This is my fourth post in this series. I hope you have been following my journey to clean dishes! From no dishwasher, to a dishwasher with hard water problems, to a dishwasher with well water I think I’ve truly tested this new Cascade Platinum through and through.

You can read the rest of my posts here, here, and here with a recipe!  :)

I’ve tried all sorts of dishwasher soap. organic, all-natural, powder, liquid, expensive, cheap, and even made my own. For me, dropping that little Cascade Platinum pac into the dishwasher and seeing the results was all I needed to be convinced. There is just no comparison to how clean the dishes are. I haven’t even added any rinse-aid and have let the dishes air dry in the dishwasher. No spots! Did I mention I gave up pre-rinsing? I am so confident in this product that I literally fill the dishwasher with dirty dishes at the end of the day and set the timer and forget it. My dishes sit in the dishwasher for at least two to three hours before the machine automatically comes on once we are all tucked into bed. Imagine how caked on the food is?

Even the inside of my dishwasher, which is stainless steel and usually a mess of soap residue and water stains and a weird odor…CLEAN!

My favorite drink of choice these days is freshly brewed coffee. Nothing better than reaching into my dishwasher and seeing my clean coffee mug! Makes my morning.

Cascade Platinum Pacs:

• Delivers Cascade’s best clean with a premium, advanced triple action formula that helps prevent residue on your dishes, and even filming on your machine.
• Scrubs away tough 24 hour stuck-on food.
• Eliminates the need to pre-wash dishes.
• Has the Grease Fighting Power of Dawn.

Don’t forget! Each week has had a 6-day entry period where Instagram users can enter the contest with their #MyPlatinum Photo. Cascade will choose two weekly winners and one final grand prize winner after the entry period has ended. Please be sure to include both the #MyPlatinum hashtag and tag @MyCascade in your entries to the contest! There is still time to get in your entries!

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Now that we are officially on baby watch I can feel my anxiety trying to get the best of me.

We have had more than the average amount of transitions over the past few weeks. Packing and moving into a new home, unpacking, and getting ready to add a second child to our family. And then there was the drama with my former OB. Its a lot, but we did it and the dust is finally starting to settle into place. I notice each of us looking less stressed and being the family we were before all these changes last month.

G has had a pretty structured routine since she was an infant and this household thrives on the routine. There are no surprises and we all know what is happening and when. It works for us.

Adding a baby into this routine that has been going strong for two years seems crazy. We have a good thing going and I can only imagine the whole thing will blow up in our face and the routine is shot. There are so many variables so we can only wait and see.

I’m an only child so I have no idea what G may be feeling. What I do know is that she is testing our will every single hour. I know the packing and moving and baby stuff must have her emotions confused. The toddler tantrums are in full swing and time outs are a daily occurrence. Most of the time I feel bad that she is lashing out because of my own guilt over something I did like mover her to a new house and disrupt the tidy lifestyle she had the past year.  She expresses to us that she is excited for her baby sister’s arrival but who really knows if she truly understands what is coming.

People do this all the time so I am confident we can manage. We don’t have family close by, either, which doesn’t help ease my mind, but they are ready to make the two hour drive and stay from time to time. And, luckily T.J. has July and most of August off. We can tag-team this situation together.

Most moms who I’ve spoke to say the first six or so weeks will be the hardest and then everything will naturally fall into place. So, I’m glad to hear that. Another good thing is that its summer, which means I don’t have to be housebound like I was when G was born in the winter. We can sit outside together and G can run around the yard with Rhody. Get our vitamin D, relax and enjoy being outside. Hopefully some trips to the beach too!

So, now we just wait. We wait and see how going from a family of three to four will be. More love to go around, right?! Nothing wrong with that!

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I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Cascade. I received a product sample to facilitate my review and a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

This is the third post in my series regarding the new Cascade My Platinum. I’ve been using the Cascade Platinum for nearly three weeks now and my entire dish routine has seen a change for the better. Initially I was using a dishwasher in New York where I had very hard water issue. Just last week we moved to Connecticut with a new dishwasher and our water now comes from our well. I still am finding my dishes just as clean so clearly this dishwasher soap works for a variety of waters.

This time I’m going to share a really delicious recipe that is perfect for summer entertaining. Fresh berries, ice cream, and easy assembly make this dessert a crowd pleaser.

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Well, I went to bed last night with a huge weight off my chest. We made the decision and T.J. and I finally had a good nights sleep. The first for me in a long time since all of this stress started with my doctor.

