After reading a friend's post on baby wearing I thought I'd expand on just how much I love it! It has truly saved my sanity over the last 6 months. It has allowed me to prepare easy foods, hold hands w/ my daughter while walking w/ Alex, hold Alex during a church service while trying to keep Kairi in the pew, carry both babies along w/ 2 diaper bags and a Bible into church by myself, and to shop w/o the double stroller in stores that just don't provide enough space for my double. And even when it was just Kairi I marveled at how much easier it was to navigate airports w/ the sling than w/ even just an umbrella stroller. Taking walks was awesome while carrying her in the sling b/c I felt like I was getting a better workout and I was capable of walking on really rough sidewalks that the stroller would have had trouble w/.
That being said, it wasn't until the last few months that I really began to dig into baby wearing again. I loved it, but I just stuck w/ my one basic carry. It's a cradle hold where I took a 2 yard length of cloth, folded it twice lengthwise, and then tied a knot just next to my shoulder. Then you position the baby inside the middle fold and waa-laa, a simple sling to make. But recently Alex has stopped enjoying that as much. So I researched different carries and carriers.
HotSling makes a great sling, but it doesn't work for all people, ESPECIALLY if it doesn't fit you right. If you're going to buy one, really look into what the exact right size for you is before making your purchase. The wrong one could hurt your back and/or neck.
Mei Tais are really neat, and although I've never owned one, they look awesome. I do plan on eventually owning one ... one day ... I think they're neat b/c they should work all the way into toddler hood. EllaRoo makes really nice ones.
Moby Wraps are the closest to what I've been making recently. They're basically just long pieces of cloth that you learn to wrap around yourself and slide your child into. They seem to be the most versatile wrap out there.
Ring Slings are recommended by a lot of people, but the price always scares me off in case I don't like it. Although, maybe if I found a pattern that was highly recommended I could get my mom to make one for me .............. hmmmmm: Things to think about.
Baby Bjorn -- I never used one. I wasn't interested in it. But I have heard some great things from several different people. What I would recommend instead of it, though, is the ERGObaby. It's very similar, but is supposed to be much better for your back. ( http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/ )
Of course there are lots of others, but those are the ones that interest me the most. I recently bought myself the following book:
Baby-Gami
It's great at teaching you how to make your own sling/wrap. It also gives swaddling tips and ideas so it's a great book for new parents.
Just as a side note, when I first started baby wearing w/ Kairi, I didn't have the money to buy a sling, so I took a cute twin sized top sheet that we no longer used and folded it lengthwise twice and used it ... It worked and cost me not a cent!
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We had a super busy weekend filled w/ waterslides, poopy swimsuits, soaking wet clothes, slight sunburns, and visiting my aunt's church. But not many pictures to accompany it. More on our weekend later ... for now my son's asleep so I'm headed that way!
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Real fast, Kris Marie, this is the link to the personal account that made me throw my Hyland's Teething Tablets away for good. I've heard similar stories since then. I had an article somewhere about it, but I can't seem to find it ... still looking though.
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Here's the link I referred to in my comments!
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
Mama Ain't Playin'
A tidbit from Chris:
Mama Ain't Playin '
Looks like Mama is going to make him stand out there for a long time!
Ought to be a pretty good lesson, one not easily forgotten! Don't ya think?
He doesn't look very happy, like, maybe the lesson is already working, huh?
Be sure to look at all three pictures!
Now this is a seriously strict mom...
Don't mess w/ her!
Mama Ain't Playin '
Looks like Mama is going to make him stand out there for a long time!
Ought to be a pretty good lesson, one not easily forgotten! Don't ya think?
He doesn't look very happy, like, maybe the lesson is already working, huh?
Be sure to look at all three pictures!
Now this is a seriously strict mom...
Don't mess w/ her!
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Sopit
Sop it, Mat. Sop it.
MACCHEW SOP IT!
NO. MACCHEW. NO. SOP. JUS SOP IT.
It began w/ Matthew. She didn't like the way he was picking on her. Cute.
Then it was Alex. He wasn't supposed to touch me or her. Not good, but almost funny.
It moved on to me. Anytime I make her mad. Very annoying.
Now it's about everything and to everyone. Sop it echoes from the ceilings and bounces off the walls. Even after she is asleep in bed and no longer able to speak, I still hear it.
Sop it. Sop it. Sop it. Sop it. Sop it. Sop it. SOP IT.
MACCHEW SOP IT!
NO. MACCHEW. NO. SOP. JUS SOP IT.
It began w/ Matthew. She didn't like the way he was picking on her. Cute.
Then it was Alex. He wasn't supposed to touch me or her. Not good, but almost funny.
It moved on to me. Anytime I make her mad. Very annoying.
Now it's about everything and to everyone. Sop it echoes from the ceilings and bounces off the walls. Even after she is asleep in bed and no longer able to speak, I still hear it.
