Or so they say. I'm not sure I agree cos a holiday would be awesome but never mind! So inspired by Deb and cos I just wanted something more interesting, we now have a new name and a new look.
Why The Accidental Hippy you say? Well I am not a big fan of hippys, never really wanted to be one! But now that I'm a mum, and I look at my parenting style I realise that I am one! Accidentally! Ok I eat meat and I shave my arm pits and legs and I refuse to use cloth nappies so I'm not entirely hippy but I lean towards attachment parenting and I have my own vege garden and I do cross stitch and crochet and other crafty things. Accidentally I've become a wee bit hippy.
So this look isn't perfect, as comes with using someone else's work so I shall keep working on it and fixing things but I like the overall look.
Now..to write more posts!
Friday, February 22, 2013
Monday, February 18, 2013
Getting ink'd
Yes I got another tattoo. These things are addictive ok? I found this one and loved it. I had no reason for it, I just thought it was beautiful and that maybe that was enough reason to get it! But as I thought about it more I realised there were plenty of reasons for getting this! It was originally 4 birds but I just got 3.
Reason Two: When Tahu and I first got together he lived in Ausy. One week I was having a particularly hard time and I woke up one morning to an email that had a song attached. He'd recorded himself playing and singing this song just for me. It was Three Little Birds by Bob Marley. The main part goes "Don't worry about a thing, cos every little thing, is gonna be alright". Was so perfect for how I felt. And in the week we had Knox, when we also lost Meredith and Judah as well as entering the ocean that is Parenthood, this song played endlessly in my head. Don't worry about a thing, cos everything is going to be ok. And so these 3 little birds remind me of that song and those moments.
Reason Three: Chrissy, my darling niece, came with me and got it too. And Shaz is getting birds next time she's over and if I have my way Deb will get some too.
Reason Four: The birds are swallows. These birds were often the first to land on a ship that had been out to sea for long periods of time. The swallow is also the harbinger of the spring season. So, to me, the bird symbolises being close to, or finding your way, home and also the coming out of the cold into spring/summer (which is my favourite season).
And also cos I just think it's beautiful!
Reason One: Last year was big. Loads happened. Three things stand out to me and so each bird represents one of those: Tahu and I got married, we had Knox and I lost Meredith.
Reason Two: When Tahu and I first got together he lived in Ausy. One week I was having a particularly hard time and I woke up one morning to an email that had a song attached. He'd recorded himself playing and singing this song just for me. It was Three Little Birds by Bob Marley. The main part goes "Don't worry about a thing, cos every little thing, is gonna be alright". Was so perfect for how I felt. And in the week we had Knox, when we also lost Meredith and Judah as well as entering the ocean that is Parenthood, this song played endlessly in my head. Don't worry about a thing, cos everything is going to be ok. And so these 3 little birds remind me of that song and those moments.
Reason Three: Chrissy, my darling niece, came with me and got it too. And Shaz is getting birds next time she's over and if I have my way Deb will get some too.
Reason Four: The birds are swallows. These birds were often the first to land on a ship that had been out to sea for long periods of time. The swallow is also the harbinger of the spring season. So, to me, the bird symbolises being close to, or finding your way, home and also the coming out of the cold into spring/summer (which is my favourite season).
And also cos I just think it's beautiful!
Sunday, February 10, 2013
He's growing too fast!
The other day I commented to mum about how fast Knox is growing and she said that I should just feed him once a day. Good thinking I felt! So at work someone commented on how fast he was growing and I go "yeah mum says I should just feed him once a day cos that'll slow him down" and they go "is she serious?"
Yes you idiot…my mum actually thinks I should feed him just once a day.
Honestly people!…here's your sign! (Click on the link, it's a great joke!)
Saturday, February 02, 2013
One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well - Virginia Woolf
There are many areas of parenting that cause controversy and when to feed a baby is one of them. There's two schools of though: either to feed on demand or feed on schedule (usually 3 or 4 hourly). When Tahu and I became parents we made a series of decisions from our gut instincts. We went with what felt right to us and a big one was when to feed Knox. We chose to demand feed. Now I've just finished a (terrible) book called Secrets of the Baby Whisperer by Tracey Hogg. In this book she talks about how if you demand feed your baby, by 3 months old your household will be chaos. You will have no time for yourself or time with your husband/partner, your house will be a mess, you'll probably not be able to find time for a shower, the baby will rule, you'll never get to go out, you'll constantly be feeding the baby. Basically demand feeding is the worst decision you can make. I am pleased to say that at 3 months (and actually at all months), this was not the case for us! By demand feeding Knox he is happy, not hungry! We always have dinner together, we have time to ourselves, we go out when and where we want. Knox is a huge part of our lives but he does not "rule" our lives. I am not constantly feeding him! I can also confirm I do find time for showers!! I was shocked to read such strong things against demand feeding from someone who clearly had never tried it!
