YEAH...WHOSE LOOKIN'?

Today, I was on facebook and I was reading a friends "status update". To give credit, I will copy the status word for word:

"OMG! There is a lady in the waiting room at toyota who just whipped out her boob and started to breast feed, NO COVERAGE! Really? Why would you do that?"

I was positively OUTRAGED when I read this. I went off on her status update. Seriously...are we really criticizing a mother for breastfeeding her child? Would you rather have her child sit there and scream at the top of his lungs? I was so upset when I read this. I was FURIOUS!! I was ready to scream out loud. I can't believe society today. A mother is doing her job, breastfeeding her child, and we are giving her a hard time because she decided not to cover up. Ummmmm....have you ever decided not to stare? I breastfeed Logan, out in the open with no cover. I can't cover up. He rather play with the cover than nurse. I don't pull my boob out and scream "HEY EVERYONE! GUESS WHAT? HERE IS MY BOOB!" I discretely pull out my boob, just enough so he can latch on, and continue on in my day. Society today has sexualized breasts so much that breastfeeding mothers are seen as perverts for not covering up. I later read on her status update that the manager of the Toyota dealership asked her to go into the restroom to feed her child. I want to know what Toyota dealership it is and ask the manager to go eat his lunch in the restroom. Not to mention, what he did was illegal. Mother's have the right to breastfeed their child whenever and WHEREVER we want to. What outraged me more was a response later on:

"Goodness... Why must you be so damn radical about it? Would it kill you to cover your damn tits while breast feeding? Not everyone wants to see a woman plop her breast out in public! And had it been me, I would have covered up! And if you're so fucking passionate about it, why don't you just go topless all the time then, since you don't seem to care about the whole world seeing your precious child-credit rack! You radical mothers... Yeah! Do your job! Breast feed your kids! But don't do it in a way where people who DON'T want to see it end up having to! Fuckin aye!"

Am I a radical mother? I don't think so. I think I am standing up for my rights and the rights of my child. My question to all of you is what is the difference between a woman discretely breastfeeding her child, or a woman walking around with no bra on? Or a woman walking around with a very revealing top on? Or a short skirt? I don't think there is much. I rather see a woman breastfeeding her child, than a woman trying to get laid by wearing a skirt so short that I can see her cooter. Disgusting....Yuck..... If you don't want to see me feeding my child, go find a magazine and stick your nose in it.

Now don't get me wrong. Breastfeeding is much more accepted today that it was in the 1980's. If I woman pulled out her breast in the 80's, that was just unheard of. It was the age of formula. Those who were born in the 80's, ask your mother. I bet a majority of you were formula fed. When Carlos was born in 1976 (yeah...I know he is OLD! LoL) his mother has clearly stated to me that it wasn't a trend during that time to breastfeed your child. I am proud to say that I am a breastfeeding, baby wearing, co-sleeping, cloth diapering, attachment parenting mother. I will always be that. Why am I like that? Not only does it benefit me, but it benefits my children. I could go on for pages talking about the benefits of all of the above, but its 10:15 at night and well, I am a mother of two. I am EXHAUSTED. 

There was recently an article in the news about a mother who was breastfeeding her child at a Johnny Rockets in Newport, Kentucky. Apparently, the manager had a problem with her breastfeeding her child and asked her to feed him/her in the bathroom. I would have told him to go take his lunch in the bathroom and eat it with me. Here is the article if you would like to read it. Just click on the link. 

And for those who are slightly confused on the breastfeeding laws in California, here they are:

Cal. Civil Code § 43.3 (1997) allows a mother to breastfeed her child in any location, public or private, except the private home or residence of another, where the mother and the child are otherwise authorized to be present. (AB 157)

Cal. Civil Code § 210.5 (2000) allows the mother of a breastfed child to postpone jury duty for one year and specifically eliminates the need for the mother to appear in court to request the postponement. The law also provides that the one-year period may be extended upon written request of the mother. (Chap. 266; AB 1814)

Cal. Health and Safety Code § 1647 (1999) declares that the procurement, processing, distribution or use of human milk for the purpose of human consumption is considered to be a rendition of service rather than a sale of human milk. (Chap. 87; AB 532)

Cal. Health and Safety Code § 123360 and § 1257.9 require that the Department of Public Health include in its public service campaign the promotion of mothers breastfeeding their infants. The department shall also develop a training course of hospital policies and recommendations that promote exclusive breastfeeding and specify staff for whom this model training is appropriate.  The recommendation is targeted at hospitals with exclusive patient breastfeeding rates ranked in the lowest twenty-five percent of the state. (2007 Chapter 460, SB 22)

Cal. Labor Code § 1030 et seq. (2001) provides that employers need to allow a break and provide a room for a mother who desires to express milk in private.

Cal. Assembly Concurrent Resolution 155 (1998) encourages the state and employers to support and encourage the practice of breastfeeding by striving to accommodate the needs of employees, and by ensuring that employees are provided with adequate facilities for breastfeeding and expressing milk for their children. The resolution memorializes the governor to declare by executive order that all state employees be provided with adequate facilities for breast feeding and expressing milk.

I want everyone out there to do me a favor. Congratulate those mothers who breastfeed. They deserve a pat on the back. And I'm not sitting here saying formula is evil and those who formula feed their babies are abusing them. Not at all. Connor, my 3 year old, was a formula fed child, and he came out (kind of ) ok. Some people can't breastfeed for various reasons, and trust me, I understand most of them! Let me rephrase my previous statement. Congratulate all mothers. Think about it....without your mother, where would you be? I know that I would be a completely different person. Think about how your mother has shaped your life, made you the person you are today, and then give your mom a big hug, a kiss and say THANK YOU. Then those who are mothers, turn around and hug your children. You wouldn't be a mother without them. 

