1. I’m that annoying mom that asks her babysitters (aka: moms) to send her pictures of her babies throughout the course of the day. On Monday, my mom sent me about 15 pictures… and this was the best one. It came with the message "I am challenged". Oh Mom…
2. Anyone doing anything fun this weekend? I have TWO weddings to attend… on the same night. ::gulp:: The first one is my cousin’s, and the second one is John’s cousin’s. I’m doing ceremony/dinner of my cousin’s, and then going for dancing at John’s cousin’s. It will be a busy night!
3. I got my second Stitch Fix yesterday!!! (referral link) I’m planning on doing a post with the pieces I received sometime next week.
4. I finally just took pictures of the girls for their 8 month photos the other day. Only 2 weeks late - no biggie.
emme (left), brooklyn (right)
5. Only 12 more wake ups until the end of the school year - and only 6 more class sessions until I am done with my Masters! #canigetanamen
6. I can’t get over how much I love cashews. Like, really love cashews. The Husband got me a huge container of them as part of my Mother’s Day present (we always fight over them… I am not joking) and he promised he wouldn’t eat any of them. That’s true love folks.
7. I am slooooooowly toying (and when I say slowly toying, I mean I’m pretty serious about it) with the idea of weaning myself from my pump at the end of the school year. Part of me feels an immense amount of guilt (and I have no idea why. I hate mommy guilt!), and the other part knows that it’s for the best if I want to retain my sanity during the summer with those girls. Any tips from other mamas who have gone through this?
8. I’m starting to get my writing groove back. I really hope it sticks around. I’ve been on the fence about whether or not I was even going to start writing again, but I think I want to. I miss it - it’s really like just any other part of my life. I have to schedule time to make it happen!
9. Have you seen Heather’s tips for weekly/monthly cleaning? I too have tried the "clean this room Monday, clean that room Tuesday" deal, and it doesn’t work for me. This checklist just might though!
10. Allright, it’s a busy weekend, and it starts tonight. Rehearsal dinner for John’s cousin is this evening! Have a great weekend everyone.
{ 36 comments… read them below or add one }
Least you don’t need to buy two outfits!!! Can’t wait to see your Stitch Fix!
I had HORRIBLE mommy guilt when I decided to stop pumping but now looking back it was so unnecessary. We need to do what’s best for everyone involved (that includes YOU). As long as your babies are fed and happy that is all that matters.
Let’s not even talk about the mommy guilt I felt when it came to weaning! I EP’d for my twins for 11 months and still felt guilty when I stopped! You’ve done an amazing job pumping for as long as you have! And for twins!! It’s def not an easy task (and is very time consuming!) Once you decide to hang your pumping parts up, you will feel a huge weight lifted. I know I did! It’s amazing not having to plan your day around the pump and the “free” time I have is a bonus for sure! Good luck!
I can’t believe you little ones are 8 months old already! They’re looking so grown up these days !
Also, it’s nice to have you back in my Bloglovin’ feed
You are amazing for pumping as long as you did for twins! I give you so much credit!
I exclusively breastfeed my 4 month old son and pump here and there and know how much work pumping is. I would love to read a post on how you managed to pump this long.
I am going back to work soon and will be pumping during work so any tips would help.
I am especially interested on how all the moms out there get away and pump enough when they are not home for a few days like you did when you went away. Lots of credit deserved!!
I ended up weaning off the pump when Mason was around 6 months old. I felt guilty, but it was hard at work and just tedious. I was not producing a lot so I always felt bummed after. I cut the pumping in half for a couple days, then in half again, then once a day until I just didn’t feel like I need to do it.
Don’t feel guilty. It is tough, but really you need to do what is good for you and your sanity. Each person is different.
Thanks Ash! I only pump now when the girls are asleep or if I’m at work. I know I won’t be able to do it during the summer!
Hahaha I laughed at the first one because I am a part time nanny and one of the families I babysit for will ask me to send at least 4-5 pictures throughout the day. I always try to get good pictures but with a 5 month old that can be hard!
haha and I’m sure as a nanny, you find that annoying. I wouldn’t blame you - I just miss my littles during the day!
Two weddings in one night…yikes!?! You sure will be busy, but I’m sure it’ll be a blast too! We’re going to 3 weddings this year. One in June, one in August and one in September. This definitely is the year of weddings for us!
Busy busy! When are you due?!
November 10th!
Can’t wait to see the stitch fix items (just read Kath’s post on her latest fix!). Wish they would come to Canada though… or I move to the states (probably the latter haha). I’ve started thinking a lot about weaning too. And seriously, why does mommy guilt exist? We should be able to do what we want without these feelings — must be the hormones
haha
Stitch Fix posts are my favorite to read, so I’m glad to hear other people like them as well. I’ll be sharing next week!
