Life-Hacks from Med Mommas

OK, I recently joined an online discussion forum for physician mothers and it's like being in a virtual sorority! I LOVE it. We chat about everything from complex medical cases at work to the best dry shampoos on the market. I really can't get enough.

There have been some fantastic threads formed and I'm looking to compile the best contributions so as to have an easy-access reference moving forward. I will start out with the "life-hacks" that have proven to be invaluable. -- And that should say a lot seeing as how most of these women are working way over 40hrs a week and have a family.

Source

Without further ado, I present the can't-live-without life-hacks for medical mommas:

Tech

1. Wemo. A gadget that allows you to control your electronics from anywhere. 
2. Shutterfly iPhone app 
3. Wunderlist "to do" app
4. Audible.com for listening to books while doing other tasks
5. Roku (consolidates TV viewing)
6. Xfinity
7. Amazon Prime (BIG winner)
8. Out of Milk app (for groceries)
9. Baby Monitor app
10. Personal Cap app for budgeting
11. Teamup.com calendar
12. Mint.com for personal finances
13. Google calendars
14. Apple TV

Cooking/Dieting

1. Hamilton Beach 6qt. slow cooker
2. Stash of nuts at the work desk to avoid binging
3. Jura coffee maker
4. Blendtek
5. Vitamix
6. Immersion blender
7. Le Creuset (another big winner)
8. Ina Garten cookbook 
9. Sancerre wine
10. Hello Fresh
11. Cuisinart food processor
12. Henckels professional knives
13. Tiger rice cooker
14. Caphalon grill pan
15. Hamilton mini-personal blender
16. Breville espresso maker
17. Parchment paper
18. Cooks Illustrated
19. The Science of Good Cooking
20. Farmfreshtoyou.com

Cleaning

1. Dyson cordless vacuum
2. Roomba (including industrial strength for pet hair)
3. Laundry sorter
4. Braava hardwood floor robot
5. Clorox bleach tablets for toilet bowl

Clothes

1. Stitch Fix

Beauty, Fitness, & Hygiene

1. Microplane foot file
2. 30min or less Beach Body workouts
3. Living Proof shampoo and conditioner
4. Bikram yoga
5. Argan oil 
6. Shiseido eyelash curler
7. Yogaglo.com quick workouts
8. Dry shampoo
9. Clarisonic face brush
10. L'Occitane almond shower oil
11. Armani face cream
12. Gel manicure
13. T25/P90X3/Piyo
14. Deva Curl products
15. Skinceuticals
16. ReTress
17. Bath and Body Works Stress Relief 
18. Lasik eye surgery
19. Laser hair removal
20. Neutrogena healthy lengths mascara
21. Eyelash extensions
22. Microfiber hair towel
23. Origins On the Spot Relief
24. Pure Barre Workouts
25. TNS essential serum

Kids

1. Baby Bjorn plastic bib to contain mess
2. Clip-on highchair
3. Pump adapters for milk to go directly into bottle
4. Lotus travel crib
5. Go-go-babyz for travel
6. Snap N Go Stroller
7. InchBug juice box holder
8. Puddle jumper floaties for the pool
9. Mommy hook attachment for stroller

Organization and Other

1. Label maker
2. Container Store Elfa system
3. 3 basket hamper, each piece removable
4. Retailmenot.com for coupons
5. Merchandise tags for organization & simple gift cards

Do or Die List

I don't mean that as a threat. I'm about to outline the things that, if not taken care of, will cause great sorrow and gnashing of teeth.

