Breast feeding: for mature audiences only?

I got caught up in a bit of an online debate today around breast feeding.  Apparently there is this new toy down south that has sparked controversy because it *gasp* encourages breast feeding.

See the shocking news clip here.

Having worked with young children, I have seen young ones mimic breast feeding their dolls, just as I have seen them bottle feed, spoon feed, burp, change diapers, read stories, put down for naps, and yes, even spank them. Roll playing is an important part of a child's development.  It helps them form their own values, ideals and even memories based on what they have witnessed Mom, Dad and others do and say.

So at what point do you draw the line in children's role playing?  Would you tell your child that it's okay to bottle feed baby in public, but not breast feed?  Haven't women been struggling for that right for generations?

Canadian Living asked on their Facebook page whether a breast feeding doll was "too much" for young children to be playing with.  The answers were varied and heated.  Some people were disgusted.  Some thought it was robbing children of their innocence.  One woman thought it was a step away from giving them sex dolls to see how babies are really made (really?).  Another worried that such a toy would surely draw the attention of pedophiles.  Many seemed to adopt the idea that it was pushing children into an adult situation that is not age appropriate.

See the shocking comments here.

The really unfortunate thing is that many of these opinions came from women who claim to have themselves breast fed their children.  So it would seem many have bought into the notion that although healthy, breast feeding is still kinda wrong.

Personally, I think it's the adults who have twisted ideas about breast feeding, which makes it all the more important to assure young children that it's not yucky, silly or otherwise inappropriate behaviour.  Nor is it "adult-only" behaviour.  No, breastfeeding is most certainly an adult-child phenomenon, so why shouldn't children have a stake in the issue?

That said, I would probably not buy the toy.  I'm personally not a fan of automated toys with singular functions.  I think they discourage the use of imagination and creativity.  That, and changing batteries is annoying.  But I would not discourage my kid from breast feeding his or her (yes, boys like to mimic breast feeding too) doll, teddy bear or even GI Joe.

What do you think?

Bra Shopping: Triumph or Tragedy?

** Boys, feel free to skip this one.  I'm going to talk about bras, shopping and body-image.  You've been warned**

I set aside a few hours this weekend to do some serious shopping: I needed both bras and a bathing suit for an upcoming trip.  This deserves a little back story though, as shopping for bras has always been a nightmare for me.  In case you're unaware -- and there's no cute or polite way to get around this -- I have large breasts.  Every woman thinks she wants bigger boobs (or at least every man designing bras assumes every woman buying them wants bigger breasts).  I know this because it is increasingly difficult to find bras without inner padding, push-ups, gel inserts, cushions, and now there are even "double push-ups", which are basically foam filled falsies on a band.  I don't want bigger boobs, or the appearance of bigger boobs.  I just want something to hold 'em in, strap 'em down, and keep 'em in place.

Not only do I have larger-than-average lady parts, but I have them on a petite frame.  I have narrow shoulders and a small ribcage, so I need a bra with large cups on a small band and straps that are close together.  I like the idea of crisscrossed straps or a racer-back to keep the straps in place, but now I'm being picky.  Shopping for a decently appropriate bra is like searching for the holy grail, and at times I wonder if such an item is the stuff of fantasy.  I frequently leave stores empty handed, frustrated and sometimes a bit emotional.  On one memorable occasion I even managed to bring a sales associate to tears with me.

Up to a few years ago I was wearing a 32DD, but I'm not quite as slender now and am in a 34DD.  Thank goodness, because the 34 is a bit easier to find.  I know I could easily find a well-fitted bra at a specialty store, but I just can't justify the specialty price.  Why should I have to pay $150 - $300 for something the rest of the world pays $30 - $50 for?  If it's needed for a special occasion and there's no getting around it, sure, I'll shell out the dough, but I'd really rather not.

