March, on the way home from school :)
Monday
Tuesday
Sharing a link - Timeline of a Breastfed Baby
Had to share this link :) Great timeline of breastfeeding, lots of useful advice along the way!
The Alpha Parent: Timeline of a Breastfed Baby:
Monday
Some things that bug me
I felt like having a rant today, about all the things that get on my nerves. You may not agree with the things I say, but this is my opinion. Mostly parenting related irks!
I'm going to start with baby dummies. I hate them. They interfere with breastfeeding, so annoying to see a baby who is being breastfed with a dummy, and then the mum to moan about having trouble feeding - so don't use a dummy? Even worse is kids older than 2/3 still using dummies. I understand that if you use them its your choice, and you have to fight that battle for your child to stop using them one day too, but I personally don't like them and think they look gross!!!
Bottles. Well not bottles exactly - Its about mums that don't try but first I want to talk about formula and breastfeeding - THIS IS ALL IN MY OPINION! Please don't take offence!
Yes formula feeding saves lives - without it many babies would starve. So in that sense its a wonderful invention - But that's all it is, a recent invention. We have managed to survive since life began without the need for artificial milk. I still appreciate the fact that many mums have health issues (which is why I guess we used to have wet-nurses) so will use formula and that's fine. I totally understand the fact that breastfeeding for some is hard, it can hurt, it is not always as simple as the NCT or attachment parenting articles make it out to be. There are so many things that can effect breastfeeding, and all those issues are totally understandable, and acceptable, formula saves babies from being hungry, and saves a lot of mums from pain.
In fact I think bottle feeding is harder than breastfeeding, sterilising bottles at all hours, making sure you take milk out with you, etc. I applaud mums who use bottles for those reasons!
Luckily I had it easy, I was very lucky to have a good start with feeding. But I also had such a mindset about how I was going to feed my baby that I didn't even buy bottles or have formula in the house - I had a manual breast-pump someone gave me, which came with some bottles (no teats), but they got left hidden away in a cupboard (until one day I did attempt to manually pump, but got a dribble out after about 10 mins of pumping!)
Jared was underweight anyway when born (tiny 5lbs 1) and the hospital made me stay in longer than I wanted to he also lost weight after birth, he was also very yellow (Jaundiced). I did worry they would make me use a bottle, but nobody ever mentioned it.
There was one point where they hooked me up to a machine I can only describe as being like a cows milking pump and all they got was a tiny bit of yellowy liquid out which they said was like gold, and was amazing. I had a few doubts! I had great midwife's they helped me get it right in hospital and I'm so grateful for that hospital stay now - I hated it at the time, just wanted to be home! Jared eventually put on weight - very slowly. I saw the health visitor and doctor at his 8 week check. I was still breastfeeding - I didn't have his weight checked again professionally in-till he was about 2 year old. I breastfed my son for 10/11 months, he had some solid food from 5 months, and more and more as he got bigger and moved straight onto cows milk at 11 months as he wasn't feeding as much with milk, was eating more solid foods so got all his goodness from food by that stage. (which is still somehow controversial as formula/breast-milk is advised for the first year, and solid food from 6 months, but this is still recent advice). I used a lot of my own judgement when it came to feeding my son.
I think my experience with easy breastfeeding sometimes clouds my judgement about formula feeding - I'm honest about this though. I enjoyed feeding my son myself. It saved me a lot of money too! I also had no health issues with him in the first few years of his life. I may have deprived myself of any kind of decent sleep pattern and never went out. I fed him in public rarely, but I did it when I had to. I stayed at home a lot for those first 10 months mostly (except for family and friends homes). I cherish that first year. Breastfeeding didn't stop my partner bonding with his son either! - much the same as formula feeding wouldn't have stopped either of us having that "magical" bond you apparently get through breastfeeding. He fed from me and also mostly slept on me for those first few months. I became his food and his dummy! His sleep became an issue because of the feeding! He wouldn't sleep on his own I had to rock him to sleep (or feed him to sleep) each time he woke - and I did till he was a year old then had to do horrible controlled crying, which was the hardest think ever, but it worked!
