Who do you think Baby J looks like?
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Sunday, November 17, 2013
One Month of Jamie
Jamie is officially one month old today. Sometimes I can't believe that a whole month has gone by since his birth and other times, I can't imagine what our life was like before he got here. In honor of little man's one month birthday, I'm going to bombard you with pictures.
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| One of his first pictures ever |
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| I think he looks gigantic here |
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| First picture as a family of 3 (I can't believe I'm posting this) |
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| Heading home! |
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| First bath |
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| Serious face |
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| Welcome home, Jamie! |
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| Sleepy baby, tired mommy |
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| This one cracks me up |
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| Sunday Funday & Kitty bomb |
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| VERY early morning |
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| First Halloween |
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| There's a turtle on my butt! |
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| This might be one of my all-time favorites |
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| The bump is out! |
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| Baby burrito |
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| Someone hates having their diaper changed |
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| Also cracks me up... |
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| Baby blues |
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| Snuggles with Mommy |
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| First Sunday Funday |
... and one of my favorite professional shots. Status of heart = full.
Sunday, November 10, 2013
How To Get A Free Or Discounted Breast Pump
The topic of this post ties in perfectly with both my role as an HR professional and as a new mom. I'm excited to share this information and I hope that even one other mom is able to benefit from it.
When I was about 6 months pregnant, I read an article on breastfeeding and learned that under the Affordable Care Act, insurance companies are required to cover some of the costs of breast pumps and breastfeeding supplies and support (lactation consultants). I don't have that particular article but here are two that explain the benefit.
Breast Pumps Now Covered By Insurance
More On Free Breast Pumps And The Affordable Care Act
After I read the article about the ACA, I called the customer service number for our insurance carrier and asked what the process was for obtaining a breast pump (or a discount on a pump) through our policy.
Under our plan, I had a couple of options...
I could purchase a pump from a retailer (e.g. Target, Babies R Us, etc.), and submit the receipt with a claim form to the insurance company. This process would be treated as an "out-of-network" service. Under our plan, out-of-network costs are covered at 60%, so I would be responsible for 40% of the cost of the pump and the insurance company would cover the remaining 60%.
I could obtain a pump from a pre-approved, in-network provider. Who are these, you ask? (I did too). The nice man from the insurance company explained that these are healthcare supply companies who sell things like prosthetic devices, walkers, wheelchairs, etc. for home use. If I elected to do this, the healthcare supply company would submit the claim for me and the cost would be covered 100%.
*There was also an option to rent a breast pump from a hospital or healthcare supply company but I knew that I wanted to own my pump so I did not inquire further about this process.
I assumed that if I went with option #2, I'd probably be getting a crappy, manual breast pump by some no-name company and not the Medela double electric pump that I had my eye on.
I was wrong.
The nice insurance man emailed me a list of our insurance company's approved healthcare supply companies. There were at least 50 on the list but not all of them sold breast pumps. So, I started making calls and visiting websites. I quickly found out that some of these companies sold the non-retail version of the pump that I wanted. By non-retail version I mean it didn't come with the discreet black travel bag or some of the extra accessories, but the "guts" of the pump were the same.
The first few companies I called weren't able to ship the pump to me until I was within 30-60 days of my due date or until after the baby was born. I continued to make my way down the list until I found one who either didn't have this rule or didn't know that they needed to abide by it.
I gave them my insurance information, my doctor's information, and my due date. Once they verified my insurance information and called my doctor to confirm that I was actually pregnant, they shipped the pump to me. It arrived in about 2 weeks.
I did end up purchasing a feeding gift set, sterilizer bags, and storage bags from Target. Because I did this the day we brought Jamie home from the hospital (bad parenting decision #1: bringing a newborn to Target before you even bring them home, #whatwerewethinking), I wasn't in my right mind and neglected to save the receipt. Had I done that, I'm pretty sure that I could have submitted it with a claim form to the insurance company and that they would have covered 60% of the cost of these items.
So, that's how I got my free breast pump. If you are a mom-to-be or a relatively new mom (I believe you can get a free/discounted breast pump within the first 12 months of your baby's life, but don't quote me on that), and are interested in getting a free or discounted breast pump, here are some things you'll want to do or consider:
~ Get a Summary Of Benefits form from your insurance company. If you have benefits through your employer, your HR department should have these on hand or should be able to direct you to this information online. This form will tell you to what extent out-of-network expenses are covered, if at all.
~ Call your insurance company's customer service number and ask what the process is for obtaining a breast pump and supplies through the Affordable Care Act. They should be able to tell you what your options are for either purchasing or renting a pump.
~ If you think you might be interested in renting a pump, contact your OB/GYN or the hospital where you plan to deliver to find out if they have pumps available for rent and what the associated costs are.
~ If you don't want to rent and don't want to go through a pre-approved healthcare supplier, you may want to look into consignment shops. If your out-of-network costs are fully covered, you could get the retail version of a used pump with the nice bag and extra accessories for free. Keep in mind, if you do buy a used pump, you must purchase new, clean parts (valves, membranes, connectors and breastshields). Any parts that come in contact with the milk cannot be re-sold once used. If someone tries to sell you a pump with used parts, DO.NOT.BUY.IT!
