Warning: Vagina Talk! But it could be helpful...

Have you ever heard of a menstruation cup? Mama cloth? I have found that a lot of people have no idea what these things are. A menstruation cup is a small flexible cup that you insert into your vagina to collect the menstruation blood. Mama cloth is simply a cloth pad. Neither is a new concept. Some cultures had women sit on a large cup for the entirety of their period, others used natural sea sponges, others used cloth. We have developed disposable everything, so it's not surprising that we have one for our periods.

Disposable options are not always the best choice. Personally, I react to them. I also don't like to use disposable pads and tampons because of the chemicals and the insane amount of trash that they cause.

When I first heard about the Diva cup, my first thought was, "You want me to put that where?"

Then I researched it. Researched some more. And a little more for good measure.

Then I bought one, and waited. I'm still breastfeeding Britches, so I hadn't had my first postpartum period at the time. While I waited, I made some more mama cloth too. I used cloth during my postpartum bleeding, but it was more of a "Hey, I am having a bad reaction to these pads, let me whip up something that will work temporarily." I sew cloth diapers all the time, so mama cloth was a piece of cake. I knew from the reaction I had to postpartum pads that disposable would not be an option for me long term. Oddly enough, I hadn't had a regular period since conceiving Tater (who is now 8). The pad/tampon thing had not been an issue for a long time.

I waited and waited. Then on Britches' first Birthday (how's that for timing?), Aunt Flo came to town.

I tried the Diva cup with a mama cloth liner. It is... weird. When I first put it in, it was a very different sensation. It has a learning curve. Most people seem to make leaks their first couple of days, until they figure out how to place it. Mine was pretty easy, I just popped it in. In the directions it will tell you to turn it, I didn't. I tried, but quickly figured out that wasn't going to happen. It worked perfectly. No leaks. By the end of the first day, that "weird" sensation was gone, and I was a convert.

Taking it out is really not any harder than removing a tampon, or Ben Wa balls. Every 12 hours I took it out, emptied it, washed it with mild soap, and popped it back in. Worked like a charm.

I loved the mama cloth too. I tried just that for a day, and it worked perfectly. I used the same materials I use to make soakers for cloth diapers. I topped one with a wicking material (pulls moisture through it) for a stay dry feeling. The other I made with all natural absorbent materials. Both felt great, so much better than disposables.

I would highly recommend the Diva cup and mama cloth to anyone.

I have to share a chuckle too. Grizzly acted completely grossed out talking about the cup for the first time. He even made a face. We talk about everything, so it is totally normal for us to discuss my cycle. I swear, he knew it better than I did when we were trying to conceive. I asked if he'd rather I used disposable, and his tune did a 180. He said, "No, I love that you use these. It's natural, better for you, no trash, and the best part: it's cheaper!" He's 100% behind me using the cup and cloth, even if it is largely due to financial reasons. He is even willing to do the laundry, now that's love...

Oatmeal Cake Bars

I try to do most of my baking from scratch, but sometimes you need something super quick and easy. I love this recipe for those times. If you want to go all out Betty Crocker, you can use it with your favorite cake recipe too. Just use the dry ingredients instead of the cake mix.

Oatmeal Cake Bars

1 Box of cake mix (yellow and funfetti are my favorites for this)

3 Cups Quick Cook Oats

1 Cup Applesauce

2 Eggs

1 Tablespoon

water

Preheat oven to 350.

Mix all ingredients together until it resembles a dry batter.

Pour into a pan (I use an 8x8 or 9x9 most often) and press it down so it is even.

Bake for 30 minutes or until a fork comes out clean.

That's it. Simple, huh? Perfect quick and easy snack or dessert for those forgotten events that tend to sneak up on you. Or for something that smells yummy in the oven without making a huge mess of the kitchen.

The Real Nursing Cookie Recipe

I was looking at my nursing cookies post, when I realized that is not how a really make my cookies. That recipe will still help boost milk production, but it's not exactly how I make them. I have a terrible habit of rewriting recipes or writing new ones and not keeping track of every step and ingredient. I swear someone has to watch me make a recipe to get the whole thing. I make so many recipes by memory only. I can blame it on my Grams, she does the same thing. The biggest change is that I don't use butter. I use organic applesauce for all butter, oil, and fat in my baking recipes. Here are the changes, with the actual ingredients and amounts (as close as I can eyeball).

