Product Review: Munchkin Fresh Food Feeder

I bought a pack of Munchkin Fresh Food Feeders fairly early on, maybe when the twins were around two or three months old, so you can imagine I was excited to use them. We washed them up and sterilized them and then waited for the time to use them. I was originally going to use them as teethers, but little man hasn't really had a problem with his teeth coming in and little miss just cut her first tooth today.

About a week ago we finally used them for the first time. We cut up some banana and gave one to each of the kids. They were pretty much instant success. Little miss laughed the whole time she was gnawing on it (she loves food and eating). Little man has had some eating challenges, but even he seemed to enjoy this way of feeding. Then came clean-up. I had heard these were hard to clean, so we rinsed them and put them to soak immediately after the kids were done with them. A few hours later (no more than five), they were washed by hand and left to air dry.

A few days later, I grabbed one to give my daughter some more banana while I gave little man his bottle and noticed some build-up in the bag. I figured we just didn't get them as clean as we thought, so I gave it a good scrubbing and gave little miss her banana. Repeat clean-up from the first use. A few days later saw another repeat as I went to give the kids some watermelon. So, we decided to run them through the dishwasher on a rinse/sanitize cycle. I took them out and they looked like this:






Needless to say I am thoroughly disgusted. It's a really great idea and the kids loved them, but I found them impossible to clean. Even when they look clean, give them a few days/weeks and you'll see they really weren't. I'm planning on trying the Kidsme Food Feeder next which has a silicone feeder that detaches for easier cleaning. I hope that one works better as I really like the idea of the kids feeding themselves with these.

Technology Babies

We have a white board on our fridge that we usually use to make lists of things to do around the house. We also use it to track feedings for the twins. One day I drew this gauge as a bit of a joke since little miss kept getting bouts of diaper rash. We later learned that she has very sensitive skin, and so is susceptible to skin irritations. (Her gauge should really be in two pieces: "?" and "high".)

I have successfully been watching "Call the Midwife" on Netflix and it makes me think about how much things have changed in the last... 60-some years. I'm sure we all wish babies came with instruction manuals, but with the technological advances, I could see this gauge becoming a real thing someday. I hear a lot about how the previous generation raised children and I think what it will be like for my kids. What crazy inventions will they have to make their lives easier? I'm hoping for personal robot nannies (e.g. Fall Out 4).

Halloween Makeup

As today is Halloween, I thought I'd show you a cool makeup look I found and tried out for myself. It's an eye look inspired by Harley Quinn, which I know is a popular costume this year with the release of Suicide Squad.

So, I found this youtube video tutorial: Harley Quinn Halloween Makeup Tutorial and her look is based off a picture she saw on Instagram: Kiki Makeup

I am not a makeup artist at all, but I was able to recreate this look pretty easily. I did try to do it on the cheap though. Following the video tutorial, I tried to mix some $1 white Halloween "makeup" with my usual foundation and it didn't work very well. I think the costume makeup is meant to be caked on, instead of brushed (or sponged) on like regular makeup. I did find the white makeup she used in the tutorial, but it's $38: MAC Studio Face and Body Foundation. Not cheap and I don't know when I'd ever wear it again. If you have a local place that sells MAC, you may be able to get a small sample of the product for free. Otherwise, I would just go with your normal foundation. This isn't based on an actual Harley, so you get some creative freedom.

Next, I used a black liquid eyeliner I already had to draw the line down the middle. The eye shadow I used, I picked up pretty cheap at Target for less than $7: NYX Femme Fatal. It had both the red and black that I needed. If you watch the tutorial, she also used a purple and some other reds, but I found that you couldn't even see the purple when I brushed it on, and this red was very buildable, so you can get different hues by using more or less product. This NYX pallet is really all you need. I will warn you though, the black is very pigmented, so go very very easy on it. I felt like I had barely any on my brush and it did almost the whole eye look. (You can also see my disastrous "white" makeup.)



I used the same red eye shadow for the eyebrow. And honestly, I have no red lipstick. I don't usually even wear lipstick, so using a flat brush, I patted the same red eye shadow on my lips. I did do a splurge and bought a sheer black lipstick from Ulta for $24 (ouch!). It looked really good over the red powder. I did not, however, draw the Joker-ish smile on, and I did not use fake eyelashes as I was keeping the cost down and I never worn them before and didn't want to start now.

Overall, pretty easy look to recreate and it looks really cool when you're done. Pair with a "Daddy's Lil Monster" shirt and you're all set!

