Friday, March 29, 2013

Goal 2: CONQUERED (well, mostly)


In my quest to start caring about how I look again, I first went shopping for some new {non-maternity} clothes for the first time in a year two years way too long. Then, it was time for a hair cut.

I've been notoriously lazy in cutting my hair due to a few rather unfortunate salon experiences, but I knew that I needed to get it done as it was taking me a good 10 minutes to simply brush it out and almost an hour to straighten. And nobody's got time for that! So despite loving wearing it straight, I only bothered to do it once every few months.

Last week I chopped a lot off. It might still look long, but they snipped almost 8 inches! It only takes about 2 minutes to brush out and more like 25 to straighten now, which means I've been doing it more often. I hate to admit it, but this little change makes for a happier and more confident me.


In retrospect I should have had the hairdresser cut layers or something to make it more interesting, but I was too nervous. Next time I vow to be brave ;)

Ack, blurry. Sorry.
I'm still not sure about the color. I keep on wanting to go blonder again, but then a lot of people tell me they think I should go back to my natural color. Thoughts?


Oh, and my necklace! I first met creator Chancie on The Bump message boards and she recently began making these adorable {and functional!} necklaces with her sister. My triple-strand necklace has two rows of blue beads on navy suede sandwiching a row of navy beads on white fabric. Around the neck, the suede and fabric is braided together. Aurelia loves to play with it while she nurses, and even Carina enjoys fiddling with it, too. I wear it all the time because the little miss has become quite a distracted nurser lately, every noise making her stop and look. But when she plays with the necklace, she is so enthralled she can't be disturbed by anything. WIN.

Tell me a little bit about your Etsy shop, boubeads (and by the way I see what you did there with your name, and I love it) --
Perfect nursing "toy"
My sister and I are both moms, she had a 6 month old at the time and was having a hard time nursing because he became so wiggly and squirmy. One day she decided to string wood beads on plastic cording so that he could play with something while he nursed. As we came up with prototypes we decided that we wanted them to be fashionable enough to wear outside of the house and wanted to make them something that would appeal to all women, not just nursing moms. We hand-dye our own natural beads so that we can control what colors we produce and they (as well as our suede) are manufactured in the USA. The suede is certified to be free of lead, AZO’s, PCP, mercury, formaldehyde, chromium VI, cadmium and other carcinogenic/hazardous chemicals.


Chancie and her sister Chandace are offering one of my readers a $36 credit to boubeads! Or if you'd like to shop yourself, code GEEKY10 will get you 10% off of your order through May 8th. Go quick, though, because they have been selling out almost immediately after posting many of their items!

How to Enter:
This is a Rafflecopter giveaway. Click "Read More" below and then follow the instructions on the widget. Make sure to click "Enter!" after you complete each entry. All currents count! The giveaway is open worldwide and ends at 11:59 PM EST on Wednesday, April 3rd. The first entry is mandatory - Visit boubeads and tell me what you'd spend the credit on! Once you complete this entry, the widget will give you the option of completing the rest. Complete more steps for more chances to win!

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Aurelia - 6 Months


Aurelia,

We had your 6 Month well visit today. 6 Months?!? Seriously, how are you 6 Months already? You had to get 5 shots and listening to you wail broke my heart. It was such a foreign sound, too, because you've only cried like that a handful of times since birth. You are such a calm and happy girl most of the time.

Milestones:
Lots of new things this month! You can sit up unassisted for a couple minutes before you face plant or slump sideways. We moved you into the nursery and so far so good; you've slept soundly every night! Just a wake-up to nurse here and there. Lastly, you had your first bite of solid food; sweet potato. You were unsure at first, but seem to like it. We've also added bananas to your repertoire. We give you a chunk and let you gnaw on it. Flailing your arms and legs wildly is how you currently ask for more.

Loves:
Your sister. Oh how you two are starting to play and giggle together. It melts my heart. I don't think I've ever experienced anything so wonderful as watching two little people we created -- and I grew and birthed -- interact with each other and find such delight in it. You still enjoy the jumperoo and have started playing with some of your sister's favorites from this age including the ring stacky and toy piano.

Hates:
Naps in the crib. You sleep fine in there at night, but you much prefer the Rock 'n' Play during the day. Sometimes you freak when we put you in the high chair, too. But that was mostly before we started giving you solids. Now? You seem excited when it's time to eat.

Weight & height:
At your appointment today you were 17 lbs. 6 oz. (77%) and 26.25 inches long (64%). You are still in size 4 disposable diapers at night and are wearing one size cloth diapers on the middle setting. We are really loving the BumGenius diapers for you. They fit your chunky little thighs perfectly. You are in 9 and 12 Month clothing at this point. Your summer clothes are mostly size 12 Month...I hope they'll still fit by the end of the summer!


