Sleepy Wrap Classic Review

I have to first say that I love the Sleepy Wrap Classic. I really wish I just would have invested in one of these when Lucy was born instead of doing my own home made Moby wrap. The wrap that I had made worked out fine until she got to be a certain size but after she hit a few growth spurts it just didn't feel strong enough.

The Sleepy Wrap Classic has an amazing combination of strength and comfort. When I wrapped it the first few times without Lucy in it I couldn't believe how tight I could tie it but still feel like I could move and breath. The fabric never felt hot or heavy. In talking with the people at Sleepy Wrap I found out that this wrap could support up to 45 pounds! That could be about the size of a 4 year old, just to give you a frame of reference. So I was excited to try out my favorite form of "baby wearing" with Lucy as a 20 pound toddler.

The Sleepy Wrap will definitely support the weight. No doubt about that. I managed to get Lucy into a hip hold and it supported her 100% with no strain on either one of us. The only problem is that toddlers aren't as cooperative as little babies are. I had the hardest time getting her into the wrap if it was already on me or trying to wrap it with her in it.

I think that the Sleepy Wrap Classic is best suited for babies that aren't yet walking. Lucy still loves to be carried but if I have to take any amount of time to get her into something like a wrap then she wants down to run around. At this stage I need something I can literally just slide her into and go. But I would really like to encourage all of you new mommies out there to try out Sleepy Wrap. There are so many benefits to doing a wrap with young babies like sleeping better and help with colic. I've tried other wraps and Sleepy Wrap is by far the most comfortable and functional. Which is why I'm so disappointed Lucy has decided she's past the wrap stage! Otherwise, we'd still be using our Sleepy Wrap every day!

"Look at what's under the tree!"

You better watch out, You better not...

G.I. Joe made it home shortly after midnight on December 22nd! I got butterflies when I heard him pulling into the driveway. That's the one good thing I can say about all the time we've ever had to spend apart. Things never get old. I'm not just happy when he comes home (even from just a drill weekend) but I get nervous and anxious. Its like he's picking me up for our first date all over again.

I'll have to post some pictures sometime next week from his trip. There are pictures of G.I. Joe and his dad where they are both just grinning from ear to ear. Those made it all worth it for me. Well, the big box of Louisiana Fish Fry Products he brought me back didn't hurt either! Even though he won't admit it, I'm pretty sure G.I. Joe choked up himself when he arrived down there. He said I gave him and his dad the best Christmas present ever. The fact that he made it home in time for Christmas too is amazing. On the news they have reported that some travelers have been told their airlines won't get them home until Friday or Saturday. We feel so blessed.

Since he's been home we've been wrapping, buying, eating heaping bowls of jambalaya and having fun little experiences with Santa pictures. Its tradition in our family for all the grandkids to get these made. Last year Lucy was young enough to not care that some strange old man was holding her. This year...well, she didn't even want 10 feet near him. These pictures are always great to have because of the unpredictability that kids add to it.



This is Lucy clinging to me when she realized we were next. At the back of the line she would point and say "Who, Who, Whoooo!" (That's what she says for Ho Ho Ho)




What do we have here?
One Mommy who knows this could be the only Christmas picture she's in, so she smiles big.
One crying child begging anyone get her away from the infamous toy maker.
A little boy who would rather be outside pelting people with snowballs.
A teenage girl who is about to give in to the urge to pull out her cell phone and respond to that text message.
This Santa who had only been "on" for 20 minutes but already decided he had enough of the Christmas spirit.
And one G.I. Joe...who in the final picture glared suspiciously at Santa for making his baby girl cry.



After experiencing the "joy" that only a mall Santa can bring...Lucy was exhausted!

Its not as romantic as Bing wants you to think.

Meeting G.I. Joe ruined snow for me. Up until that point I was like any other 14 year old...snow days were heaven: no school, sleeping in, watching movies, and making snow cream with Mom. Then I started my freshman year. Even though I didn't exactly love my class I would want to cry when those white flakes started falling. That meant I would be spending the day at home instead of sitting next to "the most dreamy boy ever."

