew he was p o o ping and p e e ing enough plus gaining weight. It wasn't that I didn't have the supply.

I was pumping milk for J round the clock. I knew that while I could I wanted to give them both breast milk.

I felt guilty I wasn't able to get J to attach to the n i p p l e. I saw a lactation consultant but we had no luck. We tried shields - no luck. He just screamed and arched his back. He had a touch of reflux too so we added thickener Karicare .I knew it was upsetting him to push him any more. I let it go. I tried every him so often if he nuzzled me.

Having a twin still breastfeeding meant I was able to maintain a good supply for both. I know people expressing for just one baby have a lot of difficulty maintaining supply. A baby sucking is the best method for making milk.

So for the next 4-5 months I expressed - sometimes 5-6 times a day. Sometimes with the tandem collection kit, sometimes whilst breastfeeding S on one side and sometimes while bottle feeding J . Sometimes, I did all at once. I juggled everything with the help of my dear husband. He enjoyed participating in feeding J his bottle too.

Then I mastered three times day expressing.I wish I had known about the pumping bra though ... I spilt a few precious bottles juggling my books or keyboard and holding bottles/pump kits.

One day J was screaming for his milk ...I had to warm the bottle from the fridge. I had just set up to express and thought I would try him.

He was also in a Pavlik harness for his hips (from 4-6 months) to make matters more complicated in trying to position him the right way to breastfeed.


But surprising he attached and I could feel him feeding, hungrily, properly for the first time. He did it again later .Over the next few days he was down to one -two EMB bottles at night ( so I could sleep LOL and Daddy could still help)

I continued to express one feed because he had been diagnosed also with the kidney VUR reflux and I wanted to make sure he was getting a good drink to flush his kidneys out. Then one day at about 7 -8 months I stopped expressing.

S & J continue to breastfeed at 21 months.

See more Heads & Tails hosted by Skittles at its new blog..

♥

Milk and Menu Plans

Food is my favourite topic !

My Menu plan Monday last week went well . We stuck to the menu 4/7 days.One night (supposed to be pizza) we ate bits and pieces (sausage sandwiches/or on a roll) and leftovers (me) another we swapped chicken and vegetable sticks for steak. Sunday night - we had HJ because we had to drive someone home and the family dinner was cancelled too.

Now, I had to think about what will we eat this week. I did browse a few recipes from my recipe blog but they might be my lunch and I won't post desserts because that's not fair.

I let my other blog slide because I ran out of recipes ...feel free to send me your favourites I would love to revive my blog one day.

Some good news my non-eater, S is eating a little more but not a vegetable has made it past his lips - he hands it to me or tosses it. I worry about him because I know he is anaemic.

This , too will pass. ...One day I will look back and smile ... my teenager devours everything not locked up eats well but was fussy at times as a toddler.

Neither S or J drink cows milk but are still breastfeeding several times a day. I do make S hold out a but more now to encourage him to eat but sometimes it isn't worth the screaming and my guilt to deny him. I don't like to call it demand fed but child led ... at a mutually agreeable time to mummy.

They are so funny now one will bring me the feeding pillow(to computer*gasp* -really because it is only time I sit down) and the other will start to cry and/or wrestle it off them. Then the loser will sit and cry loudly. It breaks my heart to chose and leave one crying.

I still tandem feed though they tend to think it is play time and do acrobats and twists - stretching and eye poking, guarding their territory (.), slapping my chest and laughing hysterically while gripping hold with their teeth. So , I prefer to single feed.

When I stay up late blogging - one or other of the twins will toddle from the bedroom (we co sleep at night - DH is usually in there sleeping oblivous to their waking ).The Brothers know where to find me ... sad but true. It is my child free time. They pick up the Zoo pillow on the way to me and hand it to me or start signing 'milk'.


I digress ...The Planning Queen has more awesome planning and menu ideas this week - and a shopping list to print off. I will soon ...

Yesterday, morning, I baked a banana caramel cake -(with blackvery ripe bananas no body would eat) this time with pecans instead of walnuts .

Saturday, I baked more chocolate pecan chunk cookies .We had left over mix (I know so wrong) that I left in fridge shaped into balls - Saturday afternoon I only had to put them in a preheated oven - fresh cookies in 12 mins.

This week I even *gasp* cleaned my deep freeze out to see what we had. Not much actually food but lots of ice cream .Also, bread I bought last Monday at reduced prices.It looks so organised now.

...my menu plan (Sorry I was late posting - two little things sidetracked me)

Tonight: We had steak , mashed potato and steamed vegies. I got Chipolata sausages and even S ate them. Hooray for progress (no vegies still unless you count potato in the oven fries because neither will eat mash).

Tuesday : Roast Beef , potatoes ,sweet potato and steamed vegies (maybe my home grown zucchini).

Wednesday: BBQ /grilled Satay Marinated Chicken and vegetable sticks in Satay Sauce and Jasmine Rice, steamed beans & peas (for J) (we missed this last week)

Thursday:Spaghetti Bolognaise - the family's favorite meal - everyone eats this (complete with home grown basil , hidden grated carrots/home grown zucchini and red Lentils -I am really sneaky.)

Friday: Take away ... hey I need to have a night off sometime.

Saturday: BBQ and vegetable rice medley

Sunday : I am waiting to browse the other MPM 'ers at Organising Junkie and find something to surprise the family.

It makes the week seem to go quickly planing it out .

what's for dinner at your place ?

♥

Why breastfeed toddlers ?

As many of my regular readers know I continue to breastfeed my twin sons @ 20 months old. I plan to continue as long as mutually desirable.

I know my brother disapproves . Even last night my MIL said to me she did 'I' think 'S ' would start to eat more if I stopped breastfeeding. This is what my brother says too LOL. The stock market 'guru' whose infant nutrition degree fell out of the Kellogg's box.

Given that J my other twin eats mostly everything and always has a great appetite -but still breastfeeds - why would it make any difference ?

I wouldn't exactly call myself a Lactivist - (see this sweatshirt for the definition- click the image to check out Attached at the Hips full range) but I believe breastfeeding was the right choice for me and for my children. They have benefited from being breastfeed. At the same time I know most children thrive on formula and do just as well. I also know some mothers who wanted to nurse their baby(ies) have not been successful for a multitude of reasons.

I accept that breastfeeding twins is a challenge the upside is it gives me a great excuse to sit down for hours every day blogging and finding the time to get everything done is hard.I have been fortunate to have my husband and older son to support me.

Most importantly ... the amazing Paula @ Olive juice with her gorgeous Grant surprised me with some astonishing facts this morning - in WHY BREASTFEED A TODDLER ? It is well worth reading.

Smiley Saturday

I love Saturday because it is time to tell you guys what made me smile this week.

• My little boys ... aka the Brothers -since they are 20 months old today and not really babies anymore (thanks to Jano @ Sidetalks sweet little girl,S for giving me this idea -she has twin boys too)

They make my heart sing every day and my hair turn grey er!

I could sing their praises all night ... they share mostly everything and if one picks up the two kiddy golf sticks they take one to their brother... I mean to share not hit them LOL.

Sunday we stopped to buy Hungry jacks drive thru- the 'brothers' were asleep. J was woke up and we were feeding him fries (from the front seat) - then I noticed him sharing them with S , placing fries near his hands and down the side of S's seat. Aww so cute !

They both love to ride in the little red wagon and will go and sit in there together ...smiling & waiting expectantly for me to pull them up and down the driveway (3-4 times every day ... I can't say no)

• Ivy ... made me smile when she said my name 'there's Trish' when we caught up with Tiff in the park on Tuesday. She melts my heart and she has the most glorious curls.
  
• A chance to meet up with Tiff and her children made me smile too .The Brother's love her gorgeous kids too.
• My husband made me smile because he always does ... and he fitted new barrel bolts to the bedroom/bathroom/laundry and garage doors because the Brothers can reach the door handles and open them now ! EEEKs - they were going into rooms and closing the doors behind themselves and I couldn't find them and mostly not hear them wrecking everything.
  It is going to take me a while to get used to not banging my (.) (.) and head into the darn doors undoing the bolt first but better that then pull my hair and heart out when I can't find them.
• Finding out my Lightening's Smiley Saturday swap partner is Jeanie.
• one more for the road to bed I found this ... Julie are you still up ? NIGHT WEANING: 12 ALTERNATIVES FOR THE ALL-NIGHT NURSER (sorry I am too tired to retype it I'm the slowest typer @ 32wpm) but I don't know how it will work with twins.
  

You can find more Smiley Saturdays over at Lightening's. Don't be shy - join in too !

52 blessings to be grateful for on Friday

Oh ,where did my week go. Yesterday was Blog 365's day of rest ... not that I rested , not that I stayed away from my blog but I didn't post (well not counting I finished the post I started Thursday 11pm on Friday.)

So it was Friday 29th yesterday - happy birthday to all who celebrate birthdays ... one of my cousins is '32' but it's only her 8th birthday. Tiff's mum had a birthday too.

An extra day ... did I put that extra 24 hrs to good use ? Maybe ? Yes ... I took S & J to an indoor play centre with some friends and they had a ball. Then DH & I ,with wee lads went to dinner at the local pub .The steak was overcooked ,very average but we didn't complain and send it back. They probably didn't like us using the buy 1 get one free !

Today, I am grateful that I have been nursing my sons for 20 months and still counting. I am blessed that my husband gave me the support I needed to achieve this. I tip my bra to him.

I never had to buy even one tin of formula (not that I have anything against the use of formula) . J had expressed breast milk for 5 months so we still had to buy bottles and teats etc.It has been an amazing experience.

I don't know what excuse I will be able to give when they wean ... the boys (one at a time) love nursing on my lap at the computer especially to sleep at night... for hours.

Your turn ....tell us what are you grateful for.Kate would love you to join us in her new meme. What are you waiting for it's not to too late.

Come back later for Smiley Saturday ~ we got some laundry to hang on the line (hooray the sun is shining) and then some shopping to do.

The Bra turns 101

I happened upon this today

(.)(.)

The Bra is 101 years old

a little history about our most s.exiest fashion accessory and inseparable companion.

your turn what is your favourite bra ? ... don't be shy - men can answer too.

-well at the moment ... mine are ugly maternity bras but that's okay ... I am not ready to wean.

Thursday Thirteen # 2

Fourteen Things about Boring Old Me I have gone PINK for Breast cancer awareness month... what else can I do ? I have 2 IVF miracles - twin sons 15 months old - the lights of my life. I have lived with , endured and conquered infertility...it's painful but unseen I have experienced the loss of a baby during pregnancy in 2004(@ 26 wks/ 6 months in 2004) I (We) adopted a child in 1994...he is now 14 & taller than me I rode a bicycle 1100kms from Melbourne to Sydney -with 2000 other people for Bicentenary in 1988 over 15 days. (Hardly ridden a bike much since except my exercise bike) I am a serial procrastinator ...I tell you more about it tomorrow I worry too much (Don't worry I won't bore you here) I have a genetically inherited disease and so does at least one of my sons, and several members of my family ... I don't like to talk about it. Denial is BLISS ! One day I might blog it. I am addicted to blogging reading and writing...My husband hates it I am almost blind in one eye and partially deaf - I always hope people don't think I am ignoring them -neither are related to my genetic disease. I have been breastfeeding my twin sons for 15 months... hope to get to 2 years. I like to eat everything ...well most things except offal and a few other foodstuffs ! I am Superstitious about the Number 13 (sorry I can't work MR LINKY yet to add you!)

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