Explosive breastmilk

HI HI HI.  While I still need to blog about Mikey's 8 month AND 9 month (seriously what happened to the last 2 months of my life....????), let's take a break and bring this blog back to what I used to blog about EIGHT years ago (wait - how the heck is that possible).  This was one of my first blog posts and I still laugh at it because it was one of the reason's I started my blog.

So read about Chenise!

And now we can talk about the random story of my "explosive" breastmilk.

Since my company officially got acquired on March 1 of this year, I have been doing some traveling to Chicago about once a month.  While it's an easy and quick flight (which is great!), getting all my stuff packed up is not easy because I am still pumping.  So carrying my pump and all my breastmilk around is super fun.  Now I do have some *tips* that I've found on how to consolidate all of this stuff into just one bag and a carry on suitcase, this is not what I'm going to tell you about.  Nope - but would you like that?  Maybe I'll get around to that.

I'm hear to tell you about going through airport security with breastmilk.

To date in 2017, two of my three previous trips, I just went right through security with my breastmilk bags in my cooler bag with frozen ice packs.  They didn't even stop me.  So I was hopeful this last week that would be the case as well.  I knew I was pushing my luck and was bound to get stopped and have it tested, but no big deal right?  I've had that happened before.  

But this time, I got stopped, they took one bag out and said they needed to run the little paper thing over it to test it.  I told them, yep, go for it.  No big deal.  I'm standing there watching them run the test and stick the little strip thing into the machine.  Of course it would come up with nothing because #duh.

When I looked and it came up in BRIGHT RED "EXPLOSIVES" I about died.  Seriously.  The TSA agent that as a young guy turned to me and said, "Ma'am, the liquids you are trying to bring on the place tested positive for explosives.  So we are going to have to conduct further testing and we are going to have to do an invasive pat down of you". 

You guys.  The look on my face.  I wish I had it all recorded.

I looked back at him and said "You mean my breastmilk - that came from my boobs to feed my baby - that tested positive for explosives".  This was in attempt to not only purposefully make him uncomfortable but also just to relay to him my complete and utter annoyance because #seriously guy. 

He told me that yes, they are going to have to test all the bags. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

So I step to the next testing station and watch them open each bag and freaking put it in the machine.  Trying not to be annoying (or get arrested), I mention to him and his other male colleague to please please please close the bags firmly.  They just kept going until a lady TSA agent comes over and takes me over for my super fun pat down.  Now I wasn't sure what this entails but MAN.  I got some intense touching - let's just say I'm super glad that this doesn't have to happen every time.  Touching my boobs, my junk, in my collar and waist.  

Good news for you all to know - I passed and after 15 minutes of further investigation, it was determined that my breastmilk was actually NOT explosive.  #thankgoodness

And I'm also thankful that I got to the airport a little early this time!!!

So that's it - a somewhat pointless story, but one that in the ridiculousness that my life seems to be day to day lately, I felt like must be documented.  I am thankful for our TSA agents and the fact that they are doing these processes to ensure the safety of us all and that people don't in fact bring explosives on planes.  I do NOT want that.  But I can promise you that while breastmilk is a magical substance that is used to keep my babies alive (and I tend to have a lot of it.....), it is not explosive.

Fri-YAY

You made it to the weekend (almost...a few more hours!)!!

{ONE}

I got to be the mom behind "takeover Tuesday" on the Kansas City Mom's blog instagram account on Tuesday.  I had so much fun posting about my day as a working mom of our 3 kiddos.  While I'm very happy that I don't have to post everything about my day EVERYDAY (I was somehow exhausted from doing it - or maybe it was just from the day in general), it was so fun to interact with the KCMB followers and get tips from them and share insight.

While sometimes the world of social media can be so negative, I loved being a part of that day and the mommas in KC interacting with me. Very happy to be a part of that contributor team.  Here is a glimpse of the pictures I posted!

{TWO}

Last weekend we ventured back to Lawrence for the KU Homecoming game.  Yes, they are terrible.  Yes, I went to K-State.  But even though my heart it with the Wildcats, the fact that this is 20 minutes down the highway, tickets were $9 each just for Jimmy and I (yes, they are THAT bad) and we get to spend time with neighbors and family is something I cannot pass up.  

We always have a blast and seriously - our kids just love it.  Maddie is OBSESSED with the marching band.  Literally obsessed.  We now watch the Ohio State marching band regularly on You Tube.  I love it.

And teh good news is - traveling with three is getting more manageable.  However, once Mikey is on the go and moving - life = over! Haha!

