tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79844685430703132392024-03-13T12:58:11.892-04:00I Do What I Want!Helga435http://www.blogger.com/profile/13777853881865524060noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7984468543070313239.post-45972646066655910872021-01-17T12:37:00.001-05:002021-01-17T12:37:52.635-05:00Our Favorite Kids Podcasts (that adults won't hate!)<div id="i4c-draggable-container" style="height: 0px; position: fixed; width: 0px; z-index: 1499;"><div class="resolved" data-reactroot="" style="all: initial;"></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">The kids and I have a 40 minute commute to and from their school every day. We have a lot of time for podcasts! Here are some of our family favorites:</div><h1 style="text-align: left;"><b>Brains On</b></h1><div> Brains On is a science podcast that answers questions sent in by kids. The adult host, Molly Bloom, is great and she always has a kid co-host as well. The show is well researched and gives answers that are kid friendly, but not dumbed down. They have several ways of telling the answers, from straight reporting to fun and engaging skits with funny characters and original songs. We also really enjoy trying to guess the Mystery Sound. It's harder than you think sometimes!</div><div><br /></div><h1 style="text-align: left;">The Big Fib</h1><div>The Big Fib is a game show with two grown ups and a kid. One of the adults is an expert and one is a liar. The kid contestant has to guess who is telling the truth by asking questions and listening carefully to the answers. Most of the time, this show is great and we really enjoy it. LISA (Live In Studio Audience) is a "sound effects robot" and the co-host Deborah are entertaining and fun to listen to. Unfortunately, not all of their "experts" have been real experts and there have been times that I have been screaming at the show for spreading pseudoscience and flat out nonsense. I have also developed some hypotheses about how and why people think other people are lying based on this show, unfortunately mostly based on gender. It is one of the kids' favorites!</div><h1 style="text-align: left;"><b>Circle Round</b></h1><div>Circle Round was Liam's first podcast. He was around two when it came out and it would keep him quiet in the car like NOTHING ELSE would. I'm not ashamed to admit that I used listening to Circle Round as a bribe to get him in the car more than once. He wants to go to Boston to meet Rebecca Shier, the host. Circle Round pick folk stories and adapts them for radio. They have celebrities as the voice actors, and feature a new musical instrument every episode. One of Liam's favorite parts is learning about the new musical instrument every week. Each folk tale has a lesson for kids and they give a lesson to try to carry that lesson into real life. Circle Round claims to be for kids 4-10, but Makayla still enjoys the stories at 12. We highly recommend!</div><h1 style="text-align: left;"><b>Earth Rangers</b></h1><div>Earth Rangers is a podcast out of Canada. It's host, Emma, travels all over, finding cool animal facts to share. The segments on this show vary, from guessing games to interviews and anything in between. We recently enjoyed the new series on the show "Emma's Chemistry Corner" because it acknowledges that CHEMISTRY IS LIFE! and gave fun experiments to try at home. Earth Rangers is pretty new, and they're still kind of settling in to the podcast. There are frequent changes, but we've enjoyed them all!</div><h1 style="text-align: left;"><b>Forever Ago</b></h1><div>Forever Ago is from the creators of Brains On and it's a history podcast. It explores the origins of one thing every episode, from sandwiches to video games in a fun and engaging way. It seems to be on hiatus for right now- I'm not sure if it's coming back, but there are some back episodes to listen to in the meantime!</div><h1 style="text-align: left;"><b>Greeking Out</b></h1><div>Greek mythology is one of the kids' latest obsessions and they LOVE Greeking Out. It tells a story from Greek mythology every episode. Their theme song is very catchy- probably because it's by the king of catchy kids songs- Perry Gripp. Obviously, there are some dark themes in mythology- but there's always a warning at the start if you don't want your kids exposed to particular aspects. </div><h1 style="text-align: left;"><b>Mystery Recipe</b></h1><div>Mystery Recipe is a show that makes one dish throughout the season, with each ingredient getting it's own week. Each episode dives into where the ingredient is from, how it's grown or harvested and what it's used for. You're supposed to guess what the dish might be throughout the season and before the final episode there's an opportunity to buy all of the ingredients and cook along. We're still in our first season, but we're really enjoying it!</div><h1 style="text-align: left;"><b>Smash Boom Best</b></h1><div>Smash Boom Best is a podcast that pits two things against each other. The two contestants debate through four rounds:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><u>The Declaration of Greatness</u>- where each debater gets to make their case about why their thing is the best</li><li><u>The Micro Round</u>- which varies, but gives them a scenario that they have to think on the fly to come up with an argument</li><li><u>The Sneak Attack</u>- where the host makes them do something creative, like write a Haiku for your side, etc </li><li><u>The Final Six</u>- where the contestants sum up why they are the best in 6 words</li></ul></div><div>There is a kid judge for each show who picks who they think is the winner, but you are encouraged to play along at home too. We've had some fun car debates over things like Avengers vs. Star Wars, Chocolate vs. Cheese and Unicorns vs. Dragons to name a few. We ALL love this show!</div><h1 style="text-align: left;"><b>Story Pirates</b></h1><div>The Story Pirates take stories submitted by kids and turn them into sketch comedy and songs. They also have a running story line throughout, which is super funny. The production quality on this podcast is tops and they do an amazing job taking stories written by kids as young as two and making them into creative works of art. Over time, you'll become invested in the running story line and you'll come to know and love the characters.</div><h1 style="text-align: left;"><b>The Ten News</b></h1><div>The Ten News is our newest podcast, it's a 10 minute news podcast for kids. It doesn't shy away from the hard topics, but it does present them in an accessible, kid friendly way. It doesn't focus on only one area of the news, but all areas. So far, the kids are enjoying learning about current events.</div><h1 style="text-align: left;"><b>Tumble</b></h1><div>Tumble is another science podcast that we enjoy. It's less flashy than Brains On, and doesn't have the same level of fun, but it's still enjoyable and we get to learn about all kinds of science topics. </div><h1 style="text-align: left;"><b>What If World</b></h1><div>What If World is an world of imagination created by Mr Eric's improv stories, sparked by a "What If" question submitted by listeners. He takes the question and creates a fun and engaging story using a cast of characters, all voiced by him. The kids enjoy this podcast, although I must be honest and say, Jeff hates this one. I could take it or leave it. </div><h1 style="text-align: left;"><b>Wow in the World</b></h1><div>Wow in the World is another of our favorites! Guy Raz and Mindy Thomas lead us on a crazy, wacky journey exploring a recent scientific discovery. There's nothing that I don't love about this podcast and it cracks me up with it's dorky science puns every week. They also have a two new series, "Tinkerclass" which guides kids on an engineering journey based on one of their episodes and "Two Whats and a WOW!" which is a game show where you get to guess which one of the three statements is the WOW! and which are the made up WHATS!? Both of these are available in the Wow in the World feed, so no need to subscribe to another podcast. </div><div id="i4c-dialogs-container"></div>Helga435http://www.blogger.com/profile/13777853881865524060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7984468543070313239.post-55352711186710717662020-12-20T09:56:00.003-05:002020-12-20T09:56:32.669-05:00On Santa<div id="i4c-draggable-container" style="height: 0px; position: fixed; width: 0px; z-index: 1499;"><div class="resolved" data-reactroot="" style="all: initial;"></div></div><p> Why do we think that we have to tell our children THE TRUTH about Santa? Why does it matter if they continue in their wonder and happiness? What makes it so important to burst that bubble of childhood by X age? Who decides what X age is?</p><p>I've been thinking a lot about this lately (tis the season!) and I just don't get it. I believed in Santa until I was 10. That Christmas, Santa brought me a spinning wheel and I KNEW my parents couldn't afford that. I would have continued believing for much longer, except I was getting in fights about it at school and my Mom told me. And then I told my sister. Because I'm an asshole. The fact that my parents "lied to me" for years has never had any impact on my trust in them or my relationship with them. I find that argument completely illogical. </p><p>Makayla just turned 12. She absolutely believes. I know that she has plenty of friends who don't, but I guess kids are just nicer now, because none of them have ruined it for her. I hope it continues. Eventually, I expect that she'll figure it out and ask me about it and I'll tell her the truth. </p><p>I love being Santa. I love finding the things that will prolong their belief in the magic. I love watching their looks of wonder every Christmas when they see the things Santa brought. </p><p>I'm an atheist. I see no difference in believing that there is an all knowing god who loves you, but also might send you to hell if you're an asshole, and the belief that an all knowing magical man loves you and brings you presents but also might give you coal if you're an asshole. I recognize that most people will be offended by the comparison, but I don't really care. If believing in a god brings you comfort and joy, believe. Kids grow up too fast as it is- is there really anything wrong with letting them hang on to their childhood a few more years?</p><div id="i4c-dialogs-container"></div>Helga435http://www.blogger.com/profile/13777853881865524060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7984468543070313239.post-47210989126457064202019-02-02T11:46:00.001-05:002019-02-02T11:46:52.505-05:00The Twelve Cookies of Christmas 2018Yes, it's February.<br />
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Cookies are good any time of the year.<br />
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This years' cookie parade had to be slightly modified from my usual tradition of making one cookie every day of Christmas because we were on vacation visiting family far away from home. I still got to make twelve new cookies, I just spread them out over the whole of December/ January and shared them on the twelve days of Christmas.<br />
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For the first day of Christmas I made <a href="https://bakerbynature.com/5-ingredient-peppermint-chocolate-truffles" target="_blank">5-Ingredient Peppermint Chocolate Truffles</a>. I shared these with my kids's school board of directors for our holiday party. They were very well received! I didn't bring many home. It was a really easy recipe with no changes required. Highly recommended!<br />
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For the second day of Christmas I made <a href="https://amyshealthybaking.com/blog/2014/12/08/eggnog-snickerdoodles/" target="_blank">Eggnog Snickerdoodles</a>. This recipe is billed as "healthy", I guess because it says to use dairy free or light eggnog. I didn't do that, because it's not healthier and I don't make cookies to be healthy, I make them to indulge. She also goes in to detail about measuring the flour correctly, but I just weighed it. It's more accurate and faster. The bake time in the recipe is far too short. They were definitely underdone, so I cooked them a little more. Another note, this recipe is only for 12 cookies, and I only got 11. Basically no one got to taste these. If you try them, double or triple the recipe and bake them longer. Despite all of that- they were still quite tasty and I would make them again.<br />
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For the third day of Christmas I made <a href="http://www.smalltownwoman.com/double-chocolate-cherry-cookies" target="_blank">Double Chocolate Cherry Cookies</a>. These were very good. I had the opposite problem of the previous cookies- I over baked these a little and they weren't as fudgy as they should have been. The flavors were delicious though and we all still enjoyed them.</div>
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For the fourth day of Christmas I made <a href="https://www.bigbearswife.com/hot-chocolate-cookies/" target="_blank">Hot Chocolate Cookies</a>. These seemed to be really popular this year- even though I had never heard of them before now! They were really easy and good and the kids enjoyed getting to sprinkle them. They called for <a href="https://amzn.to/2G6WSjd" target="_blank">chocolate extract</a>- which I've never used or seen. I had to order it from Amazon. To be honest, I'm not sure if it really added anything- they were already chocolatey and delicious! Everyone loved them.<br />
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For the fifth day of Christmas I made <a href="https://livforcake.com/eggnog-cheesecake-cookie-cups/" target="_blank">Eggnog Cheesecake Cookie Cups</a>. These were soooooooooo good. Everything about them was delicious but if I made them again I would make one important change- I'd use mini muffin cups. The recipe specifically says to use standard muffin cups but they were just too big as a cookie. I also highly recommend using <a href="https://amzn.to/2SmkWo6" target="_blank">silicone muffin cups</a>. It's so much easier to get the muffins or cookies out. (I also use them when I'm making eggs for breakfast sandwiches!) I also needed to bake the gingerbread cookie cups slightly longer. You do need them to be somewhat soft in the middle so that you can press them down in to cups, but they were a little underdone with the bake time in the recipe. Really, these were so, so good. Highly recommended!<br />
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For the sixth day of Christmas I made <a href="https://www.cleanandscentsible.com/red-velvet-shortbread-cookies/" target="_blank">Red Velvet Shortbread Cookies</a>. These were really not that good. They were too dry and not very flavorful. I wouldn't recommend. The recipe also says to knead the dough until smooth, but that is contrary to everything I know about making shortbread cookies, so I didn't. I shaped the dough in to a log, wrapped it in plastic wrap and chilled it, then cut the log in to cookies. The amount of handling specified in the recipe would only lead to cookies that are tough as nails.<br />
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For the seventh day of Christmas I made <a href="https://javacupcake.com/2013/12/christmas-tree-peanut-butter-blossoms/" target="_blank">Christmas Tree Peanut Butter Blossoms</a>. My mom specifically requested peanut butter blossoms this year, so I decided to try this cute fancied up version! Makayla got to decorate them and she loved it. For some reason, I decided to use the recipe I linked, instead of my own recipe that I've been making for years. That was a mistake. Mine is better. Here is what I SHOULD have done:<br />
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Christmas Tree Peanut Butter Blossoms (Kate McAfee edition)<br />
1/2 cup shortening<br />
1/2 cup peanut butter<br />
1/2 cup granulated sugar<br />
1/2 cup brown sugar<br />
1 tsp baking powder<br />
1/8 tsp baking soda<br />
1 egg<br />
2 tbsp milk<br />
1 tsp vanilla<br />
1 3/4 cups flour<br />
1/4 cup granulated sugar for rolling<br />
Hershey Kisses<br />
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Preheat oven to 350F. Cream together shortening, peanut butter, sugars, baking powder and baking soda. Beat until light and fluffy. Add in egg, milk and vanilla. Mix until combined. Add in flour. Mix until just combined. Roll dough in to 1 in balls. Roll in granulated sugar, place on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 10-12 minutes. Immediately press Hershey Kiss in center of each ball. Remove to wire rack to cool. Allow to cool and harden completely before decorating.<br />
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Buttercream Frosting<br />
1/4 cup butter<br />
1/3 tsp vanilla<br />
2/3 tbsp milk<br />
2/3 cup powdered sugar<br />
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Beat butter until light and fluffy, beat in powdered sugar. Add vanilla and milk. Adjust milk level to achieve desired consistency. Put in piping bag with writing tip. Start at the bottom of each kiss and swirl up to the top. Add sprinkles and decoration.<br />
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For the eighth day of Christmas I made <a href="https://www.tastyeverafter.com/grinch-heart-raspberry-filled-sugar-cookies/" target="_blank">Grinch Heart Raspberry Filled Sugar Cookies</a>. The dough for these was a bit finicky. It wanted to stick to everything and keeping the hearts in the correct shape was kind of difficult. Still, they were really good and super cute. 8 out of 10 would make again.<br />
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For the ninth day of Christmas I made <a href="https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a8106/lemon-pistachio-wreaths-cookie-recipe/" target="_blank">Lemon Pistachio Wreaths</a>. These were so pretty and so fresh! The cookies and the icing had a nice lemony flavor and the nuts were an excellent addition. The picture on Pinterest also had cranberries to top them but that wasn't in the recipe so I didn't have them. It would probably be delicious though! We loved them!<br />
