Review: Mail Delivery Services

Just in case you guys are getting bored of all the baby-related posts (and I'm not even close to being done), here's a break with my review of mail/package delivery services.

When you're stuck on the couch whilst trying to prepare for a new person to enter your life, you become very thankful for ecommerce.  I mean, really.  Just a few short years ago, my online shopping options would have been pretty limited.  Believe me when I say you can order anything on the internet.  Anything.

But after you order, the products need to be shipped.  Most companies don't offer the consumer a choice of carrier.  Meaning, they are contracted with a particular company (UPS, Fed-Ex, USPS), and so they may offer shipping options (based on speed or price), but you ship with the company they choose.  Since the price of shipping most directly depends on the company you've ordered from, I'm not including price as a factor in my review.

In the past few months (but especially in the past few weeks), I've had at least one item shipped with the three major carriers:  UPS, Fed-Ex, and the good ol' government (USPS).  Here are my thoughts.

UPS

Of the three I'm reviewing, UPS is my favorite.  They have a great website that is easy to navigate.  When you have your tracking number, there is a place right on the main page to type it in.  I really hate having to click two or three times just to get to the tracking page.  Their tracking information is updated several times throughout the day, and has always been 100% accurate for me.  I think that is probably the most important feature for me.  I *need* to know exactly when my package will arrive.

One thing that makes me love UPS is our delivery man.  He is so great.  We had both our stroller and carseat delivered via UPS.  Rather than just dropping off the package and ringing the bell (standard procedure), he waited at the door to see if he could help me pull it into the house.  How nice is that?!?  This very pregnant momma appreciated that.

Fed-Ex

Oh, Fed-Ex.  My thoughts?  Epic fail.  I hate Fed-Ex, pretty much for all the reasons I love UPS.  First of all, I hate their website.  You have to click twice just to get to the place to put in the tracking number.  Not that it really matters, though, since they update tracking info about once a week.  Usually all on the day it will be delivered.  Not helpful.  One positive thing about their tracking, though, is that if you're looking at a tracking email on an iPhone or iPod, it recognizes it as a tracking number and all you have to do is touch the number and it pulls up the page.  That's a plus.  Not sure if that's thanks to Steve Jobs (Apple) or Fed-Ex, though.

Here's a little story about Fed-Ex.  A few weeks ago, I realized that MacGyver would be graduating while I was two weeks from my due date.  This was back before we realized Little Dude was trying to escape early, so I decided I wanted to order a new dress for the occasion.  I decided to pay for the extra shipping charge so that it would be delivered in 2-4 business days.  That way, I could wear it as often as possible to get my money's worth.  I ordered from Old Navy, and I knew they had a distribution center in Columbus, Ohio, so I figured the dress would probably arrive in 2 days.  And I was (kind of) right.  In 2 days, the tracking info was finally updated, and it showed the package had made it to my city in the early morning hours.  But wait.  Was it on the truck for delivery?  Of course not.  The website said "Not due for delivery".  What on earth??  What kind of a business plan is that?  Yeah, let's not deliver the package even though it's sitting here.  We'll scrape by with the bare minimum.  So frustrating.  I called the shipping center and asked that it be delivered the next day (which would have been day 3).  Guess what?  They said no!!  Since I paid for '2-4 day shipping', my package wouldn't be delivered until the 4th day.  Ohhhhhhhh I was so mad.

One good thing about Fed-Ex is my delivery man.  He's a sweet guy, too.  Fed-Ex usually requires a signature, and when this stupid dress was finally delivered (2 days before bedrest....grrrr), I was home to sign for the package.  He looked at my pregnant belly, looked at me, and then said, "Oh, you're having a little ______, huh?"  In that blank, insert Little Dude's name.  He guessed the name of our baby!  It was crazy, and kind of creepy.  It's not like it's a totally common name or anything.  It totally made my day, though.

USPS

Overall, I'm pretty pleased with the government mail agency.  On a day-to-day basis, our mail is delivered on-time and in one piece (except once).  Our mailman is pleasant and usually pretty friendly.  One thing I don't like is the tracking info (again....I'm obviously pretty picky about tracking info).  Similar to Fed-Ex, they update it all on the day the package will be delivered.  Honestly, what good does that do anyone?