Here are some additional links to check out:
Breastfeeding Insurance & Reimbursement
What Are My Breastfeeding Benefits?
How To Get Your Breast Pump Covered By Insurance
A little bit about breastfeeding and my experience so far ...
If you are a mom or mom-to-be who is even thinking about the possibility of breastfeeding, I encourage you to try it for at least 3 weeks before deciding to switch to formula. We are just past the 3 week mark and I can honestly say that it has gotten significantly easier, less painful and that I actually enjoy this time with my son. There were many nights (and days) that I spent sobbing as I fed Jamie because he wouldn't latch, it hurt, I was tired... or all three. But I am so glad that I stuck with it and hope to do so for the first year of his life.
If you aren't able to physically nurse, use the information in this post to get yourself a breast pump and bottle feed your baby expressed milk. He/She will still get the benefits and you will get some relief from any discomfort and the constraints of feeding on-demand.
We recently tested the bottle out and, thankfully, J-man took it. I've replaced two feedings a day with a bottle of expressed milk which gives Colin a chance to help out a little. I do still need to pump during this time to keep my supply up, so I'm either feeding or pumping every 3 hours. Non-mommy friends don't seem to get this and think that I can just jet out of the house whenever I want because I can "just have Colin give him a bottle!" Um, doesn't work this way, kids. Regardless, I'm glad that he took the bottle so quickly. I've heard stories about babies who refuse the bottle completely which makes returning to work or getting any break from baby until they self-wean nearly impossible. Moral of the story: whether you nurse, pump or a combination of both, it's a huge commitment but so is motherhood and the benefits for your baby are so great that it's at least worth a try.
When I was about 6 months pregnant, I read an article on breastfeeding and learned that under the Affordable Care Act, insurance companies are required to cover some of the costs of breast pumps and breastfeeding supplies and support (lactation consultants). I don't have that particular article but here are two that explain the benefit.
Breast Pumps Now Covered By Insurance
More On Free Breast Pumps And The Affordable Care Act
After I read the article about the ACA, I called the customer service number for our insurance carrier and asked what the process was for obtaining a breast pump (or a discount on a pump) through our policy.
Under our plan, I had a couple of options...
I could purchase a pump from a retailer (e.g. Target, Babies R Us, etc.), and submit the receipt with a claim form to the insurance company. This process would be treated as an "out-of-network" service. Under our plan, out-of-network costs are covered at 60%, so I would be responsible for 40% of the cost of the pump and the insurance company would cover the remaining 60%.
-OR-
I could obtain a pump from a pre-approved, in-network provider. Who are these, you ask? (I did too). The nice man from the insurance company explained that these are healthcare supply companies who sell things like prosthetic devices, walkers, wheelchairs, etc. for home use. If I elected to do this, the healthcare supply company would submit the claim for me and the cost would be covered 100%.
*There was also an option to rent a breast pump from a hospital or healthcare supply company but I knew that I wanted to own my pump so I did not inquire further about this process.
I assumed that if I went with option #2, I'd probably be getting a crappy, manual breast pump by some no-name company and not the Medela double electric pump that I had my eye on.
I was wrong.
The nice insurance man emailed me a list of our insurance company's approved healthcare supply companies. There were at least 50 on the list but not all of them sold breast pumps. So, I started making calls and visiting websites. I quickly found out that some of these companies sold the non-retail version of the pump that I wanted. By non-retail version I mean it didn't come with the discreet black travel bag or some of the extra accessories, but the "guts" of the pump were the same.
The first few companies I called weren't able to ship the pump to me until I was within 30-60 days of my due date or until after the baby was born. I continued to make my way down the list until I found one who either didn't have this rule or didn't know that they needed to abide by it.
I gave them my insurance information, my doctor's information, and my due date. Once they verified my insurance information and called my doctor to confirm that I was actually pregnant, they shipped the pump to me. It arrived in about 2 weeks.
It came with everything pictured except for the 2oz storage bottles (I don't know why I included them in the picture, #babybrainisreal). It did, however, come with 4 of the 5oz bottles pictured below, along with two ice packs for the cooler compartment (not pictured).
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| Motor and controls |
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| Storage and cooler compartments |
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| Adapters, storage bags and 5oz bottles |
So, that's how I got my free breast pump. If you are a mom-to-be or a relatively new mom (I believe you can get a free/discounted breast pump within the first 12 months of your baby's life, but don't quote me on that), and are interested in getting a free or discounted breast pump, here are some things you'll want to do or consider:
~ Get a Summary Of Benefits form from your insurance company. If you have benefits through your employer, your HR department should have these on hand or should be able to direct you to this information online. This form will tell you to what extent out-of-network expenses are covered, if at all.
~ Call your insurance company's customer service number and ask what the process is for obtaining a breast pump and supplies through the Affordable Care Act. They should be able to tell you what your options are for either purchasing or renting a pump.