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For the tenth day of Christmas I made <a href="https://livforcake.com/dark-chocolate-candy-cane-cookies/" target="_blank">Dark Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies</a>. Something went wrong for these and they spread too much. It was probably my mistake- I either softened the butter in the microwave instead of waiting for it to come to room temp, or I used cold eggs instead of room temp. So the texture was wrong, and they didn't win any beauty contests- BUT they were STILL delicious. They also used an ingredient I was unfamiliar with (and had to head to Amazon for) <a href="https://amzn.to/2sXOnP8" target="_blank">black cocoa powder</a>. It's used mostly as coloring agent to make cookies really dark instead of the usual chocolate brown. I have so much extra, I'll have to make these again. Maybe I'll get the texture right this time!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Ix1eOs1b8jH9fMwxk4mEtgBfA-xUWBa20onzWXY1iZDeTl7FChZwWeb_8bP-RfLjQ7jPOmJL2YSPZOYrtYiBK_TNRmrG65ttqfEbCFDggZY_0wz4y8ihVKPqaJPWdMvVqZ70FiXeQ5Q0/s1600/20190101_193546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1398" data-original-width="1600" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Ix1eOs1b8jH9fMwxk4mEtgBfA-xUWBa20onzWXY1iZDeTl7FChZwWeb_8bP-RfLjQ7jPOmJL2YSPZOYrtYiBK_TNRmrG65ttqfEbCFDggZY_0wz4y8ihVKPqaJPWdMvVqZ70FiXeQ5Q0/s320/20190101_193546.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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For the eleventh day of Christmas I made <a href="https://www.recipegirl.com/chocolate-peppermint-bark-cookies/" target="_blank">Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cookies</a>. I actually made these at the start of December for a cookie exchange at the kids school. I thought they were great! I couldn't find Hershey Candy Cane Kisses anywhere this year so I used the crushed candy cane option which gave good flavor, but I think the melted kisses would have been better, personally.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZe5jh9y4UidcTfmGg-9R0w0fIWHrmdiZZxzXud4ufLHsPCNcvTDE5hNd4n8xYV76nyDWHsD5bzOtsj86_WRD8AAIGHSxvr8gg6KZwv_pHfQ_1J_1RvdDCdCKV37Tkn3RkKLlWHZ242_B/s1600/20181202_140756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1253" data-original-width="1600" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZe5jh9y4UidcTfmGg-9R0w0fIWHrmdiZZxzXud4ufLHsPCNcvTDE5hNd4n8xYV76nyDWHsD5bzOtsj86_WRD8AAIGHSxvr8gg6KZwv_pHfQ_1J_1RvdDCdCKV37Tkn3RkKLlWHZ242_B/s320/20181202_140756.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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For the twelfth day of Christmas I made <a href="https://www.cleanandscentsible.com/gingerbread-chocolate-thumbprint-cookies/" target="_blank">Gingerbread Thumbprint Cookies</a>. This recipe came from the same place as the shortbread cookies that no one liked. These ones were great though! Gingerbread with a delicious chocolate pool in the middle. Loved everything about them!<br />
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So there you have it! The Twelve Cookies of Christmas 2018! Try some out- hope you enjoy them as much as we did!<br />
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<br />Helga435http://www.blogger.com/profile/13777853881865524060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7984468543070313239.post-70548034142194018402018-03-11T20:28:00.001-04:002018-03-11T20:28:49.744-04:00The ONLY Way to Hard Cook an EggI apologize for the click bait-y title. I've been on a quest to find the best way to hard cook my eggs for years. I make deviled eggs for nearly every potluck. They're easy, nut free and mine are pretty badass. Plus, I make salads every day for work and a lot of times, I rely on hard cooked eggs for my protein source. Of course, the worst part about hard cooked eggs is peeling them without peeling off half the egg. I have finally completed my quest! A fast and easy way to hard cook an egg with shells that peel off amazingly easily!<br />
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I was an early adopter of pressure cooking/ multicooking technology. We have a <a href="http://amzn.to/2Fwl52w" target="_blank">Fagor Multicooker</a>- but it's just like the super popular <a href="http://amzn.to/2FMiWPQ" target="_blank">Instant Pot</a> that you probably got for Christmas. We have been using it in conjunction with our freezer cooking lifestyle for about two and half years now. I also love to make yogurt in it! Until three weeks ago, however; I had never used it to hard cook an egg. It's so simple, it takes maybe 15 minutes from raw to peeled and ready to use. Here's how it works:<br />
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1. Put raw eggs in the inner pot of your multicooker. Add 1/2 cup of water.<br />
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2. Put the lid on the cooker and seal the steam nozzle.</div>
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3. Set the cooker for 5 minutes on "pressure cook: high". It will take about 5 minutes to build pressure and then 5 minutes at pressure. </div>
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4. When the cook time is done, quick release the pressure. </div>
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5. Open the pot and take out the inner pot. Place in the sink and run cool water in to the pot.</div>
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6. When cool enough to handle, enjoy the easy peeling!</div>
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7. Make salad, or deviled eggs, or whatever else you do with hard cooked eggs!</div>
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Now you know the secret! Go forth and cook some eggs!</div>
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This method is also perfect for making eggs to dye for Easter. Just stop after cooling them and dye them!</div>
Helga435http://www.blogger.com/profile/13777853881865524060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7984468543070313239.post-17279298764983417942018-01-05T16:39:00.002-05:002018-01-05T18:54:01.716-05:00The Twelve Cookies of Christmas 2017Merry Christmas! By Christmas, of course, I mean all twelve days of it! For the last three years I've been marking each day of Christmas with a different cookie or treat. It's a tradition that my family has really enjoyed and it gives me the opportunity to try out 12 new recipes! For 2017, I decided to up my game with this round-up post and a review of each recipe. I'm including links to all of the recipes I used and any modifications I made.<br />
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<b>December 25th</b><br />
On the first day of Christmas, I made <a href="https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2013/12/13/red-velvet-chocolate-chip-cookies/" target="_blank">Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Cookies</a>!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjih2o7BmIk6X4Rv1xBdJG4TYYVdYvG0VOqzbUO7xZq2SppAJTH0dPeZ-aYhTr-JXDy8bfJ15428Fszs01UjSZ3R0GVWYueqAwxspqzMaQaUcwOTM2W_w5oaNj7C5S85i88pwLpWIfmOB91/s1600/25660078_10102941436405083_4622983502532352763_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="960" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjih2o7BmIk6X4Rv1xBdJG4TYYVdYvG0VOqzbUO7xZq2SppAJTH0dPeZ-aYhTr-JXDy8bfJ15428Fszs01UjSZ3R0GVWYueqAwxspqzMaQaUcwOTM2W_w5oaNj7C5S85i88pwLpWIfmOB91/s320/25660078_10102941436405083_4622983502532352763_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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These were easy and fast to make on Christmas morning after the presents were open and before we headed over to my parents to spend the day with them. They are delicious, fudgy and festive. Everyone loved them and I think we only came home with two left.</div>
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<b>December 26th</b></div>
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On the second day of Christmas, I made <a href="https://www.momontimeout.com/peppermint-shortbread-cookies/" target="_blank">Peppermint Shortbread Cookies</a>! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlAHcwTuLkZdV004kEeK3MN9bYhPEUKowA9zrhT6ad1tveEP8enQqL8mePqWymKgkrZ4_iPnzfQ5rpyDPSUq0VMVRiqBPW74TTUUjLhwp6r5nBZU65HWhyfMzImuAWwHsazObMN3JHstgm/s1600/26165180_10102944075122073_3950104278079254352_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="740" data-original-width="960" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlAHcwTuLkZdV004kEeK3MN9bYhPEUKowA9zrhT6ad1tveEP8enQqL8mePqWymKgkrZ4_iPnzfQ5rpyDPSUq0VMVRiqBPW74TTUUjLhwp6r5nBZU65HWhyfMzImuAWwHsazObMN3JHstgm/s320/26165180_10102944075122073_3950104278079254352_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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If you've never made shortbread cookies, you'll probably be confused about how this dough comes together. Shortbread has almost no liquid in it. You cut the butter in to the flour, add flavors and additions and squeeze it all into a log shape and chill it. Then take it out, cut it in to slices and bake. I have made shortbread before, and I still had trouble with this recipe. It was quite crumbly and took a long time to get in to log form (not log like you think I mean log, you understand). I didn't use the andes mint chips specified, I substituted white chocolate chips (chopped) and crushed candy canes. I also used a few drops of red food color. As you can see, they just didn't come out very pretty. They look like raw chicken patties! They still tasted good, but I like the Cranberry Orange Shortbread cookies I made last year way better. </div>
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<b>December 27th</b></div>
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On the third day of Christmas, I made <a href="https://www.loveandoliveoil.com/2012/12/gingerbread-cookie-dough-truffles.html" target="_blank">Gingerbread Cookie Dough Truffles</a>!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFjgwL7zmd6EDAppw7P8nEmMlJ7DJLqBPOrbANFhuDvRzLZA3ueCFttwy5_6lx-eFYzM57CkIwpIVLD5o1Klp_UpBQHa3e1YLB69aLTVLY6cnE7nYUKBQ50bwj8m6H1eCxd-44iJvCwXj6/s1600/26166580_10102945932574723_730008267895770761_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="960" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFjgwL7zmd6EDAppw7P8nEmMlJ7DJLqBPOrbANFhuDvRzLZA3ueCFttwy5_6lx-eFYzM57CkIwpIVLD5o1Klp_UpBQHa3e1YLB69aLTVLY6cnE7nYUKBQ50bwj8m6H1eCxd-44iJvCwXj6/s320/26166580_10102945932574723_730008267895770761_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Do you like gingerbread? You'll love them. They are great, I just had a hard time coating them evenly. I used melted white chocolate chips to coat them instead of the specified candy melts (which are whiter). I'm accustomed to coating buckeyes, where I get to leave a hole at the top, so trying to coat them all over without leaving marks was a challenge for me.</div>
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<b>December 28th</b></div>
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On the fourth day of Christmas, I made <a href="https://tatertotsandjello.com/2014/12/happy-holidays-cream-cheese-mints.html#8iKR0uJeIpXEo2IT.32" target="_blank">Cream Cheese Mints</a>!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ5VsDHLlU0CTqYIH3Tkla8aSMkNyC3krE4kDrEjCRGzC8XLOYnaREpgXYuxS9gr9EfcRHza9NfGxMK8Mh1XpozsTz1T95SHm2Ypkm5yhzXAjbneWoMtb6M0hyphenhyphenjp1ql-2BT069Voj3sCXR/s1600/26001042_10102947627313453_570445247446771007_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="206" data-original-width="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ5VsDHLlU0CTqYIH3Tkla8aSMkNyC3krE4kDrEjCRGzC8XLOYnaREpgXYuxS9gr9EfcRHza9NfGxMK8Mh1XpozsTz1T95SHm2Ypkm5yhzXAjbneWoMtb6M0hyphenhyphenjp1ql-2BT069Voj3sCXR/s1600/26001042_10102947627313453_570445247446771007_n.jpg" /></a></div>
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This recipe was a disaster from start to finish. First, the blogger who wrote this recipe did one of my pet peeves when they posted it. They didn't include a printable recipe. It's so annoying to go to print and have the printer say "32 pages" then have to go and hunt out the pages you want out of 17 full page photos. Ugh! Second, the recipe said it made ~250 mints! No thanks! I cut that down to a quarter of the recipe, wrote it into a word doc (eliminating cutesy extraneous details) and printed it like that. Now to the making. I mixed everything up and then found out I had used my last piping bag. No problem! I'll just cut the corner off a Ziploc like I always do! Well that was a disaster. The recipe is MUCH thicker than the egg yolk I usually pipe (in deviled eggs) so trying to get it through the star tip in a Ziploc made the bags blow out the seams. After trying with a normal bag and a freezer bag and having it explode on my hands twice, I ditched the star tip and started just piping little dots. After they were piped, they set up in the freezer and then were to be stored in the fridge. They didn't really "set up" in the way that I was expecting, they just froze and then when thawed reverted back to soft, not set form. And they don't taste like the little after dinner mints I was expecting. They taste like toothpaste. I hate giving bad feedback but really, don't waste your time on this recipe. It's not good.</div>
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<b>December 29th</b></div>
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On the fifth day of Christmas, I made <a href="http://www.yourcupofcake.com/2014/12/make-rudolph-cookies.html" target="_blank">"Rudolph" Cookies</a> with the kids!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijorTZjZdJaLFa4M0wu50ygq7OWl8ingKIW9cjIWQLAo-y1DUbrU9acOjFqwthuuERKu2MjMkT-GgdSFyYl_oMhYMg62zPjnu6Z7_z_rzJoxDNsqrWtXi5joGdRWgYt4iGEJi_vwgOy4Kf/s1600/26055588_10102949078689883_3652503385959999449_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="960" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijorTZjZdJaLFa4M0wu50ygq7OWl8ingKIW9cjIWQLAo-y1DUbrU9acOjFqwthuuERKu2MjMkT-GgdSFyYl_oMhYMg62zPjnu6Z7_z_rzJoxDNsqrWtXi5joGdRWgYt4iGEJi_vwgOy4Kf/s320/26055588_10102949078689883_3652503385959999449_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Obviously, our cookies don't exactly look like reindeer. I followed the recipe to the letter for the cookies, making dough balls "just smaller than a golf ball" and they turned out very large. To compound this error, I bought "Itty Bitty Mini" pretzels from Synder's of Hanover because generally, every time I've made reindeer type cookies, the mini pretzels are too big! We also used pre-made eyes in a package instead of making them from mint M&M's. The kids had a BLAST decorating these and they were completely delicious. Definitely a win, and no one cared that they looked like bears instead of reindeer.</div>
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<b>December 30th</b></div>
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On the sixth day of Christmas, I made <a href="http://lovintheoven.com/pumpkin-gingerbread-biscotti/" target="_blank">Pumpkin Gingerbread Biscotti</a>!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Yfg9N6n-J2enw-qZKjnX36Y_lWz6lhsZoc6KMpxYJmvcpMgRIWC4Hp58J3fJM-tHMs8Y_jWpdMoBH8U2XWVIQEMAhhBovERMHW7UWXSmUFCTLoRDcBUSXd9YpEUG8gSRigvbrcA9sMuf/s1600/26166571_10102950725479703_5230420563535737734_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="797" data-original-width="960" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Yfg9N6n-J2enw-qZKjnX36Y_lWz6lhsZoc6KMpxYJmvcpMgRIWC4Hp58J3fJM-tHMs8Y_jWpdMoBH8U2XWVIQEMAhhBovERMHW7UWXSmUFCTLoRDcBUSXd9YpEUG8gSRigvbrcA9sMuf/s320/26166571_10102950725479703_5230420563535737734_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This was my first time making biscotti and it was a lot easier than I thought it would be! They turned out great, the flavor is delicious. They were a little hard by themselves but that's kind of how biscotti is! Great when dunked in coffee!</div>
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<b>December 31st</b></div>
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On the seventh day of Christmas, I made <a href="https://chocolatechocolateandmore.com/white-chocolate-fudge-with-cranberries-and-pistachios/" target="_blank">White Chocolate Fudge with Cranberries and Pistachios</a>!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-8K1_yo12Nc7oxifTQdR-TSOUTEo99_jCePg_jsIEANGggq8bO0njdsdcF_yOYwFB9G5V-5BF78jr50-2Zvtz4ME6slXIkmbASs_CuxHQN4qcjxSuCaTAZZUfPV5dYQ7JolYxMd3hT3X/s1600/26167571_10102954192062643_7156023827117450042_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="747" data-original-width="960" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-8K1_yo12Nc7oxifTQdR-TSOUTEo99_jCePg_jsIEANGggq8bO0njdsdcF_yOYwFB9G5V-5BF78jr50-2Zvtz4ME6slXIkmbASs_CuxHQN4qcjxSuCaTAZZUfPV5dYQ7JolYxMd3hT3X/s320/26167571_10102954192062643_7156023827117450042_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This was a very simple and delicious fudge recipe. The flavor of the white chocolate tended to dominate over the pistachios and cranberries so if I made it again, I'd probably increase the amount of mix ins to give it more intense flavor.</div>
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<b>January 1st</b></div>
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On the eighth day of Christmas, I made <a href="http://www.inkatrinaskitchen.com/grinch-cookies/" target="_blank">Grinch Cookies</a>!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmMwSNeMP_A_akhq9On7nYEAHDYQZWLJSbBgaLA_l3c-0Vl2qvYiOs5nw-ytsLunkTMDxQ6jcU7ZjhbsgmSpSOwm6KFZRqUtutO_gUPEYyF46xZLMQg0e9nAecSnl5vIP0tcwsDTW9w_Sh/s1600/26168715_10102954681197413_2710328733080565194_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="824" data-original-width="960" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmMwSNeMP_A_akhq9On7nYEAHDYQZWLJSbBgaLA_l3c-0Vl2qvYiOs5nw-ytsLunkTMDxQ6jcU7ZjhbsgmSpSOwm6KFZRqUtutO_gUPEYyF46xZLMQg0e9nAecSnl5vIP0tcwsDTW9w_Sh/s320/26168715_10102954681197413_2710328733080565194_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have to be honest, I only put these on the list because Liam heard the story of the Grinch for the first time this year and he was really in to it. This was such an easy recipe and everyone LOVED them. For me, I thought they were just too plain and I had a really hard time finding a good sized heart sprinkle/ candy. I also would have baked them for at least 3 more minutes if I made them again.</div>
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<b>January 2nd</b></div>
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On the ninth day of Christmas, I made <a href="https://www.createdby-diane.com/2014/06/chocolate-sprinkle-cookies.html" target="_blank">Chocolate Sprinkle Cookies</a>!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_nZ9BWwU8MVoAPHhepML2TG5Sti0j3bFHEYadnv4f_myb3Ua4OZ8tvO633_arHTrctPK65eIxHcqgjgosWqbwfV5jiHwPjXv5P3Y8qDAyOQIr3SUReNyXbybCo-ihy-azMMMLQCLcZ9xw/s1600/26113829_10102956885993983_8018292149793150551_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="786" data-original-width="960" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_nZ9BWwU8MVoAPHhepML2TG5Sti0j3bFHEYadnv4f_myb3Ua4OZ8tvO633_arHTrctPK65eIxHcqgjgosWqbwfV5jiHwPjXv5P3Y8qDAyOQIr3SUReNyXbybCo-ihy-azMMMLQCLcZ9xw/s320/26113829_10102956885993983_8018292149793150551_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have had this recipe pinned FOREVER but I've never made it until now. They are delicious! It's just a really good chocolate cake cookie rolled in chocolate sprinkles before baking. Pure, simple, perfect!</div>
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<b>January 3rd</b><br />
On the tenth day of Christmas, I made <a href="https://www.cookingclassy.com/salted-caramel-turtle-thumbprint-cookies/" target="_blank">Salted Caramel Turtle Thumbprint Cookies</a>!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghC1WH1r9sAeBuRctLteKlQDBYEnh23IbwgYL0iJ0aO8NywApvAJhXZIWe7QbhB_bXCWoLre8AHTlEvTNHxY1WuHzLHD1m-TggkQR7JtZ7fbUhyphenhyphensAbfiiqT8u7GIYJuDvimqLRKIIqivTm/s1600/26166648_10102958463238173_2236766401101367431_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="960" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghC1WH1r9sAeBuRctLteKlQDBYEnh23IbwgYL0iJ0aO8NywApvAJhXZIWe7QbhB_bXCWoLre8AHTlEvTNHxY1WuHzLHD1m-TggkQR7JtZ7fbUhyphenhyphensAbfiiqT8u7GIYJuDvimqLRKIIqivTm/s320/26166648_10102958463238173_2236766401101367431_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's easy to look at this recipe and all it's fancy pictures and be intimidated. They were surprisingly easy to make and obviously, stunning. Using store bought caramels instead of making your own really simplifies things and makes it accessible for the masses. I made caramel once and said "NEVER AGAIN!" Other recipe notes: I'm not convinced the egg white wash is necessary to make the pecans stick, the dough is pretty sticky on it's own. I'd probably eliminate this step next time and see what happens. These taste AMAZING! Try them, you won't regret it.<br />
