tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872527057618172370Thu, 24 Apr 2025 18:13:34 +0000Hard workAnecdotesBreastfeedingSleepKeeping up appearancesEatingReflectionsMastitisGreat LiteratureAdviceMovie reviewsMotherhood lessonsPoopPop psychologyChildhood illnessesCurrent affairsDreamshttp://nomumisanisland.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Island Mum)Blogger106125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872527057618172370.post-1846610796531726465Thu, 14 Nov 2019 00:06:00 +00002019-11-13T16:06:01.208-08:00Milkbaby's grandma, Annemarie Florian, just published her seventh book, Kea: Curiouser and Curiouser.&nbsp; I asked Milkbaby (now 9 years old) to review it. Who would like this book and what is it about? This book is for people who like birds.&nbsp; Kea are one of the smartest birds, also when they play they get smarter. One of the interesting things was kea could open windows and turn on tapshttp://nomumisanisland.blogspot.com/2019/11/milkbaby-reads-review-of-kea-curiouser.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Island Mum)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872527057618172370.post-4147437890991344839Thu, 20 Sep 2018 23:09:00 +00002018-09-20T16:09:59.792-07:00<!--[if !mso]> v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} .shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);} <![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE <![endif]--><!--[if gte http://nomumisanisland.blogspot.com/2018/09/virtual-cacophony-how-feminism-and.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Island Mum)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872527057618172370.post-2617052570249862804Tue, 17 Oct 2017 01:25:00 +00002017-10-16T18:53:52.130-07:00Mama's been busy. &nbsp;She's barely had time to read, let alone blog. &nbsp;So when, six months ago, I was presented with 5 days of uninterrupted tropical poolside reading time (at a ridiculously luxurious resort in a developing country), there was nothing to do but...read. The chosen tome was Paul Auster's 4 3 2 1 (it really was a tome, at close to 900 pages, and having the dubious honour of http://nomumisanisland.blogspot.com/2017/10/mama-reads-review-of-paul-austers-4-3-2.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Island Mum)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872527057618172370.post-1475771087007843250Mon, 27 Jul 2015 02:55:00 +00002015-07-26T19:56:13.889-07:00Great LiteratureAs he's longer a baby any more, I gleefully took advantage of Milkbaby turning five to book him on a flight to his grandparents' place as an unaccompanied minor. Taking it all in his stride, he nonchalantly kissed me goodbye, and strode onto the plane with the tribe of ELEVEN other unaccompanied minors (it was school holidays). &nbsp;I tried to play it cool. &nbsp;The other parents seemed to be http://nomumisanisland.blogspot.com/2015/07/milkbaby-and-my-heart-fly.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Island Mum)12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872527057618172370.post-1256720570791551813Wed, 04 Feb 2015 10:19:00 +00002015-03-09T02:38:57.696-07:00Hard workSleepWhen you become a parent, it dawns on you that sooner or later you will no longer be around. Perhaps it dawned on you before becoming a parent, but something about becoming a parent makes it starkly real, slightly horrifying. &nbsp;Time speeds up. &nbsp;One day, you're at home with a newborn, all bewilderment, exhausted love and never ending piles of laundry, and then boom, he's about to start http://nomumisanisland.blogspot.com/2015/02/time-long-and-short-of-it.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Island Mum)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872527057618172370.post-6773532014819266074Wed, 10 Dec 2014 08:03:00 +00002014-12-10T00:03:27.509-08:00BreastfeedingMastitisSleepNot in the metaphysical sense. &nbsp;If you can operate a computer, you probably have at least a basic understanding of the chain of events that led to your arrival on this planet. More in the google sense. &nbsp;How did you find this blog? I get the stats. &nbsp;I&nbsp;know&nbsp;the google chain of events that led you here. &nbsp;And let's just say some of you weren't looking for a mummy http://nomumisanisland.blogspot.com/2014/12/how-did-you-get-here.