But I still stand by the fact that if breastfeeding is making your life a misery then use formula, don't let your baby go hungry or your nipples feel like they are falling off!
My problem is the mums that make no effort to even try and breastfeed. The mums that don't even consider it. The mums that don't want to breastfeed because they think its weird, or think that boobs are sexual and that's it! The mums who think there boobs will be ruined because of feeding (come on you were pregnant they already did a lot of stretching then!) The mums who don't try. The mums who most likely could feed, but just don't even attempt it, the ones who think it will be too much hard work! Come on who wants to make up bottles at all hours of the day, do sterilizing and warming up milk in the middle of the night, when you can just pop them on a boob and its on tap all the time! (yes I know its not that simple, but at least give it a go first, Even if its only for the first few weeks or days!!!)
I also hate seeing toddlers with bottles - especially over a year 1/2 old with juice in a bottle! Use a beaker, a cup and straw, whatever, milk is for bottles not everything else when they are that age!
I know I don't have a baby any more and these particular issues don't effect me right now, but its how I feel. Its my opinion!
I have another ranty blog to write - But I'll save that for another day!!
I'm going to start with baby dummies. I hate them. They interfere with breastfeeding, so annoying to see a baby who is being breastfed with a dummy, and then the mum to moan about having trouble feeding - so don't use a dummy? Even worse is kids older than 2/3 still using dummies. I understand that if you use them its your choice, and you have to fight that battle for your child to stop using them one day too, but I personally don't like them and think they look gross!!!
Bottles. Well not bottles exactly - Its about mums that don't try but first I want to talk about formula and breastfeeding - THIS IS ALL IN MY OPINION! Please don't take offence!
Yes formula feeding saves lives - without it many babies would starve. So in that sense its a wonderful invention - But that's all it is, a recent invention. We have managed to survive since life began without the need for artificial milk. I still appreciate the fact that many mums have health issues (which is why I guess we used to have wet-nurses) so will use formula and that's fine. I totally understand the fact that breastfeeding for some is hard, it can hurt, it is not always as simple as the NCT or attachment parenting articles make it out to be. There are so many things that can effect breastfeeding, and all those issues are totally understandable, and acceptable, formula saves babies from being hungry, and saves a lot of mums from pain.
In fact I think bottle feeding is harder than breastfeeding, sterilising bottles at all hours, making sure you take milk out with you, etc. I applaud mums who use bottles for those reasons!
Luckily I had it easy, I was very lucky to have a good start with feeding. But I also had such a mindset about how I was going to feed my baby that I didn't even buy bottles or have formula in the house - I had a manual breast-pump someone gave me, which came with some bottles (no teats), but they got left hidden away in a cupboard (until one day I did attempt to manually pump, but got a dribble out after about 10 mins of pumping!)
Jared was underweight anyway when born (tiny 5lbs 1) and the hospital made me stay in longer than I wanted to he also lost weight after birth, he was also very yellow (Jaundiced). I did worry they would make me use a bottle, but nobody ever mentioned it.
There was one point where they hooked me up to a machine I can only describe as being like a cows milking pump and all they got was a tiny bit of yellowy liquid out which they said was like gold, and was amazing. I had a few doubts! I had great midwife's they helped me get it right in hospital and I'm so grateful for that hospital stay now - I hated it at the time, just wanted to be home! Jared eventually put on weight - very slowly. I saw the health visitor and doctor at his 8 week check. I was still breastfeeding - I didn't have his weight checked again professionally in-till he was about 2 year old. I breastfed my son for 10/11 months, he had some solid food from 5 months, and more and more as he got bigger and moved straight onto cows milk at 11 months as he wasn't feeding as much with milk, was eating more solid foods so got all his goodness from food by that stage. (which is still somehow controversial as formula/breast-milk is advised for the first year, and solid food from 6 months, but this is still recent advice). I used a lot of my own judgement when it came to feeding my son.
