The Pendulum: Breastfeeding or Bottle Feeding

I've never really had a strong opinion when it comes to feeding babies.  I'm still breastfeeding Rory, but it was tough to start with.  I thought I'd do it for six months and then stop.  In the beginning it was a battle to get to six weeks.  Now bubba and I have found our groove and his six month birthday is fast approaching, I'm not sure I want to stop.  Whereas before Rory would drink anything from anything, now he's decided he only wants breasts.  Expressed breastmilk from a bottle won't do; it must be fresh...straight from the cow, if you like.  This makes it difficult for me to leave him with anyone else for a reasonable period of time.

I stopped seeing breastfeeding as a dreaded chore when I went to hospital.  I learnt to see it as time out with my little man and it got easier.  I've mastered the whole feeding discreetly in public thing and we seem to have a good thing going on.

However, I can see there are also a lots of positives when it comes to bottle feeding.  Duncan wanted me to stop feeding so he could help out with feeds with me not being well.  I appreciate this, but I told him I'm not sure I want to stop at six months....and I don't think Rory will be happy if I stop anyway.

Here are the pros and cons I can see for both:

BREASTFEEDING

PROS

• Convenient, no preparation required, always on tap, always the right temperature, no wastage.
• Nice bonding time with Rory.
• Great for weight loss.  I find I can pretty much eat without worrying about packing on the kilos.

CONS

• Can sometimes be difficult to feed in public with conservative people around who disapprove no matter how discreet you are attempting to be.
• Sore nipples.
• I'm the only one who can feed him so I can't have extended times away from him.
• I have to consider what I eat and if it might be affecting him.

BOTTLE FEEDING

PROS

• Anyone can feed him.  Duncan and I could go away for a night together and leave Rory in someone else's care.
• Can feed more openly without worrying if people disapprove or are having a perve.
• He drinks quicker from a bottle (when he did happily drink from bottles).
• I don't have to worry that what I eat might be upsetting him.

CONS

• I would have to watch what I eat regarding putting on weight.
• More preparation and washing up.
• If I forget to pack his bottles he's going to go hungry.

Hmmm what to do.

A Joint 30th

On Saturday 15th June, we went to....yep, you guessed it....another 30th!  This time it was a joint affair for Duncan's best man, Jamin, and his wife, Jodi.  Ladies were asked to wear black and pink, and men black and blue.

We headed up to Perth the night before the party and after a rough night with a non-sleeping bubba, I was hesitant about whether to bring him along.  But since we were without a babysitter, we brought him along as there were other people looking forward to meeting him.

Alas, Rory didn't want to sleep in his pram so we were there for less than two hours.  Oh well!  At least we made it, got to catch up with a few people....and have some fun with the photo booth.

Why I Don't Ask Why

While Rory and I were in hospital, my pastor came to visit one afternoon and asked how I was going spiritually.  It's tempting while suffering to look for reasons why bad things happen to us.  "Why, God?  Why me?  What is your purpose in this?"  My pastor encouraged me to look at the big picture of what God is doing in the world, that is reconciling all things to Himself in Christ.  Somehow what is happening to me is part of His universal plan to bring everything under Christ's feet.

I was primarily focusing on what God is doing in me through suffering, moulding and refining me to make me more like His Son.  But as my pastor said, sometimes our suffering is not just for us.  Sometimes it's for others as well.  God may well be using this to grow me in Christlikeness, but my suffering is also giving others the chance to grow as they learn to love and serve someone with depression.  Maybe this is for my church who have been so fantastic in caring for me and my little family.  Maybe this is for Duncan's boss who has been so gracious in giving Duncan time off.  Maybe this is for my non-Christian family as they see what it looks like to follow Jesus when you're in the valley.  It could be for any number of people.

I could drive myself mad asking, "Why?"  God is the one weaving the tapestry and all of those threads that weave together so intricately create the big picture.