Good night cyber world!!

I can see my name in lights!!

This week was, yet again, a very boring week. In an attempt to save some $$ for my family, I find myself staying VERY close to home. I am trying to keep the kids entertained, but its a little difficult.

I did have one very cool thing happen to me last week. I met some friends over at a park in Burbank, for some playing and a picnic. It happened to be a playdate for Connor's preschool. My friends and I were sitting on a blanket eating our lunches and the kids asked if they could go play on the swings. We looked over and all of the swings were being occupied by some adults. Kind of annoyed, we told the kids that they should go play somewhere else. They went and played and came back about 30 minutes later. Again, they asked if they could go play on the swings. By this time, the adults had finished playing on the swings, so we headed over that direction. We put the kids on the swings and directly in front of us, we noticed that there was a camera crew filming something. Living in Los Angeles, especially in parts of Burbank where the studios are, filming is a part of everyday life. You notice it and move on. As we were pushing the kids on the swing, I noticed WHO they were filming....

Thats right...GEORGE LOPEZ!!

Now regardless of what people who live outside of Los Angeles think, we don't see stars walking down the street all the time. Its actually quite rare that we see people (or at least it is for me!). My friends and I were awed at the star, and continued to push the kiddos on the swings. A few minutes later, my friend Lara walks up to me and says "They want us to be in the skit." Um...REALLY?!?!? How awesome is this!! The production assistant comes up and has us sign waivers for us and the kids. We sign the waivers, and she goes over how they are going to film the scene, and then LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION (not really, but I like to be dramatic!) My friend Sandy actually was the main actress in the scene (JEALOUS!). My friend Lara and I were just standing by, pushing the kids on the swing. Then they asked me to walk being George and look at him, which I did (I can't wait for my Oscar Nomination!). They were finished with us and as they were walking back to the car, I ran up to a production assistant and asked if I could have a picture with George, Unfortunately, he was already at his car. I was MAJORLY bummed. I mean MAJORLY. My family and I are HUGE fans of George Lopez. The guy, sensing my disappointment, offered to send me an autographed picture of George. I was like "yeah...sure ya will..." I was 100% doubtful that they would send me an autographed picture. I just kind of forgot about it, until a couple of days later, I received this in the mail....

An AUTOGRAPHED Picture of George Lopez. 

I was really surprised. I had it made out to Carlos, so he could hang it in his classroom and the kids would think that he super cool. 

Carlos started a new diet yesterday. This is a really strict diet. For once, I think he is really dedicated to losing the weight. Starting at a good 285 lbs, he wants to lose between 120 and 130 lbs. I am surprised on how well he has been doing. Carlos has had a "more than friends" relationship with food for years, and like any addiction, it takes some dedicated to end his addiction. I thought he would be grumpy and complain, but to be honest, I haven't heard too much out of him. He was a little upset last night that he couldn't have cheese on his hamburger patty, but I think he dealt with that pretty well.  He has decided that the time he would usually spend eating, he is going to dedicate to his guitar playing. Carlos is an excellent guitar player, but he has always wanted to learn how to play CCR songs. As I am sitting here typing, he is sitting right next to me playing the guitar. Its nice, except when I am trying to sleep and he is playing to keep me away. I am 100% into supporting him. I am going to try to eat the same foods he eats, but more of them. I don't mind salads, but being a breastfeeding mother, I need extra calories. 

Speaking of breastfeeding....

HAPPY BREASTFEDING WEEK!

(Click on the link to a VERY AWESOME article)

Remember, even if you aren't a breastfeeding mother, support those who are. BREAST IS BEST!

And to give you a great example of a mother, we celebrated my moms birthday last night at her house. Its fun when all of the kids get together and have a party. We giggle (usually about something inappropriate) and chat and generally have a good time. 

Happy Birthday Mom!

I just wanted to say how grateful I am for my mother. She has been my rock, my guide, my friend and my example for the past (nearly) 25 years. I am the mother I am today because of her. I couldn't have had a better example and I can only hope that I am half the mother she is. She has always been a dedicated, loving, compassionate and caring mother, who would do anything, including step in front of a moving car, to help her children. My world, and the world in general, is a better place because of her. I love you mom!!

This next week is probably more of the same. Just us hanging around the house. The good thing about Carlos being on this diet, is that will hinder us from eating out. We might hit up a Baja Fresh here and there, but nothing like what we usually do. Carlos is finishing up with summer school today and then he has tomorrow off and back to work Wednesday and Thursday and the new school year starts officially on Monday. His school is going to a year round schedule, so he will work three months and then have a month off. It works for our Disneyland schedule, so that always makes us happy!

I am also happy to announce that I won a $25 gift card today from an online referral. I am super happy about that. I will be able to get a couple of cloth diapers for that amount. On the other hand, somewhere in my house, I am missing 5 inserts. I know they are here, but the poltergeist has taken yet another thing. First my laundry quarters, and NOW my cloth diaper inserts....Damn him!! I have to go digging through all my stuff to try to find them. What I can't understand is if each diaper has 1 insert, and I put 20 diapers in the wash, wouldn't there be 20 inserts in there too? Apparently not.... I hate feeling like I am crazy, but yet again, I don't know anyone who likes the feeling of being crazy. 

Alrighty, that is enough out of me. Hopefully, I will see you guys back here sometime soon!!