Soldier's Wife, Crazy Life

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When Your Spouse is Deployed and You Only Have Two Hands

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When Your Spouse is Deployed and You Only Have Two Hands

This post is sponsored by Baby Tula! I was also provided free product for review.

Whenever my husband was deployed, I hated going to the grocery store. I know there are more options these days such as grocery store pick-up or affordable delivery services, but back during our previous deployments, we didn’t have any of that.

So, once I had three kids, it became a big issue. I could sometimes get around this by going to the grocery store when my older two were in school, or trade with a friend. However, there were sometimes when I still had to take all three and head to the store. Or really anywhere I needed to go.

Baby Tula

There are different tools out there that can help us during our solo parenting days. One tool that helped me with my babies was having a good baby carrier to use, especially when I had to take all three kids to the grocery store. My baby would go in the carrier, he would stay close, then I would have two free hands to shop, and help my other children.

I could also use this carrier if we were going out to a special event or even a birthday party. I had a stroller as well, but a baby carrier is easier to use in some situations where a stoller would not work.

A lot of military spouse moms bring a carrier to MOPS or other types of playgroups. This allows them to move around, while still keeping their baby close. There are so many benefits to owning one, even if your husband is not deployed.

Baby Tula

So in those times when I did have to take all three of my children out somewhere, that baby carrier was a lifesaver. I only had two hands, with three little kids, I needed a solution.

Finding the right carrier is important. You want to find one that you like, that works for you and your baby, and is supportive.

The Explore Baby Carriers by Baby Tula would be a fantastic choice!

Baby Tula
  • This carrier is versatile, easy-to-use and the first carrier that allows you to use it in an ergonomic front-facing position.
  • There are a variety of prints to choose from, so you should be able to find something you love.
  • They have adjustable panels to use as your baby grows so you can use this Baby Tula from 7-45lbs.
  • They have three ergonomic carry positions, facing in, facing out, and back carry.
  • They have a military discount! Yay! 10% off for active duty, veterans, and retired military. Military status will be checked by a 3rd party.

If you are like me and your kids are all over toddler age, you can look at some of Baby Tula’s other products. They have shoes, blankets, backpacks, lunch bags, and more.

Baby Tula sent us one of their super cute backpacks in the Hot Lava theme. Isn’t it cute?

Baby Tula BackPack

And also one of these lunch boxes in the Chomp theme:

Baby Tula Lunch Box

If you are pregnant or already had your baby and would like a new carrier, please visit Baby Tula, and don’t forget the Baby Tula 10% military discount.

How has a baby carrier helped you when your spouse was away?

5 Tips For Using Your TRICARE Benefit Breast Pump

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5 Tips For Using Your TRICARE Benefit Breast Pump


5 Tips For Using Your TRICARE Benefit Breast Pump

This post is sponsored by the Breastfeeding Shop!

If you are pregnant or have a new baby, you could be getting ready to purchase or find your breast pump. Having a breast pump can be a good idea for a variety of reasons. Breast pumps are useful for encouraging your milk supply, to allow you to continue to breastfeed when you go back to work, and to help you store milk if you do need to be away from your baby for any reason.

Here are five tips for using your breast pump so you can get the most out of what the pump can provide for you and your baby. 

  • Have a nice set up area for your breast pump

Find a good place in your home where you will set up your breast pump. You can keep everything you need in that spot, and make sure the area gives you the space you need to pump. Once your baby comes, you will always have a place to go to pump or nurse your baby. 

  • Order your breast pump early

Make sure you order your breast pump early so that it is ready for when your baby comes. The Breastfeeding Shop is the best place to do so in order to receive your no-cost breast pump through your TRICARE benefit. You can easily fill out their order form, all you need is a prescription from your doctor. You can also use their handy app to order as well. The Breastfeeding Shop has quite a variety of breast pumps to choose from.

  • Find the right breast pump for your needs

When you are picking out your breast pump, make sure to find the one that works the best for your needs. Some moms will be returning to a job outside the home and will need to use a pump every day. Others will only be using their pumps when they need to make extra milk or to build up their supply. Research the different breast pumps to find the one that will work best. 

  • Learn how to use the breast pump before your baby comes

Once you get your breast pump, make sure you know how to use the pump before the baby comes. Get the parts and accessories cleaned and ready. This will save you time during those newborn and early baby days. 

  • Make sure you have supplies and accessories

In additions to breast pumps, you are also entitled to breast pump accessories through your TRICARE benefit. You will want to start out with enough of them and then plan to order more as need be. There are limits on what you can receive with your TRICARE benefit and you can order them from the Breastfeeding Shop too. 

If you are pregnant or just had a baby and have TRICARE, make sure you order your breast pump. The Breastfeeding Shop can get you started.

How to Plan a PCS Road Trip

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This post is sponsored by Pcsing.com! 