I can review USPS in a different light, though:  as a shipper.  I almost exclusively use USPS for my business.  They make it very easy to ship packages, and offer free shipping supplies and free pick-up.  Their rates are low, and it is easy to print labels at home.  Most businesses don't use USPS for larger packages, so my experience with them is a little limited.

UPS Mail Innovations

This is a new service, and the worst idea ever.  UPS has joined with USPS in some type of hybrid mail system.  Maybe they are still working out the kinks, I'm not sure.  And to be fair, my first package with them is still in transit, so I can't really give a full review.

From what I understand, UPS initiates the delivery process, and then somehow it is transferred to the USPS mail carrier?  I really don't understand.  What I can tell you so far is that the tracking info stinks.  Not only is it slow to update, but it doesn't tell you when it will be delivered.  They use tricky language, too, so I can't even tell where the stupid thing is.

When I ordered this particular item (it's MacGyver's Father's Day/Graduation gift, so I'm being intentionally vague), I got free shipping, so I didn't choose this service.  I'm not very happy that it is being delivered via USPS, though, because it is kind of breakable (that's your one hint, babe).  I think I'd feel better if it were in the big brown truck, not the Caprice Classic that our mail comes in.

So, there.  Now you've wasted a good 5 minutes reading my earth-shattering thoughts on mail delivery services.  What's your favorite?

N is for Nesting: A Really Strange Tutorial

In my life right now, there are about 1 million pregnant people.  No, really.  Friends from high school, friends from church, friends from mom's group, friends from college.  That makes me sound like I have a lot of friends!

If you're like me, you like to stay away from the boring baby gifts.  I love giving handmade gifts, especially for a baby.  Well.  If you are looking for a unique shower gift, I've got you covered.  This one takes the cake for unique.

First, a little background.  So far, I just have a little girl.  Changing little girl diapers is a cinch; nary a leak or spray.  A few days after we brought the sweet Sunbean home from the hospital, our friends with a one-month baby boy came to visit.  And during a diaper change, that darling little boy produced a spout of urine that arched clear across my couch!  Yikes.  I saw a product similar to this, and it got my wheels turning.  So, without further adieu:

35 Week Update

Well, I'm actually 36 weeks now, but I realized I never posted the official 35-week photo (I take pics every 5 weeks).  So here's the official update on my uterus.

• I'm now 2 cm dilated.  That doesn't really mean much; what's significant is that I've progressed 1 cm while being on bedrest.  The fantastic news is that I'm officially 36 weeks now, and the prognosis for a 36-week baby is way better than a 35-weeker.
• So I go back to the doctor on Thursday, and unless something crazy is going on, I'll be released from bedrest on Sunday, with a week of 'light activity'.  No shopping, walking for fun, etc.  Then, after that, if I'm still bursting with child, I can do whatever I want.
• This little guy is so active!  It's pretty fun to watch my belly roll around.  It's not pretty fun when he plays with the nerves to my legs.
• We're making slow progress in the kids' room.  It's really close to being finished, things just don't move as quickly when I'm barking orders from the couch versus just doing it myself.
• I think I have nearly everything I need if this anxious boy decides to come early.  I had MacGyver haul out the breast pump in case Little Dude has a NICU stay and I'm not able to nurse him.  Let's just all cross our fingers that isn't the case.  With the Sunbean, my milk came in while in the hospital, and she wasn't ready for that 'vigorous' of a feeding.  I'll be more prepared for that this time.  Like, I'm bringing some freaking breast pads.  Sorry if that's a little too much info for you, but if you've ever nursed a baby, you're probably cracking up right now.  I'm thankful my body produces pllllllllllllenty of food for my children, but it does get a tad tricky when there's some excess.
• Moving on.  I had MacGyver drag out the rest of the baby gear from the attic.  I forgot how inconvenient some of this stuff is.  As much as I love the swing, it really isn't a space-saver, you know?
• I still have heartburn.  Blah.  I feel like it shouldn't be possible for him to be so low that it makes my bones hurt, yet high enough to give me heartburn.

So that's the latest and greastest from my womb.  My doctor predicts he'll make an appearance the week that I'm released from bedrest.  How lovely...that's the weekend that MacGyver graduates.
Oh well....we'll be celebrating either way!

It's the Hats!

Blogger won't let me change the alignment on half of these paragraphs.  Grrr.

Does anyone else wish they lived in England, if only for the hats?  No?  Just me?  Hmm.

