I love my customers!

I just have to say "Thank you!" to all my customers. Especially the ones who take the time to send me a quick email letting me know how they like their carrier. You really make my day with your stories. I do appreciate all your emails and stories about how your carrier has made your life easier. Please feel free to email them to me anytime at bwalls@cobaltcarriers.com.

The other day I had a proud grandpa order carriers for his 3 daughters and their new babies. He needed a little assistance placing his order and then he begged me to ship them Next Day Air (a service I can do upon request, but usually involves a little more time to collect the extra shipping and process the order.) I gladly agreed and sent the 3 carriers on their merry way. A few days later I received a handwritten thank you note AND a pair of earrings his wife makes! It was a really nice surprise, but I feel like I should be the one thanking him for his business.

Now, as promised, I'll update you on what carriers I'm using with our 14 mos. old. GB is taking his first steps and loves walking around the house holding my finger. He is so proud of himself. In public places he wants to walk, but sometimes it just isn't safe. This is when I put him in the Ergo. Remarkably, he doesn't wiggle to get down when he is in the Ergo (as he does when I'm holding him in my arms.) I was using my Karma Baby Pouch for quick carrying while I dropped off or picked up NJ from preschool, but GB has learned how to wiggle out of the pouch. This never would have happened with NJ. NJ loved to be worn and would happily ride in the carriers anywhere. But, GB is way more active and just wants to get down and explore.

I can still wear GB in the Mei Tai with comfort, but I like the speed with which I can pop him in and out of the Ergo. I still grab my Mei Tais when I want to look pretty ;-).

Get Ready! We will be adding some new Ellaroo products soon. By popular demand we will be adding the Mei Hip, a hip carrier! The Mei Hip is a really comfortable hip carrier. I tried it out today with NJ at 3.5 yrs and 28 lbs. I think you will love the fabrics and the comfort of this carrier.

And, we're adding new Ellaroo Organic slings. These slings were soooo soft and beautiful. I wanted to wear it around the house (without a baby in it) just so I could feel the fabric all day. I'm starting to appreciate the value of organic cotton. It is really soft, and ensures that the earth is not being polluted as the cotton is grown. And of course, it eliminates any chemicals coming in contact with your baby's skin.

That's all I have time for now. Happy Babywearing, and I'll probably post in another 6 mos.

8 mos. old and still baby wearing in comfort.

Well, it has been a busy few months, but I wanted to post to let you know the carriers we're using now. I still use my mei tai with GB, but I'm starting to grab my Ergo more and more. It is much quicker to put on than the mei tai and the straps don't drag on the ground. And, finally, my son LOVES to suck on the excess webbed straps that hang from the shoulder straps. It keeps him happy for 20 - 30 minutes. Such a silly reason, I know.

A customer recently asked why I didn't use an infant insert with my Ergo and my newborn. Here is what I wrote to her: Regarding the Ergo and using it with an infant. I chose the mei tai over the Ergo for several reasons. 1. My son was born in August and we live in NC, the mei tai has less padding and fabric, so it is a little cooler. 2. I don't own an infant insert, so I tried putting my son in the Ergo with a blanket and he still felt too floppy. I was worried about him not being totally secure if I had to suddenly lean over to grab my 3 yr. old. I got a much nicer and secure feel with the mei tai. 3. OK, I admit it, I love the stylishness of a mei tai. It just seems more like an accessory.

It may be a few more months before I post again, we are moving at the end of the month (don't fear fellow Triangle Baby wearers, we are only moving across the street to a slightly bigger house with a garage!!! My master bedroom can finally be reclaimed. I've been storing my carrier inventory in there for years.

Until next time.
Brittany

Have 5 mos., will carry...