Sop it. Sop it. Sop it. Sop it. Sop it. Sop it. SOP IT.
Monday, April 21, 2008
I couldn't figure out why he was choking.....
I couldn't figure out why he was choking. After beating him on his back for a minute, a cheerio popped out. How'd he get that? He was no where near cheerios.
Then I watched Kairi run over and say "here" and stick another one in his mouth. He giggled and then tried to swallow.
So twice today I've expelled a cheerio from my son's throat.
She was trying to share her breakfast. I do recognize that this is probably the sweetest thing she's done so far .... But when the sweetest thing your older sister has ever done to you could choke you, what exactly does that say for your relationship? And would you continue to worship the ground she walks on? Because Alex does... :)
Then I watched Kairi run over and say "here" and stick another one in his mouth. He giggled and then tried to swallow.
So twice today I've expelled a cheerio from my son's throat.
She was trying to share her breakfast. I do recognize that this is probably the sweetest thing she's done so far .... But when the sweetest thing your older sister has ever done to you could choke you, what exactly does that say for your relationship? And would you continue to worship the ground she walks on? Because Alex does... :)
Saturday, April 19, 2008
They're not really this old yet, are they?
Alex and finger foods?
Now I know that he didn't get any in his mouth, it's all to play for fun. He has figured out how to get food in his hand, and of course he can get his hand to his mouth, but the transfer has him bugged. :) Whenever someone would walk by him, he would act like a little birdy begging for food in hopes that we'd put a carrot or pea in his mouth. It usually worked. ;)
When all else fails .... suck on the tray.
Kairi and a fork?
Kairi's not allowed to be unsupervised at the piano anymore, b/c she now climbs up it and tries to take things off the top. Here's a shot of her pretending to be innocent.
Mommy! Let's move it!
Why Mommy's diaper bag is always a mess ... Kairi bounces on it!
Can you believe how much older I look w/ doggy ears?
Today I bought Kairi some lawn toys and a toddler swing. I'll work on getting pictures of that soon!
Now I know that he didn't get any in his mouth, it's all to play for fun. He has figured out how to get food in his hand, and of course he can get his hand to his mouth, but the transfer has him bugged. :) Whenever someone would walk by him, he would act like a little birdy begging for food in hopes that we'd put a carrot or pea in his mouth. It usually worked. ;)
When all else fails .... suck on the tray.
Kairi and a fork?
Kairi's not allowed to be unsupervised at the piano anymore, b/c she now climbs up it and tries to take things off the top. Here's a shot of her pretending to be innocent.
Mommy! Let's move it!
Why Mommy's diaper bag is always a mess ... Kairi bounces on it!
Can you believe how much older I look w/ doggy ears?
Today I bought Kairi some lawn toys and a toddler swing. I'll work on getting pictures of that soon!
Monday, April 14, 2008
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Finally a Spring day!
Lounging with Uncle Matt
I can push the wheel barrel!
Uncle Matt, what are you doing up in that tree?
I want up there too!
What's that? It's sorta scary looking!
HIIIII!!!!!!!!!
Gramma's lap is a safer place to watch from.
Now I'm a little too brave...It almost snapped my finger!
I'm a master fake-cougher.
Hi Mommy!
Pick me UUUPPPPP!
Won't pick me up? Fine then, I'll ignore you. (See how much I look like my daddy from this angle?!)
Goofy face!
It's time to play the drums!
Funny faces with Gramma!
And more from the other day...
I can push the wheel barrel!
Uncle Matt, what are you doing up in that tree?
I want up there too!
What's that? It's sorta scary looking!
HIIIII!!!!!!!!!
Gramma's lap is a safer place to watch from.
Now I'm a little too brave...It almost snapped my finger!
I'm a master fake-cougher.
Hi Mommy!
Pick me UUUPPPPP!
Won't pick me up? Fine then, I'll ignore you. (See how much I look like my daddy from this angle?!)
Goofy face!
It's time to play the drums!
Funny faces with Gramma!
And more from the other day...
grrr....
Will someone PLEASE explain to my son that 2 1/2 hours does NOT equate to a full night's sleep. It doesn't count for him. It doesn't count for Mommy.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Poor Alex
One day I really will dedicate an entire post to Alex. I had fully intended for this post to be that one. But it's not. Instead, the entertainment for this evening contains an Alex story, a Kairi story, and a sibling story. Enjoy!
Alex
Alex is fascinated by anything he can get ahold of, but especially Diet Coke cans, coke/water bottles, and food containers.
Here's the latest of that:
Tonight's supper -- bananas. YUM! (Seriously, this is one of the only things I am guaranteed to be able to get him to eat... he'd eat them all day long if I would let him.)
