Anorexia- A Spoken Word Piece

I wrote and recorded this some time ago and have only recently worked up the courage to share it publicly after a lot of encouragement from some friends (you all know who you are <3).
This may be a trigger for some people, so if you are concerned about the sensitive nature of the topic please feel free to disregard this blog entry and wait until my next one (which will be a lovely update on Archer).
I first developed anorexia, and not a small amount of bulimia, when I was only 11 years old and started going through puberty. Being an active dancer probably exacerbated things. To this day I still find myself slipping back into old habits. I have completed destroyed my immune system, my metabolism and my self esteem through this awful illness. And it is just that, a mental illness. Some people who suffer may never develop the trademark skeletal form, but it doesn't mean that what they are going through is any less emotionally destructive.

Anyway, give it a look/listen if you so choose. Much love to anyone out there who has battled with an eating disorder or friends and family of someone who suffers from ED xoxo

Leopold Update!

My beautiful eldest in now over 28 months, so nearly 2 and a half (oh my goodness!). He just fills my days with joy. He is such a little character, always making people laugh.
Lately Leopold has been music obsessed. He loves anything with a good beat and is probably Macklemore's youngest fan (never seen a toddler rap until now haha). We're getting him a drum kit for Christmas which I know he'll love :)
He has just recently started to enjoy drawing and will tell you what he draws which is super adorable. His favourite things to draw are sharks, whales and men. Leo's imagination never fails to astound me and he has started giving his toys different names. His elephant, named Toby, is a particular favourite of his.

We've never been one for gender stereotyping and Leo recently got loaned a doll house from his aunty, which he adores! I can't wait to buy him more imaginative play toys, thinking we might have to hop on Pinterest and convert an old entertainment unit into a toy kitchen!
He still loves animals and lately has been asking for a pet kitten (would a fish cut it do you think?!) and he is definitely an outdoorsy boy, playing in his cubby house and going to the park are some of his favourite things. He just started going down the slide by himself, Leo is such a tentative toddler so that made me super proud.
He's still a picky eater, but is starting to try more things, and stubbornly refuses to use utensils. Although he loves drinking through straws. Go figure. His sleeping is okay. Naps most days, but still wakes up some nights. I think he is just one of those kids who would rather be awake.

The sad part of this update is that I have started to wean Leo off breastfeeding, something I said I'd never do. I'm very proud of our breastfeeding journey and have no regrets, but this kid has driven me mad lately with how demanding (and sometimes aggressive) he has become in regards to breastfeeding and I didn't want to begin resenting him or feeling pressured to nurse him when I no longer want to. We started very slowly, and now he is only on one feed a day (usually just a quick "snack" feed) and it seems to be working okay. We've also cut down on his dummy usage and he hasn't had a bottle in months (gosh he really is growing up!).

Leopold is the best big brother ever. He absolutely adores Archer and they are already inseparable. Leo isn't the best sharer with other children, but he shares everything with his baby brother (including food, Arch had his first chip experience the other do. Oh God, bad mum alert!). He is obsessed with babies in general it seems and we often spend hours changing the nappies of his various dolls and teddies. Leo is particularly good at "wiping" ^-^

In terms of his weight etc I'm not 100% sure. He just got over croup (gosh that was nasty!) and lost a bit of weight when he was very sick, but seems to be going through a growth spurt now. At a guess I'd say 11.5kg and 90ish cm. He'll always be a little man :)
Leo is very stylish and really has his own individual fashion sense. His most loved items are hats, he is rarely without one, gumboots, rainbow leg warmers, a Batman jacket complete with cape and anything with dinosaurs on it. I pretty much just let him dress himself now, as long as it's weather appropriate and his various 'looks' are adorable.

I absolutely love this boy. He is my best friend and I'm looking forward to more adventures with him!