Soldier's Wife, Crazy Life

Military Children

Preparing For Your Fall or Winter Baby

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Preparing For Your Fall or Winter Baby

This post is sponsored by The Breastfeeding Shop!

Preparing For Your Fall or Winter Baby

It doesn’t seem like it was that long ago that I was pregnant with my first little boy, waiting for the long summer to end. The last trimester of pregnancy isn’t fun, but if you are due during the fall and the winter, you really can’t wait for days to get cooler, and summer to be over.

14 years ago, I was due with my first baby on October 13th. I knew when he was born we would be right in the middle of fall, with winter coming soon. We were in California at the time, so winter meant colder weather, but I knew I wouldn’t have to deal with snow.

I was due December 18th with my second little boy. This time, snow was a concern, I was in Germany.

With my third, I was due December 1st, in Tennessee, where snow and freezing temperatures are also possible.

If you are having a baby in the fall or winter, you simply have to prepare a little differently than if you are going to have a baby in the spring or the summer. You have to think about the cooler weather, what a snowfall would mean, and even the start of school for your older children.

Preparing For Your Fall or Winter Baby

There is always a lot going on during that time of year and it is best to prepare. Here are 5 things you can do to prepare for a fall or winter baby:

Buy the right clothing

Make sure you have the right clothing for your baby. You do not want them to freeze, but you also don’t want them to overheat. The fall can be tricky. Some days can be warmer than others, and then one day, temperatures will fall and what felt comfortable won’t anymore.

Layers are a good idea. That way, you can add or take off depending on the weather and where you are. Sleepers with a sleepsack can be a good option. That way baby can stay warm without overheating.

Warming your home

Think about how you will warm your home. You don’t want your baby to get too cold or overheat. You might need to change the temperature you are comfortable with once baby comes home. Keeping your home between 68-72 degrees is a good idea.

Get your breast pump ahead of time

You will want to make sure you receive your TRICARE benefit breast pump before the baby comes. While you can get the breast pump later, having the pump ready before your baby comes will help you learn how to use the pump, and figure out how you will set it up in your home. Through The Breastfeeding Shop, you can order your breast pump through their website or their app. They have quite a few types of breast pumps to choose from and offer excellent customer service.

Preparing For Your Fall or Winter Baby

Plan for the holidays 

Make plans for the holidays ahead of time. Ideally, staying in your own home would be best, especially if your baby is due right around the holidays. Traveling with a newborn can be pretty stressful, and traveling around the holidays is a very hectic time to do so. Tell family and friends that you want to plan for a visit sometime in the new year or invite them to come to visit you.

Back to school

Back to school time can be stressful for any child. Adding a new baby to the mix can be difficult. Make sure that your other children know what is going on with the new baby and are still able to spend some time with you. Let them talk about their school days and any fears they could be having with the new school year.

Want to read more about The Breastfeeding Shop? Here are a few other posts about what they can do to help you get your pump:

How To Order A Breast Pump That Is Covered By TRICARE

What You Need To Know About Ordering Your TRICARE Benefit Breast Pump Accessories and Supplies

FAQs About Your TRICARE Benefit Breast Pump Through The Breastfeeding Shop

What You Need To Know About Ordering Your TRICARE Benefit Breast Pump Accessories and Supplies

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What You Need To Know About Ordering Your TRICARE Benefit Breast Pump Accessories and Supplies

This is a sponsored post by the Breastfeeding Shop. 

What You Need To Know About Ordering Your TRICARE Benefit Breast Pump Accessories and Supplies

If you don’t already know, you can receive one breast pump at no cost through your TRICARE benefit, for every birth event. A birth event would be giving birth to a baby or an adoption. This started in 2014 and allows military spouses and service members to be able to have a new breast pump for each baby that they have.

Learn How To Order A Breast Pump That Is Covered By TRICARE, if you would like more information on the breast pump part of this benefit. You can order your pump easily through The Breastfeeding Shop’s website, or app.

If you have ever used a breast pump before, or are planning to, you might be curious about accessories and supplies and how TRICARE works as far as those go.

TRICARE does cover the following supplies, up to 36 months after the birth event:

  • Standard power adapters
  • Tubing and tubing adaptors
  • Locking rings
  • Bottles and bottle caps
  • Shield/splash protectors
  • Storage bags

You will also be able to get two breast pump kits per birth event.

What You Need To Know About Ordering Your TRICARE Benefit Breast Pump Accessories and Supplies

If you are interested in ordering accessories or supplies, you can easily do that through The Breastfeeding Shop’s website. They have an Accessory Resupply Order Form that makes ordering easy to do.