I awoke feeling refreshed and anxiously awaited 8:30am to call my OB’s office to cancel my sonogram, weekly appointment and c-section which was scheduled for Wednesday. After doing so, I called a doctor, who comes highly recommended and is local to me now, and they were able to fit me in on Wednesday.

No sooner I get off the phone with this new-to-me doctors office, my former OB is calling me directly. I answer. She sounds frantic. Typically she is the type of person who talks over you but she was doing it even more so today. She obviously wanted to know why I was leaving her at 39 weeks.

I thought to myself, “now you are concerned?”

Some highlights of our conversation:

I had told this woman several months back that I was moving. Today she heard me say it again and it finally clicked as if I never told her.

She insisted that I don’t tell anyone that she pushes elected c-sections.

She asked me to do her a favor when requesting my medical records. Could I write a note saying that I was only leaving because I relocated and not because I didn’t want a c-section.

She continued to push for me to keep my scheduled surgery on Wednesday.

She said I could come in and she would personally give me an ultrasound to see what position the baby was in.

She told me that I would have to sign a waver if I went against her advice for the c-section and continued with my pregnancy and tried to labor naturally.

She mentioned an induction.

She spoke over me the whole time and then tried to talk her way out of why she laughed out loud at my suggestions for trying acupuncture or a chiropractor. She even went so far as to say she was into alternative medicine!

She said she thought we had a good relationship. Maybe because she thought she was the boss and I’m a pushover?! Not me!

She asked why I didn’t stay longer last week and talk about how I was feeling. I could not get the hell out of there fast enough. That’s why.

Nothing she said during this conversation changed my mind about the decision T.J. and I had made. It reconfirmed for me that she and I are not on the same page and this relationship was over.

Did I mention that during my visit last week and her attempts to schedule my c-section surgery she also asked me if I wanted my tubes tied?! Ya know, because she would already be in there and all. WTF!? I’m 34 and I’m not ready to make a decision about ending my fertility!

It sickens me that there are doctors out there like this. Scaring patients into tests and surgeries that are not necessary. No wonder home births and midwives are in high demand.

When I was pregnant with G I had three sonograms. One to confirm my pregnancy, another for the anatomy scan and a final one to see if my placenta privia had resolved.

Having an ultrasound every visit to see where the baby is was just crazy to me. Don’t babies move?! If they don’t then you worry right?!

The practice I am going to on Wednesday already has my mind and body at ease. Two female doctors who have the patients best interest in mind and actually listen to what is on your mind.

The doctor I am seeing Wednesday called me today after reviewing my records. She asked me a few questions like was this my first pregnancy, did I have a vaginal delivery with my first, we’re there any complications with this pregnancy since there were none that she could see on paper. She cannot understand why my former OB would want to have me elect a c-section at 39 weeks when there are no complications and baby is head down but not engaged.

Yep! My thoughts exactly.

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Last week was tough. We moved on Monday into our new home and Tuesday I went to weekly appointment with my OB who basically told me I was having a c-section.

After a lot of conversation, various opinions, and lots of lost sleep, T.J. and I have come to a decision on how G’s sister hopefully makes her arrival.

A c-section is not something we have decided for this baby at 39 weeks.

We have decided to wait and see. I have my weekly visit with my OB tomorrow at 10am with yet another ultrasound. (Only ever had two when pregnant with G.) At that point i’ll know what baby’s position will be which doesn’t really seem to matter to me since I will still have another eight days until my estimated due date.

Although my OB’s office has scheduled my surgery for Wednesday I am going to cancel it. I have a strong gut feeling that now that we are settled into our house and the move is over my body can relax and do what it needs to do. I need to trust my instincts and my instincts are telling me no surgery. I need to trust my body.

I do not have a high risk pregnancy, my blood pressure is damn near perfect, no diabetes or anything else that warrants a surgery other than my doctor trying to play some odds that don’t seem to be in my favor. That does not rest well with me.

I feel like if I should go into labor naturally and something goes horribly wrong where a c-section is the only way to keep and the baby safe, then great. But to just elect a surgery because of all these ‘could be’ worst case scenarios does not seem right.

Tomorrow I’m going to try and find another OB in my area of Connecticut since I no longer live in New York and put my mind at ease with a second opinion. Also get another appointment with the chiropractor and find an acupuncturist.

Did I mention at my appointment last week my doctor literally laughed out loud when I mentioned seeing a chiropractor and acupuncturist? That was a total turnoff. It’s fine if she doesn’t want to have faith in alternative medicine but to laugh it off right in my face?! That is not a doctor I want to continue a relationship with.

So, to be continued again and in the meantime I’m going to try and enjoy the fact that we moved into our own home. Our first home. My parents just headed back to Rhode Island today so this is our official first night together as a family in our home.

