Adventures in Babywearing

the fru fru tu tu

jsprecourt@yahoo.com (Adventures In Babywearing) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Ivy

is

t e n m o n t h s o l d

today!
I can't believe it.

Can you, Ivy LaRue?

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Theme From The Bottom

jsprecourt@yahoo.com (Adventures In Babywearing) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:00:00 +0000

Ivy's been wearing cloth diapers for about 7 months now. I thought I'd give you a little update since our maiden voyage post.

This is our current stash... If you click on over to flickr you can see more detailed photos describing each diaper.

At last count, we regularly use 11 Bum Genius 3.0, 1 organic Bum Genius w/snaps, and 2 GroBaby diapers with four inserts. I purchased all of these on my own, by the way. But if someone wants to send me some for free I might not say no. : )

Also on hand are several unbleached Indian prefolds and 1 Bumkins contour diaper that Bumkins did send for me to try. I do like it vs. a regular prefold and it works great with our Whisper Wrap or Thirsties cover.

My very favorite of all are the GroBaby. In our experience, they are the most absorbent and I don't even use the booster pad with it. She has never leaked in them at night (or day). They also make great swim diapers! (We used them at the beach.) When washing, I do wash them with all the other diapers, but I hang dry the outer shell (it dries super fast). The soaker inserts do take longer to dry, so I usually dry them with the other diapers and then hang dry for the rest of the time. Something I like a lot about the GroBaby diaper is that usually you can re-use the outer shell a couple different changes just by un-snapping the insert and snapping in a new one.

My second favorite is the organic Bum Genius with snaps. This is an all-in one diaper. There are no inserts or pockets. I have found it to be more absorbent than the non-organic Bum Genius diapers. And I do prefer the snaps vs. Velcro closures.

My third favorite is the regular Bum Genius 3.0. They have been great diapers and are so easy to use. I do use the extra newborn insert for nighttime as I am more likely to have leaks if I don't. I have noticed the Velcro to be less adhesive over time.

My fourth favorite (and probably most economical) is to use the Bumkins Contour with the Bummis Whisper Wrap, which you can re-use a few times. The Contour diaper does need a little extra drying time, too.

For storing dirty diapers, I have a large wetbag and smaller one for out and about. I don't always use them. Sometimes since I know I will be washing them right away, I put them in a basket and take them down to my laundry area where I have a basket or pile for them. If I know I won't be able to tend to the stinkies right away, putting them in the wet bag is best.

I wash with a cold rinse first, then wash hot (adding in Maggie's Soap Nuts) and then a cold rinse. I dry normally (except for the GroBaby diapers as mentioned above.)

I love Bummas cloth wipes as well as just regular baby wash cloths, and I throw in and rinse/wash with the diapers.

Even after seven months of washing diapers every few days I still enjoy it so much. They are fun. Diapers are fun! And pretty! And look at that cute bum!

What have I forgotten? I'll answer your questions and respond to your tips in the comments below.

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My Shiny Fridge Baby

jsprecourt@yahoo.com (Adventures In Babywearing) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 20:56:00 +0000

So I haven't filled you in on how I am loving my new fridge. It's been living with us almost a month already now! The last time I blogged about it, I was most concerned with what we would find underneath our old one. Well, to my surprise, it was just lots and lots of dust. That's it! Oh, and a bunch of LeapFrog letter magnets.

The delivery men were so nice and accommodating. They allowed us to vacuum up the dust and clean the area before installing the new fridge (The Frigidaire Gallery.) They even let me take their picture in front of it. I'll return their kindness and not post it here.

I was able to immediately start stocking it with cold items and was encouraged to do so as it would help the fridge cool down faster. It's lovely. Really, it is. I'm still re-arranging the inside of the fridge part here and there to get just the right fit. I am SO thankful to have two refrigerators (we put our old one in the garage) especially with the party yesterday. I do think a larger family can benefit greatly from having an extra fridge and/or freezer.

Aside from a screechy top drawer and the fact that my other appliances pale in comparison to the Gallery's beauty, I see no flaws yet. Only fluffy fridgy goodness.

