Milk and Motherhood: August 2022

 

What I'm learning

My friend Cortney (@growwiththe.flow) and I have been creating a virtual breastfeeding course together for the past year. We are in the intense final stages of putting everything together, and I feel like I'm re-learning so many things from my initial IBCLC studies. I'm really enjoying hashing it all out and piecing it together. It's also been a bit of a corrective emotional experience as I create the course I wish I'd taken 9 years ago before I had my first baby. I can't wait for you to see it! Make sure you're also following me on Instagram for the latest updates and sneak peaks (@happy.mama.healthy.baby)

What I'm reading

In fiction, I recently stumbled upon Jenny Colgan's novels and I feel like I struck gold. They're mostly uncomplicated, long without being boring, and more interesting than the average chick lit book without being intellectually intensive (have I mentioned that I'm sleep-deprived?) If this sounds appealing to you, The Bookshop on the Corner is a cozy place to start. 

In non-fiction, I just started reading Triggers by Amber Lia and Wendy Speake. Outward anger is not my first response, so when I start snapping at my kids day after day, I know I've not been in a great place for a while. This book is particularly helpful because it's arranged like a daily devotional with one chapter a day. Perdect for its intended overwhelmed-mom audience!

What I'm listening to

I have been toggling back and forth between homeschool podcasts, since we started up again this week, and health and birth podcasts, becuase I love them.

My favorite homeschool episodes lately are the ones that encourage me that I'm not ruining my older kids' education by throwing a baby in the mix! Read Alout Revival recently hosted an interview with her oldest daughter about what worked and what didn't, and it was so great to hear. Last spring, The New Mason Jar podcast had an episode titled "However Imperfectly," that I finaly listened to and enjoyed as well.

Happy Homebirth podcast recently had 2 episodes I found so helpful in my own journey of recovering from the expereinces I had with my third postpartum: Recognizing Brith Trauma with Christie Sheffer and Healing the Nervous System with Theresa Piela. 

Finally, I started listening to Stress & Trauma During Pregnancy & in Parenthood on the Let's Sleep on It podcast yesterday, and it was so good I had to pause to finish listening when I wasn't driving and could take notes!

What I'm cooking

I'm in a rut, and dinnertime has been pretty overwhelming to me. When that happens, I get out my Cassy Joy Garcia Cook Once cookbooks for inspiration! However, I am quite proud of myself for finally making a gluten-free sourdough starter that works. It's been two months now, and I'm making a weekly loaf of bread. The bread recipe itself isn't my favorite (not as soft as I'd like) but it's a great starting point!

What I'm feeding my kids

The baby has some food allergies that have been challenging, both physically and emotionally. I make most of his food, but Serenity Kids has pouches and puffs with really great ingredients that I love having on hand as well.