You are stationed in New York, and your spouse gets orders to Arizona. Report date? June 15th! With your three kids, two dogs, and big old van, why not turn your PCS into a PCS road trip?

Sometimes when you PCS you will get on an airplane, and land in your new location hours later. You are excited about your new duty station, but the plane trip? Not so much. If you go on a PCS road trip, the actual time it takes to get there can be just as exciting.

When planning such a trip, there are a few things you should keep in mind in order to make your trip successful. 

Check the routes

You know where you are and where you need to go. Check and see which route would be best. Is there anything you really want to see? Use Roadtrippers.com to help you plan your trip. There might be a quicker way to get to your new city, but if you want to have a better trip, it might be worth taking a longer route to see landmarks and sights you never would otherwise be able to see. 

Watch the weather

Think about the time of year you are leaving and plan accordingly. You don’t want to get stuck in Colorado in January. If you do have to drive during the winter months, taking the southern route might be a better idea. Still, no matter what your route is, keep an eye on the weather and add in extra days just in case. 

Give yourself enough time

Your spouse has to report on a certain date, make sure you plan for that. Give yourselves a lot of extra time so you can enjoy the ride and not be rushed. Think about all you want to see on the way and plan accordingly. 

Stop early for the day

If you have kids, and pets, or even if you don’t, stop in the afternoon so there is time to go swimming, let the kids play on a playground, and have dinner together. You don’t want to pull into a hotel at 9 pm at night, still needing to find some dinner for the kids. 

Prep your kids

If your kids are old enough, prep them for the trip. Let them know your route and give them their own map. Let them help plan some of the stops. Bring “surprises” for them to open during the more boring parts of the drive. 

Have back up plans

What will you do if you have a hotel reservation in Utah but get stuck in a massive traffic jam while still in California? Think about back up plans, and make sure you have extra money to spend in case you need to add unexpected stops or if you have a car emergency along the way. 

Connect with friends

If you have friends along your route, see if you can see them. You might even be able to stay with them instead of a hotel. If nothing else, you can plan your meals so that you are able to meet up and connect, if only for a few hours over lunch. 

Don’t forget the snacks

You are going to need snacks, and many of them. You could always purchase them on the way but having a snack plan is a must. This will help if you still have an hour to go before it is time to stop for dinner and someone gets hungry. You also will want to have snacks for the hotel room or even for when you get to your new area. 

Plan for pets

If you are on a PCS road trip, you are going to have your pets with you. Make plans for them. Does your dog get car sickness? Does your cat suffer from anxiety in the car? Talk to your vet about what you might need and make sure that anywhere you will be staying allows pets. Some hotels and motels do not.

Pcsing across the country can be overwhelming but turning that trip into a fun road trip can be the way to go.

Have you ever gone on a PCS road trip? Where did you go?

Visit PCSing.com for your next PCS! You can find out information about your next duty station, read articles about PCSing, and more. 

Shopping All-American For Your Holiday Decorations

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Shopping All-American For Your Holiday Decorations

Shopping All-American For Your Holiday Decorations

This is a sponsored post! 

The holidays are here! I can’t believe it. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve always seem to come in a blur of excitement and memories.

As you look ahead to these holidays, you might be waiting for your spouse to return home from a deployment. There have been a few times when my husband got home right before Thanksgiving. These holiday homecomings were the best as he was home with us in time to celebrate.

You might be waiting on family to come for a visit. Maybe this is the first time they have visited you at your new duty station and you can’t wait to share your new home with them.

Or maybe you are excited about this season because you plan to host some friends for the holidays. Often times, when the service member is away, spouses get together and celebrate so that the days are still a lot of fun and you can enjoy them with others who understand what it is like to go through a deployment too.

Whatever the reason, as you get ready to decorate your home, how about going with an All-American theme? You can do this by purchasing holiday decorations that were made in the USA. One of the best ways to do so is through the new website, AnytownUSA.

AnytownUSA is a marketplace with sellers from all over the United States. Sellers have to certify that they comply with FTC “Made in the USA” Guidelines.

Why is this so important? A lot of people want products made in the USA. According to a Consumer Reports article, people want to buy “Made in the USA” products for a few different reasons. They want to help keep manufacturing jobs at home, to help the US economy, to keep America strong in the global community, and to be patriotic.

Geralyn Breig, the founder of AnytownUSA felt it is so important to support US businesses. AnytownUSA solves the problem of where to find these products by offering them on in one place.

On AnytownUSA you will:

  • Find one-of-a-kind handmade items, custom-made by skilled craftsmen and women in the US.
  • Discover small and medium regional brands, manufactured in towns across the fifty states from Hawaii to Maine.
  • See select national brands that proudly still manufacture some or all of their product lines right here at home.
  • Learn the stories of these amazing craftspeople and proud companies.