Now we chose demand feeding by our instinct, it felt right to feed him when he was hungry and to learn his schedule and what suited him from him, not from a book. And I'm so glad we did. But there is also strong scientific research to back up what we have said! In another book I read called Baby on Board by Dr Howard Chilton, he discusses how a breast takes 30 minutes to fill and a baby's stomach takes 35 minutes to empty (using ultrasound to determine this). Now why would I feed my baby every 3 or 4 hours if I know his stomach has probably emptied at 35 minutes?
He also talks about the make up of breast milk from humans and other animals comparing then how often the babies are fed. For example, a rabbit has a very high protein content in the breast milk and feeds their babies once a day. Then going through other animal and how often they feed and when you come to humans they have the least amount of protein and this indicates that human babies should be fed very often, probably half hourly! As the baby grows and is able to drink ("eat") more then the times between feeds increases. Babies shouldn't have to wait 4 hourly for a feed!
Of course parenting is a very individual thing and everyone has to make their own choices and so there's plenty of people who will totally disagree with this post but that's ok. I just wanted to be an example of how demand feeding and/or going with your gut instincts is awesome and can totally work well.
And that's the end of another installment of Why I Do What I Do.
Now we chose demand feeding by our instinct, it felt right to feed him when he was hungry and to learn his schedule and what suited him from him, not from a book. And I'm so glad we did. But there is also strong scientific research to back up what we have said! In another book I read called Baby on Board by Dr Howard Chilton, he discusses how a breast takes 30 minutes to fill and a baby's stomach takes 35 minutes to empty (using ultrasound to determine this). Now why would I feed my baby every 3 or 4 hours if I know his stomach has probably emptied at 35 minutes?
He also talks about the make up of breast milk from humans and other animals comparing then how often the babies are fed. For example, a rabbit has a very high protein content in the breast milk and feeds their babies once a day. Then going through other animal and how often they feed and when you come to humans they have the least amount of protein and this indicates that human babies should be fed very often, probably half hourly! As the baby grows and is able to drink ("eat") more then the times between feeds increases. Babies shouldn't have to wait 4 hourly for a feed!
Of course parenting is a very individual thing and everyone has to make their own choices and so there's plenty of people who will totally disagree with this post but that's ok. I just wanted to be an example of how demand feeding and/or going with your gut instincts is awesome and can totally work well.
And that's the end of another installment of Why I Do What I Do.
Monday, January 21, 2013
Monday, December 31, 2012
As another year closes
My poor blog has been so neglected this year! But it's been a mad year! In fact I just looked to try and find my "end of year/new year" post from last year but there isn't one! How am I supposed to remember what I had planned for this year?? Well I think it's safe to say that whatever I had planned may not have happened but an awful lot of other stuff has!
2012 started with Tahu and I getting married on the 5th of January. It was a fantastic day, people still talk to us about how great it was! You can read all about it here and our vows here.
That first week of being married turned out to be pretty spectacular for us as 9 months later our darling son Knox was born. He is now 14 weeks old and fast asleep in our bed. He's full of smiles and laughs and is just the most amazing thing to ever happen to us. Cliche I know but so true. Every day, every hour even, we're always saying to each other "man our son is AMAZING!"
Tahu is halfway through his building apprenticeship now. He's working for a really great guy and actually enjoys going to work which is great! I am about to go back to work but only part time. I have been so fortunate to land a job that I enjoy, that pays well and that I could alter once I had Knox so that I only work 10 hours in the office and 10 hours at home. And my wonderful mum will look after Knox while I'm in the office. It has made a huge difference to our lives to have jobs that we enjoy!
Tahu's band is doing great things. He's currently at sound check for their new years gig at The Dux which is probably the best gig you could get in Christchurch. The Merchants of Flow have also just played at Rhythm and Alps and even featured on the TV One News. Keep an eye out for them in 2013. We have high hopes!
