Thats right, the NPT means you don't use car seats, you just put him in a box with his toys and close the lid.
The move went pretty smooth considering! ZJ has also settled into his own room rather well, and he doesnt seemed fazed at all. I was expecting (and prepared mentally for) all sorts of anxiety issues, him having some kind of seperation anxiety... but no, nada. Not a smidgen of it. It seems he knows that we might not be close by but if he needs us we come running so thats good.
Mama on the other hand is dealing with a good dose of paranoia. In the last two days I have imagined everything from someone breaking into his room and hurting him to a fire in the house and not being able to get to him.
But wow, i dont know if its because I'm exhausted at the end of the day or whether its because hes not in the room with us and i can't here him sighing and snuffling, but man i slept good! (after the paranoia has subsided enough for me to sleep that is :P).
Monday, September 28, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Inspiration 01
Starting from today I am starting an 'Inspiration pics of the week'. A collection of images that have caught my eye in one way or another and inspire me :)
This weeks theme? Women! There are so many talanted Self Portrait Artists - here are just a few of my favourites. This is no way all of them and its a completely random pick :)
The noobs guide to baby equipment?
I have had a few people about to have babies or are thinking about it, asking me lately 1. how I manage to have a baby that sleeps so well and 2. if you don't want to buy a whole lot of baby paraphernalia - what are some things that we have found the most useful?
The sleeping thing? I'm going to leave that miracle marvel (because short answer - thats what it is) to another post.
but to answer question number two, here is the man and Is list of top 10 items we found we needed or we couldn't live without.
1. it kinda goes without saying, but clothes for the babe.
Saying that, if you are having a baby shower - don't bother buying ANYTHING until after it. Seriously. I didn't buy anything before out of general laziness and confusion and it turned out to be a good thing because we were inundated with gorgeous little soft (omg how soft are new baby clothes?) cutesy items. Also we have a good friend who drops of a bag full of her latest two nephew's castoffs almost religiously each 3 months. The awesome thing about baby clothes is that they literally don't wear them more than a couple of times. Until they start eating solids and getting [inset veggie/fruit etc of choice here] all over themselves they dont even really get them dirty. They can go through about 5 babes before they even start to look worn :P
BUT if you dont have this as an option, here are my cannot live without items:
Whether cloth or disposable. My mother gave us one ofthe best gifts of 300 disposable newborn nappies before ZJ was born. We didnt have to worry about trying to buy them for ages and it was fabulous. We also buy bulk from Nappies Direct and it means we never run out.
3. A whole load of bassinet-ish sheet sized blankets things.
This seems random, but again, one of the best presents we got (thanks mum) was two big bags (about 30 in total) of these sized sheets/blankets. You can buy them used off Trade-me etc or even just cut up old sheets to around that size. These are fantastic for everything, we use them as burp clothes, for using as a bib type thing when feeding, the cuddlier ones for his bed, for SWADDLING (awesome for newborns), for putting on the floor for him to sit on, for changing him on...seriously everything.
4. A baby sleeping bag.
When ZJ decided that swaddling wasnt that fantastic anymore and it was getting colder, this turned out to be our lifesaver. Its fantastic because he cannot kick it off meaning hes not waking up constantly because hes cold. Its also great used with the next item on the list...
5. A Safe T Sleep - www.safetsleep.com
My sister bought me one of these as she swore by them for all three of her kids. She used them right from a newborn so they were used to it but we found it more useful when we transitioned ZJ into his cot (from his rather small bassinet). I think it helped him feel snug and safe but it also prevents him from rolling around and getting tangled up - which has been the livesaver part now hes all into rolling around. The more paranoid parent (and who isnt really?) can safety pin bedsheets to it so they cannot ride up over the baby's face as well.
6. A sling or babywearing device.
You can make a cheap 'moby' type one by just buying a couple of metres of material. Great for getting stuff done with a newborn, breastfeeding on the run (or so im told) and soothing babes.
7. A baby monitor.
Can be expensive but worth it. If your lucky get one off a friend or family member who is done with is. We were given a used one and it is is great for my paranoia.
