More from my kitchen

Itching to work

Saul's first post and photo

Toddler days

I seem to spend a lot of my time and energy avoiding conflict with my youngest child, Saul. He is two, and the most dominant and headstrong of my boys, at least at this age. I think..... How easily we forget. I think he is coming down with something, something brewing under the surface and manifesting itself in his behaviour. Boy is it hard work, and quite often he wins the battle!
There are times when it all gets too much and I question my sanity. On Monday night I thought I was going to crack up, and on Tuesday I organised my fantastic baby sitter and I had a few hours to pamper myself, and I feel all the better for it. There are times when 4 little people's demands, usually at the same time, get too much. The interesting thing is that Michael and I talked at length over the weekend about the idea of baby number 5. On days like this, I'm happy to conclude there won't be number 5 in our house...... The washing, the walking, the feeding, the joy of it all, but not in our house.

Our morning walk to Playschool

Hey Ciara, have a look a this notebook.

One of my favourites

A pin cushion Reuben made for me

Details

Details

Callum's baby butterfly wings

My studio

I could hide up here, and forget the many demands placed on me every day. I keep looking foreward to a time when I have time!

Feeling such sorrow

I attended a meeting last night in Dublin, the title was 'Having a Baby in the 21st Century'. This was held by the medical profession, and was hosted by Miriam O Callaghan. As the meeting progressed, I became more and more appaled, and deeply saddened by the level of intervention offered to women, as a normal part of her experience in a hospital situation while giving birth. Maybe the terminology, of having her baby extracted from her would be more appropriate.

I also felt so insulted, as a woman, listening to the speakers. There seemed to be such an incredible lack of respect for women, for choices they may opt for, and for the intuitive wisdom that each of us women have deep within us. We are taught not to trust our intuition or our bodies, and it also seemed clear that our birth experiences could depend upon our social connection with other women, at some level in our lives.

I feel so fortunate to have had 4 exquisite births, at home, in water with a wonderful supportive husband and extended family and friends. They weren't all present while I was giving birth mind you! I would safely say that giving birth as I did has been the highlight of my life, that nothing could come close to that experience in terms of power, intuition, ecstacy, intimacy, connectedness, aloneness, love, rerspect and sheer bliss. It was a rite of passage, and sadly a right that is denied to so many women. We have done this for millions of years, succesfully, and without interference, why can't we continue to have this choice?

What else do we need mid morning?

Strangely this is the purple lining me my jacket!

Finally. . . Me

Saul checking his emails

Saul, my youngest little guy....

My gang!

Its amazing to have everyone sitting in one place. Detailed shots would show little faces covered with hot chocolate!

Morning frost

Morning by the river

Lillies in my kitchen

Bedtime madness

Is it as crazy in your house? ? ?

Technology eludes me!

I've wanted to post some images of my little boys, but have had difficulty. I should ask my 8yr old, he could probably teach me a thing or two! when in school, I would avoid any classes that weren't compulsory, including Civics, Religion and Computers. I could be found in the art room weaving sticks or drawing. I wonder if I could have balanced it a little, so there would be less words and more images right now. Its a learning curve..... Watch this space! Annah

A Beginning

A new journey of words and images, a different form of expression that brings a sense of vulnerability yet a definite feeling of excitement. Wondering what I will express! Annah