My favorite photos this month:

Carina was just about the same size as you at 6 Months! You definitely have more hair than she did, though ;)

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Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Do you hear that? SILENCE


Only the peaceful sound of ocean waves washing up on the shore from the baby crack sound machine. It's night four of the girls sleeping together in their shared nursery and they both went to sleep FIVE MINUTES AFTER WE PUT THEM DOWN. Yes, that warranted caps.

I cannot believe what a win this has been. I was nervous to 1. transition Aurelia from the Rock 'n' Play to her crib and 2. have them both in the same room because the sound of sneezing wakes up Aurelia and Carina tends to call out at night.

Nights 1 and 2: Aurelia woke once to eat and Carina had night terrors, necessitating a transfer to our bed. It was a while before Carina fell back asleep both nights. Needless to say, I was tired.

Night 3: Both girls slept from 7 PM until 7 AM without waking.

Tonight: So far so good. Fingers crossed that this continues.


Naps, on the other hand? Not going so hot. Aurelia will only nap in the Rock 'n' Play (which we relocated to the nursery) and Carina thinks it's party time now that Aurelia is in there with her. Carina didn't nap at all today. Momma needs a drink...

Conspiring to never nap again EVER

When did you transition your little one to the crib? Any tips for successful tandem naps?

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Monday, March 25, 2013

Spring, you're drunk


I had high hopes for this post. I was going to show you a few of each of the girls' new outfits, as well as a couple of my own. I had planned on showing off my new haircut {as promised}, too.

But then I got sick (on top of having Mastitis). And Mike came down with bronchitis. Carina followed with an awful cold. Not even Aurelia was spared. Her sad sad sniffles and teeny tiny runny nose make me want to cry. And it's still fricking freezing. I think a large portion of the country had snow today?

So we were a pitiful mess from Thursday morning until...well, Mike and I are finally starting to feel better. The girls are still miserable. As for our photos with cute outfits? We tried. Well, I tried with the girls. I felt too much like crap to even attempt to model anything. No cute Mama G for you.

Carina's outfit:
Sweater - Hartstrings || Dress - Gymboree || Shoes - Scribbles

I thought we had a winner. Then she started trying to pull the dress off saying, "take-a off pretty dress!"

GET IT OFF!
Would we have better luck with Aurelia?

Aurelia's outfit:
Onesie - Gymboree || Skirt - Ralph Lauren || Leg warmers - BabyLegs

Nope. She rejected her outfit, quite literally...

Sorry, this was probably too gross to post. She's going to kill me someday.
Show me your cute outfits!



This week's Toddle Along Tuesday topic is Spring Style! I know it's still cold out there for a lot of you, but I'm hoping we can at least get psyched up for spring? There are no rules here, except that you link up a relevant post (old or new) rather than your whole blog.

Next week's topic will be Easter! Recap, post some cute photos, Easter basket ideas, etc. :)

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Saturday, March 23, 2013

Well, at least they looked cute


Back in college I would spend hours upon hours making brackets in every possible configuration after Selection Sunday. Once the tournament began, I followed my brackets closely and pouted when my chosen teams lost and reveled in the excitement when I picked the right upset.

In 2011 (Carina was 3 Months old) I think I made 1 bracket. Last year? I think I glanced at one briefly and just clicked on teams to win, not really knowing anything about their performance during the season. This year I'm sad to say I didn't get the chance to make one at all; I forgot. Watching the games isn't nearly as fun with no bracket to look at and teams to root for. Next year I'll make the time for sure.

After not making the tournament last year, Villanova was back in it this time around! Fun fact: Villanova was a 1 seed when Mike and I were seniors and many of our first few dates were home games. Naturally the girls had to cheer on Villanova with us.

My little Wildcats
Well? Nova didn't win, but they put up a good fight. Fingers crossed for next year!


Who are you pulling for in the tournament?

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Friday, March 22, 2013

Treats to help with breastmilk supply? SIGN ME UP (CLOSED)


When my breastmilk supply dipped a little bit back when I was nursing Carina, I took Mother's Milk Tea to help increase it. The tea worked, but it 1. tasted awful and 2. made me smell like maple syrup. As you can imagine, it wasn't my favorite thing to have to take. Once I was making a bit more milk, I shelved that stuff faster than Carina filled her diapers ;)

If you know me, you know that I love chocolate and all things sweet so to say that I was intrigued by my new sponsor Mrs. Patel's. Yummy treats and teas for nursing Moms that help with milk production? No more pancake smell or gross tea? And CHOCOLATE?! I was like, SIGN ME UP NOW MOAR CHOCOLATE.


