Medela Breast Pump Review

My newborn was only about a month old when my breast pump went out. I'm an exclusive pumper. So I was in a panic. I didn't have a lot of time to do research. I needed a pump and I needed it fast! I went to a local baby store that I had a giftcard to. All the breast pumps were so expensive. The Medela Breast pump was the most affordable pump. I wasn't sure that I was going to like it. I was pleasantly surprised at well this little pump worked. My old one never worked this well. I was getting more milk than before....and faster. It's very easy to clean.  It's lightweight and has a curved back that makes it easy to hold. I love that it came with a lid for the bottle. My only complaint is that I wish it had a second bottle for extra storage. Since I'm an exclusive pumper, I pump a lot at one time. I fill up more than one bottle.
I highly recommend this pump. I was not compensated in any way for my opinions.

Gross Things You Do As A Parent

1. Hold someone while they puke ALL over you.
2. Put a towel over pee on the bed in the middle of the night and go back to bed.
3. Forget to Shower.
4. Forget to brush your teeth in the morning.
5. Hug someone while the sit on the potty with diarrhea.
6. Clean other peoples faces with our spit.(i personally can't stand this one)
7. Talk about and even inspect other peoples bowel movements.
8. Pick & brush others teeth.

Why so eager to impress?

Why do we clean for 24 hours (or more) when we know someone is coming to visit?
No matter what they are going to judge you the moment they walk in the door!
Why are we so eager to not let people see how we really live?
If they are judging, maybe they shouldn't be visiting! Real people live in their houses. Kids play, make messes and color on things. Dishes pile up, shelves get dusty, laundry piles up (clean or dirty).
Everyone goes through it at some point, especially if you have small children and/or busy lives.
Nobody is perfect.....why should we expect our houses to be?

I live by the motto, "I can't be the kind of housekeeper I want to be and the kind of parent I want to be at the same time".

New Direction

I've finally decided a direction to go with this blog!
This will not be a personal blog. This will blog will be geared towards family/life/parenting. And even the humor that comes with it.
My FaceBook page is geared towards Ecards and funny pictures. With the occasional rant or question.
All past entries on this blog that were personal will be deleted. I will leave everything else.
Stay tuned for more.......

365 Day Meal Plan

Love the Centsible Life Website!
Check out their Year long meal planner.

365 Day Meal Plan: Week of February 4th Menu - Centsible Life — Centsible Life

Recipe Cost Calculators

For those of you who have Excel on your computers, I found this cool FREE Recipe Cost Calculator.
Free downloadable Recipe Cost Calculator spreadsheet | Money Saving Mom®
(love the Money Saving Mom website!)

Also found this one that's more for online use. Recipe Costing
This one can be used for FREE or they have subscriptions with more add ons for a price.
It's great for the average cook or someone starting a restaurant.
This website will keep track of your menus & inventory.

Homemade Starbucks Mocha Frappuccino

Homemade Starbucks Mocha Frappuccino

I have found the Original Recipe for Frappuccinos on womenlivingwell.org.
A healthy spin on this recipe might be to use Agave Nectar instead of sugar and sugar-free chocolate syrup.

If I can find the recipes (or alternatives) to some of the hot drinks (white choco mocha, caramel macchiato, etc) I'll post them!

Starbucks Mocha Frappuccino3/4 cup double-strength coffee
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 cup low-fat milk
2 cups ice
3 Tbls. Hershey’s Chocolate

Optional:3 Tbs whipped cream

MOCHA Version:

For this version, add 3 tablespoons Hershey’s chocolate syrup to the original recipe and prepare as described. Top each glass with whipped cream, if desired.

CARAMEL Version:

For this version, add 3 tablespoons of caramel topping to the original recipe and prepare as described. Top each glass with whipped cream and drizzle additional caramel over the whipped cream.