As my due date quickly approaches (and I progress further beyond the point at which my first two were born...ugh), I am in nesting mode. With the help of my mother during her visit a few weeks ago and the understanding of my husband, I have been washing, folding, stacking, organizing, stockpiling, cleaning, arranging, installing and planning.
It began months ago with bigger purchases (an extra dresser to house the baby's clothes and provide a changing table in our bedroom, a glider for our baby nook, an awesome swing at a consignment sale, etc.), but years ago with the basics we used for our first two kiddos. Within a couple months of Katherine's birth I began a collection that continues to grow to this day. Anyone who knows me well knows about my obsession with baby carriers. It began with a couple of homemade ring slings made in desperation to (hopefully) calm an extremely colicky newborn. Katherine and I took to babywearing like ducks to water and even got daddy on board and involved Grandma and Uncle Lucas when they were visiting! What followed over the next five years was truly a lifestyle change. It began with the addition of the Baby Bjorn (which we used, but later sold at a garage sale when we moved on to better options), a pouch-style Hotsling, an Ergo Carrier (which my husband still loves), mei tai's from several people on Etsy, ring slings from two wonderful women with home-based businesses and an online presence (www.babyloveslings.com and sleepingbaby.net), and the Beco Butterfly.
For our newest little one I have my eye on the Boba Baby Carrier. I have heard great things about these carriers! I love the soft structured carrier style and the buckles make putting them on a breeze. I love that the Boba comes in an organic style made in the USA. One thing that sets Boba apart from the other soft structured carriers seems to be the option to use foot straps to add leg support for your little one, encouraging a healthier hip and pelvis position (the main reason we moved away from the Bjorn). An added bonus: the absolutely adorable Organic Boba in the Tweet pattern they have right now! That has to be one of the most adorable patterns out there.
Right now you can win a Boba Baby Carrier by entering several online contests. One of my favorite momma review blogs, Momma In Flip Flops 2 is blessing readers with one of these awesome carriers. A cool blog I just stumbled upon, Familylicious Reviews & Giveaways is also giving away a Boba to one lucky winner. Selfishly, I hope I win one!
Friday, September 3, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Guilty
I feel like the last couple of weeks have been spent in complete limbo. I am now 38 weeks pregnant. I have passed the point at which Katherine was born (37 weeks 2 days), but not yet reached the point at which Jack was born (38 weeks 4 days). I feel huge although I know it could be worse. I am tired, uncomfortable, grumpy, and emotional. I am accomplishing less and less around the house as a result of how I feel and relying more and more on James to pick up the slack. All of this makes me feel guilty and selfish. I can't imagine feeling this way and having to get the family ready and go to a full-time job outside the home every day. I can't imagine doing this without the support of my husband (I get even more emotional thinking of the women whose husbands are overseas serving our military while they are at home doing this somewhat alone). I can't even remotely imagine how women work on farms or in other jobs involving intense physical labor.
I feel like I should be able to do it all, but all I want to do is take a nap or a shower or hide from the world and do nothing. I wish I had more patience and stamina to get on the floor and play or do activities with the kids. I wish I had the brain power and physical ability to keep on top of household things like cleaning, cooking, laundry, etc. I wish I had the emotional reserve to support my husband completely in his interests and activities. I wish I had the focus to be the kind of friend I want to be. Right now I just don't. I can only pray that God and the people who are important to me find it in themselves to extend grace in the face of my inadequacies and love be in spite of the burdens I place upon them.
To my children: I am sorry for my short fuse, less hands-on playtime, and so much tv time (although I don't think you guys would complain about that). To my wonderful husband: thank you for adjusting your expectations of me and picking up the slack where you can. To my family and friends: thank you for not judging my less than clean house, my poor communication, or my MIA status. Most of all, God - thank you for loving me no matter what and making the ultimate sacrifice for us all so that we are forgiven.