• Laundry
  Why: Stinky clothes piling up everywhere. And when you do decide to tackle it, the result is overwhelming: Mounds of clothes that need to be folded and hung in their proper place.
  Solution: Do a load each day. Period. End of story.
• Bedrooms
  Why: A messy room is a harbinger of disorganization for the rest of the home. It's much more peaceful to sleep somewhere that's put together.
  Solution: Change into PJs as soon as possible! If you're tired, you'll toss your clothes on the ground and that's how it starts. Ask the kids to put things away before bedtime. If there are sets of things with multiple pieces, put them in single containers on a high shelf and do not bring it down until everything else is off the floor. --That my friends, is my greatest tip.
• Shoe storage
  Why: More than just being an eyesore when scores are scattered about, when you can't find a shoe mate and you have to be somewhere at a certain time is maddening.
  Solution: Purchased a shoe rack for the entry closet. Put shoes there. Done.
• Pills
  Why: I hate taking my medicine. If I have to sort through bottles and boxes to get to it, I just won't do it. (Even though it's important for my health.)
  Solution: Keep it organized with bins and labels. 
• Messy cars
  Why: This is something that spins out of control very quickly. Half of the time when I can't find something, it's because it got sucked into the void of our mini-van.
  Solution: Keep at least THREE bags in the car. One for regular trash, the other for gooey stuff (like banana peels), the third for things that need to be brought inside. (In an ideal world, we wouldn't eat in the car(s), but that's just not happening.)
• Receipts
  Why: Receipts have this magical power to always be there when you don't want them, and NEVER there when you absolutely need them.
  Solution: I made a receipt dossier for each car and organized them by the store from which they came. I think this will work.  
• House Projects
  Why: Keeping track of all the things that need to get done and the order in which they are to take place is too much for my mommy brain.
  Solution: Making a list, reviewing it with the hubby, and tackling it in a piecemeal way is better for our sanity. 
• Menus
  Why: Because we have to eat three times a day and if an ingredient is missing we don't eat well. Plus, hunger makes for a cranky family.
  Solution: Write a weekly menu, make an ingredient list, and shop for groceries routinely.
• Commitments
  Why: As if raising kids weren't enough, we sign up for other things or have some assigned deadlines to meet. Not being able to keep promises or make good on commitments feels awful.
  Solution: At least once a week (ideally twice or more) have a family business meeting with the calendars at hand. When something comes up, write it on the calendar immediately, and make a note to self (on the phone, or in a personal notepad).
• Paperwork
  Why: It's a beast. We get mail daily, bring home stuff from work and church, and sometimes this stuff just appears.
  Solution: Sort the mail immediately. Shred and toss often. Go through it at aforementioned family business meetings. This has to become second nature or all is lost. 
• Mornings
  Why: Get up late without a plan and NOTHING gets done.
  Solution: Get up earlier and keep to a routine.
• Sundays
  Why: This is supposed to be a day of rest from the cares of the world. A time to focus on heavenly things. Without some pre-planning, it can instead be hellish.
  Solution: Crock-pot those Sunday meals. Get as much stuff done BEFORE the weekend.

Master House List

By Room (and priorities):

Master Bedroom & Bath
New bedside lighting  IKEA!
Lengthen curtains
Hang art
Resurface fireplace (ooh lala)
Install toilet paper holder

Kid Bath
Seal accent tile
Hang object above toilet
Install towel rack
Swap hardware

Dining Room
New lights
Place étagère in corner
Buy large chalkboard

Living Room
Paint walls, and window frames
Hang art (foyer, too)
Buy ladder for throws
Coffee table
Install curtains and rods
New windows and frames (black)

Basement
Prime all the walls!
Pick flooring, including carpeting stairs
Lay carpet tiles for game area
Spray paint or stain doors
Paint before laying down floors
Pick countertops
Buy rugs
Install counter tops
Hang art above sofa
Paint and prime T's space
Lay down foam tiles in T's space

Guest Room (Bsmt)
As above

Bathroom (Bsmt)
Swap out mirror
Paint, +/-stencil walls?
Install new counter top
Paint cabinet, new hardware
Loose-lay tile? Or real tile?
New toilet
Install gallery wall

Mudroom
Get organized in the mudroom
Put in new lighting
Contract seating area 
Install new utility sink
Paint the walls and built-ins
Install drying rack(s)
Swap out the floors
Install porthole
Buy a runner
Build additional storage (between washer and dryer, closet)
Add coat hangers
Hang sink skirt
Top off storage
Install mirror
Switch out window for glass brick

Kids’ Rooms
Move select toys to the basement
Paint Paloozas and move to side of boy’s bed
Refinish girl’s cabinet with new hardware
Buy girly bed and comforter
Create reading nook in nursery
Swap baby stuff for study materials
Buy kids’ desk

Powder room
Paint cabinet?
Wallpaper

Office
Hang large artwork
Install new curtain rod

Outside (Summer specific)

Repair gutters
New outdoor lighting
Concrete pavers
Get new front door, new hardware
Spray paint window wells
Paint trim, decks
Pain whole house?!

