What Not to Ask A Woman In An Elevator

So going to and from work everyday you tend to run into the same people who work in the area - bumping into each other in the parking lot elevator and building elevators etc.

Well a guy who works on the same floor in the same building as we do (in the office who sells snacks for 50 cents each actually - so they tend to see quite a lot of me) started chuckling in the elevator at me yesterday. :|

Not in the mood and being just a tad bit cranky - I geared myself up for whatever he was about to say. And oh yes, he asked it, "(chuckle, chuckle, chuckle)Why do you carry so many bags???(chuckle, chuckle, chuckle)" - whilst I am balancing everything rather awkwardly after walking two blocks to the parking garage.

Me: "Wwweeeelllllll.....I pump breastmilk...(paused just long enough to let that sink in fully)- SO this is my pump bag and this is the bag that carries my breastmilk, and this is my purse and this is my lunch bag. [awkward pause where he now looks embarrassed at the amount of times I said breast] Probably more than you wanted to know - but THAT is why I carry so many bags."

BOOYAH! Who's laughing now??! :)

Web Finds Wednesday

World Health Organization recommends nursing for at least 2 years and then for as long as the mom and child want after that

Should breast pumps be hidden at work?

Related to above: NY Times Article: Offended by the Office Pump


Mom Who Refused to Wean Wins Her Battle But Injustice Remains

Police Officer Mom Forced to Choose Between Breastfeeding and Work

Breastfeeding Mom Harassed for Nursing her Two-Week Old on Bus - Detroit

Love Bites: Breastfeeding and Teeth
"there is NO reason to wean your baby just because they have teeth"

Breastfeeding Critics

Web Finds Wednesday

A Mother's Boutique - Resources and Helpful Links for Breastfeeding

Craft Recipes - including sidewalk chalk!

BreastandBottlefeeding.com - Helping moms balance breast and bottle feeding

Bump Smitten - Baby shower inspiration blog

Updates about the Patrick the Pitbull - been reading and keeping up with the story of this miracle pup - such a sad story - but with what is looking like a happy ending - hopefully

ALC Tutors Needed - Johnson County Library (and I am sure at your local library as well) I love reading, trips the library are a weekly occurrence for us and was a reading coach for elementary children in college for a work-study program -  but this is an awesome opportunity to give back as well - helping tutor adults in reading/literacy. I have seen the tutors on occasion in the library and just recently looked up the info on their website.

Web Finds Wednesday

Five Confessions of a Breastfeeding Mother

How Childhood Books Make Us Who We Are

Easy Cinnamon Roll Muffins

Want to Read: Weird Because Normal Isn't Working

First Ever Indiana Artisan Market April 16-17

Homemade Pantry Staples

Back to Work: Pumping Schedule & Log

After going back to work when my little one was 8 weeks old, I started wanting to keep track of how often and how much I pumped at work each day of the week. Something about keeping track and knowing that my supply wasn't dropping and that I was indeed able to pump enough for my little one while I was gone has helped ease my mind.

I first had a paper system that I would record onto each time, but after getting frustrated with crinkly papers everywhere have decided to go techie with it - of course! Especially since I can pump at my desk with my hands-free bra - which I HIGHLY recommend if you are pumping at work - or anywhere for that matter! As a mom you need an extra set of hands so make sure you free up the only two you have with this simple and affordable little contraption. I bought mine at BuyBuy baby for around $35.


So since I can work at my desk while I pump and not miss a beat - I moved my Pumping Schedule & Log to Google Docs via an excel spreadsheet that automatically calculates my totals for each side, day and week. I couldn't really find anything like it out there so I created my own and after using it for a good 18 weeks now thought it would be worth it share. So you are looking for an excel template for a back to work mother Pumping Schedule & Log - here you go!

Copy to your Google Docs or save the excel file to your desktop!

Got Breastmilk?

Can't wait till more of these items are available for sale!