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<b>January 4th</b><br />
On the eleventh day of Christmas, I made Chocolate Kiss Powder Puff Cookies! I combined two recipes: <a href="https://www.averiecooks.com/2014/09/chocolate-kiss-powder-puff-cookies.html" target="_blank">Chocolate Kiss Powder Puff Cookies</a> (using a premade pie crust, something I can't stand) and <a href="http://wickedgoodkitchen.com/snowball-christmas-cookies-best-ever/" target="_blank">Snowball Christmas Cookies</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2j06YDkZ5PSV45p3mKxJ70t6vbfurreQA-DntEynx9VZHdIOvHTWQS1ng1yRGmUj4D7l85LsjgZGWM8xbOVtPr1VewBJA0Kq5G7kA7VW5w5JU1Q_bB1w3SeC433m89yBN_VdlYOrYXrVw/s1600/26169420_10102960050088113_1681428714582014441_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="877" data-original-width="960" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2j06YDkZ5PSV45p3mKxJ70t6vbfurreQA-DntEynx9VZHdIOvHTWQS1ng1yRGmUj4D7l85LsjgZGWM8xbOVtPr1VewBJA0Kq5G7kA7VW5w5JU1Q_bB1w3SeC433m89yBN_VdlYOrYXrVw/s320/26169420_10102960050088113_1681428714582014441_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I think the combination of the two recipes REALLY made a great cookie. Supposedly Russian Tea Cakes are "just like Pillsbury pie crusts in a can" but I'm not buying it. My Mom would never abide me buying a pie crust and pie crust cookies just aren't that good. Basically, I used the second recipe and stuffed the balls with a Hershey Kiss. They are really, really good. Light and buttery, with a chocolate surprise inside!</div>
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<b>January 5th</b></div>
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On the twelfth day of Christmas I made <a href="http://www.imperialsugar.com/recipes/desserts/cookies-bars/Nutmeg-Log-Cookies" target="_blank">Nutmeg Log Cookies</a>!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW94xlUP69JLhy6ELSvfSt9sSZl5pbj8tWIcvYorY42KhkNy8kIofa8JXca_aDQXCFULeBJBPyesFJwQjTTtDeyei1FV_zzt2MNMLOGqdB9FZu5zh_6oH95iFOq63iJKk216snc0pPkw0E/s1600/26239203_10102961354359343_7635827724432771614_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="817" data-original-width="960" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW94xlUP69JLhy6ELSvfSt9sSZl5pbj8tWIcvYorY42KhkNy8kIofa8JXca_aDQXCFULeBJBPyesFJwQjTTtDeyei1FV_zzt2MNMLOGqdB9FZu5zh_6oH95iFOq63iJKk216snc0pPkw0E/s320/26239203_10102961354359343_7635827724432771614_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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These were not what I was expecting. I thought they'd be like soft batch sugar cookies with nutmeg but they're actually more like shortbread cookies with nutmeg (but a little softer). They're really good but if I made them again, I'd make the frosting a looser consistency, it was too firm!<br />
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There you have it! The Twelve Cookies of Christmas 2017!<br />
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Family Rankings:<br />
Me: Red Velvet Chocolate Chip<br />
Jeff: Grinch<br />
Liam: Rudolph Cookies<br />
Makayla: Salted Caramel Thumbprint<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVja5iX2Da68gzU_LExv23spIE-5NmDBkaNWao3J0HZfOgslX-MO1jnMz_c58s5uSXhs-XdOb9LKLEyNdk5_zIiaGB0KZbyEPma9HYiUf1B2KZ0LOxBod0s0A0-sK-FhRbAT4dGhy6hMZz/s1600/Twelve+Cookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="756" data-original-width="945" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVja5iX2Da68gzU_LExv23spIE-5NmDBkaNWao3J0HZfOgslX-MO1jnMz_c58s5uSXhs-XdOb9LKLEyNdk5_zIiaGB0KZbyEPma9HYiUf1B2KZ0LOxBod0s0A0-sK-FhRbAT4dGhy6hMZz/s320/Twelve+Cookies.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Helga435http://www.blogger.com/profile/13777853881865524060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7984468543070313239.post-44266312279450259022017-09-08T15:43:00.000-04:002017-09-08T15:45:00.712-04:00Freeze Along with Me: What’s All This?<span style="font-family: "arial";"> After our second child was born and I went back to work, I
had a very hard time adapting to the exponentially greater demands placed on my
time. I was working full time, running a 5 year old to and from after school
extracurricular activities, caring for a newborn, and trying to keep the house
from falling down. Jeff was in school full time with mostly evening classes.
I’d get home from work and he’d be leaving for school shortly after. We’ve
always placed a priority on eating dinner together as a family every night but
there just wasn’t time to cook and eat in between. Jeff is a decent cook and he
certainly tries, but he’s not what I’d call “creative” in the kitchen. Every
day, he’d ask me “What should I make for dinner?” while I was at work. Then I’d
have to try to think about what I had in the pantry and fridge from memory and
make suggestions (while trying to do my actual job at the same time). We found
ourselves eating a lot of meat with some kind of brown sauce and a starch or a
“hamburger helper” type meal almost every night of the week. On top of that,
his cooking always resulted in using half of the kitchen pans and cutlery every
night. Life was stressful, messy and out of control. We needed to make a
change. Enter freezer cooking.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">What is freezer cooking?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Freezer cooking is the process of preparing meals in advance
to a certain point of the cooking and then stopping and freezing the meal to be
thawed, finished and eaten at later date. It is also sometimes called once a
month cooking (OAMC), bulk cooking or batch cooking. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">Why freezer cooking?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">There are so many reasons that people choose freezer
cooking!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">Save Time!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">When you combine all of your cooking in to one weekend a
month, you save a vast amount of time planning, preparing and cleaning up every
single day. If you spend 30 minutes a day cooking dinner and another 20-30
minutes cleaning up, that’s about 30 hours a month. Cooking once a month takes
one full day (~10-12 hours) plus an additional 2-6 hours of prep on the day
before cooking day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Save Money!</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">When you can buy in bulk, you save money. We have a
membership at BJ’s Wholesale Club and get most of our bulk items there. We can
also do things like buy a 40lb box of chicken breast at deep discount ($0.99-
1.49/lb) and freeze it for use over several months. It doesn’t eliminate the
need to shop in between cooking day shopping trips, but it does reduce the
weekly bill a lot! Some people like to freezer cook for all meals. I do an entirely
dinner menu every month (16 recipes/ 32 meals), so we eat each meal twice. I
also do a mini menu of 5 recipes of lunch main dishes for the kids every 4-5
months. On a cooking day shopping trip for our family of four, I usually spend
between 300-400 dollars. Weekly fill in trips are usually less than 100 dollars
for food expenses.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">Save Sanity!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Removing the stress of “what’s for dinner?” is AMAZING! All
you have to do is take a meal out to thaw the night before (or even the morning
of) and cook it when it’s time. It’s so easy! Preparation makes my life
possible. I would absolutely not be able to do the things that I do if I had to
plan, cook and clean up dinner every night. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Eat Healthier!</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Planning ahead makes it easy to eat as healthfully as you
want. When you get home after a long day, it’s hard to muster up the energy to
get a healthy dish together. It’s fast and easy to pop a convenience meal in
the microwave or order fast food. And while I live by the motto “Everything is
fine in moderation”- most convenience meals and fast foods are too calorically
dense to be considered “moderate”. Having prepared freezer meals eliminates the
extra work and makes them just as convenient as the alternative. You can also
create your menu to suit your dietary needs. The website I use </span><a href="http://www.onceamonthmeals.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial";">www.onceamonthmeals.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial";"> has monthly
menus for every kind of diet: traditional, diet, vegetarian, vegan, gluten
free/ dairy free, whole30, etc. You can completely customize your menu to
whatever diet you’re trying to follow. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Wait a minute…</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">I know what you’re thinking- this sounds amazing! Too good
to be true! What’s the catch? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">There are a couple of cons: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial";">Cooking day is tiring. It does take an entire
day to do a full month of freezer dinners. Over time, you’ll get better and
faster and learn tricks that make it easier, but it’s still a lot of work
condensed in to one day.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial";">If the number of people you cook for varies
frequently, it can be difficult to plan, although not impossible.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial";">You need freezer space. For most people, this
means having a separate chest freezer. It’s not impossible to do with just a
standard refrigerator/freezer combo, but it is very tight. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">That’s really about it! If
you’re looking for a change, a way to give yourself more time, a way to save
money or eat healthier- freezer cooking just may be your answer. Stay tuned for
more how to’s and tips and tricks to come in future posts!</span>Helga435http://www.blogger.com/profile/13777853881865524060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7984468543070313239.post-15929497691223338112016-09-08T15:12:00.004-04:002016-09-08T15:12:55.277-04:00Survey Says... Taking Surveys PaysI've been taking surveys for money for about 3 years now. I could lie and say I started because I wanted to have an impact on manufacturers, marketers, etc but I've always just been in it for the rewards. I regularly take surveys with three different programs and I thought I'd give a quick run down of the pros and cons of each. <br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">VIP Voice</span></strong><br />
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VIP Voice is the company that asks me to take the most surveys. It also nets me the most rewards. One of the unique features of this program is that you are rewarded for EVERY survey that you are sent- even if you end up being screened out. Points are awarded for each survey and the points can be saved and used to bid on a good assortment of prizes (gift cards, board games, electronics and more) or they can be used to buy entries into sweepstakes for larger prizes like trips. The number of points that you earn for each survey depends on your "level", which increases the more surveys you take. I'm a level 5 (top) and I earn 200 points for a survey that I am screened out of and 550 points for a completed survey. The surveys that VIP Voice offers are always the same and if you stick around, you will know as soon as you start it whether you will qualify or whether you will screen out each week. They survey about things like: clothing purchases, electronics purchases, dining out, video game/ tv usage and other household and car purchases. They also have a "Food Diary" survey that they tend to offer me about once a month. It's a special survey that lasts a week and asks you to record everything you or one of your kids ate for the whole week. You earn points for every day that you complete the diary and after 7 days you earn a 25.00 gift card to a selection of places (I always choose Amazon, but there are other options). Over the past 18 months I have taken this particular survey 15 times and earned $375.00 from Amazon. Also over the last 18 months, I've won two mobile battery packs (to play Pokémon GO, of course), 3 Xbox One games, 2 board games, a popcorn popper and a restaurant.com gift card for $50.00. Click <a href="http://www.vipvoice.com/Toluna.MR.TrafficUI/MSCUI/Page.aspx?pgtid=12" target="_blank">here</a> to join. <br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Springboard America</span></strong><br />
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Springboard America offers me about 3-4 surveys a week. They are always different. They award a dollar amount for each survey- ranging from $0.75 to $2.50. If you are screened out you will receive an entry in to a monthly drawing for a cash prize. I have never won this prize :). What I HAVE earned though- is $200.00 in the past 18 months. Springboard America has a "cash out" minimum of $50.00. When you reach $50.00 in survey dollars, you click redeem and you are given the choice between an Amazon gift card and a Paylution account that is like a virtual Visa card to spend anywhere you like online. If you are interested you can click <a href="http://www.springboardamerica.com/" target="_blank">here</a> to sign up OR you can let me know you want to sign up and send me your email and I'll send you a link to earn myself $2.00. Either way :)<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">American Consumer Opinion</span></strong><br />
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American Consumer Opinion is the first survey company that I signed up with. I receive the least amount of survey opportunities from them. I unfortunately screen out of most of the opportunities I am sent. A screener is worth 10 points and a completed survey is worth 200-500 points. The points translate to a penny each. You need a minimum of 1000 points (or $10.00) to cash out. When you cash out, the payment is made to Paypal and then redeemed to your bank account for cash. I have earned $68.00 from ACOP in the last 18 months. Click <a href="http://www.acop.com/" target="_blank">here</a> to join.<br />
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So, taking surveys isn't going to pay the bills, but it does get you some nice spending money on a pretty regular basis as well as some fun prizes. It takes a pretty minimal time investment, maybe a couple hours a week, spread out. <br />
<br />Helga435http://www.blogger.com/profile/13777853881865524060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7984468543070313239.post-6633374836934151712016-09-06T15:46:00.001-04:002016-09-08T08:14:19.671-04:00Baby and Toddler Products I LOVE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiVD86QPwvFKw-M5bHgBlu0VQkFVwXKmyhCeJ_63aLdMFO87cshS_alzUg33C6onU2z1DCYRudIPK_KP6iZl-lliUAOhHXvAkME-1GW8HW3iFuKGOANleeTBIdMgkfFucvRDI9RU6c6vN7/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiVD86QPwvFKw-M5bHgBlu0VQkFVwXKmyhCeJ_63aLdMFO87cshS_alzUg33C6onU2z1DCYRudIPK_KP6iZl-lliUAOhHXvAkME-1GW8HW3iFuKGOANleeTBIdMgkfFucvRDI9RU6c6vN7/s400/images.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Every (expectant) parent knows that the internet is FULL of lists of <strong>things you must register for</strong>. A lot of these things are junk, one time fads or things that may be useful if you happen to have a baby who likes it. Well since this is my blog and I do what I want here- here is my list of products that I LOVE(D) for my babies. When I say "loved" it means that I liked everything about them and I thought there was nothing they could have done better. This list is by no means exhaustive of "things you need" but if you're going to register for/ buy something in one of these categories, I think these are the best choices.<br />
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<strong>CAR/ TRAVEL PRODUCTS</strong><br />
1. <a href="http://amzn.to/2bRg0mJ" target="_blank">Chicco Keyfit 30 Infant car seat</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCF3LMFsQa2wzQw6Mb7HodNGsZl7XlgM1WMR9KaV3Ke2t9PxTpRQbdQ74cAU4_1XfHB48-kKoKmadCBIYbEXAZ8vOAGmEZGBgLyehDluNtuB7lCI0SvD7zimUOBXFI4JJvC2hLXHfuICVE/s1600/keyfit.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCF3LMFsQa2wzQw6Mb7HodNGsZl7XlgM1WMR9KaV3Ke2t9PxTpRQbdQ74cAU4_1XfHB48-kKoKmadCBIYbEXAZ8vOAGmEZGBgLyehDluNtuB7lCI0SvD7zimUOBXFI4JJvC2hLXHfuICVE/s1600/keyfit.png" /></a></div>
The Chicco Keyfit 30 is my #1 go to when I recommend an infant seat in my capacity as a CPST. It's narrow (side to side) and compact (front to back) so it will almost always fit the car. The <a href="http://amzn.to/2clwykD" target="_blank">base</a> is incredibly easy to install with either the lower anchors or with a seatbelt thanks to the built in seatbelt lockoffs. If you buy extra bases for each of your cars, it's super convenient to alternate pickup and drop off at day care with different caregivers. It fits premies well (not that my giant babies had that issue) and it lasts until 30lbs or 30 inches tall (infant seats are almost always outgrown by height before weight). It lasted my 99th percentile baby until 8 months. It's easy to tighten and simple to rethread the straps as baby grows. The cover is machine washable (on delicate cycle). If I had one quibble about it- the sunshade is a little skimpy, it was never an issue for me though. When I clicked it in to the stroller, I just pulled the stroller sunshade over the gap. It's right about middle of the road when it comes to price. You can get less expensive seats but you can certainly pay a lot more for a more difficult to use seats too. <br />
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2. <a href="http://amzn.to/2c4jL42" target="_blank">Stick on sunshades</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Skad6GvjF3Y2g_ZN-b_Dd3CeHpGjnqw-6-xKtNNnGIOT3cPwNdjzI5I0-HWmFu42TOjPoswQakn8nCwKbjuQ3TJ0RQpZbFpzZvoTHTiaN8OCwVtnG18i2cRSF_WU60hau1wBw5Dy_EYb/s1600/sunshade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Skad6GvjF3Y2g_ZN-b_Dd3CeHpGjnqw-6-xKtNNnGIOT3cPwNdjzI5I0-HWmFu42TOjPoswQakn8nCwKbjuQ3TJ0RQpZbFpzZvoTHTiaN8OCwVtnG18i2cRSF_WU60hau1wBw5Dy_EYb/s1600/sunshade.jpg" /></a></div>
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Sunshades are a necessity in a car without window tinting. I love these cling film style shades because they can be cut to any size (which I needed in my VW Beetle) and they can't become projectiles in a crash like the roller shade style ones. They're cheap too! Just spritz your windows with water and use a credit card to smooth out the bubbles. </div>
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3. <a href="http://amzn.to/2bVJM8w" target="_blank">JJ Cole Car Seat Cover</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU7wmTiD42_d0iDNnwL5xKCidMGf-RNFeLFZAygdZkwhhkZuojyTQqxqvzd18w51B6bxLrRPalAjh89leBCUgrQGg0iEN_ezF2Q9bQElS4ZGWNTg8z7TaS3oSpEPJMLG6E4R7qSaRvnJ46/s1600/jjcole.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU7wmTiD42_d0iDNnwL5xKCidMGf-RNFeLFZAygdZkwhhkZuojyTQqxqvzd18w51B6bxLrRPalAjh89leBCUgrQGg0iEN_ezF2Q9bQElS4ZGWNTg8z7TaS3oSpEPJMLG6E4R7qSaRvnJ46/s1600/jjcole.png" /></a></div>
