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Friday, March 18, 2016

Simple Wishes Hands Free Breast Pump Bra Review

A few months ago, I entered this whole new world of breastfeeding and pumping.   It is something that I didn't try with my older two children.  The process can be very frustrating and time-consuming.  It requires a lot of planning and a lot of patience.  But it is so rewarding for yourself and your child.  While trying to fit pumping 5-6 times per day into my already busy schedule, I often struggled with needing to do one or two more things while I pumped.  Interact with my baby.  Respond to a message on my phone.  Make a to do list (I LOVE lists!!).  Grab my glass of water or my cup of coffee before it gets cold.  Sometimes when the house was quiet, I just wanted to read a book.  But my hands were busy holding my breast pump.
 
A few weeks into my maternity leave, I was so excited to receive an email, with a request that I review a Simple Wishes Hands Free Breast Pump Bra.  Simple Wishes offers several different tank and bra options.  I received the Signature Hands Free Pumping Bra in pink.
 
 
About the hands free breast pump bra:
This innovative bra gives moms the valuable gift of time by freeing up their hands for other tasks or allowing them to simply relax while using their breastpump. The patented design is adjustable in size, using high quality Velcro, to sustain a perfect fit over time as a nursing mother’s size changes. Straps and 1” Zip In Center Panel included to help achieve the perfect fit!
 
 
 
I found that this bra offered the same suction with the machine that I offer, just by holding the bottles.  Sometimes even more.  I was pleasantly surprised.  I also thought that once I let go of the bottles that I would find spillage, but that has never happened.  The bras is comfortable.  And, I can't say enough about the so soft fabric. 
 
The bra covers so many sizes and is totally adjustable - up and down.  This will fit every shape and body type.  It will "grow" with you as you slim down and lose that body weight.
 
I don't wear the hands free breast pump bra every time I pump.  But when I do, it is a moment when I need to be supermom and juggle multiple tasks.  When I return to work in a couple of weeks, I'm looking forward to using it so that I can check my personal email on my break or read a book if the mood strikes me.
 
 
 
 
 
Straps and the 1" zip in center panel are also included to make sure that you are comfortable and that it fits correctly.  I haven't had to use these.  It works really well when wearing a sports bra.  I just flip up my sports bra and strap this on below it.
 
Did I forget to mention that this bra works with ALL ELECTRIC PUMPS??  I keep it in my nursing bag, so that I always will have it with me when I need it.
 
The bra retails for only $39 online, which is only a little bit more than I purchased for my nursing bras at the maternity store.  I know many women and mothers have spent way more than that on regular bras at Victoria's Secret.  This bra is WELL WORTH THE INVESTMENT and the convenience you will receive from wearing it.  Consider it an investment in your sanity!  And, to top that - they offer an 100% money back guarantee if you are not satisfied.  Definitely try this out.


Registration Open - Moms on the Move - Monona Stroller Class



Registration is now open for my MOMS ON THE MOVE class in Monona. 

Class starts Friday, June 10, 9:00-9:45 AM at the Winnequah Park Dream Park

Classes will combine walking, power walking and running with your little one in a jogging stroller.  We will finish with toning and stretching activities with your little one at the dream park.

Register Now!

Always Choose the Run!

After a busy morning of appointments, feeding, changing, pumping and volunteering and lunch at my son's school, I came home to a quiet house.  Baby went down for a nap in her big girl bed and the house was all mine.  She's such a good girl - and such a great sleeper. 

I knew that I would have a couple of quiet hours on my hands.  Our wooden floors are in desperate need of cleaning.  The furniture is need of dusting.  And, I also needed to get a run in.  Did I want to get a couple of things crossed off of my list for the weekend?  Or did I want to run and have to shower and get ready again?  After some contemplating, I opted to get on my running clothes and head down stairs on my treadmill.  Three miles turned into five.  And I'm so happy that I chose the five miles over scrubbing my dirty floors.  They are still there.  Dirty as ever.  I will get to the sometime soon.  But, first I focused on me.


Always choose the run!
 
 
 

Monday, March 14, 2016

Can't wait to log some miles in our new jogging stroller

Last week, we had accumulated reward points and gift cards at Babies R Us.  My sweet husband also offered to use his birthday money towards the purchase of our family jogging stroller.  Our little girl won't be able to use it for awhile.  But, I found the BoB Revolution SE on sale at Babies R Us.  I purchased it in black.  I noticed online that it is also available in navy and orange.  It is also available as a double stroller, if you have more than one munchkin that will be joining you on your runs.  It retails for $460 online.