We do distill our water, but the special "best in class ice & water filtration" system is a nice back up when I just sat down and the kids ask for a glass of water. They can reach their cups and now they can easily get their own ice and water straight from the fridge door. Frigidaire's main focus with giving it to me in the first place was to showcase the time saving features and I will say just that alone has been a nice time (and sanity!) saver.

[Now, if only it had a built-in diswasher. And personal chef.]

And something I just realized, while admiring this now almost one-month old ~~baby~~ fridge... I hardly ever have to wipe away fingerprints. The outside has been incredibly easy to keep clean, which I am quite surprised about. There was also one time that Gray got a little too excited with the ice dispenser and then overflowed his glass of water straight down the door onto the floor. And even then it didn't streak.

And my floor needed the wash anyway.

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My Own Private Perfection

jsprecourt@yahoo.com (Adventures In Babywearing) — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 17:00:00 +0000

Yesterday I stood in a long line for one-dollar sub sandwiches and then ran into Kmart for the skateboard Carter had his eye on. I was waiting until payday. It was $13.

I got home and put out the sandwiches only to realize that I forgot to get one for Gray. Thankfully he doesn't eat the bread and I had the ingredients in my own sandwich and the rest in the fridge to make a pretty convincing mock-up. He never had a clue.

I spent the entire day washing veggies and preparing food for the birthday party. It was one of those rare moments in time where I found enjoyment in every single task, and everything turned out exactly as it should. Even hubby had finished with the grill just as the final dish was set out and our guests were ready to eat.

[Our plates and cloth napkins didn't match and I did have to wash the forks again before dessert. But I love the quirkiness. I wouldn't do it any other way.]

[The hot potato salad that everyone loved. I doubled this recipe and only had 1 packet of ranch so I added a packet of Tastefully Simple Savory Cheese dip as a substitute. Divine.]

[Carter read each card out loud. Really loud.]

[He asked for brownies instead of cake. I also served mini pound cakes with fresh strawberries & blueberries topped with whipped cream.]

Not everything was "perfect"...

I realized I forgot the candle when Carter said to me, "Now Mommy, you didn't forget my candle now, did you?" And so a quick call to Mimi had that taken care of (she was already picking up the frozen pink lemonade I'd also forgotten for the punch.)

I did buy balloons. And forgot to 1.) blow them up and 2.) put them out.

When searching for the allergy medicine for a guest our hall closet might have thrown up on me. I quickly shoved everything back in and managed to get it shut again, with a little shoulder/half body slam.

I totally cheated and copied our entire menu (aside from dessert) from Amy's birthday post earlier this week. Seriously, the punch and the potato salad I could probably live on. And maybe had for breakfast this morning.

I still have eleventymillion dishes to wash. I do not have a dishwasher.

I later found Carter outside practicing his skateboard. "I'm not really good at it yet, Mommy. I'm a little wobbly. But I'll keep trying."

Oh, kid... me too. Me too.

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Nekkid

jsprecourt@yahoo.com (Adventures In Babywearing) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 21:09:00 +0000

[See. I don't always wear my baby.]

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seven on seven ten

jsprecourt@yahoo.com (Adventures In Babywearing) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 07:20:00 +0000

When I was pregnant with you I ate green grapes and celery. Lots of celery.

We bought a new car right before you were born. And I remember that because right afterward we went to the mall so I could get a new pair of shoes. (Daddy got a new car = Mommy got new shoes. It was a fair trade to me!) And then I think we went to meet friends and saw one of the Star Wars movies. I don't remember which one- they were all the same and I'm sure I could look it up but I'm not kidding anyone here.

I think we were most surprised with you, out of all our babies, because you were a whopper at almost 10 lbs. Especially since the Dr. guessed you were about 7lbs less than 24 hours before.

You broke your collar bone coming out and I'm pretty sure this will be a story you'll tell often someday.
You've taught me recently that if I make peanut-butter sandwiches or mashed potatoes (or both if it's a banner day) then I am the Best Mommy In The Whole World.