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This has been one heck of a week. We moved Monday into our new house. Total chaos ever since. Boxes everywhere, a toddler running amuck, and my due date approaching like lightening. We are all so exhausted I don’t know where to begin. We have moved, 8 times I think, since TJ and I have been together so you think we would have the hang of this. But, add a toddler and then it’s like your a chicken without its head.

1. G is really into Doc McStuffins so naturally she wants to imitate her. Today when we put her in her room for a nap she found her ear thermometer and tried to take her temperature. She told me to check her ears and eyes. If you’ve ever seen the show you know that is part of the song Doc sings, “time for your checkup.”
2. G is really excited about the arrival of her baby sister. When we arrived here at the new house on Monday she asked if her baby sister was here waiting for her!
3. G is so excited to be at this house she doesn’t know what to do first everyday. Blow bubbles, run around the yard, play in her playroom. Her excitement is contagious!
4. My mom has been with us all week basically keeping G busy while TJ and I try to get this house looking like a home and unpack all our things. But, G has Grandma running around and Grandma is exhausted. She knows that Grandma usually won’t say no and totally takes full advantage. I guess it’s okay since that’s what Grandma’s are here to do…spoil!
5. We had asked Grandma to bring some donuts from a local Rhode Island place on her way to Connecticut. Well, she forgot and the first thing G asked her when she saw her was, “where is my chocolate jimmy donut?” I think over the past week she has asked her at least 20 times again. Whoops! Maybe next time!

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So yesterday was my weekly appointment at the OB. I had a sonogram scheduled before I saw Doc to see if baby’s head was in position yet…

At 38 weeks 2 days yesterday baby was sort of in position. Baby would put her head down but to the left or right of my cervix. Doc said a technical term for this, but I heard nothing but her say “head not in position.”

No dilation yet either. Cervix is closed up tight. I knew this because I haven’t had any Braxton hicks contractions at all. I think this whole move has put my body is a weird state. I’m not feeling relaxed one bit and I truly believe that has something to do with why baby isn’t descending. “Mama doesn’t feel ready so neither do I.”

Oh, and then there is this little tidbit. My doctor feels confident that this baby is an 8 pounder. I am a petite 5’1″ and my bone structure is small. Doc feels confident that baby just might be too big to come down the birth canal. G was 7 pounds 11 ounces at birth. Not too shy of 8 pounds, but maybe those few ounces could make all the difference?

So, where does that leave us? Well, if my water should break and labor starts I have to tell the hospital that my baby hasn’t been in position. My doctor has scheduled my c-section surgery for next Wednesday. I have one final appointment with her on Monday and another sonogram to see if baby might be in position.

Although I’m totally against having this surgery I have to be realistic and confident in my doctor that this is the right thing to do. I don’t want to put myself into an emergency type of situation where myself or the baby are in danger.

I guess the hardest part of all of this is knowing that I had G without any complications and it was a normal delivery. So, trying to wrap my head around the fact that it won’t happen like that again is difficult to digest. And then there is the recovery. I’ve heard horror stories about how hard it is to recover from a c-section and we just moved to a new house (unpacking as fast as we can) and I have a toddler. How is this all gonna work out?

Luckily my mom has been here helping me unpack and watch G. My dad was here but went back home for work. He will be back again on Saturday.

Next week we have my mom and mother-in-law on standby to come on Tuesday afternoon. I guess the surgery would be early Wednesday morning so we need them here to watch G and Rhody.

Oh, and then there is TJ who picked up a summer class. He started teaching this past Tuesday and the class meets twice a week, Tuesday and Wednesday for the month. So, after moving all day Monday he took off on Tuesday for work!

If you have had a c-section please calm my nerves about recovery. For some reason that is the part I am most concerned about.

I am still hopeful that she will figure out her way out on her own and ill have better news in Monday!

To be continued…

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Hoping this babe is head down. With one week and five days to go we are anxiously awaiting baby girls arrival. G keeps asking when her baby sister is coming. She thought we would find her at the new house! Ha!

So, I’m sitting here at my weekly OB appointment waiting to be seen so we can have some kind of update.

Fingers crossed baby is ready to see the exit sign!

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After what seemed like forever, we finally made it to our new home in Connecticut.

The movers came on Monday to our condo in New York and it took them all day to load the truck. We had two full set of stairs in this three story condo and our furniture is huge and heavy. On top of that it was hot and humid. I really felt bad for the three men that were doing this move.