From the La Leche League

Baby Blues

Love this! Baby Blues

Web Finds Wednesday

Lactation Cookies Recipe 

Modest Middles 

Easy Homemade Baby Food & Baby Food Recipes - Tasty, Nutritious & Full of Love for your Baby

Belly Sock

Dark Hot Chocolate Mix

Indianapolis Breastfeeding Support

Brilliant Boobtopia Giveaway!

Now that momglish is my primary language it only seems fit to start off the new year with a fabulous giveaway for all my fellow breastfeeding mamas out there!  The lovely people at Egg2Cake have so graciously provided me with two sets of these witty Boobtopia door hangers for breastfeeding - one for me and to give to one lucky reader!

These doorhangers are sturdy, sassy and perfect for pumping at the office or breastfeeding on the go. With this set of four I can keep one in my desk, one in my pump-n-style bag and one or two in my diaper bag.

No more shouting through the door to Grandma Milly who shakes the door handle wildly and proclaims to the rest of the family, "WHY is this door locked?! The door is locked! Does anyone know why this door is locked??" Yup it has happened. And yup the door tag would have came in handy that day.

The rules are easy peasy, just leave a comment on this post by Friday, January 14 12AM EST to enter! Be sure to include your email address so I can reach you if you win!

Good luck, and be sure to check out all the other fabulous paper products at the EggCake shop!

Breast Pad Review, Why Medela is the Best

Left to Right: Avent, Medela, Lansinoh

 Yup, this blog is officially going to the mom-blog end of the spectrum! :) One of the things that you seem to get a lot of throughout your pregnancy is samples. Samples from the hospital, samples from your doctor and just randomly in the mail. Samples of detergent, formula, nipple cream and breast pads. Being the frugalista that I am I, of course, hoarded each and every one of these samples.

They do come in handy and let you try different brands without emptying your wallet on the full size versions.

I am sure if you breastfeed that you've heard that Medela is the best brand of pump you can get your mitts on. They are the most expensive but also the most effective and when it comes to your milk supply no amount of money is too much.

Well, ladies and the random gent who may be reading along, Medela also has the best breast pads out there. I've tried Avent and Lansinoh and the reusable cotton kinds - but hands down it is Medela.

Lansinoh really shocked me with the obvious lack of quality. As a brand, I considered them near the same level as Medela. Their breast pads are almost the same size as Medelas and generally the same thickness but it is like comparing cheap toilet paper next to a roll of Cottonelle. The Lansinoh pads crinkle quite audibly when handled which is a tad embarrassing. I don't enjoy my chest crinkling when I move, thanks. And there's this weird powdery yet kinda sandy residue that comes out of them and into your shirt. Sounds fun huh? Oh it gets better...when you leak, like I tend to do ALL THE TIME, which is why I am wearing these darn things to begin with...the Lansinoh pads get this bizarre crunchy hardnes on the inside of the pad. I am assuming that the powdery, sandy stuff absorbs the moisture and then turns hard as a result. Yeah no, not for me thanks so much.

Then there are the Avent pads which are decent in the absorption department and no weird sandy stuff to speak of, but they are insanely small and a tad too thick. These puppies can probably be seen through your shirt which isn't fun.

So, yay, Medela and your perfectly sized and shaped breast pads with their smart little pleat and magical moisture control! You rock! A box of 50 (which only equals out to 25 pairs if you think about it) only costs $9.99 - not too bad. And the Medelas can really hold up - I have quite the let-down that can soak through both a tank top and a sweat shirt if I am not careful in the mornings - but the Medelas keep me dry and comfortable. 

The cotton reusable pads are okay if you're wearing a thick cupped bra that would hide their girth. They are thick but if you're a leaky lady like me they don't stay dry...wet cloth wedged up in your shirt for any length of time is not a blast.

Boobtopia: Doorhangers for Breastfeeding

I am so need a set of these to keep in my pump bag and diaper bag! :)

$12.95 for a set of 4 at Egg2Cake