Okay, so I have been promising you that I would post about what carriers I find most helpful for a newborn. When GB was born in August, he lived in my Simple Sling (http://www.cobaltcarriers.com/spiritedslings.htm) any time we were out in public. It was nice being able to nurse in the sling and the fabric is a nice cool cotton (think bed sheet material). As he got a little bigger (3 mos) I found myself grabbing my Mei Tai Baby more often (http://www.cobaltcarriers.com/mei-tai-baby-carrier.htm). The ability to carry GB tight against me was great for when I had to run after NJ (2.5 yrs.). Plus, it distributed the weight better than the ring sling. I find doing powerwalks is easier and more comfortable when using the Mei Tai. I still carry him in the ring sling when I need to be able to take him out and put him back in quickly (Pediatrician appointments, Picking up NJ at preschool, or just a quick walk outside to get the mail.) However, yesterday I picked NJ up at preschool, but I knew that we were going to have to make a potty stop before we left school. So, I put GB on my back in the Mei Tai Baby (after shortening the crotch on the carrier using the adjustable snaps). He was up high so he could see, but out of the way so I could help NJ sit on the potty (and not fall in ;-). It worked great having him on my back. I should add that normally I don't recommend putting a baby on your back until they are 6 mos. old. And even then you should use extreme caution when getting them on and off. I used what is called a "Santa Claus toss" to get him up there. You can see video clips here: http://www.thebabywearer.com/images/video/alisonmettaiflip2.mov or here: http://www.mamatoto.org/videos/StrapCarry1.MPG. Sorry about the video quality.

If you are really interested in learning how to use your carrier to its full potential, I highly recommend the Tummy 2 Tummy DVD (http://www.cobaltcarriers.com/tummy2tummy.htm). I've been watching this DVD a lot lately as I learn how to use a woven wrap. Now that the winter weather is finally here, I've been experimenting with a Storchenwiege wrap. I have resisted wraps in the past because it involves so much fabric. I'm still not in love with it, but I do have to admit that they are VERY comfortable for carrying a bigger baby for long periods of time, and we both stay so warm and cozy wrapped in the woven wrap. I'm sure once GB hits the 20 lb. mark, I'll be reaching for my ERGO again. I used my ERGO with NJ from about 18 mos. - 2+ yrs. for weekly hikes. It was super easy & comfortable to use. I even used it once when NJ was sick, while 8 mos. pregnant by putting the waist strap under my belly. He was so sick that he wouldn't let me put him in the shopping cart while I picked up his prescription at the pharmacy. I could have tied a mei tai around my pregnant body easier than the ERGO, but it was all I had in the car at the time.

I hope some of this information helps you when shopping for a baby carrier.

By for now.

Toilet Training

We are officially kicking the toilet training into high gear this month. It might have something to do with New Year's Resolutions (lose weight, get fit, be more patient with my children & toilet train NJ!) Or maybe it is because having two kids in diapers is weighing on me. Whatever it is, I decided that I had been putting off trying to toilet train NJ for long enough.

NJ will be 3 in March. So, we ditched the diapers and went out to buy some "big boy" underwear. NJ picked one package of every character that Sears had (Bob the Builder, Cars, & Thomas) Day #1, he proudly picked out a pair of Bob the Builder, which has a cool construction vehicle (Travis) on the back, and a little Bob the Builder printed on the front. Halfway through the day, NJ went to the potty himself. He pulled his underwear down (actually, off completely), went pee and then put his underwear back on. He told me "Mommy, I put a leg in each hole and then put my underwear on so I could see Travis." I looked down and saw he had the pants on backwards so he could see the big picture of Travis. I nearly peed myself trying not to laugh. I did get a picture of it (see above). So, I was so proud of my little man and thought, "This toilet training is going to be a snap!"

Day #2, By 10am NJ had already peed in 3 pairs of underwear. By 12:30pm he had soiled another pair. I'm almost positive that he is capable of holding it (although the days that I'm scraping poop off his underwear, I think maybe not). He was doing pretty well with going pee in the potty (as long as I made sure to get him to sit there at least once every hour.)

It has been two weeks, and I'm not sure where we are now. NJ has a cold, so I put him back in diapers, but he really wants to be in underwear. I know he doesn't have the patience to use the potty while he's sick. So, I'm going to have to wait a few days now.

So here I am wondering – did I wait too long and miss his window – is it my fault, did I leave him in dirty diapers too long – I should have stuck with cloth diapering – I'm afraid that if I don't teach him correctly and with lots of patience, he will have serious psychological issues for the rest of his life!!! Man, talk about guilt! (That's what I get for taking Psych classes for my Minor in college.)

