June 2, 2009
Books and Bras
A few days ago Dawson and I made a trip to the library. The main branch is in Stevens Point, but the smaller Plover branch is less than a block from our house, so we walked over there to kill some time.
While Dawson played Reader Rabbit Preschool on the computer, I went on the hunt for books on labor, delivery & childbirth. One of the books I checked out was called Breastfeeding Sucks: What to Do when Your Mammaries Make You Miserable by Joanne Kimes. The book is awesome. I finished it in 2 days (only 224 pages) because it was so easy to read. Joanne’s take on breastfeeding is humorous and honest and since I had some troubles with nursing when Dawson was born, I wanted to learn as much as I could.
Initially, I was going to check out a 400-page monster book written by a La Leche League advocate, but some of the information seemed outdated and not very interesting. Breastfeeding Sucks was published just a few years ago and seemed more up to date.
Anyway, I highly recommend this book not only for the content value, but because of the great resources Kimes references in the back of the book; where to find the best maternity and nursing wear, and how to donate excess breast milk (most NICUs have procedures and regulations on this), and which books to read when it comes time to get your baby to sleep at night.
I was thrilled to find the website Motherwear.com listed in the back of the book. I’d not heard of it before, and I’ve been looking to purchase affordable nuring bras. Motherwear.com has a great selection of nursing bras and tanks, as well as clothing for post-delivery as well. They even cater to plus-size women which impressed me very much. We all can’t be size 2 in maternity clothes. I’m looking at you, Target.
I bought a few for less than $20 each, much better than the $68 bra I saw on another maternity site. Who pays more than $50 for a freakin’ nursing bra? It’s not like it’s made by Victoria’s Secret.
Anyway…the whole point of this post was to tell you about the online measuring tool for nursing bras. I had Doug help me measure (which he thought was too much fun, I was rather uncomfortable) and plugged these measurements into the online application. When I clicked the “Find My Size” button I nearly peed my pants laughing at the results. According to the site, I was a 44H. Yes, you read that correctly. 44! H cup! What the hell?
I didn’t think that was correct (and no I’m not posting the numbers here, too embarrassing) so I made Doug re-measure (and again he was thrilled, I was not — I’m sorry, but there’s nothing sexy about being fondled measured for bras by your husband) and it turns out he was holding the measuring tape incorrectly across my back. I tried to show him how to do it correctly and finally, we got a more accurate reading.
Thankfully, it was a 40D this time, and I ordered the 42D just because I’m sure I’ll grow a little more in the bust when the milk comes in after delivery.
So, two great finds: the book Breastfeeding Sucks and Motherwear.com. Check them out!
(And no, this post is not paid. I’m just thrilled to finally find things I need!)
February 9, 2009
Tales from the Dressing Room II
So, remember when I told you about the trip to Milwaukee my husband and I went on in January? The one where we had a fantastic dinner and saw Frank Caliendo? Oh, I didn’t finish that story? I’ll mark that on my to-do list. First, I must tell you a funny story.
Two days before our trip, I decided I needed a new outfit. It had been several months since I went shopping for new clothes and I was tired of wearing the same old stuff from my closet.
I decided to check JC Penney’s since I’m a gold card holder and they send all these awesome coupons for 20% off any purchase, in the mail. Well, the only chance I had to get to the store was while Doug was working, and I had to bring Dawson with me.
We get to the store and I began perusing the shopping racks. I found some jeans and a few sweaters to try on and I dragged the clothes and my son to the dressing rooms.
“Dawson, sit down and hang tight while I try this stuff on, okay?” I told him.
“Mumma, are you gonna get naked?” he asked.
“No, I’m just going to try on these clothes. Turn around if you don’t want to see my underpants.”
So I take off my clothes and put on the first outfit. As I’m checking myself out in the mirror (in horrible dressing room lighting), I hear Dawson yell, “I HAVE TO GO POTTY!”
Crap! I think. Here I am in store clothes, my coat and purse and street clothes strewn across the dressing room, and now my son tells me he needs to use the bathroom.
“Dawson, can you hold it until I get my clothes back on?” I ask.
“NO! I HAVE TO GO RIGHT NOW!” he shreiks.
I made the split second decision to leave my clothes and coat in the dressing room, and to grab my purse and the kid and head across the store to the bathrooms. When I say across the store, I mean all the way to the other side of the building.
Dawson and I are halfway out of the dressing room when the attendant calls out, “Ma’am! You cannot leave the dressing room with those clothes on.”