I think my experience with easy breastfeeding sometimes clouds my judgement about formula feeding - I'm honest about this though. I enjoyed feeding my son myself. It saved me a lot of money too! I also had no health issues with him in the first few years of his life. I may have deprived myself of any kind of decent sleep pattern and never went out. I fed him in public rarely, but I did it when I had to. I stayed at home a lot for those first 10 months mostly (except for family and friends homes). I cherish that first year. Breastfeeding didn't stop my partner bonding with his son either! - much the same as formula feeding wouldn't have stopped either of us having that "magical" bond you apparently get through breastfeeding. He fed from me and also mostly slept on me for those first few months. I became his food and his dummy! His sleep became an issue because of the feeding! He wouldn't sleep on his own I had to rock him to sleep (or feed him to sleep) each time he woke - and I did till he was a year old then had to do horrible controlled crying, which was the hardest think ever, but it worked!
But I still stand by the fact that if breastfeeding is making your life a misery then use formula, don't let your baby go hungry or your nipples feel like they are falling off!
My problem is the mums that make no effort to even try and breastfeed. The mums that don't even consider it. The mums that don't want to breastfeed because they think its weird, or think that boobs are sexual and that's it! The mums who think there boobs will be ruined because of feeding (come on you were pregnant they already did a lot of stretching then!) The mums who don't try. The mums who most likely could feed, but just don't even attempt it, the ones who think it will be too much hard work! Come on who wants to make up bottles at all hours of the day, do sterilizing and warming up milk in the middle of the night, when you can just pop them on a boob and its on tap all the time! (yes I know its not that simple, but at least give it a go first, Even if its only for the first few weeks or days!!!)
I also hate seeing toddlers with bottles - especially over a year 1/2 old with juice in a bottle! Use a beaker, a cup and straw, whatever, milk is for bottles not everything else when they are that age!
I know I don't have a baby any more and these particular issues don't effect me right now, but its how I feel. Its my opinion!
I have another ranty blog to write - But I'll save that for another day!!
Friday
The water goes..
I'm having a nice hot bubbly bath this morning to make myself feel better, and in walks Jared
Jared - Is that water dirty?
Me - No.
Jared - Thats good because when it goes down that hole (the overflow hole) it will give the water to other people and come out their taps.
Me - Don't think that's how it works Jared.
Jared - Is that water dirty?
Me - No.
Jared - Thats good because when it goes down that hole (the overflow hole) it will give the water to other people and come out their taps.
Me - Don't think that's how it works Jared.
Thursday
Blogging again and Christmas :)
I'm not going to promise to start blogging again. No point I won't stick to it (trying reverse psychology here...haha)
Not blogged for a while and I don't want to start writing about what's happened in life the last year..not a massive amount - except Jared starting school - but I plan to write about that in a post sometime soon. I feel like I need an outlet to write at the moment. So back to the blog.
1st of November, and I've already started my Christmas shopping. I'll be told off for writing about Xmas seeing as its the fiancés birthday in 8 days, I'm not allowed to start my Christmas planning officially till after that! But I started a few months ago organizing the type of gifts I want to give to people. I'm very excited about my ideas. Anyone that follows me on Pinterest will know I've been collecting ideas for a while on Xmas gifts. This is the first year I've really put a lot of thought into gifts - usually I'm quite stuck and get everything from Boots, except for the odd special present for close family and friends.
Today I went to Gunwarf and found some fab bargains in outlet stores. Cath Kidston and Paperchase particularly, 2 shops I adore but think can be a little pricey so only buy things in the sales. I've also been buying odds and ends from Ebay. Internet shopping beats real shopping for me any-day, only because I hate crowds, if shops could always be empty and without staff asking if I need any help I would be fine - and if shops wouldn't be boiling hot inside when its cold out. I really don't like shopping.
