Diaper Bag Resolution

So...ahem...if I had any readers, they would have been left hanging for a long time after my last post. And I'm sure if I had any readers, they would have been on the edge of their seats, dying to know what happened with my diaper bag. Because in my head, my readers are like that.

My experience was mostly good. I initially emailed the J.J. Cole customer service on August 17 (a Friday):

Hello, 

I purchased a Stone Arbor Satchel Bag on 5/26/2012. I didn't start using it until after my baby was born on June 7. I also don't use it on a daily basis. I have two young boys and it's not easy to leave the house. I absolutely love this diaper bag, but after only 2.5 months of fairly light use, the loops where the metal rings connect to the straps and the bag are starting to crack/break. I can't afford to replace my diaper bag every 2 months, especially one this pricey. Is this a common complaint or is it possible I received a bad bag? I'm really disappointed about this since I had really looked forward to purchasing this bag and really have loved it until this happened.

Thanks, 

Melany

 I received a response on August 21 (a Tuesday):

Hi Melany,

Thank you for contacting JJ Cole. JJ Cole Collections guarantees its products against manufacture defects. I would be happy to file a warranty claim for you. In order to better assist you, can you please provide me with the following information:

-      When did you purchase the product?

                 

-      Where was the product purchased?

-      What product did you purchase? (System Bag, System180 Bag, Theory Bag, Mode Bag, Bundleme (Infant or Toddler), etc.)

-      What is the color of your product?

-      Please describe the problem with the product.

-      Please provide the 4-digit PO# located on a group of white tags on the product. This may also be 4 numbers followed by the letters YUN

-      Can you email a photo of the problem? Please attach.

-      Have you taken it back to the store where it was purchased from? What was the response?

Please provide your name, address, and phone number so we can contact you to provide a return authorization number and/or further information about the warranty process.

JJ Cole Product Warranty

JJ Cole Collections guarantees its entire product line for 2 years from the manufacture date. This warranty covers the product for the original owner against defects in workmanship only. If the product ever fails to a manufacturing defect, then JJ Cole will replace with like product at our discretion. The warranty does not cover damage caused by accident, improper use, negligence, normal wear and tear, or the natural break down of colors and materials over time.

Thank you,

Consumer Service

Karen

I supplied the requested information and pictures the same day and received this email the following day:

Thank you for sending the bags information and photo to me—I’m so sorry to see the handle material is not holding up well.  An exchange has been authorized and we have two different options regarding the return/disposal of your current bag:

                 

1.  You may mail the bag to us at the following address, and upon receipt your replacement will be sent to you:

JJ Cole Collections

Attn : Returns 911217

2021 9th Street SE

Dyersville, IA 52040987-6828

2. You may make a cut through the opening of the main compartment down into the front of the bag 6” and send us an image with your Reference number 911217 written visible in it.  We will use this as a record you have disposed of the item, and then send your replacement.

Let me know which return option you prefer and I’ll have it shipped as soon as possible. 

Best regards
Consumer Service
Karen

I was very pleased with the fast responses and I was happy they were willing to resolve my problem so easily. Unfortunately, as can be seen by my lack of blog posts, life got in the way. Between people in the house getting sick and a bunch of family functions popping up where I needed to actually leave the house and use my diaper bag, I didn't get back to them in anything even remotely resembling a timely manner. I realize they needed to have the bag or see it destroyed to ensure I wasn't going to keep using both bags or sell one on Ebay but it was really inconvenient not to have a diaper bag to use.

Fast Forward to October 15. I responded and asked if the exchange was still possible and I got a response the next day that the number I was given would be held open for 30 more days. Then came another gap on my part as I needed the bag again. I chose to send a picture of the bag destroyed because I wouldn't have to pay for return shipping and it would save some time. I sent the pictures on November 9, and received this email on the 12:

Hi Melany;

Thank you for the image of the cut diaper bag. We have the new one on order and you should receive this within the next 5-10 business days. Please contact us and refer to reference number 911217 if you have any questions on this shipment.

On November 30, I still had not received the bag so I sent this email:

Hi Karen, 

I was wondering if there was any sort of tracking information for the order of my replacement diaper bag (reference number 911217) as I have not yet received the bag and it's now been longer than the 5-10 business days (closer to 14 by my count) and when you throw in weekends and holidays, I've been without a diaper bag for almost three weeks now and carrying all the baby stuff in shopping bags is getting frustrating. 

Thanks for any information you can give me,

Melany

And yes, I realize I was slow to respond at one point myself but a lot of that was because I didn't want to have to carry baby stuff around in reusable shopping bags.

On December 3, I received this repsonse:

Hi Melany;

We apologize for the delay. The item was temporarily out of stock. We show this shipped November 30th through UPS. Please log onto www.ups.com and enter tracking number ########### to follow the progress of your shipment to your home.