8. A fold up stroller.
We have a beautiful huge pram that is real fancy and is all four wheel drive and all - which is great for the wetlands next to our house but not great for shopping and things like that because its not easy to fold up and transport. So a fold up one that you can preferably undo one handed.
9. A bouncer.
Buy used - we were given an old used one and its fabulous - ZJ is 7 months old and loves to bounce in it still, its a perfect little chair for him to sit in.
10. And from my own experience, if you do formula feed - the right equipment.
The sleeping thing? I'm going to leave that miracle marvel (because short answer - thats what it is) to another post.
but to answer question number two, here is the man and Is list of top 10 items we found we needed or we couldn't live without.
1. it kinda goes without saying, but clothes for the babe.
Saying that, if you are having a baby shower - don't bother buying ANYTHING until after it. Seriously. I didn't buy anything before out of general laziness and confusion and it turned out to be a good thing because we were inundated with gorgeous little soft (omg how soft are new baby clothes?) cutesy items. Also we have a good friend who drops of a bag full of her latest two nephew's castoffs almost religiously each 3 months. The awesome thing about baby clothes is that they literally don't wear them more than a couple of times. Until they start eating solids and getting [inset veggie/fruit etc of choice here] all over themselves they dont even really get them dirty. They can go through about 5 babes before they even start to look worn :P
BUT if you dont have this as an option, here are my cannot live without items:
- All in ones - the ones with legs, feet and long sleeves type are AWESOME for everyday wear, sleeping in and keeping warm. Who wouldn't want to wear PJs all day?
- Onsies - sleeveless or with are also great (and good for going under need the all-in-ones when its cold.
- Singlets - my babe was born in the height of summer due to his bassinet being around 30 degrees C all hours, realistically he spent most of his days and nights in no more than a singlet and a nappy. Yay no air con. But sleeveless onesies are just as good.
Whether cloth or disposable. My mother gave us one ofthe best gifts of 300 disposable newborn nappies before ZJ was born. We didnt have to worry about trying to buy them for ages and it was fabulous. We also buy bulk from Nappies Direct and it means we never run out.
3. A whole load of bassinet-ish sheet sized blankets things.
This seems random, but again, one of the best presents we got (thanks mum) was two big bags (about 30 in total) of these sized sheets/blankets. You can buy them used off Trade-me etc or even just cut up old sheets to around that size. These are fantastic for everything, we use them as burp clothes, for using as a bib type thing when feeding, the cuddlier ones for his bed, for SWADDLING (awesome for newborns), for putting on the floor for him to sit on, for changing him on...seriously everything.
4. A baby sleeping bag.
When ZJ decided that swaddling wasnt that fantastic anymore and it was getting colder, this turned out to be our lifesaver. Its fantastic because he cannot kick it off meaning hes not waking up constantly because hes cold. Its also great used with the next item on the list...
5. A Safe T Sleep - www.safetsleep.com
My sister bought me one of these as she swore by them for all three of her kids. She used them right from a newborn so they were used to it but we found it more useful when we transitioned ZJ into his cot (from his rather small bassinet). I think it helped him feel snug and safe but it also prevents him from rolling around and getting tangled up - which has been the livesaver part now hes all into rolling around. The more paranoid parent (and who isnt really?) can safety pin bedsheets to it so they cannot ride up over the baby's face as well.
6. A sling or babywearing device.
You can make a cheap 'moby' type one by just buying a couple of metres of material. Great for getting stuff done with a newborn, breastfeeding on the run (or so im told) and soothing babes.
7. A baby monitor.
Can be expensive but worth it. If your lucky get one off a friend or family member who is done with is. We were given a used one and it is is great for my paranoia.
8. A fold up stroller.
We have a beautiful huge pram that is real fancy and is all four wheel drive and all - which is great for the wetlands next to our house but not great for shopping and things like that because its not easy to fold up and transport. So a fold up one that you can preferably undo one handed.
9. A bouncer.
Buy used - we were given an old used one and its fabulous - ZJ is 7 months old and loves to bounce in it still, its a perfect little chair for him to sit in.
10. And from my own experience, if you do formula feed - the right equipment.
- Bottles - we have 6 250ml bottles - anything smaller is useless after 1-2 months, anything bigger is not really needed.