Following Other's Advice (My Labor Story)

***Slightly Graphic Post Ahead***

My Pinterest is filled with all manner of pregnancy and baby-related pins that I might like. Pinterest labels them "Picked For You". Recently, this particular pin popped up as something I might be interested in and it worried me. See, the whole basis of this person's post is that you can recognize the different stages of labor. And I don't think most people can. I went through childbirth classes where we went over the different stages and how you would know what they were and what happened in each stage. We even had different breath exercises that would supposedly work best in each stage. Now having gone through childbirth, I can say that none of that was in my mind while in labor and I wouldn't know the stages even if someone had told me at that moment which stage I was in currently.

Now, I know my labor story is not yours. Everyone goes through something different. I also recognize that laboring at home can be less stressful; you can eat, you can move around. But, sometimes things can move quickly and that's what worries me about people urging others to labor at home as long as possible.

My water broke around 4pm. I didn't know that's what it was though. I was 36 weeks and 2 days pregnant with twins. I had been to the doctor that morning for my weekly bio-physical profile, non-stress test, and exam. Nothing had changed. The doctor seemed to think the babies would stay put at least another week. I had been one cm dilated and almost fully effaced for weeks now and I had been having Braxton Hicks contractions for about ten weeks. After my appointments, I met my husband for lunch, gave him the (non) update and went home to lay down. So, I was laying down in bed resting after my morning of tests and when I sat up, I felt a flow of liquid escape, not unlike if I was on a heavy period day. My first thought was I was bleeding and quickly checked, but it was clear. Now, I know what you're thinking. How could I not know it was my water breaking? Well, lots of disgusting and horrible things happen to your body while pregnant and I hadn't had my "bloody show" yet, so I thought about it and then rejected the idea, but it kept coming back. After all, in childbirth class they said that very few labors actually started with your water breaking. They made fun of the TV shows and movies that depicted labor happening that way. I texted a nurse friend and she told me to go to the hospital if I thought my water had broke. So, I called my husband and while he was on his way home I took a shower and finished packing my hospital bags. I foolishly packed not only a book, but a movie as well. See, I had read all the articles and knew that labor is a long process. I was in no hurry to get to the hospital. I had heard all the stories about false labor and getting sent home from the hospital to wait. Even when we checked into labor and delivery and I told them I thought my water had broke, they seemed very laid back about the whole thing. It was right about 5pm. As I changed into my hospital gown and fluid continued to run down my legs, the nurse seemed to think she wasn't going to find anything. But as soon as she lifted the sheet, it was obvious and my fears were confirmed. Baby A's water had broke and I was officially in labor. Huh? These were the same contractions I had been having for ten weeks. I was at the doctor that very morning. There were no immediate warning signs. Not only that but I was three cm dilated. They wheeled me into a labor room and less than an hour later I was at 4 cm. And then even with the stress of the hospital and the flurry of activity as my doctor was called, and the staff readied for twins, even with the epidural, both things I was told would stall labor, all of a sudden I was at nine cm. Within the space of a few hours from checking in, I was being prepped to push.

As with all unsolicited (and solicited) advice, including my own, please take it "with a grain of salt". Obviously some people choose to not only labor, but also deliver at home, but I'm talking to the people who want to and know they will be delivering in a hospital. I know if I had waited any longer to go to the hospital, I would've regretted it. There are good reasons to labor at home, but there are good reasons to labor in the hospital too. We are fortunate to live about 15 minutes away from the hospital and they have a policy that they'll administer epidurals right up until it's time to push. But, if we lived further away, if there was traffic, if you got there too late for the pain medication, then it might make for a good story, but it's terrifying enough going through labor, especially the first time, why add to it?

Worth A Mentions (WAMs)

I'm cheating a bit this week as me and the kids are sick again. So, here is a quick list of WAMs (Worth A Mentions), otherwise known as things I'm excited about right now:
     - Now that the twins are over six months old, they can have Motrin. This is exciting because 1: it lasts longer than Tylenol, and 2: it comes in a dye-free formula. No more red stained burp cloths!
     - Last time I was visiting my parents (sans children, even), my mom introduced me to a show "Call the Midwife". Since we don't have cable, I was excited to see the first season is streaming on Netflix. I'm hoping to watch it soon.
     - Speaking of Netflix, I'm excited for the Gilmore Girls reunion, but I somehow don't think I'll have time to re-watch all seven seasons before it premieres. Side note: if you like fast-talking, I highly recommend "His Girl Friday". It's a Cary Grant classic.
     - There is a basket in the "dollar" section of Target that I'm regretting not getting. Since I saw it (and decided I didn't need it), I thought of an awesome craft to do for Christmas. I just hope they still have them when I go back. I've been getting almost all my craft supplies from this section in Target, or from the dollar store lately. I miss the true craft stores, but this makes my hobby so much more affordable.