Nursing Cookies to boost lactation

Ingredients:

1 C Applesauce

1 C sugar

1 C brown sugar

3 T water

2 T flaxseed meal (no subs)

2 Lg eggs

1 t vanilla

2 C flour

1 t baking soda

1 t salt

4.5 C Thick cut oats

1 C Chocolate chips

4 T Brewers Yeast (no substitutions)

1 T Fenugreek

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350

Mix 2 T of flaxseed meal and water, set aside 3-5 minutes.

Cream applesauce and sugar.

Add eggs.

Stir flaxseed mix into butter mix and add vanilla.

Beat until well blended.

Sift: dry ingredients, except oats and choc chips.

Add butter mix to dry ing.

Stir in the oats and then the choc chips, fenugreek, and brewers yeast.

Drop on parchmant paper on baking sheet.

Bake 10-15 minutes.

The Dress Form

Here was the short, yet wonderful conversation:

Me: I want NEED a body double to stick pins in!

Grizzly: Sigh... Go ahead and order the dress form.

Me: (Hesitantly) Are you sure?

Grizzly: I said yes didn't I...

Most men would think I was crazy and not have a clue what I was blabbering about, but my wonderfully enabling husband actually gets it. Or at least pretends to.

I like to sew. It is an constructive hobby, I do make some money with it, and it can save us money. Ok, it does save money, but not necessarily a lot because I am a complete fabric-oholic. I love my fabric stash!

Anyway, Grizzly is the best man in a wedding at the end of the month. I got the hair-brained idea stuck in my head to make my dress. I have several "good" reasons for wanting to do this:

1. I want to. Simple reason, but it is enough for me.

2. I have had crazy inspiration lately and it is a great experiment. I don't think that Grizzly would be fond of me making the elaborate wedding gown that I have in my head (unless he feels like selling me off to the highest bidder that day--could happen), so I'll play with this instead.

3. Nothing fits me and I despise shopping. I guess "nothing fits me" isn't entirely accurate, but I had a baby 7 months ago, I am breastfeeding, and recovering from a serious illness. My body is not in it's normal shape, nothing even resembling its normal form. My body has seriously been through hell, so I am fine with this--for the time being....

4. To see if I can do it. I love Project Runway. I am not the typical "I watched Project Runway so now I can go design a fashion line" type woman. I sew already, so that is a big help. I am also not looking for high fashion. I am looking for something to flatter my curves. What better way than to design and fit it for my body. Not nearly as easy as it sounds...

Because of this, I decided I needed a dress form. I really didn't want to spend a fortune on one. I found one on Craigslist, but it was gone before I could commit (we all have our issues, committing to purchases is one of mine). My mom helped me attempt a duct tape dress form. That was a no go, even though it really works for some people. My guess is those people don't have a screaming infant who freaks out when her source of nutrition is being wrapped in duct tape. Just a guess... (She was just hungry, but that sounds better)

Thankfully Grizzly was in a highly accommodating

mood during the afore mentioned conversation. Love you honey!

I have had a dozen different designs for this dress in my head. I have finally landed on one, but I assure you it will evolve. They always do. My mom showed me a beautiful dress that I will be taking a lot of inspiration from. It is a beautifully draped greek goddess inspired frock. I think it should flatter my statuesque (aka nursing boobs and child-bearing hips) figure.

I decided on a maroon/burgundy type color. This could also change halfway through, so we shall see. Now the dress form and fabrics are ordered! Keep your fingers crossed for me, and wish me luck. I am definitely going to need it!

Crayon on Canvas

I saw an awesome piece of art that I loved on pinterest the other day, and thought "I can totally make that!"

(Said piece of art)

I happened to have a few boxes of crayons and a canvas just waiting for inspiration. I chose to go with a full rainbow for mine. Tater didn't even blink when I grabbed the hot glue gun, a canvas, and his crayons. He knows better than to be surprised. Remember, he has been raised by me so he thinks this is totally normal!

