Babywearing as Birthcontrol

I do not have a baby nor will I probably ever have one again. But that does not mean I don't want to wear one in my sling. That is probably one of the main (or only) reasons I would want to have another baby... so use my sling again. Good thing my friends are still having babies, and letting me babysit them. :)
A couple friends and I have been doing a babysitting swap- you watch my kids, I'll watch yours. Last Friday, Hubby and I got to watch my friends' three kids for four hours and this Friday we get to go out. It is fun to watch the kids and see them have a blast playing together. But I got a special treat last Friday- I got to wear my friend's baby in my sling! **LOVE** She is 2months old and has some of the best cheeks I have ever seen. I just loved holding her in my sling and feeling her little body sink in and give in to sleep. I miss that so much. It is a feeling of comfort, for me and her, and brings back nostalgic feelings of holding my own boys that way.

It's been awhile since I got to look down to see such a sweet little baby face. Isn't she the sweetest thing?! Don't you just love her little fingers!! And those cheeks!!

Hubby says we can babysit her anytime so I can get my baby-fix. Not that I am really wanting to have more babies, but getting to cuddle keeps me even more content with what I have. Like getting to wear other people's babies keeps me from wanting/needing one of my own. See... just another way babywearing is useful: birthcontrol. Ha!! :)



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Still Lovin' Our Sling

Besides my sweaty head and hair (I had just finished a 4+mile run), I love these pictures. I love that Caden is over two years old and over 30lbs and we both STILL love our sling time.

When I got home from my run, I wanted to try out this new recipe for Zucchini- Choc. Chip muffins. I had some zucchini to use up from my vege box and I am trying to get more creative in getting veges into my boys (mostly Caden). But Caden was feeling a little mommy-needy, wanting to be held and snuggled. I asked him if he wanted to get on my back in the sling and his little face lit up. I put him in and he immediately let his body sink into mine. *sigh* I SO love this little sling baby!
He stayed on my back for only about 15min. He had a little ToyStory book he was looking at and we sang some songs as I peeled and shredded zucchini. And then, he was done. "Mama, down" he said. So I let him down and he was on him way, off to play and have a sword-fight with his brother.

I love that I can still put him in the sling when he is needing just a little reassurance that Mama is still here and he can be as close to me as he wants. I love that it only takes a few minutes of sling lovin' to get him back to his normal crazy-on the go-non stop self. And mostly, I love that when he gets in the sling, he remembers that he is connected to me and he is safe. He remembers that even when he is off being a toddler, he can always come back to Mama and be my little sling baby. I LOVE it and I'll do this as long as he'll let me.

P.S~ I still put him on the front/side too. I do it when we are in a store and I don't want little hands touching everything or when we are out and he's tired. I put him in after getting some shots at the Ped. office the other day and it helped calm those post-shot tears. Have I mentioned yet how much I LOVE my sling!!
P.S.S~ I have a million other carriers that are awesome for back carrying. But when it only for a short time and we are wanting to be especially connected, I still always grab my sling. :)



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Babywearing Safety Means Staying Connected

I'm sure you have all heard by now of the plethora of news articles this week about the safety concerns regarding slings. I had about a half-dozen friends send me links to different articles where "experts" on both sides of the story share their views about how safe or unsafe babywearing can be. And before I throw my opinion into the mix, let me just say that this is certainly one of those topics that we as mothers have to take in all the information available and put it to the "commen sense test" as we digest all that is being thrown at us.

I would consider myself somewhat of a babywearing aficionado, maybe even a sling snob. I have tried almost everything out there and certainly have my favorites and carriers that I am not a huge fan of. For me, babywearing is all about keeping your baby close and being in tune with your baby's needs. It is about having rhythm between you and your baby, knowing their needs and having them know that you are there to meet them. It is certainly about the convenience of having your hands free to do other things while still keeping your baby close and content. But ultimately, wearing your baby in a sling is about you and your precious little one continuing that priceless connectedness that started the moment he or she was conceived. When your baby is in a sling (or anything else for that matter- crib, stroller, bouncy seat, etc...) you have to stay connected. You have to check on them, make sure they are positioned well and safe. That is, above all else, the most important thing. If you do that, you will be able to assess the safety of any product or gear you use with your baby.