- Bottle brush - normal brushes don't cut the mustard.
- A microwave sterilizer - you dont need anything fancy like a huge machine to do it but boiling bottles in pots suck.
- a good sized container for putting the bottles in the fridge. I say this because our system is to sterlize the bottles, fill them with hot boiled water and then pop them in this container in the fridge. When we go to make a bottle we just fill it up to the right amount with hot water (and after a while you get skilled at leaving just the right amount of cold water in and getting the right temp straight away) and then adding the formula. its very quick and easy.
Packing
We are moving house next weekend and so far its been kind of stressful. I'm finding it difficult trying to juggle working full time, working part time as a photographer (have a wedding to shoot the weekend after next!) and getting stuff done when I am home.
Although, I have to say, packing has its upsides. For example we were sifting through some junk in the upstairs storage cupboard and I found this awesome jingle hat tucked away in a bag full of mardi gras beads.
ZJ wasn't so impressed with the find.
Here is is showing concern to his father. This hat, he reckons, is obviously not right.
And as if this was from another lifetime all together, this is the night the Jingle Hat was acquired. On the streets of New Orleans 2008.
(For those that don't know...I'm the one with pink hair, yes another lifetime ago!).
Anyway, I can't wait to be settled into our new place!
Although, I have to say, packing has its upsides. For example we were sifting through some junk in the upstairs storage cupboard and I found this awesome jingle hat tucked away in a bag full of mardi gras beads.
ZJ wasn't so impressed with the find.
Here is is showing concern to his father. This hat, he reckons, is obviously not right.
And as if this was from another lifetime all together, this is the night the Jingle Hat was acquired. On the streets of New Orleans 2008.
(For those that don't know...I'm the one with pink hair, yes another lifetime ago!).
Anyway, I can't wait to be settled into our new place!
More spring adventures!
Considering putting these up on Etsy as prints, but not sure yet!
I have been a busy bee lately and doing a bit of photography spring cleaning. I'm consolidating a couple of flickr accounts (my bulk and old Lililly account) into one new all-in-one ♥ Lililly!
So here i am spending what seems like hours trying to slowly build up my contacts list and faovurites again. Still its nice to start afresh with a clean page and with new eyes (not to mention minus a few horrid stalkery creeps!).
So if you haven't added my new account yet, make sure you do!
So here i am spending what seems like hours trying to slowly build up my contacts list and faovurites again. Still its nice to start afresh with a clean page and with new eyes (not to mention minus a few horrid stalkery creeps!).
So if you haven't added my new account yet, make sure you do!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
New toy adventures
After a long overdue visit to the bro and his gaggle of girls on the weekend, Simon, Zander and I were nursing a bad case of Toy Envy.
We realised, quite suddenly, that the Rabie has absolutely no interactive toys! Well I mean we have a rattle or 10 and I 'made' a toy by filling a bottle with coloured bits of foam and beads (yet another use for Mardi Gras beads!) so that he could lay on the floor and push it around and it would be semi ...fun or something.
But I mean the types of toy that a baby can twist, roll, bash and it does something nuts - you know, the ones that make weird noises that is supposed to be a turtle but really is not a turtle sound at all. The ones that can get on your nerves quickly with their irritating 'all the animals have something to saaaaay' singsong.
I guess we had both thought he might be still a little too young to get much enjoyment out of one of these things but 2 seconds on the ground of Kyle and Jody's lounge with his cousins pulling out all sorts of weird and wonderful contraptions and he was right into it. Bashing little pop-a-matic style things with coloured balls popping, spinning wheels of annoying singsongy plastic junk thingyames and generally having a great time trying to get all these bright things into his mouth to chew.
OMG it was fun to watch! We HAD to get one of these spinning wheels of annoying singsongy plastic junk thingyames for him to play with at home!
So we did.
And he LOVES it.
And now I'm sitting here with its stupid little diddy rattling around in my brain :(
We realised, quite suddenly, that the Rabie has absolutely no interactive toys! Well I mean we have a rattle or 10 and I 'made' a toy by filling a bottle with coloured bits of foam and beads (yet another use for Mardi Gras beads!) so that he could lay on the floor and push it around and it would be semi ...fun or something.