It is a very simple piece to do. Glue the crayons to the top, then let it sit in the sun. It will melt all by itself. If you are impatient like me, use a blow dryer. Be very careful though, it splatters that way. I would also recommend using a flat canvas, not a stretched. The heat will deform those.

I had a small monkey attached to me most of the morning (Madame Britches), so I didn't take pictures for a tutorial. BUT I just saw that one of the awesome moms on my craft board did! Here is the link to Naptime=Craft time for the tutorial.

Here is my masterpiece...

Nursing Cookies

Update: I updated the cookie recipe, so now it is exactly how I make them. I always forget my tweaks until someone else watches me make it. :)

I sent a recipe for nursing cookies to a friend today, when it occurred to me that others might not know about nursing cookies either. They are a great way to boost lactation. The 2 best methods for me are a dark beer, and these cookies. I did a search for nursing cookies, and was amazed at what I saw. Some companies sell cookies with the identical active ingredients for $40 for 30 cookies! Plus shipping!!! Nursing moms, please make this recipe instead of spending a fortune.

Nursing Cookies to boost lactation

Ingredients:

1 C butter applesauce

1 C sugar

1 C brown sugar

4 3 T water

2 T flaxseed meal (no subs)

2 Lg eggs

1 t vanilla

2 C flour

1 t baking soda

1 t salt

3 4.5 C Thick cut oats

1 C Chocolate chips

2 4 T Brewers Yeast (no substitutions)

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 375 350

Mix 2 T of flaxseed meal and water, set aside 3-5 minutes.

Cream butter and sugar.

Add eggs.

Stir flaxseed mix into butter mix and add vanilla.

Beat until well blended.

Sift: dry ingredients, except oats and choc chips.

Add butter mix to dry ing.

Stir in the oats and then the choc chips. And Brewers yeast

Drop on parchment paper on baking sheet.

Bake 8-12 minutes.

Funny story about these cookies... I gave this recipe to my mom and asked her to make some shortly after Britches was born. I wasn't able to be up yet, but she sweetly agreed. My husband came home and saw cookies on the counter cooling. He grabbed one and walked into the living room. Just as he was about to take a bite, I told him they were nursing cookies. He froze, and said, "Like for breast milk?" I confirmed this, and he slowly walked over to me, handed me the cookie, and said he was good. I laughed hysterically!

These are perfectly fine for anyone to eat, just especially good for milk production. Enjoy!

The Diaries

My husband and I were driving (hence the pic -->; I crack me up...)

When I received an email from my mom. I just got a new smartphone, so this is still exciting to me. I opened the email and started to read. It was a forward, so I thought it would be funny. It was so sad though. It detailed a common story of a wife's feelings, that I think we can all relate to. I really felt for the wife in the story. Then I reached the end, and I burst out laughing! Grizzly had me read it to him. He looked sincerely puzzled as to why I laughed so hard. Once I reached the end of the story, he got it. He laughed hysterically. I thought you might appreciate this:

Wife's Diary: Tonight, I thought my husband was acting weird. We had made plans to meet at a nice restaurant for dinner. I was shopping with my friends all day long, so I thought he was upset at the fact that I was a bit late, but he made no comment on it. Conversation wasn't flowing, so I suggested that we go somewhere quiet so we could talk. He agreed, but he didn't say much. I asked him what was wrong; He said, 'Nothing.' I asked him if it was my fault that he was upset. He said he wasn't upset, that it had nothing to do with me, and not to worry about it. On the way home, I told him that I loved him. He smiled slightly, and kept driving. I can't explain his behavior I don't know why he didn't say, 'I love you, too.' When we got home, I felt as if I had lost him completely, as if he wanted nothing to do with me anymore. He just sat there quietly, and watched TV. He continued to seem distant and absent. Finally, with silence all around us, I decided to go to bed. About 15 minutes later, he came to bed. But I still felt that he was distracted, and his thoughts were somewhere else. He fell asleep - I cried. I don't know what to do. I'm almost sure that his thoughts are with someone else. My life is a disaster. Husband's Diary: Boat wouldn't start; can't figure it out. It's all about perspective, and I think we should all reread this from time to time.