Mommy Thoughts Thursday: {Bottles}

Bottles.
We all go crazy over bottles.
I didn't know what to expect, and I wrote this post.
When I began to research and look in the baby section for the first time, I found the breastflow bottles. They are designed to be more natural and more like the anatomy of a breast.

" Breastflow is a feeding system that requires both suction and 

compression, just like breastfeeding. The nipple is designed to 

mimic the breast so baby can latch on and to encourage the 

same mouth and tongue position as breast feeding. The double 

nipple system requires both suction and compression, just like 

breast feeding and baby controls the flow of milk. 

The Breastflow System is ideal for nursing moms who would 

like to introduce  a bottle. Breastfed babies easily alternate 

between breast and  bottle without the worry of 

nipple confusion."

I was skeptical, yes. I only got a few of the smaller bottles and one pack of the larger bottles. Well, my little girl's reaction to these bottles have made me a believer. My little gets three bottles during the day while I am at work, and she nurses just fine in the mornings and at night.

If you watch your little one feed out of these bottles, it does indeed simulate the let down. The milk easily dispenses back into the bottle with a little squeeze. If you follow the instructions for these bottles, they work like magic. We are only 2 weeks into this routine, but she does great! I can even give her the bottle, she takes it from me great!

They do have ONE measly little extra part to clean, but other than that, they are fantastic. Unfortunately, they are hard to find in stores, so I've had to search high and low to get them at a good price. Ebay has been the most successful place, but you can also buy them here, here, and here. 

I also bought some used ones off the online yard sale. She strikes again!

No, Madison, it's not a real boob. Tricked ya!

Hardier Lime Lactation Cookies {Product Review}

"Now you can make Lactation Cookies yourself with just a few extra ingredients you already have in your kitchen, without running all over town to find the specialized ingredients, spending a lot for the small amounts needed for the recipe or taking the time to measure everything out. It’s all in one mix, from my kitchen to yours." 

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In the early stages of learning the ins and outs of breastfeeding, I began to doubt my body and it's ability to sustain my little one. I almost gave up breastfeeding totally because I felt like my little girl was not getting full enough.

I began to research ways to increase milk supply and found several suggestions. I also found great foods and herbs to consume that will help. Well here in Alabama, it was almost impossible to find all these wild ingredients. Not to mention, they were pricey. I did not want to spend a ton of money for a whole jar when I only needed a teaspoon. 

That's when I found Hardier Lime on etsy. What a brilliant idea? Premade mixes for lactation cookies! Wonderful! 

Are they easy to make?

These cookies were so simple to make! I ordered the oatmeal raisin mix, first. All you need on hand is eggs, butter, and vanilla (optional)! The baking instructions are included! It comes in a high quality sealed bag. All you have to do is cut it open and mix in your other ingredients. I didn't follow the baking instructions to a T, I didn't really do much except mix everything together and make sure my dough was mixed really well. I didn't want to get down my mixer because the baby was sleeping (read: I'm just lazy). I was also VERY GENEROUS with the vanilla. I think I added two whole tablespoons.
Ingredients in the mix include:

oats :: sugar :: flour :: organic raisins :: organic brewers yeast :: 

 :: organic flaxseed meal ::  baking soda :: salt

I only had to bake them for 8 minutes and they came out perfect! It certainly made a generous two dozen! Next time I will have to make smaller cookies so they last longer!

How did they taste?

They were WONDERFUL! I didn't feel like I was eating a healthy treat! I felt as if I was indulging. In fact, they were so good, I ate like five in one day! They were a little grainy, but I only noticed because I was paying real good attention for review purposes! I loved them, and I just ordered my second batch - this time I'm going for the chocolate mix!

Did they work?

Coupled with drinking lots of water and these tablets, I saw a significant increase in milk supply. I swear by these cookies! Not only are they a great, healthy snack for nursing mothers, they actually work! That day that I ate five cookies? Yeah, I saw a significant increase in my supply. I had that "full feeling" all day and was able to stock up for when I returned back to work!

Hardier Lime also offers a Milk Enhancing Blend that you can add to your own baking, yogurt, or whatever! Check it out here! I can't wait to try it! Only $3.25. Her prices are the cheapest on etsy. TRUST ME!  I looked through hundreds of listings. 

I have in no way been compensated by Hardier Lime. These opinions are 100% my own; I just love to share awesome products with you guys!

