Merry Christmas to Me!!

Even though Advent/Christmas is my favorite time of year and I am a HUGE gift-giver (as in I really like to, not I give ginormous gifts), I commited a Christmas-gift cardinal sin this week. I blame my mom, really, and I don't even think she'll argue with me. I bought my own Christmas gift from my parents... and then started to use it. **gasp** Now that I think about it, Hubby did the same thing a couple weeks ago with his iPhone so maybe it isn't so much of a Christmas no-no as I thought. My family does this sort of thing all the time. I know what I want better than anyone so why not let me buy my own gift? Well, it takes some of the spirit/fun out of it, which is a bummer. But I had been lusting after this particular gift for awhile and I couldn't wait any longer.

Without further ado... my very excellent Christmas present.. a Beco Butterfly! Hooray!! So far, it is fabulous. Although I have other carriers that I can use for back carries (ring sling, mei tai, wrap, ergo), I wanted this particular carrier due some features that make it unique and really great for back carries with smaller babies. It has an infant insert that clips around baby to make the leg opening smaller and keep their little bodies from shifting in the big carrier. Also, it has an awesome feature (shown at right) that allows you to secure baby in the carrier before you put the carrier on. In this picture, Caden is already clipped in and all I had to do was pick up my Beco by the shoulder straps, put it on like a backpack then buckle the waist belt and adjust everything so it felt comfortable. Voila! Little baby securely in a soft structured carrier with NO help! Hooray!
Caden seems to really like it. As you can see, he looks pretty comfortable. :) He slept on my back like that for over 2hours the other day! No exaggeration! And my back was fine- no soreness or pain at all. I could feel it the first time I put it on. My back muscles were a bit sore but I think it is because I mostly use my ring sling and the Beco uses different muscles that weren't accustumed to the weight. Also, in this picture, he looks a little low. I had him up a little higher today and that seemed to help. It is good to rotate which muscles get the babywearing work-out anyway. :)

I love having Caden on my back. It is so freeing!! I can pick up Lucas (who has been sick and in need of mommy-comfort), I can wash dishes, cook, whatever.... And although you can use the ring sling for back carries and I plan to, I haven't done it yet with Caden because I am nervous to scoot him around my hip to my back at this age. When he gets a little older I will be more comfortable doing that. But that is why I LOVE the Beco... I can strap him in and then put him on my back so I know he is secure.

A couple more pictures because it is my pretty, new toy and Caden is just so darn cute!!!

I purchased my Beco from this great website Tender Cargo (www.tendercargo.com). They have a great selection of carriers and other cool baby things. You should check them out. Their stuff is great and the service was great too.