Happy World Breastfeeding Week!

I have a million and 1 things to say about breastfeeding and wish I had the time to really type and post the 1,000 blog posts I have in my head in honor of World Breastfeeding Week.

But, life is hectic.

So, instead I'm going to share a few of my favorites...

Benefits of Breastfeeding...The list goes on and on 

and besides all the scientific benefits, there are all those bonuses. 

For example, calming a tantruming 2 year old...yeah, BIG bonus. And you'd really only understand that if you've had said tantruming 2 year old and then, experienced the immediate peace and calm once your little one is nursing. 

What? You can breastfeed a toddler? 

Sure, you can! In fact, it,too, is normal. 

The average age of weaning across the globe is anywhere between 2 and 7 years of age with 4 being the most common age.  The benefits are innumerable.

Breast is Not Best, It's Normal because it is, you know. That's what breasts are for, people! 

The rest is just extra ;)

Why Women Should Proudly Breastfeed in Public...  without covering up!

Just a few generations ago, EVERY woman breastfed and it goes without saying that every little girl, teenaged one and pregnant mama had seen it and been exposed to it. 

And it was NORMAL.

Why are women today having so many issues with breastfeeding? 

Likely because they don't see it, thus they aren't educated nor do they view it as the norm.

 My favorite sources for information and support:

La Leche League...Find a group in Your Local Community!

Kellymom...this site has a wealth of info on anything breastfeeding!

Best for Babes...Overcoming Booby Traps!

Dr. Jack Newman...great info and I love his Latch video!

And besides find your local LLL group (there are several in Mississippi) make sure your hospital is Baby Friendly!

Also, if ever you have a problem arise or just need support, go to the specialists!

Your local LLL leader, a Certified Lactation Specialist OR a Doctor that SPECIALIZES in Breastfeeding Medicine.

Did you know we have a wonderful Doctor and Breastfeeding Medicine Clinic right here in Mississippi?

What are some of your favorite blogs, website, books or personal supports for breastfeeding?

Mandi- breastfeeding mama to 2 vibrant and health boys! Tripp self weaned a month before his 3rd birthday and Charlie is trucking on along at 19 months (and hopefully, lots more to come!). And yes, for those that did that little math problem in their head. That also means that I breastfed while pregnant and tandemed nursed as well...again, perfectly normal folks :)

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I’m celebrating World Breastfeeding Week with Natural Parents Network!
You can, too — link up your breastfeeding posts from August 1-7 in the linky below, and enjoy reading, commenting on, and sharing the posts collected here and on Natural Parents Network.

(Visit NPN for the code to place on your blog.)

{this moment}...Future Attachment Parent.

{this moment}

A Friday ritual from Soule Mama, whom I love reading. A single photo – no/few words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you’re inspired to do the same, leave a link to your ‘moment’ in the comments for all to find and see.

 

 Future Attachment Parent...

 cloth diapered doll, breastfeeding dad ;) and cosleeping duo 

Day(s) at the Capitol

The past several weeks, the boys and I have made several trips down to our State Capitol in an effort to get our Midwifery Safety Bill passed. 

The update is coming, but long-story short, the bill is dead for this session, but we'll return next year with a new bill.

Anyways, if you've never been to the Capitol or have never been a part of the Legislative Process, I urge you to just go. 

Go and watch what takes place in our government. 

It's really quite fascinating and I dare say, I was addicted to the environment.

It was invigorating.

No one was there other than paid lobbyists and to be the only ones actively involved in OUR democratic process was quite rewarding despite the outcome.

I had quite the "zen" moment one day. 

I was on the 3rd floor and it was lunch time. 

During lunch, you can hear crickets in the Capitol. 

It's very quiet for the most part.

Charlie wanted to nurse, so he and I sat down on a bench in the center of this beautiful building.

So, I'm looking around at this intricately carved marble and all these beautiful details surrounded by walls that have housed our state government for over 100 years. 

Think of what has gone on here in this past century?!

And here I am, nursing my baby, working with other women to make a mostly male legislative body listen to us (instead of the medical lobbyists) and do the right thing.

I had an overwhelming sense of power.

Kind of that sense of femininity that overtook me after giving birth to my children,naturally,  in my home. 

And the same one as I breastfed them and watched them grow and thrive on my milk.

 I knew my outlook on things would be forever changed by this experience.

Now, I had been involved in the process. 

I can't go back to the way it was before...that's not the way our country was meant to be run.