Our Ministry in a Necklace

My husband is consumed by music.

He’s always singing, tapping his foot, or playing an instrument.

I love his oh so very talented self.

Our life has been called to be one of music and worship.

You see, the Lord has called husband to be a worship leader.

He has loved music pretty much all his life.

He played saxophone in our high school band 

and for the Million Dollar Band.

Isn’t it crazy how the Lord directs our 

paths in the most unusual ways sometimes?
The Lord directed RJ’s path away from

 his dream of playing for the MDB after one short year.

He was crushed and confused.

Fast Forward…

Life happened.

We got married.

{heck yesh!}

The Lord called him to a ministry.

Not a preachin ministry.

Not a foreign missions ministry.

But to a ministry in our backyard, literally.

Husband leads worship for our young people at our church.

He has grown his talent so much over the past year.

We have helped with a new service at our church called

one[five]oh

We have high hopes and dreams for this service;

we only want God’s will.

This is a modern worship service 

with loud guitars, drums, and funky graphics.

This service is our baby, 

and we are enjoying watching it grow.

A few weeks ago I was bloggy stalking My Girlish Whims and saw her new creation that I just had to have.
It tells my story, almost like my Amanda Lynn Designs necklace {read that story here}

This one is the next chapter.

Music is close to my heart.

Music is my life, because it is my husband's life.

This is a perfect picture of our life.

It symbolizes how our life is consumed by Husband’s ministry 

and how we strive to please God through it.

I am not musically talented, but I try my best to 

love, help, and encourage Husband.

I love Him.

I respect Him so much for obeying his calling.

I love our life.

It’s sometimes {most of the time} hectic with practices, 

services, and preparation, but it is our life. 

Our calling. 

Our ministry.

tara fraser photography

Product Review: Mary Kay Oil Free Eye Make Up Remover

My most favoritest eye make

up remover on the market right now!

You see... I love Mary Kay waterproof mascara, but I hated fighting to take it off.

My eyes would get all dry and

rubbed raw from scrubbing...

This oil free make up remover is amazing.

It parts my mascara from my

eyelashes like Moses parted the Red Sea.

What I love most about it is that it

doesn't burn your eyes!!

It doesn't leave an icky film on them like other eye make up removers!!

This is my must have since I wear mascara

{and lots of it}

 everyday!! I have long eyelashes... and they are delicate. I don't wanna go ripping them out on a daily basis just because I wear good mascara. It is gentle and the bottle goes a long way! 3.75 oz usually lasts me a couple of months!

Like 5 months!!

Did I mention it has a sleek new design!!

I like this look much better!

p.s... don't forget about the 

ruffle necklace

giveaway going on over at 

a shade of whimsy!!

My Love Story in a Necklace

growing up I never would have thought it.

I always thought he was cute, but it a little brother kind of way.

he was always the goof ball on church trips.

the cute drummer boy at church.

my best friends little brother

but

something happens to little boys.

they become men.

men who open doors for pretty girls.

who tell them they are beautiful.

i reached a really hard part of my life.

down on my luck.

depressed.

given up on love.

told myself it didn't exist.

all men are scum.

my best friends turned their back on me.

people stabbed me in the back.

i couldn't help the person i'd become.

i was helpless

shallow.

depressed.

a liar.

i did something that i thought i'd never do.

on march 28th of 2009 i posted on facebook:

"Megan Wynn needs more men in her life. Accepting applications at 224-3110"

i immediately received a text from an unknown number:

"likes long walks on the beach and journey"

my response:

"name and date of birth"

unknown sender replied:

"ronald david volnoff, jr, march 12 1990"

my heart sank.

then it pitter pattered.

i smiled

i was glowing

i knew what God was up to.

the sender, better known as RJ, was called to be a worship leader.

i knew that i had been called to the ministry, somehow

we texted and called and talked and flirted for a few weeks.

we talked about marriage within the first week.

we knew we wanted to be united before God in marriage.

i'd never been so sure of anything. ever.

we spent our weekends together

i cried every Sunday when i headed back to my college.

i was incomplete without him in my world.