But I mean the types of toy that a baby can twist, roll, bash and it does something nuts - you know, the ones that make weird noises that is supposed to be a turtle but really is not a turtle sound at all. The ones that can get on your nerves quickly with their irritating 'all the animals have something to saaaaay' singsong.
I guess we had both thought he might be still a little too young to get much enjoyment out of one of these things but 2 seconds on the ground of Kyle and Jody's lounge with his cousins pulling out all sorts of weird and wonderful contraptions and he was right into it. Bashing little pop-a-matic style things with coloured balls popping, spinning wheels of annoying singsongy plastic junk thingyames and generally having a great time trying to get all these bright things into his mouth to chew.
OMG it was fun to watch! We HAD to get one of these spinning wheels of annoying singsongy plastic junk thingyames for him to play with at home!
So we did.
And he LOVES it.
And now I'm sitting here with its stupid little diddy rattling around in my brain :(
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Confessions of a formula feeding mama
In my area of the world, and especially in the area of Auckland I work in, breast feeding is the norm and you are a bit of a social pariah if you don't do it. Which is a good thing really - it means I live in an environment that encourages the best way possible of feeding your child. Breast milk is the best sort of nutrition for your baby, its the perfect food and it does all sorts of wonderful stuff like adjust to the baby's needs and pass on antibodies to help fight of nasties, help fight crime and see in the dark.
Everyone around me breastfeeds, the women who come into my work all gather around in the children's area and feed their children. You see them on the Internet computers breastfeeding while catching up on emails. At the park, at the cafes down the road across from the beach (bit of a skite here, i really do work in such a beautiful area!) The women I work with told me their own breastfeeding stories. My family did it. The posters in all the doctors/midwives offices told of support lines, benefits and tips and tricks. Although there are formula ads on TV now and then, you only ever see them for the toddler milks, not for newborns etc.
People look down on people that don't breastfeed here. If you don't believe that, no offence but you are obviously a breast-feeder and never dealt with someone telling you over the counter at work how you are selfish, poisoning your child and ruining his life (yes - this has happened to me. Twice now).
So when i say i don't breastfeed and that I never once breastfed my child, don't think I made the decision lightly and do realise there must of been an important reason why I chose not to.
What I'm finding though as a formula feeding mum at just how little support there is for it. I know that all you breast feeding mums have said numerous times on all your blogs that you just need to google formula feeding and there are 49208342109 results. But seriously guys (and this may be just because I am a reference librarian and I'm trained to think this way) but at least 90% of what the Internet says is not true, come on. There is also things to take into consideration such as how old the information is and who it is giving the information.
How many blogs do you find about women who say 'yes i formula feed my child'. Hardly any. We don't have support groups or web rings or special banners on our blogs saying 'we are formula feeders! Lets unite!' Or at least if there any any they must be underground because for the life of me I can't seem to locate any and as previously mentioned, its my job to find things. There is a thick layer of guilt - no matter what the reasons for doing so - surrounding the formula feeding mother. Its like catholic guilt, it stays with you.
I can hear a chorus of 'well...breast feed then' raising round me right now. But sometimes you just can't, so don't start.
When i first decided to formula feed i had little support in choosing a type formula. Once you say you are going to formula feed its like everyone switches off and stops supporting you. I tried talking to my midwives and doctors and all i got was 'well a popular one is...' and that's it. Does popular actulally make it good? Or is it popular because i ton of uneducated mothers buy it? I had no idea what the difference, if any, there was between 'whey based' or 'cows milk based', what reflux stuff did or the pros and cons of iron fortified stuff and so on. Even when I HAD selected a formula when i went to their website to get more information all it said was 'breast is best - consult your doctor'. It was like going around in circles. You would think the formula company would give you solid information would you not?
It makes my heart heavy to read articles like this one, in which studies have shown more babies are dying because of lack of information to do with formula. Does this not show we are in desperate need of support?