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Island Mum)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872527057618172370.post-7801970441001661566Tue, 25 Nov 2014 08:00:00 +00002014-12-10T00:03:44.510-08:00Keeping up appearancesLast week I came across a blogger who claimed that they didn't have Santa in their house because they don't tell their children lies. &nbsp;And because Christmas is not about Santa, it's about God. &nbsp;Um, hello?? &nbsp;Old white guy with beard, lives and/or flies in clouds, just "knows" if you've been naughty or nice, is watching you all year... Santa God Yeah yeah, I know, there's http://nomumisanisland.blogspot.com/2014/11/santa-claus-and-other-lies-we-tell-our.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Island Mum)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872527057618172370.post-8307625708610420290Tue, 07 Oct 2014 08:18:00 +00002014-10-07T01:19:00.875-07:00Great LiteratureReflections This is one of those blog-linkup things, wherein I've been nominated by another blogger (thank you&nbsp;Rachiebee) to write a blogpost about why I write.&nbsp;&nbsp;And at the end I'll nominate two more bloggers to do the same.&nbsp;&nbsp;If you follow the trail back you find some quite interesting blogs.&nbsp;&nbsp;First in the virtual breadcrumb trail is Rachiebee - her blog really is true to http://nomumisanisland.blogspot.com/2014/10/on-why-i-write.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Island Mum)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872527057618172370.post-3585028163992438727Mon, 04 Aug 2014 11:01:00 +00002014-08-04T04:03:12.619-07:00AnecdotesCurrent affairsThis afternoon, driving home from a big morning of playing at the park, the news on the radio reminded us that today is the commemoration of 100 years since the start of World War One. "World War One?" asked Milkbaby, from the back seat. He often overhears snippets of the news and makes comment; yesterday the weather report was "showers easing overnight" and he said with a giggle "there was http://nomumisanisland.blogspot.com/2014/08/history-lessons-with-four-year-old.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Island Mum)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872527057618172370.post-1033425899409908406Mon, 21 Jul 2014 22:25:00 +00002014-12-12T00:54:15.465-08:00EatingYou thinking I'm joking right? &nbsp;Yes, I actually knitted a Batman Lego action figure, then topped off the whole birthday experience by making a Batman cake to go with it. &nbsp;I consider this cake and knitted action figure to be the crowning achievements of my motherhood experience so far. Read on for instructions on how to make the knitted batman. Batman Lego Action Hero Supplies: One http://nomumisanisland.blogspot.com/2014/07/mama-makes-knitted-lego-batman-and.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Island Mum)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872527057618172370.post-7056809113321946901Wed, 16 Jul 2014 10:23:00 +00002014-07-16T03:23:21.284-07:00Movie reviewsFor Milkbaby's fourth birthday, we took him to Ernest &amp; Celestine. &nbsp;Here's his review. Tell me about Ernest &amp; Celestine. It had a big ummm bear, called Ernest. &nbsp;And a little mouse who was called Celestine. &nbsp;Umm Celestine dropped the pencil, and the movie was great. What was the best part of the movie? The funny one, the big mouse. &nbsp; He went "boof!" into the door. [http://nomumisanisland.blogspot.com/2014/07/milkbabys-movie-meanderings-ernest.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Island Mum)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872527057618172370.post-2636279480735723758Tue, 08 Jul 2014 10:10:00 +00002014-07-08T03:12:13.018-07:00Pop psychology"It's like hanging out with a drunk person" I said to Captain Boringvoice. &nbsp;We had just witnessed Milkbaby (now four) push over a large smoothie whilst trying to slide it back across the table to me. &nbsp;Looking back on it now, even a drunk person knows you don't move a full glass of beer by applying force to the top of the glass. &nbsp;"Think about it" I went on "- no voice volume controlhttp://nomumisanisland.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-sweetheart-drunk.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Island Mum)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872527057618172370.post-7740151780277353458Wed, 25 Jun 2014 01:18:00 +00002014-06-24T18:18:20.317-07:00DreamsMastitis This little ditty is a few weeks old now. As soon as I'd thought "well hello Mastitis my old friend" I couldn't get this damn song out of my fever dreams, complete with those ageing ex-folkies gently crooning it in my ear. At one point I was pretty sure Paul Simon had also invited&nbsp;Ladysmith Black Mambazo&nbsp;along for the ride, my head was pounding that badly. &nbsp;Anyway, the song sort http://nomumisanisland.blogspot.com/2014/06/hello-mastitis-my-old-friend_24.