The bottom line, people: Bag slings (the ones that wrap around the parent's neck and cradle the child in a curved or "C-like" position below mom's chest) are NOT safe. They put your baby in an unsafe position with his or her chin too close to their chest which can restrict their airway. Any babywearing fan or connoisseur would be able to tell you that. But that does not mean, DOES NOT MEAN, that babywearing is in any way unsafe. I am extremely sorry that babies have died as a result of being worn in slings. It is truly tragic. And these news articles don't specify the slings involved in those cases, but we can infer that they were probably bag slings. But the hard truth is that babies have also died in unsafe car seats or recalled strollers or cribs. When we hear stories like this, we don't say "I am never going to put my baby in a car seat or a crib or a stroller because they must all be unsafe if that one was unsafe." We have to look at the specific products that are cause for concern, pull them off the market and make sure that the products we do have to use are safe and effective. This story is no different. The lesson from this is that you should know what you are using and HOW TO USE IT before you do anything.
Learn about babywearing and how to do it safely and comfortably for both you and baby. Any product can be dangerous if you don't use it properly and slings are no different. Just like you have to buckle the carseat properly into the car for it to be safe and effective, you have to be aware of the basics of babywearing to get the most out of it and be safe.

Here are some basic babywearing guidelines (as listed in another great post about the topic):
Baby should be close enough to kiss.
Baby should never have his chin resting on his chest. You should be able to put two fingers between baby's chin and their chest.
Baby's head should be above the rest of her body.
Baby's knees should be higher than his bottom.
Baby's face should never be covered by fabric.
Baby's head should always be supported.

Ultimately, I am not upset that this story is getting so much press. I am sure it will strike concern in the hearts of many people and get people asking questions. But that is a good thing. I don't want the governmental regulatory people telling me (or anyone) that all babywearing is bad because of some extremely horrible stories. What I do want, is for these tragic events to cause people to pay attention and listen to those who really do know what they are talking about and can instruct people on how to wear your baby safely and comfortably. I also think the rise of celebrity babywearing and the introduction of slings into mainstream stores has introduced babywearing to people that may have otherwise been unaware and may also be contributing to people buying and using slings without the proper instruction on how to use them safely. So the more opportunities we have to talk about true and safe babywearing and how amazing and awesome it is the better!
Babywearing has changed my life and who I am as a mother. It is an invaluable tool that I seriously can't imagine mothering without. I still daily wear my 18month old in the sling.
Let's not let this press give all babywearing a bad rap. Let's use this as a spring board to talk about babywearing carriers and practices that are safe (and most of them are!) so that moms (and dads) can feel confident using their sling to nurture their little one and reap all the benefits that babywearing has to offer.


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Gotta Get a Boba

Being somewhat of a babywearing aficionado, when I hear there is a new carrier on the scene I MUST try it out. Otherwise, I may always wonder if it is maybe that one perfect carrier that will meet all my carrier needs. (Truthfully, my ring sling is probably that carrier but it never hurts to check out all the others too.) So when I learned that my beloved Sleepy Wrap was coming out with a soft-structured carrier, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. Introducing, the Boba carrier!!

