jemjabella

Beansprout

I, err, wasn’t going to post about this for a while… but given that I’ve gone into hibernation mostly and people are questioning wtf I’m doing with myself these days, I might as well.

I’m pregnant (bundle of cells currently cheesily-nicknamed Beansprout, thanks Katy) — currently 9 weeks 1 day — due 2nd June 2012. The good news is that the hyperemesis has not returned. The bad news is I have just regular morning sickness/nausea, which is still fairly gross and exhausting. I’ve been going to bed at 7pm just so that I make it through the next day without crashing in a tired heap. It doesn’t help that I have a cold/cough, which as you can probably imagine, is not conducive to keeping food down.

So anyway, there you go. Scan pics as and when they happen, should everything stick around.

Ultimately failier than you

So, I had my second driving test yesterday.

Perfect drive – probably one of my best. Remembered all the mirror signal manoeuvre crap, pulled off a perfect parallel park, avoided several knobbers driving over my side of the bloody road, wasn’t affected by the rain. All going GREAT.

And then it’s the independent driving part, and I read the sign as straight over the roundabout. Got in lane, approach exit, suddenly worry I’m going the wrong way and instead of doing the sensible thing and leaving at that exit and assessing the situation I decide to carry on around the roundabout. But I’m in the wrong lane and haven’t signalled.

FAIL.

What a stupid cock-up. I mean, yeah, I felt like crap and thought I was going to hurl, but it’s no excuse for such an amateur move.

Oh well, third time lucky.

I hate the media (breastfeeding in the press)

In January of this year, Mary Fewtrell & co published an opinion piece in the BMJ (British Medical Journal) questing the evidence behind the WHO’s recommendation of exclusive breastfeeding until 6 months. This caused newspapers and online news sites to come out with headlines like:

Six months of breastmilk alone is too long and could harm babies, scientists now say — The Guardian

Too much breastfeeding ‘puts children off greens’ — The Independent

Weaning before six months ‘may help breastfed babies’ — BBC News

Parenting forums everywhere rapidly filled with threads, everything from “omg am I killing my baby by exclusive breastfeeding?!” to smug “I told you to start on purees at 8 weeks” from a generation of older parents. Suddenly people were telling all and sundry that the Government guidelines on weaning were changing and that mums should take note. A cursory glance at mumsnet just now and I count 2 references to the BBC article in one topic (posted on this weekend… not an old thread by any stretch of the imagination) to support early weaning.

The piece was heavily criticised by doctors, midwives and professors in the rapid response section of BMJ; by Baby Milk Action; by LLL GB (La Leche League GB); by lactivists and breastfeeding supporters everywhere. (There are some fantastic responses on the rapid response from people much smarter than me. Definitely worth a read.)

So why is it that, 6 months on, when an actual study featuring our controversial friend Fewtrell was published in the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics (and elsewhere) confirming the adequacy of breast milk and exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months (emphasis my own):

Results of this prospective study reveal that when mothers are well supported and follow the World Health Organization recommendation on breastfeeding, milk intakes are high and increase over time, and there is adequate energy intake, normal infant growth, and no marked changes in breastfeeding practices. This new empirical evidence on adaptations during exclusive breastfeeding should help health professionals promote the initiation, duration, and exclusivity of breastfeeding.

…it gets nary a mention in the media? This is an actual study, using actual sciencey bits, and isn’t just the opinion of a baby-food industry puppets. And yet, no BBC telling us that in reality, breastfed babies are ok on just breast milk; no Guardian telling us that actually, 6 months of breastfeeding is just bloody fine.

Oh yes, that’s right, because telling mums they’re doing well (instead of admonishing them for yet another failure) wouldn’t boost sales, would it?

Dear Skechers

Hello there, my name is Jem.

About 6 years ago I bought my first pair of Skechers. They were amazingly comfortable. I’d never before had a shoe (trainer/sneaker/whatever) which had been such a great fit straight from the box. This was the beginning of what I hoped to be a lasting, fulfilling relationship with your brand (you see, I hate shoe shopping, so if I have a go-to brand that makes my life easier).

Unfortunately those shoes wore out. Completely through. It took about 2 years, which is not bad going considering I was walking upwards of 6 miles a day, but nonetheless a little sad. I replaced them with another pair. Not quite as comfy out of the box but were spot on within a week or so of regular wear. They lasted a similar timespan until they too wore through. I don’t mind getting 2 years out of a pair of £40 shoes. I was a happy customer.

Long story short, I’m now on my 4th pair of Skechers (trainers) and also own a pair of your black shoes for more formal occasions. I’m obviously not making you rich beyond your wildest dreams, but I guess over a lifetime I could be spending a lot of money on Skechers.

Except, and here’s the problem… pair number 4, apparently called ‘Speedsters Nottingham’, were despatched to me on June 1st 2011, costing me £46. It is now October 5th 2011. In 4 months and 4 days these shoes have been destroyed. I have worn through the insole and partly through the rubber sole on both shoes. I have an excruciating blister on my right foot today and a growing build-up of hard skin on my left (I know you don’t want to hear these lovely fine details, I apologise if I put you off your dinner)

What I don’t understand is how I have managed to destroy your shoes in 4 months, when I’m walking less than I was this time 5-6 years ago. I’m also alternating my shoes more because of work/etc so if anything, they’ve had a fraction of the wear in 4 months than my old pairs will have had in the same span.

I’m losing faith. I don’t want to have to find another go-to brand. That would make me miserable, and waste valuable time that I could be spending doing other important things (like writing more nice reviews about your products on Amazon). Please, for my sake and yours, make sure this blip in build quality is a one-off.

Thank you,

Jem

Hungry? Cookbook Winner

The results for The Great Hungry? Cookbook Giveaway are in… 30 people entered, with 70 entries in total (tweets, comments, likes etc). Out of 70, random.org gives me a number of:

…which gives the winner:

Jennifer! The girl with the most entries, heh. Just goes to show that making the extra effort pays off :D Your book will be with you … as soon as you’ve sent me your postal address!