Before I tell you all about it, let's learn a little bit about Mrs. Patel:
I live in San Francisco with my husband and two young children, aged 3 and 16 months. I created Mrs. Patel's last February and am passionate about helping nursing and new mothers. I also love cupcakes

Please tell us more about your products!
Mrs. Patel's are Indian treats and teas for nursing mothers that help increase milk supply and boost postpartum healing. Our products are based on recipes that were passed down from mother to mother within the Patel/Desai (my mother's maiden name) for hundreds of years based on Ayurvedic principles -- Ayurveda is a system of traditional medicine native to India. I was inspired by my mother who whipped up these treats and teas for me after the birth of both my children. And I was driven to start the business so that I could share these wonderful recipes with other mothers and women who may need extra support and were struggling with their supply.


Mrs. Patel sent me Fenugreek bars, Milk Water Tea, and Munch Crunch to try out! The combo pack of Fenugreek bars included 4 each of the regular, peanut butter, and chocolate flavors. I took one after breakfast every morning for 12 days and when I finished I was sad! I came to look forward to my little treat every day. The peanut butter bars were my favorite; they have just a bit of a kick to them and are so yummy! Each Fenugreek Bar contain 5% pure ground fenugreek and are designed to enhance postpartum healing by strengthening the joints while boosting milk supply.

Peanut Butter Fenugreek Bars - OMG SO GOOD
On day 3 of eating the bars, I felt letdown for the first time in weeks, maybe months! By day 5 I noticed a marked increase in my milk supply and since, I've noticed that letdown happens more quickly than it used to. If my supply ever dips again I am absolutely getting more of the Fenugreek bars! I seriously can't tell you how much I love them. The bars can stay out in their boxes for about 1.5 weeks, 2-3 weeks in the refrigerator, or 3 months in the freezer.

The Milk Water Tea is miles above the Mother's Milk Tea I used to drink. The Chai Spice is delicious and is totally something I would want to drink even if I didn't need to increase my supply ;) It is caffeine-free and also serves as a post-partum detoxifier in addition to being the strongest lactation agent Mrs. Patel's offers. Munch Crunch can be eaten on its own or sprinkled in yogurt or on a salad. It aids in digestion while increasing milk supply.

All of Mrs. Patel's products are a 10-12 day supply. If your supply increases and you feel like you can maintain your new output (like in my case, woot!) then you do not need to keep taking using the products. Your supply shouldn't decrease and you don't need to wean yourself off of them as you do with  Products are not to be taken if you are pregnant.

Chai Spice Milk Water Tea - Mrs. Patel's favorite
Shop:
At Mrs. Patel's you'll find all of these delectable (as Carina would say; it's her new favorite word) milk-making and post-partum healing treats. Use code MAKEMILK for 20% off of your first order. Mrs. Patel is also starting a "regulars" discount program for women who have already made 3 orders and are planning on continuing with their products - but you have to sign up for their newsletter (at bottom center) to learn more about that!

Win:
Mrs. Patel's is generously offering one of my readers a package including their choice of Fenugreek bars, choice of Milk Water Tea, and Munch Crunch.

How to Enter:
This is a Rafflecopter giveaway. Click "Read More" below and then follow the instructions on the widget. Make sure to click "Enter!" after you complete each entry. All currents count! The giveaway is open to residents of the US only and ends at 11:59 PM EST on Thursday, March 28th.

The first entry is mandatory - Visit Mrs. Patel's and tell me which product you'd most like to try! Once you complete this entry, the widget will give you the option of completing the rest. Complete more steps for more chances to win!

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH


Like many of you I've been following the Steubenville rape case and was relieved that the two defendants were found guilty on Sunday morning.

But then, something disturbing started emerging in the media's commentary and on social media. We began seeing rape apologists {warning: this will make you PISSED} and reporters sympathizing with the rapists with little to no mention of the victim. Are you angry yet?

Source
I've alluded to the fact that I am also a victim of sexual assault, but I've never told my story. I think now is the right time.

I was 19, at home on summer break from college. My best friend's parents were out of town and she was throwing a party. I had been sort-of dating a guy I went to high school with, but he had become quite aggressive on our last date and I had begun to suspect that he might be using drugs. So, I was a little nervous about seeing him at the party that night, and had actually called and invited my ex-boyfriend (who I was still friendly with, and who was also friends with him) because I thought I would be safer if he was there. But he couldn't come. Thinking back...should have just gone with my gut and stayed home.