{THREE}

My friend, Vanessa, likes to fuel my online shopping with her vidoes she posts for How Does She every Monday!  This Monday she posted these adorable booties that have a shorter heel.  I have ones that I love, but I've found I like those for occasions where I have to walk less and not chase my children.  And better yet, they were on sale AND on Amazon Prime.  Done.

I got them yesterday and can't wait to put to good use!  Thanks for the recommendation, Vanessa!

{FOUR}

In just a few weeks, we are leaving all three kiddos for the first time and heading down south to a wedding that Jimmy is in.  His friend from college is getting married in Houston and while the logistics of getting family to watch our kids Thursday - Sunday is not easy and the thought of being away from Mikey for 3 days literally breaks my heart....I'm also looking forward to some good quality time with my husband.  

The wedding is black tie though - so I need to make sure I get a little fancy!!  Of course, I immediately go to Amazon to shop because why not.  I have bought some other dresses off of there for cheap and they were perfect.  I was thinking I needed a long more formal dress like this one...

But Jimmy is saying that I need a short dress!  Thoughts?  Black tie appropriate attire?? (also - I will have to pump in this, so keep that in mind!)

{FIVE}

Today is a day of Halloween parties!!!  Two of them.  Our kid's parties at school are the same exact time as the party my work has every year for everyone's kids.  BUMMER.  However, I left the option up to my kids and both of them made it very clear they wanted to come into my work (because apparently that is super cool!).  However, as we have drawn nearer to the day of their party, I'm nervous with all the excitement and preparation at school they are not going to want to leave.  Jimmy is going to gather all 3 and then bring them to my work, so I'm hopeful for no meltdowns about leaving their party!  Sad to miss seeing the parade with friends and activities in their classes - but I'm really excited for them to come in and show all my coworkers just really how adorable they are :)  Haha, hopefully they behave!!  Here is a picture preview of their outfits this year.

However, Maddie pulled an audible this morning and said she wanted to wear her Elsa costume instead of Bat Girl.  Go figure!  Wasn't a fight I was going to have, so she'll be princessed up today!

Hope everyone has a great pre-Halloween weekend!!!

PS Where has the month of October gone?  For reals.

Linking up with:

Sept Farm | Oh hey Friday!

A. Liz Adventures | Five on Friday

Momfessionals | Friday Favorites

October weekend fun and Pumpkin patch 2016 trip

Oh my - October is here and what a first week of October it has been for our family!!

First things first.  Never take 3 kids to the dentist alone.  Ever.

Second, after our adventure on Monday with the big kids and then a quiet (last) afternoon together, Tuesday morning, I went with Jimmy and dropped this little man off at daycare.  He is going to an in-home and the lady watching him is just amazing.  And my new favorite.  She is a little older than my parents and has been watching kiddos for over 40 years now.  I love going to pick him up because she feels like a grandma...she is asking me how my day is, telling me about his day, etc.  His first day he did great (me not so much..but I kept busy...and then the next day I went to work!)

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While Mikey was at daycare, I finished painting the table that is going in the nursing room at my work to put my pump on and my bag underneath - Jimmy put it together for me and it looks amazing!!

And I made 8 freezer meals with some chicken breasts I got on sale (more about those recipes on my fitness blog here).

And then guess what?  Wednesday, October 5 came and I got up, worked out, got ready, packed up my stuff and the kids stuff and went to work for the first time in 11 weeks!

And thank goodness I do not drop off everyday....because I would be a mess.  Again, thank God for Jimmy in my life.  Walking out the door at home versus dropping them off is so much easier.  And it helps that I love my job and my coworkers and there is PLENTY to keep me busy and distracted at work.

So yeah.   Wednesday - Friday we went back to the grind and I quickly remembered how much I am literally TIED to the pump.  Sheesh.  Worth it, but always pumping it feels like!!

On Friday, my sweet grandma that we just visited last month turned NINETY!!!  It also marked three years since we said goodbye to my sweet grandpa (her husband).  While we didn't get to be there to celebrate with her, we did get to Facetime with her since my dad was up there and we sent her a pretty fun photo book with some pictures of the kids and pictures of our visit.  My dad said she loved it and I'm SOOO glad!

Saturday morning, we headed out to our annual pumpkin patch trip with the Matlock family.  It's crazy to think that our first trip in 2012, we only had Jack and Charlie and look at this motley crew now!  We love Schaake's Pumpkin Patch just outside of Lawrence because it's not super crowded (especially if you get there early), it's free, plenty of stuff to do AND we always take our crew to eat on Mass Street after.  Awesome!  I won't detail you the drama in getting there (we were 40 minutes late - sorry Emily!).  From forcing people to get dressed, getting lost, just a typical morning in the Carter house...crazy chaos right?