I brought this cute little gift bag today, from Paperchase - So cute. Wish I had some sewing skills so I could make some.
Not blogged for a while and I don't want to start writing about what's happened in life the last year..not a massive amount - except Jared starting school - but I plan to write about that in a post sometime soon. I feel like I need an outlet to write at the moment. So back to the blog.
1st of November, and I've already started my Christmas shopping. I'll be told off for writing about Xmas seeing as its the fiancés birthday in 8 days, I'm not allowed to start my Christmas planning officially till after that! But I started a few months ago organizing the type of gifts I want to give to people. I'm very excited about my ideas. Anyone that follows me on Pinterest will know I've been collecting ideas for a while on Xmas gifts. This is the first year I've really put a lot of thought into gifts - usually I'm quite stuck and get everything from Boots, except for the odd special present for close family and friends.
Today I went to Gunwarf and found some fab bargains in outlet stores. Cath Kidston and Paperchase particularly, 2 shops I adore but think can be a little pricey so only buy things in the sales. I've also been buying odds and ends from Ebay. Internet shopping beats real shopping for me any-day, only because I hate crowds, if shops could always be empty and without staff asking if I need any help I would be fine - and if shops wouldn't be boiling hot inside when its cold out. I really don't like shopping.
I brought this cute little gift bag today, from Paperchase - So cute. Wish I had some sewing skills so I could make some.
Friday
Snow
I really really really really want it to snow this weekend.
Jared has been on about snow since before Xmas. He actually thought it wouldn't be Christmas until it snowed. We explained and I think he understands that we don't always have a white Christmas.
I want the snow for me too! I love it.
Jared has been on about snow since before Xmas. He actually thought it wouldn't be Christmas until it snowed. We explained and I think he understands that we don't always have a white Christmas.
I want the snow for me too! I love it.
Just updated my Day Zero list
Here it is updated, Green highlighted means I've completed it! Red failed, and any other colour is like nearly done..
Start Date 3rd January 2011
End Date 30th September 2013
A day zero list or also known at 101 in 1001. Basically is a list of 101 things I would like to achieve over 1001 days.
Maybe it will get me off my butt more often. I'm finding it hard just to think of 101 things so just the list is going to be a challenge to start with!
I hope to blog about the things I do and link them back to this post with links and pictures etc so I can keep track, and there may be times when the things on the list turn out to be a bit harder than I planned and I will notate when I feel I cant finish that goal.
Also these are in a random order! I just am writing them as I think of them!
End Date 30th September 2013
A day zero list or also known at 101 in 1001. Basically is a list of 101 things I would like to achieve over 1001 days.
Maybe it will get me off my butt more often. I'm finding it hard just to think of 101 things so just the list is going to be a challenge to start with!
I hope to blog about the things I do and link them back to this post with links and pictures etc so I can keep track, and there may be times when the things on the list turn out to be a bit harder than I planned and I will notate when I feel I cant finish that goal.
Also these are in a random order! I just am writing them as I think of them!
- Lose 10lbs
- Take Jared to the Blue Reef Aquarium - 22/02/2011 Did this for his 3rd birthday
- Take Jared to the zoo (Matts parents have done this but I want to take him too) We all went to Marwell in August
- Give away/sell some of Jareds old toys Gave a load of toys away to a friend
- Get Jared into a nursery/pre school and sort school applications out Done Dec 2011 (he already goes to nursery, just did his school applications!
- Move into a bigger house
- Teach Jared to draw a face
- Start only having one sugar in my tea and actually like it! 08/01/11 - Not had more than one sugar in my tea all week. Doing well so crossed it off :D
- Get married
- Toilet train Jared to wee on the big toilet and standing up He wee's on the big loo, but not standing yet 06/02/11
- Go to the cinema with Matt (ive not been for years!)