Hubby couldn't wait to put it together this weekend.  The stroller didn't come with any cup holders and had little storage within hands reach.  So I also purchased an attachment that has compartments for our water bottles, cell phones, keys and energy gels.  I just wanted to make sure that we had room for everything we needed for our long runs and to make sure that it was accessible.

I am looking forward to many family runs with our little girl this summer and other outdoor adventures.  We are surely going to log many, many miles together!!


 

We snuggle as I towel off and cool down with her in my arms.

I've thoroughly been enjoying running on the treadmill as much as one can this winter.  On the days that I'm home with my little one, I've been enjoying a regular three to six miles daily.  Time goes by rather quickly.  I'm not dreading all of those miles running in place.  After the birth of my second child, I recall worrying about getting my run in, stopping the treadmill, comforting a fussy baby, stopping, starting again ... over and over again. 
 
This baby is so different.  She's been watching me since I started running again when she was 2.5 weeks old.  She sits in her bouncy seat with her little "buddies" and cuddles up with her blankie.  Occasionally, I need to help her find her pacifier again. But, usually she just sits there and watches.  Or eventually drifts off for a nap.  The dog has also been looking forward to seeing me open the basement door and following me downstairs.
 
I've really been enjoying hitting stop on the treadmill more than ever.  Now she gets such a sweet smile on her face when I reach down and pick her up and complete my cool down walk with her on the treadmill.  We snuggle as I towel off and cool down with her in my arms.
 

Thursday, March 10, 2016

Two weeks until I need to zip up those dress slacks ...

I have two weeks remaining until I return to work.  Twelve weeks down and only two to go.  I feel so blessed to have had all of this time at home with my little one.  I'm also very happy that I only will be returning to work half-time and that I will continue to have the best of "both worlds", plus my coaching business.
 
I still have a few extra pounds left until I reach my pre-baby weight.  However, I am feel much more comfortable in my skin than I was a month ago.  Between running and some core work a few times a week, I finally starting to see my waist again.  Weather warmed up this week and it's been lovely to get outside and walk.  My Garmin Vivofit has set my current step goal to 14,000.  My typical day consists of approximately 20,000.  Yes - This means that I've been moving a lot.  Two weeks until I need to zip up those dress slacks ...
 




Note to self. And to you.

 
 
WOW - what a difference FUEL can do for your body. I ate very differently before each of these runs. I felt terrible during yesterday's three miler. I even had to stop once, because my stomach hurt so badly. Today, I felt quick and light on my feet and time clicked by quickly. Note to self. And to you.
 

Monday, March 7, 2016

It's ok not to run today ...

Since I had baby #3 10 1/2 weeks ago, I've just been going, going, going.  I started running again at 2 1/2 weeks post-partum and just went with it.  I have been very consistent with getting on that treadmill - five to six days a week.  I've also been blessed with pretty mild weather this winter.  I have been able to get outside for some mid-distance runs on the weekends. 
 
In February I logged 104.5 miles, during the shortest month of the year, in the dead of winter.  That volume of miles in the middle of winter is unheard of for me.  Usually I run half of that.  Sure, I have been home and have a patient, happy baby on my hands.  So, it's been easy to fit it in.  But, I also have to keep reminding myself that I did just have a baby.  And, my body didn't run at all for about seven weeks.  I need to listen to it.
 
 
With a rather nice day on the forecast yesterday, I planned a long run for my afternoon.  I headed out the door around 3:30 and was planning 9-10 miles around my side of town.  I was feeling pretty good and consistently hitting 10:05 - 10:30 min miles.  That is slower than my pre-baby pace.  But, I was happy to just be taking things easy.  However, by mile nine I had the option of running one mile back home or and additional four and I'd call it an even half marathon.  My pace was slowing down and my hip-flexers were starting to ache.  However, I went for it.  I shouldn't have.
 
I pushed it and clocked one of my slowest half marathon times to date of 2:19:28 and as soon as I hit stop, I could barely move my legs.  The sun was starting to set, the wind was in my face, and I was freezing. 
 
I arrived home, sore and chilled to the bone.  I had to hop in the shower to warm up and ease some of my pain.  All night I tossed and turned in bed - sore and cold.
 
I'm so proud that through running, that I've been able to prove that I can push myself - sometimes beyond my limits.  Beyond what my body is meant to do.  I have that mental toughness.  My body says no - but my mind says yes.  And, then I do it - I complete the task or those daunting miles.  However, sometimes I really need to listen to my body (not my crazy ideas) and just slow down.  Sometimes, it's not about going further or faster or pushing the envelope. 
 
My sore body is telling me to take that little girl on a nice, easy walk today and just enjoy the beautiful weather and the sunshine and reflect while she smiles back at me, cooing from her stroller.
 
It's ok not to run today.