Coincidentally, the bag showed up that very day. All in all, I'm very pleased that J. J. Cole worked with me and fixed the problem I was having. The only complaint I have is that the new bag took so long to get to me. I wish they would have sent a message my way to let me know the bag was out of stock.

So there it is, my long-overdue update.

JJ Cole Satchel Bag: Bad Construction or Did I Get a Lemon?

Let me say this up front. I am absolutely terrible at making decisions. I spent months agonizing over the diaper bags (yes, I realize I have problems). With Jake I just used a giant corduroy messenger bag with no real pockets and I always had to dig to find things.

This time I wanted something with more organization and I'll admit I was looking for a certain cuteness factor. I finally narrowed it down to the Skip Hop Studio in Plum Burst and the JJ Cole Satchel in Stone Arbor.

Part of the difficulty was not being able to see the patterns in person. Finally I saw the Skip Hop at Buy  Buy Baby and the JJ Cole Satchel eventually came to Babies R Us in the right pattern. I ended up going with the Satchel because it seemed slightly larger and with two kids, I thought I might need the extra room.

I purchased the bag about 3 months ago and have been using it for about 2.5 months. I love the bag. There is plenty of room inside, lots of pockets, and it's very cute. Some people on Amazon complained that the interior was pink (sort of a soft mauve color) and they were returning it since they had boys. I have two boys and I don't care that it's pink inside. It's my bag, not theirs. It's like not choosing a purse because the inside is pink and your kid is a boy. Even though it's full of their stuff, I'm still the one carrying it.

Unfortunately, I noticed some of the loops connecting the metal rings are starting to crack/break and one place where the loop connects to the bag is starting to separate at the stitching. I'm super disappointed because I love the bag and have only been using it for 2.5 months. And it's not like I leave the house every day and drag it around for hours at a time. I've used it to go to the doctor, the grandparents' houses, and to the store a handful of times. With two kids (especially a preschooler and one who is under 3 months old) I don't get out a ton.

I've contacted JJ Cole's customer service by email. They tell me there is a 2 year warranty on manufacturer defects. I've sent them the requested information and several pictures of the problem and am waiting to hear back from them. I'll post the results of this test of JJ Cole's customer service here when I know more. 

A snapshot of motherhood

It's late afternoon and I'm sitting on the couch, unable to move. In my left arm I'm holding a very peacefully sleeping 3 week old. My right arm is pinned down by my 3 year old, who first passed out on the couch and then woke up and decided to relocate and fall asleep again while snuggling with Mommy. My right arm is also falling asleep because the 3 year old is much heavier than the 3 week old and is cutting off all blood flow.

I'm thirsty but can't reach the drink that sits inches from my left hand. My nose itches but I can't reach it with either hand. My husband has left some boring sportball game on the television and I can't reach the remote to change it. My phone, with which I could amuse myself, sits next to my drink, also out of reach by mere inches.

I think about falling asleep too but know the instant I do, one or both of my sons will wake up and insist I wake up too.

While this is going on, my husband is in the other room digging through an ocean of Legos trying to find the right parts so he can finish building the 3 year old a Lego fire station.

Oh and did I mention, my right leg and hip area is wet and cold because 3 minutes ago the 3 year old peed all over himself and me and I'm debating whether to deal with it for another half hour because he's kinda cranky today and needs the nap.  

Tell Me Thursday March 22, 2012

New Mommy Confessions hosts the weekly Tell Me Thursday. Head on over and check it out for links to more people answering these questions and join on in yourself if you have a blog!

For this week... Jobs!

What was your first real job? (like, you paid taxes and everything) In high school I worked as a lifeguard and swimming teacher for the YMCA. It was a good time. I pretty much only taught the lower levels because I didn't have perfect technique of the strokes so working with the Shark level to perfect breaststroke and butterfly wasn't gonna happen. It's funny because I always feel the need to say that when I talk about that job because I feel like people are gonna thing I'm this amazing swimmer or something. I had the skills necessary to lifeguard a pool and teach kids the basic strokes. The smell of chlorine still brings back fond memories.

What was your favorite job? What job did you hate the most? My favorite job was either my first job or my time as a bookkeeper for a local lockshop in college. It was a small company and a nice family sort of atmosphere. Some of the tasks of the job weren't my favorite but I got to learn to cut keys and re-key locks and the atmosphere was fun and friendly. My least favorite had to be my stint in Accounts Payable. Actually, the tasks weren't that bad but the atmosphere was stifling. The manager watched over us and didn't like us talking to each other (very small office with three people in close quarters) while we worked. It was like a really strict school. I felt constantly beat down and a little like a prisoner. When I handed in my letter of resignation, I actually felt so nervous my heart wouldn't stop pounding and I thought I was going to be sick. The manager called me into her office at the end of the day and proceeded to tell me how disappointed she was and how I'd lied to her. In my letter I said I was going back into education (I was going back to substitute teaching while I looked for a permanent position) and said I'd told her I'd given up on that. Um, no. Never said that. Ok, stopping myself now. No need to delve back into those memories. Shudder. 