The Boba is structured carrier similar in style to the Ergo or the Beco. It has the wide body, the buckle waist belt with safety strap, back-pack like shoulder straps, and the chest strap buckle. However, there are some cool features to this new carrier that set it apart from the others.
First of all, the Boba carrier is made from 100% organic cotton. Even the lining. The fabric is super soft and, even though I can't put my finger on why, somehow it makes me feel better that the fabric touching my baby's sweet skin is all natural and organic. The shoulder straps of the Boba are nicely padded, just the right amount. I am not a huge fan of padding, actually. I love my ring sling and woven wrap and mei tai. That has always been one of my biggest complaints with the Ergo- the straps are a bit bulky and awkward. But the Boba straps were comfortable and not at all too bulky. I also like that the carrier body is longer and comes up higher on baby's back. This gives that extra bit of support and makes babywearing more comfortable for mama and baby.
Another totally cool and totally new feature that you won't find anywhere else is the leg strap feature of the Boba. It helps ensure proper leg and spine positioning and gives your toddler a place to rest their feet. I tried putting Caden's feet in the straps and it took a little bit of playing with it to figure it out. And truthfully, for someone his size it isn't really necessary. But, I can see the benefit when carrying a larger child for an extended amount of time. It would take the pressure off the nerves running through the pelvis and reduce any pressure on their spine. Either way, I think it was a very ingenious idea and am impressed with their forward thinking. I love seeing the babywearing world progress and respond the the needs of moms and kids out there.
Another major difference between the Boba and other SSCs is that they are marketing themselves as a carrier meant for age 1 and up. The Ergo has to have an insert in order to wear an infant (again, bulky) and the Beco Butterfly has the built-in insert (which is wonderful and a great way to do back carries with smaller babies). So there is really no need for Boba to try and grab a piece of the infant carrier market. They have their stretchy jersey wrap, the Sleepy Wrap, that is meant for newborns and infants. (BTW~ I really love my Beco Butterfly and my Sleepy Wrap. Both great carriers that I recommend all the time!) The Boba is meant for use with kiddos 15lbs and up and can be used through age 4 (45lbs). So it is meant to be used later and longer.

Overall, I really like this new carrier. The Boba is soft, organic, not too bulky, and very supportive for both me and my passenger. It comes is several very earthy, organic colors. It is a great option for carrying your 11+ month old on either your front or your back. And while it probably isn't that one perfect carrier for all my carrying needs (again, that's usually my ring sling), it is still pretty great and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a comfortable 2-shoulder carrier for toddlers and bigger kids.

Let me know if you have any questions about this or any other carrier. I am always happy to share my passion for babywearing with those who are interested. Blessings to y'all!


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Happy Babywearing Week!

Hey y'all! It's International Babywearing Week! Hooray!!

To celebrate, I thought I might share some of my most recent babywearing pics. If you are posting something similar, please leave me a comment so I can come over and check out your babywearing cute-ness too!


At the Florida Gator's game last week. Caden was SO exhausted and fell asleep nursing in the sling. He is 13months and 26lbs. and can still nurse cradle-style in the sling on the go. Even at a football game, in the rain, in front of 90,000 people. :)

At the circus a few weeks ago. Caden sat in the sling for most of the second half. I got several comments from people about Caden being so content in the sling for so long. I guess that happens when he has been worn almost every day of his life so far!

At the Illinois Railway Museum for a Day Out with Thomas

My sweet little niece (and my sweet sister-in-law) enjoying their first ever sling cuddles! Hopefully they have many more to come.

Lucas wanted to wear his brother in the sling. We first tried his doll sling but Caden was WAY too big. So Lucas decided to use mine. He had a hard time standing and keeping his balance with Caden strapped to his body. But that didn't stop him. The two boys just sat in the hallway, Lucas wearing Caden in the sling. Talk about making this babywearing-mama's heart swell with pride! :)

This season of my motherhood journey has been all about transition and learning to accept myself and my family for who we are and not who I (or others) think we should be. And through this process, I am realizing more and more how grateful I am for the bond I have with my boys- a bond that has been greatly enhanced through babywearing. Lucas still asks to get in the sling now and then. And I am happy to oblige for as long as he'll let me. I love having them so close, their heads in the perfect postition for me to rest my cheek or give them a sweet kiss. I cherish my babywearing moments with my boys and I won't be giving it up until they don't fit anymore or they go off to college, whichever comes first. :)

Happy Babywearing Week! Cuddle those babies!!


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Sling Use #5,245

If your shopping cart's seat belt is broken and you have a squirmy little munchkin in the seat, just put the sling around both them and the seat back and tighten and go. :) Voila! Seatbelt. Thank heavens for my sling!