(The secret is that it's not the making of those things, it's the knowing that those things mean so much to you.)

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I love loving.

jsprecourt@yahoo.com (Adventures In Babywearing) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 05:00:00 +0000

I love puddles that don't go un-splashed and those first few drinks from a can of a Coca-Cola.

I love skirts that go past my knees, the Eiffel Tower, and when my hair touches my bare shoulders.

I love chubby baby haunches, player-pianos, and the look in an eye.

I love the tippy tappy tapping of the keyboard on a quiet morning, new shoes, and muffins and real butter.

I love Kids Eat Free night, folk songs, and forgiveness.

You know, the simple things.

Ivy's shoes are part of the new toddler collection by the eco-friendly Simple®, made with recycled and sustainable materials. They sent us this adorable pair (and we've already tested the eco-certified washable suede... the mud wiped right off and they look like new) and are offering 10% off your first purchase if you use code Simplemommy.

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Sometimes Being Late Is Right On Time

jsprecourt@yahoo.com (Adventures In Babywearing) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:39:00 +0000

I am right on schedule to make us late for the park today, as usual. A rare moment of all my early bird children playing together nicely is a cause for me to sneak in some laptop time. In full view of a well-worn kitchen and laundry folded on my couch. Hey- it's folded.

Today I was supposed to be at a blogger event for Sears Holding Company/Kmart Designs but it interfered with me being a Mom. I did drive out to the cocktail dinner yesterday and it was so fun. It has me aching for BlogHer. I enjoy hanging out with other bloggers so much- especially the delightful and engaging people I was with last night. I was sad to say goodbye. I almost went to a late movie with Erica, Lori, Christine, & Gabrielle but I wasn't in the mood to be THAT Mom with her baby in a movie theatre ten o'clock at night.

I was already THAT Mom just by bringing a baby to the party where everyone was cherishing time away from their kids, and by letting her growl and fuss and throw pretzel sticks at the bus boy. Complete with me sitting in the middle of the room in my skirt and allowing her to crawl all over me and nurse and then trample on everyone's feet. (And try to take a bite of some feet.)

[Baby Jude's tasty feet.]

But her cuteness seemed to trump any annoyances.

[psst you might want to be following @kmartdesign for some goodies up ahead]

So, I would have loved to hang out late with the girls last night but I am so glad I got home in time to be a better Mom today. I seriously wish I was at the summit, and the Sears Holding Company was crazy wonderfully accommodating, but I just couldn't work it out with the four kids and my rule is that if Daddy can't stay with them, I don't go.

And we're already late for the park...

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Power Crawl And A Good Blow-Kiss

jsprecourt@yahoo.com (Adventures In Babywearing) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 13:37:00 +0000

Ivy has this crawl that is like a freight train with no brakes. She was chugging along like crazy until I got the camera out. So I tried to bait her into doing it, and it worked. Until she tried to eat the bait.

Ivy's Power Crawl from Stephanie Precourt on Vimeo.

And she does tricks! Wait for it... wait for it... it's worth it. If you watch until the end she gives me a high-five and blows a kiss.

A Good Blow-Kiss from Stephanie Precourt on Vimeo.

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potato, potahto

jsprecourt@yahoo.com (Adventures In Babywearing) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:47:00 +0000

I put Ivy in the church nursery yesterday!

Ok, the whole truth? I stayed in there, too.

It was the first Sunday I was scheduled to serve in there as a nursery worker and my main job turned out to be keeping Ivy away from the other babies. Even though she was the youngest and obviously the cutest (heheh just kidding) (oh no I did not just say that outloud) she was a terror. Thankfully everyone made it out alive and mostly unharmed.

I'm still kind of new-ish at our church, meeting people a little more as I go and when it was revealed that I don't even have a crib for Ivy at home, the other ladies looked at each other and were like, oh that explains a lot.

"That's not good." and "No wonder she's so attached to you." And they gave each other looks and muttered I could never do that.

Normally, despite how comfortable I am about our parenting choices, this would have stung at least a little. I might try to laugh it off or defend myself politely and informatively.