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Island Mum)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872527057618172370.post-5523767870520838063Mon, 02 Jun 2014 11:14:00 +00002014-06-02T04:14:22.438-07:00This is one from the memory banks that I've been meaning to record for ages. We're at a wedding, Milkbaby in tow. I'm making polite conversation with strangers. The groom's sister is pregnant. We soon get to talking babies, pregnancy, childbirth. "I expect it will hurt a bit" she says. "Um, yeah, it's hard to describe. It's different for everyone, but for me it started off feeling like quitehttp://nomumisanisland.blogspot.com/2014/06/strange-conversation-3-pain-of.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Island Mum)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872527057618172370.post-2655501446260262951Mon, 19 May 2014 02:21:00 +00002014-05-18T19:21:12.696-07:00Great LiteratureHave you ever been reading an old favourite to your kids and found yourself cringing at how it's dated, or wanting to talk some sense into the characters? &nbsp;The Tiger Who Came to Tea is a classic, and a favourite in our house, but on the last read through I noticed it needed a bit of an update... &nbsp;Seriously, what self-respecting four-year-old drinks tea? Notice how it'shttp://nomumisanisland.blogspot.com/2014/05/what-were-reading-tiger-who-came-to-tea.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Island Mum)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872527057618172370.post-4535546703931814360Wed, 14 May 2014 10:45:00 +00002014-05-14T03:45:41.461-07:00I wanted to write this post for Mother's Day, but I've been busy. &nbsp;Was it just me, or did mother's day seem like a big deal this year? &nbsp;There seemed to be a ton of mother's day activity on facebook, and companies doing all sorts of mother's day promotions. Anyway, I've got a few Mother's Day awards: Mother's Day more-viral-than-chickenpox award:&nbsp;This one about the world's http://nomumisanisland.blogspot.com/2014/05/2014-mothers-day-awards.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Island Mum)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872527057618172370.post-9029858953753289077Thu, 01 May 2014 04:49:00 +00002014-05-01T13:59:44.436-07:00Great LiteratureIn this digital age, when [almost] everything humanity knows can be found online, and reading is something you do on some handheld device, I sometimes wonder how kids of today (and the future) will fall in love with books, and by extension, reading. That love affair must start as early as possible, with simple, easy to read board books. &nbsp;Babies must learn the something special smell of a http://nomumisanisland.blogspot.com/2014/04/what-were-reading-and-doing-getting-to.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Island Mum)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872527057618172370.post-2374196229544881123Mon, 28 Apr 2014 10:10:00 +00002014-04-28T03:10:24.236-07:00Movie reviewsWith the school holidays in full swing, there's a plethora of children's movies to choose from. &nbsp;Sadly, the release of Ernest and Celestine, the movie we've most been looking forward to, has been delayed in New Zealand, and won't come out until July. &nbsp;Boo. Last week we saw Rio 2, and Lego. &nbsp;I managed a short interview with Milkbaby on each. &nbsp;Mama rant follows. Rio 2 &nbsp;[http://nomumisanisland.blogspot.com/2014/04/milkbabys-movie-meanderings-rio-2-and.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Island Mum)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872527057618172370.post-4742908466433981328Tue, 08 Apr 2014 19:00:00 +00002014-04-08T14:31:39.830-07:00Movie reviewsLast week I took Milkbaby and The Sailor to see Sherman and Mr Peabody. &nbsp;As Milkbaby is now capable of expressing his own opinions on films, I thought I'd do this review Q&amp;A style with him. &nbsp;To guide you through the review below, here's a brief plot synopsis: Mr. Peabody, the most accomplished dog in the world, and his mischievous boy Sherman, use their time machine - The WABAC - http://nomumisanisland.blogspot.com/2014/04/milkbabys-movie-meanderings-sherman-and.