Quick Before I Get Sidetrack'd

When Little was a baby I had a standard front carrier with all of the straps and buckles and what-not.  I used it until she was 5 or 6 months old and she was long enough that her feet hit against my legs (almost at my knees; I’m vertically challenged) and she was heavy enough that it hurt my back if I wore her for any length of time.  I enjoyed having her in the carrier, but it made my back ache and I was constantly struggling to keep the straps tight enough to keep her in the right position.

When I found out I was expecting Boo, I knew I wanted to be a babywearing Momma, and I knew that I wanted a different type of carrier.  I did some research, found some answers to questions at Adventures In Babywearing (Thanks, Steph!), and became a little more educated about what types of carriers are available.  In December my nephew was born, and my SIL was singing the praises of her Sleepy Wrap.  Based on her recommendation, I purchased a wrap and started wearing Boo when he was a couple of weeks old.

Boo and I have both loved our Sleepy Wrap.  In fact, it has saved my sanity on more than one occasion when he has been super fussy.  I tie it on, pop him in, and he is generally off to sleep in a matter of minutes.  

Now that it is HOT in my part of the world, we need something that is a little cooler on both of us.  I decided a few weeks ago to get a pouch or sling and began searching for just the right one.  It took me several hours of surfing to settle on this pouch.  I received it a couple of weeks ago, but have had a bit of trouble getting the right size/fit.  After shrinking it yesterday, I think I’ve finally got it to the correct size.  Boo rode in it yesterday afternoon for the first time and seemed to like it; again, he was asleep in minutes.

Then, I was talking to Lu on Monday about different carrier options and the issues I was having with my pouch.  We started looking around a bit at various websites and on eBay and I stumbled upon a ring sling that I fell in love with.  It is an adorable lime green with blue polka dots cotton fabric.  So, I bid on it and won the auction!  I’m awaiting it’s arrival in the mail any day now.

I still want a mei tai, and I’m sure I could come up with a few more if pressed.  And then last night at Lu’s place I saw a link to a great giveaway that I just had to sign up for:  Along for the Ride is holding a contest to Win the Essential Babywearing Stash from Along for the Ride (one Beco Butterfly, one Hotsling baby pouch, one BabyHawk Mei Tai, one Zolowear Ring Sling, and one Gypsy Mama Wrap).  I mean, what babywearing Momma could resist a chance to win five (count ‘em…one, two, three, four, five) new carriers including the mei tai that’s on my list?

I’m telling ya, it truly is an addiction; I mean, this is more fun than shopping for shoes! 

 

I’m known around here for being a messy Momma.  I have a tendency to splatter food on myself when cooking, get flour everywhere while baking, and bleach my clothing while cleaning.  All-in-all, it is amazing I have any clothing fit for wearing out of the house; guess it’s a good thing I’m a stay-at-home-mom.

I’ve often thought about getting an apron or asking for one for birthday or Christmas, but I always seem to find a reason not to – find something else I want, decide I don’t really have the money to spend, forget.  However, each time I have a grease stain that won’t come out or a new bleach spot on my shirt I find myself wishing I had been wearing an apron.

It would be really great to have a nice, pretty apron that made housekeeping a bit more fun (or at least tolerable).  And now, I (and you, too) have a chance to win a great apron from Flirty Aprons; just visit Simple reviews (this post) to get the details.  I think I would have to choose the Blue Chocolate apron if I won.  

And even if I don’t win the giveaway, I should probably look into getting an apron.  My clothing budget would thank me.

The ladies at 5 Minutes for Mom are hosting a big Mother’s Day Giveaway the next couple of weeks.  They always offer great prizes, so click on the banner above or the one in the sidebar to check out what goodies they are offering.  

An Ordinary Life has teamed up with Sleepy Wrap to offer a great babywearing giveaway – one lucky winner will receive a new wrap (in either black or red) plus $100 cash from Sleepy Wrap!

I’ve had my eye on these wraps since my SIL got hers; she has raved so much about it that I decided I definitely need one when Baby Boo arrives. The Sleepy Wrap website has a bunch of great testimonials as well, such as, “Your Sleepy Wrap is awesome. My son Juš likes it very much. I can’t imagine my life without it.” by Nika K.

And now I should say that if you’re interested check out the contest here, but I really don’t want to because I want to win this one myself!