So, if you are reading this post, send me some good luck potty vibes. Oh, and if you have a moment, check out this Potty Train Chant I came across. Be sure to cross your legs, it will have you laughing out loud! http://www.pottytrainbook.com/PTChant/tabid/58/Default.aspx

We have a new baby carrier tester!

I apologize for the lack of posts over the past year. January started off kind of rough for me, as I delved into pregnancy a second time. Trying to feed myself (to keep from throwing up) and feeding my 2 year old was not an easy task. Lucky for me NJ still takes good naps, so I joined him every day to rejuvenate.

As I entered my third trimester, reading stories to my son was getting more and more uncomfortable as he wiggled and squirmed trying to find room left on my lap. Finally I had to tell him that there wasn't enough room on my lap because there was a baby in my belly. He looked at me sadly, but seemed to accept my reason.

Finally the day arrived (luckily 3 weeks earlier than my predicted due date) when we welcomed a second boy into our happy home. GB was born early in the morning at 7 lbs. 10 oz. Giving birth a second time naturally was a wonderful feeling. I can honestly say that the second time was much easier and much quicker! Our OB barely had enough time to get her gloves on to catch the baby as he arrived in 6 pushes. This was a big difference from NJ's birth where I pushed for an hour and a half.

GB and I enjoyed 2 days in the hospital bonding and breastfeeding. It was wonderful being waited on by the nurses and having the quiet time. When we arrived home it was a rude awakening being thrown back into motherhood. Mothering a toilet training 2.5 year old and attending to the needs of a newborn was a big challenge for me.

I can honestly say that I am very grateful for all my baby carriers. Currently our favorites are my simple sling and my mei tai. I can breastfeed easily in public with my sling and not worry about exposing the world like Janet Jackson. But, when I want to go for a brisk walk or help my toddler get up into the swings or down the ladder at the playground, I like my mei tai. The mei tai holds GB close to me and keeps him from moving when I bend over or have to lung to catch a adventurous toddler.

I hope to find some time to post more and let you all know how motherhood is going and which carriers we are finding most useful.

We made it through 2 years!

NJ officially turned two last weekend. It is hard to believe that he is no longer a baby. Although, I should have realized that a little boy who can now say, " construction equipment" is no longer a baby.

We started toilet training around 18 mos. Not seriously, but just getting him used to sitting on the potty. Things are going well. He's asking to go potty now. But, we still have a few diaper changes during the day. No big deal. One thing we were doing to reward him for going on the potty was to call Daddy or Grammy on the phone so he could tell them he went potty. He would usually get on the phone and say in a very excited voice, "Big Poopy & Pee Pee, Daddy!" Well, now he says that to anyone that wants to talk to him on the phone. Instead of "hello!" he says, "Big Poopy & Pee Pee!" Yesterday he totally embarrassed me! His Daddy called and asked to talk to NJ. Well, NJ picked up the phone and said, clear as a bell, "Mommy went Big Poopy & Pee Pee!" I turned beet red. Thank goodness it was just my loving husband on the phone and not someone else!

Bye, bye for now. Hopefully I'll be able to blog again soon, instead of 2 months from now. :-)

Wish I had a picture of that!

Sorry I haven't written in a while. The holidays were busy and didn't officially end until this past weekend. My husband's family was in town to celebrate together this past weekend. We had a great time, and NJ had a blast with all his aunts and uncles. I was busy trying out my new camera and missed some of the precious moments, but caught a few of them on memory stick.

Unfortunately, my digital camera died Christmas morning. So, we missed some cute shots of NJ opening his presents. As I was resting this afternoon, it occurred to me that it wasn't just Christmas morning that we missed some precious shots, there have been many moments during motherhood that I didn't have a camera handy and instead have committed the images to my memory.

The first time my son looked up at me during breastfeeding and smiled is a particular favorite memory. Just the other night as I leaned in to kiss my son goodnight (for the tenth time since he didn't want to fall asleep right away) I took a memory photo. I kissed my hand and placed the kiss on his forehead. At 22 mos. he is quite the parrot so he kissed his hand and reached up with his wet hand and planted the kiss on my cheek. I nearly burst into tears. I hope I never lose these memories.

Hope you have many memory shots to store and hope your hard drive never crashes!