Backstage Pass...

Big Daddy and I love ourselves a live music gig... it can hardly be beat... Today I was reminiscing about some of the amazing concerts we have been to together over the past 5 years and I can't wait to take Avalon along too.

Music is a big part of our lives and I want Avalon to grow with an appreciation for it too.
Although I no longer play (I grew up taking piano, guitar and clarinet lessons) Grant still plays the guitar, composing songs for Miss A and playing her classical lullabies. I love listening to him play as it always soothes me, and it works well when Avalon needs some chill out time too.

You really can't beat live music, the smaller the venue the better in my opinion, although we usually end up in some huge arena. I love the roar of the crowd- the feeling of anticipation and the warm cider. Yep, suits me just fine.

I had always wanted to see 3 bands live; Metallica, REM & Pearl Jam and we have managed to do that over the past few years (Pearl Jam twice no less.) I am not sure who is next on the list, we will see what the summer brings.

We really wanted to venture to Sonisphere this summer to see The Big 4 (Anthrax, Slayer, Metallica & Megadeth) but it is too long to leave Avalon (2-3 days) and we would love to take her but I think the metal mayhem experience may be a little too much- even with the sale of family passes.

Here are some of our memories....

Nightwish supported by PAIN @ London Astoria 2008

Pearl Jam 2009 (and 8 weeks pregnant) Avalon's first gig!

Guess.... 2008

That surely is a happy face.

The mighty Metallica @ O2 Wembley

Blues & Roots Festival, Byron Bay 2007 (the weekend before we got married)

Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals, Byron Bay 2007

REM supported by Editors 2008 @ Twickenham

Hard Rock Calling 2010~ and our first time away from Avalon (a long 8 hours).... it was such an amazing day and one of our best dates ever.

festival feet....

Mr. Eddie Vedder

This is the idea!

~LOVE~

5 in 60 seconds... Books

Here are 5 of my favourite novels... in no particular order.... the first that came to mind in under a minute.

I decided not to ponder too long on this or else I WILL change my mind... so for whatever reason, when I think of the films I love-- these stood out.

All of these works cover a different genre of writing yet they have left a lasting impression on my writing and way of thinking. They are also all novels that I have re-read again and again.

Time to PAR-TAY!!

Today we attended our very first 1st Birthday Party. I have a feeling there will be many more this year and we are all looking forward to it!

The De Souzas had an absolute blast and wish Lily, Izzy & Tomos a very Happy Birthday, it has been an absolute pleasure getting to know you over the past 12 months and seeing you grow.

The hypocrasy of FACEBOOB from a Lactivist Mama

This week my facebook account was disabled.

Why I hear you ask? Well, because I dared to upload a photo of me, breastfeeding my daughter less than an hour after her birth. Without a doubt, this is one of my most cherished memories and an awesome snapshot of this time in my life.

Here is the offending photograph; me in all my breastfeeding, birthy glow glory...

Last Tuesday afternoon I received an email from Facebook to say that I had violated their terms and conditions by uploading an 'offensive' photo.

Since they work hard to keep Facebook 'safe for children' it was deleted and my account was disabled until further notice. I assume it was disabled as I recall at least 2 other occasions where I have had a photograph removed and received warning- oh yes, both were breastfeeding photos.

I queried why my account had been de-activated, and after 24 hours, it was re-activated, with the above photo removed and an 'understanding' from me that this was offensive material. Seriously.

Now, this is not a new issue; it has been happening for a very long time and people are angry.
I have had a number of friends whose accounts have been disabled due to them uploading similar 'offensive' content. One of my good friends has had her fan page disabled for well over a month as I type this; with no explanation. It is beyond ridiculous!

I was so worried about my 100 photo albums I have on the account, all uploaded over the past 3 years, I really can't afford to lose them. Some of my fellow lactivist friends have seen so much of their hard work be discarded because of an anonymous report from someone. That is all it takes. A 'tip off' from a person who finds the idea of feeding a child disgusting (yes, I can't wrap my head around it.) Maybe if these folks had been breastfed more as children they wouldn't feel the way they do about boobies *oh snap!*

So what do I think? Besides thinking Facebook is run by misogynistic, sexist, infantile men? That people are offended by women feeding children because they are conditioned to believe that breasts are only for men to ogle, that formula is 'just as good' as breastmilk, that if you are going to breastfeed your child, it is a private thing that should not been done in public.

Don't even get me started on my theory that most complaints about this come from women!  As my friend Dave said, 'What man complains about breasts- any breasts?' (thanks for the giggle, Dave.)

You can find groups on social networking sites like Facebook for just about anything, including I Love Boobs yet women are having photos from their personal accounts deleted because nourishing a child the way nature intended is offensive. Quite simply. Tools.