At hospital (in which i had to stay for a number of days against my will thanks to my emergency C section, ergh) I was treated badly and bullied by the nurses to breastfeed almost everyday - even though I had instructions in my notes from doctors about formula) And then they kept trying to give ZJ less formula than he needed and as it was behind a locked door (not to mention i could hardly walk) I couldn't get to it myself. I was unable to have my own equipment or formula with me so they literally controlled everything. He would be crying in hunger, it was obvious that it was what he needed but they kept saying 'oh well he had 30ml 2 hours ago so he doesn't NEED more - the chart says so'. On the second to last day I was there my midwife found out that they were using a chart for babies using formula as a supplement. Ergh.
Luckily for me, after our lovely midwife broke us out of hospital early, and we were home, Zander took to our formula like a duck to water. He grew, he was full and he was happy. I made damn sure that each feed was a special bonding time for all of us, whether it was mum or dad feeding him. I would stare down into his huge eyes and smile, I would hold him against my bare skin to let him feel my warmth and smell my smell (this is pretty easy considering it was the hottest summer from hell ;)).
I was, and I am, lucky. He has been nothing but a dream to feed.... but there have definitely been times I could do with a little more understanding, a little more support. There needs to be less prejudice against those of us who do formulas feed. Contrary to popular belief - we aren't just a load of selfish cows who don't like our children.
There needs to be some sort of system where breastfeeding IS encouraged and supported in different ways (and honestly, i think our country, or at least my part of it, is pretty good on that level) but there also needs to be follow up for those who cannot or do not breast feed so that we can all raise our children to be happy and healthy little mites to the best of our abilities.
Is that really so much to ask for?
Everyone around me breastfeeds, the women who come into my work all gather around in the children's area and feed their children. You see them on the Internet computers breastfeeding while catching up on emails. At the park, at the cafes down the road across from the beach (bit of a skite here, i really do work in such a beautiful area!) The women I work with told me their own breastfeeding stories. My family did it. The posters in all the doctors/midwives offices told of support lines, benefits and tips and tricks. Although there are formula ads on TV now and then, you only ever see them for the toddler milks, not for newborns etc.
People look down on people that don't breastfeed here. If you don't believe that, no offence but you are obviously a breast-feeder and never dealt with someone telling you over the counter at work how you are selfish, poisoning your child and ruining his life (yes - this has happened to me. Twice now).
So when i say i don't breastfeed and that I never once breastfed my child, don't think I made the decision lightly and do realise there must of been an important reason why I chose not to.
What I'm finding though as a formula feeding mum at just how little support there is for it. I know that all you breast feeding mums have said numerous times on all your blogs that you just need to google formula feeding and there are 49208342109 results. But seriously guys (and this may be just because I am a reference librarian and I'm trained to think this way) but at least 90% of what the Internet says is not true, come on. There is also things to take into consideration such as how old the information is and who it is giving the information.
How many blogs do you find about women who say 'yes i formula feed my child'. Hardly any. We don't have support groups or web rings or special banners on our blogs saying 'we are formula feeders! Lets unite!' Or at least if there any any they must be underground because for the life of me I can't seem to locate any and as previously mentioned, its my job to find things. There is a thick layer of guilt - no matter what the reasons for doing so - surrounding the formula feeding mother. Its like catholic guilt, it stays with you.
I can hear a chorus of 'well...breast feed then' raising round me right now. But sometimes you just can't, so don't start.
When i first decided to formula feed i had little support in choosing a type formula. Once you say you are going to formula feed its like everyone switches off and stops supporting you. I tried talking to my midwives and doctors and all i got was 'well a popular one is...' and that's it. Does popular actulally make it good? Or is it popular because i ton of uneducated mothers buy it? I had no idea what the difference, if any, there was between 'whey based' or 'cows milk based', what reflux stuff did or the pros and cons of iron fortified stuff and so on. Even when I HAD selected a formula when i went to their website to get more information all it said was 'breast is best - consult your doctor'. It was like going around in circles. You would think the formula company would give you solid information would you not?
It makes my heart heavy to read articles like this one, in which studies have shown more babies are dying because of lack of information to do with formula. Does this not show we are in desperate need of support?