Most mall-variety bra stores (and I'm talking stores that sell only or primarily ladies undergarments) do not carry my size, or carry it in one or two styles only.  When I ask for my size I often get a stunned look, questions about whether I've been fitted properly, or offers to try a different size that "might do the trick".  I've been told it's an unusual size, it's a popular size that sells out too quickly, and once that it's a "European size."  Well thank you very much.  How silly of me to think my European sized body would work over here in North America.  My mistake, I guess.

Well this weekend I lucked out at Sears, of all places.  I tried on more than a dozen bras, of which about half were actually 34DD.  Not only did I find some that fit nicely, I walked out of there with not one, but FOUR bras.  Two were on clearance (one of which was a minimizer -- the opposite of a push-up!), and they were also having a buy-one-get-one sale on boxed bras.  I was only able to find one boxed style of bra in my size that didn't look like something my grandmother might own, so I grabbed two of them.

Challenge one complete: on to bathing suits...

I'll keep this short, but after some searching I found an amazing, flattering bathing suit for a reasonable price.  It was nothing fancy on the hanger, but once I got it on I knew it was The One.  It's green, teal and black in a 60's style silhouette.  It looks like something Joan Holloway would wear.  I picked it up at Bikini Village for under $100.  I was amazed!  I did also try on what may have been only the second flattering bikini I've ever tried on in my life, but at $200 for both pieces I thought I'd better stick with the one piece.

Looking for clothes that flatter my body can be the most frustrating, awkward, embarrassing experience imaginable.  And I don't even really have a problem with my "European" body type -- I'm just really tired of not fitting the mold that retailers are catering to.  I'm tired of hemming, buying a size up so I can have something taken in, and trying to make something that doesn't fit "do the trick".  That said, finding (and wearing!) properly fitted, flattering, comfortable, stylish garments is such a confidence booster!  What's sexier than wearing something you know you look great in?

And that's why I love/hate shopping.

New Year's Resolution Fail

So much for my resolution to be healthier!  I have been sick for about a week and a half now -- first with a sore throat, immediately followed by a full-blown cold.  I haven't been sick like this in AGES!  I forgot how much fun it is to only breathe through your mouth and lose your ability to taste food.  And then there's the watery eyes, which Jason tells me is actually just boogers coming out of your eyes.  Oh, and the dry, chapped, red skin around my nose is very flattering.  Sigh.


In other news, I haven't knit a stitch in ages.  I'm hoping to get some knitting and card making done this weekend.  We'll see how I do.  One of my problems is that I love starting projects, but finishing them always seems like a nagging chore.  It's like the novelty and excitement starts to wane when I'm about halfway through a project.  I need to finish at least 2 started projects before I start another, and preferably the baby items for Scarlett -- before she's not a baby anymore!

Time to get to work.  I'm procrastinating writing a report :p

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year.

I can honestly say I've never appreciated the words more.  Not that I had an especially thrilling NYE -- Jason and I went for dinner at Shoeless Joe's (it was good) and to see Tron at the VIP (it was mediocre, but 3D!).  Then we went home and enjoyed a glass of 2008 Trius Red (it was wonderful).  It was a great date night and I enjoyed spending some QT with my love.

The last couple months of 2010 were a bit of a drag for me.  I was crazy busy with work, social commitments, and personal drama, and I think I started to let things slide.  When I get stressed I tend to procrastinate, when I procrastinate I get overwhelmed, when I'm overwhelmed I start to feel down, and when I'm feeling down I procrastinate more.  This is part of the reason I haven't been blogging much lately.

Rather than tackle this issue head on, I decide to spend the holiday break doing nothing.  It was very therapeutic.  I could have gone on doing nothing for many weeks more, but alas...  I'm back to work today, and working away!  I'm getting things checked off my "To Do" list, and I'm determined not to continue to be sucked into a cycle of melancholy and stress.  Instead, I'm formulating resolutions that will really help 2011 to be a happy new year.

I have lots of good intentions for 2011, but my main resolution is to be healthier.