What is your dream job? Well, I went to school to be a teacher. Unfortunately, the market was saturated when I graduated. I could have gotten a job in Florida or Las Vegas but I was looking close to home. Sometimes I still feel a little bitter about the whole situation but other times I wonder if things worked out for the best and maybe I would have burnt out as a teacher. 

Are you currently working? Nope. I mean not officially. I stopped working about a month before my son was born and have stayed home with him since. I did briefly try my hand at selling Avon but I am so not a salesperson. I'd like to do something sometimes. Not working has really messed up my time management skills and my self discipline. I miss completing tasks (and no, housework does not give me the same sense of satisfaction). I think when the kids are in school, I might go back to something, even if just part time.

What job should everyone try at least once? I've never given this much thought but I think I'd have to agree with New Mommy Confessions about working in the service industry. If you've been there yourself, might think twice about the way you treat the people serving you.

Attempts at being concise

I'm sure I've mentioned before that I have a tendency to draw out stories with too much detail. I'm working on being more concise. I wrote a long ass blog about some of the things I'd have written about if I hadn't been hiding the last couple weeks. It was long. Very long. So in an attempt to be more concise, I hacked it down to a (hopefully) more digestible length. I hope nothing was lost in the process.

Let there be sugar!
Wee hooo! I passed my 1 hour glucose test this time! When I was pregnant with Jake, I failed the 1 hour and had to take the 3 hour. This time, when I made the appointment, they gave me better instructions (no sugar OR starchy foods beforehand, only protein). Also, my needlephobia might actually a little less but it didn't help that the nurse did something that left me still bruised over a week later.


Snow? What's that?

Fozzie the Snowbust, the crowning piece of art for any igloo

Northern Illinois has had a pretty mild winter. Temps have been higher and snow has been almost nonexistent. The little snow we've had didn't last long and wasn't good packing snow so I felt kinda bad for Jake since it was the first year he really showed an interest in playing in the snow. At the end of last week, we finally got some good packing snow. The sick, achey, pregnant mom stayed inside and watched out the window as Jake sledded across the street and made his first snowman. Daddy started piling up the snow and Jake was so impatient to finish and put on the carrot nose, that the snowman was a small one and looked more like a head with arms. Then he started throwing carrots in the snow and eventually gave his snow head carrot eyes as well. I named him Fozzie because he reminded me of Fozzie Bear, except without the hat and with with carrots for his eyes and nose.


Why I could never be an interior designer

Whole weekend's worth of progress

I love the idea of interior design but I suck at it. I suck at picking colors and imagining them on a large scale. I suck at deciding which colors go together, even with a color wheel. I suck at knowing what styles of furniture go together and which kinds of nonmatching woods you can pair together. This weekend my suckiness cost us time and money.

Super long story cut sorta short? We're painting the master bathroom and the tan I picked ended up looking way too yellow. Bryan and I both agreed it reminded us of hotel/medical office walls. We quickly (unheard of for me) picked something more brownish. To be safe, we only got a quart so we didn't waste most of a gallon again if it wasn't right. It was a much better color. After a weekend of priming and painting, we have only one small wall done. And the paint's not fully covering so it'll need a second coat. Oh yeah, and this week starts Bryan's busy season as a coach so we'll see when we can tackle the rest. I hate being pregnant and miserable and not able to do it myself!

DIY dog grooming

In an attempt to save some money, I bought some pet clippers (half the price of a professional grooming appointment) and gave Penny the full treatment...well, as much as she'd let me. The effort wasn't a total failure. She fought me when I tried to clip her face, legs and belly/chest area. Not bad for a first attempt and I'm sure we'll both get better at it with practice. Go, frugal me!

You win this time, little turnip

I felt the baby kick today. Not the little flutters that could be gas bubbles, but a good solid kick or three.

Maybe I won't ground him/her/whatever immediately after birth for wreaking havoc on my body and mind.

Also, it still amuses me that as each week goes by, pregnant women continue to work their way around the produce department to approximate the size of the babies they're growing. Did What To Expect start this? Does anyone know?

I thought this post would look better with a pretty picture. So I found this. Because who wouldn't want a turnip Christmas ornament. But, hey, at least it was for a good cause. And now I'm sad because it's too late to get one.

http://www.outblush.com/women/life/holidays-events/you-tell-us-the-worlds-most-elegant-holiday-turnip/

I think I might be crazy

As a disclaimer, my crazy might prevent me from writing a fully coherent post. You have been warned...and I apologize.