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This is a shower cap style cover for an infant seat. It is NOT a BundleMe. Nothing comes between baby and the harness. This sits on top of the car seat and zips open to get baby out. It keeps the cold air out and baby safe. Very important for a winter baby (or for any season baby in Ohio, because you never know)</div>
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4. <a href="http://amzn.to/2cayrSu" target="_blank">"Bucky" the buckle turtle</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwQ6XQNaykymY3dVR9JjNmUcpIp3z6DsLXIsMUHnSadO6FqxljOmQaauP6jw9JkyPplEIB56V-kDw9oXGSR1hAN1bF5SSC-LuxIdz5J37o3cuzIngNSBKvInCDvGkPlYPA6pA3DNgc-EL/s1600/buckle+toys.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwQ6XQNaykymY3dVR9JjNmUcpIp3z6DsLXIsMUHnSadO6FqxljOmQaauP6jw9JkyPplEIB56V-kDw9oXGSR1hAN1bF5SSC-LuxIdz5J37o3cuzIngNSBKvInCDvGkPlYPA6pA3DNgc-EL/s400/buckle+toys.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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I wouldn't put this in the essential column but having soft toys with fun things to do like the buckles on this turtle can be the difference between peace and quiet on the road and ripping your hair out. We all love him. </div>
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<strong>BREASTFEEDING/ PUMPING PRODUCTS</strong></div>
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1. <a href="http://amzn.to/2cyjmYT" target="_blank">Milkies MilkSaver</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPy8oeQNFIliHAB73I_126k8mcViQHEQWhDaDj9J5y3LHfuYFimDXBd98TTKu-SC-088ZSNLL1kFo_LpaqAJYoHupK_Wq_pg54FEkm5Z16Jh_jQ9_aI6nAfn8wxVBYw8O8Io9M90p_lDAq/s1600/milkies.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPy8oeQNFIliHAB73I_126k8mcViQHEQWhDaDj9J5y3LHfuYFimDXBd98TTKu-SC-088ZSNLL1kFo_LpaqAJYoHupK_Wq_pg54FEkm5Z16Jh_jQ9_aI6nAfn8wxVBYw8O8Io9M90p_lDAq/s1600/milkies.png" /></a></div>
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I was somewhat skeptical of this product at first. You put it in your bra on the side you're not nursing from first and it catches the let down instead of it being absorbed by a pad and thrown away. Then you pour the milk into a bag and put it in the freezer. It worked the best in the early days- before my supply became well regulated, so about a month or so. Still, it saved about 2 ounces (for me) per feeding that would have been otherwise wasted. As any mother who works outside of the home knows- that stuff is liquid gold. </div>
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2. <a href="http://amzn.to/2c1HpQn" target="_blank">LilyPadz</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZsyrJtVAN9Xb2WzEEsu78ffKsqSCVdW2p62I_bZ2CcXxBkRdmLd4qsk_vBRsnN7P3rNcL2ocCXLl6sJUO_odl-ODAFxpqUjM1gLJ6mCWPqeX1bgasXT3Y9FrQZQdzjMZxpPYZ26KEkT4Y/s1600/lilypadz.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZsyrJtVAN9Xb2WzEEsu78ffKsqSCVdW2p62I_bZ2CcXxBkRdmLd4qsk_vBRsnN7P3rNcL2ocCXLl6sJUO_odl-ODAFxpqUjM1gLJ6mCWPqeX1bgasXT3Y9FrQZQdzjMZxpPYZ26KEkT4Y/s1600/lilypadz.png" /></a></div>
In the early days of breastfeeding, I definitely recommend <a href="http://amzn.to/2bVOnYl" target="_blank">Lansinoh Ultra Thin disposable nursing pads</a>. Before your supply is regulated, there's just too much leakage to be contained with LilyPadz. After your supply is regulated though- LilyPadz are the perfect pad. They are not absorbent- instead they just seal everything up so there's nowhere for it to go. They are silicone pads that have a renewable adhesive. So you just smooth them on over your nipples and go. Then, at the end of the day, peel them off and rinse with water and let dry to renew the adhesive. Seriously, they work great. No muss, no fuss and you don't even have to wear a bra to keep them in place. <br />
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3. <a href="http://amzn.to/2c4rI9c" target="_blank">Hands Free Pumping Bra</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiORe1l9weKL9t_wV8_SAXTfamliFh3AVhvm-ymo-2G_l0yrFNWFQzwuzjSEh5h97HwEVmt-iNFqtFPhUsPxkRRv4GJo_EAKtjUAlUfC4yuS3ZYWGQI6P9I4xjSPhewy00zeC6SK72TY5G5/s1600/bra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiORe1l9weKL9t_wV8_SAXTfamliFh3AVhvm-ymo-2G_l0yrFNWFQzwuzjSEh5h97HwEVmt-iNFqtFPhUsPxkRRv4GJo_EAKtjUAlUfC4yuS3ZYWGQI6P9I4xjSPhewy00zeC6SK72TY5G5/s320/bra.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Thanks to the Affordable Care Act (#thanksObama), every woman is entitled to get a breast pump through their medical insurance. My insurance provided the Medela Pump In Style Advanced. It has a "hands free kit" that is a series of straps and clips to fasten it to your nursing bra. It's a pain in the ass. This stretchy band goes over top of your bra when it's time to pump. You just wrap it around yourself, fasten it in the front and stick the cones in the slits in front. It takes about a minute to do and is far more comfortable than any other hands free option I tried. If you're pumping because you're going back to work- you need to be able to double pump. Don't try to sit there and hold the cones- ain't nobody got time fo dat.<br />
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4. <a href="http://amzn.to/2c1JxYc" target="_blank">Comotomo Baby Bottles</a><br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU842IYX9CX6D_D5L-FeTt-iSIDw9WuRsFHIiQ86YHNRoAmONF-vmvdud1fGea4X6T1Q_5XJM0PoaOgL0DFnbTqyJNwEkSQj7I4CSiXS5Sid5jEqmiLdodPbMjYwOELvcx1TVxFJrw-BLI/s1600/comotomo.jpg" /></div>
We all loved these bottles. With my first- I used The First Years BreastFlow bottles. I hated them because they had two nipple parts, a ring and a bottle to wash every night. The Comotomo Bottles were great because they are wide and flat, encouraging a latch similar to a breast. They have minimal parts to wash (nipple, ring and bottle) and they have various nipples (slow, medium and fast) and two sizes of bottles that are all interchangeable to fit your baby's needs. The bottles themselves are silicone and soft. I found them to be very durable and easily lasted the year that we needed them, and are in great shape still. <br />
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5. <a href="http://amzn.to/2cyp8tA" target="_blank">Boon Grass Drying Rack</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie8uVSNhfqKCmVUXrBv9QYJWUOOVs3LsgAFMY-p4u0On6Q4F1IO5x_hCx90XPRpQ-7SopoXRhX_GnZLL6vUSzcAxEWVXV64lhLDZ5tBrCuDNcRum6FiJ0HUQY1quNR8l_DIaKWMcvDp_mb/s1600/grass.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie8uVSNhfqKCmVUXrBv9QYJWUOOVs3LsgAFMY-p4u0On6Q4F1IO5x_hCx90XPRpQ-7SopoXRhX_GnZLL6vUSzcAxEWVXV64lhLDZ5tBrCuDNcRum6FiJ0HUQY1quNR8l_DIaKWMcvDp_mb/s1600/grass.png" /></a></div>
I love this drying rack. It's cute and so functional! The grass design makes it so you don't have to carefully place things on pegs, anywhere you set it, it's going to stay and have good airflow for drying. The added accessories (twig, flower, etc) are nice to put small pieces and straws on. Even though we are long out of the bottle phase, this drying rack is still on our counter because it's just so useful. <br />
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<strong>DIAPERING PRODUCTS</strong><br />
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1. <a href="http://amzn.to/2cdUIQW" target="_blank">Keekaroo Diaper Changing Pad</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicqrkbnqZe3JO7nCWdrxEy2zuHS0Is3Qvx7Bj1VOlRBMbulNFwGaagiO4JAVMSI8m2rGDofn2iV6YNlwrpgywo9pBXDLOyQGY1MjqPKBgSRRrCHdf-5UEyAo3rxkYZrd693U6tTBVraTaw/s1600/changer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicqrkbnqZe3JO7nCWdrxEy2zuHS0Is3Qvx7Bj1VOlRBMbulNFwGaagiO4JAVMSI8m2rGDofn2iV6YNlwrpgywo9pBXDLOyQGY1MjqPKBgSRRrCHdf-5UEyAo3rxkYZrd693U6tTBVraTaw/s1600/changer.jpg" /></a></div>
I have been through 4 changing pads throughout my two kids. Three with my first and then I found this. It's the perfect changing pad. The first pad I bought was the Kuster Jelly Baby Pad- it was cute and functional until the foam started picking out and breaking down. Then I tried two different "standard" mats. First- don't buy covers. Changing mats get poop on them. ALL. THE. TIME. They need to be wipeable- not launderable. Ain't nobody got time fo dat. So, when using the standard pads, without a cover, they are wipeable, but the vinyl is not durable. Both of the pads began to rip and break down after a short time using them. The Keekaroo mat is a soft, wipeable, durable mat. 2.5 years of diaper changes later, it looks as good as the day I bought it. I love it. There is no substitute IMO.<br />
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2. <a href="http://amzn.to/2cytf9b" target="_blank">OXO Tot Perfect Pull Wipes Dispenser</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvfIdxolLIrv1FW7z50mJEP2xOlJaGbMlih0ITwsJ2wiEnXIHAU6Qo0Fryzz7MR3n7KgBf1JHKAnG_OeCs1WQKHm8Mn2vpWWbMKNMlLZgwNJldF3ITDSZVYIF03oj0FRo0jMXVgvmykzoU/s1600/oxo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvfIdxolLIrv1FW7z50mJEP2xOlJaGbMlih0ITwsJ2wiEnXIHAU6Qo0Fryzz7MR3n7KgBf1JHKAnG_OeCs1WQKHm8Mn2vpWWbMKNMlLZgwNJldF3ITDSZVYIF03oj0FRo0jMXVgvmykzoU/s1600/oxo.png" /></a></div>
It's perfect! Most people register for a wipe warmer. I found that the wipe warmers tend to dry out the wipes too much. This is just a wipe dispenser (so you can buy bulk wipes instead of tubs) with a weighted piece that sits on top of the wipes so you don't end up pulling out 10 when you wanted one. The seal is great and the wipes stay moist forever. If you want a warm wipe, hold the wipe in your hands for a few seconds before you wipe. <br />
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3. <a href="http://amzn.to/2cyvbhF" target="_blank">Huggies Little Movers</a><br />
I've tried all of the disposables. Huggies are my favorite- by far. They have an elastic strip at the back to contain blowouts, fit great and don't sag (unless it's been way too long). Every time I try another brand we all quickly realize why we like Huggies best. Because they are the best.<br />
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<strong>FEEDING PRODUCTS</strong><br />
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1. <a href="http://amzn.to/2cdZqy6" target="_blank">Infantino Squeeze Station</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZi4X47488enFWWO20axEEt5qeLP_eH8rV_HVCA_5bLkTX0gZ1tQUrrE_GBOE5nDG12DQyBrUZdCq718DYQiRMdgLa1GfkM7EjMNyupfAEE2mVxFhGZeBpxvcuMctFHgZIF0gY-LgS1HC/s1600/squeeze.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZi4X47488enFWWO20axEEt5qeLP_eH8rV_HVCA_5bLkTX0gZ1tQUrrE_GBOE5nDG12DQyBrUZdCq718DYQiRMdgLa1GfkM7EjMNyupfAEE2mVxFhGZeBpxvcuMctFHgZIF0gY-LgS1HC/s1600/squeeze.png" /></a></div>
I make my own baby food. It's quick, easy and cheap. There are many ways to freeze homemade baby food. With my first, I used the little containers at first then switched to freezing it in ice cube trays. Ice cube trays are definitely the most economical and simplest option. With my second; though, I decided to try pouches. I LOVE it. You'll also need a funnel and the <a href="http://amzn.to/2bVYuMK" target="_blank">bag refills</a>. Even though we are done with baby food, I still use the squeeze station to make homemade yogurt pouches for both kids. <br />
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2. <a href="http://amzn.to/2bV6n7G" target="_blank">Ninja Blender/ Food Processor</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9BDo3xe4hJm0jzYVzMcYUemSe9u-eSy9gESCK0OT11-Yp8NbsGVC5uhyphenhyphenQ8aSB6A27add4Fat6zGINiAftWxFKg3Oira-sP2_rtiwpXZRFKVMvUL_TG9rxYO-TOLWKNoBGBsUzysKSm3s/s1600/ninja.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9BDo3xe4hJm0jzYVzMcYUemSe9u-eSy9gESCK0OT11-Yp8NbsGVC5uhyphenhyphenQ8aSB6A27add4Fat6zGINiAftWxFKg3Oira-sP2_rtiwpXZRFKVMvUL_TG9rxYO-TOLWKNoBGBsUzysKSm3s/s1600/ninja.png" /></a></div>
If you're making baby food (and I highly recommend it!) don't bother with those cutsie "baby food processors". They're a waste of money. Buy a good quality food processor/ blender and never look back. It'll be useful long after baby food is done and it'll actually puree the food. We love our Ninja!<br />
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3.<a href="http://amzn.to/2bRABaD" target="_blank"> Bumkins Bibs</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ7uKNRTD-1Jd8jRujyvOKV1YjikITDe-iFB2OVU9nQ2Zgn-m7VODxz5p6tg5pxeJTitmUVLtlsTVnxvAmmZW3MfWZoNZMpWR5Bkl4Utrud1e0gHqvfM6EokfYoQWVB35ulwcxxcULya9B/s1600/bumkins.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ7uKNRTD-1Jd8jRujyvOKV1YjikITDe-iFB2OVU9nQ2Zgn-m7VODxz5p6tg5pxeJTitmUVLtlsTVnxvAmmZW3MfWZoNZMpWR5Bkl4Utrud1e0gHqvfM6EokfYoQWVB35ulwcxxcULya9B/s1600/bumkins.png" /></a></div>
I went through a lot of bibs with my first. Most of them were too small. The towel style ones were large enough but then you have to pull the mess over their hair to take it off. Finally I found Bumkins SuperBibs. They're great- large, washable, flexible, waterproof and attach around the neck with Velcro. <br />
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4. <a href="http://amzn.to/2cyBP7y" target="_blank">Keekaroo Café Booster</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmAO_PGVTG4VdNGOeaaSGAi58bCXfDslYT-PPsSZqstujzcbpXpr94wyHZkjwIxgiQeMNwt0PPGxhrs92_f2IqZ1YdNQ4Kmv8Ec8cqvfpb8aubMvj-DADw354yPyWUTeGTvj47X20AwkS8/s1600/booster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmAO_PGVTG4VdNGOeaaSGAi58bCXfDslYT-PPsSZqstujzcbpXpr94wyHZkjwIxgiQeMNwt0PPGxhrs92_f2IqZ1YdNQ4Kmv8Ec8cqvfpb8aubMvj-DADw354yPyWUTeGTvj47X20AwkS8/s1600/booster.jpg" /></a></div>
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From the same maker as my favorite changing pad, the booster seat is made of the same durable, easily wipeable material. It attaches easily and securely with straps to any chair and fits under the table when pushed in. We love it. <br />
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<strong>MISCELLANEOUS</strong><br />
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1. <a href="http://amzn.to/2bW0Gnv" target="_blank">HALO Sleepsacks with Swaddle</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBre-vueBZ531FQagZegDtcqGr6Jb1MOS7Pr7ezl72dAhlYsSt0GPxDt-0cFRaNKLBG_FypFCghuLjKo8hbL7-WDWvLTEnLR3g90TQFr5OWNAJTHam5y2TjfvIU1KmppzsiFH-OsV3rZgN/s1600/halo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBre-vueBZ531FQagZegDtcqGr6Jb1MOS7Pr7ezl72dAhlYsSt0GPxDt-0cFRaNKLBG_FypFCghuLjKo8hbL7-WDWvLTEnLR3g90TQFr5OWNAJTHam5y2TjfvIU1KmppzsiFH-OsV3rZgN/s320/halo.png" width="320" /></a></div>
Safe sleep guidelines are for babies to sleep in a crib, on their backs, by themselves with no added blankets, sleep positioners, bumpers or stuffed animals. Sleep sacks and other wearable blankets became the way to keep your baby warm. I tried a couple other swaddlers with my first but I quickly found that these were the easiest and least escapable way to keep my babies swaddled. I did finally get the hang of swaddling with a blanket with my second but I still prefer the sleep sacks with swaddle for their ease of use. They make many different types for all kinds of weather. <br />
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2. <a href="http://amzn.to/2caQQyD" target="_blank">AngelCare Bath Support</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7nSYqLnzpt_DwlP9Hf95bs_Wi5bDfHfgTQZ1xheqU2wL68_zgZVDJ2mPoXA-7dRIoxn6Atrfyl9OmUvVZ3LfBGl5VEBzDZ0Gulm7bGnico4Wcp-JGdXoEf7BD1qe3dxUw54drk43yi-vV/s1600/bath.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7nSYqLnzpt_DwlP9Hf95bs_Wi5bDfHfgTQZ1xheqU2wL68_zgZVDJ2mPoXA-7dRIoxn6Atrfyl9OmUvVZ3LfBGl5VEBzDZ0Gulm7bGnico4Wcp-JGdXoEf7BD1qe3dxUw54drk43yi-vV/s320/bath.png" width="320" /></a></div>
This thing was amazing. I tried two different baby tubs and a different bath support with my first that I hated. It's so hard to hang on to a slippery, floppy newborn and wash them. This allows you to have a secure place to set baby while washing and you control how much water they sit in. It's great. I wouldn't do without it. <br />
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3. <a href="http://amzn.to/2bValNA" target="_blank">Safety First Magnetic Cabinet Locks</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0P8CT9OjS7mFnAab-gwsiKpAArbKPW-f34Nbwr86fT2ChltOsN_rmdqPmEo9cWG6owdzGuxnoPNFhGBKi9yEKIMLNNot_iscLKndbOHyJgtbG3mCzdSVf_zLLritil249VAiK7xImskxa/s1600/lock.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0P8CT9OjS7mFnAab-gwsiKpAArbKPW-f34Nbwr86fT2ChltOsN_rmdqPmEo9cWG6owdzGuxnoPNFhGBKi9yEKIMLNNot_iscLKndbOHyJgtbG3mCzdSVf_zLLritil249VAiK7xImskxa/s1600/lock.png" /></a></div>
These are just a massive upgrade from the push in catch style of cabinet locks. They unlock with a strong magnet. You don't have to stick your fingers inside the door and find the catch. They don't break. The worst that can happen is losing the magnetic key and then you'll have to find another strong magnet to get your cabinet open. <br />
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4. Sleep and Play outfits with ZIPPERS!<br />
I hate snaps. One piece, one zipper. Speed and efficiency!<br />
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There. I've now saved you all the trouble of trying a thousand things that suck. You're welcome. :) Helga435http://www.blogger.com/profile/13777853881865524060noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7984468543070313239.post-42186001798315138262016-02-29T21:00:00.002-05:002016-02-29T21:00:18.923-05:00At Home Laser Hair RemovalToday's post is a little bit embarrassing of a topic for me. Body hair.<br />
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Confession: I am a hairy beast monster. This is not new. I've been overly hairy most of my life. I am a dark haired woman of German decent. Thankfully, over the course of my relationship with my husband, I've gradually desensitized him to his hate of body hair. Don't get me wrong, he's not happy about it if I haven't shaved in a week, but he stopped saying anything about it years ago. On top of my genetic predisposition, I also have PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Sydrome). My body produces too much testosterone for a woman and as a result, I also grow hair where women shouldn't. For awhile, I used bleach and depilatory creams. I quickly developed skin sensitivities to every cream on the market. Then I switched to tweezing and waxing. SO TIME CONSUMING! Finally, I gave up and started shaving my face. EVERY. DAY. I know about my hair issues, but most other people don't (or at least are too polite to say anything). Well, now you do too. My hairy little secret.<br />
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This Christmas my mom asked me what I wanted. I mentioned a few things and then started kvetching about how all I really wanted was laser hair removal. Well on Christmas morning, much to my surprise, my parents got me a <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B00HX27AM4" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="901a6ea45171d239ff4528d187e652dc" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Silk'n Flash and Go" href="http://www.amazon.com/Silkn-Flash-Go-Removal-Device/dp/B00HX27AM4/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=idwiw05-20&linkId=901a6ea45171d239ff4528d187e652dc&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_5761666" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Silk'n Flash and Go</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_5761666" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=idwiw05-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=901a6ea45171d239ff4528d187e652dc&_cb=1456793502461" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" />. I was skeptical. I had tried the No-No in the past and was supremely disappointed when all it did was burn off my hair. My dad said he had watched a video from a man who was transitioning and decided that if it worked for her it would work for me. I decided there was nothing to lose by giving it a try.<br />