I had my first market of the season on Saturday. It went fine, I suppose. A bit disappointing, but overall OK. It is so hard for me to remove myself from the product. I put so much of my time and energy and heart into these slings. I take time away from my babies or from the sleep my body needs to sew them and make them perfect. I pray over each sling while sewing it- praying for the mama and the baby that will get to use it and enjoy it together. Then when I am at the market and people don't respond as I feel they should to this product that I value and love, I feel personally rejected. I know that is a bit dysfunctional and probably says something profound about my character flaws or overall emotional health. But, mostly it just feels like a let down to have put so much in and get so little back. Looking over my numbers from the previous two years, the market in May has historical low sales. But I was hoping for more and felt a bit let down. I had the thought while I was there that maybe I should just buy some chickens and sell eggs. The egg people seemed to be having a good day. Or maybe I should learn how to make cheese. Or handbags. Both of those items seem to be big sellers. But my heart wouldn't be in selling cheddar or tote bags. My heart is in babywearing and teaching moms about how awesome it is. I love showing a mom how to put her baby in a sling instead of that dreadful "very popular carrier that will remain unmentioned." I love to hear her say how comfortable it is and how cozy baby looks in the sling. I love teaching people about how great (and convenient) it can be to have your baby close and nurture them in that way. That is my heart. That is why I do this and not sell cage-free chicken eggs. I have to remind myself of that when the sales disappoint me. So as to not paint myself as this altruistic saint, I do this to make extra money for my family too. Which is why I get bummed on days like yesterday. Oh well, just pick up and get ready for June. Right? One silver lining.... I won't have to sew as much to get ready for my next market. :) And I spent about 5hours staring at this hottie boy in the BBQ ribs booth just across the aisle in my line of sight. I am a mother of three... I should be ashamed of myself. But if you could have seen his cute little- um, smile. :)

Anyway, I hope y'all have a great Memorial Day and celebrate our great country. And the men and women who have fought to make it so great.


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Things I have recently done while Babywearing

Cook a full Thanksgiving dinner

Decorate the house for Christmas
(and undecorate the house from Christmas)

Change a stinky diaper (or 2 or 3 or...)

Order groceries online (thank you PeaPod)

Iron fabric for slings and other sewing projects


Teach other people how to wear their babies

Participate in a Drum Circle

Clean up dog poo in the backyard

Soothe my sick toddler

Empty and reload the dishwasher

Fly to California (babywearing in the airport and on the plane too)

Attend a funeral

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Watch my Gators play football...and WIN!! HOORAY!!

Hold my toddler's hand through a very crowded museum

Play cars and pretend to be a car

And oh-so-much more....

What are some of yours? We mommies get creative and just do what we gotta do!!

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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.

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Young Babywearers

My friend Melinda over at Shore's End is starting a weekly carnival where we can all celebrate our favorite toys and even share about the one's that were not so great. So without further ado, here is my contribution to "Toy Chest Tuesday" and the culmination of my celebration of International Babywearing week.
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When Lucas was very young, 9-10months maybe, I gave him his first sling. He was very accustomed to riding in it and loved his sling time with mama. So when he got his own Lucas-sized sling, he thought it was such a great thing. He would carry EVERYTHING in that sling. He put his little puppy in the sling, he put trucks in there... basically anything he valued or wanted near him. He knew that to be carried in a sling meant something. It meant that the carrier cherished whomever he or she chose to carry and placed high value on that someone (or something) in your sling. By carrying my son, I was teaching him not only about how much I care for him but also how to care for others. Still today, at 2 1/2yrs old, he carries his treasures in the sling. These days it is Cookie Monster (whom he calls "Lisa" oddly enough) and a little lamb he calls "Sweet Little Child." He carries them to take care of them and have them near to him. He tells me, "Mommy, Sweet Little Child is feeling a little sad. She needs me to carry her in my sling." He is learning to care for someone's needs beyond his own and show compassion. What better thing could I hope for him? And if a simple toy sling helps me teach him that, then all the better. It is the perfect example of why we carry our babies. Sure we carry them for the convenience and to save our aching arms and shoulders. But mostly, I carry my sons because I cherish them and place unmeasurable value in holding them close to me. I want them with me. They belong with me. And carrying them teaches them that they are valued by me. It nurtures their little souls and gives them strength and confidence... a safe place to rest but also a secure foundation to branch out from.
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So, one of my favorite toys... yup, a precious doll sling for our little treasured ones to carry their own treasures.
Want to buy one for your child this Christmas, visit my online sling store at BabyLove Slings.