That night, I drank too much. I am well aware that this was a mistake. I should never have had so many drinks, especially since I was so uneasy. BUT. That doesn't make the fact that shortly after my best friend put me to sleep upstairs in her bedroom (2 floors away from the party in the basement) and closed the door behind her he came into her room and raped me while I was passed out. I said "No". I tried to move away but was too drunk to function. My best friend walked in while it was happening, yelled, and he ran out of the house and drove off.

When I woke up I couldn't remember much, but bits and pieces came back to me over the next few hours, days, weeks. I was in a state of shock for quite some time. I mustered up the courage to tell my older sister, and with her support, later my parents. They wanted to go to the police right away. I begged them to let me decide for myself in my own time. I was a mess; I don't think I showered for days or did much other than sit in my room, feeling numb. I saw a psychiatrist when I returned to school and tried a few different depression medications but nothing seemed to make me feel better. I lost most of my friends and ended up in a borderline-emotionally abusive relationship.

It took me a few months, but I did file a police report and spoke with the District Attorney on a number of occasions. Reliving that night over and over again was not conducive to my mental health at the time, but it was important to my parents to see this through so I did it. The DA informed me that we had a good chance at indictment because I was a "high quality victim". What did that mean? I'm from an upper middle class family, was attending college on scholarship, and was my high school class's Salutatorian. Oh. Because that apparently matters in a rape trial. ::eyeroll:: Those words, and the cynicism they elicited from me at age 19, will stay with me for the rest of my life.

3 years after I first reported it, my case went before the Grand Jury. Despite witness testimony and the apology e-mail I received from my rapist the previous summer (that's a story for another day), my case was dismissed. The DA told me that one of the Grand Jurors said in response to the case, "that sounds like something my son would do and then apologize afterwards." Well, ASSFACE, then your son is a rapist. Yes, I'm angry that he wasn't indicted. But even worse -- I'm so sad for everyone out there who isn't a "high quality victim". What chance do they have in getting justice?

It's a travesty that our society teaches girls not to get raped rather than teaching boys not to rape. Don't wear revealing clothing, don't flirt, don't drink...instead of DON'T EFFING RAPE. And when it happens? Blaming the victim, saying she had it coming or got what she deserved for any of the above reasons...

Would we say a murder victim deserved it because he made his killer angry?

Would we blame someone for getting robbed because they are generous in giving to charity?

Source
Moms and Dads, this begins with us. We need to teach our children bodily integrity and that it applies to everyone. And just as importantly, we need to tell them to speak up and out if they ever see it happening to someone else. Let's instill empathy in our children, and work to end this rape culture and widespread victim blaming.

As soon as I think they are mature enough to understand and handle my story, I will tell my girls. They need to know it can and does happen to too many of us. Although I hope that the tide will have turned by the time that they are teenagers, and that our society will have finally placed the blame where it lies...with the rapists, not the victims.

It's not your fault. You owe him nothing. Speak out.
NO MORE is using a powerful new symbol to unleash national attention on an issue that impacts 12.7 million of us every year. That’s 24 people every minute. Many people think that domestic violence and sexual assault don’t affect them, but they’re wrong. These are people that we know. They’re our mothers, girlfriends, brothers, sisters, children, co-workers and friends. These issues are massive but they’re still very hidden and misunderstood.

It’s time to change that.

I’m saying NO MORE to domestic violence and sexual assault by using this symbol and sharing it. I hope you will too.

Together we can end domestic violence and sexual assault. I encourage you to share your story.

You can find out more information at www.nomore.org.

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Tuesday, March 19, 2013

The better to bribe you with, my dears ;)


It's been a while since I've searched through my folders and folders of pictures for those rare gems of hilariousness that I'll be able to use for bribery purposes when the kids become teenagers ;)

Okay so not really, as that would be cruel, but I do have some funny ones to share.

GET ME OUT OF THIS SEAHORSE!
Mom....Mom, she's dropping me
I'm just going to gnaw on your shoulder here...
NO PICTURES!
Seriously, NO PICTURES!
Cheese!
Let me sleep!
A little disheveled this morning ;)
These make me smile. I only wish I had more! Sometimes photos like these (and this one!) are better than those few and far between perfect pictures we get.



This week's Toddle Along Tuesday topic is Photo Bloopers! We've done this topic before, but so long ago; I want to see some silly kids and/or pets pics this week! I was going to do Spring Style, but uhhh...it's still snowing here; no Spring yet. We'll try for next week. There are no rules here, except that you link up a relevant post (old or new) rather than your whole blog.

And for fun? Let's make it a contest! I'll pick my favorite photo of yours and the winner will get a free Math Whiz ad spot for a month :)


Next week's topic will be Spring Style! Show us one of your new or favorite outfits for Spring and/or one of your kid's.

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