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I read the manual and watched some videos on how to use. The Silk'n is designed for people with light skin and dark hair. This is similar to "in office" laser hair removal. The manual recommends flashing the areas to be de-haired every two weeks. It also cautions several times to not flash anywhere that you want to have hair "RESULTS ARE PERMANENT!" Lol, we'll see about that.<br />
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Using the Silk'n is pretty straight forward:<br />
1) Plug in and turn on the unit.<br />
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2) Press the plus button to turn up the intensity of the laser. They recommend starting on the lowest intensity and working your way up to level 5. You should stop when you feel discomfort. For me, level 5 is appropriate for all areas except my bikini line. It's really not painful.<br />
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3) Press the head of the unit against your skin and squeeze the trigger. Avoid looking at the flash- it's bright!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCU1arEOBey_00u0noS-KKNBI_ou8haCwgnZy_1flcV3kKKr4mwSDRniZ1KYcH1jU76VdaSFCVg1RZjjMT83epqueDuNWtFYlcR0rvmilrLdlj2-XgvMNdSc4k83ftv7RrdDHHq_0t3ZN/s1600/IMG_0803_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCU1arEOBey_00u0noS-KKNBI_ou8haCwgnZy_1flcV3kKKr4mwSDRniZ1KYcH1jU76VdaSFCVg1RZjjMT83epqueDuNWtFYlcR0rvmilrLdlj2-XgvMNdSc4k83ftv7RrdDHHq_0t3ZN/s320/IMG_0803_edited.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>
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4) Repeat ad infinitum until you've flashed all the areas you want to be hairless.</div>
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So I did this. My whole upper body takes less than 15 minutes. Both legs take about 2 hours. It is super tedious. Because I am a very skeptical individual (or possibly because I got bored) I decided to leave one leg unflashed as a control. Here are my results after two treatments:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh349W3hSoqdqazMXxui89F8jYoprPlTkKEAK2hAwMDMmt3nuR6iBzhB1YoM_JDRr0qX1E54AOa8sOddMgRvFrcP4wbsobu5Pf6Fzo1eXyY7AYHKmYmKQp8PUMppGuSq4uMBJXhod6xnyOW/s1600/IMG_0795_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh349W3hSoqdqazMXxui89F8jYoprPlTkKEAK2hAwMDMmt3nuR6iBzhB1YoM_JDRr0qX1E54AOa8sOddMgRvFrcP4wbsobu5Pf6Fzo1eXyY7AYHKmYmKQp8PUMppGuSq4uMBJXhod6xnyOW/s320/IMG_0795_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Control leg is on top, treated leg is on the bottom. I took the pictures after two treatments, and not shaving for a week to see the regrowth. The treated leg is far patchier in regrowth than the untreated leg. There are large areas that are completely hair free. I have to say- I was shocked. It really worked. I really can't bear to show my untreated face so you'll just have to trust me when I say, it has been working on all the areas I've treated. I am SO EXCITED to FINALLY have a permanent solution to my gross hair issues. Plus it's a FRACTION of the cost of professional hair removal. I've now done three treatments, in the privacy of my own bedroom for what it cost to do one and a half treatments at the dermatologist a few years ago. The <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B00FY14YS4" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="af2c8082ccc070045e56b42e2bb1a4b4" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="silk'n" href="http://www.amazon.com/Silkn-Removal-Device-Replacement-Cartridge/dp/B00FY14YS4/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=idwiw05-20&linkId=af2c8082ccc070045e56b42e2bb1a4b4&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_4113365" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">heads</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_4113365" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=idwiw05-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=af2c8082ccc070045e56b42e2bb1a4b4&_cb=1456797424069" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /> have a certain number of flashes before they have to be replaced. After three full body treatments, I still have life left in my original cartridge. </div>
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So this is the reason I felt compelled to lay out all of my dirty laundry on the internet. The <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B00HX27AM4" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="0a8934be97dfe36117493ec113f91781" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Silk'n Flash and Go" href="http://www.amazon.com/Silkn-Flash-Go-Removal-Device/dp/B00HX27AM4/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=idwiw05-20&linkId=0a8934be97dfe36117493ec113f91781&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_1408506" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Silk'n Flash and Go</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_1408506" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=idwiw05-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=0a8934be97dfe36117493ec113f91781&_cb=1456797540380" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /> really works. It provides safe, effective, permanent hair removal at a reasonable cost in the privacy of your own home. If you have light skin, dark hair and a hatred for shaving- you need this in your life!</div>
Helga435http://www.blogger.com/profile/13777853881865524060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7984468543070313239.post-50165033165920870442016-01-15T12:12:00.002-05:002016-01-15T12:12:40.530-05:00How to NOT make your own lip balmJust because I no longer work in the cosmetics industry doesn't mean I don't get aggravated by misinformation about cosmetic products. Lately, my Pinterest has been blowing up with DIY lip balm recipes like <a href="http://www.makeupandbeautyhome.com/2012/10/how-to-make-lip-gloss-with-eyeshadow.html" target="_blank">this one</a> or <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Lip-Gloss-with-Petroleum-Jelly" target="_blank">this list</a> or the "all-natural" types like <a href="http://www.bustle.com/articles/78736-a-diy-coconut-oil-lip-balm-that-literally-anyone-can-whip-up-at-home" target="_blank">this one</a>. I am an expert in lip balms. Literally. I've made thousands.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A small sample of my work</td></tr>
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I'm not saying it's not possible to make your own lip balm at home. It's actually one of the safer DIY cosmetic projects you can take on because it's anhydrous (no water) and as such, does not require a preservative. You do; however, need to be aware of a few things before you start making your own lip balms. <br />
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<li><strong>It is not safe to put eyeshadow in to a lip balm</strong></li>
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The pigments used in eyeshadow <em>may </em>be safe to use on your lips but they also may not. Pigments used in food and cosmetic applications are tightly regulated by the FDA. The <a href="http://www.fda.gov/ForIndustry/ColorAdditives/ColorAdditiveInventories/ucm115641.htm" target="_blank">Colorant Additive Inventory</a> is a detailed list containing not only the colorants that are allowed to be used in cosmetics but WHICH TYPE of cosmetics products they are allowed to be used in. If a pigment is listed for use in "Externally applied cosmetics" it can be safely used in the eye area but it cannot be used on the lips. While your lips are an external body part, you lick your lips and will ingest whatever you put on them. Some common pigments that are used in eyeshadows that cannot be used on lips are Ferric Ferrocyanide (blue/ purple), Chromium Hydroxide and Chromium Oxide (green) and Ultramarines (blue/ purple). You may be thinking "I've seen green lip balms so this can't be true" but green lip balms are not made with green pigments. They are generally made by combining Yellow 5 and Blue 1 (or another combination of lip safe pigments). For this reason I would never recommend tinting your homemade lip balm with eyeshadow. Even if you are using a relatively innocuous shade of pink, you can't be sure what pigments the manufacturer used. It's just not a good idea. Use a product designed for the lips, like a leftover bit of lipstick if you want a tint.<br />
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<li><strong>Coconut Oil is not a good balm base</strong></li>
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Coconut oil is all the rage right now. It's not a good base for a lip balm. It melts at 76F. If you put this in your pocket, it will melt and make a greasy, oily mess. Leave it in your car on even a spring day and you'll come back to a puddle of oil. It's possible to use coconut oil as a component of a balm, but you need to add a much higher melting point wax to it to firm it up like beeswax or paraffin. <br />
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<li><strong>Petroleum Jelly isn't a great base either</strong></li>
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Petroleum Jelly or Vaseline isn't really a good base for a lip balm either. It's soft and goopy but it doesn't have much staying power on the lips and feels really greasy. It has a tendency to bleed from your lips as it melts. Similar to coconut oil, it has a low melt point (99F) and will turn in to a liquid if you leave it in a warm place. Again, it can be a component, but it shouldn't be the whole formula!<br />
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<li><strong>Don't put citrus oils in lip balms</strong></li>
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I've mentioned this in the past but it bears repeating. Citrus oils are phototoxic when they come in contact with sunlight. They cause cell death. You don't want that. Don't use citrus oils or juices (not anhydrous anyway) in lip balms. <br />
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If you really want to make good DIY lip balms, check out <a href="http://swiftcraftymonkey.blogspot.com/2009/03/lip-balms-and-lipsticks.html" target="_blank">this post</a> from Point of Interest. She's a great home crafter of all types of cosmetic and skin care products who does things <em>safely</em>. It's more than just throwing together Crisco, Vaseline and eyeshadow- it's chemistry- and you need to do it correctly!<br />
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Helga435http://www.blogger.com/profile/13777853881865524060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7984468543070313239.post-20779268030103371632016-01-14T14:23:00.000-05:002016-01-14T15:16:40.328-05:00Learning: What's ImportantThis year Makayla started first grade. We made the decision to continue her Montessori education for several reasons. First, she loved her school, her teachers and her friends and they loved her and cared about her as well. Second, she was doing GREAT academically. Third, it seemed to us that she was in a delicate place where she could easily move to the "school is boring, school is drudgery, I hate school" camp and we really wanted her to gain a real love for LEARNING. We wanted to keep her in a happy cocoon of learning with individual attention as long as we are financially able to do so. Finally, we compared the public school curriculum for our city to the curriculum that she would have at her Montessori school and there was just no comparison. Most of the things that were expected for her to learn by the end of first grade she was already proficient in at the end of Kindergarten. I attended a Montessori school through Kindergarten. My older brother attended through the second grade but since I was just a kid then, I didn't really have any idea of what a Montessori Elementary program was like. <br />
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For the most part, Montessori Elementary is a continuation of the Montessori Pre-primary program. They don't have desks, they use specifically designed, self correcting materials called "works", and they have the freedom to design their own lesson plans. At Makayla's school, they start and finish every day with journaling to help them develop grammar, writing, spelling and paragraph construction skills. They have lessons from their teacher on every subject from science to math to a weekly cooking lesson. They have silent reading time after lunch every day and every day that's not frigid, they go outside and play in the outdoor classroom. <br />
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As a Montessori parent none of this came as a surprise to me. These are all normal parts of a Montessori classroom. What DID surprise me was that they do not receive grades. At all. At first, I thought to myself "How will we know if she's doing well? How will we know if she's on track?" We decided to trust her teacher and tried to not think about it. At the end of the first month we got a report of sorts that gave us a brief description of the things that she had been working on, the things that she had done well with and the things that she needed to work on. This included actual classroom work as well as behavioral and social issues. I thought it was really nice and it helped me to understand what some things were that we could focus on at home to help her in school. Sometime around October I realized that grades didn't matter at all! When we read together at night it was obvious how much better she was reading. When I looked at her writing I could see how much smaller and neater her penmanship had become and how much better her spelling had gotten. Her math skills were improving every week. Just being around her it was OBVIOUS how much she was learning. I realized that I didn't need a report card with a bunch of grades on it to compare with other kids, my child was learning and LOVING to learn! I came to realize that my desire to know "how she was doing" through a rigid grading system was more about ME than it was about HER. If I step back and look at her, I know she's learning. <br />
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That's what's really important. Helga435http://www.blogger.com/profile/13777853881865524060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7984468543070313239.post-14611712397794695422015-12-23T11:35:00.002-05:002015-12-23T11:35:58.177-05:002015. Let's move on.I started the year with such high hopes. We were coming off a rough 2014 full of Jeff's health crises and adjusting to being a family of four instead of three. I resolved to lose the baby weight and get down to my wedding weight of 180 lbs, become a certified child passenger safety technician and be less of an asshole. <br />
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The year started with the announcement that my employer had sold the business to a larger cosmetics company and we were all unemployed. As the sole source of income in our household, this was BAD NEWS. I had intended to look for alternative employment this year, because I wasn't happy with a lot of things there but I intended to do it on my own time, so that I could get a job before I needed one. Thankfully, they offered us severance packages that paid full salary for three months. After apply and interviewing for any chemist position available, I was finally hired at a new company and life started to settle back down. <br />
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Now that we had (actually affordable) health insurance again, I went in for my yearly well woman exam. My midwife noticed that I had nodules on my thyroid and sent me for ultrasound. Of course, the ultrasound came back suspicious for cancer and I had to have a biopsy. Thankfully, the biopsy came back negative. I also finally decided to see a rheumatologist about my constant hand pain. After some blood work, he diagnosed me with psoriatic arthritis, an auto immune disease that attacks the ligaments and tendons and causes joint pain. He started me on Otezla, which hasn't had much of an effect for me and I'm still dealing with a lot of pain that keeps me from doing a lot of the things I love, like crafting. At least I know what's wrong now instead of being brushed aside again.<br />
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The kids are great though. Makayla's a genius and reading chapter books on her own now. We still struggle with her stubbornness and hard headedness (don't know where she got that from) but she's a pretty good kid. Liam is in to everything and running everywhere. He has about 30 real words now but he never stops babbling in between. He's got a lot to say- we're just not always sure what it is. He's a good sleeper :)<br />
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Jeff's *nearly* done with school. Happy days ahead. <br />
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We lost Jeff's stepdad this October after a long battle with cancer. He was a good man and is missed.<br />
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As far as my goals for the year:<br />
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I am now a certified CPST. I've been volunteering around the community at seat check events and offering help to anyone and everyone. I gave a presentation at Makayla's school and helped a couple families keep their babies safer. It's been hard for me to "turn it off" and not help people who don't want help. I just want to save all the babies (and not so babies) and it's hard for me to accept when people make less safe choices. But I'm working on it. <br />
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I did not reach my weight loss goal- but I made damn good progress. My pregnancy high was 256 lbs. I made it down to 192 lbs this year. 12 lbs shy of my goal, but I call 64 lbs lost a good effort. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, now</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After Liam was born, but before I started losing weight</td></tr>
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Because people always ask, here's how I lost the weight. I started by keeping a honest and complete food diary. Once I took an honest look at EVERYTHING that I ate in a day, I realized how much more I was eating than I needed. It's easy to forget that things like coffee creamer add a lot to your overall calorie consumption. I used My Fitness Pal to keep track of my food. It's easy to use, has a huge database and give you the opportunity to add in your own recipes. I used it to calculate how many calories I need to lose two pounds a week. It gave me an initial calorie goal of about 1600 calories a day. So I started eating less. And I kept track. I didn't have any dietary restrictions. If I wanted oreos and it fit into my calorie goal, I had an oreo. Every ten lbs or so that I lost, my fitness pal would reduce the amount of calories I got. Eventually, I gained a good understanding of the approximate calorie count of most of the things I ate and I didn't need to be as strict at documenting it. In August, we also joined the YMCA and I started swimming 1200m at least once, usually twice, a week. That's the entirety of my weight loss. Eat less, move more and keep track. I am pretty proud of myself and I'm not ashamed to say it. </div>