This girl though.  Completely melts my heart.  Even if she is a little crazy.  Crazy good.

Afterwords, we went to Jefferson's and while I did enjoy a few fried pickles, I didn't eat wings there.  AHHHH!  I know.  It wasn't because I didn't want the fried wings...it was because the blue cheese dressing is really what I love and with avoiding dairy due to breastfeeding- I figured I might as well just eat a salad.  And guess what?  It was delicious!

Kids woke up from naps and it was time to try out the new toy that Jimmy found on Craigslist for Charlie.  Long story short, a boy down the street had this car and Charlie loved it so Jimmy decided to hunt for it for a Christmas present.  You read that right...Christmas.  Yeah.  Well, he found it for like $60 and got it and of course (in true Jimmy fashion), he was so excited and gave it to Charlie early.  SUCH a sucker.  But the good news is - they completely loved it.  Duh, why wouldn't they!?  In the mean time, Mikey and I chilled in the shade.

Love this little man!

Around dinner time, we headed up to our church for the annual fall festival that is always SOOOOOO fun.  This year it was even better!  They had 3 bounce houses, so many fun games, hamburgers and hot dogs, trunk or treat, petting zoo...and ended the night with FIREWORKS.  It's always a hit or miss with fireworks for our crew, but Charlie told us he could handle them this year.  And while Maddie was double fisting her suckers...we all enjoyed the awesome fireworks.  So happy that our neighbors came with us too - they have a little boy that is the same age as Maddie and they had a blast too!

Sunday, I was up and at em to get in my yoga work out - because I was hoping for a little bit of quiet time (you know, deep breathing, relaxation, yoga...).  But these kiddos popped in and wanted to join in my fun.  I swear - they crack me up.

Before church - this little lovie was all over her little brother.  I'm not kidding, she melts my heart when she's this sweet.

Mikey decided to puke all over himself and me at church...so he got naked in the church bathroom.  #babylife

After church we split up.  Jimmy took Charlie to urgent care as he's had a nasty cough for like 2 weeks now (turned out an upper respiratory infection) and then me and Maddie and Mikey went to Aldi.  At least we just needed the basics. After lunch and naps (Maddie took a long nap...while the two boys took cat naps while I folded the bizillion loads of laundry...see pic!) we headed over to Jimmy's parents house for some awesome beef stew and homemade rolls!  And brought the Lightning McQueen car (of course).

(He really is happy!!)

It was a fun weekend.  I'm a little in denial that I have to go back to work FIVE days a week.  Sheesh!  I hope I will make it.  I know I will but I'm exhausted just thinking about it!  Hope you had a great weekend too- cheers to October week #2.

Five things: Bandaids, DIY and end of leave

So it's "officially" fall- but I'm not buying it with these 90 degree temps in KC!!!  Looking forward to next week when it's a HIGH of 70s each day- yes!!!  

{ONE}

First things first.  How is September almost over???  But remember about the link up/Instagram posts promoting Noah's bandage project!!!  Even if you can't grab some bandaids or donate- I so appreciate your support in spreading the word about this amazing project and family!! See this post for more details and the image for the link up for next Wednesday!

{TWO}

You know I'm a sucker for DIY projects.  But DIY with all the supplies provided + you can bring your own drinks in...I'm sold!!  A girl I went to college with recently opened the most amazing store called Pink Antlers that I've been dying to go check out.  So when I saw the post about a workshop October 2 where you get to make this adorable double sided sign....

...I immediately asked some neighbor friends if they were interested in going with me!!! And now I'm so excited for a girls afternoon DIY session and for this amazing sign!!!!  And j can't wait to see the whole amazing store!!

{THREE}

 How about some more DIY for super cheap?  I'm SO excited to try out this DIY sign that a friend and other local KC blogger from Baby by Oakley posted earlier this week.  I've had an idea to do a sign with Jimmy's favorite toast about the bar area my dad put in earlier this year but wasn't sure I wanted to spend a ton of money on a personalized one.  So this is just the perfect way to give it a try with some extra scrap wood, chalk and paint pens!!!  Thanks Mackenzie for an awesome tutorial and tip!  Check out her blog post here.

{FOUR}

While we didn't have fall weather this week...we sure pretended with a fire pit (pot) and some smores!  In Iowa last weekend, the house we rented had a fire pit out back and Charlie was just dying for smores.  Even though we didn't get any, Papa held his promise that Charlie would get some!  And be delivered Wednesday night!!  We all enjoyed some yummy smores - but they would have been much better with Reese's instead of just chocolate!  But isn't everything better with peanut butter????!!

