Breastfeeding etiquette - Air Force 1?

I dedicate this blog to all you beautiful and amazing mother's out there who are breastfeeding your little miracles and commend you for being such wonderful women!

Last Sunday night as we boarded the Southwest flight from Houston, TX to Jackson, MS, I noticed a mother who I had seen in the airport with a her young child sitting in the second row in the first seat with no one sitting next to her. I also realized that no one was there (so I thought) because she had an infant was why no one had sat next to her, so being the mother that I am, I sat next to her at the window seat. Both of my children headed on to the back to sit where ever they could find but my hubby decided to sit in the middle sitting between us.

As we ooohed and coohed at this uniquely cute child that looked remarkably like Opie from the Andy Griffith show, we made idle conversation to pass the time and try to keep him happy before take off. The baby was teething and as soon as we began taxiing down the runway he became fussy. Mark and I tried to console him to no avail and I said "he is so cute, how old is he" and she said "one year" and that they were flying for the first time for him to meet his grandparents in Jackson. I quickly responded, "what is his name?" and she said "Obama".

This is the first baby I have met with our current President's name, so I was not sure how to respond but it was evident that she was very proud of them being from Sebastapool, CA. Yes, not Sebastapool, MS but there is a Sebastapool in the state of California even though she is from Jackson and married a man from California.

While we were a little shocked, we proceeded to make "Obama" happy but to no avail. (I worn you men out there that what happened next was uncomfortable.) Obama's Momma lifted up her shirt and whipped out her left breast to feed him. Not discretely but she literally lifted her shirt and pulled up her bra to expose herself for all the plane to see.

She did not warn us or ask us to please excuse her but she lifted up her top and pushed up her bra to pull out her boob and begin to feed her baby. Words can not begin to express the unprepared reaction by my husband seated in clear view of her exposure or myself. We were not prepared for this moment of what I consider a natural private moment with a mother and child. Even the people sitting on the row next or in front of her were shocked at her boldness and her lack of preparing us for this bold moment between mother and child. Needless to say myself and my hubby reacted with shock and embarrassment but Obama's Momma just did what she felt she had to do at no regard to the other's on the plane around her.

Priceless!

I think that breast feeding your child is an amazing and intimate moment between a mother and her child, but I immediately felt that she was rude to not warn or prepare us for such a show of intimacy. Breastfeeding is a beautiful and precious thing for both, yet myself and hubby were shocked to say the least that she just "whipped it out" without and forwarning or a second thought for the people around her.

Moral to this blog is: No matter what you name your child and if you breastfeed your child that does not give you the right to blatantly in public, pop out your breast and feed "Obama", unless you are flying privately on Air Force 1.

Just sayin'!

Thanks for the fabulous laugh because my hubby's reaction was priceless but from now on could you just please let your flying neighbors have a friendly warning of what you are about to do or at least put a blanket or something to hide your milk filled breast feeding your baby so that it doesn't offend others trying to fly home.

That is why I love to travel because you expose yourself "literally" to new and unexpected things! Who would have ever thought that I would meet baby Obama and his Momma on a plane! Hilarious!

What do you think?

Happy Living, Loving and Laughing!
Angie Lu

The Bulgarian and The Southern Belle

Wow, I cannot believe that the "BIG" wedding day for one of my best friends is finally almost here. After almost 3 years of planning this fabulous event it is about here. As I have stated before this will be my 8th time to have the honor of being a bridesmaid and this Saturday, in Austin, TX, I will walk down the isle representing my favorite Bulgarian. Yes, Maria is originally from Bulgaria and I remember dearly the first time I ever laid eyes on her. My father has a local printing company, Budget Printing in Acme Plaza, and we hired Maria as a graphic designer intern while she was at MCC. From the moment I met Maria we became fast friends and I was amazed at how organized and enthusiastic she was. After having many people apply for the job it was no doubt that she was the one! And we fast became the Bulgarian and the Southern Belle to everyone. The modern day odd couple and I quickly began to learn from her fantastic work ethic, dedication, and unique way of thinking plus I was happy to share my southern belle knowledge with her.

She only worked with us for a year before heading off to finish her degree at Southern in Hattiesburg and now I am proud to say that she has her own design firm in Austin, TX. Very accomplished for such a young woman. Pride is an understatement of what I feel when I speak of her. I feel like she is my little sister and I am blessed to have the opportunity to be a part of her wedding this weekend. With many events planned for the weekend, it is sure to be the event of the year for me and my family.

Early Friday morning we will fly out to Austin and begin the festivities. I found a gorgeous rehearsal dinner dress today and of course the beautiful "strawberry preserves" designer gown that I will wear for the wedding at the Austin Museum of Art overlooking the beautiful hills and elaborate homes that fleck the landscape. We will be staying at the historic Driskel Hotel in downtown Austin and I cannot wait to take this wedding road trip to experience new things with all of the bridal party. (Be sure to check out the 393 Road Trip article that I wrote for our bridesmaid bachelorette get-a-way to New Orleans in the April/May issue of 393 Magazine.)

A friendship fairytale is coming true as she begins the step of marriage and I will be there with her to share this new beginning. Always be open to the new person that God will on a whim place into your life because you are sure to find a new friend that will positively change your life forever. The new chapter of the Bulgarian and the Southern Belle is about to begin and I cannot wait. Thanks Maria, I love you!

Happy Living, Loving and Laughing,
Angie Lu
The Southern Belle