You will need to upload a prescription if you did not order your breast pump through them, or if your previous prescription does not state supplies or accessories. It is very important that your prescription says this. If your original one does not, you will need to get another one.

You can also put down your physician’s name and information, and The Breastfeeding Shop will be able to contact them directly. However, this will take more time than if you can upload the prescription yourself.

You can specify which brand of supplies you need. The Breastfeeding Shop also offers two types of storage bags, the Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags or the Kiinde Twist Pouches Breastmilk Storage Bags. You can also order a mix of the two.

What You Need To Know About Ordering Your TRICARE Benefit Breast Pump Accessories and Supplies

Make sure to also visit some of my past blog posts with the Breastfeeding Shop to learn more about what they offer and how they can help you receive your TRICARE breast pump benefit:

 The Breastfeeding Shop Has a New App and it is Amazing

How to Decide What Breast Pump is The Best One For You And Your Baby

FAQs About Your TRICARE Benefit Breast Pump Through The Breastfeeding Shop

And here is the Accessory Resupply Order Form if you are in need of ordering them 🙂

How To Make Friends When Your Kids Are All In School

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How To Make Friends When Your Kids Are All In School

When your kids are small, making friends seems to be a bit easier, especially within military communities. Everyone has small kids, or so it seems. But something happens when your youngest child goes off to school, and you don’t have anyone at home with you all day anymore. Finding friends can be a bit more difficult once those toddler years are over.

How To Make Friends When Your Kids Are All In School

While a lot of civilians still live near people they met when their kids were younger, military spouses might not have that luxury. I know for me, that almost every single person I ever had a playdate with during the first few years of my son’s life has moved away. Those friends I used to meet at Chick-Fil-A at? They PCSd years ago. I have had to start over, and that is a lot harder to do when you don’t have little kids.

You start a new chapter in parenthood when your youngest child goes to school. Diapers are now in the past, you are probably sleeping pretty well, and your children start to make friends without you. You have less control than you once did, and sometimes you can go a long time without meeting the parents of your child’s friends from school. It’s just a different parenting world.

So what can you do? How do you make friends as a mom of older kids?

Sports

Sports are such a good place to make friends. You have to be there anyway, and often your kids will be with the same kids season after season. And usually, your kids will get along too. While you are sitting there watching your kid play, you can start conversations with other parents, and start to make friends that way.

How To Make Friends When Your Kids Are All In School

Scouts

Whether it is boy scouts or girl scouts, getting to know the other parents will be a good idea. Whether you are going to the events or even just the weekly meetings, you can start to meet the other moms and dads of those in your child’s group. Scouts can take a lot of your time but the benefit with that, more chances to meet people who you know you have something in common with.

Groups for you

You don’t just have to stick to groups for your kids, why not go to groups and clubs for yourself? Whether you are into running, books, arts, and crafts, or motorcycle riding. Finding people you have something in common with a good first step when it comes to making friends. Check out your local community to see what they have available that you might be able to join.

How To Make Friends When Your Kids Are All In School

Work

If you have a job outside the home, or even if you work from home, you can make friends through your work. While some people prefer to keep life and work separate, grabbing dinner with coworkers or planning a night in together can be a great thing. No kids involved.

FRG

The FRG, I know, gets a bad wrap. And maybe when you go all you see is moms with babies, and you feel like you are simply too old to be there. But give your FRG a chance. Most likely there is at least one other person in the Company who is in the same stage of life that you are, and they might be worth pursuing as a friend.

As we get older and our kids get older, connecting with other people doesn’t always come as easily as it once did, but there are ways to meet and befriend others during this new season of your life.

How have you been able to make friends now that your children are older?

How To Order A Breast Pump That Is Covered By TRICARE

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How To Order A Breast Pump That Is Covered By TRICARE

This is a sponsored post by the Breastfeeding Shop. 

Did you know that you can order a breast pump that is covered 100% by TRICARE? This started in 2014, and yes it is true. For every one birth event you have, you can receive one breast pump.

How To Order A Breast Pump That Is Covered By TRICARE

Here is how you can do so with the Breastfeeding Shop:

A birth event is considered either giving birth or adopting with plans to breastfeed. This benefit is for all types of TRICARE, and all types of military service. That means it doesn’t matter if the sponsor is active duty, National Guard, Reserves, or Retired. They all qualify.

You can receive your breast pump before or after delivery. Most moms like to do so before, so they can have the breast pump ready to go when the baby comes.