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Baby's got Back

I know I have lapsed in posting everyday during Babywearing Week. Sorry about that y'all. I got mastitis last week and had some sling work to do and was severely sleep deprived (still recovering from two out of those three). So blogging got pushed down on the to-do list.

We have been busy around here with the things of fall... football (Go Gators!!), Thanksgiving crafts, running through the leaves, colds.... you know, the basics. :) Lucas and Hubby and I did our Thanksgiving Tree this weekend and it turned out super cute. I will post pictures soon. Our next Thanksgiving craft involves felt and turkeys and possibly a snowman... more to come on that. I have been enjoying some great new blogs that I am excited to share with y'all soon.

I started wearing Caden on my back this week. Hubby helped me get him in the first time but I have done it on my own ever since then. It is nice for when I need to cook or iron slings or just for a change of routine. I think Caden still prefers the sling (although he looks pretty cozy in the picture to the left) but he is still adjusting to being on my back instead of having his head on my chest. I think back-babywearing is an essential skill to learn and feel comfortable with if you want to babywear with regularity. It is just so convenient and distributes the weight over different muscles so you don't get muscle fatigue. It is important to rotate carriers and positions used no matter what you use to wear your baby so that you don't wear yourself out. Wearing baby on your back gives you much more flexibility and freedom You can use a ring-sling for back carries (I did/do with Lucas) but it isn't comfortable for as long as my Mei Tai. Plus, I don't feel comfortable shifting Caden around my hip onto my back yet. He has pretty good head control, but I think the MeiTai provides more support for his little 3month old muscles. Next on my agenda, learning how to back wrap. I have never done it with an infant as I started wrapping late with Lucas. I'll let you know how it goes.

On a more personal level, I am feeling a little overwhelmed these days. It is the old "jack of all trades, master of none" syndrome. I am back to work and trying to build my tiny business and re-order my home and just get life back under control. Lucas' behavior can be a bit challenging these days and Caden is awake more and more during the day. All this combines to mean less free time for mommy (unless you count betweem 10pm and midnight- thus the sleep deprivation) and less time to get everything done that I need to get done. I found these great blogs about simplifying your life and getting things in order and I am trying to implement some of their suggestions. But, ironically, it takes having some free time to sit and think things through to make necessary adjustments and put strategies in place. Hubby and I are doing some hard-core budgeting and financial restructuring. We have never been super-good at that but we are really trying this time. I would love to see my sling business and this blog grow a bit and provide a bit more income but I don't seem to have the time or resources to figure out how to make that happen. And in the midst of it all, I have this list of things I want to do with Lucas and with Caden and for myself or my home.... I feel like I am trying to be too many things at once and am not really succeeding at any of them. My boys, my business, my marriage, my sanity... all in need of some TLC.
All you other moms out there that have it all figured out, shine some of that wisdom my way.
And now, it is once again 11pm and I still have to pump so Caden has some nourishment (he is not a huge fan of the bottle- he holds out until I get home) while I am being "nurse Farrah" tomorrow and Grandma is watching the boys.

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My sling is best, hands down!!

You can't be a babywearing blogger and not respond to this...