I don't need to know the ins and outs of what God is doing, but I do need to focus on the big picture.  That big picture is Christ, for as I look back to the cross, I have solid evidence that God loves me.

How God works is up to Him.  He is in control.  I just need to trust.

Bible Verse of the Day

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.  For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him.  He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.  And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy.  For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross.
Colossians 1:15-20

5 Annoying Things Christians Say

1.  "We are in the Lord's house."
This is usually said in reference to the church building.  God does NOT need a building to dwell in.  There is nothing particularly 'holy' about meeting in a recognised 'church building' as opposed to Christians who meet in parks, homes, cafes, or community centres.

2.  "Firstly, I'm a wife/mum," or, "My kids come first."
No, firstly you are a child of God.  I don't like going to women's conferences where the speaker is introduced and they say something like, "Well, firstly I'm a mummy."  If that's the defining thing for a woman, then how do single women introduce themselves?  And what about the husband, where does he fit in?  God may have placed a woman in the role of wife and mother, but it's wrong to elevate kids to the position of little idols (besides, what are these women going to do when their kids grow up and leave home?).  There is too much focus on mothering and homemaking in some churches.

3.  "This is heaven," or, "It doesn't get much better than this," or, "I had the day from hell."
I often read posts by Christians on Facebook likening food and outings to heaven?  Really?  A piece of cake, fresh out of the oven, is as good as heaven?  We seriously have no idea how good heaven will be.  To be with God for all eternity in a place with no sickness, suffering, sin or death....that is beyond comprehension.  This I know....it will be far better than cake, chocolate or a trip to the shops.  And no matter how bad our day is, it cannot compare to the awful reality of hell, so don't say it does.  Hell is eternal separation from God and, therefore, all that is good.  Your day may suck...a lot....but it will never be as terrible as hell.

4.  "Sunday best", or, "I need some new Sunday clothes."
You don't need to dress up to go to church.  You're not dressing up for God, you're dressing for people, for only people care about outward appearances.  God looks at the heart.

5.  "It doesn't resonate with me."
The word 'resonate' is so overused *yawn*.  It's usually said in relation to a Christian who didn't like a particular style of service.  Yes, some church services are not great.  It's not how I would do things, but it's not about me, or you, and what 'resonates' with us.  There will always be things about churches which don't 'resonate' with us.  Sometimes we just need to suck it up and get over it.

Which phrases that Christians often use particularly annoy you?

Happy 7th Birthday Sedshed!

Who would have known that this blog would still be ticking along seven years on?

Over the past seven years, readers of this blog have joined me in starting a new relationship, getting engaged, getting married, moving from the city to the country, then to another farm, changing jobs several times, acquiring pets, and finally, becoming a parent.

Through sickness, rants, despair, confusion, doubt, sheer joy, excitement, and faith, you have witnessed it all!  What a great record of life blogging is.  I would have forgotten many of the little thoughts I've had over the years if it wasn't for this blog.

I have found this to be very true with blogging

This is why I moderate comments and don't allow anonymous comments on my blog

In keeping with tradition, I have given the blog a birthday makeover.  If you're using a reader, click through to see the Sedshed's new clothes.

Happy 7th Birthday to This is what Sed said.

2013: My Unlucky Year?

I'm not superstitious.

I've walked under ladders.  I own a black cat.

But I'm starting to wonder if there really is something unlucky about the number 13.

It was supposed to have been such a great year with Rory's arrival but, honestly, it just hasn't.  It's been awful.  I've spent six weeks of the year in hospital.  My auntie passed away.  Other things have been happening to those I care about which I can't go into on here.

After all the pre-season hype, the Eagles' season has been pretty darn average so far.  That's putting it kindly.

1996, the year I turned 13, was a cruddy year as well.  Am I seeing a pattern here?

I know bringing on 2014 won't make everything smooth sailing, but I've had enough of this year.  Enough! 

Please let the next six months be better than the first.  Please God, have I had my suffering quota for the year yet?