This is my second pregnancy and I'm convinced this kid is already trying to kill me. Sure, I had my moments with my Jake but I'm pretty sure this time I could be legally declared temporarily insane. I was really looking forward to 9 months without PMS and instead I've had almost 4 months straight of PMS hormones coursing through me. My hair is not thick and shiny, my skin is anything but glowing, I'm breaking out constantly, oh, and did I mention I'm an emotional wreck? Yeah, that too.

I've been through this whole pregnancy business before and I know, I know, every pregnancy is different. But when I heard that, I figured it meant different in the degree weight gain, heartburn, morning sickness, baby movement, and all that. I did not think I could be a happy shiny (though sometimes sappy) person with my first and a cranky, exhausted (and ready to snap at the drop of a hat) mess with my second.

My crowning moment thus far was this morning. I was feeling that cranky mood starting to rise up already and to spare you all the details, I'll just say every little thing starting going wrong and I ended up slamming one of the kitchen cabinets. Bryan, still trying to recover from the cold that took him out just in time for Christmas, came down to check on me. I told him I didn't know what was wrong with me; I felt hot, furious, and close to tears all at the same time. Fast forward about 30 seconds and find me standing in front of the open refrigerator, bawling and laughing hysterically at the same time, while Bryan looked on, not sure what to do.

You better believe this child is going to know just what I went through to bring him/her into this world. What? You think it's unfair that you have to do the dishes tonight? Let me tell you about what you did to me while I was growing you in my belly.

And let's not even get started on how maternity clothes are either too big or too small on me.

MISSION: MONKEY DOPPELGANGER

Bring out your monkeys! Take a close look and ask yourself if your monkey is worthy, worthy to be a monkey doppelganger. Earlier this year, Garanimals changed manufacturers for their new plush line, and after months of scouring at least a dozen Wal-Mart stores, performing countless Google searches, and frequently searching Craigslist and Ebay (the latter of which has thousands of stuffed monkeys for auction at any given time), I'm calling out for help.

My son's best friend, MoMo, it seems, is a lost breed. As is often the case with children, Jake is pretty darn attached to his monkey and shows no other interest in other stuffed monkeys. I have, therefore, made it my mission to find a backup (or multiple backups if the opportunity presents itself). MoMo has almost been lost once and I hate to think of a MoMo-less Jake at bedtime. This Garanimals monkey was sold at Wal-mart for $5. If you think you have one of his brothers and are willing to part with him and send him to a loving home, I am willing to pay for his travel. Spread the word! Mommy seeking monkeys!

Halloweeny

I never even though to expect my son to change his costume at the last possible minute.  He picked out an adorable elephant costume but bawled when I put it on him.  Luckily, I had the makings of a Bob the Builder/construction worker outfit.  He happily wore that to go trick or treating for the first time.  He loved trick or treating and even managed to attempt to say "Trick or Treat" at two houses and "Thank you" at another three.  All in all, I'd say Jake's second Halloween was a success.

A New Direction

I started this blog with good intentions. But as can be seen by my overall lack of posts and the almost nine months since my effort, good intentions don't write blogs. Things have become pretty muddled.

As a stay at home mom, I haven't exercised my brain in far too long. In the last year I can probably count the number of books I've read on one hand. That alone is an epic fail for the me; I used to lose myself in books. I'd have two or three going at one time. If that isn't convincing enough, I did major in English in college. And forget writing. Now I find that even the simplest writing tasks have become difficult. I've been using bad grammar and misspelling like crazy. I've become lazy and have lost all motivation for just about anything. In a way, I've lost myself.

As this year comes to a close and my son's first birthday is about to pass, I've decided it's time for a change, a new direction. Don't bring me down, New Year's resolution haters. I fully agree that we shouldn't wait for the new year to make changes in our lives but I made this decision as the last month of the year came out of nowhere. Besides, I always work better with a firm framework. So I'm going to give this thing a try. If I keep up my resolve, as I hope I will, I'll chronicle my journey here, among the many other ramblings I hope to have.

My hopes are that within this next year I will accomplish the goals I will set for myself. Hopefully, I'll regain my writing skills along the way. And while I know this is currently a readerless blog, I hope that perhaps someday, someone like me will come across this and find that she is not alone.

Let the countdown to the New Year and new me(or rediscovery of the old me) begin!

Zzzzzzzzzz

My 3 1/2 month old has suddenly decided in the last week that he doesn't like sleeping through the night anymore.

I thought I was super lucky and out of the woods when he would sleep 10-12 hours with only 1 nighttime feeding. Now he's up at least 3 times if not more. I've even started supplementing formula for two feedings during the day and one of them is the last one before bedtime. I thought it would make him sleep longer. Didn't happen.

So my guess is either a growth spurt or I need to start regulating his daytime naps? I knew I should have read Healthy Seep Habits, Health Child sooner...like before J was born.