These two are crazy!!!

{FIVE}

This guy.  He was two months old this week - which is crazy!!  With the end of the quarter coming and the beginning of another forecast cycle, I'm back to work in just a week and a half, which doesn't seem possible.  We had a minor day care issue--- but I'm so relieved that's resolved and I'm happy to say that Mikey is starting up on October 5, which is the same day I go back to work. 

I'm going to miss his ADORABLE face and snuggles and the amazing smiles!!!!! Ugh - he's so awesome!!

Charlie is going to miss the Mikey snuggles and morning silliness!!!  Mikey - likely not so much :)

Me and my babe!!!!!!!

And so are the lazy mornings where I can drink and enjoy coffee and my breakfast with my little man and the Today show.  Such is life.  I am excited to see my coworker's (because they are the best!), but I'm anxious about the morning routine.  I have gotten into good daily workouts and eating healthy and want to continue!!! So I'm kicking off my first challenge group and there are some amazing ladies in it and ready to kick some work out butt starting October 3 (want to join in the fun???  Go here for more details!) Ahhh!!! I can do this!! 

We have some fun weekend activities planned and I'm looking forward to my last weekend before my last full week of leave!!! Happy Friday!

Linking up with:

Sept Farm | Oh hey Friday!

A. Liz Adventures | Five on Friday

Momfessionals | Friday Favorites 

Confessions

I have never done confessions, but this week seemed like the perfect time to confess things.  Because people- it's been crazy. Jimmy is coming home today and I'm all like WAHOO!  

• I locked myself (with the baby) in the downstairs bathroom on Monday night...my two other children proceeded to bang on the door
• I had my dinner plate in there and attempted to eat it in "peace" ("peace" really meant a screaming baby in my arms...but no toddlers touching him...)
• And then I question if I can handle 3 kids...but then they all do something wonderful and my heart is bursting 
• I haven't had a pop all week--- yeah!
• I got my workout in every day - wahoo!!
• I cannot decide if I'm excited or terrified to go back to work in less than a month
• I REALLY need a girls night
• I literally want to buy all the clothes from Gray Monroe (a boutique I follow on Instagram..) but have yet to pull the trigger to buy something yet.  They do have 20% off site wide right now...tempting!
• While annoying, I do think it's really cute when Charlie stands on the stairs (after we have put him in bed like 7 times...) listening to Jimmy and I every night and thinks we don't know!
• When they say it takes a village--- it's true! Thanks to my parents, sister and Jimmy's mom and grandma to helping me out this week-- couldn't have survived without you all...and coffee!

Going on a family road trip this weekend so here's to our "Friday"!

Be Brave

At my work, our communications department sends out an email every morning letting everyone know of articles and industry happenings that happened the previous day.  The girl that sends them out most mornings is in charge of communications in our London office and is amazing and has the best sense of humor.  In addition to sending our all the news about the stock market, she also will randomly include hilarious links to videos, pictures and articles non-related to work.  Last week or so, she sent out this article about the importance of teaching the girls and young women of this world to be BRAVE.  And how in today's society we are constantly teaching and encouraging our young men and men to be brave, speak up, pursue the challenging option - but yet many of the young girls and even women in society today we (subconsciously or not) are encouraging them to "play it safe" and take the route in which they know success will come and failure will not.

I love this article.  I love it as a woman and as a mom to a little girl.  No one likes to fail, but isn't it in the failures in life that you learn the most?  The times when it didn't quite go the way that I wanted it to or the path I thought was best or I failed miserably - looking back, those are the times I learned about myself the most.  When I took the risks that didn't feel comfortable.  I need to continue to remind myself of that even in my current stage of life, when it feels easier to do what's easy and comfortable and in my routine - that you don't always have to succeed but in being brave and standing up for yourself and asking for those things that might not seem attainable - that is when true life is lived.

Enjoy this quick article (taken as an excerpt from a TED talk by Reshma Saujani) and read on a Tuesday!  

(PS this is perfect timing as one of my good friends is one of the hosts of Omaha start up week at The Exchange.  She has poured her heart and soul into this as co-founder and I couldn't be more proud!  Way to go Erica!)

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NYC bike ride

Oh man.  In the middle of October, I hopped on a plane with a few coworkers and jetted off to NYC.  The reason?  A bike ride around New York sponsored by my company to raise money for Autism Research.  This all came about because I had to go to a meeting either the Friday before or the Monday after the race and then someone was like, why don't' you just ride??