Last year wasn't all highs though. Two days before Knox was born I lost one of my best friends. She is missed every day. You can read about her here but there will be plenty more written to and about my amazing Meredith I'm sure. Two days after Knox was born we lost another friend Judah in a motor accident. It was a very hard week and sometimes it hurts me that the deaths of two fantastic young people are so closely linked to the birth of our boy but then other times I know that it means they will never be forgotten and their legacies can be continued through Knox and his story. I'll write more on that another time I think though.
So now looking forward, what does this coming year bring for me? Here's my hopes/resolutions:
1. Lose weight! I say it every year but this year I have plans for it and I am tired of feeling like this. Combined with this is that I want to start running again. Bring it on! First goal is running 5km without stopping, second goal is 10km.
2. Learn Te Reo - Knox is here now, no more excuses! We want him to be able to speak both languages and that starts with us learning it first!
3. Keep a journal - Tahu gave me a beautiful journal (that I picked in Melbourne) and I have missed writing so much and so I'm going to write in here more but also keep a journal again. It's good for me to be able to get out what I'm thinking but also to be able to look back and remember. And the first year as a mum is going to be a pretty important year to remember!
4. Pay off debt. Ideally all of it and save some money too but will see how we go.
5. Read more! I love reading, almost as much as I like buying books! (Sorry Tahu). This year I have either not been able to read cos was busy/sick or got stuck on a crap book (The Slap) and so couldn't move on! So this year, I shall read! Also good because I don't need two hands. I can do it while I'm breastfeeding!
I'm sure there's more I want to do but as Knox is awake now I shall have to think of them another time.
2012 was amazing. Yes it had a couple of painful moments but it was also a really great year for us. I am excited to see what next year brings!
2012 started with Tahu and I getting married on the 5th of January. It was a fantastic day, people still talk to us about how great it was! You can read all about it here and our vows here.
That first week of being married turned out to be pretty spectacular for us as 9 months later our darling son Knox was born. He is now 14 weeks old and fast asleep in our bed. He's full of smiles and laughs and is just the most amazing thing to ever happen to us. Cliche I know but so true. Every day, every hour even, we're always saying to each other "man our son is AMAZING!"
Tahu is halfway through his building apprenticeship now. He's working for a really great guy and actually enjoys going to work which is great! I am about to go back to work but only part time. I have been so fortunate to land a job that I enjoy, that pays well and that I could alter once I had Knox so that I only work 10 hours in the office and 10 hours at home. And my wonderful mum will look after Knox while I'm in the office. It has made a huge difference to our lives to have jobs that we enjoy!
Tahu's band is doing great things. He's currently at sound check for their new years gig at The Dux which is probably the best gig you could get in Christchurch. The Merchants of Flow have also just played at Rhythm and Alps and even featured on the TV One News. Keep an eye out for them in 2013. We have high hopes!
Last year wasn't all highs though. Two days before Knox was born I lost one of my best friends. She is missed every day. You can read about her here but there will be plenty more written to and about my amazing Meredith I'm sure. Two days after Knox was born we lost another friend Judah in a motor accident. It was a very hard week and sometimes it hurts me that the deaths of two fantastic young people are so closely linked to the birth of our boy but then other times I know that it means they will never be forgotten and their legacies can be continued through Knox and his story. I'll write more on that another time I think though.
So now looking forward, what does this coming year bring for me? Here's my hopes/resolutions:
1. Lose weight! I say it every year but this year I have plans for it and I am tired of feeling like this. Combined with this is that I want to start running again. Bring it on! First goal is running 5km without stopping, second goal is 10km.
2. Learn Te Reo - Knox is here now, no more excuses! We want him to be able to speak both languages and that starts with us learning it first!
3. Keep a journal - Tahu gave me a beautiful journal (that I picked in Melbourne) and I have missed writing so much and so I'm going to write in here more but also keep a journal again. It's good for me to be able to get out what I'm thinking but also to be able to look back and remember. And the first year as a mum is going to be a pretty important year to remember!
4. Pay off debt. Ideally all of it and save some money too but will see how we go.
5. Read more! I love reading, almost as much as I like buying books! (Sorry Tahu). This year I have either not been able to read cos was busy/sick or got stuck on a crap book (The Slap) and so couldn't move on! So this year, I shall read! Also good because I don't need two hands. I can do it while I'm breastfeeding!
I'm sure there's more I want to do but as Knox is awake now I shall have to think of them another time.
2012 was amazing. Yes it had a couple of painful moments but it was also a really great year for us. I am excited to see what next year brings!
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