The Breastfeeding Shop offers top rated breast pumps and makes it easy to order using your TRICARE benefit. Here are the steps you need to take to do so:

How To Order A Breast Pump That Is Covered By TRICARE

1. Your prescription

You will need to get your prescription from your doctor, who will need to be an authorized TRICARE provider. This means a doctor, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or a nurse midwife. The Breastfeeding Shop can contact them for you, but this will take a bit longer to do so than getting the prescription from them yourself. You can also have your doctor fax over your prescription to The Breastfeeding Shop. The fax number is 866-430-7882, and you would need to note that is what you will be doing in the comments section when filling out the online order form.

2. Find the right breast pump

You will need to decide on which breast pump is right for you. Currently, there are eight choices on The Breastfeeding Shop’s order form. You can also choose “other” and then call them at 866-255-6779. They do work with most of the major manufacturers.

3. Fill out the order form

You will need to then fill out the order form on The Breastfeeding Shop’s website. This is a simple process and won’t take you very long. You can also do this on The Breastfeeding Shop’s app. Make sure you fill out the form as completely as you can. Please note that there is a different order form if you live in Pennsylvania. If you would like, you can also order by phone.

4. The breast pump will be shipped to you

The breast pump you have chosen will be shipped directly to you. In a lot of cases, you will have it the next day if you live in the United States. Shipping will take longer if you are stationed overseas. If you do need your breast pump ASAP, they do offer same day shipping.

How To Order A Breast Pump That Is Covered By TRICARE

What else do you need to know?

The coverage from TRICARE is not limited to a specific manufacturer, brand or model number. The TRICARE benefit also covers the following breast pump accessories: standard power adaptors, tubing, and tubing adapters locking rings, bottles, bottle caps, shield/splash protectors, storage bags, and up to two breast pump kits per birth event.

You can receive your breast pump and accessories before delivery or up to three years, or 36 months after the birth event. That date is either your baby’s birth date or their adoption date.

If you would like more information on The Breastfeeding Shop, makes sure to visit their website as well as some of my other posts on what they have to offer:

FAQs About Your TRICARE Benefit Breast Pump Through The Breastfeeding Shop

The Breastfeeding Shop Has a New App and it is Amazing

How to Decide What Breast Pump is The Best One For You And Your Baby

 

How You Can Prepare For A Summer Baby

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How You Can Prepare For A Summer Baby

This is a sponsored post!

 

How You Can Prepare For A Summer Baby

If you have ever been pregnant over the summer, you know how difficult it can be to get through those hot and humid months not quite feeling like yourself. If your baby is due in the summer, you probably have a lot of planning to go along with trying to stay cool during those months.

Here are a few ways to prepare if you are expecting a summer baby:

1.  Drink your water

You need to be drinking enough water so you stay hydrated during this time. Not only is this good for you as a pregnant woman, but it also helps you prepare for breastfeeding and how you need always to be hydrated when you are feeding your baby in that way.

You don’t want to suffer from dehydration. That can cause you to go into premature labor or cause other issues that you don’t want to be dealing with. Always carry a water bottle around with you and make sure you are drinking enough every day.

2. Stock up on onesies

When your baby comes, the weather is still going to be quite warm if not overly hot. You don’t want your baby to overheat. The best way to do this is to make sure you have a lot of onesies available as well as cotton clothing. That type of clothing is cooler and is perfect for those hot months.

When you are putting your baby to bed, you can still put them in sleepers or swaddle them in blankests, but you want to make sure they are not overheating. While having a baby in the summer means you don’t have to worry about them being too cold, you also don’t want them to get too hot.

3. Make sure your AC works

If you have a working air conditioner, make sure it is in good working order before the baby comes. Have a company come out to double check that it is working the way it should. You want to be able to keep your home at a comfortable level. If you live somewhere that gets very hot and humid, your home might be the only place you can be where you and your new baby will feel comfortable.

If you do not have AC, make sure you have enough working fans for your rooms. A baby who is too hot will have trouble sleeping, and you don’t want that to happen during those early months. It is also not safe for a baby to overheat.

4. Get your breast pump 

You will need to make sure you have all your supplies for baby ready to go, including your breast pump. You can receive a no-cost breast pump through your TRICARE benefit. You will be able to pick the one that will work best for you and your baby and The Breastfeeding Shop will help you do so. They make it easy and you can order from their website, from their amazing app, or even give them a call to do so. You will need to have a prescription from your doctor or allow the Breastfeeding Shop to get that for you.

5. Set up for the new baby

You want to have everything set up for the new baby before they come and you want to do this with summer in mind. What will you be doing each day after the baby is born? Will you be at home or do you plan to go places? Do you have a cool place in your home to breastfeed and use your breast pump?

Think about all of these things as you are getting everything ready. What might be a nice spot in the dead of winter could be too warm for you to sit in the middle of summer. You want to be comfortable and stay cool.