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As far as my third goal "Be less of an asshole", I don't know about this one. It's not a very good objective. It's not a SMART (specific, measureable, achievable, realistic, time-bound) objective. I feel like, yes, I haven't intentionally antagonized anyone and I've kept a lot of my feelings to myself. We decided to intentionally limit our involvement in the parent club at Makayla's school. We still participate in events put on by her school, but not the ones through the extra parent club because I don't play nicely with others. My sister and I aren't currently speaking because of a lot of reasons. But we can't have a conversation without it ending in a fight. I don't believe this is my fault entirely, but it does take two to fight. This situation has added a huge amount of stress to my life. </div>
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So here's hoping that 2016 will be boring, mundane, peaceful and we'll find a trunk of gold in our backyard while digging post holes for the fence. </div>
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A girl can dream.</div>
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Helga435http://www.blogger.com/profile/13777853881865524060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7984468543070313239.post-27590133568190470612015-07-07T21:42:00.001-04:002015-07-07T23:25:00.783-04:00All About Boosters!In May, I completed one of my New Year's resolutions and crossed over from Child Passenger Safety Advocate to Child Passenger Safety Technician. I completed the course through Safe Kids Worldwide in hopes of being able to provide seat checks and education for other parents in my community. So far, I've only been able to participate in one seat check event but I am hopeful to do many more! Meanwhile, I thought I'd write about a topic that I see brought up frequently online- "How do I know if my child is ready to ride without a booster?"<br />
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Legally, there are many different answers to this question. State laws vary widely. Here in Ohio, our law says that children MUST use a seat until they are 8 years old or 57" tall. Unfortunately, laws do not always follow best practice of what will keep your child the safest in an accident. Seat belts are designed to fit fully grown adults, not children. The purpose of a booster seat is to make the adult seat belt fit the child's body and position the belt across the strongest bones. Here is my 6.75 year old in her Graco Affix in my 2006 VW Beetle. She is 47" tall and 46 lbs.<br />
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This booster seat gives her optimal belt fit. You can see that the belt is low and nearly flat on her thighs and the shoulder belt goes across the center of her shoulder. This booster seat is called a High Back Booster because it has a back with a shoulder belt guide. The Graco Affix can also be used in No Back Booster mode by removing the back.<br />
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She has the same great lap belt fit in this mode but the shoulder belt lies too far on the edge of her shoulder. With this belt fit, she is at a greater risk of "roll out" in a crash, where the top half of her body could rotate and roll over the belt, allowing her to bend too far forward. Another common problem with no back boosters is when children fall asleep in them and are unable to maintain an upright position. The high back can help keep kids upright and in position. </div>
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There is a third option for booster seats. Combination seats start out with a harness and then, when they have been outgrown in harness mode, you take the harness out and use them as a booster. This is the Britax Frontier 85 in booster mode in our 2009 VW Jetta.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjup2ltQFjBKE0yLF3PZonTTpP1P-4jBs9QcsDcnH07FSUgUz3JSIRGxubGNolzD9vf8NRKCEvC6_0BSjNGClnBoXLDefzGGMFWJ0A9Ftez05oUbGa_jEjxrjI__mYGrYSvBo7I0KPizycV/s1600/IMG_0448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjup2ltQFjBKE0yLF3PZonTTpP1P-4jBs9QcsDcnH07FSUgUz3JSIRGxubGNolzD9vf8NRKCEvC6_0BSjNGClnBoXLDefzGGMFWJ0A9Ftez05oUbGa_jEjxrjI__mYGrYSvBo7I0KPizycV/s400/IMG_0448.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Combination seats can save you money in the long run because you can avoid buying a harnessed seat and then a dedicated booster later. They work just the same as a high back booster (some also become no back boosters as well). </div>
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Now that you know what an ideal belt fit looks like, I'd like to show you what a bad belt fit looks like. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Z18IzwOXWfi6g0v9CeECVlcXSg0YAwxrVzkkP6DwfMUKahyphenhyphenf6zP87f2UwLvmqS1AlZ-AOGzjBB5Wu6awG0ckqmyipTfpoDWqgvT__ZP2JwnJO5EXIvMwbglYESFUjh5KhO6TxNItxKm4/s1600/addtext_com_MjIyMzI4MTMwMjg0_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Z18IzwOXWfi6g0v9CeECVlcXSg0YAwxrVzkkP6DwfMUKahyphenhyphenf6zP87f2UwLvmqS1AlZ-AOGzjBB5Wu6awG0ckqmyipTfpoDWqgvT__ZP2JwnJO5EXIvMwbglYESFUjh5KhO6TxNItxKm4/s400/addtext_com_MjIyMzI4MTMwMjg0_edited.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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This is Makayla, back in my Beetle with no booster seat. You can see how high the belt is on her abdomen. Children do not have the same bone density that adults do and their hips have not fully formed until puberty. When a belt is high on the abdomen like this, the belt will rip through the abdomen, crushing all of the organs against the spinal column. This can be fatal. You can also see that the belt is high up against her neck. This positioning makes it less likely that she will keep it in front of her body because it is irritating. Children tend to move irritating belts under their arm or behind their backs which can lead to a fatal injury known as seat belt syndrome when a body bisects in half in a crash because the upper body is not restrained. This is why lap only belts are not safe for anyone to ride in. </div>
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<b>To ride safely without a booster a child needs to pass the "5 Step Test":</b></div>
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<ol>
<li><b>Lap belt fits low on the hips, not the abdomen</b></li>
<li><b>Shoulder belt lays flat on the shoulder</b></li>
<li><b>Butt all the way back and back flat against the seat back</b></li>
<li><b>Knees bent at or beyond the edge of the seat, feet flat on the floor</b></li>
<li><b>Child is mature enough to stay in position the entire trip, even when sleeping</b></li>
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Take a minute today and check your child's belt fit. If you have any questions please leave a comment or send me a message!</div>
Helga435http://www.blogger.com/profile/13777853881865524060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7984468543070313239.post-7165805150847319222015-01-14T11:26:00.000-05:002015-01-14T11:26:00.040-05:00Winter RantsIt's winter and I have been reminded of all of my pet peeves about winter so I decided to write about it. You'll probably be offended by at least one of them but that's OK, no one is forcing you to read this.<br />
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<b>WINTER WHINERS</b><br />
Breaking NEWS! Winter is cold! Winter has snow! Further updates at 11! For reals, if you can't tolerate the cold where you live, move. If you can't move, wear more clothes. A coworker came to work this morning in ballet flats with no socks and was complaining that her feet were cold. It's -2F outside. Wear some goddamn appropriate footwear for fuck's sake. As a grown ass adult, you have the ability to dress yourself. If you fail to wear appropriate amounts of clothing shut your mouth. I don't want to hear it.<br />
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<b>BAD DRIVERS</b><br />
I do not want to hear about how "You're not worried about yourself, you're worried about everyone else". It's a stupid argument to begin with but then when you tell me how "you just ignore everyone else and drive 20 on the highway because SNOW! (dusting)" it becomes painfully apparent that it IS YOU. YOU are the bad driver. Learn to drive in snow. Go to an abandoned, unplowed parking lot and put yourself into a slide and learn how to get out of it. It is prudent to drive cautiously when there is inclement weather but if you don't feel safe going anywhere near the speed of the rest of traffic get off the fucking road.<br />
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<b>SCHOOL CLOSINGS</b><br />
Can we please get some kind of realistic guidelines for when school should be open and when it shouldn't? I really hate the "Well X school closed so we should close" mentality. What is true for one school system may not be at all true for others. For example, when one district closes because they have a high percentage of kids who walk to school and they don't think that it's safe for walkers it's not relevant to a school where all of the kids are dropped off by their parents. If the roads are unsafe for driving, close the school. If the extreme cold causes pipes to burst or the heater is broken then sure, close the school. Closing just because someone else closed is stupid and annoying.<br />
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<b>IT'S CALLED A "SNOW BRUSH". USE IT!</b><br />
I hate driving down the road and getting blasted by hunks of ice and snow because the asshole in front of me was too fucking lazy to brush the snow off their car. Scratching a hole in the ice on your windshield is not safe. Don't half-ass your life.<br />
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I'm sure there are more things I hate but this is what's hot on my mind right now. Mostly, just don't be an idiot.Helga435http://www.blogger.com/profile/13777853881865524060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7984468543070313239.post-64018646379763459362014-12-31T18:45:00.000-05:002014-12-31T18:45:09.807-05:00So long 2014... don't let the door hit you on the way out!This has been a tough year for my family, no two ways about it. <div>
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We started out with the birth of Liam, which was fantastic and he is the best, sweetest, most adorable baby in the world. Even though he is a great baby, becoming a family of four and having a baby in our lives after almost 6 years was a huge adjustment for all of us. </div>
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Before Liam was born I made everyone in the extended family update their TDaP vaccination. When Jeff got his, he had to get a physical which led down a rabbit hole of testing resulting in a surgery, two biopsies and a diagnosis of hemachromatosis. After he started treatment for that, his doctor noticed that he had many enlarged lymph nodes. Thankfully, the biopsies were benign granulomas and the diagnosis was sarcoidosis and not lymphoma. Even with health insurance, our medical bills this year have been astronomical. </div>
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I haven't been as on top of things as I want to be. I haven't been able to do any of my crafts or write nearly as much as I would like. I started freezer cooking this year and that has enabled us to start eating a lot better. Jeff and I have each lost about 15 lbs in the past couple of months. We hope to make it to our goals this year. </div>
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Makayla is trying our patience and testing our discipline at every opportunity. She's smart and a master at pushing every button on every person she knows (some might call that manipulation). We love her but lately, living with her is exceedingly frustrating. This is why when parents of younger kids say things like "It'll be so much easier when they can do XXX." I just think to myself, yeah I thought that too- but it's not ever any easier, the challenges are just different for every stage. </div>
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Well anyway, here's to a new year and the new challenges that it will inevitably bring. I hope that ours are less this year!</div>
Helga435http://www.blogger.com/profile/13777853881865524060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7984468543070313239.post-90360015791152210512014-09-30T15:59:00.002-04:002014-10-02T10:47:24.623-04:00Gender Equality This weekend Jeff was on the phone with his mom and she asked how my work was going. Jeff said something along the lines of "Oh, it's fine. She likes it just about as well as any job" and then went on to say "I mean, I'm sure if I got an awesome paying job tomorrow she'd quit and stay home with the kids, but she likes what she does, she just doesn't necessarily like her boss." All of which is true. I left my job when Makayla was 8 months old because Jeff was making amazing money while deployed in the middle east and we didn't need my salary. It was great for the most part. I didn't have to miss any of those moments that pass so quickly in child-rearing. But Jeff did. He was halfway around the world in a trailer in a war zone.<br />
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When Makayla was three, Jeff came home for good. I went back to work and Jeff started school and essentially became a stay at home dad. When Liam was born 6 months ago Jeff realized how much he missed with Makayla and it made him sad. His conversation with his mom got me thinking. If I got a really amazing job that paid all the bills and made any salary of his superfluous wouldn't he quit his job and stay home too? So I asked him that and he said, yeah he probably would but he wouldn't quit school because we both think it sets a good example for the kids to achieve your goals, etc. Jeff and I take a 50/50 team approach to parenting and household responsibilities in general. We compliment each others strengths and weaknesses very well and we are always striving to make things easier for the other in any way we can.<br />
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Last night, I asked Jeff to mail a small package for me that needed to be postmarked today and I couldn't mail because I had a dentist appointment right after work. When he went to the post office today, some ignorant man saw him with Liam and said "UH-OH! Good luck little buddy! Looks like it's Dad's day to babysit!" Which pissed Jeff off so he replied "No man, I'm just trying to not be a shit-bag father like your generation was full of". Ignorant Fuck didn't know what to say to that so he just turned away mumbling something about it being a new world so Jeff followed up with "Yeah, times sure have changed. Right now my wife is at work and I am trying to mail something for her because she doesn't have the time." If it had been me, I wouldn't have had the balls to say what Jeff did. I would have just sat there stewing about it. It's offensive as fuck! He's their Dad! He's not a babysitter! I don't pay him 10 bucks an hour to watch the kids so he can save up to buy some new video games to play in his man cave while he ignores the family. You wouldn't ask the female mechanic who changes your oil if she's just pretending to be a mechanic today or just automatically assume that the male nurse is actually a doctor so don't ask men if they're babysitting their own children!<br />
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I like to think that most parents want to set a good example for their kids. By pretending that men are not capable caregivers to their children, we tell our sons that when they grow up, they needn't try to be an equal partner and we tell our daughters that they needn't expect it. Stand up and fix it. We are all equals.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg04s09e7h6mf7Qh1NHGGAZhkjSKuDDaX-PxbdJs_cDQ23ZwW2BXmIhTQ_88pY6BPi6EDLFYfShZBlftT77gnHoP0Rs6-_LarJq8l7G9bao89vMKJFVVHY-lyiWoCjBWQJvRNlPyhJNFBYX/s1600/Father_Childedit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg04s09e7h6mf7Qh1NHGGAZhkjSKuDDaX-PxbdJs_cDQ23ZwW2BXmIhTQ_88pY6BPi6EDLFYfShZBlftT77gnHoP0Rs6-_LarJq8l7G9bao89vMKJFVVHY-lyiWoCjBWQJvRNlPyhJNFBYX/s1600/Father_Childedit.jpg" height="640" width="536" /></a></div>
<br />Helga435http://www.blogger.com/profile/13777853881865524060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7984468543070313239.post-1412547598623350612014-09-10T15:26:00.003-04:002014-09-10T15:26:54.067-04:00Cleveland Rocks!I grow weary of people denigrating their hometown as if it is some festering cesspool. This is not a phenomenon exclusive to my own hometown- it seems to me to be the popular thing to put down wherever it is you grew up. Let's all stop being such Debbie Downers! We see enough negativity in the daily media. I think it's time to let everyone know the all the great things about your hometown!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>10 Reasons I Love Cleveland</b></span><br />
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<ul>
<li>We have beaches! Lake Erie is a great place to hang out, picnic, swim, boat, and fish!</li>
<li>America's greatest amusement park- Cedar Point is a mere hours drive away</li>
<li>We have four seasons- and they are all great for some reason</li>
<li>The Cleveland Orchestra- one of the ten best orchestras in the world- right here at my doorstep</li>
<li>The Metroparks- thousands of acres of parks- all beautiful and free to roam</li>
<li>Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals- if you need healthcare, we've got world class health care</li>
<li>Playhouse Square- the second largest theater district outside New York</li>
<li>We have great festivals- thousands to choose from every year, from Duck Tape to Irish to Oktoberfest and everything in between- there's always some festival going on</li>
<li>The Cleveland Museum of Art- it's free and has an impressive collection</li>
<li>Our food choices are awesome and vast</li>
</ul>
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It's easy to think of things that you dislike about where you live but by constantly putting your town down, you are creating a self fulfilling prophecy- who want's to visit somewhere that all of the locals say sucks?! So now I challenge you. If you read this- think of just three things that you love about your hometown and share it with the world!</div>
Helga435http://www.blogger.com/profile/13777853881865524060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7984468543070313239.post-58513643830013554312014-08-29T14:14:00.001-04:002014-08-29T14:14:57.489-04:00Screw Super Mom, I'd settle for Competent Mom<div>
Before Liam was born, I felt like we had our shit mostly together. I worked, Jeff was in school and took care of Makayla during the day. The house was mostly clean, we did most of Makayla's school and extra curricular functions. I had time to keep up with my garden, the landscaping and do home improvement projects on a fairly regular basis. I got to work on my crafts in the evenings while I watched my shows. I was never perfect, but we managed pretty well.</div>