So, I've been slightly obsessed with the royal wedding this week.  I'm sure it's a function of having nothing to do but sit here, but I've been loving watching the coverage of this big event.  My grandma came here to the States when she was 8, so I feel like the English culture is a verified part of my heritage, you know?  Had history been just a litte different, I (or some version of me) would be living in England, so I feel connected somehow.

Anyway.  I think Kate Middleton is wonderful.  I think she's so classic and poised.  I thought her dress choice today was perfect!  So classic and pretty, but not frumpy or old-fashioned.  And Pippa!  Loved her dress, too.

As I watched the coverage (all day), I couldn't help but think about how the whole thing just looked like a Disney movie come to life.  I'm sure Kate's new life isn't always going to be a fairy tale, but today it sure looked like it.

I just can't imagine being a little girl growing up in England and then eventually becoming a 'real' princess.  What I think is kind of fun is that when William and Kate become the king and queen, we can all sit around and yap about how we remember watching their wedding on TV.

And.....have you Googled anything today?  Seriously.  The girl got a Doodle!  She's for real.



N is for Nesting: Boppy Slipcover Tutorial

Hey....did you know that I'm having a little boy in just a few weeks?  Well, I am.  And I've got a house full of girly stuff.  So the pink and yellow flowered slipcover for the boppy really needed to go.

Don't get me wrong, I love the boppy.  I use it quite often when I'm nursing my newborns, and then even for playing when they get to that I-think-I-can-sit-but-I-really-topple-over-quite-often stage.  You know the one.

Anyway, my little guy needed a slightly manly-er fabric.  Well, as manly as Amy Butler fabric can get.  So, here you go:

Here's where I totally messed up.  I ordered about 3 inches too little fabric, so I had to piece it.  You really can't tell now that it's finished, but I'd recommend just measuring correctly.

Learn how right here.

 

Step Six:  Break out the zipper foot and sew on that zipper.  I apparently didn't think you needed a photo of this.

One thing I didn't mention (or, again, photograph) is running over the seams with the serger.  If you have a serger, I'd totally recommend this step.  I know I'll wash this sucker quite often, so finishing the edges is important.  If you don't have a serger, just do a zig-zag stitch on each seam.  And then tell your nearest Santa, Easter Bunny, or Mother's-Day-Gift-Buyer that you need a serger, stat.

Piping Tutorial

Are you like me?  Don't you just love piping?  I love it on pillows, kids' clothes, aprons, furniture, well....just about everything.  I think it adds that lovely touch that makes things look handmade versus homemade.  A seriously big difference.

Just in case you've never made some before (it's super easy!), here's a quick how-to.  It's really a shame that I waited to make this tutorial until I was making some pretty boring piping, but tomorrow I'll post the finished product, and it's pretty cute.

Now you won't have to waste your money on the stuff in the notions aisle. 

I've Decided...

...that I'm definitely treating myself to a Shabby Apple dress when I get my body back.  I seriously love this one.  Hopefully a fall dress will be in order and not a spring one...

...that the worst thing about being on bedrest is hearing people say oh-so-helpful things like, "Well, I was dilated to a 1 for three weeks".  Yep, I get it.  It's a total possibility that in a few weeks I'll be released from bedrest and then still make it to (or past) my due date.  You know what else is a total possibility?  A few weeks in the NICU.  Bedrest trumps NICU in my book.

...that MacGyver deserves a medal.  I have lots of time to makes lots of lists during the day.  He gets home from work and then is on the clock for me.

...that I can't decide what to do with my family room pillows/color scheme.  I almost bought a rug at Ikea, and decided not to.  So, we pulled out the rug from the office for a few days to see if we even liked the idea of a rug in the room.  Well, now we love the rug from the office out here.  So, we need to kind of tweak the color scheme to match the rug.  Not a huge deal since the existing pillows are looking a tad shabby, but I can't decide what direction to go.

...that $4.17 is too much to pay for gas.  We'll save a bundle without me running all over town for the next few weeks.  MacGyver is planning to bike to work as soon as the monsoons stop.

...that it is going to be cuh-razy in May.  I'm assuming this baby will come before my due date, and my doctor thinks it will be the second week of May.  Which, conveniently, is the week that MacGyver graduates.  Should be interesting.

...that daytime TV when you don't have cable is so bad.  What did people do before the internet?  Also, why did internet get flagged on spell-check?

...that Starbucks needs to deliver.  You think they would for their #1 fan.

Happy Monday!