As you are getting ready for your baby, make sure to learn about your TRICARE breast pump benefit and order yours in enough time to be ready for your new family member.

Here is a little bit more about The Breastfeeding Shop and what they can offer you. 

FAQs About Your TRICARE Benefit Breast Pump Through The Breastfeeding Shop

The Breastfeeding Shop Has a New App, and it is Amazing

Which Breast Pump Is Best For You?

Deployment One of Our Pieces is Missing by Julia Cook

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Deployment One of Our Pieces is Missing by Julia Cook

If you are raising military children you might always be on the lookout for books that can help them through the challenges of military life, such as deployments. I was sent one of these books for review!

Deployment One of Our Pieces is Missing by Julia Cook

Deployment One of Our Pieces is Missing by national award-winning children’s author, Julia Cook, Illustrated by Tamara Campeau is a fantastic way to explore deployments from a child’s point of view.

The book goes with the idea that everyone in the family is a puzzle piece. I like this because families do have to work together, no matter what. You all have to fit and as life goes along, you form a complete picture.

Deployment One of Our Pieces is Missing by Julia Cook

However, when one parent has to deploy, things change a bit. You feel like apart of your family is missing. You feel like a puzzle without all of its pieces.

Deployment One of Our Pieces is Missing by Julia Cook

The book goes on to show the dad puzzle piece coming home and the struggles that can bring to a family as well. The dad puzzle doesn’t just go right back to where he was. And the rest of the family has changed a bit too.

This book really gives a good picture of what happens during and after a deployment in a way that children can truly understand.

In the back of the book, you can find “Tips For Helping Kids With Deployment” which is a great resource to have too.

Please visit these links to learn more and purchase a book for your own military children:

Julia Cook

Deployment One of Our Pieces is Missing 

BUT WAIT…

Before you go…they also gave me TWO copies to giveaway to two of my readers 🙂

Enter this giveaway by leaving a comment telling me who the book would be for. This giveaway will run until Tuesday, June 5th, 2018, 11:59 pm.

US and APO addresses only! 

101 Things to Do With Your Kids During a Deployment

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101 Things to Do With Your Kids During a Deployment

So your spouse just deployed and you and your kids are in for a long journey. You look at how many months you have to get through, and you want to cry. How will you deal with this? How will you be able to stay busy enough to make it through?

If you have children, they will keep you busy. But sometimes you might need some ideas. Especially as the deployment goes on.

101 Things to Do With Your Kids During a Deployment

Here are 101 things you can do with your kids during a deployment:

1.  Create a deployment wall

2. Put together a care package

3. Write mom or dad a letter

4. Go to the park

5. Meet friends for dinner

6. Go for a walk

7. Go for a bike ride

8. Go fly kites in the park

9. Go pick out a new movie to watch together

10. Go to the movies

11. Have a picnic

12. Check out a new restaurant

13. Plan a trip

14. Go on a trip

15. Try Space-A

16. Learn to bake together

17. Plan an after deployment trip

18. Visit a new friend

19. Visit a long time friend

20. Visit family

21. Do crafts together

22. Reorganize rooms

23. Have a garage sale

24. Go to an MWR event

101 Things to Do With Your Kids During a Deployment

25. Join the YMCA

26. Go to church

27. Go to the library

28. Go bowling

29. Play miniature golf

 

30. Go roller skating

31. Go for a hike

32. Play dress up

33. Play with Legos

34. Go to Tinkergarden

35. Go out for ice cream

36. Volunteer

37. Go to a splash park

38. Go to MOPS

39. Go to a playgroup

40. Take your camera and go on a photo shoot

41. Go on a retreat

42. Take a train ride

43. Go to Disneyland

44. Go to Walt Disney World

45. Go to Sea World

46. Go to Universal Studios

47. Go to the zoo

48. Explore your city

49. Explore another city close by

101 Things to Do With Your Kids During a Deployment

50. Plan a day trip with friends

51. Walk the dog

 

52. Play with sidewalk chalk

53. Run in the sprinklers

54. Have a Harry Potter movie marathon

55. Have a Marvel movie marathon

56. Have a Star Wars movie marathon

57. Sign up for a fun run

58. Take a cupcake decorating class together

 