I feel like I should be able to do it all, but all I want to do is take a nap or a shower or hide from the world and do nothing. I wish I had more patience and stamina to get on the floor and play or do activities with the kids. I wish I had the brain power and physical ability to keep on top of household things like cleaning, cooking, laundry, etc. I wish I had the emotional reserve to support my husband completely in his interests and activities. I wish I had the focus to be the kind of friend I want to be. Right now I just don't. I can only pray that God and the people who are important to me find it in themselves to extend grace in the face of my inadequacies and love be in spite of the burdens I place upon them.
To my children: I am sorry for my short fuse, less hands-on playtime, and so much tv time (although I don't think you guys would complain about that). To my wonderful husband: thank you for adjusting your expectations of me and picking up the slack where you can. To my family and friends: thank you for not judging my less than clean house, my poor communication, or my MIA status. Most of all, God - thank you for loving me no matter what and making the ultimate sacrifice for us all so that we are forgiven.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
My Review of City Micro Single - Kiwi
Originally submitted at Diapers.com
Baby Jogger City Micro Single - Kiwi
Features:
- Quick-Fold Technology
- Accessory Mounting Bracket
- 6" Front and 8" Rear Lightweight, Quick-Release Wheels with Sealed Ball Bearings
- Swivel Front Wheel Locks in Place ...
LOVE this stroller for a toddler
By Mama Kat from Kansas City on 8/24/2010
Pros: Easy To Maneuver, Smooth Ride, Easily Stowed, Easy to Set Up
Best Uses: Toddlers
Describe Yourself: Parent of Two or More Children
I bought this stroller to have something to use when I just have my toddler with me. It is light-weight, folds SO easily, very compact, steers like a dream (literally one finger), and my son is comfortable in it. With #3 on the way any day now it will be nice to have something to have the toddler in while I wear the infant in a sling or carrier - I have no worries about folding or unfolding while wearing the baby.
(legalese)
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Down Time...sort of
Today getting the kids and myself up early and out the door to get Katherine to "school" was just too much. We are not morning people...at all...so waking a toddler and preschooler, getting them dressed, fed, and into the car while sporting a beach ball-sized belly full of baby (not to mention getting myself presentable enough to walk her into the childcare facility for my husband's company) is a frustrating and exhausting experience. Normally I just wake up enough to get Katherine up and ready to leave with James for work. When he is out of town I get us all ready, drive the 20-25 minutes, and get her into her class. James has been on a business trip for three days. An hour and a half in the morning and an hour and a half in the evening devoted to drop off/pick up means a lot of time in the car. Three days in a row can get tiring so, today we decided to stay home for some down time.
It was awesome to wake up gradually as first one kiddo, then the other, joined me in bed for some snuggling and a bit more sleep. Opening my eyes from a pleasant dose to see the sweet faces of my smiling children was the best way to wake up. We all woke up naturally so there was much less grumpiness involved and we were able to get moving gradually.
Of course, kids at home with no real agenda (and a mama with no energy to set one, let alone follow through) can mean extra squabbles (he hit me, I was playing with that first, I need some space, etc.) it can also mean great imaginative play. We are getting into baby mode around here, pulling out the old clothes, linen, and gear in preparation for the new one's arrival. While it is nice to have things out before the baby comes, keeping the older two out of the baby swing, etc. is a challenge. But seeing them invent new uses for the baby items can be inspiring. The imagination they have is amazing!
I have been trying for days to keep Jack out of the baby swing, but had to laugh when I noticed Katherine and Jack using it to play dentist. (Katherine LOVES going to the dentist, strange kid) She had Jack sit in the swing, open his mouth and submit to an exam. The clever thing was her use of the swing's attachments. There is an arm that comes out over the front/top of the swing and a mirror on the end of the arm so that the baby (theoretically) will enjoy looking at themselves. Katherine positioned the mirror above Jack angling it such that the sunlight coming inside was reflected in the mirror and onto Jack's face mimicking the light on the big arm they use in the dentist's office to look into your mouth!