On each product page, you can see the “Made in the USA,” “Made in the USA of US and imported material,” or “Made in the USA of imported material” symbol in order for you to know exactly where your product is coming from. There is also a “Handmade in the USA” symbol to let you know if the item was handmade.

Products sold on anytownusa.com are certified by sellers as produced and labeled in accordance with FTC guidelines for products made in the USA.

Another exciting thing about AnytownUSA is that they have a military discount. At checkout military members and spouses can click “military discount” to receive 10% off every item, every day, from every seller. This will be done by using ID.Me to verify military service. How great is that?

Let’s get back to the holidays. Whether you simply want to decorate for Thanksgiving or Christmas, or are planning a big holiday dinner, here are some “Made in the USA” products that might work well:

Shopping All-American For Your Holiday Decorations

Pumpkin Spice, Winter Wonderland, and Mulled Cider Soy Candles, 9oz by Sweet Water Decor

These candles smell amazing and are so cute to put on your table this holiday season. Every product from Sweet Water Decor is designed with hand lettering by the creator, so you will be getting something unique with their products.

Shopping All-American For Your Holiday Decorations

Mistletoe Paper Placemats, by Lucy Grymes

These placemats can brighten up any table. They are disposable, which makes for easy cleanup. 24 come in each pad. Lucy Grymes is the creator and has always had an obsession with anything colorful and patterned which comes across in her products both for the holidays and any time of the year.

5 Misconceptions About Breastfeeding

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5 Misconceptions About Breastfeeding

This is a sponsored post! 

Before I ever had children, I knew I wanted to breastfeed once I had them. I was committed to doing this. But once my first baby was born, I realized that I had been wrong about some parts of breastfeeding.

I just assumed that because I wanted to breastfeed my son, and breastfeeding was natural, breastfeeding would be easy for us. That he would be born, I would start to nurse him, and everything would fall into place. In reality, things were more complicated than that.

5 Misconceptions About Breastfeeding

We eventually figured out how to make breastfeeding work, but not without help, many tears, and many frustrating nights.

Although many women do breastfeed successfully, there are many misconceptions about breastfeeding, here are five of them:

Breastfeeding will be easy since it is natural

As I mentioned above, I thought that since I wanted to breastfed so badly, things would work themselves out. In reality, breastfeeding doesn’t always come easy for everyone for many different reasons. A lactation consultant can be a great person to go to if you are struggling to get started with breastfeeding. Give yourself some time and patience and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it.

You won’t need a breast pump if you breastfeed

Did you know that with your TRICARE benefit you can receive a no-cost breast pump? You might be thinking you won’t need one if you are planning to breastfeed and be a SAHM. Or that you might not need one until the baby is a little older and you feel comfortable leaving them.

The truth is, a breast pump can be so helpful even in those early weeks. Breast pumps can build up an emergency supply of milk, relieve pain from engorgement, and help with your milk supply. Since you can easily order your breast pump through The Breastfeeding Shop, having one available to you from day one is a good idea.

The Breastfeeding Shop has many different choices of breast pumps, and you can easily order your pump through their app or online. You can also order your breast pump accessories or supplies through them. You can start by using their breast pump order form.

5 Misconceptions About Breastfeeding

You have to feed your newborn on a strict schedule

Feeding your baby on demand can be one way to feed your newborn. You don’t have to feed on a strict schedule. Your baby will give you cues to let you know when they are hungry. And in those first months, they will go through different growth spurts where they need to eat more than usual.

Not having your baby on a strict schedule doesn’t mean you can’t have a routine. Establishing routines with a baby can be very important. But not having too strict of a schedule with feeding can make the breastfeeding experience a little easier for everyone.

You can’t breastfeed and go back to work

You might be going back to work after your baby is born and not sure if you should continue to breastfeed. The truth is, you totally can. Going back to work doesn’t mean you have to stop breastfeeding. And can be another reason to order your TRICARE benefit breast pump.  Some breast pumps work better for everyday use than others so make sure to check into what the right breast pump would be for you.

You have to stop breastfeeding at a year

There is no rule that says you have to stop breastfeeding your baby at a year, or at nine months, or at six months. You need to do what works for you and your baby. Different people will have different comfort levels with how long they want to continue breastfeeding for.

Looking for more information on your TRICARE benefit breast pump? Here are some posts for you:

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

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

7 Must Have Baby Products For Your New Baby

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7 Must Have Baby Products For Your New Baby

This post is sponsored by the Breastfeeding Shop

7 Must Have Baby Products For Your New Baby

Getting ready for a new baby is always a whole lot of fun and with a new baby comes new baby products. Some you need, some you don’t.

When you go to register for your baby shower, you can become quite overwhelmed by everything that is out there. What kind of stroller should you get? Which type of crib? Do you even need to buy a swing? There are so many options!