By being healthier I mean the typical, eat healthier and exercise more mantra, but also to be more aware of and respectful of my own limits.  Be more conscious of my social, intellectual and professional needs.  Don't make commitments that I don't have time to fulfill.  Celebrate community and relationships, but don't feel guilty about enjoying some "me" or "us" time.  Find balance.

What about you?  Do you have any resolutions for 2011?  Do you have advice for me?

Nintendo Wii is Mean

I've never owned a scale, but last year around this time I decided to buy Wii fit to encourage me to be more active at home.  I dropped my gym membership a few months earlier and I knew I had to do something to keep active.  Things went great at first, but then I gained a few pounds.  The next thing I knew that mean Wii was yelling at me all the time.

"It's been 7 days, where have you been? You know you're just gonna get fat if you don't get your a** in gear."  "Hey lazy, want some fitness tips?"  "You've gained a bazillion pounds since your last visit."  "You're not very good at this -- maybe if you showed up you'd get more practice."  "You're overweight."

Pretty soon the mean machine had me so down on myself I only wanted to play Mario.  So this summer I started doing some running.  I really enjoyed it!  My goal was 3 times per week, but it happened more like twice a week.  That was okay though, I was having fun.  Then when it started getting dark at 4:00 PM I decided I had to give it up for awhile.  I may still try to get a run in now and then on the weekend, but I'm not that confident in the snow either.  SO, it was back to the Wii.  "It's been 200 days since your last visit... and you've gained weight... and you're unbalanced... you suck."  MEAN!

Since Wii tells me my weight in kgs, I always just gave it the benefit of the doubt.  You know what though?  That POS has been giving me a hard time for no good reason.  I have always thought I was at my healthiest when I was working in childcare.  I was outside at least twice a day, and active all day every day.  I also ate about 7 or 8 times per day (including usually 2 lunches!), napped on my breaks, and was still pretty exhausted when I got home.  Despite all the snacking, I stayed pretty slender during that period of my life.  So when I went back to school, and then eventually got a desk job, I naturally started putting on a bit of weight, and you know what?  I don't fit into a size 2 or 4 anymore, and maybe my bikini days are over.  And getting rid of my size 2 and 4 clothes has been sad, but such is life.

So today I decided to face the fear the Wii has instilled in me and do a kg/lb conversion online.  I've gained about 8 lbs since my daycare days (4 years ago).  8 lbs in four years.  So it would be nice to lose 8 lbs at some point in the next 4 years, but SERIOUSLY -- I've been letting a game system bully me over 8 measly pounds?

I'm over it.  Pass the chocolate truffles.

Oatmeal Chocolate Love

Ladies, if you're feeling a bit under appreciated at home can I suggest baking?  This is a conversation that happened at my house this afternoon:

Jason: Whatcha doin'?
Me: I was just thinking about baking some cookies.
Jason: Cookies? Mmm!  What kind?
Me: Oatmeal Chocolate Chip
Jason: God dammit, I love you!

Here is the recipe I use, but I make a few small changes.  Start with cold butter, cut into cubes.  Beat the cold butter with an egg beater until it's rich, creamy and whipped (2-3 mins).  Add the sugar and beat until well mixed, scraping sides.  Continue adding the ingredients as listed using the beater.  You may need to stir in the oatmeal, but if you can get away with it just use the beater for that too.  I reduce the baking soda to 3/4 tsp and the salt to 1/4 tsp.  I also substitute the chocolate chips with dark chocolate chips.  Yum!

What's a snow day without home baked cookies :)

NaKniSweMo

Well, NakniSweMo has come and gone, and I'm still working on my Sweater For Scarlett.  The pattern called for knitting the top first, then sleeves, then the body.  I was getting really frustrated with the sleeves though, so I procrastinated working on them.  Eventually I decided it wasn't worth it, and I've started on the body.  I'll go back to the sleeves at the end.  I'm going to work on it over the weekend and hopefully have it done by next week.  I feel like it just needs a few solid hours, but I also need to get in a few hours of house work :S  We'll see which gets done.