~ If you think you might be interested in renting a pump, contact your OB/GYN or the hospital where you plan to deliver to find out if they have pumps available for rent and what the associated costs are.
~ If you don't want to rent and don't want to go through a pre-approved healthcare supplier, you may want to look into consignment shops. If your out-of-network costs are fully covered, you could get the retail version of a used pump with the nice bag and extra accessories for free. Keep in mind, if you do buy a used pump, you must purchase new, clean parts (valves, membranes, connectors and breastshields). Any parts that come in contact with the milk cannot be re-sold once used. If someone tries to sell you a pump with used parts, DO.NOT.BUY.IT!
Here are some additional links to check out:
Breastfeeding Insurance & Reimbursement
What Are My Breastfeeding Benefits?
How To Get Your Breast Pump Covered By Insurance
A little bit about breastfeeding and my experience so far ...
If you are a mom or mom-to-be who is even thinking about the possibility of breastfeeding, I encourage you to try it for at least 3 weeks before deciding to switch to formula. We are just past the 3 week mark and I can honestly say that it has gotten significantly easier, less painful and that I actually enjoy this time with my son. There were many nights (and days) that I spent sobbing as I fed Jamie because he wouldn't latch, it hurt, I was tired... or all three. But I am so glad that I stuck with it and hope to do so for the first year of his life.
If you aren't able to physically nurse, use the information in this post to get yourself a breast pump and bottle feed your baby expressed milk. He/She will still get the benefits and you will get some relief from any discomfort and the constraints of feeding on-demand.
We recently tested the bottle out and, thankfully, J-man took it. I've replaced two feedings a day with a bottle of expressed milk which gives Colin a chance to help out a little. I do still need to pump during this time to keep my supply up, so I'm either feeding or pumping every 3 hours. Non-mommy friends don't seem to get this and think that I can just jet out of the house whenever I want because I can "just have Colin give him a bottle!" Um, doesn't work this way, kids. Regardless, I'm glad that he took the bottle so quickly. I've heard stories about babies who refuse the bottle completely which makes returning to work or getting any break from baby until they self-wean nearly impossible. Moral of the story: whether you nurse, pump or a combination of both, it's a huge commitment but so is motherhood and the benefits for your baby are so great that it's at least worth a try.
~ Questions about getting a pump through your insurance company? Need some words of encouragement about breastfeeding? Email me! mbatomommy(at)gmail(dot) com ~
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Chicken Pot Pie Recipe
If you asked me three weeks ago if I'd ever cook again, I probably would have burst into tears and asked you, "When??" In fact, a similar scene took place in my kitchen after a fellow new mommy friend brought us a chicken pot pie during our scary, exhausting, terrifying, emotionally trying, tiring, worry-filled first week home. It was delicious. And she made us apple crisp too - also delicious.
Anyway, my amazing mom was here to help out for the millionth time later that same day and I remember saying to her, "How did she have time to make a whole meal and dessert?? She has a new baby too! I'm never going to be able to cook again!" (Side note, her baby is 7 weeks older than Baby J and she had obviously moved past the emotionally and physically tumultuous place that I was in. Not that it's not a huge accomplishment to have a happy, healthy, well-fed baby and a full meal prepared and delivered to a friend. Because it is. Trust me.)
At 2 days shy of the 3 week mark, I'm happy to report that I cooked. My friend's pot pie was so good (hello perfect fall comfort food!), that I decided I had to have it again ASAP. In typical Colleen fashion, I took pieces of several different recipes to make this my own. I didn't make my own crust which I am slightly ashamed of, but I do have a newborn at home. Baby steps - ha!
Thanks to my child crying and being generally inconsolable for 3-5 hours starting at 5pm every night, we didn't actually get to enjoy this until 9:00. We were so famished that I completely forgot to take a picture until after we had finished our first helpings.
Chicken Pot Pie
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1 box pie crust
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 onion
1 Tbsp. Kerry Gold unsalted butter
1 Tbsp. olive oil
2 potatoes
4 carrots
4-5 stalks celery
1 can cream of celery soup
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease and flour a 9" pie dish. Chop onion, carrots, celery, and potatoes into bite sized pieces and set aside, separately.
Bring a pot of water to a boil. While waiting for the water to boil, rinse chicken breasts, season with salt and pepper and cut into cubes. Add butter and olive oil to a skillet and place over high heat. When a drop of water sizzles in the pan, add the onion and cook until translucent (about 2-3 minutes). Reduce heat to medium high and add chicken. Cook until no longer pink in the center.
When water starts to boil, add chopped potatoes. Boil for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, add carrots and celery and boil for 5 more minutes. Veggies should no longer be raw but should not be soft either. Drain water from pot and add cooked vegetables to a large mixing bowl.
Add chicken and onion mixture and can of soup to the bowl of cooked vegetables and mix until combined.
Add crust to the greased pie dish and flatten against the sides. Pour contents of bowl into pie dish. Cover with second crust, cut away the excess and cut slits in the top to allow steam to escape. Bake for 30 minutes or until crust is golden brown and contents are bubbly. Enjoy!
