Our Bed

Ahhh ... these sweet morning moments when we are both just waking up:






When our oldest daughter was just a few months old we realized that the crib thing was just not working for our family, she stilled nursed frequently, seemed to need another warm body near by and both my dh and I slept better knowing she was right there next to us. So her crib became our oversized laundry basket and we were happy. But then we had to begin defending our way of sleeping. That was back before we had internet, so I found all my information at La Leche League meetings and from other moms, in books and in articles (we spent a lot of time in the library back in those days). I was glad to have the written and researched information to share with those who questioned if sharing a bed with our baby was the "right thing to do" or if it was really safe. I can never judge what is "right" for another mother or another family and I don't want to but for us this has always felt so right. I am so glad we followed our hearts and snuggled all our kids for a time in our "big bed".


http://www.breastfeeding.com/reading_room/family_bed.html
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/7/T071000.asp#T071006
http://www.kellymom.com/parenting/sleep/familybed.html

International Babywearing Week

Uh-oh, someone went and asked me to post about my favorite carriers ... this could be a long post;-)

I've posted about this before but in honor of this being International Babywearing Week I wanted share my favorite baby carriers and reasons we wear our babies.

Also wantd to let know your should visit Adventures in Babywearing to get some more great info.

Oh how I love babywearing! My stash at this point is still a bit "boyish looking" since my last three babies have been boys, so I'm looking forward to investing in some pink stuff for our Little Miss Mary

Here are a few photos of some of my favorites:

Probably what I consider my "most comfy wrap type carrier" is
My Storchenwiege Woven Wrap (plus I really like the colors)






After Zeke was born I discovered Mei Tais for the first time, thanks to another LLL Leader ... I LOVE my mei tais now! Not sure how I lived without them.
My first mei tai was a Freehand Mei Tai:
This one turned out to be my dd's favorite one to use when she wears her brother



I have purchased and used a Sachi Mei Tai:
(yep we really were standing in our snow filled back yard)



But the Mei Tai I ended up using the MOST was my Maya Tie:



I do also own a Didymos Wrap, and though its not as comfy as my Storchenwiege Wrap, I like it bacause I got the one with the LLL logo on it. Had to have a friend of a friend pick this up in Germany for me:





And then there is my tried and true ring slings ... thats where it all started for me. I was first introduced to ring slings and babywearing at a LLL meeting when we lived in WA. I'll have to try dig up a photo of that one and scan it in (that was pre digital cameras, you know). Since then I have continued to get one brand new Over The Shoulder Baby Holder (otherwise known as OTSBH) sling for each new baby. I like the OTSBH in the newborn and tiny infant stage, then I tend to move on to Maya Wrap ring sling. Over the years I have learned to do about anything with babay or toddler in a sling, including tie dying!

Here are photos of my favorite Maya Wrap ring sling:





And when Mary was born I purchased a Hotsling in PINK!!!




And I should probably add:

A great place to read reviews on each kind of carrier is www.thebabywearer.com

My favorite place to order new slings and wraps
is Attached to Baby

My wraps are:
Storchenwiege
and Didymos

My Mei Tais are:
Freehand
A Maya Tai
and a Sachi

My Ring Slings are:
Maya Wrap Ring Sling
Over the Shoulder Baby Holder

And if you would like to hear from other babywearing mama's and see some of their favorites please visit: Stephanie at Adventures in Babywearing