Month: April 2017

Nursing gear

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I LOVE nursing gear. My youngest is 9 months now so I’ve toned it down when it comes to buying new things, but I wanted to compile a list of my favorite nursing gear because I have tried A LOT of it. Here’s a round-up of my faves:

  1. Nursing tanks. If you buy nothing else, buy nursing tanks. I pretty much lived in these the first few weeks after both kids were born. You can sleep in them, lounge in them, and layer with something casual or more dressy to go out. My favorite brands are Bravado and Gilligan & O’Malley.
  2. Theory top. LOVE this shirt. It’s a sleeveless tank layered with a long-sleeved shirt that has a very flattering cut (and who doesn’t want a flattering cut postpartum)? You can nurse in public without a cover quite discreetly. I wear this at least once per week and it is one of the best investments I made!
  3. Loyal Hana. Loyal Hana is a great brand with stylish clothing, many characterized by discrete zippers that hide within the fabric. Pull the zipper down and you can nurse anywhere. This is one of my favorite dresses. And this is the shirt I wear most frequently after my nursing tanks. A few caveats however: your breast is pretty much fully exposed when you pull down the zipper, so not the most discrete if this matters to you. I was also a bit peeved when I purchased online during a sale and received non-sale items with a notice that they could not be returned. This seemed like a shady business practice and I did mention it to them – not sure if they have modified their practice since this occurred. Just something to be wary of if you order online – be prepared to keep everything that you order!
  4. A poncho. How can you go wrong with a poncho?  It’s super versatile, you can nurse anywhere with minimal effort, and it can be used as a fashion staple after you’re done nursing. I really love the soft cashmere fabric. One downside: it doesn’t look great when wearing a backpack and my diaper bag and nursing bags are backpacks. But I do love wearing it otherwise, and it is one of my favorite travel accessories!
  5. Nursing scarf, slings. I love items that serve dual purposes. My Nuroo scarf goes with pretty much everything, and it can be worn a few different ways. And it doubles as a nursing cover! There are also a slew of beautiful slings that you can use as baby carriers and nursing covers. My second would often nurse in this sling and it wasso practical! I also used it a ton to travel with my first because it has a small zippered pocket where you can store money, credit cards, ID, etc.

Happy shopping (and nursing)!

Before you have kids

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I read an article once that made me crack up. I just tried to find it but to no avail, so if anyone knows knows of it or the author – let me know! It was hysterical. The premise was this: before you have kids, relish in the simplicity of the pre-kid life. The example they used was leaving the house. Step outside, they said. Just step outside your door. It’s that easy – you’re out! Once you have kids, this will become a daily obstacle.

Truer words have never been spoken. It takes forever to leave the house. I actually don’t think that it takes all the much longer with two kids as compared to one, but the jump from zero kids to one was massive. Now before leaving the house I have to change diapers, juggle nap schedules, pack the diaper bag (which inevitably takes forever), convince my 2 y/o that leaving the house is a good idea, fit the stroller into the car, find everything to put in the diaper bag (takes longer than expected since the house is almost always a disaster because who has time to clean!?), and usually come back into the house once or twice because something was inevitably forgotten.

The thought of this exhausts me!

So parents-to-be, do yourselves a favor: if you want to do something, relish in the ability to just do it. You won’t have this opportunity again for many, many years.

On Children, by Khalil Gibran

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I think about this often. My life at the moment revolves around my kids – a 9 month old and a 2.5 year old. When I am at home, I do not have a minute to myself. The days fly by in a blur of mealtimes, nap times, and activities to entertain the kids. The hours pass while we watch the kids play in their playroom, stroll outside with one baby in the carrier and one on his Strider bike, wash dishes, do laundry, clean pump parts, cook – the list goes on. These are lovely moments – reading books on the window seat, playing peek-a-boo, and even answering the same question over and over again. I have already seen how these little people are born with their own desires, disdains, and personalities. I know that it is only a matter of time before they fly away from me. They will make their own friends, create their own worlds, and go on to have busy, busy lives. It is the nature of things and I am trying to prepare for it. For now, I am soaking up these precious days – trying to be as present as possible despite so often being exhausted. And in the back of my mind trying to remind myself that these children are not my own.

Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bows from which your children
as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might
that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer’s hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable.