Nursing Pads Review

I don't know about you but I have to use nursing pads while breast feeding. I bought a variety of different brands. So I might as well review them for you so you don't waste your money!!!!!!!

#1- Lansinoh: (Not pictured I used up the whole box!) This is by far my most favorite brand!!!! More expensive of the 4 I am reviewing here. It is very absorbent and doesn't leave my breasts feeling clammy. It comes individually wrapped which is great for traveling so no dust gets on the pad! I can't find anything negative about this nursing pad. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

#2- Avent: (Pictured on the far left)  This has worked well for me my only complaint is that sometimes it will stick to my nipples and having sore nipples are no fun when things stick to them. Also leaves them clammy sometimes. This has great absorbency but I do have to change this nursing pad more then the Lansinoh. RECOMMENDED.

#3- Johnsons: (Middle) This is my second favorite. It is absorbent doesn't leave my breast moist or clammy. It does stick a little to the breast if not leaking but not as bad as the Avent. Best thing about this pad it is so soft like feathers! DEFINITLY RECOMMENDED.

#4- Nuk: (Pictured far right) This is the WORST nursing pad I have ever used in my breastfeeding life! Holy Moly these were not absorbent, they are uncomfortable, they don't form to the breast, and leaking the rounds are not sealed so when you leak you leak through your bra and clothes it is the worst thing ever! I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS NURSING PAD TO ANYONE!

Hope I helped some of you with your nursing pad journey!


Deanna

Playtime With A Newborn

While my little bundle of joy takes a nap I will blog for you! Yesterday I asked the board what some ideas are for the blog. AndeeT and gimmeahint requested how to play with a newborn. Keep in mind newborns don't play they learn. Some ways to "play" with a newborn are simply talking in a soothing voice and singing. My daughter when she was a newborn and my son right now get a kick out of this little song. I learned from my aunt!

Open their palm and sing "Round and Round the garden goes baby's name, one step, two step, tickle you!"

Here is the step by step!(Thanks to my daughter for being in the picture):

'Round and round the garden goes baby's name"

Move your finger around their palm while singing.

When you do the one step and two step in the song you crawl up their arm as shown in the picture.

TICKLE YOU!

This helps them learn touch and the "grasp" reflex.

Another way is play mats!

I have this mat the Baby Einstein Around the World play gym.

$59.99 AT Babies R Us.

Features:

12 Activities

7 Toys

9 World Melodies

 I purchased this reason being is there are real life pictures of animals, you can take it anywhere so its portable, there is volume control, baby motion activated, huge mirror for baby to look at himself, machine washable, and all the toys attach to a loop so they aren't getting lost around the house. Plus it grows with your baby!

Babies love black and white patterns, shadows, and board books. You know when your baby is overstimulated when they start to fuss.

SoDorable requested which book to read to her LO. Honestly your voice is enough for them but if you want to bring in a book bring one with a lot of colors.

Remember this newborns can't see distances past 8-14 inches until about 3 months. At 3 months they can see faces and stare at objects.

At 4 months they can detect a foot away. At 6 months they can distinguish objects. Then around 2 most have 20/60 vision.

Deanna

Spicy Turkey Sausage Spaghetti

Spicy Turkey Sausage Spaghetti

All you will need is:

1 container Spicy Italian Sausage (5 links)

1 box Whole Wheat Spaghetti Pasta

1/2 tbsp Basil

Black Pepper to taste

Your favorite spaghetti sauce (I used Hunts Mushroom)

1. Add a teaspoon of olive oil to a skillet and let it heat.

2. Cook turkey sausage with 2 tbsp water.

3. Cook sausage for 14-20 minutes on med-hi heat depending on your stove it could cook faster. Cook pasta as well!

4. Once sausage is cooked slice sausage, add sauce, add black pepper, and chopped fresh basil. Simmer for 15 minutes.

5. Put pasta on a plate and add sauce and sausage. Garnish with basil and enjoy!

Deanna

Post-Partum Plan

39 weeks 206lbs

1 week 3 days postpartum 170lbs

So here is the post everyone has been waiting for! From my 39 week appointment to 1 week 3 days postpartum I have lost a total of 36lbs in total.

What have I been doing? What is my secret?

First of all I am not using diet teas, diet pills, diet drinks, belly bandits, belly wraps, or anything in that form.

What am I doing you ask?

I have been eating 3 full meals a day and 3 snacks in between. I am also breastfeeding exclusively.

Here is a sample day of what I eat:

Breakfast:

2 egg white omlet with onions, green peppers, and ham.

1 slice of whole wheat bread toasted.

1 glass of orange juice (or any juice that doesn't have added sugar)

1 piece of fruit

Lunch:

Loaded sandwich meaning (2 slices of whole wheat bread, 2 kinds of meat 2 slices of each, my favorite veggies, oil, vinigar, salt, and pepper).

1 piece of fruit.

1 cup of decaf lipton tea (iced or hot)

One treat of choice (cookie, piece of candy sugar free, or anything in that form)

Dinner:

Steamed fish (size of deck of cards)

1 cup of brown rice (its better then white rice)

2 cups of assorted veggies

Tall glass of ice water

Dessert:

( YES DESSERT!!!!!)

1 cup of ice cream!

Snacks through out the day consist of fresh fruit, veggies with nonfat dip, hummus, small cup of soup, baked potato, non salted tortilla chips with fresh or store bought salsa, and things like that!

What I am not putting in my body: Sodas, chips, extra salt (everything I have is low sodium), fast food, canola oils and vegetable oils, regular pasta, white rice, and candy.

I will only be eating whole grain pastas, brown rice, and wheat bread. Plus only cooking with olive oil.

Still hungry?

Feel free to eat as much fruit and veggies! Small sandwiches,fruit smoothies, crackers with real cheese (not the boxed stuff!), or yogurt!

Don't starve yourself and drink plenty of water.

Sleep when your baby sleeps.

Treat yourself do your eyebrows, home facial, hot shower, do your toe nails, just make yourself pretty. Do it for yourself.

Walk atleast 15-30 minutes a day. Even if its walking around your house it is still movement!

Would you guys like a full week daily meal plan? More meal ideas? Snack ideas? Please let me know either in the comments, email, or the Whattoexpect.com board!

Deanna

Raizo's Birth Story

Raizo PiangBo Brown

7lbs 12oz

Born June 7, 2011

This birth story is a extremely exciting one! I went to my doctors appointment at 2:45pm June 7th  I was exactly 39 weeks and was still not progressed from the last week visit and my cervix was still posterior so my doctor said okay induction it is on Friday. I ran errands bought some Sonic ice with my cousins then took a nap when I got home. I woke up with mild cramps. I called my doctor and she said if they got more intense within the hour to go in to the hospital. So I took a warm bath and all the sudden the pain got horrible I couldn't even move. I thought maybe I was constipated since I havent had a bowel movement in over 3 days. So I sat on the toilet and it got even worse. I called 911 because I couldn't even walk anymore I was laying in bed in so much pain. The ambulance got here within 5 minutes and took me on the drive to the hospital. I learned I had a new EMT in the ambulance and this was her first run ever. (Poor girl). All the sudden my water broke a few minutes into the drive. Then I had the urge to push and I was still in the ambulance the EMT was in a panic telling the driver to drive faster before I had the baby in the ambulance! I started to panic and then I pushed because my body couldn't wait any longer. His head came out and they stared taking me out of the ambulance and little Raizo was delivered in the hallway of the hospital on a stretcher with the ER doctor grabbing him before he hit the stretcher. She said she caught him like a football. My labor was only 38 minutes long. 38 MINUTES! I wonder if that is a record setter? Either way he got taken away and sent to the nursery to get checked out while my placenta was labored out. I wanted a natural birth and damnit I sure got what I wanted. I am a very happy mommy and I am very sorry this birth story is late! I have had a busy time so please forgive me! Here are some more pictures of Raizo!

Raizo and Lina

1 day old!

Smiling after being fed!

Deanna

Healthy Crab Dinner

I don't know about you guys but I love seafood especially CRAB! I went to my local asian market to find these babies for $1.99lb.

With my twin cousins at my side they chose the feistiest crabs in the pack to cook for dinner. The outcome is the first picture a big bowl full of 8lbs of blue crab.

Here are a few that were just done being cleaned and fighting with eachother. Cooking crab isn't for the faint of heart you do have to cook them live they are better that way! During the drive home we all realized we didn't have a brush to clean these little fighters. So I went to the Dollar Tree to get a pot and pan brush so we can clean them well. My cousins cracked me up a couple of the crabs got loose and ran on the counter and were attacking the brush. Anyways here is how you cook them!

I chose to steam the crabs instead of boiling the crabs I really didn't want a soaked crab for dinner that's not yummy! I steamed them in a 2 tier steamer. With the water on the bottom I added a ton of black pepper, half an onion (chopped), garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. I steamed them for 35 minutes. My cousin held on to the top of the steamer because the crabs were moving (like I said cooking them isn't for the faint of heart). We laid out a ton of news papers and warmed up some butter!

There is one of the crabs I ate! Looks like he is trying to make himself tastier by going to the butter!

I hope you guys enjoy this and try it for a yummy summer treat!

Deanna

15 Minute Pizza

15 Minute pizza crunchy crust and cheesy! Also extremely easy!

You will need:

1 Package pizza crust flour

1/2 cup Favorite spaghetti sauce (I used Hunt's Traditional)

1 cup Mozzarella cheese ( if you want it more cheesy pile it on)

1/2 tbsp Fresh or dry basil

Olive Oil

Follow directions on package to prepare the dough and oven times. Each brand varies.

Preparation for Kroger brand pizza crust:

1. Preheat oven to 475 Degrees F

2. Grease a 12-inch pizza pan or a large baking sheet

3. Combine pizza crust mix and 1/2 cup hot water in a mixing bowl

4. Stir with fork until blended (will be a bit dry)

5. Form into a ball and grease with about 1 teaspoon olive oil

6. Cover and set in a warm place for 5 minutes

7. Press dough evenly onto bottom of pan using greased hands. Pinch edges to form a rim.

I chose to have a crispier crust so this is what I did:

Prick the dough with a fork and bake for 5 minutes.

