The Dairy Fairy Giveaway

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A couple of months ago, my friends at The Dairy Fairy sent me this little number.

ArdenPantieBlush

It’s a combo nursing/pump bra, because apparently that’s a THING and I never knew it.

You see, I’ve been pumping for 20+ months and it never occurred to me that a nursing bra could be functional, pretty, and incredibly comfortable.  I tried several brands from several stores.   The options were:

  • Pretty, but uncomfortable.
  • Pretty, comfortable, but the ladies sagged to my belly button.
  • Supportive, but had an underwire and gave me instant mastitis.
  • Ugly, but comfy.
  • Mostly functional, but a little uncomfortable and I had to pull out my hands-free zip-up bra to put over the bra while trying to keep my shirt up and not zip it into the pump bra.
  • Nursing tank tops.  Which I lived in for almost two years.

When I first tried on the Arden bra, I was really surprised.  It was fantastically soft.  It didn’t have those awful side reinforcements or underwires or anything jabby.  I adjusted the straps and the front panels. I was supported. My boobs were in a normal place on my chest. I had the right kind of cleavage. 

I put it to the true test, though, and pulled out my pump.  The breast shields fit easily and snugly into the bra.  They stayed in place for the full 20 minutes of milk extraction.  Then I played around, making sure it would be easy to use for nursing.  It was simple and fuss-free.

I haven’t worn a nursing tank top in two months, except on laundry day.

Dairy Fairy blue bfing pumping bra pic
Pretty AND multifunctional? Sign me up!

 

I love this bra so much that I want to share it with you.

I asked The Dairy Fairy if she would throw in a pair of undies from their brand new line made out of the same material as the bra, and she granted that wish. When was the the last time you had a legit matching bra and panty set? Yeah, it’s been a while for me, too.  The Aria panties are made with the same quality and material as the Arden bra.

So, here’s how you WIN the Arden All-In-One Bra with matching Aria Panty.  Enter using the rafflecopter widget below. Enter and share with your friends and I will choose the winner on Sunday, February 22.  I will announce the winner here and on FaceBook on Sunday evening.  Good luck!

*Please note that all entries will be verified, any entries that do not follow the rules and directions of the giveaway will be disqualified. 

Happy Valentine’s Day, dear friends.

Love,
Carrie

a Rafflecopter giveaway

How Jimmy Fallon Saved My Morning Milk: A Pump Story

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Jimmy Fallon
Photo Credit: NBC

 

So, we *might* have started a bad habit around here.

Pumping and toddlers don’t really mix, so I’ve been trying out different shows to see what E will watch so I can pump in relative peace. And by peace, I mean not chasing him while trying to keep all the milk in the bottles and the pump attached while redirecting him with one hand and carrying my pump in the other.

Pro Tip: Toddlers love to be chased, especially when you are doing something that is completely inconducive to running and hopping about.  Like pumping. 

The thing is, my son doesn’t like television in general, and possesses a special loathing for children’s TV.  Dora the Explorer? Nope.  Calliou? Oh, hell no.  Sesame Street? Ask me again and I’ll cut you.

E actually turns the television off, and then violently shakes his head no while simultaneously shouting “all done”.  Apparently, when you’re 20 months old, you have strong feelings about the kind of media you are willing to consume.  And kids’ shows just don’t work for him.

So, I turned on Jimmy Fallon one morning out of sheer desperation.  To be clear, this was for my sanity, not E’s. I know. I was breaking ALL of the good parent screen rules.  But great golly, my boobs were like fully loaded water balloons and they were about to burst. Jimmy is typically pretty clean, and is a big kid himself. Plus, The Roots is his house band so I know my son would be exposed to quality music. I wasn’t particularly proud of this parenting choice, but I HAD TO PUMP.

I fired up Hulu, and from the first jazzy strains of  The Tonight Show’s “Hey hey hey HEY!” theme song, E was transfixed.  He danced while The Roots played.  He clapped with the rest of the audience when Jimmy came out on stage. He laughed at the funny jokes, and smiled during the silly games and skits Jimmy did with his guests.  He even pulled out his pink ukulele to play along with the musical guest. And as soon as it was over, he turned the TV off.

Now E wakes up, gives me a big smile and sweet cuddle, then points to the TV as soon as we come out of his room.  He wants Jimmy.  I’ve created a monster. A tiny, Jimmy Fallon-loving, The Roots-dancing creature who wants to start his day with a diapered-booty shake and belly laugh.  I can’t blame him, really.

Maybe I should feel appalled and ashamed that my toddler starts his day in front of the TV. Maybe I should feel guilty as any decent mother would because I’m breaking The Rules.  But I don’t.  I’m crazy thankful for the opportunity to pump in peace while we are both entertained and share some giggles together.  We have plenty of time for play later when the milk is made and Jimmy is over and the TV is off.  And if watching 40 minutes of TV is the worst thing that happens today, I’m okay with that.  In fact, I’M GREAT WITH THAT.

Thank you, Jimmy Fallon. You are toddler magic.

Love and Milk,
Pumping in Portland

PS~ If you want a really great belly laugh, watch this.