My Saving Grace - The Sleep Sheep and Gentle Giraffe

I have to share my saving grace and new favorite baby item. 

The Sleep Sheep! 

When we registered for this item at Pottery Barn Kids and BabiesRus I didn't think this would be my life saver.  But it has.  To be honest, I just zapped it because I thought it was cute and would go with the crib set that we picked out.  And to be honest... I did not think anyone was going to gift it to us.  

Actually, the sleep sheep was one of the last items we got before Ainsley's arrival and everyday I say "thank you Abe and Doris" for this gift.     

 

I now understand why the Sleep Sheep (a Plush Sound Machine with Four Soothing Sounds) has received so many awards.  Awards including:  National Parenting Center Seal of Approval • 2006 Creative Child Magazine-Preferred Choice • iParenting Award Winner • Good Housekeeping Editor's Choice • Baby Talk Editor's Choice • Shown on the CBS-The Early Show.

IT'S AMAZING!!!!

This little Sheep is the perfect night-time (or nap-time) companion to ease your baby (or you) to sleep in a relaxing and calming way.

During my pregnancy I found it hard to relax and get to sleep at night.  Heck, there were some nights the baby was more up than I was.  Sometimes I thought she was having her own little party in there.  One desperate night (at like 3am) I picked up my iphone and searched itunes for a white noise album.  I came across the album "Help Your Baby Sleep Through the Night: Natural White Noise for Babies".  Listening to this album became a nightly thing.  I would even place my iphone near my belly the nights she was being the night owl and within minutes she would calm down. 

A few weeks before I had learned about the fabulous book "The Happiest Baby on the Block" from my dear friend Gina.  She told me about how this book explains the theory of the 4th Trimester and the 5 S's (shushing being one of them).  I quickly became a fan of this concept and adopted the "white noise" theory.   
So I don't know why it was such a surprise on how well the Sleep Sheep works on Ainsley.  Heck it worked in the womb... why not out in the real world.   

The Sleep Sheep is pretty much an adorable plush sheep with a sound box tucked inside playing three different sounds from nature and the sound of a mother's heartbeat. 

Sadly, our Sleep Sheep sat in the box for a week or so after our arrival home... then one night our "good" baby was having a fussy moment.  I couldn't get her to go to sleep and I was starting to become just as fussy.  As I paced around our bedroom trying to think of what to do... It hit me!  The 5 S's!   

I quickly swaddled her, gave her a pacifier, held her in my arms on her side, started to gently rock (shake) her, and shushed her.  It was working... but then after she fell asleep... I needed to put her in her bed.  How do I keep this up?   That's when I noticed the sheep.  Looking up at me and sitting there in its little box.  I quickly opened it up and pulled the sheep out and put on the "Rain" button.  There she was... sleeping like the good little baby she is.  And the Sleep Sheep has been used ever since.  
  

The Sleep Sheep (and other fabulous products) is made by the company Cloud B.  They have the idea that "When babies sleep better, parents sleep better".  And God Bless them for that!

The Sleep Sheep is ideal for newborns and up and features:  

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  Four Soothing Sounds (Mother's Heartbeat, Spring Showers, Ocean Waves and Whale Songs)
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  Simple push-button sound selection with volume and on/off controls
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  Two sleep timer options: 23 and 45 minutes
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  Velco tab to secure Sleep Sheep to the outside of a crib
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  Two AA batteries included

Both Kevin and I love this Sheep.  Heck, sometimes we turn it on for us... not the baby.   

So when it came time for me to buy a gift for Alisha and Eric's little boy I was thrilled to see they had the Sleep Sheep on their registry.  Kevin and I both agreed we just had to get it for them.

But while we were shopping we came across the Gental Giraffe.  I was trying to decide wither or not to get it instead (not sure if Alisha had seen it when registering).  While asking Kevin his opinion he says to me "I think we should get it!".  As I put back the Sheep and grab the large Giraffe, he grabbed the On the Go Giraffe and the large Sheep.  I realized at that moment he meant "WE" as in for US...  Not for Alisha and Eric.  They were getting the Sheep.  He wanted the Giraffe for Ainsely.    

At first, I didn't understand why we needed another one.  The Sleep Sheep works great!  Then Kevin starts going over the Gentle Giraffe's features and after playing around with it I am suckerd in!  We opted to get the Gentle Giraffe On The Go (Travel-Size Plush Sound Machine).

Gentle Giraffe On The Go (like the sheep) helps recreate sleep time routines by bringing familiar soothing sounds but making it easier to achieve this while away from home. The selling factor for me was that the Gentle Giraffe has four unique Serengeti sounds that are not just to put Ainsley to sleep but are also designed to entertain and educate. 

We, like the kids that we are, had to test the sounds out in the store.  And instantly I fell in love with the "PLAY" button.  Also called the Safari Groove, it plays rhythmic drums of a native tribe.  As soon as I hit the button I could see that Ainsley was reacting to it.  So needless to say I lost the debate with Kevin and we bought it for us.

Now, we don't go anywhere with out the Gentle Giraffe. 

Just recently I have noticed Ainsley becoming more aware and reacting to the Sheep and Giraffe.  Today as we were walking around Target and listening to the "Play" Safari Groove.  It's was nice to have a soothing sound for her to listen to and at some point I could hear her cooing.  And when we play with them her little face lights up and smiles (something she has not done with her other toys).    

The Gentle Giraffe On The Go is ideal for all ages and features:

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  Four peaceful sounds: Safari Groove (Play), Victoria Falls (Sleep), Safari Trails (Calm)  and Gentle Stream (Relax).   
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  Push-button sound selection with volume control
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  Two sleep-timer options: 23 and 45 minutes
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  2 AA batteries included           

Also... on the Cloud B website the Gentle Giraffe On The Go is part of the Cloud B Endangered Species Series which helps bring awareness to our animal friends who need our attention. A portion of your purchase will go to an international wildlife organization.

 
These products have made my life easier these past 7 weeks.  And needless to say I have also found my new favorite Baby Shower Gift! 

Now... I just have to refrain myself from going on a shopping spree and buying all their other products in one purchase!