- Put my photos in photo albums
- Put photos in photo frame clock Done this and its on the wall thanks to Matt (06/01/11)
- Explore more shops along Albert Road
- Buy a dining table and chairs
- Eat food at the table as a family once a week
- Keep up with my 365 photo project - Nearly done
- Go on the Wii Fit for 2 hours (total over the week) at least every week
- Drink more water - have a week off tea and just drink water all week
- Have a nice garden and plant some nice flowers
- Have a car boot sale
- Sell something on Ebay
- Go to the science museum (London) with Matt and Jared
- Have a family holiday with Matt and Jared (in the UK)
- Get a passport
- Have a holiday abroad
- Teach Jared his ABC's Knows them all!
- Teach Jared to count to 20 Done
- Get a decent mobile phone! Something touchscreen! Got a HTC Hero from my lovely Fiancé as he got a brand new HD Desire
- Buy a new house phone Feb 2011
- Cook a homemade meal for the family with plenty left to freeze once a fortnight
- Get a DVD/Blu-ray/games stand/rack
- Get several decent bookcases
- Donate blood
- Go on a picnic
- Get my legs and other parts waxed
- Pay to have my haircut at a salon - Had it done by a hairdresser in my house, and paid...that counts!
- Write a list of 100 things that make me happy
- Go to Cornwall and sit on a sandy beach
- Finish listening to my Lord of The Rings audiobook
- Bake a cake (not just fairy cakes)
- Get promoted at work or apply for something else that's not what I currently do! - Changed jobs!!! August 2011
- Spend a more days out with friends that have children so Jared can socialise (and me)!
- Go and visit my older brother
- Take Jared for a walk in some woods
- Go swimming
- Go to story time or song time with Jared at the library once a month
- Have a professionally family photo taken and purchased
- Do all my Christmas 2011 shopping before December - Didnt finish it all before Dec
- Get a bike and go on bike rides with Jared and Matt
- Run the Race for life (or walk it) Done it July 2011 :) In a god time, was 38 mins!
- Raise money for charity See above raised over £100
- Teach Jared to read - He can read a lot of letters, and can read his name :)
- Register with a dentist
- Buy some wellington boots
- Let my natural hair colour grow out
- Have a day out with my younger brothers
- Wear an earring in my 2nd pierced hole
- Finish Jareds babybook
- Have a night every fortnight with Matt with no computers on, just watching a film together - We do usually have a TV/Film night every week :)
- Go to Petersfield Lake with Jared and Matt
- Go to Porchester castle with Jared and Matt
- Have a day out at the Isle of Wight
- Go on a hovercraft
- Have our carpets cleaned
- Take Jared to play football on Southsea Common
- Take Jared to a soft play centre again at least 5 times
- Have a nice meal out with Matt
- Do something special for mine and Matt's 5 year anniversary We had a weekend of getting drunk, that's special enough for me!
- Throw Jared a birthday party
- Draw a picture once a month
- Get photos printed every month
- Tell Matt I love him everyday
- Display Jared's artwork somewhere at home
- Have a night out with friends once every 3 months
- Buy a new coat - November 2011
- Fly a kite with Jared - We did this in Summer 2011
- Take Jared to the fairground
- Teach Jared to write his name
- Paint my nails once every fortnight - Failing this one
- Design my tattoo
- Get a tattoo
- Walk from Eastney to Clarence Pier with Jared in the summer
- Upload Jared's photos he takes with his camera
- Don't turn on my laptop for one whole week - DID THIS WHEN IT BROKE 2011 sometime!
- have a day out shopping with my best friend Leigh in Brighton
- Get my bra size properly measured at a bra shop rather than just guessing
- Take vitamins everyday FAILED!
- Go to the pub with just my mum
- Spend more time with my dad
- Get to the bottom of the never ending laundry
- Get rid/sell the big pushchair and have Jared walk everywhere
- Sort out the cupboard of stuff in the hallway (mine and Matt's years of hoarding)
- Take Jared to a panto
- Reorganize the living room
- Give some clothes to charity
- Only have chip shop chips once a month
- Only have one other takeaway once a month
- Own a dishwasher
- Visit natural history museum (London)
- Go to a festival (been too many years since I have)
Wednesday
25 years young
I can't believe I just turned 25. Doesn't feel like I'm a grown up some days, in my head I still feel like a 16 year old.