So, as hectic as it gets around here with both kids at home, the blissful moments when the kids are working or playing together makes the less enchanting moments worthwhile. We are blessed with spirited, imaginative kids that inspire us, humble us, charm us, and yes...frustrate us. I wouldn't trade them for the world! I am blessed to have the opportunity to stay at home with these crazy kiddos and look forward to watching them grow and helping mold them into the wonderful adults they will become.
Speaking of growing - these are a photos from Katherine's first "race." James ran a 5k a few weeks ago that had a kids fun-run at the end. Katherine was really excited to run her first race and even trained a little with daddy ahead of time (i.e. jogged a few blocks on the way to the pool). She had a blast! Jack was going to participate in his age group, but got a little ahead of himself. He was so excited that he took off running before they started, ran right past the finish toward one of the KU mascots, only to get close and decide he was scared of the mascot and refuse to actually participate when his group went because the mascot was running too!
It was awesome to wake up gradually as first one kiddo, then the other, joined me in bed for some snuggling and a bit more sleep. Opening my eyes from a pleasant dose to see the sweet faces of my smiling children was the best way to wake up. We all woke up naturally so there was much less grumpiness involved and we were able to get moving gradually.
Of course, kids at home with no real agenda (and a mama with no energy to set one, let alone follow through) can mean extra squabbles (he hit me, I was playing with that first, I need some space, etc.) it can also mean great imaginative play. We are getting into baby mode around here, pulling out the old clothes, linen, and gear in preparation for the new one's arrival. While it is nice to have things out before the baby comes, keeping the older two out of the baby swing, etc. is a challenge. But seeing them invent new uses for the baby items can be inspiring. The imagination they have is amazing!
I have been trying for days to keep Jack out of the baby swing, but had to laugh when I noticed Katherine and Jack using it to play dentist. (Katherine LOVES going to the dentist, strange kid) She had Jack sit in the swing, open his mouth and submit to an exam. The clever thing was her use of the swing's attachments. There is an arm that comes out over the front/top of the swing and a mirror on the end of the arm so that the baby (theoretically) will enjoy looking at themselves. Katherine positioned the mirror above Jack angling it such that the sunlight coming inside was reflected in the mirror and onto Jack's face mimicking the light on the big arm they use in the dentist's office to look into your mouth!
So, as hectic as it gets around here with both kids at home, the blissful moments when the kids are working or playing together makes the less enchanting moments worthwhile. We are blessed with spirited, imaginative kids that inspire us, humble us, charm us, and yes...frustrate us. I wouldn't trade them for the world! I am blessed to have the opportunity to stay at home with these crazy kiddos and look forward to watching them grow and helping mold them into the wonderful adults they will become.
Speaking of growing - these are a photos from Katherine's first "race." James ran a 5k a few weeks ago that had a kids fun-run at the end. Katherine was really excited to run her first race and even trained a little with daddy ahead of time (i.e. jogged a few blocks on the way to the pool). She had a blast! Jack was going to participate in his age group, but got a little ahead of himself. He was so excited that he took off running before they started, ran right past the finish toward one of the KU mascots, only to get close and decide he was scared of the mascot and refuse to actually participate when his group went because the mascot was running too!
Monday, July 12, 2010
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Something you never WANT to think about
This link is to an excellent post on introducing fire safety to toddlers and preschoolers. http://codenamemama.com/2010/06/03/fire-drills/
House fires are never something you want to think of, but I imagine this subject to be one of the most important you address with your kids.
We have been dangerously lax in this area of education. I plan to remedy that as soon as possible. Plus, the kids would totally get a kick out of touring a fire station!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Summer rain...storm!
Unexpected thunderstorms - awesome. Dashing around the house to close windows and clean up water - not so awesome.
We have had a string of days in the 80's, but we have been able to stick it out without turning on the air conditioner. We keep all the windows and doors open 24/7. Thanks to the forethought of the people we bought the house from our glass storm doors have screen inserts to replace the glass during warm weather.
The cooling effect of this storm is a blessing! The kids and I are watching the rain and lightning while sitting on the stairs across from the front door, enjoying the cool breeze through the screen.
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