And while it is true you don’t need everything, even if everyone else on the block has it, there are some baby products that are a must, and that you don’t want to live without.

Here is my list of 7 must have baby products for your new baby:

Bassinet/Co-sleeper

All babies need a place to sleep. For me, I loved having them in my room with me at first so they started off in a co-sleeper and eventually moved to a crib months later. Having this by my bed was good for me and for them. I also liked having a safe place for them to go when I needed to take a shower or put them down so I could get things done. One of our co-sleepers turned into a Pack N Play which was also very handy once they were a little older.

Crib

While we didn’t use a crib right away, having one was a must. As they got older, I knew they would be safe there and would be able to sleep. Cribs come in all types of styles and designs so you should be able to find one you love. Having a crib that turned into a toddler bed is also a good idea because that means when they do hit the age where they can climb out, you can turn the crib into a toddler bed and not have to buy anything else for a few more years.

Auto-ship diapers

This was something we only had with my youngest son but having diapers come to your house on a regular basis is a must. No more running out at night to grab a pack, or always making sure you add them to your shopping list. My Diaper Shop is a good place to set that up and make things a little easier even before baby comes. With this service, you can choose from two different brands of diapers, Comfees, and Cuties, and set things up to deliver to your home as often as you need them.

7 Must Have Baby Products For Your New Baby

Breast Pump

Having a good working breast pump for your new baby is a must. If you have TRICARE you are able to receive one no-cost breast pump per birth event. You can do this through The Breastfeeding Shop. They offer a great selection of pumps and you can easily order yours right from their website or app.

Stroller

A stroller was must for me so that I could go on walks, have a place for them to be during appointments or even playdates for my older children. A double stroller saved my life during those early years as my older two boys are just about two years apart. Find one that fits your needs and has good ratings and talk to your friends about what they have used and loved.

7 Must Have Baby Products For Your New Baby

Baby carrier

Finding a good baby carrier is also a must. There are many different types of slings or other babywearing items. You might want to buy a couple of different types for different reasons. Try a few out, and see what works for you and your lifestyle. Some people babywear all the time, others only when they go out. I know when my youngest was born and I had a 4 and 6-year-old, my baby carrier was a must that allowed me to have two free hands when I had to take all three of them to the store.

Swing

Although I didn’t use the swing for very long, having one helped so much in those early months. I used a few different swings and my favorite was the one that had many different options for the type of movement they would create for the baby. Often times I could use the swing to put them down for a nap or to calm them down when nothing else worked.

For more information on your TRICARE benefit breast pump, please visit these blog posts too:

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

Why You Don’t Have to Buy Bottles For Your Breast Pump

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

4 Tips For Your Next Short-Term Move

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This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of CORT for IZEA Worldwide. All opinions are 100% mine.

4 Tips For Your Next Short-Term Move


Short-term moves can happen in military life. Not every military family stays put for three to four years. Maybe there is a special school that your service member needs to go to; maybe it just makes more sense to move home for the time he will be deployed, whatever the reason, a short-term move can come with its only complications.

 


Here are four tips to help you through a short-term move:

It’s okay to unpack

Living out of suitcases stops being fun after about a week. If you can, unpack in your temporary home. Make the place your own, as much as you can. Decorate the walls, put up a few photos, add those personal touches. No, you can’t do all the things you would want to do if you were going to live there for a few years, but you can still make the place a beautiful place to live, even for a few short months.

Use CORT For Furniture Rental

While there are some things you will want in your home, it can be much easier to rent furniture on a temporary basis, put your regular items in storage, and enjoy what works for your temporary home. It is one thing to buy a new couch to fit a home you will be in for three years and another when you will only be there for a few months.

Here is a little bit more about what CORT Furniture Rental can do for you:

  • CORT can offer you furniture rentals piece by piece or even at a room at a time.

  • CORT has 156 showrooms across the United States.

  • With CORT you can get your furniture in as little as 48 business hours.

  • CORT also offers housewares packages for your kitchen, bathroom, and the bedroom.

  • CORT makes moving more manageable, especially if you need furniture during a short-term move. ​

You can still make friends

It can be tempting not to want to put yourself out there when you know you will be moving again soon but don’t be afraid to make friends. Even if you are only able to be friends in person for a few months, you can carry on your friendship online and through phone calls for the rest of your lives. And you never know when you might end up at the same duty station again.

Make a bucket list

Make a bucket list of all the things you want to do during your time at your short-term location. This way, you won’t be moving away without seeing what you wanted to see. If you need ideas, you can always check out a tour book, talk to people who live there or read about the area online.


Please visit CORT Furniture Rental for more information and to help plan your next move.

Moving is never easy and can be a bit overwhelming when you know you are going to be someplace for a limited amount of time. These tips for a short-term move should help you the next time you have to do so.

 

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