Anyway, my amazing mom was here to help out for the millionth time later that same day and I remember saying to her, "How did she have time to make a whole meal and dessert?? She has a new baby too! I'm never going to be able to cook again!" (Side note, her baby is 7 weeks older than Baby J and she had obviously moved past the emotionally and physically tumultuous place that I was in. Not that it's not a huge accomplishment to have a happy, healthy, well-fed baby and a full meal prepared and delivered to a friend. Because it is. Trust me.)
At 2 days shy of the 3 week mark, I'm happy to report that I cooked. My friend's pot pie was so good (hello perfect fall comfort food!), that I decided I had to have it again ASAP. In typical Colleen fashion, I took pieces of several different recipes to make this my own. I didn't make my own crust which I am slightly ashamed of, but I do have a newborn at home. Baby steps - ha!
Thanks to my child crying and being generally inconsolable for 3-5 hours starting at 5pm every night, we didn't actually get to enjoy this until 9:00. We were so famished that I completely forgot to take a picture until after we had finished our first helpings.
Chicken Pot Pie
1 box pie crust
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 onion
1 Tbsp. Kerry Gold unsalted butter
1 Tbsp. olive oil
2 potatoes
4 carrots
4-5 stalks celery
1 can cream of celery soup
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease and flour a 9" pie dish. Chop onion, carrots, celery, and potatoes into bite sized pieces and set aside, separately.
Bring a pot of water to a boil. While waiting for the water to boil, rinse chicken breasts, season with salt and pepper and cut into cubes. Add butter and olive oil to a skillet and place over high heat. When a drop of water sizzles in the pan, add the onion and cook until translucent (about 2-3 minutes). Reduce heat to medium high and add chicken. Cook until no longer pink in the center.
When water starts to boil, add chopped potatoes. Boil for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, add carrots and celery and boil for 5 more minutes. Veggies should no longer be raw but should not be soft either. Drain water from pot and add cooked vegetables to a large mixing bowl.
Add chicken and onion mixture and can of soup to the bowl of cooked vegetables and mix until combined.
Add crust to the greased pie dish and flatten against the sides. Pour contents of bowl into pie dish. Cover with second crust, cut away the excess and cut slits in the top to allow steam to escape. Bake for 30 minutes or until crust is golden brown and contents are bubbly. Enjoy!
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
What Did Parents Do Before Google?
I really don't know how anyone survived life at home with a new baby before Google. I guess there were probably a lot less things to worry about back in the day, and I'm envious of people who didn't feel the need to nervously look up the contents of every diaper or movement, sound, etc. that emanated from their baby. On the flip side, it's nice to be able to run to the computer whenever we're not sure about something and find that, usually, whatever it is that we're looking up is totally normal.
Here are just a few of the searches you would find in our Google search history from the past 2 weeks:
And here are some really helpful websites that we've added to our blog readers and bookmarks as a result of these searches:
Here are just a few of the searches you would find in our Google search history from the past 2 weeks:
- Does it hurt when the belly button stump falls out?
- What if only part of the belly button stump falls out?
- How to bathe a newborn.
- What are the symptoms of pertussis?
- Can you get a flu shot and the Tdap booster at the same time?
- My nipples are bleeding, can I still feed my baby?
- What is the difference between the baby blues and postpartum depression?
- When do the baby blues go away?
- When should PPD be treated?
- What does a good breastfeeding latch look like?
- How soon can you introduce an artificial nipple to a newborn?
- How to sterilize baby bottles.
And here are some really helpful websites that we've added to our blog readers and bookmarks as a result of these searches:
Mommies - What websites do you turn to when you have a parenting question?
Saturday, October 26, 2013
The First Week & A Call To Mommies
So as you know by now, our little bundle of joy has arrived and I'm happy to say that all three members of our family (even the cat) have survived the first week at home.
To say bringing baby home was an adjustment would be the understatement of the century. For someone who makes it a point to gather as much information and be as prepared as possible before doing pretty much anything, this week really threw me for a loop. I had read all of the books, Googled everything, diligently listened to any and all instructions from my doctors, and prepared our home so that everything was "perfect" and "ready" for Jamie's arrival.
Add to that some pretty serious hormonal imbalances, sleep deprivation, and sorenipples everything, and you've got a recipe for a pretty challenging couple of days, if not longer. What you see on most blogs and Facebook posts is not even close to the reality of new parenthood.
To quote a new mommy friend, In the blog world, everyone is all "breastfeeding was so easy for me!" And "here's a picture of me nursing at the pumpkin patch while my baby is dressed perfectly".
That really cracked me and Colin up because it's so true.
Three things really helped me during the past few challenging days:
1) Colin. I know I could not have gotten through this week without him by my side. I could write a whole post about how amazing he's been but I will just leave it at this: Daddies don't go through labor and delivery and their hormones remain pretty much stable while Mommy's are all over the charts for 9+ months. Take advantage of this if you can, ladies. Bank up Daddy's vacation time and let him help for as long and as much as possible. Colin has been the rock in this family since day one but especially this week. I love him more now than I ever have or thought I could.