 We shouldn't sit idly by while others decide our fate.

Remember that we have a government of the people, by the people, for the people.

 If we don't participate in our government, then we have NO say!
We will slowly give up on right after another and sadly, we already have let this happen.

So, get out there!

Pay attention!
If you can't go, then spend some time watching the live webcast.

Just be informed.
Be involved.
Otherwise, I don't want to hear you whining and complaining about what is going on in our state or in our country!

Oh, wait! I know you wanted to see cute pics of my kiddos at the Capitol...
Don't worry.
I won't disappoint!

 Tripp was evidently worn out from all his advocacy work and decided to rest with another one of our supporter's kiddos on the lawn in front of the Capitol.

 My cutie patootie

 Mississippi Friends of Midwives representing

Tripp and Henry enjoyed feeding each other pretzel chips during the entire press conference.

 Good looking bunch :)

We hit up LeFleur's Bluff State Park for a lunch break.
Charlie didn't hesitate to climb up a new set of slides.

 I wonder what Hen is telling him?

Stinker.
Flat out, Stinker!

“Leave no authority existing not responsible to the people."- Thomas Jefferson

Roundhouse Railroad Museum

If you are ever in the Savannah, GA area and especially if you have young ones in tow, you must check out the Roundhouse Railroad Museum. 

Tripp was in train heaven.

Will and I really enjoyed it, too!

There was tons of cool history to appeal to my ongoing love affair with the subject and besides the awesome old trains, they even had converted the inside of several cars into party rooms and play rooms. 

Complete with train tables and all the accessories, I might add.

See, I told ya'...Train Heaven.

Charlie was snoozing in the car, so MeMe and Gramma stayed with him.

Even though Tripp is battling a cold and was past due for a nap, we enjoyed a little one on one time with him today exploring the museum.

 the kiddie train

 Beautiful old smokestack

 This thing was TALL

 dizzying

 answering Tripp's million and 1 questions ;)

Charlie's experience at the train museum...woke up just in time for a little snack before we left.

O-U-T

Tomato Free Sloppy Joes and Homemade Buns

I was pretty sad when I realized Charlie was reacting to tomatoes via my breastmilk. Eh, I got over it, but I miss a lot of my easy go-to meals like spaghetti, chili and sloppy joes, not to mention, fresh homegrown organic maters this summer. We have tons of our homegrown maters that I canned just dying to be made into one of these dishes. Alas, they still remain untouched. Lately, I have been craving these dishes, so I began my quest for tomato free versions. The last on the list to be conquered was sloppy joes. 

These, my friends, were the biggest success! SO yummy! The tomato base was not even missed.

Oh, yeah!

Tomato Free Sloppy Joes

1 red bell pepper

1 green bell pepper

1 yellow onion

3-4 garlic cloves

2 carrots

1 cup (or so) winter squash puree ( I used butternut squash)

1 tablespoon paprika

1 tablespoon dry mustard

2 tablespoons worchestire (or Bragg's Liquid Amino works just as well)

Pinch of chili powder

water

s&p to taste

I rough chopped all the veggies and sauteed them in EVOO. After a nice sautee and they are soft, toss them into the food processor with a little water to puree them. It doesnt have to be a smooth puree but enough so that this can become the "sauce". While this is going on, I browned some organic ground beef (lentils or ground turkey would work as well). Take the veggie puree and pour it over the cooked ground beef in the pan and begin adding the squash puree. *Hint: an easy trick is to buy the tetra-pak soup purees and just pour it into the sauce pan as needed. A lot less work and mess involved.* Add in remaining spices and allow to simmer. Check the sauce while cooking and add water or more squash puree as needed to thin out or thicken up the sauce. Salt and pepper to taste. 

You know it's going to taste good with all those beautiful colors!

To serve, place a generous scoop on top of a bun. And by all means, make your own!

Another friend of mine passed this recipe on when I was frustrated by failing to find a fantastic bun recipe. I enjoy baking our breads and once I made these buns, we were hooked! And, shhh, don't tell, but they're EASY. You won't buy a better bun at the grocery store.

Moomie's Beautiful Burger Buns

 There's a reason they're called beautiful buns.

He's just a plain goose who just wants a plain bun. 

They are that good, folks.

Bare Feet and Sandy Floors

I know. I've been heavy on the pictures. But how can I resist when my children (and niece) are just the most beautiful creatures in the universe.