After G.I. Joe came home from Iraq and got stationed in New Jersey my feelings for snow stayed the same. Winter weather advisories meant I couldn't go visit him and he couldn't come visit me on his weekend pass. If by chance I did make it up there and snow hit after my arrival then I'd be stuck in a hotel room all day with Ramen noodles and daytime television. You can only watch so many episodes of Maury before you realize that anytime a woman says she is "1,000% sure" that Mr. Soon-to-be-in-an-orange-jumpsuit is the father of her baby then he is most definitely not the father. Snow can cause more boredom than any nature phenomena on the planet.

Now, I sit here looking out a window at 15 inches of this white stuff. This storm is not normal for us, especially not in December. But the week G.I. Joe flies out of town it snows so bad he can't get back. He was supposed to be flying in tonight. Yesterday we got the word that no flights would be coming in to our airport so we had to reschedule him to leave tomorrow. This morning I got a phone call that his Sunday flight was canceled...not because of our airport but because the first stop where his layover is will be getting the snow storm after us. I seriously don't know whether to laugh or cry. Right now it looks like he'll be home in the wee hours of December 22nd, that is if everything goes according to plan this time.

I know it may seem silly to be a little upset about this. People want to say things like "Just be thankful that..." or "A week apart should be no big deal for you guys." The first is sort of a good point. We are very thankful that one way or another, whether by planes, trains, or automobiles, G.I. Joe will be home by Christmas. And we're thankful of course that he's not overseas. We've done the Christmas in Iraq, missed more holidays than we care to count, and missed out on living together for more than 3/4 of our marriage. Those points right there are why we are thankful but also why little things like this are frustrating. We are a career Army family. Though some don't want to think about the future we know what's in store for us when G.I. Joe goes back on orders...more time apart. He'll go to school for a while on his own and after that he might get deployed right away or go to another school before being deployed. So, if the Army isn't forcing us apart at the moment, we don't want to be apart longer than is absolutely necessary. We'd rather be enjoying every second together just in case he's gone next Christmas, or months of next year.

Even though I have cried each time I had to tell G.I. Joe that his flight has been canceled, I just want him home safely. Lucy and I are going to color "Welcome Home" signs to greet him when he comes in and will be waiting anxiously so we can finally get on with celebrating Christmas.

Lucy showing her Baby Sally the snow...and looking for Daddy.

Its supposed to snow again on Christmas Eve, our anniversary. G.I. Joe is thrilled about that! I would just like to get him home first. Then it can snow buckets for all I care!

My Grinch Moment and Cindy Lou Who's Gingerbread.

I willingly ditched a little of my Christmas spirit on the highway today. It had to be done. Those pesky warm and fuzzy feelings were just making me miss G.I. Joe even more. I really have no one to blame but myself though, for sending him on this vacation. But I would also like to blame Jessica Simpson.

The one and only time of year I condone listening to her is Christmas. I love her Christmas cd and all the songs on it. On December 24th 2005, around 10:45 in the morning, G.I. Joe and I were pronounced "man and wife." He kissed his bride and we walked down the aisle arm in arm while Jessica's version of "What Christmas Means to Me" played. Today, one week before our fourth anniversary I decided I wanted to hear that song. Even though I was already missing him that just seemed like "fun." Wrong. I broke down in the car and sobbed. What Christmas means to me is being with G.I. Joe and Lucy as a family because we never know when the Army will decide he needs to spend more holidays over seas.

I started feeling really selfish. I kept thinking "Why did I set this up? There are presents to wrap, things to make, pies to bake, Christmas movies to watch, music to dance to..." I hated thinking like that. So, Jessica was silenced. Tsunami Bomb replaced her. I feel like such a Grinch for that. He's not going to be gone that long but this is the longest we've been apart since he moved back home. And I really can't wait to get back to the warm and fuzzies when he gets home.