2) Everyone who has fed us this week, but especially my mom. Yesterday was her birthday (Happy Birthday Mom!) and not only did I not get her a card or flowers or anything, but she came over last night and she cooked us dinner. On her birthday. When I was between contractions, I distinctly remember saying to Colin and my labor nurse that we all needed to go home and thank our moms for doing this for us. After a week at home with a new baby, I am more thankful for my mom than I have ever been... just for being "Mom."
3) And speaking of Moms...the network of women who have reached out to me to share their very personal stories has been my saving grace in many moments of uncertainty this week. Many of these women I hardly know, but every single one of them jumped at the chance to answer my questions - some at 5am - or offer words of advice and encouragement. My heart is so full of gratitude for all of them.There is just something about being a mom that connects you to other women in a way that nothing else can.
That being said, I thought it might be nice to gather the email addresses of any moms who might be interested in sharing advice, words of encouragement, or just saying "hey, you're not alone," with other women. I haven't worked out the logistics of it yet but I'm envisioning a sort of listserv/email group where we could initially introduce ourselves, where we are on the journey of Mommyhood, and then use the email chain to seek advice from one another on parenting questions or just life in general.
If you are interested in being part of the email chain or have ideas about how to put this plan into action, send me an email: mbatomommy(at)gmail(dot)com
It may take me a few days (or weeks) but I'd really like to try to get this together!
And just for fun, here is the very last picture that was taken of me pregnant. I'm 39 weeks and 1 day in this picture and Jamie arrived 4 days later.
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| Standard milk-drunk picture |
No matter what you do, how much you read, how many gadgets or products you buy, or how great of an eater or sleeper your baby is; there is no way to feel 100% ready, calm, prepared, or in-control when bringing a new baby (especially your first baby) home.
Add to that some pretty serious hormonal imbalances, sleep deprivation, and sore
To quote a new mommy friend, In the blog world, everyone is all "breastfeeding was so easy for me!" And "here's a picture of me nursing at the pumpkin patch while my baby is dressed perfectly".
That really cracked me and Colin up because it's so true.
Three things really helped me during the past few challenging days:
1) Colin. I know I could not have gotten through this week without him by my side. I could write a whole post about how amazing he's been but I will just leave it at this: Daddies don't go through labor and delivery and their hormones remain pretty much stable while Mommy's are all over the charts for 9+ months. Take advantage of this if you can, ladies. Bank up Daddy's vacation time and let him help for as long and as much as possible. Colin has been the rock in this family since day one but especially this week. I love him more now than I ever have or thought I could.
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| What real Daddyhood looks like: sleeping on a terribly uncomfortable hospital chair bed for 2 nights...  |
2) Everyone who has fed us this week, but especially my mom. Yesterday was her birthday (Happy Birthday Mom!) and not only did I not get her a card or flowers or anything, but she came over last night and she cooked us dinner. On her birthday. When I was between contractions, I distinctly remember saying to Colin and my labor nurse that we all needed to go home and thank our moms for doing this for us. After a week at home with a new baby, I am more thankful for my mom than I have ever been... just for being "Mom."
 |
| Grandma & Jameson |
3) And speaking of Moms...the network of women who have reached out to me to share their very personal stories has been my saving grace in many moments of uncertainty this week. Many of these women I hardly know, but every single one of them jumped at the chance to answer my questions - some at 5am - or offer words of advice and encouragement. My heart is so full of gratitude for all of them.There is just something about being a mom that connects you to other women in a way that nothing else can.
That being said, I thought it might be nice to gather the email addresses of any moms who might be interested in sharing advice, words of encouragement, or just saying "hey, you're not alone," with other women. I haven't worked out the logistics of it yet but I'm envisioning a sort of listserv/email group where we could initially introduce ourselves, where we are on the journey of Mommyhood, and then use the email chain to seek advice from one another on parenting questions or just life in general.
If you are interested in being part of the email chain or have ideas about how to put this plan into action, send me an email: mbatomommy(at)gmail(dot)com
It may take me a few days (or weeks) but I'd really like to try to get this together!
And just for fun, here is the very last picture that was taken of me pregnant. I'm 39 weeks and 1 day in this picture and Jamie arrived 4 days later.
Life Under Construction
Thank you for all of the well-wishes, calls, texts, emails, etc. We are
so appreciative and are feeling so very blessed that so many people are
as excited about Jamie's arrival as we are!
Our life is kind of under construction right now as we adjust to life with the newest member of our family. I will get back to everyone (and back to blogging) as soon as I can.
Until then, know that we are safe, happy, and healthy and enjoying some much-anticipated family time. :)
Saturday, October 19, 2013
He's Here!
This little pirate eye entered the world on Thursday, October 17th at 9:55 am. Jameson Michael weighed in at 6lbs 14oz and is 19 inches long. Mommy, Daddy and Jamie are doing well and will be heading home soon to get some much needed sleep!