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It's been over two months since I went back to work after my maternity leave. I keep thinking that it's just THIS week that's so busy, next week will be better. That we just need time to get used to life with two kids. I mean how can it be SO different with two kids than with one? Liam is just about the best baby I could ask for. He's happy and healthy, sleeps for most of the night and takes good naps as well. He loves to play on his activity mat or jumper and doesn't usually demand constant attention. Makayla is spirited, demanding and challenging- but she's always been that way. She adores Liam to the point that it's irritating because she is constantly all over him. He doesn't seem to mind, but <b>I </b>mind when she wakes him up from napping because she needs to hug him or kiss him.<br />
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I keep doing things to save myself time. I started a 20 minute a day cleaning program so that I don't have to do it all on the weekend. I started freezer cooking all of our dinners to save time and money. And they do save me time, but I still have none. The more time I make, the more shit that I need to get done. I don't understand how I can't get the front of my house weeded and how the vegetable garden is choked with weeds. This summer has been incredibly stressful for us with all of Jeff's health issues. I don't think a week has gone by since Liam's birth that he hasn't had an appointment with at least one doctor. On top of the hemochromatosis and cirrhosis, they told us that he had lymphoma as well. Thankfully, this week the biopsy came back as a benign granuloma and NOT cancer. It seems like every other week they are giving me more news that has me preparing to be a widow with two small kids. Of course with all of these medical issues come medical bills. We were making it all right before but now we can't possibly keep up with everything. So of course hiring any help for anything is out of the question. I feel guilty asking my parents to watch the kids for things that we HAVE to do let alone just because I want to get away.<br />
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Makayla's school hasn't even started yet. I look at the calendar of all the extra fun activities and it makes me want to cry because it's just more stuff that I have to try to squeeze in to a schedule that is too full already.<br />
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Last night, when I was getting the kids ready for bed, Liam was fussier than usual because he's going through a growth spurt right now and he is always hungry. So I changed him and was getting ready to feed him and he just wouldn't latch on. For whatever reason he just kept taking my nipple in his mouth, sucking once and spitting it out. And I couldn't make him stop. And my milk wouldn't let down because he wouldn't nurse. So he sitting there wailing in to my boobs and I yelled at him to stop. I yelled at a 5 month old baby to stop crying. And of course he was scared and cried more and it escalated from there until Jeff came and took him and he instantly stopped crying. Which of course made me feel even worse. So Jeff calmed him down and tried to give him back to me but he took one look at me and started wailing again.<br />
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Worst.<br />
Mom.<br />
Ever.<br />
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It took another 10 minutes to calm him down enough to convince him to eat, which he finally did and then fell asleep.<br />
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I don't even know why I'm writing all of this. I don't have any answers and I can't think of a logical way to end this so I'll just leave this here.<br />
<br />Helga435http://www.blogger.com/profile/13777853881865524060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7984468543070313239.post-40210257520610158132014-08-14T13:17:00.000-04:002014-08-14T13:19:03.566-04:00WaterWipes USA- A Terrible Idea<b>UPDATE 8/14/14:</b><br />
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<b>More than two years have passed since I originally wrote this. Apparently the company has become more prominent and still sells this awful product (and is now even MORE expensive). I went to their Facebook page this morning and saw multiple reports of moldy wipes.</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdT8CfHRzsw5RQ2iY02EKEsZXstr09J_kbrjOiQ7sZCv4Tu_vesDhxpIqdwrBpxdvsy-69HdiTlGiqLm0VHtYf1DTB1D2fCypAGv_tcmyYbe5hgeS2ia6VFJhMmHcCWXrTIzYLPuFFnmg9/s1600/waterwipe+mold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdT8CfHRzsw5RQ2iY02EKEsZXstr09J_kbrjOiQ7sZCv4Tu_vesDhxpIqdwrBpxdvsy-69HdiTlGiqLm0VHtYf1DTB1D2fCypAGv_tcmyYbe5hgeS2ia6VFJhMmHcCWXrTIzYLPuFFnmg9/s1600/waterwipe+mold.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></b></a></div>
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<b>Their Amazon reviews also show several reports of moldy wipes. Some people blame themselves for putting them in other containers and some people realize the truth- these wipes are NOT SAFE for babies! There is nothing to prevent this type of mold and bacterial growth. Steer clear!</b></div>
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Last night, I was harvesting my crops on FarmVille like always and I look to the right and there is this ad from WaterWipes USA. Basically their ad says 100% Chemical Free! As a chemist I was instantly annoyed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJeTMz2ERKmfK2UxV5uDJSCaAXm7XcXibRTvOGlYzyXrZhy-96-yFfiJUWEKKNXrCKCrtsC2Ss_RtItXaliG-Sd4r2WYwmbIgndAhcBlTXejJ4rIYL48WGWyYVRkZ2E-x9oAOn6VUC-0FQ/s1600/waterwipes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJeTMz2ERKmfK2UxV5uDJSCaAXm7XcXibRTvOGlYzyXrZhy-96-yFfiJUWEKKNXrCKCrtsC2Ss_RtItXaliG-Sd4r2WYwmbIgndAhcBlTXejJ4rIYL48WGWyYVRkZ2E-x9oAOn6VUC-0FQ/s320/waterwipes.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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The product is a baby wipe moistened with 99.9% water and 0.1% grapefruit seed extract. This is the link to their facebook page: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/WaterWipesUSA">http://www.facebook.com/WaterWipesUSA</a> and their company website: <a href="http://www.dermah2o.com/">http://www.dermah2o.com/</a> I was in a bit of a snarky mood so I went to their Facebook page and left a comment. "Dihydrogen Monoxide is still a chemical." These kind of claims always make me mad. EVERYTHING on this earth is made from chemicals. NOTHING is "chemical-free". Companies that make these claims are pandering to the ignorant and scientifically illiterate people who suffer from chemo-phobia. <br />
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Obviously I am a cosmetic/ personal care chemist, but I am also a mom. I had a natural, unmedicated birth but I would never even think of not having my child vaccinated. I breastfed but when I went back to work, Sarah gave her pumped milk in bottles made with BPA. I grow my own vegetables and can them myself too- but I use fertilizer and pesticides in my garden and on my fruit trees. Basically what I'm saying is this- look at the data, evaluate the source of the data and then determine whether you need to avoid chemical X or Y.<br />
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The biggest hype about this product is the worst of all- the fact that it is preservative free. The 0.1% GSE is SUPPOSED to be there as a preservative but as I have learned through research for work- GRAPEFRUIT SEED EXTRACT IS NOT A PRESERVATIVE!!! If you don't believe me look for yourself:<br />
<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10399191">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10399191</a><br />
<a href="http://www.naturalingredient.org/Articles/Report0520.pdf">http://www.naturalingredient.org/Articles/Report0520.pdf</a><br />
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I'll summarize it here. There are no regulations for how GSE is manufactured. Most GSE has has been preserved by another preservative (i.e. parabens, benzethonium chloride, etc). When tested, the GSE samples in which no preservative can be detected show no anti microbial activity. In other words, if you leave a pack of these wipes open, and some mold spores float into the package, you will have created the perfect petri dish to grow that mold because there is NOTHING in here to prevent it. Since this product is for cleaning babies butts- a place where bacteria is plentiful- imagine if you were wiping up a big mess and some got on your fingers and you reached for another wipe. Now you have inoculated your package of wipes with fecal coloform bacteria- or E.Coli- where it will grow and multiply unchecked. Preservatives keep products from going rancid, and growing mold and bacteria. There is no data linking parabens to breast cancer or any other type of cancer. Check out the American Cancer Societies position on parabens: <a href="http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/CancerCauses/OtherCarcinogens/AtHome/antiperspirants-and-breast-cancer-risk">http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/CancerCauses/OtherCarcinogens/AtHome/antiperspirants-and-breast-cancer-risk</a> basically, they say that there is really no connection between the two and that the study "linking" them was a poorly designed study. <br />
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If all of this isn't enough to convince you that this product is a terrible idea, the price for a pack of wipes is $4.99. $4.99 for a package of washcloths moistened with water. If you have a sensitive skinned baby, wet a washcloth in the sink and wipe your baby's butt with it. At least you can wash it out when you are done. There a lot of reasonable options for disposable baby wipes for babies with sensitive skin.<br />
<b>Pampers Sensitive Skin wipes</b> do not have any alcohol, fragrance or dyes (the main contributors to skin sensitivity) but they are still well preserved. <br />
<b>Huggies Natural Care- fragrance free</b> (all the same reasons as above)<br />
<b>BabyGanics Thick n Klean wipes</b> a more expensive option but it does have an effective preservative, plus they claim a biodegradable status and have no parabens if you are still worried about that<br />
<b>Walgreens Comfort-Smooth Baby wipes with Aloe (unscented)</b> almost the same product as BabyGanics except they make no claim about the biodegradability and they are half the price.<br />
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There are literally hundreds of valid options for gentle, disposable wipes that are also well preserved. I don't know about you but I would rather wipe my babys' butt with a well preserved wipe than mold. Hell, I would rather wipe her butt with just about anything besides these terrible wipes!<br />
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<br />Helga435http://www.blogger.com/profile/13777853881865524060noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7984468543070313239.post-79756640944925423062014-07-14T21:18:00.002-04:002014-08-11T08:44:30.915-04:00A handmade rantToday, I would like to rant for a bit about something that is near and dear to my heart. Handmade gifts. I can not begin to tell you the number of times that I have mentioned to someone that I enjoy crafting (sewing, crocheting, knitting, etc) and the first thing out of their mouth is "Oh, well it must be a lot cheaper than buying it". I am here to tell you that NO it is NOT cheaper. Even from a strict materials standpoint, using quality materials almost always comes out to be more expensive than buying a similar article made overseas. Of course this doesn't include all of the time and effort that it takes to craft something with your own hands. I made this afghan for Liam. It used 3 skeins of blue yarn and 3 skeins of green yarn at 6.00 a skein (plus some brown, yellow and black scraps that I had laying around). I paid 5 dollars for the pattern. So just for the materials, I paid 41.00. It took me probably around 20 hours total to make it. If I paid myself minimum wage, it would cost 145.00 in labor. I could pick up a baby blanket at Babies R Us for around 20.00.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJc5-OGaEwXbnxmLbDYS6Nd0rFIJf8QnWkxzMVw9KiuTOqsFALCJA_CVUW-vkHsNKddeIEbWWi1Dy8GFCwbfdyUf4Lj2D67jQEEyMR8IH1zSaHswOeWyH0FVKVmMR8IJN7pMrstxzH8u0M/s1600/IMG_0461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJc5-OGaEwXbnxmLbDYS6Nd0rFIJf8QnWkxzMVw9KiuTOqsFALCJA_CVUW-vkHsNKddeIEbWWi1Dy8GFCwbfdyUf4Lj2D67jQEEyMR8IH1zSaHswOeWyH0FVKVmMR8IJN7pMrstxzH8u0M/s1600/IMG_0461.jpg" height="227" width="320" /></a></div>
So why do it? Why do I make things for myself and for other people? Because I enjoy it. I enjoy creating something that I know will be perfect for the recipient and designing it myself instead of picking out the best option from a set of limited choices. It's a relaxing and enjoyable hobby, even if I spend a little more money and time doing it.<br />
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So the next time someone gives you an handmade gift, take it for what it is- a painstakingly designed and crafted gift that the giver spent countless hours from their busy life making FOR YOU. It's a one of a kind original. NOT an effort to save a few bucks. So just say "Thanks! I love it!"<br />
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<br />Helga435http://www.blogger.com/profile/13777853881865524060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7984468543070313239.post-70940838058997490582014-07-03T15:32:00.000-04:002014-07-03T15:32:32.002-04:00HemochromatosisAbout four months ago I asked all of my family members to update their Tdap vaccinations in anticipation of Liam's birth. When my husband went in to get the booster his PCP insisted on doing a physical first. She ordered some blood work and found that his liver enzyme was elevated. After a long and confusing path of testing she ran a ferritin test. Normal ferritin levels are less than 100. Jeff's was 2562. He had a condition known as hemochromatosis or iron overload. People with hemochromatosis absorb three to four times more iron from food than normal, leading to an overload of iron, particularly in the liver and other storage organs. When this excess iron interacts with oxygen in the body, it produces the free radicals which damage cells and eventually lead to organ failure (like cirrhosis of the liver), heart attack, cancer and pancreatic damage.<br />
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The treatment for hemochromatosis is phlebotomy or blood letting. They take a pint of blood about three to four times a month to bring down the iron stores in his body. After three months, Jeff's ferritin levels dropped to 1440, which is great progress but unfortunately, the liver biopsy shows that he already has some degree of cirrhosis in his liver, which is irreversible.<br />
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Worldwide, some 24 million whites (about 1 in 200) of northern European ancestry suffer from hemochromatosis. Another 600 million (1 in 10) carry one of the genes responsible for the disorder, and absorb up to 50 percent more iron than non-carriers. Hemochromatosis is an autosomal recessive disorder so it is expressed when you have two copies of the defective gene- one from your mother and one from your father. Until recently it was thought that women were unlikely to have hemochromatosis, since men are five times more likely to show symptoms of the disorder. Scientists now believe that women are equally at risk, but the blood loss of menstruation and childbirth temporarily protects women of child-bearing age from the effects of excess iron absorption. After menopause, though, women with the disorder show symptoms at the same rate as men. After Jeff was diagnosed, he told his mom to get tested and she too, has hemochromatosis and has begun treatment. Her levels are not nearly as high as Jeff's however.<br />
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The symptoms of hemochromatosis tend to manifest themselves in middle age, because it takes time for the iron buildup to cause problems. Hemochromatosis can mimic many other ailments - including iron deficiency. The most universal symptoms include the following:<br />
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Fatigue<br />
Weakness<br />
Arthritic aches and pains, including swelling and tenderness around the joints<br />
Heart arrhythmias ("skipping beats")<br />
Changes in skin pigment - most notably development of a bronze tone - that occur even without sun exposure and that don't fade with time<br />
Impotence or loss of interest in sex<br />
Late-onset diabetes (some 10 percent of diabetics may actually be suffering from iron-induced pancreatic damage)<br />
Missed periods or premature menopause<br />
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Prior to Jeff's diagnosis, I had never heard of this condition despite it being the most common genetic disorder of Caucasians with northern European heritage. The worst part about it is that it is so benign and easily treated if caught early, but devastating if missed. Despite this, it is not screened for and your ferritin levels have only every been tested if your doctor suspects a problem with iron overload. It is not part of routine blood work. In its early stages, when people are in their 20s and 30s, the condition is often easily ignored - or mistaken for other illnesses - because the symptoms, such as fatigue or aches and pains in the joints, are so vague. But if the disease progresses unchecked, by the time someone reaches his or her 40s or 50s, the growing iron deposits damage and eventually destroy surrounding tissues, leading to organ failure and chronic disease. The ferritin test costs only about $15. Given that the disease is so avoidable, and the consequences are so tragic if missed, I think that spending the money for the test is a good idea- even if you have to pay yourself.<br />
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We are still waiting to see how severe the cirrhosis in Jeff's liver is but whatever part of the liver that is cirrhotic is gone. When too much fails the only option left is a liver transplant. Hopefully, we're not at that point but I still wish that someone somewhere had screened for this sooner and he could have avoided all of this.Helga435http://www.blogger.com/profile/13777853881865524060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7984468543070313239.post-9524421843381030402014-05-08T20:38:00.001-04:002014-05-08T20:50:30.709-04:00Mother's Day Stepping StonesSo this year while I was trying to think about what to give my mom for Mother's Day, I was flipping through a catalog and saw some stepping stones personalized for moms and grandmas. I thought to myself- "That's perfect for Mom! She loves her garden and her grandkids! JOB DONE!" But they were like 30 dollars a piece and I didn't want to spend that so I decided we would make our own.<br />
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1. Gather your materials.<br />
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<ul><ul>
<li><a href="http://smile.amazon.com/Midwest-Products-Value-Stepping-24-Pound/dp/B000T875R4/ref=pd_sim_ac_8?ie=UTF8&refRID=0Q0K6NZT0SYZ84HCXKNV" target="_blank">Stepping stone mix</a></li>
<li><a href="http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000KJAA9M/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i02?ie=UTF8&psc=1" target="_blank">Stepping stone mold</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WWGM8U/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1" target="_blank">Glass pieces appropriate for making mosaics</a></li>