So, by the time they finished loading the truck, and made the hour long drive to our new house it was close to three o’clock. G, me, and my parents had been waiting at the new house since around noon and we were tired, cranky, and hungry.

When TJ arrived ahead of the movers with Rhody he looked like he was totally spent.

Once the movers arrived it was just pure chaos trying to direct them where to put things, keep G and Rhody out of harms way and keep our cool.

I think they finally unloaded the final boxes around 7:30pm and rolled out of here around 8. Then we all looked at one another and decided we should order some takeout before everything closed up for the night or we all passed out from total exhaustion.

Luckily, TJ and I had tried a local diner a few weeks back and that was an easy decision and quick way to fill our tummies.

After that TJ and I put G to bed, the latest she has even seen at night, 9:30pm, and she was out cold in a matter of minutes. We had made sure to have her room set up with all her stuff as our first priority so she wouldn’t feel like she was in a strange place. It worked! Plus, she had no nap. Talk about a long day for a toddler.

Today was a new day. We are finally starting to dig out from boxes. Furniture is placed appropriately. Kitchen is set up to function without guesswork. Coffee maker was in the front seat of my car with me on the way over here. Didn’t want to loose track of that during all of this.

My mom stayed and my dad headed back to Rhode Island for some work he needs to tend to. He will be back later in the week. He has hung lights, done electrical work, figured out how to get our fridge to make ice and run water for drinks, and God knows, a ton more to make this place feel like home.

It’s so quiet here it’s unbelievable. Not having to look over my shoulder every time I go out a door to see who is staring at me feels amazing. Listening to birds, wind, and nature lull us to sleep at night is almost, dare I say, too peaceful. Having appliances that function is pretty high up there too. Today was the first time I put our new washer and dryer to the test and I think it took me half the time it use to to do just as many loads. These LG’s are a workhorse.

My body aches all over. I’m not resting as much as I should with less than two weeks to my due date. My hips feel like they are totally locked up. I don’t know what’s better, sitting, or keep moving. My body gets stiff if I sit too long so I feel better when I’m up but then eventually that gets painful in a different way. Basically it’s my mind against my body at this point. I want to help out and put all the things away, but my body is just getting in the way. I’m not the type of person to just sit.

Tomorrow is another day and we will see how much we can get accomplished here. I also have my weekly OB appointment too and hoping this baby is head down!

Fingers crossed we can get this place unpacked and settle in before baby comes!

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I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Cascade. I received a product sample to facilitate my review and a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

If you are keeping up with my journey for clean dishes coming from my dishwasher I want to update you on my week long test run using the Cascade Platinum Pacs. I mentioned before in an earlier post that here in New York we have horrible hard water. We live in a rented condo and the owner has no water filtration system to take the minerals out which means everything water touches turns spotty and has a huge build up of hard water. Its super annoying because you can hand wash dishes, pot and pans, until your fingers are raw, and ten minutes later when everything is dry the hard water stains appear. ANGRY!

Of course if you have a dishwasher you aren’t scrubbing your dishes by hand, or are you? You know there are a ton of us out there who pretty much wash dishes before they go into the dishwasher. I am guilty.

Well, as hard as it was for me to not rinse and scrub the dishes before putting them into the dishwasher, I did. I was pretty excited to put the little colorful Cascade Platinum Pac into the dishwasher and push the “on” button. Anxious to see what was going to come out on the other side when the green light told me the dishes were clean.

Typically I use a store brand dishwasher pac as well as a hard water softener. A two step process as well as two purchases just to hope my dishes come out clean. These Cascade Platinum Pacs are an all in one triple action formula that help prevent residue on your dishes as well as keeping the inside of your dishwasher residue free!

I gotta say I am impressed. One little pac powered through our hard water and there was no residue or hard water stains on any of the dishes, the inside of my stainless steel dishwasher is sparkling and refreshed, and I only had to use one little pac! Drop it in, close the door, select my setting and walk away. Oh, and super bonus, no nasty stuck on food, even though I didn’t pre-rinse!

For this 9 months pregnant mama to a 2.5 year old toddler this is a huge victory! You can bet I don’t have the energy or the time to pre-rinse anything at this point so clearly these Cascade Platinum Pacs are making my life a little bit sweeter.

Now, a bit of fun. I am not afraid to call myself an Instagram addict so this is totally up my ally.  The “My Platinum” Instagram contest launches on June 3rd!  Top Chef judge and editor of Food+Wine magazine, Gail Simmons, has partnered with Cascade to discuss why food presentation is just as important as preparation.

Check it out here and enter! Instagram contest!

Details:

Don’t forget to connect with Cascade on their Facebook page!

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