But this day? I didn't feel a thing and I didn't say a word.

And my reaction, or non-reaction as it so happened, felt kinda good.

I didn't need to explain myself or rattle off the benefits of attachment parenting. These people obviously think differently and that's ok. That's their thing. I do my thing. You do your thing.

How silly that I ever let myself feel anything about it otherwise.

It was awesome.

Ivy loved her first fourth of July, including the fireworks. Especially the fireworks.

We had such a splendid time that I didn't even think about interrupting the moment by digging my camera out from the bottom of my bag in the dark and trying to get the perfect picture.

Who am I kidding? Of course I dug out my camera and caught what I could of those moments of wonder.

It was awesome.

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Boom Boom Pow

jsprecourt@yahoo.com (Adventures In Babywearing) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 05:00:00 +0000

[Boys live here.]

I can not believe that a whole month of summer vacation is already over. And next month school will be starting again. Boom.

I have something going on almost every single day of July. Including BlogHer. Boom.

And in two months this child will be one year old. Pow.

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Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty...

jsprecourt@yahoo.com (Adventures In Babywearing) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:43:00 +0000

I was so angry.

I had just gotten Ivy to sleep and the boys woke her up from how loud they were yelling and screaming OUTSIDE.

Scooping her up from my bed, I stormed down the stairs and gave her to Daddy so that I could run back upstairs with a mean mom face to punish the boys with an early bedtime.

All that time spent getting her to sleep, wasted. And when I was done it wasn't like I had time for myself or something fun to do. Nooo. I had a kitchen to clean up and things to put away and the garbage was full and so I let cabinets slam shut and moved about all loudly.

I took so many deep breaths I almost passed out.

Hurrying to get another load of laundry going before Ivy needed me again, my swift motions knocked down a lamp in the doorway and its glass shade broke in a bunch of pieces on the cold basement floor. I got angry about that- now I had to clean THAT up and it wasn't even something I broke on purpose or could have the joy of breaking.

I only had the joy of using my broom for the fiftieth time that day.

I heard the back door close and thought who is out of bed?! I rushed to find out it was just hubby, taking Ivy outside while he practiced his golf swing. He called to me and I huffily responded, What?

He pointed into the yard, where a large mother bunny sat atop the nest that's been there a couple weeks now. She went about her business, cleaning herself, tending to the babies, not minding at all that we were just feet away from her. So we sat and we watched her.

I had heard that the mother bunny secretly keeps an eye on her nest when we're around, but we won't see her. Maybe she knew we were safe. Maybe she saw me keeping the kids from poking lightsabers at the hole. Maybe she saw me checking every morning for fur on the nest, a sign the she had come in the night.

We sat and let the baby crawl and throw golf balls around and we watched the rabbit lay over the nest... I assume she was nursing the babies underneath. She let us observe her so long that soon it was too chilly to stay outside. I still had dishes to wash by hand and four hundred baskets of clothes to fold and put away but I was no longer angry.

We left her to be alone with her family. And went inside to ours.

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Little Foodie

jsprecourt@yahoo.com (Adventures In Babywearing) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:07:00 +0000

Ivy likes to eat food. A lot. I don't usually have babies eat so much (apart from breastmilk) this young, but some days she's absolutely ravenous and crawls like a crazychild for the fridge when she sees it open, and she already knows how to get into the snack cabinet. (She's nine and a half months old, people!)

Her favorites so far are blueberries, pasta salad, spaghetti, and cupcakes.
[of course.]

You better give me a cupcake or I oughtta...

She can make some faces, I tell you.

I don't even know what to call this one...

From a blueberry! (Similar to the blackberry incident.) I can't wait to give her a lemon.

[Well, I'll tell you a secret- Ivy actually makes that face even when she's not eating something sour. She just knows it makes us laugh. But I don't let her know I'm on to her.]

Graco gave us this highchair, the awesome Blossom 4-in-1 Seating System a few months ago and offered to give one away here. It's been an incredible blessing and time saver with the easy-removable top tray and amazing wipe-able seats that even berries haven't stained. It also is pretty much part Transformer as you can turn it from highchair to booster and then youth chair.