We're hoping and praying that he is still able to come home on schedule. Right now it looks like he'll be flying right into a huge snow storm so we don't know how that will affect his flights. Of course, I want him home as soon as possible but I also want him to be safe.

Okay, that's more than enough complaining from me. Lucy wanted to share some of her gingerbread fun with you all! We just let her decorate with colored icing instead of handing her candy. Its not just about the sugar, but she puts everything in her mouth and candy would definitely be a choking hazard. I don't think she minded playing in the icing!



Icing: its an acquired taste.


That she eventually did acquire.


You want some?


"That's not milk, Love Bug!"


"Drinking icing is yummy!"


Huh. That's weird. Don't know where she learned to eat icing out of the can. Nope. Not a clue. Its a mystery!



She actually did end up decorating some cookies after a while.

We've got bonds, Baby.

Today I did something that I have done a number of times before...I dropped G.I. Joe off at the airport.

That airport and I go way back. The last time I watched him go through security there this happened.

For many reasons today was different. I wasn't a newlywed sending her husband off to war knowing we wouldn't see each other for nine months, but still I was nervous when we got there. How he ended up with a round trip ticket to see his dad had been my idea because his Grandma has Alzheimer's and is not doing well. My Great-Grandmother died of Alzheimer's when G.I. Joe was in Iraq and I didn't go to her funeral. I will always regret that. Since we couldn't be sure if he would be able to go to her funeral or not (whenever that may be) I thought it was important for him to get in some quality father-son time. G.I. Joe hasn't been able to see his dad since he came home from Iraq in 2007. This trip surprised both of them and has brought me so much joy knowing how happy they are. And I wish I could be there to see the look of surprise when he shows up at his grandparents front door!

Pulling into the parking deck brought back a flood of memories. No, I take that back. The memories didn't wash over me. They pummeled me. Like a rock slide. The last time I left this same parking deck without him I was freezing, shaking, and had mascara running down my face. Naturally, people stared at me.

We got G.I. Joe checked in and to the security line. If I didn't want to pay for parking I had to get out of there soon. Like every other time he's left, my lip started to quiver. After a long hug and another movie worthy kiss I walked away from him. I cried but unlike the last time I walked away with my head held high. For the first time since we got married I felt like I was actually mature enough to be married and have a family. I wasn't the same terrified little girl who left that airport 3 years and 9 months ago.

That showed me not just how far I had come, but how far we've come as a couple. G.I. Joe and I were meant to walk through life together, come hell or high water. We've seen both. In our four years of marriage we have beaten more odds than most. Is it okay that I felt proud of us as I walked out of that airport? Right before G.I. Joe moved back home in March I posted this. I said that I wasn't sure if we had any great revelations during our time apart but I was wrong. Simply surviving those first 3 years was the biggest revelation of all: we can get through anything. We can conquer the world together, one airport terminal at a time.

While I'm missing my favorite Soldier to pieces, Lucy keeps me distracted. We've got lots of plans this week to keep us busy like Christmas present making and hanging out with my Mom and Dad. Last night we went out on a nice date to a fabulous restaurant. My parents watched Lucy for us then brought her up to meet us at this place that has a huge tree and fake snow every night. She was in awe! Moments like these are what I live for. That, and hearing G.I. Joe walk through the front door.

Adventures in toddler wrangling

Want to know what happens when you try to get a young toddler to cooperate for Christmas pictures?

None of these are edited. They are fuzzy, bright, dark, crooked, and all around a picture of imperfection. But they were fun and show just how things go down when its time to wrangle a toddler.


First she has to start with a snack break.


Then she'd rather monkey around Daddy, which was okay because the skirt you bought her was a 12 month but ended up being as big as a circus tent on her.


Chasing the cat turns out to be more fun.


The cookies you give her just aren't up to her standards.


She refuses to look at the camera.


She feeds baby...her own reflection in the ornaments.


The tree distracts her because she believes each of the lights are Tinkerbell and her fairy friends.


Poor Rudolph. He gets strangled.


Someone hides.