Kairi
We were at Walmart last Friday when we passed the massive ball display. You know the one, where the display reaches to the ceiling and there are all sorts of giant balls in it. As we walked by, Kairi in an almost whisper goes "oooooo, oooooo, oooooo". My mom grinned and slowly stopped the shopping cart. Kairi immediately begins a chorus of "pees pees pees pees pees pees pees pees pees pees pees pees pees pees pees pees pees pees pees pees " so quietly that we almost didn't hear her. I found a green ball, handed it to my mom who was buying the ball so that Kairi would know who gave it to her. The moment she wrapped her arms around it, "ANK OOO ANK OOO ANK OOO" was shouted from the top of her lungs. The ball was so big that she could not be seen behind the ball. The thank yous lasted all the way to the register, when Mama had to take the ball to have it scanned. NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO. Hand the ball back to her. ANK OOO ANK OOO ANK OOO. She held the ball in her lap all the way to the house. It's now her favorite toy. And while I have no picture of her playing w/ the ball b/c I'm usually playing at the same time, here's a picture of the ball that she's so enthralled with.
Siblings
Kairi can be a very sweet big sister -- gentle rubbings of the head, sweet hugs, sharing toys, reading books to him. Then about 50% of the time she tolerates him. But we still have bursts of jealousy, during which, she at times becomes violent.
Mama and I were exercising in the living room while Alex was sleeping in the den near Kairi's chair. Kairi was watching King George and the Ducky for the 5th time that day in said chair. Suddenly we heard Alex scream louder and more panicked than perhaps ever before. I ran as fast as I could into the room. Kairi saw me running towards her, her eyes grew as wide as an owl's, and she darted into the living room. I picked up Alex, and immediately noticed red marks on his forehead.
In the meantime, Gramma is trying to figure out what happened. Kairi tried to give her a hug, but instead Gramma asked "Kairi, what did you do to Alex?". Kairi's response was a lot of babble, and then she took her hands and smacked them together -- hard.
Confessing even at 20 months .... good girl.
Alex immediately cried when he saw his sister again. And neither Gramma nor Mommy hugged Kairi until she hugged Alex and told him that she was sorry. That took a good 10 minutes, but it eventually happened, at which point she did the rounds. Love Alex, love Mommy, love Gramma, love Alex, love Mommy, love Gramma....
I have no pictures to go w/ this story, but there it is for you anyway.
Alex
Alex is fascinated by anything he can get ahold of, but especially Diet Coke cans, coke/water bottles, and food containers.
Here's the latest of that:
Tonight's supper -- bananas. YUM! (Seriously, this is one of the only things I am guaranteed to be able to get him to eat... he'd eat them all day long if I would let him.)
Kairi
We were at Walmart last Friday when we passed the massive ball display. You know the one, where the display reaches to the ceiling and there are all sorts of giant balls in it. As we walked by, Kairi in an almost whisper goes "oooooo, oooooo, oooooo". My mom grinned and slowly stopped the shopping cart. Kairi immediately begins a chorus of "pees pees pees pees pees pees pees pees pees pees pees pees pees pees pees pees pees pees pees pees " so quietly that we almost didn't hear her. I found a green ball, handed it to my mom who was buying the ball so that Kairi would know who gave it to her. The moment she wrapped her arms around it, "ANK OOO ANK OOO ANK OOO" was shouted from the top of her lungs. The ball was so big that she could not be seen behind the ball. The thank yous lasted all the way to the register, when Mama had to take the ball to have it scanned. NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO. Hand the ball back to her. ANK OOO ANK OOO ANK OOO. She held the ball in her lap all the way to the house. It's now her favorite toy. And while I have no picture of her playing w/ the ball b/c I'm usually playing at the same time, here's a picture of the ball that she's so enthralled with.
Siblings
Kairi can be a very sweet big sister -- gentle rubbings of the head, sweet hugs, sharing toys, reading books to him. Then about 50% of the time she tolerates him. But we still have bursts of jealousy, during which, she at times becomes violent.
Mama and I were exercising in the living room while Alex was sleeping in the den near Kairi's chair. Kairi was watching King George and the Ducky for the 5th time that day in said chair. Suddenly we heard Alex scream louder and more panicked than perhaps ever before. I ran as fast as I could into the room. Kairi saw me running towards her, her eyes grew as wide as an owl's, and she darted into the living room. I picked up Alex, and immediately noticed red marks on his forehead.
In the meantime, Gramma is trying to figure out what happened. Kairi tried to give her a hug, but instead Gramma asked "Kairi, what did you do to Alex?". Kairi's response was a lot of babble, and then she took her hands and smacked them together -- hard.
Confessing even at 20 months .... good girl.
Alex immediately cried when he saw his sister again. And neither Gramma nor Mommy hugged Kairi until she hugged Alex and told him that she was sorry. That took a good 10 minutes, but it eventually happened, at which point she did the rounds. Love Alex, love Mommy, love Gramma, love Alex, love Mommy, love Gramma....
I have no pictures to go w/ this story, but there it is for you anyway.
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