[side note: of course the fact that it matches my living room and fits in like a piece of furniture and not another in-the-way primary-colored baby gadget is a huge bonus, too.]

If you'd like to win a Blossom 4-in-1 [$179.99!], just leave a comment here. I'll choose a winner sometime after 11:59 pm Monday July 6.

Contest has ended. Congrats to commenter #57 (Anonymous but with an email address... yay!)

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For Lynda

jsprecourt@yahoo.com (Adventures In Babywearing) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 05:11:00 +0000

Did I ever tell you that she was the first person to show me how to use a sling?

I stopped her at a natural parenting meeting the night I went into labor with Gray. I took my very first sling with me and asked her how to use it. I had already planned another hospital birth, but I knew if I had another baby, it would be a homebirth and Lynda would be my midwife.

The moment I found out I was pregnant with Ivy, I called her immediately. She was the first person I told. Later on I'd change my mind and decide to go with my OB and have the baby in the hospital. But then (as she secretly predicted) I changed my mind back and wanted to have my homebirth. To this day I still think it's one of the best decisions we ever made.

I was so nervous, calling her and asking if she'd take me back. And she said I knew you'd be calling me again. Then I had to break up with my OB.

I listened to everything she told me. During one of my last visits with her, before Ivy was born, she shared her story. Her Story. About how she lived in Texas as a young girl and in highschool had a friend who became pregnant and was sent away. She went to visit her and met the "granny midwives" that would soon teach her everything... and there she attended her first births and caught her first baby.

Ivy was number 1,631.

She was an old-school hippie midwife, which is exactly what I wanted. I felt like no matter what happened, she'd know what to do. She would show the boys all her tools and let them listen through her stethoscope. She showed me how Ivy kept her hand by her face in the womb. And I would hear her laughing about it in my head "she's already a drama queen!" after Ivy was born and she'd sleep with one hand posing on her face.

I am having a hard time understanding how just 9 and a half months ago she was right here in my home, here in my bedroom, guiding me through Ivy's amazing birth. She was alive. She was fine. She appeared to be fine. And just like that, she's gone.

Lynda passed away Monday night.

I see her every time I look at Ivy. It's so hard to truly describe how I felt about Lynda. It's like when you go through a dramatic event in your life and you will always remember who you were with at that moment. You will forever be bonded from sharing that experience. Or something like that.

She was so special, and more than the average special person. She gave so much. She asked for so little in return.

I am so honored and thankful that I had the opportunity to know Lynda. I hope that if you didn't have that chance, that you can feel her touch and hear her laughter and know her now through my words, and through my Ivy or one of the other many lives she put her heart into.

I regret not hearing more of her stories. I only have a small video clip from Ivy's birth, but it's just enough to hear Lynda's voice and see Ivy in her hands...

Everything is just covered in sad. It is such a tremendous loss. She can never be forgotten.

[There was already a fund set up for her, and I know her family could use every little bit, even one dollar. And I understand if you can't because I don't have anything extra to give as things are tighter than tight, but if you feel so moved, you can donate via PayPal, payable to info@indianabirthchoices.com .]

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Quite The Caboose, And My Puppet Voice

jsprecourt@yahoo.com (Adventures In Babywearing) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Ivy is coasting with one hand these days. I see it in her eyes- that determination to take those first steps but she just isn't ready to let go. I know the feeling.

Here's a taste if you can avoid being distracted by her giant bottom and my awful puppet voice. (Earlier she was cracking up when I made the turtle sneeze and then I tried again on camera and it was just not happening.)

Ivy Coasting from Stephanie Precourt on Vimeo.

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And just like that I locked my baby in the car.

jsprecourt@yahoo.com (Adventures In Babywearing) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 05:13:00 +0000

Ka-thunk.

That's the sound the door made as it closed and locked Ivy in the car, sleeping soundly in her carseat. My purse and keys and iPhone right next to her.