We as a society need to see women feeding their children as they have been for centuries, new mothers need to be supported and encouraged before and after birth to give their children the very best start in life. It is not hard, and it is not easy- SUPPORT and EDUCATION. The more we see it, the more 'normal' breastfeeding will appear. Yes, it saddens me to even have to type that.

So what can I do? I am a friend to offer you any help/tips I can, an ear to listen to when you need to talk about what is going on and how you feel, a Mother that breastfeeds her 10 month old in Starbucks, on a train, on a plane, in a meeting with HR (yes- I did!) ANYWHERE she needs to be fed. End of.

So, the marvellous thing here is that on my blog, I can post whatever I like.

Since I believe so strongly in the value and importance of breastfeeding and SEEING IT, so it is not considered 'weird, uncomfortable or indiscreet'... feast your eyes on this goodness...

Not me... but a great postcard I found in Mt. Tambourine

I promise you, I am not an exhibitionist, but my mind boggles that people are offended by a child being nourished, seriously?? What the fuck is wrong with people? For my photo to be deleted someone had to report it, and that someone is probably on my 'friends list' and to that person I say, "Number one, get help as you have a problem and number 2, DON'T LOOK.... 'unfriend me'... whatever!"

So, quite frankly Facebook, you can suck it! (pun intended.)

Je t'aime

I will admit, Valentines day has never been a huge 'deal' in our house (nor was it for me growing up.) I remember my parents didn't celebrate it but I have a cherished memory of receiving an 'anonymous' rose one year~ beautifully wrapped in a cylinder with babies breath flowers. For a chubby girl with little self esteem it certainly brightened my day... even if it turned out to be from my Father.... Thanks Dad, I love you.

I guess without sounding a little cynical, Grant and I have not put a whole lot of weight in it, it is also 2 days from his birthday as well so that explains a lot. Either way, I like to think we do nice things for each other all the time...

So that being said, I decided to get Grant a little token gift this year, along with his birthday gift; a little box of Belgian chocolates and the trinket box Avalon made. I myself, received this:

Yep, the boy did well. A canvas of photographs....It was so thoughtful and covered our time together over the past (almost) 6 years; dating, London, Australia, married, Germany, Pregnant, Avalon. A memory canvas for our wall.

Grant was only home for a couple of days before he was off on military exercise for another week so we made the most of the weekend. Saturday was his birthday and I wanted to do something a little different this year and I put together a hamper for him. I had spent the week before running around and collecting some bits and pieces I knew he would enjoy.

Grant's favourites; wine, sweets, biltong, Rooibos, Chocolate, books, recipe folder and tea sub, Avalon's coaster.

As usual, the day started with cuddles...

......then a pancake breakfast courtesy of Aunt Jemima (ha!)

After our fill, we decided on a day in Basingstoke (or Basingraad, as Grant calls it.) After a wonder and a shop, it was Spanish tapas time at La Tasca....

"I want bread, dad!"

mmmmmmmmm

So a lovely day was had by all, although we were all very tired from a not so great night's sleep before. Unfortunately, G had to leave again on the Sunday for a week.... but.... Happy 31st Birthday my love>

*Heart Explodes*

painting by Juan De' Prey

~journal the date~
Today, even though she has been ill, we had dancing (shimmy-ing and boogie-ing to music) as well as High Fives!...
Happy birthday, Daddy...
*Almost* as good as the excitable 'Dad!!' you got Thursday night when you came to bed...
A little thing to anyone else, but the memory is ours x

Made with a lotta love... and paint... and plaster.

During the week, Avalon and I visited Farnham Ceramics Cafe with the purpose of making Big Daddy some Valentines Day and Birthday gifts.

I have past this quirky little art cafe on many occasions and was curious as to what it was all about, not only a great place for children, but also for the budding artist within (tongue firmly in cheek.)

Added to my laundry list of things I 'want to do' (make a quilt for Avalon, do her placenta prints, refashion some of her T's) handmade crafts are what I am interested in. I cannot wait to do more with her as she gets older.

We toddled into Farnham with Nina & her gorgeous daughter, Izzy as they had been to the cafe before (The Izzy bum print plate is the stuff of legend) and I wanted their help-- May I suggest, help is a good thing when it comes to painting activities with a 10 month old

Oooh something to chew...

...or to drum with

Maisie apron time!

Let the fun begin...

masterpiece.

Crisis (semi) averted.

the artist pleased with her masterpiece!

For 'Daddy'...

We did good, kid.

We made Grant a heart shaped trinket box for Valentines Day; Avalon painted it herself with her hands (and attempted to eat it as well) and then we gave him the footprint coaster/plaque for his birthday.

It was a blast and I can't wait to take her back again and make more ceramic lovelies. There is so much to choose from that you could fill the house; from clocks to serving dishes to money boxes. It is so easy too, paint and create one day and a few days later collect your work all fired in the kiln and ready for display.

... a beautiful Mummy & Me afternoon.

Thank you so much to my dear friend Nina for her help (and photos) x