Other
Insulate attic
Additional lighting in hallways
New blinds and window treatments in 4 bedrooms & office

Organize and update the garage
Upgrade switch-plates throughout

Someday
Swap out kitchen floors
^Install swinging faucet and stove-side sink?
Plant new trees
Update 3-season room
Upgrade bookcase in living room
Sort through storage and make sense of it all

By Method:

Elbow Grease
Hang art
Lay carpet tiles for basement
Install rods and curtains in living room
Paint window frames black?
Paint entry floors (yes, you read that right)
Renovate basement bath
Finish painting all of basement, mudroom, living room
Lay concrete pavers
Spray-paint window wells and accessories
Plant a garden
Organize storage area
Brighten up garage

Hire Out
Carpet basement stairs
Tile the master bedroom fireplace (ooh la la)
Lighting
Paint house exterior Phase 1 [] 2 []
Insulate attic
Weed out and remove bushes
Paint remaining doors?
Redo kitchen floor

Fun at Our Own Expense
Wallpaper the powder room and P's room

Swap hardware in kids' bath

Pick new door and hardware
New window treatments
Update kitchen appliances and hardware

Swap out old fans
>>>Organize Boy's closet space<<<

By Specific Task:

Buy
Hardware -- Kids' bath and kitchen, switch-plates
Fans -- 3 season and nursery
Lighting -- Boy's room, office
Rug -- Office, Girl's room, Nursery
Misc. -- Large chalkboard, ladder for throws, shelves for mini-kitchen
Kiddie -- Play table for Girl's room
Appliances -- Fridge and dishwasher
Furniture -- Living room bookcase, new office chairs

Paint
Spray paint -- Vent in basement and mudroom, ledges in closets, window wells
Regular -- T's room, touch ups (including office)
Misc. -- Remaining doors

Plan and execute
Basement bathroom renovation
Update garage
Organize storage
Wallpaper for powder room and P's room
New front door and hardware
Concrete paver installation
Window treatments
Garden

The Feel Good List

Goal setting time. If this looks ambitious, that's not the point. I'm not starving for accolades or titles. I just want to have fun, feel good, and show love to people.

Health/Beauty

• I'm going to try out this Korean Yoga class, give it a good effort for a year and look for improvements, if any. Already I've been challenged to do morning meditation and "intestinal exercises."
• Strengthen my core. To do that, I'll need to start an anti-diastasis recti routine. 
• Eat clean, for myself
• Learn how to do my eyes super dramatic like this, and go out looking like that once.

Home

• Make the bedroom beautiful and peaceful
• Grow a garden
• Create a fun and engaging environment for learning
• Publish a photo album for Homegirl, update both memory books
• Family archiving
• Spend more time in the city, especially beach(es)
• Invite people over, often

Community

• Set up a relationship between the YW organization and Almost Home Kids
• Continue our pen-pal relationship with a prisoner
• Find a 1-2x per month service opportunity that helps inner-city Chicagoans
• Make our home a retreat for those who live in the cross-fire

Career

• Get into the swing of CME and truly enjoy it
• Write a presentation combining both specialties (PM&R and Integrative Medicine) and present it
• Attend conference(s)

Church/Spirituality

• I want to try going to the temple every week! Especially with some of my friends.
• Keep keeping up with Personal Progress. 
• Write in my journal as often as possible
• Read the scriptures daily 
• Get back on that family history
• Hold family prayer routinely, with a big session on Sundays
• Visit the Westchester Ward (they're awesome!) at least once every other month

Brain

• Read 4 books for fun
• Shine and polish my Spanish skills, converse more
• Brush up on math from time to time
• Paint!

Travel

• Puerto Rico 
• Quebec 
• Japan
• Road-trips

My other goals are to do the following:

1) Take up a new hobby that I'm destined to be awful at. Like, maybe I can improve, but I will never be great at it.

2) Become knowledgeable about something so esoteric most people will not care.