It's also the sound of my heart dropping through my legs and out my toes and although this happened a couple days ago, I am still a little shaky. I can't believe I am sharing it here. I am embarrassed and ashamed and still feel the worst kind of awful that I let it happen at all.

I was in the grocery store parking lot and things were going well- I even remembered my list! And, like always, I put on the Ergo before getting Ivy out of her seat. But while I do that I put my purse down and have a habit of locking the car just before I put Ivy in the sling. This day, the car next to me was trying to leave and so I tried to move the door to keep it out of their way, but then it just closed completely.

I immediately knew what had happened and tried the handle. Locked.

I turned and tapped frantically on the windows of the car next to me. I need to use your cell phone! I've locked my baby in the car. Thank GOD every person in this country has a cell phone.

The couple in the car were SO NICE and helped me call Jeff and arrange for him to unlock the car (we live only about 5 minutes away.) In the meantime, they insisted on waiting until he arrived and the guy also ran inside the store to see if they had wire coat hangers just in case.

I stood by her door, praising God for our tinted windows and that it wasn't as hot as it had been earlier in the week. Still, it was in the 70's with the sun shining bright. She slept there in her seat, unaware. And I could not get to her.

I was sick with regret and shame and tried to keep myself together. How could I let this happen?

Jeff was there quickly- she was inside about 15 minutes total but when I opened the door her face was flushed and her head was quite sweaty. If I knew it would have taken even one minute more, I would have called 911.

I urge you to do the same. Because like I said, it was a nice day, not too hot, but that car heated up so fast.

I still am replaying it through my head and can't figure out why it made me feel like all the blood had been drained from my body. I am so thankful that everything is ok and to some I am probably freaking out way too much. I could have broken a window if I needed to, I could have gotten to her sooner by damaging the car (which I would have done) but it was still traumatic.

I felt like a bad parent, to tell you the truth.

I felt like I would be setting myself up for judgment by whoever finds out about this.

You who read my words here every day know how much I love my children. I'm careful and cautious and loving and aware. But these things still could happen no matter how much you love them. Accidents happen. Close calls happen.

I felt judged while I stood there next to my car, helpless, waiting for the key. I just did what I could do, I did my best for that moment, even though I was in my worst.

She slept through it all, and will not remember this.

I wish I could say the same for myself. Heart, beat normal again soon, please?

Ka-thunk.

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The Boys & Ivy

jsprecourt@yahoo.com (Adventures In Babywearing) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 05:00:00 +0000

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What To Do If Your Child Swallows A Penny

jsprecourt@yahoo.com (Adventures In Babywearing) — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 11:42:00 +0000

Oh dear.

I am actually surprised we've made it this far with four kids and the oldest being eight- and none of them has swallowed something not meant to be swallowed. Until Monday.

The boys had just been put to bed and I heard a little coughing from Gray. Soon he was out of his bed asking for some water because his throat hurt a little because a penny went down into my tummy, Mommy.

I got all shaky and gave him a cup of water, quizzing him- are you sure? Was it only a penny? How many? Just one. Okay. Only one? Only one. Okay.

I almost twittered about it but wasn't sure I was up for the judgment or being scared into rushing to the ER. So like most good parents (nervous laugh heheheh), I went straight to Google. (There's actually a pretty good chance that someone reading this right now found me by googling the same thing. Hi!)

It was a relief to find that this is quite common (I even think I swallowed a coin when I was little. My Uncle Randy swallowed a HAT PIN when he was little and my Mom ate glass, or drank gasoline, or both.)

I even came upon an old blogging acquaintance's post about this very thing. And it made me feel much better. Further googling and scouring of doctor's suggestions on the matter left me eager for a little bit of a treasure hunt in Gray's pull-up for days to come. (Oh, and yes he's still in pull-ups but that's for another post.)

Of course I watched his every movement and facial expression and skin color closely and made sure he didn't show any signs of acting stranger than he already does. The next couple days he was fine and went fine with no signs of the penny. I thought that if within four or five days it hadn't come out that I would take him to the doctor, just in case.

