Baby-wearing

I posted this link on Facebook earlier today, and wanted to share a little more about my thoughts...
http://www.everythingmomandbaby.com/2012/05/how-carrying-your-baby-front-facing-out.html?m=1

When Cade was a baby, I had a Jeep brand carrier that was borrowed from a friend. I used it several times, mainly when he was little and I was going to visit my former school. It was a great way to keep little germy fingers off of him. I think I only used it once with him facing out, but that was because by the time he was "allowed" to face out, he weighed a billion pounds and I didn't want to carry him like that :)

With Ava, I had a wrap that was borrowed from a friend. As I did research on the different ways I could use it, I kept running into information about "front facing out." Apparently, it's not healthy for babies' development for them to face out in a carrier. Not a problem, she was little bitty anyway, and liked to be snuggled up facing me.

As she got bigger, I used the wrap less, and then I had to give it back to my friend because she had a newborn. So I started looking into some other kind of carrier that I could still carry her in, and that could also go on my back. She was okay being on my front facing in, but I knew if I could put her on my back, she'd be able to see a lot more. I decided to go with a soft-structured carrier called a Boba. She loves it. It's ergonomically designed for mom and baby, and I can actually carry Cade in it if I want to.

Then my tummy started growing. I could still use my Boba for a while, but it eventually got uncomfortable (there's a strap across your midsection). So I started researching again, for something that I could carry Ava on my hip, and still be comfortable for her and me. I ended up getting a ring sling, which I can use to carry Ava (or new baby girl) on my front (facing in :), or on my hip, or even on my back. Ava LOVES being carried on my hip in the ring sling, and I love that my arms don't get tired having to hold her all the time when we're out. It's faster and easier to put her in it than messing with the stroller, and she's content to be in it for much longer than she stays happy in the stroller.

Any time spent wearing your baby is special bonding time, and I think it helps contribute to their emotional security. I just wanted to share the information I have found about safe baby-wearing and help educate those around me :)

Birthdays

One week ago, Cade turned 3. Today, Ava is 1. In between, we had a birthday party for both of them with the fam. I don't know how many years it will be "cool" to share a birthday party with your little sis, but Cade was delighted to this year.

I couldn't help but get a little teary-eyed that afternoon. We've had 3 birthday parties for Cade and 1 for Ava in this house. Little tiny baby girl will not (if all goes according to plan...ha!) have any of her birthday parties here, and Cade and Ava won't have any more, either. The "plan" is for us to be in a new, bigger house by the time little tiny baby girl gets here. Obviously, several things have to happen first, so we'll see how it all actually plays out. And I'm excited for the possibility for our growing family to have more room, but this house holds so many memories...it's going to be hard to let go. But we'll cross that bridge when we get there.

Girlfriend is one today, and I've been pregnant for almost half of her life. Good grief. No wonder I feel like it went so fast...I was tired, nauseous, and in shock for most of it :)

Happy birthday to my baby girl. And happy late birthday to my baby boy, who's not such a baby anymore. I love you both more than I can say.