But at just the right second you may capture a little bit of the wonder of Christmas. Its in twinkle lights, shiny ornaments, and all the simple things that usually are only visible to children.

This year we still don't have that perfect set of Christmas pictures for Lucy or any great family pictures that are card-worthy. What we do have is lots of laughter and some snap shots of Lucy trying to give the cat a cookie or finger paint everything except the presents she was "supposed" to be creating. I wouldn't have life any other way!

Getting to know the G.I. Joe's...

Christmas edition!

Now that all the giveaways and recipe swaps have been posted I thought it would be fun to post this holiday Meme I was tagged in. I'm also adding another Christmas Meme to it that I found last year on Babycenter. Instead of tagging people I want to invite anyone to join in, repost this on your blog and leave me a link! I'd love to see what your holiday traditions are like as well!



Are you a Black Friday Shopper?

No...there are no "deals" worth it. I like sleep too much to put myself through that and you always see the same sales in mid-December anyways if you look. G.I. Joe and I did go to Toys R Us at midnight this year just to giggle at all the people who waiting for hours in the pouring rain just to get 20% off one little item.


When do you put up your Tree?


Right after Thanksgiving. We usually have 5-6 trees throughout the house but since Lucy is walking around and into everything we just have 2 up and they slightly bare. Maybe in a few years we'll go all out like we used to!

Do you Travel at Christmas or Stay home?

We really like staying home but when Lucy is bigger we would love to do a family Christmas in NYC again and one in Disney World.


What is your favorite Christmas Movie of All time?

I like so many! On the play list every year: Home Alone (1 and 2) Eloise at Christmas Time, Fred Clause, The Family Stone, Elf, Four Christmases, This Christmas, Holiday in Handcuffs, Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas and lots more!

Do you do your own Christmas Baking, what’s your favorite treat?

Yes. We rarely get store bought goodies this time of year. I think my new favorite is the Pineapple Dream and my all time favorite would have to be the chocolate covered peanut butter balls that my Mom makes.

Fake or Real Tree?

Fake. So much easier and you don't have to buy a new one year after year!


What day (as a mom) does the actual panic set in to get it all done?

I've never really panicked a lot at Christmas. I thrive on the stress of "Is everything going to get done?!" I love that feeling. Its invigorating.

Are you still wrapping presents on Christmas Eve?

Oh yes! Because I plan it that way! That's my quiet downtime every year. I turn the lights on the big huge tree G.I. Joe and I got married in front of, pop on a dvd of Elf, wrap the last few gifts, eat cookies, and think of what a magical time of year Christmas is. And get myself all psyched up to give people gifts!


What Christmas craft do you like the best?

Gift wrapping! I love finding creative ways to make name tags and gift wrap that makes people hesitate to rip into the actual gift.


Christmas music. Yes or No, and if yes What is your favorite song?


Love it all. I like the oldies, but I also love my punk rock Christmas cd's, and Jessica Simpson's Christmas stuff. I'm not normally the bubble gum pop princess type but we played one of her really fun upbeat songs at our wedding after we were announced as Mr. and Mrs. G.I. Joe.

When do you plan to finish all your shopping?

Christmas Eve eve :)

When do you take the tree down?

When Michael was in Iraq the tree stayed up until September. I felt like taking down meant he was really gone so I clung to the Christmas of '05 as long as I could. Sad, right?

Do you like eggnog?

Nope. All the money the world would be the only thing to make me drink that.

Hardest person to buy for?

G.I. Joe. He always says there is nothing he desperately wants or needs so then I'm left with thousands of options that never get narrowed down.

Easiest person to buy for?

Lucy. It doesn't take a whole lot to entertain her! If something has Tinkerbell, makes noise, has any Disney character or any animal in general she's thrilled.

Worst gift you ever received?

Well, G.I. Joe thought he might at least be back in the country for us to celebrate our first anniversary and Christmas of '06 together. It didn't happen. I got my hopes up and then felt crushed. Worst Christmas ever, in general.

When do you start shopping for the holidays?