I love getting pictures of the kiddos when my mom or SIL watch them! And Brooklyn’s hair… Thinking Zoe’s will be like that when she’s around that age. So cute. Also, thanks for the link love! Let me know if it works for you too!
It probably will be - if not longer! I think Zoe has more hair than Brooklyn did. And I LOVE your list idea. I’m excited to try it out next week!
I want to try Stitch Fix— however, now may not be the time
High five for pumping as long as you have!! I weaned Jackson pretty abruptly when I started meds for infertility as suggested by my dr; it was super hard- and he was pretty old— I think mommy guilt sets in *whenever* you decide to take the plunge, no matter how old they are. Mommy guilt- oh mommy guilt! You suck the fun out of everything!
You rock, darling! Don’t ever forget it! {hugs!}
haha yeah probably not!
Mommy guilt is the worst!
As far as weaning from pumping, it can potentially mess with your hormones, so my advice would be - go slowly. (I stopped cold turkey, and I was a mess for weeks after…) Everyone has different experiences, but I’ve heard it is best to stop pumping just as you would wean (that is, start by dropping 1 session at a time, and wait about a week or so before you drop another session).
Congratulations for making it this long pumping! I think you’ll feel a sense of relief once you are done, and the guilt does go away pretty quick once you have stopped
Thanks Elizabeth. That was my plan, so I’m glad to hear that’s the advice you would give me!
You’re girls are so cute! Where is their outfit from in the first picture…I need that for my nine month old twin girls!! And I’m so happy other ppl take their pictures late…I have been know to do two on the same day…whoops!! They’ll never know!!
I got it from zulily a few months ago! I’ll check to see what the brand is.
Your girls are absolutely precious! I love how you always have them in the most adorable outfits with bows or flowers! So sweet! And yay for having the writing bug back! I’ve been feeling that way too and am excited about it! And can’t wait to see what’s in your Stich Fix!
Thank you! Having girls is a lot of fun.
The girls are so cute! XOXO
Cashews are my favorite nut! Raw and unsalted…o…they taste like candy
I have no tips for weaning from a pump but I did wean my little guy as I started the countdown to go back to work.
I just want to say good luck! It’s tough and emotional but do what works best for you and the girls! You are the only one who can make that decision mama!
PS The girls are so adorable!! Glad you’re “back!”
I forgot to add… I dropped one feed at a time and waited about a week-two in between. I kept the morning and evening feeds a bit longer though. Good luck!
Thanks for the tips!
Thanks for sharing that cleaning list! The whole clean “blank” room on “X” day never worked for me either.
Can i just say… how do you work full time as a teacher, pump, take care of twin BABIES, clean your house, look adorable, blog, have a social life (2 weddings!!!), and eat healthy?! SUPER mom… I only have 1 little girl and I struggle doing half of what you do. I’m amazed.
LOL - I’m really not super, I promise! But thanks!
You and your girls are ao adorable! Love your blog. Did you take any time off from grad school when you gave birth or continue going to class? I’m struggling whether or not to take summer off from grad school since I’m due July 1st, also a teacher.
Ugh mommy guilt - we can have it about almost anything, can’t we?? Great job for breastfeeding twins for so long! I know it probably doesn’t help assuage the guilt much, but you should be proud of that! I have a 4-month-old daughter, and while I love breastfeeding, I can’t help but think that I will feel so liberated once I wean.
I EPed for my son from about 2-7 months due to a never ending nursing strike. I stay home with him, and by 7 mo I just could not do it anymore. I felt like all of my free time was spent pumping, and a few times I had to pump while he was awake. Just not fun. I had some major guilt when I stopped, but once I got past that I felt a million times better.
If you do wean, drop pumps gradually and definitely use sudafed to help speed the process along (once you’ve stopped pumping all together). Bonus if you wait until you’re desperate to go to CVS, tell the pharmacist repeatedly that you MUST have the pseudo ephedrine, not the PE, and walk out of the store wondering if you’ve been flagged as a meth producer….not that I did that, or anything
Thanks for the tips Steph! I hear you about being home and pumping. The weekends stress me out so much right now!
I pumped for both of my girls. It was a 2nd job for me. I was adament that I would do it for 30 minutes every 4 hours. Seriously a part time job. I remember that same guilt. I had so much frozen, so I knew the girls would still be getting breast milk for a few months. But that guilt was definitely there. You have done an awesome job! Be proud of your committment to be an awesome mom for pumping for several months for them. It will be painful. I didn’t have to take any meds. If you wean time/number of pumps gradually, you should be fine. Good luck!