asteroid B612

Today Marlowe graduated to the back wrap cross. He's getting to be big boy. I'm still pretty new to wrapping, so I didn't feel confident back carrying him when he was younger, though it's entirely possible (see Africa). But he's seems pretty happy now. I'm still trying to get my mind around throwing a wrap over my shoulder. But I think after a few times, it'll get easier.

I might also add, that the kid with amazing wiggles who has been trying to nap all morning, fell promptly asleep. (too bad you can't wear your baby in the shower)

I love wraps, because they're so versatile, soft, and, well, a little mysterious and cool. Though we are currently pretty huge fans of the pouch sling for grocery store runs.

Okay. Off to finish the dishes before the water gets cold.

We went to the park this morning, and the breeze was nice. I was worried that today would be really hot, but it wasn't too bad. I met another mom from a local babywearing yahoo group. It's impossible to meetup with these people because it's kind of new and disorganized. So I was glad one other mom came. As a result I was showing her my Beco and demonstrating with Ellis, who was kind of in a clingy mood and enjoyed hopping up in the carrier.

When I got home, the didymos wrap that I bought from someone was sitting on the doorstep just delivered by the mailman.* Yay! Since Marlowe and I are such fans of the wrap, I went ahead a real wrap, though the gauze was working pretty well. I wanted something a little more long term and designed to be weight-bearing. And already I think it provides better support for M. So anyway, I was super excited about the didymos, but Marlowe was sleeping. So I threw Ellis up on my back. And he's super snuggly and totally loved it.

Later Marlowe was crying, so I reached for my new wrap and proceeded to begin to tie him up to my front. Ellis walked over to me with the hugest tear in his eye, kind of sniffling and gasping like he was fighting back a deluge. I think he thought the wrap was for him. So sad!! So I walked back out to the car and showed him the Beco, and said this one is yours. He seemed happy with that. Especially after I put him in it. My high-touch kid loves to be worn--no matter that he's a 35lb three year old.

Well, after that, here I am stuck with two kids on me. So we walked up to the train station and watched a train come in and go out. And walked home. I got of lot "freak" looks. whatever. That seemed to satisfy Ellis's need for love.

I thought, by that point, a second coffee milkshake was in order.

*Piece of trivia. Both babywearing items pictured on my person bearing my children at one point belonged to kristen, who helped me take the plunge.

I keep trying to blog. I've started countless entries that are quickly abandoned in favor of a child who needs me or a brain that is checked out. More time passes and the gap gets bigger. It's really too late now, but here I am anyway. Something to mark my spot.

We got a new car last week. This is HUGE for us. It's a fairly young Honda Civic. Reliable, long-lasting. I get in, I press in the clutch, start the car, turn on the AC, and off we go. Such a simple luxury! We have downsized and while I miss the space of the minivan, I do a little happy dance at the gas pump. It'll work for awhile. We just can't take any passengers who aren't willing to do butt compression to sit between the two carseats hogging the backseat. And I've learned how to seriously minimize baby gear--mostly through babywearing (I don't need to haul around a "travel system" in my trunk).

We realized through this process, that *duh* neither of us has made a huge purchase requiring financing before--besides our college educations, that is. Partly, because we really haven't had the capital (we barely do now), and partly because we tend to be content and resourceful. We find a spot and make it work. Sure, I'd much rather be living in my own home with *gasp* my own washer and dryer on my residential premises!! But I'm content where I am. C and I used to discourse at great length about what it means to "live well." Hint: size of house is irrelevant. Maybe some people think we're foolish, but I don't regret anything we've done so far in terms of major life choices (I won't deny mistakes, but not regrets), even if we're "setback" in terms of how society determines what is "successful". I mean, there are people out there who can READ because of my hubby. Anyway, this is turning into a ramble and maybe is too honest. It's just that buying a car this time was really big for us.

The rest of my time has been spent dealing with another round of thrush, which my purple friend, gentian violet seems to have whooped. And making sure a certain 3yo is active and outside as much as possible, so that he's not climbing all over me as an incarnation of whatever monster he fancies he is. And trying to keep track of his CI. And making a certain 7 week old coo and grin big purple grins. And trying to remember to take my vitamins, get enough rest (ha!), and not get too hungry so that Crazy Hormonal Mama can be kept at bay. And getting sucked in to Battlestar Galactica with hubby (resistance is futile--oh wait, no Daleks). And trying that Mary Poppins trick where you snap and the mess goes away (it's not working--maybe if I took more vitamins).

I figured how to wear a wrap. I got several yards of nice lightweight cotton gauze (it is summer, after all) from the fabric store, followed a video from this great website. And Marlowe and I are in business. I think he does like it a tad more than the sling, and it's a lot more secure than a sling. A sling is quicker, though, so I think each will have their place. I will hopefully get better a popping baby in and out of a wrap. And how the heck do you nurse in that thing? Anyway. I'm pretty much a baby wearing novice, but it's really fun figuring all this out.

Now that I have my little Marlowe on the outside instead of the inside, I've been enjoying wearing him in my pouch sling. I kind of wonder if perhaps he's not such a fan of the pouch as I am, so I may try a wrap, too. It took me awhile to sort through all the babywearing options out there. But I love it!

Pouch slings and babywearing is becoming increasing popular because of its convenience and comfort, especially when you have multiple kids to chase. And have I mentioned how much I hate strollers? yea.

Anyway, it's important to keep safety in mind, correct positioning in a sling is important to take note of. This is a great article for correct positioning. Happy babywearing!

Some early morning reflections:

The Man with the Yellow Hat has got to be loaded. A house in the country? A condo in the city? And a vacation to Hawaii in the winter?
We love George. He is a master of Inductive Reasoning.

Update on toddler plus store:

I bought my friend's Beco carrier right before Christmas. E loves it. I love it. But I forget that I can use it for everyday mundane things. I think I need it for complicated city experiences. Since the shopping cart poses as a thing to be climbed rather than a thing to contain to my toddler, I popped him into the Beco yesterday for our shopping. And it worked out great! He loves it, I love it. And it's surprisingly comfortable. I carried my 30+ lb toddler on my 6month pregnant body for almost an hour, and it didn't bother me at all. My boy likes to snuggle, and he's always loved to be worn. I hope the next is as obliging.

Sometimes when I look in the rearview mirror to glance at E, I see him calmly smiling at the world passing by. Could we all be so winsome as a toddler?