Before & After We Move (Yo Tim)

Now (before deep cleaning):

Discuss living room and dining room lighting with Ralph, our electrician

Paint the inside of the two kid’s closets

Install and organize closets!

Refinish office bookcases

Find a double curtain rod for the kids’ bath

Look for new towels at HomeGoods

Install master shower door and plan where hooks etc. will go, get shelving

Install ceiling lights in the bedrooms

Buy an IKEA diaper changing station while the old one gets refinished

Soon:

Grasscloth the powder room, install vanity, change the lighting^^^

Refinish old diaper station and chest o’ drawers

Install bookshelves for the living room

Get a desk for the office

Later:

Find a dining hutch to accommodate less used items

Install a full length mirror in the master (finally!)

Get a sofa for the dining room (sounds crazy, I know)

Yo, Tim! (Part 1)

*** This is my communication with the hubby, who I now don't often get to see because we're tag-teaming this remodel (know why?). You're welcome to read along. ***

Hey love, I figured I'd write out what we've got cookin' for the week.

Kid's Bathroom: I don't mean to be a pain, but I want to switch things up just a little bit. Actually, you should think about this as a return to ourselves. I was never happy with being told we could or should not go with this look (the panel only; I'm anti- the random trim):

Ceramic Subway Tile with Onyx Mosaic via The Tile Shop

Ideally, at least for me, I would like things to look this way:

I feel strongly about this because I like the balance of having the mosaics on opposite walls, and then having all of that across from (but not sandwiching) the "statement wall" behind the vanity. Does that make sense? To that end, this needs to happen:

• A discussion with our contractor about this. I know he's not thrilled about cutting up those tiny mosaics to make this panel, and maybe that's his way of saying this is not his forte. If we sense that the latter is true, we should be up front and say we can hire someone else to do this. Just blame it on your OCD wife. (You know I don't think this is the end of the world, we're far from this.)
• When we go back to the Tile Shop to make some returns, we need to count out the white subway tile to make sure we have enough, AND purchase the bullnose pieces for the insets and framing.

While we're at this:

• Were we going to get a towel warmer for the kiddos? 
• We should make a stop at Home Goods to look at their mirrors. While we're there, let's check out some rugs and cooking-ware. 
• An IKEA run is definitely in the plans for this weekend! In addition to looking at their organizational options for the office and mudroom (remember to price compare with Elfa now that they're having their 30% off sale), we'll need to pick up a white vanity with sink top. Were we going to buy the hardware from there, as well? Will we need to take two cars? Oh, let's not forget picture frames and lighting!
• Random thing: I'd really like to pick up some dot stickers so I can start labeling our furniture (staying, going, selling, donating, etc.)
•  If there's time, we ought to check out the Land of Nod Factory Outlet to see if their play tables have dropped in price. (I am hopeful based on their recent 15% in stores.)

Another thing:

• Is there a set time when we're meeting with our lighting guy? What are we going to bring up with him? I'm sold on installing ceiling lights in the kids' bedrooms. We know for sure we want more lighting in the dining room. The living room needs it, as well, but we might tray the ceiling so I'm OK with waiting. Either way, do we want him to give us an estimate, considering the possibility that we can DIY some can lights?
• I'm also called to serve my mom (and aunt) at Von Maur again. The times I'm giving them are 9:30AM or 2:30PM.
• We have to make a stop by Burlington Coat Factory because the suit we ordered for my brother's wedding (yep, less than a month away. . .) does NOT fit Leepo. Eekers!
• At some point, I'd like to get in there and start painting. We also need to have a serious discussion about shelving/closets. Did you want to go through Costco for a California Closet estimate?
• Finally, I'm supposed to meet up with some of my girls on Saturday night, is that cool?

That's all. Love you. 

List Progress

It's one thing to make lists, it's quite another to make progress on them.

Let's see how I'm doing on my Remediation List.

