What did my husband call me the other day?

I think it was something along the lines of "the lunch buffet" to our daughter. Four and a half months into this whole breast feeding gig and some days really do feel like that. Others, such as right now while I pump at work, I feel more like a dairy cow.

Despite the days that feel like that I am so happy that I have been able to breast feed. Not only does it save us incredible amounts of money, but it creates an amazing bond between Addison and I. At four and a half months as she is becoming more and more a little person and not a helpless newborn at least breast feeding I get to have a baby a little longer than if she just got formula. Cause she can't just give herself the boob! So now it's becoming one of the few times a day when she'll just be my cuddly baby. Granted feedings are now more interrupted by distractions but there is nothing sweeter than her pausing to stare up at me in the middle if a feeding and giving me that sweet gummy smile. Nothing says love like that!

So I will deal with the annoyance of needing to have time to pump no matter what else is going on and lugging my pump back and forth to work everyday so she can have breast milk when I am gone. Regardless of the hassle (and believe me there are days when it feels like more work than it's worth) I am so happy to have been able to breast feed this long. I hope to be able to continue to do so for another 6 months!

Begin Pet Peeve Rant/

Today on facebook I saw a post from The Bump:

The Bump: the inside scoop on pregnancy

Question of the Day: How do you feel about getting asked: "Was it planned?" Appropriate or inappropriate?

 As a new mom I can't even remember the number of times this was asked of me while I was pregnant.  I guess its an innocent enough question but I can't help but want to ask them who they hell they think they are asking me such a thing?!  I mean I am a relatively open person, really I'll tell you just about anything and I would tell you if my baby was or wasn't planned if I felt like you needed to know.  Just in case you want to ask me, I am 28yrs old and I was married for 3 years before we got pregnant.  Do you really think that she wasn't planned?!  When the first thing out of someones mouth when they find out you are pregnant is, "was it planned".  I just wanted to slap them or give them some stupid response like "no, but the abortion didn't take so here we are" and make them feel as awkward as they make me feel by asking me!   What happened to Congratulations?!?!

 

/end rant.

Recipes

I love to bake/cook things, no really as much as I hate to cook dinner every night I absolutely LOVE to try out new recipes.  (I think the old and boring just makes dinner lame)  Unfortunately my husband is not a lover of all things food and is a bit more picky than I am so I don't try all the new things I would like to because come on now I'm not going to eat it by myself!  So for me making a passing dish is a wonderful time to try out something new that sounds delicious to me.  (Sorry for those of you who get to be my guinea pigs)  So the latest passing dish I got to try out was this one for the MSU game tailgate: 

 

California Bean Dip

Ingredients

• 2 (11 ounce) cans white corn, drained
• 2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 cup Italian-style salad dressing
• 1 cup Ranch-style salad dressing
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce (I used red hot wing sauce cause its what we had)
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

In a medium bowl, thoroughly mix white corn, black beans, Italian-style salad dressing, ranch-style salad dressing, onion, hot pepper sauce, cilantro, chili powder and ground black pepper. Chill in the refrigerator 8 hours, or overnight, before serving. 

I followed the directions then went and added white beans cause I love them, and added a few tablespoons of sour cream to the mix. It doesn't look wonderful but I assure you it is!

And just because we just had Thanksgiving and all the wonderful pumpkin things I share my fav pumpkin recipe:

Iced Pumpkin Cookies

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
•  
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 1 tablespoon melted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt; set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, cream together the 1/2 cup of butter and white sugar. Add pumpkin, egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla to butter mixture, and beat until creamy. Mix in dry ingredients. Drop on cookie sheet by tablespoonfuls; flatten slightly.
3. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven. Cool cookies, then drizzle glaze with fork.

To Make Glaze: Combine confectioners' sugar, milk, 1 tablespoon melted butter, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Add milk as needed, to achieve drizzling consistency. 

FYI take the cookies out of the oven at the point where they don't quite look done, they will be 10x's better if left moist rather than fully cooked and dry.