Sterlingfest 2.0

Really, I don't have any idea what version of Sterlingfest this might be, but it's the second year that I've taken Abbey.  My mom met the kids and I, and we meet Colleen and Brendan (also our second year running), Laura, Paul, Keoki, and Laura's sister and nephews.  Only Abbey and Brendan were there for the rides, and we had a blast. 

Cute ride pictures at the beginning.

Semi-angry, definitely annoyed breastfeeding rant at the end!

dinosaurs

gma Sharon called them dragons

Abbey corrected her immediately

it was much more difficult to get this picture than you would think

balloons

Brendan is not impressed

that's because Brendan is still a scheduled nap-taker (good boy!)

Dylan was such a good sport during the whole festival

cars! Abbey's favorite ride (well, sometimes she says the balloons)

Brendan wanted the green car but chose pink second

check out her face, funny girl

purple whale

she rode the pink one later

getting comfortable on the rides

we rode the apple ride, which is like the teacups at Disney

basically, the ride spins and the apple spins

my brave girl loved it at first and asked me to turn it faster

she changed her mind but was really tough about it

at the end she told me that maybe she would like the red apple better (we were in the green one)

Michigan is not exactly a breastfeeding-friendly state.  Our laws basically prohibit arrest based on public indecency, but that's all of the protection moms have, from what I understand from my research.  And by research I mean I googled it, but I think it was pretty clear.  Anyway, I was quite discreet with Abbey - respectfully dragging my nursing cover everywhere, timing errands to feed her peacefully in the lounge at Nordstrom's, retreating to my car if necessary.  With Dylan, everything changed.  First of all, he HATES having anything on his head when he's eating - blankets, covers, hats are all eventually batted away impatiently.  Then there's the fact that I am already carting along the bounty that two kids seem to need.  Finally, I am generally chasing after a toddler as well, and I need to feed quickly, efficiently, and as easily as possible.

Today, as I pushed a stroller down a path in the park, looking for a shady picnic table far away from the crowds, I got irritated.  Why does our society make it so difficult to feed a baby?

Normally, I don't hide out, but my mom was with us today, so I had some extra time and decided to go somewhere I knew I would attract the least attention.  It's annoying, however, that in a sea of ridiculously inappropriate clothing I felt it necessary to retreat anywhere but the food area to feed Dylan.  People were wandering around with toddler-sized clothing on not-so-toddler-sized bodies  (I am not the only person who needs some extra workout time around here), and that can be just offensive as the amount of skin I show when nursing my baby.

I don't expect society to ignore the sexual connotation of a woman's body.  Victoria's Secret isn't going anywhere anytime soon, and I'm not ignoring the complicated messages that both boys and girls receive about the feminine body.  I just wish that it was more accepted, even welcomed, to see the sight of a mother breastfeeding. 

Off the soapbox and my moral high horse before I get a nosebleed!
but I'm still right