My Daughter, the Cover Girl

A little baby products company called Evenflo is headquartered in the area where I live, and from time to time I have done product testing for them in a small group setting, looking at different types of car seats and strollers, things like that, and giving them my honest opinion about them. It’s pretty fun and it pays well, so I try to make it happen whenever they give me the opportunity.

Early last summer, we were given a different kind of opportunity. The Evenflo folks sent out an email to all the moms who did product testing inviting them to send in photos of their babies for possible involvement on a photoshoot for the Evenflo Snugli carrier. To make a long story short, I submitted some photos of Sophia and she was chosen. So last July, when she was eight months old, we went to a local photography studio where Sophie cheerfully posed with a fake Mommy who (although she was a size 2 and had no children) lovingly wore her in a Snugli and a fake Daddy who stood by enthusiastically. Sophie did really well, but there were other babies there too, and I wasn’t sure the photos of her would ever see the light of day. They made it pretty clear that they could just be used for internal marketing, or not be used at all, or that they could be used all over the place – but that they would not let us know, there would be no follow-up, just sign away the rights and take your kid’s paycheck. Which I happily did, because they paid her $50 for 90 minutes of “work”. I checked the Evenflo website from time to time and I’d take a look at the Snugli box if I happened to be at Babies ‘R Us, but after awhile I kind of forgot about it. Then, while I was in California, it popped into my head to check the Evenflo website, even though it’s been nine months since the photos were taken. Much to my surprise, there was Sophie on the Snugli page! I told Bobby and he did some internet searching and also found her here on Walmart.com and here on ToysRUs.com (click on the small images of mommy & baby on the bottom left of the page).

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Then he did some further checking and found out via an ebay auction that Sophie is on the flippin’ BOX!! She’s on the Snugli BOX, people!! Is that crazy or what??

So of course after the kids went to bed, he ran out to Wal-mart and bought one! Even though our baby is too big to be in a Snugli, we had to have one since she is on the Snugli box! So, here it is, in it’s place of honor, on top of our organ with all the other family pictures:

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As soon as she saw it, Sophie started pulling some diva behavior. Here she is holding court on our couch:

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And practicing ducking the paparazzi:

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So, I am now the proud owner of a Snugli. I’ve never used it, so I can’t recommend the product, but they sure do have a rockin’ box and excellent taste in baby models! But dangit, FIFTY BUCKS!?!? I just blew it on clothes for her! Not even enough to start a college fund. Oh well, now I’ll have to become a stage mom, get her an agent, and start making some cash. She’ll be Lindsay Lohan before you know it! Oh, wait…maybe I’ll re-think that plan.

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Sophie’s Revenge

Well, of course, while I was on my trip, the kids were good as gold for Bobby. Which is really, really unfair. I do not know how he did it, but when I got home the house was really clean from top to bottom, much cleaner than I have ever been able to get it by myself while taking care of the kids. So, while I am very thankful for the cleanliness, I can’t help but feel a smidge inadequate – how come he can do it when I can’t? Oh, well…

My plane got in about 11:45 p.m. I was sooo glad to see Bobby waiting for me there! I was very excited to see the kids, too, but they were at home in bed, being watched over by our trusty babysitter, Tosh. My boobs were rather full when we got home from the airport around 12:30 a.m. (despite the fact that I DID pump in the bathroom at the San Diego airport. Let me tell you, you have not lived until you’ve pumped your breasts while sitting on the toilet in an airport restroom. Blecch.) so I got Sophie out of bed and nursed her to get some relief. She never even woke up. But it was so great to hold her little warm baby body in my arms! Then, I got in bed and Bobby had let Joshua sleep in our bed so that I would be there with him when he woke up in the morning. So it was nice to cuddle my little guy and not have to wait til the morning to see him.

Saturday both kids were really happy to see me when they got up. Sophie rubbed her face all over my chest and then giggled with glee when I laid her down to nurse. It was soo cute! I was afraid she’d be mad at me for leaving. (Kind of like when you go on vacation without a pet and when you come home they are way pissed and start pooping on the floor!) I told Bobby that I was afraid when I got home she’d make me pay for going on a trip, make me decide if it had really been worth it. But she was sweet as can be, not mad at me at all. I thought I was off the hook, until…she wanted to nurse again. And again. And again. And pretty much ALL DAY. This was her revenge: to attach herself to my boob so that I can never leave again! “Just don’t let her,” says Bobby. Hmm, well, we all know that’s easier said than done. To top it off, she’s getting some kind of cold – I returned to the “Land of Snot and Eye Boogies” – and I feel bad for trying to stave her off when she’s obviously under the weather. So. She’s wearing me out. I am about to have to go out and buy a tube of Lansinoh, which I have not used since she was like two weeks old! Oh, Sophie. You complete deplete me.

But truly, I am so glad to be home with my family! But was it worth it? Worth leaving them for two days and flying across the country and jet lag and airport-bathroom-pumping and all that? Heck yes it was!! I had an amazing time. Please, please come on over to Reviewin’ It Up and read how very, very, very worth it my trip was!! I have so much to tell you!

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My Boobs Are Packed, I’m Ready to Go!

Oops did I say my boobs are packed? I meant to say my bags are packed. I’m still in a session here on my trip but I leave in less than two hours! I have had a wonderful time, and I can’t wait to tell you all about it! But I really miss the kids, and my boobs really miss Sophie. This morning I had to do some serious finagling to figure out how to fit my breast pump into my laptop bag so I can carry it on the plane. Cause I think I am gonna be needing it when I have a layover in the Denver airport. Yee-ikes!!

I’ll blog atcha when I get back to the big OHIO!

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