Thank you so much for all of your messages and well wishes. We feel very blessed. :)
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Semi-Wordless Wednesday: Young People Worth Talking About
In the midst of Kanye West comparing himself to Jesus, Miley's ... I don't even know... and the Kardashian divorces all over the news, it was refreshing to come across these two videos this week.
"There's a popular misconception that depression is being sad when something in your life goes wrong...but that's sadness. That's a natural thing. That's a natural human emotion. Real depression isn't being sad when something in your life goes wrong; real depression is being sad when everything in your life is going right."
- Kevin Breel, 19
These teens are so gracious, humble, and eloquent. I hope that these types of people, and not the Mileys and Kimyes of the world, are the leaders of the generation that my children will be influenced by, work for and vote into public office.
"There's a popular misconception that depression is being sad when something in your life goes wrong...but that's sadness. That's a natural thing. That's a natural human emotion. Real depression isn't being sad when something in your life goes wrong; real depression is being sad when everything in your life is going right."
- Kevin Breel, 19
"Going to school is not only learning about different subjects. It teaches you communication. It teaches you how to live a life...And other than that, we learn about equality... It teaches students how to live with others. How to accept each other's language. How to accept each other's traditions and each other's religions. It also teaches us justice. It also teaches us respect. It teaches us how to live together. The solution is simple. It is education." - Malala Yousafzai, 16
These teens are so gracious, humble, and eloquent. I hope that these types of people, and not the Mileys and Kimyes of the world, are the leaders of the generation that my children will be influenced by, work for and vote into public office.
Monday, October 14, 2013
Apple Cinnamon Waffles
How 'bout them Eagles?? :) Unfortunately, I can't say the same for the Jets but at least the Giants lost again! Sorry, Ryan.*
Rather than try a new slow cooker recipe this week (we had the chili again), we opted to make these before the 1:00 games started.
Yes, we eat at our coffee table like college students #bejealous; and yes, I need to work on my food presentation and photography skills #tastesbetterthanitlooks.
Apple Cinnamon Waffles
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I cut this in half and got 4 waffles
2 cups all purpose flour
2 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 3/4 cups milk
6 Tbsp. vegetable oil (I used coconut oil)
2 large eggs
2 apples, diced (I used granny smith)
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
1 Tbsp. cinnamon
Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Pour batter, one 1/2 cup at a time, into heated waffle iron. We have this Cuisinart Waffle Iron and I used setting 4 for these. I probably could have gotten away with 5. I think the apples keep the batter from crisping up on the outside as quickly as plain waffle batter does. But, if you like a floppy waffle, go ahead and use setting 3. As you can see from the picture above, we not only like extra crispy waffles but extra crispy bacon too.
I would also recommend removing the batteries from your smoke alarm prior to making these. I was reminded why we took the batteries out in the first place and had been living without a smoke alarm for 4 years: because apparently, cooking anything (even boiling water) sets them off. Annoying as that is, I still don't feel comfortable leaving the batteries out after this incident on the neighbor's balcony; especially with Little Dude on the way. So, we take them out when we cook and put them back afterwards.
*Ryan is my husband's older brother and I just found out he subscribes to my blog. He's also a Giants fan - feel bad for him. He's pretty much exactly what I imagined an older brother would be like - picks on me every chance he gets, can be moody and annoying, and is a ton of fun to drink with. And I'm sure he shares those sentiments and would say that I'm exactly how he pictured an annoying little sister would have been had he been blessed with one. Lucky for him, I showed up and married his baby brother.
This is Ryan at a Kenny Chesney concert about 5 years ago...
Rather than try a new slow cooker recipe this week (we had the chili again), we opted to make these before the 1:00 games started.
Yes, we eat at our coffee table like college students #bejealous; and yes, I need to work on my food presentation and photography skills #tastesbetterthanitlooks.
Apple Cinnamon Waffles
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I cut this in half and got 4 waffles
2 cups all purpose flour
2 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 3/4 cups milk
6 Tbsp. vegetable oil (I used coconut oil)
2 large eggs
2 apples, diced (I used granny smith)
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
1 Tbsp. cinnamon
Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Pour batter, one 1/2 cup at a time, into heated waffle iron. We have this Cuisinart Waffle Iron and I used setting 4 for these. I probably could have gotten away with 5. I think the apples keep the batter from crisping up on the outside as quickly as plain waffle batter does. But, if you like a floppy waffle, go ahead and use setting 3. As you can see from the picture above, we not only like extra crispy waffles but extra crispy bacon too.
I would also recommend removing the batteries from your smoke alarm prior to making these. I was reminded why we took the batteries out in the first place and had been living without a smoke alarm for 4 years: because apparently, cooking anything (even boiling water) sets them off. Annoying as that is, I still don't feel comfortable leaving the batteries out after this incident on the neighbor's balcony; especially with Little Dude on the way. So, we take them out when we cook and put them back afterwards.
I hope everyone enjoyed Sunday Funday this week!