It is more than a bit ridiculous for Motrin to put out such an outrageous ad. I mean, who do they think is going to watch that and say "yeah, you're right. Babywearing is painful so I think I'll go take some Motrin." All they have done is piss off a fairly powerful group of moms who are fighting back in full force.
I just had to laugh when I saw the clip. Especially the line "supposedly, it is a real bonding experience." Wow. Kinda a low blow.
I am joining in with all my babywearing friends in standing up and saying it is NOT o.k. for companies to mock babywearing/motherhood and say thing that are very untrue. It would be like Victoria's Secret releasing an ad saying "don't breastfeed- the bras are horendous and it makes your boobs saggy." While those things may actually be more true than some of the things stated in the Motrin ad, it is still angering the entire demographic you are trying to market to and degrading something we all hold in high esteem- being a mother and doing what is best for our kids. It is not about looking cool or about being in fashion. Those things are great bonuses and I happen to think that babywearing IS fashionable. I can't think of a better accessory than my little Caden's cheeks. But it IS about being a mom and knowing what is best for our children. And what is best for MY babies and for me is my sling. Hands down.
They seem to be sorry about it, but unfortunately the damage may have already been done. You don't insult a mom for nurturing he babies and then ask her to buy your product. And who controls most family budgets and buys the products used to take care of the family?.... Yeah, bad move, Motrin. Someone is going to get fired over this one. That seems pretty clear.

And just for the record, babywearing is NOT painful. Carrying that blasted infant carseat is painful. Juggling your toddler and your grocery bags without dropping either... painful. Listening to baby cry while you are trying to cook dinner knowing that all baby needs is to be held close to mommy... painful. What is the fix? Certainly not a pain reliever. It is a sling. And that is the truth.

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Babywearing in Cold Weather

Wearing your baby in cold weather can be a little tricky. How do you wear a coat? Does baby wear a coat? I don't profess to be an expert on the topic, but I can tell you what I do. And it seems to work pretty well.

During the chilly temps of fall, I put the sling on and then put on my sweater or vest. That way, I can pop baby in and out of the sling without having to take my sweater off. Also, I can button my sweater/coat around Caden in the sling to give him an added layer of warmth. Lately, I have been putting a coat on him so that I can pull the hood over his head. It is getting downright cold here, y'all! I am SO not ready for winter.

I am also a huge fan of BabyLegs. If baby's legs are sticking out of the sling (like Caden's in the picture above), it can cause their little pants to ride up a bit. Putting the BabyLegs leg warmers on gives their legs another layer and prevents any exposed leg which could make them cold. In my opinion, BabyLegs (or equivalent leg warmers) are a cold-weather babywearing must!

When it gets REALLY cold outside, the same principles apply. Just substitute heavy winter coat for sweater and make sure baby has a hat and coat on while in the sling. Admittedly, I don't always put his heavy coat on. If we are running errands and will be inside more than out, I don't want him to get too hot while we are inside plus I don't want to take him out of the sling to take his coat off. So, I have been known to just put a warm hat on baby and drape his coat over him on top of the sling. That way, he is protected from the wind and cold but I can take it off while we are in the store or whatever to prevent overheating. If we are going to be outside more (ie: zoo, park, etc..), then I do put his coat on to keep him more cozy.

I hope you are getting a picture in your mind of what I am describing. Remember that your body heat will keep baby plenty warm and baby's body heat will do the same for you. With a little extra protection from the cold, both of you will be nice and toasty and not have to sacrifice any of the babywearing snuggles. Plus, you won't have to lug that dreadful carseat around. Just pop you baby in the sling and you are good to go!

Wearing baby on your back is a little more tricky during the winter. To do that, you would have to get one of those babywearing poncho things that have a cutout for baby's head. They look nifty and seem very practical. If you were gonna be outside for a long time in cold weather, it might be worth the cost to keep you and baby extra warm. I have never used one so I can't comment too much on it. Maybe I'll ask for one for Christmas...

I'm happy to provide extra advice and/or pictures if people are interested. Just comment here or send me an e-mail. I am having fun reading all the babywearing posts this week and getting mail/comments from all y'all. Keep 'em comin'!!

I hope this helps you stay warm as you cuddle your babies all winter long!