When I was a kid I had this idea that at 25 years old I would be married and then start having children. I'm lucky as I already have the most beautiful son. I'm engaged to Matt and love him so much. So I'm nearly there already!
We are slowly making wedding plans! I have lots of ideas. Setting a date is the hard part. and trying to save to pay for a wedding is a very slow progress. We will get married one day and I don't think it is as important as I used to think it was. We love each other and live like we are married but our names are not the same - but they will be one day.
I had a great birthday, got stupidly drunk on the first night of the weekend and spent the rest of it regretting getting drunk when I had planned another night out the next day! The 2nd night out was supposed to be the bigger night out, but I didn't feel like being out at all. I did still go out and have a lot of drinks. Had really fun times with my best friend. The in-laws had Jared from Friday to Monday it was so nice to have some time to myself, even it I spent all of it walking around like a zombie! Matt was away at a festival, which I said he could go to as I didn't really want to go that particular festival. On the Sunday (my actual birthday) I really missed him lots, it was so odd being away from him and Jared for a whole weekend.
I need to blog more, I say this every time I write a blog. I get serious writing blocks.
When I was a kid I had this idea that at 25 years old I would be married and then start having children. I'm lucky as I already have the most beautiful son. I'm engaged to Matt and love him so much. So I'm nearly there already!
We are slowly making wedding plans! I have lots of ideas. Setting a date is the hard part. and trying to save to pay for a wedding is a very slow progress. We will get married one day and I don't think it is as important as I used to think it was. We love each other and live like we are married but our names are not the same - but they will be one day.
I had a great birthday, got stupidly drunk on the first night of the weekend and spent the rest of it regretting getting drunk when I had planned another night out the next day! The 2nd night out was supposed to be the bigger night out, but I didn't feel like being out at all. I did still go out and have a lot of drinks. Had really fun times with my best friend. The in-laws had Jared from Friday to Monday it was so nice to have some time to myself, even it I spent all of it walking around like a zombie! Matt was away at a festival, which I said he could go to as I didn't really want to go that particular festival. On the Sunday (my actual birthday) I really missed him lots, it was so odd being away from him and Jared for a whole weekend.
I need to blog more, I say this every time I write a blog. I get serious writing blocks.
Jelly Belly
Sitting here waiting for 8.50am to roll around and to take Jared to nursery, then I'm off to the shops to buy some fresh fruit and bacon!
So yesterday I decided it was time to start eating a bit healthier - I know bacon doesn't sound like the healthiest choice, but in the way I'm choosing to eat its the best for me. I'm doing my own version of Atkins or a low carb diet. I don't like to really call it a diet as I still get to eat as much food as I like I'm just cutting out a lot of starchy food and white processed floury foods. So no white bread, flour, rice, pasta. No potatoes, crisps, biscuits, chocolate or other sweets and cutting out sugar as much as I can. However I can eat meat, even fatty meat, eggs, cheese, most veggies and some fruit, and a little amount of carbs in the form of wholemeal grains/bread and veg. So I can still have my fave, which is Chicken and veg, just without the potatoes!
I've done it before and lost nearly a stone, I was 11stone and dropped to just under 10st but the last 6 months I've been eating badly and the weight has crept up again, not by much, but I can see my mummy/baby jelly belly starting to come back! I also have been avoiding exercise. I need to get back in shape if I want to run (not walk or jog, actually wanted to get fit and run) the Race for Life next month too. You can sponsor me for this there is a link in the sidebar of my blog :)
I swear I wrote a post about this not that long ago in my blog, So I didnt stick to it when I planned to do it! Oops I wouldn't be surprised if it was almost identical.
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