<li>Bucket and stir stick</li>
<li><a href="http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WWIGRK/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1" target="_blank">Letter stamps</a> or a popsicle stick to write with</li>
<li>Hose</li>
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2. Lay out your mosaic pattern. The first one that I did, I laid out the design inside the mold and then moved it in order to the ground. This is very inefficient. The next one, I traced the mold dimensions on to a piece of cardboard and laid the design out inside that. It worked much better. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjzgWAKq_AaT-MajBBMPAArqD2Zmj-zqXzyxEeSyDo6efXTiBFcoi-0eNNMf8TvN-7K3cwk6Je1n6ZU0rDaxKle7KlcSY107Vk1hs7DU3S3TTgqreUfLDDT1w8AXfbHDm3Ym7uPXjAzg3/s1600/IMG_0581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjzgWAKq_AaT-MajBBMPAArqD2Zmj-zqXzyxEeSyDo6efXTiBFcoi-0eNNMf8TvN-7K3cwk6Je1n6ZU0rDaxKle7KlcSY107Vk1hs7DU3S3TTgqreUfLDDT1w8AXfbHDm3Ym7uPXjAzg3/s1600/IMG_0581.jpg" height="282" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Makayla did her own design</td></tr>
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3. Prepare the stepping stone mix. The stepping stone mix that I used said "Dump this in a bucket, add 2 cups of water and stir until mixed". I found that the amount of water is CRITICAL to the end result. You need the mix to be consistently moist, but not fluid. It should dump into the mold and sit like cookie dough, not smooth out on its own like cake batter. When you dump the cement in to the mold, jiggle it back and forth to settle the mix in to the mold. It should even out and form a smooth, slightly liquidy surface. You do not want a lot of water sitting on top. This destroys the integrity of the cement and makes it impossible to write in legibly.</div>
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4. Press your mosaic tiles in to the mix about halfway. Once you have all of the tiles in the cement, jiggle the mold back and forth to settle them in. </div>
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5. Make impressions of the kids hands/ feet if desired. *Note* One month is really too young to do this. Liam was exceedingly pissed about his hands and feet being pressed in to concrete, no matter how briefly. </div>
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6. After about 30 minutes or so (it took me that long to get the tiles settled and the hand and foot impressions, so there was really no waiting time for me), you can either stamp letters in the concrete or write words using a stick. The stamps really worked well for me and the end result was great.</div>
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7. Let cure for 24 hours before trying to unmold or even move the stones. Doing it sooner will cause it to crack. The stepping stone mix said to let cure for 2 weeks before stepping on them. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1X0enx3rQsdqeeliTsqcuUwl-v3Z99IxVFWtdJSNZlet2tFWrvl_GQYcJ04wiCEMZndfex8EZxDQ32RrhvJ1frEFPWcp_yfcQkoU9BAmzjpQevSFJsxt8c2zDUWNj9Q3oQiHWMb6fycfy/s1600/IMG_0583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1X0enx3rQsdqeeliTsqcuUwl-v3Z99IxVFWtdJSNZlet2tFWrvl_GQYcJ04wiCEMZndfex8EZxDQ32RrhvJ1frEFPWcp_yfcQkoU9BAmzjpQevSFJsxt8c2zDUWNj9Q3oQiHWMb6fycfy/s1600/IMG_0583.jpg" height="152" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our finished stones!</td></tr>
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That's it! Grandma is going to love them!</div>
Helga435http://www.blogger.com/profile/13777853881865524060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7984468543070313239.post-10434962112420284022014-04-29T21:45:00.003-04:002014-04-29T21:45:49.073-04:00A Birth to RememberMy memories of Makayla's birth have faded significantly in the past five years. Sometimes, I'll mention how something happened as I remember it, only to be contradicted by Jeff who remembers it entirely differently. So this time I thought I'd write it all down, so that I can remember it. It was wonderful in the way that all births are.<br />
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March 31, 2014<br />
I had been having moderately strong Braxton Hicks contractions for well over 2 weeks by this point. Jeff and I got up and took Makayla to school at went to see my midwife (Maureen) for our weekly NST. Liam was due on the 22nd, making him 9 days post dates. I had the non stress test and everything was fine. Maureen asked if wanted her to strip my membranes (again) or if I was ready to induce. I had already thought about it for the past week and Jeff and I had decided that we were ready to induce. So Maureen sent us over to admitting to get the show on the road. While Jeff and I were in admitting, Maureen found out that L&D was in the middle of doing two c-sections and that it would be a couple hours until they could start the induction. Since I was not in labor and we hadn't brought anything with us (I wasn't expecting to be offered induction that day) we decided to go and pick up Makayla from school, have lunch and come back around 2:00 PM.<br />
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When we got back we went straight up to L&D since I had already been through admitting the first time. The nurse took us down to our birthing suite and went through the long question and answer process. I would have had a hard time with the process had I actually been in labor! There was some sort of snafu with the fact that I had been previously admitted then left and they had to issue a new wristband or something so that they could order the pitocin (so my insurance could be billed ;) ) Meanwhile, Makayla was being so well behaved and adorable. She was charming all the nurses with her knowledge of the childbirth process. She was so excited to finally get to be a big sister. The nurse brought her a coloring book and some big sister stickers. We discussed the "pain chart" on the wall and she told Jeff to hold my hand when I got to the wavy mouth (10).<br />
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Finally, around 4:00 PM they got the necessary paperwork straightened out and started the IV pitocin. My mom and dad showed up shortly after, around 5. We decided that Dad would take Makayla to The Little Gym for her gymnastics/ dance class since when I was induced with her we sat around ALL DAY waiting for active labor to start. Almost immediately after they left, my contractions started getting much stronger but still totally manageable. I was tethered to the IV pole and the stupid fetal heart monitor (the ONLY reason I hate that my body seems to be incapable of going into labor on it's own) so I just stood next to the bed and rocked. Around 6:30 PM, Maureen came back and checked my progress. I was about 7 cm dilated and his head was engaged in my pelvis. Maureen asked if I wanted my waters broken and I said yes, knowing that it wouldn't be long after that. She nicked the amniotic sac with the amniohook but it didn't break right away. She went down the hall and in about three contractions, my waters broke all over the floor and made a big mess. Things rapidly progressed from there. I laid back down on the bed and Mom and Jeff were on either side of the bed. I was breaking Jeff's hands and Mom was massaging my back. 7:00 PM was shift change for the nurses and I remember the first nurse trying to tell the new nurse all about what was going on while I felt like I was on a runaway train headed for a cliff. I somehow managed to rip out my IV at this point and I was bleeding out all over the place. They tried to restart the IV in the same hand but managed to go through the vein (I can't blame them, it was pretty hard for me to hold still by this point), so they started the IV in my other hand. Then, probably because I hate them so much, the EFM stopped picking up Liam's heartbeat unless someone was holding the damn thing still. They had me turn over on to my left side in an attempt to pick it up easier, at which point I ripped out my IV again. Maureen was going to have them restart it again but I asked if I really needed it because I knew it was about time to push and I really doubted that the lack of pitocin would stop the train at this point. Maureen agreed and then I felt the need to push so I rolled back and they got ready down below. The first push moved him through my pelvic bones to crowning. After I felt my pelvic bones separate, my brain was telling me that I didn't want to finish this because it hurt. Clearly, not an option at this point. Maureen applied mineral oil and Mom applied perineal pressure. The second push delivered his head. Maureen removed the loop of umbilical cord around his neck and then the third push delivered the rest of him at 7:41 PM. Someone said "Look at the size of him!" and they put him on my chest. I remember thinking how tiny he was! I guess it's all relative when your first was 10 lbs 4 oz... After the cord stopped pulsing, I cut it. Maureen then delivered the placenta and gave me a shot of pitocin in the leg to help stop the bleeding. I had a small tear, which Maureen stitched up pretty quickly but it was so painful. Both times, I've thought the stitching after the birth was FAR more painful than the birth itself. At this point they took him over to the Panda Warmer to be weighed and measured. He clocked in at 9 lbs even and 22 inches long. Just a tiny lil' fella!<br />
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Dad and Makayla showed up around 8:00 PM and were surprised and excited to meet Liam Danger McAfee. I don't think Dad was disappointed that he missed the birthing part this time around. Makayla was too excited to meet her brother to realize that she missed anything. We all sat around holding Liam and taking pictures for about half an hour until they came to take Liam for his newborn exams, shots and eye drops. Mom and Dad took Makayla home for the night and Jeff and I moved to another room (so that the waterbirth tub would be available should someone want it) which turned out to be far better than the original room since there was so much more space without the tub there.<br />
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It's taken me a lot longer than I planned to write this down. Time flies when you're having fun! Tomorrow will be Liam's 1 monthday and he's doing fabulously. He's up to 10 lbs and 24 inches now. He sleeps from about 10 PM until 5 AM every night. He's a very chill baby, spending most of his time sleeping, eating and pooping. I've remastered the diaper poop bomb but I have yet to master not getting peed on. He hardly ever cries, except when he's getting changed. I suspect he may be a never-nude.<br />
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<br />Helga435http://www.blogger.com/profile/13777853881865524060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7984468543070313239.post-58271002874709974642014-03-26T16:07:00.002-04:002014-03-26T16:07:51.735-04:00Natural Labor InductionSo as I sit here impatiently awaiting the arrival of #2 I find myself inundated with suggestions of ways to kick start this whole labor business. A little background, I was 14 days overdue with Makayla when my midwife insisted that I be induced for "reasons" (her biophysical profiles were all fine, they just didn't allow you to continue more than 2 weeks post dates). So spending all day being pumped full of pitocin and waiting for labor to get started I had a relatively easy and quick birth. Makayla was 10 lbs 4 oz much to everyone's surprise.<br />
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At 40 weeks +4 days, I am basically just sick of being pregnant. I can't sleep in the bed anymore because my hips are so painful so I'm sleeping in the recliner. My heartburn/ GERD has been horrible through 100% of this pregnancy and it only gets worse by the day. He's the squirmiest little fella you've ever seen. The midwife keeps reminding me to count kicks. It's supposed to be something like 12 kicks a day and when she asks, I'm just thinking "you mean 12 kicks an hour, right?" but I just say "Yeah, he moves around ALL THE TIME." Obviously, I'm huge and tired of being huge. The thing that has me the most on edge though is that I'm eating up my maternity leave every day that he's not born. I only get 6 weeks of paid short term disability leave and as the sole wage earner in our household, we can't really afford for me to take unpaid maternity leave through FMLA. So, in an effort to hurry him along, I have tried every single labor induction technique that I can find on the internets and I can only come to one conclusion; every single one of them is bunk. If there was any truth to them, they would work all of the time or at the very least, most of the time.<br />
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1) <b>Eating spicy foods</b> - I sprinkled my enchiladas with dried, ground habanero pepper flakes<br />
2) <b>Housework</b> - I vacuumed my own house multiple times, vacuumed my parents house, made more trips up and down the stairs with laundry than I can count, and finished remodeling the nursery.<br />
3) <b>Castor Oil</b> - Conveniently, we use much castor oil at work so I flavored and sweetened a batch to make it less disgusting. Didn't do anything except cleanse my bowels.<br />
4) <b>Black and Blue Cohosh tinctures </b>- My mom swears that this is the only reason that I came out when I did (just before her midwife left on vacation). Hasn't done a darn thing for me. She says "I must be doing it wrong"<br />
5) <b>Pineapple, mango, evening primrose oil, etc - S</b>upposedly ripen the cervix. Mine was already good to go so I can't say it did anything. Tasty though.<br />
6) <b>Sex</b> - While pleasant, not at all helpful.<br />
7) <b>Nipple Stimulation</b> - both manually and with my breast pump. Got a few contractions but likely a coincidence because I get contractions randomly most of the day.<br />
8) <b>Walking</b> - Besides the grocery shopping and other errands on the schedule, I've walked miles around the Metroparks. Still pregnant.<br />
9) <b>Warm baths/ meditation/ relaxation</b> - again, pleasant, not doing anything.<br />
10) <b>Stripping the membranes</b> - my midwife did this for me, had no effect.<br />
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At this point, people tell you it's because "you're body isn't ready to be induced". I call BS on that too. If natural labor induction was possible (outside coincidentally going into labor after eating Mexican food) it would work all or at least most of the time. So if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go back down to the cellar and finish vacuuming and scrubbing while you magical unicorns spontaneously go into labor on your due dates.Helga435http://www.blogger.com/profile/13777853881865524060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7984468543070313239.post-46561564913333436212013-11-21T14:17:00.003-05:002013-11-21T14:17:40.658-05:00MaterniT21 and MeSo about three weeks ago we had our 20 week anatomy scan on the spawn. When my midwife gave me the ultrasound requisition form she had checked "suspect fetal anomaly" but she told me that they just check that so that insurance has to pay for it, not because they had any reason to think something was wrong. No one goes in for their 20 week scan thinking that something is wrong. They go in all happy and excited to see the baby and find out if it's a boy or a girl (or not, whatever your pleasure).<br />
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So Jeff and I went to the ultrasound and we found out that it's a boy. They also found out that he has a single umbilical artery, normal cords have three vessels- 2 arteries and a vein. Well Liam has one artery and one vein. Apparently it's not terribly uncommon and they recommend having two additional ultrasounds in the third trimester to make sure there is no growth restriction. My first thought was, "Well, I had a 10 lb 4 oz baby the first time, maybe a little growth restriction would be alright!" The SUA is also apparently a soft marker for other abnormalities and genetic conditions so they did an extremely thorough scan of all of his organ systems to check for other anomalies. They found no specific birth defects. Finally at the end of the scan they explained that when they did all of the physical measurements, his femur came up short in relation to his head size. Another soft marker for Down's Syndrome. They recommended that we talk to a genetic counselor about the findings.<br />
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After much back and forth in my mind we decided to see the genetic counselors. My arguments with myself were:<br />
<ul>
<li>All of his measurements were within the normal range except for his head, which was in the 91st percentile, so basically his femur was normal length and he had a massive head. I have a massive head. Jeff has tiny T Rex arms in relation to his height. He's probably fine. </li>
<li>Even if he does have Down's, he has no physical birth defects (heart, bowel, etc) beyond whatever mental deficiencies might exist and I wouldn't terminate the pregnancy because of that so why bother?</li>
<li>I will not do an amniocentesis because of the risk of miscarriage, however small it may be.</li>
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So basically, I just asked Jeff, do you want to talk to them? He said yes, so I made the appointment. <ul>
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So we went off to the far off land of Beechwood to talk the the UH Genetics department. Basically, we talked for awhile about what the realistic odds of Liam having Down's Syndrome were. I did not have the quad screen done so they estimated my starting odds based on my age at about 1/890. Two soft markers on the ultrasound moved the odds to about 1/560 or about 99.5% probability that everything was fine. Then they went over our family history, no genetic conditions except Marfan's Syndrome (which they now want me to go get another echo, even though the one I had six years ago was fine). Then they told us about a new way of testing the unborn for chromosomal anomalies called MaterniT21. Basically, there are pieces of his DNA floating about in my bloodstream and this test separates the fetal DNA from the maternal DNA and then runs standard genetic testing on it. The only downside of this test is that it's new and it's still expensive after insurance. With our insurance plan, they said it would cost no more than 200.00 but it's non invasive, no risk of miscarriage and would give us a definite answer rather than a probability. </div>
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We thought about it for a few minutes before deciding to go ahead with the test. Even though I had no intention of doing anything other than preparing for a special needs child if the results came back positive, I had no desire to continue torturing myself with "what-ifs" for the next 4 months. So the vampires took my blood, sent it off and told us they would let us know in 7-10 days. </div>
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Well it's been a long 13 days (9 business) but the results finally came in this afternoon. Liam is fine. He has no extra chromosomes (21, 18, 13, X or Y) and he is definitely a he. Now all I have to do is relax and make sure he continues to grow on pace with that massive head! </div>
Helga435http://www.blogger.com/profile/13777853881865524060noreply@blogger.com0