On Thursday I was getting anxious about it and remembered a hilarious story some friends told me about Fiber One bars and what they have been known do to the digestive system... so for one last try I bought a box.

We got home and I gave him the yummy treat- he didn't need much convincing because it was chocolate- and he ate it up.

Later that day I smelled its success and was excited to see the results. I'll spare you the unpleasant details but let's just say that we hit the jackpot. There was the penny. Right next to ANOTHER PENNY.

Those Fiber One Bars really paid off.

We're in the trenches of getting a very strong-willed child to go on the potty consistently and the past few days he's now even more excited to go on the potty because every time he thinks he'll find more pennies!

Those Fiber One Bars are really paying off...

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Near, Far

jsprecourt@yahoo.com (Adventures In Babywearing) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:57:00 +0000

I chickened out and couldn't leave her in the nursery at church this week. Again.

I just can't do it.

She belongs with me.
For now.

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it's so hawt

jsprecourt@yahoo.com (Adventures In Babywearing) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:08:00 +0000

It's so hot here that my camera keeps fogging up when I try to take pictures at the park!

So we're staying cool on the merry go round.

You know my first sling maker Kim of KimzKreations? Well, she makes beautiful solarveil slings perfect for summer and water. The solarveil offers up some protection from the sun and is also very lightweight on a hot summer day.

She sent me a new one in pink for Ivy just because and it's already on loan for a friend to try out at the beach, so I didn't get a photo in it yet (but you can see me wearing my black one she gave me, also out on loan, here with Gray.)

Kim's such a giver (like me, apparently!) and she wants to make one for you using a pair of very special rings she has, and you can choose from several fabric colors if you win.

Just leave a comment here if you'd like to win! I'll choose one winner at random sometime after 11:59 pm Monday June 29.

Contest has ended. Congrats to The Thatcher Family!

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Mind Reader

jsprecourt@yahoo.com (Adventures In Babywearing) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:43:00 +0000

Gray asked, "Are you thinking what I'm thinking, Mommy?" and I said I don't know. What are you thinking?

And he said, "What you're thinking."

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All Around Her Things Bloom Nonstop

jsprecourt@yahoo.com (Adventures In Babywearing) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 21:13:00 +0000

In the great green room there was a telephone, and a red balloon...

I laid on my bed reading Goodnight Moon to Gray over and over while he jumped on my back, paused to help me say "hush" and then jumped on my back again.

In between pages Carter ran through the room in his underwear, then did a little dance out the door. Noah entertained the baby on the floor and I blinked snapshots with my eyes. Carter's Vaudeville act blink. Gray's love for this story blink.

Remember this.

I'm guilty of thinking fondly of who I used to be and who I will someday be but who I am now? She is forgotten, un-lovely, and in need of quite a bit of maintenance.

But she is special and she is useful and she is something to remember.

She is a Gatherer: Moonlight, Found Wishes, Moments of Gratitude.*

This is my life right now, where I am. Today, not tomorrow, not yesterday.

Who I am blink.

*Title and words from a journal Beth gave to me.

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Oh, Sandy

jsprecourt@yahoo.com (Adventures In Babywearing) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 04:04:00 +0000

Just the day leading up to me finally editing and posting these photos is a post in itself.

Maybe tomorrow.

For now, the beach.

[Carter in his too small swim shorts.]

[Many hands...]

[Grayson behaving quite perfectly in the sand makes me want to bring the entire beach home with us. ]

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Babywearing At The Beach

jsprecourt@yahoo.com (Adventures In Babywearing) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 03:10:00 +0000

It was Ivy's first trip to the beach.

Oh, what a great day we had. I have so many more photos to post but I'll have to get to them tomorrow.

I did choose my favorite caption(s) and there's still time to enter the Tiny Prints contest here as well.

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Bring It On!

jsprecourt@yahoo.com (Adventures In Babywearing) — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 05:00:00 +0000

[This just makes me grin from ear to ear. Thought it was very fitting to republish today]:

Yesterday hubby emailed me:

I already love Ivy enough to do this...

Originally posted October 2, 2008.

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