Is it so hard to imagine that given a 15 minute time limit that an experienced presenter would manage to stay within that limit?

Today I was supposed to present at a conference. I was last. One of the presenters before me went FORTY FIVE MINUTES.

I managed to squeak mine out in five, and that was about five minutes after the conference was due to end.

Grrrrr.....

Not that I expect that after such a long hiatus I have any readers...

Thought I'd post about exclusive pumping, though, as I"m hooked up to the nipple extractor at this very moment.

Some key suggestions:

1. Lanolin, and lots of it. Not for AFTER the pump, like you'd use it after a breastfeed, but for just BEFORE the pump, so that as the skin stretches out, there's some moisturizing relief. After is good too, though what was put on before the pump will generally still be there, since no one is nursing it off.

2. Rig a hands-free device. Someone very kindly gave me some soft bras that aren't a perfect fit for me, but it doesn't matter. Now that the pump flanges come apart, I simply cut a hole in the bra cup where my nipple is (and I tried it without marking it once, and completely destroyed a bra because as it turns out, my nipples point outward. Who knew. So the second time I used a sharpie to mark the spot, and it's PERFECT) (WARNING: DO NOT CUT THE NIPPLE HOLE WITH YOUR NIPPLE IN THE BRA! seems obvious, but hey, I don't want my arse sued for someone else's trying it). Now I can pump and work at the same time! I'd post a pic, but really, nobody wants to see this.

3. Figure out a night routine. Since I wake to pump (simply because I wake up sore and full), I set out all the accessories before hand, ready for the number of times I get up (I have three sets, soon to be four), and I actually crack open my computer for a little ambient light, and the clock, and half doze through pumping. After 10 minutes, thereabouts, I detach, pour milk into storage bottle (which is attached for the first pump, I now use an 8 ounce glass bottle at the first pump, and then dump everything in on top of that bottle afterward), run it to the fridge, and back to bed. Everything is set for the next pump. I do clean up in the AM.

4. MY personal best galactogogues include Domperidone, Fenugreek, Mother's Milk Tea (occasionally, it seems, in spurts), alfalfa, and one and a half Amber Ales per day (half at lunch, one at dinner... I'm gonna try to do half at lunch, half at dinner today and see how it goes). Am bummed that wine seems to decrease production for the night.

That's what I've got for now... If I think of any more, I'll post 'em.

But I'm going to try to pick it up again...

Quick recap of my life of late:

My surrogate baby is one month old today. I'm pumping for him. He's cute. :-)

My kids are healthy and happy, for the most part, except when we make Phoebe do homework. Then she's grouchy.

Phoebe's doing an amazing job with her flute. I'll post more about this later.

Piper and Phoebe are preparing to dance The Nutcracker with Dance Connections. Phoebe is in the party scene, which is about half of the first act, pretty cool for her. Piper is an angel, as it's her first year. Both girls just finished soccer again...

Chloe is Chloe. funny, cute, a total snugglebug, and trouble all in one package.

My qualifying exam papers are off and in the hands of my committee, and I sit for the oral part on December 3rd. I'm such a geek, I'm actually excited for it.

Phil is, for the moment, content with his work project. Makes us all happier.

He and I are headed to Carmel for a weekend sans kids, but WITH bikes, yay!!!

Okay, well, that's a pretty good quick recap.