*Ryan is my husband's older brother and I just found out he subscribes to my blog. He's also a Giants fan - feel bad for him. He's pretty much exactly what I imagined an older brother would be like - picks on me every chance he gets, can be moody and annoying, and is a ton of fun to drink with. And I'm sure he shares those sentiments and would say that I'm exactly how he pictured an annoying little sister would have been had he been blessed with one. Lucky for him, I showed up and married his baby brother.
This is Ryan at a Kenny Chesney concert about 5 years ago...
...and this is him about 6 hours later. I told you he's fun to drink with!
Thanks for reading, buddy! ;)
Friday, October 11, 2013
Friday PSA: Yes, I'm Still Pregnant.
You know that saying, "If I had a dollar...?"
Well, if I had even a quarter for every time someone asked me any of the following questions...
Are you still pregnant?
Did you have the baby yet?
Is he here?
Any day now, right?
Wow, you haven't had the baby yet? (This one might be the worst of them all)
... I wouldn't need to go back to work. Because I'd be filthy rich. The answer to all of the above, by the way, is "still pregnant."
Here's a tip to anyone out there who is thinking of asking a pregnant woman if she is still pregnant:
It's really not amusing, it gets old fast and, depending on how you phrase it, borders on rude. In the day of cell phones and facetweetgramtags, I'm sure you will know the answer when the time comes.
That is all. Have a lovely weekend! :)
Well, if I had even a quarter for every time someone asked me any of the following questions...
Are you still pregnant?
Did you have the baby yet?
Is he here?
Any day now, right?
Wow, you haven't had the baby yet? (This one might be the worst of them all)
... I wouldn't need to go back to work. Because I'd be filthy rich. The answer to all of the above, by the way, is "still pregnant."
Here's a tip to anyone out there who is thinking of asking a pregnant woman if she is still pregnant:
Don't.
It's really not amusing, it gets old fast and, depending on how you phrase it, borders on rude. In the day of cell phones and facetweetgramtags, I'm sure you will know the answer when the time comes.
That is all. Have a lovely weekend! :)
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Resume DOs and DON'Ts
If you're like most people I know, putting together a resume, cover
letter, job application, etc. is a dreaded and evil task. Especially if
it's been awhile since you've dusted off your resume.
Recently, I've taken on a little side job doing some resume edits and rewrites. This started out as something friends and family would hit me up for every now and then.
"Hey, Colleen, if I send you my resume will you take a look at it for me?"
You see, once upon a time, when I was a contributing member of society, I worked as a Human Resources Generalist and was responsible for staffing and recruiting at a couple of different companies. I saw a lot of resumes. I saw a lot of bad resumes. And I interviewed a lot of people who looked great on paper but couldn't hold a conversation to save their lives.
I also worked in a college career center and have both an MBA in Human Resource Management and a PHR certification. Resumes are kind of my thing. I think I might be among the 3 people on earth who actually enjoy putting a resume together; whether it's for myself or someone else.
I was always happy to take a look at someone's resume or listen to their tales of woe about how their boss is an a-hole and they don't know what to do and can I give them some advice.
In all seriousness, I really do enjoy doing this and would never tell someone to go drown their job sorrows in a beer. Well, almost never.
In my years of resume review, I have come across some things you can do to make your resume more appealing to recruiters and hiring managers. I've also come across things that a lot of people do, but really shouldn't. Here is a basic do and don't list to guide you in your resume writing:
Do…
Keep in mind, this is not an all-inclusive list and every resume is different. If you have questions about any of the above or you're interested in sending me a resume for review, email me at:
Please attach your resume and include information on what type of assistance you are looking for (reformatting, editing, a complete re-write, etc.). If you don't have a resume and are looking to build one from scratch, please explain this in the body of the email.*
You can also send me a message on LinkedIn. Connect with me via the LinkedIn button on the sidebar under my picture and send an inbox message saying that you found me via my blog.
*Please note that I do charge a fee for a complete resume build or re-write and that both are very interactive processes (meaning I will need to communicate with you regularly for information gathering and clarification). On average, this process takes about a week. Fees vary depending on how much work is needed and an estimate will be given before work begins. All billing is done via PayPal.
Recently, I've taken on a little side job doing some resume edits and rewrites. This started out as something friends and family would hit me up for every now and then.
"Hey, Colleen, if I send you my resume will you take a look at it for me?"
You see, once upon a time, when I was a contributing member of society, I worked as a Human Resources Generalist and was responsible for staffing and recruiting at a couple of different companies. I saw a lot of resumes. I saw a lot of bad resumes. And I interviewed a lot of people who looked great on paper but couldn't hold a conversation to save their lives.
I also worked in a college career center and have both an MBA in Human Resource Management and a PHR certification. Resumes are kind of my thing. I think I might be among the 3 people on earth who actually enjoy putting a resume together; whether it's for myself or someone else.
I was always happy to take a look at someone's resume or listen to their tales of woe about how their boss is an a-hole and they don't know what to do and can I give them some advice.
In all seriousness, I really do enjoy doing this and would never tell someone to go drown their job sorrows in a beer. Well, almost never.