January 30th 2010

we walked around ASF

the place where we first held hands

i goofed off, giddy and happy. unknowingly...

he stumbled around nervously

next thing i know...

he's on his knee.

asking me to be his bride.

we were married on November 20, 2010 just a little over a year after i received that text from an unknown sender.

we have a love that makes us giddy with excitement. 

we have a bond that no one could understand.

we know each others secrets.

we are each others secrets ;)

it's that kind of love that makes you want to carve your initials into a tree.

today i'm sporting a necklace that captivates everything i just told you.

it's a beautiful piece by amanda lynne designs 

that i've been coveting since february.

do you have a love that makes you feel like a teenage girl? 

if so, you need this.

it brought me to tears opening the package

i'm in tears writing this post.

love does that to you.

here are a few of her lovey-dovey items that may interest you:

check her on facebook!

post inspired by little miss momma

Product Review: Milani Crystal Gloss in Whisper

I heard about the Milani line of glosses from 

Cheri Quite Contrary in this post.

She suggested the

Milani 3D Glitzy Lip Gloss in "Fashion Diva"

source

I thought I’d be brave and try it;

I mean it looked great on Cheri!

I walked into CVS on a mission; located the end cap with all the Milani pretties on it. I laid my eyes on this lip gloss. Thought about it; tried to be brave, but…

No… I couldn’t do it. I just decided that it wasn’t for me. I’m not brave enough. Yes, I sport pops of color in my wardrobe, but on my lips? I just can’t.

So, found the whisper color that was very neutral and translucent. It adds a great shimmer to my lips and is really moisturizing.

source

Would I suggest you buy it???

NO.

It tastes awful. It’s not worth the money. I have had cheap chapstick that I’d rather wear before this. The flavor reminds me of an old tube of lipstick… cheap lipstick.  It looks wonderful, and I’m really satisfied with the look and feel of this gloss.

don't judge me  for posting a pic of my lips...
i mean; i know you guys wanna see what it looks like ;)

It’s hard to get over that 

plastic 

taste, though. I will use the tube 

until every ounce is gone because 

I’ve never paid $7 for 0.17 ounces of lip gloss.

I won’t ever buy it again.

I’d rather have something that tastes good; 

or at least doesn’t taste like plastic.

It’s a great product, and I suggest this gloss for 

everyone who has no tastebuds. 

Or who eats plastic.


Maybe I just got a bad tube? Like I said, I love the way it looks on me.
My friend {can we be friends, cheri?} told me that her Fashion Diva didn't taste bad. Hmm...Her gloss was "3D Glitzy" and mine is "Crystal Gloss." I wonder if that is the difference.


Honestly, I'd love to try to be more bold, but i'm not sure if i'll give the brand another try. 

Go check out cheri's blog.
You won't regret it.

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The good part of all this?

{there’s always something good}

I signed up for CVS’ Extra Care Beauty Club.

I saved 10% off of this plastic lip gloss, and got some money on my rewards card.

{check it}

Product Review: Dry Shampoo

So, I discovered this new product from Help A Mutha Out, and I love it!!!

You know, there are some days when you just don’t wanna wash your hair. Guess what, ladies? Now, you don’t have to sport a ball cap or hide your dreads on those days!

If you’re like me and have frizzy/curly hair, straight hair means siting under a blow dryer for 30 minutes then straightening it for another 20 minutes (if you’re lucky). Not only is that horrible for your locks, but it’s annoying and hot. Not to mention, washing your hair everyday is not good for your hair. It strips the natural oils from it and causes it to be more prone dryness.

I bought some dry shampoo a few weekends ago, and it is now my favorite product!

source

All you do is spray it in your roots, and do what I call “the fluff”. Run your fingers through your roots using your palm to kind of activate the substance and massage it in. It smells delicious, too!

This product is not sticky, and it’s not oily at all. It’s a spray powder that requires no blow dryer. It absorbs the oils and actually cleans your hair. I read somewhere online (can’t remember where) that it has a disinfecting agent in it that does some housekeeping (cleaning) work for you

without having to use water!!!

You can also use this to add volume if you have fine hair. I noticed it made my hair feel very full and fluffy ;)

Wanna know a secret? Last week I washed my hair twice ;)

(don’t worry, I bathed)

Go get you some of this stuff; I won’t tell anyone that you didn’t “wash” your hair!

Oh yeah, most important part... It was like two bucks at target!

source

OH, btw...

The Mrs. has a new fan page on facebook.

For more product reviews and giveaways like The Mrs. on facebook.