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Island Mum)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872527057618172370.post-6470577826692417856Sun, 06 Apr 2014 01:00:00 +00002014-04-05T18:00:02.039-07:00Movie reviewsI've been looking forward to this movie. &nbsp;The real, actual, true story of Robyn Davidson's mostly-solo 2700km Australian desert crossing in 1977. Unusually, we had company at the screening; people without babes in arms. &nbsp;"Don't worry" I assured them as we walked in, "he'll go to sleep soon". &nbsp;And he did, but not before letting out a fair bit of screaming as the movie began. http://nomumisanisland.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-sailors-movie-meanderings-tracks.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Island Mum)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872527057618172370.post-618294122187835965Thu, 03 Apr 2014 01:34:00 +00002014-04-02T18:34:29.954-07:00Current affairsReflectionsThis post got really complicated. &nbsp;I went down all sorts of wormholes, and argued with myself over children being a choice, delayed gratification, the widening gap between rich and poor, whether institutional childcare is better than parent-care (conclusion: you're going to screw your kids up one way or another), and the pay gap between men and women being caused by women quitting their jobshttp://nomumisanisland.blogspot.com/2014/04/my-two-cents-on-paid-parental-leave.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Island Mum)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872527057618172370.post-5192269709373784758Mon, 31 Mar 2014 23:00:00 +00002014-04-01T02:50:37.524-07:00Movie reviewsPoopLast week, The Sailor's Grandma was visiting, so we took her to Cuban Fury. It's a familiar plot line. &nbsp;Underdog Bruce (overweight, middle-aged, single guy) can't get a girlfriend, and must rediscover his talent for Salsa dancing in order to do so. &nbsp;It's not spoiling the movie to say that he does. The comedy is in how he gets there, complete with nasty dance teacher, a Will http://nomumisanisland.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-sailors-movie-meanderings-cuban-fury.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Island Mum)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872527057618172370.post-3969033773298224338Sat, 29 Mar 2014 16:00:00 +00002014-03-29T18:24:27.914-07:00Movie reviewsPoopThe Sailor insisted&nbsp;we see two movies last week: The Monuments Men and Wadjda. I wasn't so sure about George Clooney's latest offering, but The Sailor reasoned we should get out of the house, even if George wasn't such a great incentive. &nbsp;The Monuments Men is the *true* story of how the Americans heroically saved almost all of Europe's great works of art from destruction by Hitler http://nomumisanisland.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-sailors-movie-meanderings-monuments.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Island Mum)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872527057618172370.post-7884487355908484045Thu, 27 Mar 2014 04:25:00 +00002014-03-26T21:25:48.308-07:00AnecdotesI've always been a fan of real names for body parts. &nbsp;So were my parents. &nbsp;In fact they were the original 'real namers'. &nbsp;Until we were teenagers we even called them by their names, instead of the usual "mum" and "dad". &nbsp;One aspect of our teenage rebellion was reverting to the more-easily-grunted/whined/yelled monosyllabic monikers. While we've not been quite so worried abouthttp://nomumisanisland.blogspot.com/2014/03/these-are-called-my-what.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Island Mum)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872527057618172370.post-5909985238029845542Tue, 25 Mar 2014 09:02:00 +00002014-03-25T02:03:12.848-07:00Movie reviewsToday marks the beginning of a new series on this blog: The Sailor's Movie Meanderings. &nbsp;As you may have gathered, we've had a new addition to our household. &nbsp;I've dubbed him The Sailor, since he was born in the caul and according to ancient lore, will be forever protected from drowning. Last week The Sailor suggested it was about time I took him to a movie. &nbsp;He reasoned that no http://nomumisanisland.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-sailors-movie-meanderings-3-mile.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Island Mum)0