In my years of resume review, I have come across some things you can do to make your resume more appealing to recruiters and hiring managers. I've also come across things that a lot of people do, but really shouldn't. Here is a basic do and don't list to guide you in your resume writing:
Do…
…try to keep a decent amount of white space on your
resume – this makes it easier for recruiters to see key pieces of information.
…spell check!
…keep bullet points concise and succinct.
…try to limit your resume to one page unless you have
been working for several years (I’m talking 10+ years, if not more).
…consider keeping different versions of your resume if
you have worked in several different industries or are looking for different
types of positions.
…spell check it again! And review for content and readability.
I highly suggest reading your resume out loud to yourself or someone else. This
is a really easy to way to find out if something you’ve said doesn’t make
sense.
…add the same heading to your resume, cover letter,
and any other application materials you submit. Not only does this look
professional, but it will make it easier for recruiters to locate your
application documents, which often need to be sent out to several people.
…read it over for grammatical mistakes. Spell check is not going to pick up on the incorrect use of there/their/they're, incorrect capitalization, etc. Mistakes, especially obvious ones, will pretty much guarantee that your resume
ends up in the garbage.
…list any degrees or certifications that you are
working towards. Just make sure you list them as just that – things you are in
the process of earning but have not yet completed. You should also give an
estimated completion date.
Have you spell checked it yet? And read it over? And
had someone else read it over? Do it. And then do it again.
Don’t…
…write your professional life story.
Only list the highlights. The resume is simply your admission ticket to the main event (the interview). It's not a story and it's definitely not your job description and it should not read as such. In other words, don't copy your job description onto your resume and call it a day. These are two completely different documents that serve different purposes. I see this all.the.time.
...list irrelevant or outdated information. While impressive, recruiters don’t need to know (and don’t care) that you were all-state in lacrosse. Unless you’re applying to a job with the US Lacrosse Organization.That being said...
...leave out work experience just because it's not in the same field as the job you're applying for - especially if this will leave a gap in your work history. It's always good to show continuity of employment. There are a couple of ways to address this (does anyone else sense an idea for a new blog post??).
...list irrelevant or outdated information. While impressive, recruiters don’t need to know (and don’t care) that you were all-state in lacrosse. Unless you’re applying to a job with the US Lacrosse Organization.That being said...
...leave out work experience just because it's not in the same field as the job you're applying for - especially if this will leave a gap in your work history. It's always good to show continuity of employment. There are a couple of ways to address this (does anyone else sense an idea for a new blog post??).
…list your education at
the top of your resume unless you just
graduated and even then, it’s not really necessary. Put this section after work
experience.
…use margins smaller
than 0.5” or a font smaller than 10pt. If you are having trouble condensing
everything to one page, it’s probably time to cut some stuff.
…list your GPA. Employers are interested in what type of employee you're going to be, not what type of student you were. This is also measured differently depending
on what school you attended. If you absolutely feel you must include this
information, be sure to list the scale your GPA was measured against; e.g.
3.7/4.0 or 3.7/5.0.
…use a font other than
one of the basics. For one, this doesn’t look professional. Second, if the
receiving party’s computer doesn’t accept the font, your formatting
could be completely thrown off, making your resume look like a 6 year old put
it together. Stick to Times New Roman or Arial and you should be ok.
…lie. Lying is
obviously not a good way to start out a relationship with your (potential)
future employer. Lying can also quickly get you into a position where you are being
sent out the door with a cardboard box full of your personal belongings because you actually can't, in fact, "manage a team of 8". If
your boss told you to keep an eye on things while he/she took off early on
Fridays, do not say that you managed a department. A good hiring manager will
be able to sniff out your lack of experience during an interview, regardless of
what your resume says. If they don’t and you manage to get the job anyway, your
new employer will have expectations that are far beyond what you’re comfortable
doing.
…put your picture on
your resume. Yes, I’ve seen this before and it’s weird.
…include any sort of
clip art, pictures, borders, colors, etc. The resume is not the place
to show off your Photoshop skills...unless you’re applying for a job in
graphic design, marketing, or possibly as a preschool teacher.
…include personal
interests like reading, white water rafting, or cooking. This may sound harsh
but again, the resume is your admission ticket for a job not your tell-all
autobiography.
Keep in mind, this is not an all-inclusive list and every resume is different. If you have questions about any of the above or you're interested in sending me a resume for review, email me at:
mbatomommy(at)gmail(dot)com
Please attach your resume and include information on what type of assistance you are looking for (reformatting, editing, a complete re-write, etc.). If you don't have a resume and are looking to build one from scratch, please explain this in the body of the email.*
You can also send me a message on LinkedIn. Connect with me via the LinkedIn button on the sidebar under my picture and send an inbox message saying that you found me via my blog.
*Please note that I do charge a fee for a complete resume build or re-write and that both are very interactive processes (meaning I will need to communicate with you regularly for information gathering and clarification). On average, this process takes about a week. Fees vary depending on how much work is needed and an estimate will be given before work begins. All billing is done via PayPal.
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