Wanted to share some links & loves that have been on my mind lately, plus a super cool baby in sunglasses…
These 10 everyday easy Mom outfits are right up my alley. In the coming weeks, I know I need to revisit my closet in a major way. I have lots of dresses, skirts, blazers and more “professional wear” but lack the casual stuff. I really want to get a solid capsule of casual wear and invest in just a few key pieces. Perhaps Sarah’s Top 10 Remix Challenge will help me figure out what these pieces should be? In the meantime, I ordered a few items on sale from J.Crew Factory with a gift card T got me for Mother’s Day and got a few nice pieces that I’m excited to wear! And I signed up for Wantable’s first ever style collection, which will arrive later this month. Apparently, it’s just like Stitch Fix, so we will see how it compares. Check it out (including their fitness, makeup, intimates and accessories options here.)
On the nursing front, I found this blog post to be incredibly helpful. I decided to exclusively pump for a number of reasons, and it really makes things SO much more enjoyable for Bryce and for me. Seriously, such a relief. (Plus, this contraption is the best thing, ever. Let’s just say my Amazon Prime membership is getting a nice workout these days…)
I finally got some PB2 to use in making lactation cookies, and now I’m on the hunt for more recipes where I can use it. (I also got the chocolate version.) Let me know if you have any thoughts! And if anyone wants to ship these to my doorstep, I wouldn’t complain. Clearly, I’m all about the protein right now.
Lastly, looking forward to the weekend for a date night out to see Pitch Perfect 2. I’ve been eagerly anticipating it, and I may or may not have been singing/dancing around to the soundtrack with Bryce-a-roni…
What’s been on your mind lately?
Wow – what a cutsie baby in those shades! On a side note, I have a friend who has started to specialize in brewing lactation beer. He’s in the north suburbs too. Let me know if you’re interested in connecting with him — I don’t know if he sells it yet, or if it’s primarily around a baby shower event business!
Thanks Lauren :-) Lactation beer- whaaat?! That sounds super interesting to me, but unfortunately I am not much of a beer drinker but will definitely keep that in mind for other mommas I know!
I EP’d my son (now 2.5). He was 6 weeks early (but thankfully 5 lbs and healthy!), so a big concern was making sure he gained weight appropriately. Hence, it was great to know the total volume he was consuming. We ended up fortifying my breast milk with a little formula powder added in to up the calories during the early months. I ended up EPing for 9 months. Totally agree on the benefits to having a spouse or other family members help out with feedings! I’m expecting #2 in early September and am not sure what I’ll do this time — EP or a mix of both.
A few things made my life EPing easier –
1) When I figured out that my pump could run on batteries as well as an A/C adapter. Made pumping in the car a breeze! Though I only pumped as a passenger, never while driving.
2) Getting the right size breastshields. I ordered a size up and it made things so much more comfortable and effective.
3) Having spare parts (breast shields, the little plastic phalanges, etc.) When the phalanges get ripped or old, it throws off the suction which makes the pump less effective. I have a Medela pump in style.
5) Definitely keep parts in the refrigerator during the day so you only have to wash in the evening.
4) I was lucky enough to borrow a pump from a friend so I could leave one at work and have one for home. Not schlepping a pump to/from work every day was a godsend!
Thanks for your comment Brigid! I agree- it’s so nice knowing exactly what they are consuming and having others being able to bond with baby by feeding him! And pumping in the car sounds like a great way to multitask, and I keep my supplies in the fridge too- what a timesaver!
I ended up pumping almost exclusively with Claire. It was nice because I ended up having an oversupply and was able to stop at 10 months, but had supply till she was a year old!
Oh that is fantastic! What a great supply! So what I’m struggling with regarding my supply is that I feel like what I produce in a pumping session is what I should give him (I pump after I feed him a bottle, so 7-8 times a day), and that wouldn’t leave any left to build up a freezer stash. How do you get ahead and get an oversupply? And how did you adjust your plan/ounces as Claire got bigger and had fewer feedings?
PB2 is great on ice cream or mixed in a smoothie (think chocolate, banana, peanut butter!).
Oh ice cream!? You must mix it right in? Yum! And smoothies– great idea! Have you ever tried it with water as a peanut butter? I’m curious to see if it has the same taste!