Then take out and add your sauce and cheese and top with basil (other toppings as well if you want)

Continue baking for an additional 9 minutes.

The results you achieve are at the top of this blog. It is cheesy, filling, and easy to make.

The packaged pizza crust mix was $.79 at Krogers.

So not only is this dinner quick and easy its cheap as well! You can find this kind of pizza crust mix at any supermarket.

Will you try out this recipe?

Deanna

Freeman Facial Peel-Off Mask Review

I am doing a review on the Freeman Facial Peel-Off Mask in Cucumber shown above (they do have new packaging now but I am not done with my tube yet!)

On the package is says it clarifies and renews skin and contains natural ingredients.

Instructions: Apply evenly to face, avoiding eye area. Leave on 5-10 minutes or until dry. Gently peel off masque. Rinse with warm water.

I went to Ulta recently and this line retails for $3.99 you can find it at most stores like Target, Walmart, Supermarkets, and Ulta.

I really love this peel-off mask it leaves my face very smooth and soft. It does take about 10 minutes not 5 minutes for me for it to dry which I don't mind. My daughter thinks its funny because I can't smile with the mask on and she loves to help me peel it off. It has the usual cucumber smell most spa items have and it doesn't offend the nose. Make sure to use a face lotion after using this so your skin can absorb the moisture since its been stripped of oils and impurities. Plus for $3.99 you can't go wrong. Are there any specific masks you guys use? Would you be interested in using this product?

*I purchased this product with my own money*

Quick Steamed Fish with Asparagus

Here is my recipe for steamed fish with asparagus.

To cook the fish:

1 Pompano fish (Any white fish works well here it also doesn't have to be whole )

6 tbsp soy sauce (you can use any brand I used Kikkoman)

3 scallions ends cut and cut in half

3 slices of fresh ginger

Black pepper to taste

I use a steamer to use this recipe but if you don't have one available you can also bake and it will come out the same way. I just prefer to steam the fish cooks faster that way.

I purchase my whole fish cleaned and cut for me.

1. Stuff the fish with the green onions and ginger.

2. Apply soy sauce on to fish and inside then sprinkle with black pepper.

3. Place inside steamer and steam for about 15 minutes.

Then you are done with your fish. I told you it was quick!

Asparagus:

1 lb of fresh asparagus ends cut and cleaned

3 cloves of fresh garlic

1/2 tbsp of olive oil

Black pepper to taste

1. Saute garlic olive oil until aromatic

2. Add asparagus and toss gently

3. Add 1 tbsp of water and cover for 1 minute

4. Check asparagus for tenderness

Serve!

If you aren't using a whole fish and just using fillets place scallions and ginger on top of fish.

Deanna

McDonald's Experience.

No picture for this blog sad to say as this happened before my blog started. I do wish I had a picture to remember this hilarious and irritating event. I went to McDonald's in Sugarland, Texas. I ordered a #1 so a BigMac meal. My food came and to my surprise low and behold there's no meat on my BigMac. I didn't realize that McDonalds was trying to make me a vegetarian (nothing against vegetarians here). So no meat that means I got a compact box with 3 slices of bread and a ton of lettuce. Being in Texas I thought this place was about the MEAT. I was wrong. I brought it back and got a replacement. This time meat was included. I had to share this encounter with everyone here. Anyone experience a fast food fails recently? Oh and their bathroom GOODNESS has latex gloves all over the floor. What in the world they don't even clean with latex gloves where did they come from? To top it off the supervisor and all his associates were on their phones texting away. McDonald's you need to step your game up and really just work on this place. I will be calling the store manager to complain because it was just ridiculous.

My Yesterday

Hope in a jar. If this really was hope in a jar like real hope I would have used it by now. I went to my 38 week appointment yesterday to find out I haven't progressed since the last week. She struggled to get to my cervix  which by the way was the worst pain and very uncomfortable. So an induction has to be done sometime next week between Tuesday and Friday. So baby will be a planned hospital birth.

I have my two wonderful cousins coming in from Arizona to help me out since I have a 4 year old as well so atleast they will be here and they keep me entertained! I haven't seen them in the longest time!

I also went to see Kung Fu Panda with my daughter yesterday. I have to say I liked the first one better but the  mass amount of cartoon panda babies made me happy. We went to the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. They had a full menu and tables to enjoy your food. So what did me and the little one order? Popcorn, chips and queso, molten chocolate lava cake with strawberries and vanilla ice-cream, and sodas. It was worth the money spent and she had a great time. I wanted to take her out before the baby came and give her some full on mommy attention.

Tonights plan for dinner got a little bit disorganized so its steamed whole fish stuffed with green onions and ginger with white rice and asian veggies. I will put up a recipe and pictures tonight so you guys can give it a try if you would like. If you do please let me know how you liked it. It's really simple, healthy, and enjoyable. Well that is the update for now. I will be posting a review today as well as that recipe I promised so look out for those today and please comment!

Deanna