At hospital (in which i had to stay for a number of days against my will thanks to my emergency C section, ergh) I was treated badly and bullied by the nurses to breastfeed almost everyday - even though I had instructions in my notes from doctors about formula) And then they kept trying to give ZJ less formula than he needed and as it was behind a locked door (not to mention i could hardly walk) I couldn't get to it myself. I was unable to have my own equipment or formula with me so they literally controlled everything. He would be crying in hunger, it was obvious that it was what he needed but they kept saying 'oh well he had 30ml 2 hours ago so he doesn't NEED more - the chart says so'. On the second to last day I was there my midwife found out that they were using a chart for babies using formula as a supplement. Ergh.
Luckily for me, after our lovely midwife broke us out of hospital early, and we were home, Zander took to our formula like a duck to water. He grew, he was full and he was happy. I made damn sure that each feed was a special bonding time for all of us, whether it was mum or dad feeding him. I would stare down into his huge eyes and smile, I would hold him against my bare skin to let him feel my warmth and smell my smell (this is pretty easy considering it was the hottest summer from hell ;)).
I was, and I am, lucky. He has been nothing but a dream to feed.... but there have definitely been times I could do with a little more understanding, a little more support. There needs to be less prejudice against those of us who do formulas feed. Contrary to popular belief - we aren't just a load of selfish cows who don't like our children.
There needs to be some sort of system where breastfeeding IS encouraged and supported in different ways (and honestly, i think our country, or at least my part of it, is pretty good on that level) but there also needs to be follow up for those who cannot or do not breast feed so that we can all raise our children to be happy and healthy little mites to the best of our abilities.
Is that really so much to ask for?
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Ode to the pregnant belly
Thought I would share a pic or two from a couple of maternity shoots I've done in the last few months as well as a couple of my favourite selfies from my own pregnancy with Zander.
I really love doing maternity photography and I would definitely say if I was to become a full time pro photographer that would be where my passion would lay (along with the odd kiddo shot). There is something awesome about bringing out the beauty of pregnancy and I think its important for every woman who has gone through this/or is going through this to be made to feel special and beautiful.
I myself felt so out of control of my body and almost scared of its changes while I was pregnant with Zander and so photography and self-portraiture during that time really was a type of therapy for me.
I am currently offering my services for maternity photography at a reduced rate - this is to help me get in the practice as well! Pay only a $50 sitting fee (please note this is for Auckland area only) and for any print you may want. Print prices start at 60 cents 15x10cm print and go up $47 for a 50x60 cm poster. Digital files are sold for $15 per file and give you unlimited printing rights.
If you don't want any prints or files, thats fine as well.
Katie West is the best
I first saw Katie West pictures in a 'Sexy Librarian's' community on Live Journal. How and why her pictures even got in that community seems to escape me, but the images were of her drinking vodka out of a black bottle and dressed in what looked like a damn sexy school girl outfit. I remember them vividly because they changed my life.
Changed my life? A little dramatic? No I'm serious. She introduced me to self portraiture and a whole new way of considering myself, she gave me some sort of confidence I can't even begin to explain. She inspired me more than anyone else ever has... That is saying alot.
Today she remains one of my favourite photographers and I almost died of shock when she favourited one of my images a couple of years back. OTT? Again, I'm serious. I love this girl.
Anyway this gush post about Katie West is to announce that she has a new book out Practical Tokens of Affection. Her first book Low Self-Esteem sits proudly on my shelf (thankyou for the gift Scratch!) and if I had a cent to my name - this new book would be first on the list of my want items.
"Practical Tokens of Affection is my second book. Unlike my last collection, Low Self-Esteem, this new book includes writing along with my self-portraits. The stories deal with sex, love, and relationships; the feelings, the desires, the mistakes. All the stories are based on real people, except when they're not. But even then, they may as well be. This book means more to me than the last one did, I hope you like it as much as I do."
So for any of you lot out there that have a bit of extra money burning your back pocket - make sure you pick up a copy asap!
Mardi gras beads = love
I <3 the beads.
I have Mardi Gras beads from New Orleans (been there twice, LOVE the city and my heart was totally left there) scattered everywhere around my house. They hang from my curtain rails in my bedroom, they have been fashioned into a mobile type contraption for the kid and have turned up in many a self portrait over the past couple of years.
I've been revisiting some old shoots with beads processing them a little differently and I love the results I've come up with. Here is my favourite so far, a triptych set of 5x7 prints.