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A Mommy's Eye View

Just a little peak at my viewpoint of sweet little Caden, napping in the sling. There are few things more calming for me than to cuddle my sleeping baby and listen to his precious baby noises. I love when he sleeps with his mouth open and when he laughs in his sleep. Holding him close in my sling as he sleeps is one of my favorite things about babywearing. It soothes us both! How could you not love those cheeks! :)

I know I promised to post about babywearing in cold weather and tips for wearing your toddler. But that will have to wait until after my nap. Everyone in my house is asleep right now (hubby and dog included) and I have been up since 2:30am with one boy or the other. So I need some sleep. More babywearing blogging later....must close my eyes....
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Check out more Wordful Wednesday at Angie's Circus.

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Also check out more Babywearing Bloggers at Adventures in Babywearing. We are all celebrating International Babywearing Week.

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Hodge-Podge

I want to keep posting babywearing pics and info for the next few days as a continued celebration of International Babywearing week. But, I also have a few more things to share so this is going to be a hodge-podge post... lots of different things put together.

This is another of my most recent favorite babywearing pictures. Here Caden is in my stretchy Sleepywrap (yesterday's pic was of my Ellaroo woven wrap). You wouldn't know I am mainly a ring-sling girl by the pictures I have shared so far. But I love this picture because, although it may be hard to see, Caden's eyes are focused on his mama. He is cuddled close and content, staring up at me. What a perfect place to be! I am about to cook dinner in this picture which brings me to my second favorite thing about babywearing- I can cuddle my babe and get things done at the same time. I can cook, wash dishes, play cars with Lucas, breastfeed, walk the dog, blog, answer the phone (or at least check the caller-id to see if I want to answer it), ... and any number of other things too! I give Caden (and Lucas) the mommy-time they need while being able to accomplish other things too. Sometimes, for me, the challenge becomes giving myself and Caden some non-on-the-go bonding time where I make myself actually sit and enjoy the 20min of nursing looking right in his eyes instead of trying to do too much at the same time. But there are times when you just can't help it. The baby needs to eat and the dog need to pee and Lucas is melting down out of hunger all at the same time. Where is my sling?!?!

And beyond just celebrating babywearing, today I am celebrating my littlest boy. My sweet little snuggle-bug is 3months old today! Oh, where is the time going?! He loves to "stand" in my lap. His little face lights up when Hubby or Lucas or I sit by him and talk to him and play. He has the most precious smile and laugh of any baby around. And when I lean in to kiss his sweet neck and cheeks, he grabs my hair or puts his hands on my cheek. He is truly an adorable little guy who makes me smile all day long.

And because I feel like this blog has been particularly Caden-heavy lately, here is one of my recent favs of my sweet little Lucas. He has the amazing ability to be both 100% the cutest and the most exasperating kids I have ever known. He is verbal beyond his 2+ years and comes up with some of the most hilarious things. Remind me to tell you what he says (totally unprompted) about Barack Obama sometime... you will crack up!

Tonight, we made play-dough thanks to some inspiration from a fellow mommy-blogger. Lucas thought it was WAY cool to cook play-dough on the stove. My hands turned all different colors from the food-coloring and this made Lucas laugh. "Mommy, your hands look like rainbows!"

My next craft attempt with him is going to be a "Thanksgiving Tree." A friend of mine did it with her daughter last year and I just today saw a post that reminded me of the idea. I am excited to try it.

Some of you have commented or sent me e-mails asking about wearing toddlers and how to babywear in colder weather. Thanks so much for your questions. I will post about that tomorrow. And keep the questions coming. :)

I conclude this hodge-podge post with a salute to all the veterans who have given so much for our country. I am grateful for your courage and sacrifice. I am most proud of my dad, who has given his whole life in service to his country and his family. Thank you Dad, for all you have done and the legacy of strength and honor you are for my boys.

Happy Veteran's Day Y'all!! Hug your favorite Vet today!

And don't forget to check back here everyday this week for more babywearing celebration.

Random enough for ya'?

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Celebrating the Snuggles

This week is International Babywearing Week (Nov.12-18) sponsored by Babywearing International, Inc. and TheBabywearer.com. Their theme this year is "Celebrate Babywearing." If you know me at all, you know I am all about celebrating babywearing. As my way of joining in the celebration, I am going to (try to) post a different babywearing picture everyday and talk about something else that I love about wearing my babies. If you have a question about babywearing that you would like me to talk about or a specific carrier you would like me to show/discuss, just comment here or shoot me an e-mail.