I don’t stop, but I turn towards her and yell, “My son has to pee! It’s an emergency!”
The store clerk follows me as she tells me it’s against store policy to allow merchandise to enter the bathrooms, it’s an anti-theft policy and she’ll have to get the manager.
I ignore her, and go into the bathroom so that Dawson can do his business.
Next thing I know the store manager walks in, as well as a security guard.
“Ma’am, you need to return to the dressing room.” the manager says.
I’m holding the stall door closed, Dawson is peeing and this woman (the manager) and male security guard are in the bathroom with us.
“Look,” I say. “I know you’re worried I’m going to walk out of the store, WITHOUT MY CLOTHES OR COAT, with the INK THINGIE still on the freakin’ pants, and through the BEEPING THINGS by the door, but seriously…my child has to pee and if you have ever raised a boy you’d know this cannot wait.”
“We understand that things happen but we need you to return to the dressing room immediately.” she said.
I smiled politely and helped my son to the sink to wash his hands.
“Mumma, how come all those people wanna hear me pee?” Dawson asked.
I started laughing and said, “Oh honey, they think your Mom is going to steal their clothes.”
“Oh, no Mumma. You can’t do that or you’ll go to jail.” Dawson said.
We head back to the dressing rooms and I said to Dawson, “Why didn’t you tell me you had to go potty before we went in here?”
“Because you didn’t ask me!” Dawson said.
Good point. The kid is no dummy. Next time I’ll make sure to ask if he had to pee before I decide to try anything on in the store.
The good news is I did find a new pair of jeans. The ones that Penney’s thought I was going to steal. And I also found these:
I tried them on and fell in love. They are delicious. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to wear them in Milwaukee because of the cold and snowy weather, but I fully intend to wear them on Valentine’s Day.
Oh, speaking of the big V-day. Doug and I are celebrating the night before with dinner and a movie…because the next day my BFF AJ and I are going to see MOTLEY CRUE in Madison! AJ lives in Chicago and we rarely get to see each other so we’re both totally excited.
Don’t you just love the shoes? I want to lick them. That’s how awesome they are.
(Also, why do the funniest things always happen to me in a dressing room? Remember this?)
December 27, 2008
Long Day
Today, I decided to take Dawson along with me to the various stores to do some returns, exchanges and clearance shopping. Big mistake. BIG.
What was supposed to be a quick venture to Walmart and Target turned into five hours of shopping and bumming around. (And I think I spent a little more than I intended because the Doodlebug was with me.)
Dawson was well-behaved for most of the trip, save for the few times he begged (and whined) for toys and treats, and I managed to remain calm far longer than I thought possible. (I’m not very patient when it comes to shopping, especially with Dawson.)
We had some gift cards burning holes in our pockets and what better a day to hit the retail establishments than two days after Christmas. I’m no dummy. Had I tried to go shopping yesterday, I’d have never made it home with my sanity in tact.
It was still busy in the shops and stores today, but it was manageable and I wasn’t complaining.
At Walmart we exchanged a board game, picked up some bathroom tissue and more Easy-Ups for Dawson, and I got some miscellaneous things I needed — minus a black ink cartridge for our printer. It seems the HP #21 Black ink is mighty popular. (I tried to remember to check at Target and completely forgot. It’s not my fault, I got distracted by all the Christmas Clearance.)
We ran into Game Stop to use a gift card that Dawson received. He had been begging for the Mario Party game for the Nintendo DS, but once inside the store he changed his mind and picked Mario Kart instead. (And he’s been playing it since we got home. My 4-year-old is a gamer. This kind of scares me.)
After that we finally hit Target. I wanted to check out the clearance and scored some new holiday dinnerware. It’s plastic and so adorable. I’ll post pictures soon. I also stocked up on wrapping paper, gift bags & tags, holiday cards and some outdoor lights, too.
Target is my favorite place to shop and I tried not to go overboard with the clearance stuff, but it was so difficult to walk away. I grabbed some new socks for the hubs (he goes through socks so quickly, it’s crazy) and bought a new book for myself (by James Patterson, my favorite author).
All that shopping made us hungry, so Dawson and I had dinner at Wendy’s across the street. Next we went to the book store and I perused the new releases while Dawson played in the kids’ section. Finally, we went to Shopko and exchanged the shoes I got him that were too small and picked up a new Backyardigans DVD that was on sale.
I was so ready to go home, but ever since we walked through the door I’ve been playing video games, board games and watching iCarly with Dawson. While I enjoy playing with my little guy, I can’t help but yawn. It’s been a long day.