This set is available for sale on my Etsy page. Take a look :)
I have Mardi Gras beads from New Orleans (been there twice, LOVE the city and my heart was totally left there) scattered everywhere around my house. They hang from my curtain rails in my bedroom, they have been fashioned into a mobile type contraption for the kid and have turned up in many a self portrait over the past couple of years.I've been revisiting some old shoots with beads processing them a little differently and I love the results I've come up with. Here is my favourite so far, a triptych set of 5x7 prints.
This set is available for sale on my Etsy page. Take a look :)
Spring, sunshine and grass
Our lawn was bad. it was real bad. It was about knee high in grass. Sorry about that Mr Landlord but its been a rainy winter and there is a baby to look after and I work full time and its ....and well, I'm too lazy.
However, it did make a gorgeous photo op, so here is a pic or two of our wee boy enjoying the first days of spring :)
However, it did make a gorgeous photo op, so here is a pic or two of our wee boy enjoying the first days of spring :)
Friday, September 11, 2009
The Noob Parent Technique (NPT)
Hi, my name is Kate. I'm currently around 27 (i can't be sure though, i failed math in two countries) and I live in Auckland, New Zealand. I am a working mum (woohoo fun parent!) to a beautiful boy around 7 months old and my partner is a STAHD - and he loves it.
This is a blog all about us and little things that take my fancy (or cause me to rant). Its also dedicated to what we like to call our Noob Parenting Technique (NPT) way of life... in which we try not to sweat the small stuff or follow any set way of parenting and yet try not to screw up our child either.
NPT? WTF?
Let me explain.
Before I got pregnant, in fact - before I even had Zander, I had no idea about parenting styles. I actually didn't realise there could even be that many styles. Seriously. I had no idea what 'attachment parenting' meant or what the opposite of that is even called, what 'EC' stood for (and now I do, it still doesn't make sense to me), or what the 'cry it out method' was and why that wasn't flavour of the month with so many people yet our dear Plunket endorsed. I had no idea about co-sleeping or 'bed sharing' (and I actually didn't know these were two different things until about a week ago).
Forums posters would talk about their 'DS' or 'DD', how they were BF or [god forbid] FF, there was talk of BFOD, and EBM and now that the babes in our group are a bit older there is talk about 'BLW' their children. All I could do was sit there and go 'WTF?'.
I've since been educated on most of these things but I still feel like a Noob. But you know what? Ignorance was bliss.... I enjoy being a noob! I like the fact we don't have one set technique and feel happy to chop and change between a few. I don't pretend to be an expert on any way - I just know what works for us [right now] and honestly, we have a happy healthy gorgeous wee boy who is just a pleasure to take care of so i guess we must be doing something right.
So thats it, I hope you stick around.
This is a blog all about us and little things that take my fancy (or cause me to rant). Its also dedicated to what we like to call our Noob Parenting Technique (NPT) way of life... in which we try not to sweat the small stuff or follow any set way of parenting and yet try not to screw up our child either.
NPT? WTF?
Let me explain.
Before I got pregnant, in fact - before I even had Zander, I had no idea about parenting styles. I actually didn't realise there could even be that many styles. Seriously. I had no idea what 'attachment parenting' meant or what the opposite of that is even called, what 'EC' stood for (and now I do, it still doesn't make sense to me), or what the 'cry it out method' was and why that wasn't flavour of the month with so many people yet our dear Plunket endorsed. I had no idea about co-sleeping or 'bed sharing' (and I actually didn't know these were two different things until about a week ago).
Forums posters would talk about their 'DS' or 'DD', how they were BF or [god forbid] FF, there was talk of BFOD, and EBM and now that the babes in our group are a bit older there is talk about 'BLW' their children. All I could do was sit there and go 'WTF?'.
I've since been educated on most of these things but I still feel like a Noob. But you know what? Ignorance was bliss.... I enjoy being a noob! I like the fact we don't have one set technique and feel happy to chop and change between a few. I don't pretend to be an expert on any way - I just know what works for us [right now] and honestly, we have a happy healthy gorgeous wee boy who is just a pleasure to take care of so i guess we must be doing something right.
So thats it, I hope you stick around.
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