Before having a baby I saved all shopping for December. I like to take life one holiday at a time so that means no Christmas stuff before Thanksgiving is over. But now I do it in pieces whenever I get time! This year I started in mid-November. I don't like doing that. Its just wrong. :) Shopping needs to be done with big crowds, cold windy packed parking lots, and a Starbucks Gingerbread latte.

Have you ever recycled a present?

Hasn't everyone done that? Honestly...

Favorite thing to eat during the holidays?

Grandma's mashed potatoes, all kinds of cookies and fudge. And pineapple floats!

Lights on the tree?

White lights only, please. I like decorations to match whatever color the room is decorated in. White compliments everything!

Favorite Holiday song?

Christmas Canon, O Come All Ye Faithful, This Christmas, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, I Celebrate the Day (by Relient K)

Angel on the tree top or a star?

Star's, because you can find one to go with every Christmas tree theme. We even have one with peacock feathers for our peacock tree!

Favorite ornament theme or color?

I love our peacock tree. The colors are rich jewel tones and lots of gold shimmery things. It makes me feel warm and peaceful at the same time.

What gift are you hoping to receive this year?

I really had no clue what to ask for this year. Normally there are a few things I'd love to have but I could barely think up any. What this Mommy really wants and needs is a nap!

Only 2 more weeks till Christmas!
And we still haven't even sent out our cards yet!

Baby Rock Apparel Giveaway

The awesome people behind the scenes at Baby Rock Apparel graciously offered up one of their onesies or toddler t-shirts to a lucky reader! I love all their designs and have already picked out one thing that I want to get Lucy for Valentine's Day. (Her Christmas presents are overflowing as it is so we've had to move on and start planning for the next holiday!)

From this line the winner can choose any item and size they like. If some of these pictures I have posted look a little big for you child, don't worry. They carry a lot of these in a wide range of sizes, from 3-6 months up to size 8T!

Here are a few of my favorites from Baby Rock Apparel:



"Royal Highness The Queen...but you may call me Sweet Heart."





"Big Bro: Honor and Defend"

They also have:
"Lil Bro: Search and Destroy"
"Big Sis: Cherish and Protect"
"Lil Sis: Spoil and Love"
I think those are so cute for announcing or welcoming in new siblings.


"Mommy Rocks."

"Daddy Rocks" and "Grandma Rocks" are also available.

"D is for Drums."



Are you ready to rock your baby's wardrobe?



This giveaway is closed. Thanks to all who entered!

Bummas Cloth Wipes Giveaway

I started hearing about Bummas through the blogging world. A couple of awesome ladies I know had done reviews on these over the summer and I was intrigued. Wondering what a Bummas is? Well, its this really handy cloth wipe that you use to dry your baby's bum. It helps keep diaper rash and irritations away and will eliminate your need to ever use powder again!

We don't cloth diaper but we still get lots of use out of these wipes. Lucy has never gotten even the slightest hint of a diaper rash since we brought her home from the hospital and I really believe that's because of the chemical/fragrance free wipes we use. But from time to time she'll get a tiny bit chapped if she's been too wet. We use a Bummas wipe on her first thing in the morning and right after her nap, because those are the times she gets the wettest. Since then she doesn't even really get chapped or red. The cloths are so easy to keep up with too. They're small enough to go in our container that has wipes and pull ups, and you can just toss them in the washing machine to clean them. Ours have been washed a lot but never shrink or lose their soft side. I would highly recommend this any one with a baby or toddler who's not yet potty trained.

Another great use for these is to soak up pee that might happen during a mid-diaper-change accident!

Bummas' motto is...
"After the wipe and before the dipe,
A soft kiss of cloth to dry bums off.
Keep diaper rash at bay, the Bummas way."
And it really does work that well!

Want to add Bummas to your diaper routine and pamper your little one?
Buy Bummas here.

Or..

Win your color choice here!
I got to try out the Wild Ones and love the variety.



This giveaway is closed. Thank you to everyone who entered!