• Have more indulgent time 
  Ben and Jerry's 'Chocolate Therapy' is practically orgasmic. I'll leave it at that. 
  I've also had uninterrupted bath time, followed by massages with the.best.smelling.oil.EVER: 
• Develop a menu plan
  We're getting there. Tim and I never fell into a cooking routine because our schedules kept changing. Plus, I suffered from bad morning sickness with both pregnancies and that meant I could stomach something one day, and find it repulsive the next. That makes menu planning hard, very hard. Lately we've been trying more "crockapot" recipes, as Leepo would say. -Many of which come from here. 
• Increase my service to those in need
  OK, I did something really cool in this regard. While my dear friend was away on vacation, I organized a team to give her home's facade a pretty dramatic makeover.  She and her husband provide much service in our community, so this was a great way to give thanks. I was able to be on the phone with her when she arrived back home and her reaction was unforgettable.
• Teach my son how to read, recognize numbers/patterns, and potty train!
  Leepo can recognize and count numbers, and he's well aware of what sounds letters make. The potty training thing. . . I guess he'll let me know when he's ready.
• Get this house ready for Beanie's arrival
  This weekend we made a lot of returns, which means we'll have gift cards for the stuff we really need. -Believe it or not, leopard print onesies with hot pink trim were not on our must-have list. The big things left to do are pick up the nursing chair from the reupholster guy who happens to look like Bono, wash the layette with this stuff, and hang the curtains.
• Start exercising (oh, the irony of being a doctor)
  Unfortunately, this has been put on hold due to a hamstring injury. I'm lucky if I get to stretch. :(
• Preserve and archive family photos and mementos
  Have not even started to tackle this. 
• Switch to organic cleaners
  I've made some major progress in this regard, which deserves its own post. 
• Garden
  I got off to a good start, unfortunately this is what triggered my hamstring injury.

Final Countdown Before (2nd) Baby!

This song is of supreme significance in my life. My husband has played it for me leading up to almost every major exam and towards the end of particularly difficult rotations in residency. It's back in the last month of pregnancy. Plus, it sets the mood for tackling my final to-do list.

(This list is dynamic, I'll be coming back to update it as I think of more items or cross things off!)

Hospital bag:

• Toiletries
• Massage oil and iPod
• Cell phone and charger
• StriVectin X
• Camera
• Comfy postpartum clothes & flip-flops X
• My Brestfriend X
• Nipple cream X
• Coming home outfit! What to wear?!
• Gift for big brother
• Receiving blanket X
• Nursing bras and pads

Home-front:

• Deep clean & Organize!
• Make room in freezer for breastmilk
• Sort through gifts and make returns as needed

Baby gear:

• Purchase stroller bar for carseat attachment and twin sunshade
• New bottles and pump accessories
• Get this bottle drying rack
• Diapers & burp cloths X
• Wash layette
• Have the baby carrier ready

Nursery-specific:

• Hang curtains (I think I'll get the rods from WorldMarket)
• Pick up our crazy chair from the reupholster dude
• Print large maternity  photo and dry mount above the crib
• Hang ledges for books

Family prep:

• Spend quality alone time with Leepo
• Celebrate his 3rd birthday with family! X

Just for mommy:

• Purchase cute pants X
• Cut hair (it's all going to fall out, anyway)
• Wax eyebrows and get nails done
• Take a nice long bath/shower (uninterrupted!)

Other:

• Pre-admit paperwork X
• Review insurance policy X
• Notify pediatrician X
• Install car seat and sun visor
• Have date night!

FREEDOM (& The Remediation List)

I took my last examination for the next ten years (when I will need to re-certify my Boards in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation).

Words cannot begin to describe what a life altering moment that was. Instead of saying, "I'm sorry, I can't, I have to study." I will now be able to devote myself to family, community, and keeping up my talents. It feels like I've been let out of jail after a 25 year sentence.

Last night I read a book for pleasure. . . PLEASURE, people! I was so happy I could have cried.

Today I begin the remediation phase of my life, that is to say I'm going to get caught up on all the things that were put on the back burner for so long.

Here is my basic list:

• Develop a menu plan
• Increase my service to those in need
• Teach my son how to read, recognize numbers/patterns, and potty train!
• Get this house ready for Beanie's arrival
• Start exercising (oh, the irony of being a doctor)
• Have more indulgent time 
• Preserve and archive family photos and mementos
• Switch to organic cleaners
• Garden

I'm so excited!