59.  Geocaching

60. Hunt for rocks

61. Visit the animals at your local animal shelter

62. Browse a bookstore

63. Get your nails done

64. Go fishing

65. Go shopping

66. Make a video for mom or dad

67. Go to an FRG meeting or event

68. Go on a nature walk

69. Go camping with friends

70. Have a regular pizza night

71. Go strawberry picking

72. Go to a play or musical

73. Go to a farm

74. Go for a drive

101 Things to Do With Your Kids During a Deployment

75. Go to an indoor play place

76. Get smoothies

77. Get slushies

78. Look at wildflowers

79. Go shoe shopping

80. Go back to school shopping

81. Go on a boat ride

82. Walk around your downtown area

83. Go to a farmer’s market

84. Go to a trampoline park

85. Go to Chuck E.Cheese

86. Invite friends over

87. Go to a friend’s house

88. Make a scrapbook

89. Read a book together

90. Play a video game together

91. Go to Target

92. Go to the dollar store

93. Go to yard sales

94. Go to the Disney store

95. Go to Build-a-Bear

96. Go to the beach

97. Go to the pool

98. Go to the lake

99. Go to a dog park

100. Take professional photos

101. Breathe, you guys will make it through this deployment!

What do you and your kids like to do during a deployment?

 

The Life of A Military Child

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The Life of A Military Child

April is the month of the military child. The children of those who have chosen to serve their country. The children of those who have given up their normal lives to protect the lives of others. The life of a military child can look very different from the life of a non-military child.

The life of a military child

The life of a military child means a lot of wondering and a lot of waiting. When will daddy be home? When will they be able to talk to mommy again? For the younger child, not knowing when they will see or hear from one of their parents can be confusing.

The life of a military child means having to move too often. Having to start over. Having to say goodbye to friends and not knowing if they will ever see them again. Adults are able to connect with friends through the phone and social media. Kids might not be able to. Once they say goodbye to their friends, they might not ever talk about them again.

The life of a military child can mean disappointment.

Their mom or dad might have to miss that first day of kindergarten, a first communion, or high school graduation. And even if that child understands why their parent has to be away, they still wish they could be there on those special days.

The life of a military child means making memories without both of their parents. There will be times when they go see Grandma, or go camping, or even to Disneyland and mom or dad won’t be able to join them. That through the fun they are having, they are missing a big part of their family. And that isn’t always easy to do.

The life of a military child means being so very proud of what their mom or dad does for a living. It is beaming with pride when they see the flag. It means reading about what the military has done in the past and realizing that their parent is apart of what the military is doing in the future.

The Life of A Military Child

The life of a military child means going to five different schools all before 2nd grade.

It means not being sure about the rules at this school compared to the one they just moved from. It means having to be the new girl or the new boy, more than once.

The life of a military child means meeting people from all over the country and the world. It means making memories with these people, ones that will last forever. It means going off into the world and being able to share the stories of play dates in Germany, and first dates in Japan.

The life of a military child means growing up, watching one of your parents work hard to make life full for them and their siblings, even when it was hard to do so. It means, having patience and knowing that their parents did what they could to make this military life a little bit easier.

The Life of A Military Child

The life of a military child means learning how to be resilient through the challenges military life brings.

It means learning patience at an early age and figuring out how to make the best of a sad situation. To go with the flow, even when that is not what they want to be doing. To realize that there is so much more to this world and that giving back is such a good thing to do.

The life of a military child means saying goodbye, and saying hello again, with bright smiles on their face. It means feeling so excited that Dad is coming home that they can’t even sleep the night before and that this homecoming will feel better than Christmas.

The life of a military child means that in the future, they will know how to handle military life if they choose to join themselves. It means following in their parent’s footsteps who might have followed in their own parent’s footsteps too. It means understanding what you have to give up when you join the military and signing up anyway.

The life of a military child means that in the future when meeting new people, and the person they eventually marry, that they know what saying yes to a military service member will mean. It means knowing what a PCS is, or what it means to shop at the Commissary.

The Life of A Military Child

The life of a military child means that other children might not understand what their life is like.

It’s sharing with their civilian friends about their journey and what their childhood was like. It’s reaching out to others and showing them compassion when they are going through a difficult time since they have been through so many themselves.

The life of a military child is filled with the good and the bad. The hello, the goodbye. It means always learning, always meeting new people, always having to adjust.

The life of a military child means sleepless nights, so many tears, and wondering what will happen next. It also means knowing that they are apart of history and that what their parent do matters, oh it matters so very much.

The life of a military child should be celebrated as we do every April.

As military spouses, we are raising our own military children to the best of our abilities. We know that many parts of this military life are not easy for them, just like they are not easy for us. Yet, we do what we can to make sure they feel loved and can find the extra help they might need to get through.

We help them stay busy, we make plans, we take them on trips. We listen when they share how badly they miss their mom or dad. We hug them and let them know that we miss them too. Even if we are not sure that our words will help, we pray that they do.

How many military children are you raising? How old are they???