Well - the fact that I have haven't gotten on a bike in literally 7 years might have stopped me...but nope, it didn't.  So I signed up for Wall Street Rides Far, rented a bike and helmet and started fundraising.  The fact that all the money raised from the race benefited the Autism Science Foundation  made it even more special and close to my heart because my nephew, Eli, is autistic and the therapy that he got from wonderful teachers very early on has made a world of difference.  He's pretty amazing if you ask anyone, so I loved what a great cause this was going to (and wanted to raise as much money as i could in his honor!).  So thankful to all my friends and family that donated - it was so awesome.  now I just need to finish my thank you notes to them!

Of course, my intention was to get on a bike at least once, but yeah.  That didn't happen ever.  So the first time I got on my bike was in NY about a minute before I had to race.  I fell off on my first try and hurt my woman parts.  Great start, right?

However, we did get these awesome bike jerseys and had a pretty good time.  As much of a good time you can have riding a bike for FIFTEEN MILES.  Goodness sake.

It was HILLY!  And we made it up most hills, but had to stop and walk up this one!

We were POOPED.  I also forgot to mention that we headed out on Friday night after work and had to connect in STL.  Well, our flight from STL to LGA was delayed (of course) and then getting from the airport to Manhattan was not easy - there was the longest line of cabs and no close Ubers....so we didn't' get to our hotel until around 1AM.  Then got up and drove an hour out of the city to the race...we were tired.  After the race, Comic Con was in town, so there was crazy traffic and it took us 2 hours to get back into the city and to our hotel.  As great as NYC is, that in itself made me so happy I don't live there!  Was so frustrating!!

We thought about napping, but decided against it and Megan and I headed on the first subway ride of the trip over to Jill's apartment (our friend that we rode with that works in our NY office).

Jill made us reservations at The Smith and it was SOOO good.  Oh my.

We got a little bit of everything and shared.  Steak salad, mac and cheese and gnocchi.  YUM!

Then made a stop at the oldest bar in NYC!  They only have two drink choices: light or dark beer.  That's it! 

We went to a few more bars and then decided to make our way to Times Square.  The other three people I was with from KC had never been to NY before and while I was so tired and just wanted to go back to the hotel and sleep (not to mention we were all so sore!!!), I sucked it up and went with them to see the sights again.  

And of course I had to get a picture with some of Charlie's favorites.  But then they demanded I tip them and made me feel bad for not giving them enough.  Psssh.

We did make a stop to visit our competitor, Nasdaq. 

It was LATE and on the subway home I fell asleep.

After sleeping in until 9 (heavenly and much needed!), Megan and I headed to take a ferry across the Hudson River to Brooklyn.

Then we met up with our friends and went to Smorgaburg, which was like a huge food vendors all in one place in Prospect Park.  OMG.  So good.

Yes, all those things in the above right picture were for me.  Once in a lifetime, right?  

(Shrimp taco, Cheese curds with truffle sauce, mexican street corn and finally...an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie with sea salt, vanilla ice cream and hot fudge....YUM)

Then we walked across the Brooklyn bridge, which was crazy but fun.  The bikers across it were crazy.

After that, we parted ways and I headed to explore the city a little more on my own.  Got my kids some little cars from a street vendor and of course on my way back to the hotel, made a stop on Wall Street and to NYSE.

I grabbed some sushi to go and sat in my hotel room catching up on work and watching Sunday night shows (ps - east coast time is SO hard to watch shoes because it's so late!).  Megan and I decided to save our company money and just shared a room, but she and Jill went to the Giants football game that night so it was fun to get a little alone time!!

Then next day, the three of us headed to our NY office (a first visit for all of us).  And pretty much what everyone said is true.  The view is unbelievable.  Literally stare right at the statue of liberty.  Pretty much our office in Lenexa is mincemeat compared to the NY view and the London view (that looks at the Tower Bridge on the Thames river in London).

After my meeting and some work, I headed to the airport and couldn't believe the comeback the Royals made (I was watching with some girls on my flight).  Insane!!

The next morning, these two were excited to see me and the feeling was mutual!  (if you cannot tell, Charlie just really liked the police car/taxi cab I got them too!)

It was a fun weekend in NY (and I burned a LOT of calories with the bike ride and walking - it was insane, as I track all that on my Apple watch), but it always feels so good to get home.  Like I always say, visiting cities is amazing.  There is nothing like a big city and the commute and the people and the energy.  But then when I land back in Kansas City and get in my minivan and drive home- I just couldn't love my life more!