The thing I love the most about babywearing, having my babies close to me. I love feeling their skin on my skin, hearing their soft precious breaths. I love when they lay their head against my chest or my shoulders and I can feel them let their body fully relax and bask in the comfort of being close to mom. I love when Caden lays his cheek against my chest with eyes wide open and learns about the world from the safety of Mom's embrace. Isn't that what we as moms want to give our children- the ability to experience life but with the knowledge that we are always there to support and uplift them? Having my boys in the sling, to me, is such a perfect picture of the type of mom I strive to be. I love that when Lucas and Caden cannot be soothed any other way, I can put them in the sling and give them a safe and secure place to calm their little souls. And yes, I still put Lucas in the sling (all 35lbs. of him). He still wants/needs it at times. It is not a lot or for long periods of time (I use other carriers for longer wearing with him). But the moments I do wear him are moments I cherish. It reminds us both of how we are deeply connected no matter what happens the rest of the day. That I care for him, that I cherish him, and that I will ALWAYS be there to meet his needs in anyway I can from now to forever. And by wearing Caden, I am teaching him that those things are true for him too.

Beyond the convenience of my sling, it is a tool I use to help me nurture my boys. To hold them close, cherish the snuggles while I can and lay the foundation of love and nurturing that will hopefully last their entire lifetime.

That is one reason I celebrate babywearing. But there are many other reasons too. And we can talk about those this week. Why do you wear your babies? I would love to know as we celebrate together this week.

Check out more Babywearing Bloggers @ Adventures in Babywearing.

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SHOP BABYLOVE SLINGS to cherish the snuggles with your baby.

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It's still Fall, Y'all!!

Lucas' painting of "Falling Leaves" I, of course, drew the bare tree at his request and he painted all the leaves. I think it is truly beautiful. This is one for the memory book!

The air is crisp, we have had our first flurries, and Thanksgiving is right around the corner. I have packed up all the shorts (although we are supposed to get to mid 70's today) and have started to make Christmas lists. We are in the thick of fall and winter is on it's way. All the more reason to celebrate fall while it is here.

Over at my little sling business, BabyLove Slings, I am officially launching my new fall fabrics- 6 beautiful new slings that are sure to catch your eye and everyone else's too. I chose fabrics that beautifully represent the colors of the season. I love them and now I want to introduce them to you so that you can love them too.

(left) Pink Sunrise


(right) Winter's Embrace

(left) Harvest Splendor


(right) Falling Leaves








(left) Summer's End


(right) Serenity




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Do you love them? Well, if nothing there suits your fancy, I have a ton of other slings left from this summer that are still available. Still nothing? I always welcome specific fabric requests if there is something in particular you are looking for.
To entice you even further, I am offering an amazing discount this week- a little online sling party. As a prelude to the events I have coming up in the next few weeks, I am hosting an online party to extend the fun and savings to my bloggy friends. I am offering 20% all orders over $40 AND free shipping for this week only (the offer will expire Friday at midnight)! Use code "FallParty" to get your discount and "FreeShip" to get the free shipping.
And just like any other kind of party, an online party is more fun if you invite your friends. If you have a blog and would like to post about my slings and the discount this week, I will give you an extra discount. Just leave a comment with the link and I will send you the code. Even if you don't have a blog, you can e-mail at least 4friends and copy me on the e-mail and get your extra savings that way. Or tell your Facebook friends too... whatever helps get the word out!!
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Thanks y'all for supporting me and my little creative outlet. The little bit of profit I do make helps me be able to stay home with my boys and be the pseudo-attachment/babywearing/overly proud mama that I am and love to be. I am going back to my part-time job as a nurse tomorrow which I am pretty anxious about. Not my job, I actually enjoy it, but the leaving. But I digress...
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Enjoy fall y'all, while it is still here. Strap on your babies and go for a walk or jump in the leaves. Cherish the moment. Blessings!!
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Click here to start your shopping!!!

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