March 2016 – The Milk Memoirs

Life right now…

Posted on March 29, 2016 by mommabeartrax

“Life right now” posts give me poetic license to just ramble. There’s no particular theme to it all. There’s no dramatic crescendo – so sorry to leave you hanging if that’s what you came here looking for. It’s more a bit like being on the couch with me, with feet folded under our bums, one hand animatedly gesturing and echoing my words, whilst the other hand caressing a wine glass, or mug of coffee (depending on how tired I am) – and the mind just flows forth with mutterings of…well, our life right now. Our highs, lows, laughs and ponderings. Hope you stay a while for them…I promise I make a great cuppa, or will only serve the best wine. So pull in and get comfy!

I don’t know about you, but I’m in a complete and utter time warp right now. All that Easter-ing has wrecked me. I write this not knowing what day it actually is. In fact, I just posted an Instagram, backspacing and retyping “Sundaze” Lord knows how many times, because I couldn’t figure out where in the weekend we were. It’s like Easter, in my head, should be on a Continue reading →

Parenting Guilt and Clean Slates amidst Toddler Struggles and the Tides of Life

Posted on March 24, 2016 by mommabeartrax

Photo credit: Marysol Blomerus; Day in our life shoot

Note: Written on Wednesday evening past

Ok, so I just got peed on tonight..by my two year old baby girl that was actually already seated on the loo. Yes, seated, but somehow she still managed to soak me. Yeah, I also don’t know how that happened, but she got everything – my sweater, jeans, socks, shoes. Just everything. Mostly because it took me a while to realise what hit me…And just to give you some context, this happens after Continue reading →

Tips for successful pumping at work

Posted on March 22, 2016 by mommabeartrax

So you’ve decided to continue breastfeeding after going back to work. (Or maybe baby decided for you) 🙂 High five, mama! But let’s be straight here, whether you have a high pressured job or not, keeping this pumping business up does take some doing. Or at least that was my experience in it. And I suppose me saying that may be surprising to those who knew how set I was on breastfeeding until baby decided it was time. But, as always, I’m going to keep it real for you. And despite it all, it is still very, very doable!

As with any undertaking in life, it’s best to go in Continue reading →

Easter Basket Ideas

Posted on March 16, 2016 by mommabeartrax

Love the idea of an Easter Basket, but not sure what to put in, or you’re running out of ideas? Well, then read on!

We’re steadily hopping down that bunny trail all the way to Easter. If fact, do you realise, it’s NEXT week?! Well, it is, and despite how much all the stores’ well-merchandised and prettily stocked shelves would like to remind me, it actually only hit me this week just how close we are!

So in my efforts to have all my shit together this year, and not scoot around the house like a maniac the day before,trying to Continue reading →

Easter Bunny Crunch – a quick and easy alternative to the humble Easter Egg

Posted on March 15, 2016 by mommabeartrax

Ok, sure, you’re not going to be able to teach them the signifigance of why Easter eggs are hollow with this one, nor are you going to be able to use this as an opportunity to teach your kids why we even use EGGS at all as a symbol for Easter, but damnit, life happens, you know?

Life happens where you just don’t get the time to go to Continue reading →

The ONE Instructional Video EVERY Breastfeeding Mom Has To Watch!

Posted on March 14, 2016 by mommabeartrax

I’m not even kidding. You HAVE to watch it. Whether you’re slick and an ol’ nick at it, or if you’re new and struggling: watch it. If you’re not breastfeeding, but your daughter, friend, niece, cousin, sister, neighbour or whoever is – watch it. And then get them to watch it too. If you wanted to breastfeed but couldn’t (for whatever reason); If you’ve never breastfed yet, but really want to, then watch it. Whatever category you fall into: Just. Watch it.

Remember when I posted about the Continue reading →

We all need some Swing in our life

Posted on March 11, 2016 by mommabeartrax

I was going to start my post off with just how douche-baggish life has been recently on my side. Buuuut, the girls and I just rounded off bath time singing Louis Prima at the top of our lungs, re-enacting that Jungle Book scene with Cousin Louis, complete with throwing our limbs in all directions (or as far as my injured foot would let me), and maybe even some jazz hands thrown in for good measure… Who am I kidding!? It’s Louis Prima- OF COURSE there were jazz hands!

I dont know about you, but my girls and I cant get through this scene without breaking it down

Now, I don’t know if it’s the reminder of what Continue reading →

Our Favourite Easter Book Picks

Posted on March 9, 2016 by mommabeartrax

How do you teach your children about Easter? I mean like Easter Bunny and cute, fluffy little chicklets aside, how do you convey the true message of Easter over to your wee little ones? I mean, its quite a heavy story to put over, right? Especially when they’re really still so small – mine are two and four years old. But, don’t be fooled into thinking that they won’t be able to grasp it, and that Easter Bunny and chocolates is about it. Oh boy, can they grasp it. I would probably hedge a bet and say that it very likely just depends on the level of abstraction at which you pitch it.

What I found was that for kiddums, and I’m sure for Continue reading →

How to catch a leprechaun – and other fun ways to enjoy St Patrick’s Day

Posted on March 7, 2016 by mommabeartrax

So St Paddy’s is not too high on your typical South African’s celebratory list, although that depends on who hang with, and also if you don’t count the usual celebratory pubcrawl down Long Street. But it is up on our list. – however small it may be.

Ps. For How to make Leprechaun Magic Rocks, see here.

And by the way, when I say “our”, I actually mean “my” list. Thankfully, hubby just smiles and goes with it – mostly, I think, because Continue reading →

The Coolest Rechargeable Glow in the Dark Slime

Posted on March 4, 2016 by mommabeartrax

How to make Alien Slime

Since the girls have been really enjoying “playing” in the dark, thanks to our Star Gazing adventures (see here), a lot of our recent activities have been revolving around just that. So, in keeping with the star gazing theme (think aliens) I thought I’d add some fun with glow in the dark slime…Or as we call it: Alien Slime!!!

‘Cause, I mean, when you’re teaching them about astronomy, “aliens” is a totally legit topic to cover right? Right?! Right. Besides, I still I had Continue reading →