Toddlerwearing

I've been using my traditional Mexican rebozo for the past 5 days, so I can say this is a great baby carrier! It's really softening up nicely. And it is easy to use. I tie it with a sailor's knot about once a day and then just pop Little E in and out of it through out the day. Since entering official "toddlerhood" E would rather play than do anything else. So, there is a lot of up and down going on. And a lot of chasing. I can't believe how fast this kid can move! It's really quite nerve racking! Luckily, he still has his moments went he's feeling cuddly.

Anyway, I love the rebozo and I highly recommend it! Dad says it's his favorite! That makes me happy because I was hoping it would appeal to him. Oh, another thing I like about it is that it's so thin and short that when I have it on and E's not in it I don't find it in my way. I've been trying to keep it on in anticipation for when E will want to be picked up, you know, to minimize crying. Also, I've had this problem in the recent past where I would pick him up, sans carrier, then he'd want to nurse. I'd find myself holding this heavy nursing toddler with out a carrier! Neck pain! Tired arms! Why do I have all these carriers? So, I finally learned to just have a carrier already tied and handy or ON all the time.

Yesterday morning Little E and I went to a babywearing meeting. That was so fun. I just love to try out other carriers! Once I actually see and try on different slings, wraps, mei tais, etc, I totally change my mind about what I want next. Actually, I'm feeling really good about what I have at this point. There are just a few holes I'd like to fill. So, I figure...that's what Christmas is for! And my birthday!

A lot of the moms at the meeting yesterday have toddlers. It seems that we all have a similar "problem". Our toddlers don't want to be carried that much. And some not at all! Well, I'm glad it's not just me! I do find it ironic and funny, though. I mean it's sad in a way for us moms, but it's also gratifying to see our children "growing up", being curious and independent. Oh, and it's also scary and frustrating, but that's a toddler thing. Little E is into EVERYTHING! And he thinks "NO!!!!!!" is HILARIOUS and does whatever he's doing FASTER! I'm YELLING for a reason...it seems I'm yelling all the time these days. So, it's nice to spend some time with other moms with toddlers because they get it, they understand it's hard, they're dealing with the same challenges. Well, unless they happen to have a super docile toddler. I guess I've heard they exist! But that's not the norm.

I'm working on that yelling thing, by the way. It doesn't help and just makes me feel more frustrated! I just have to adjust to this new stage in E's development. And learn patience on a whole new level. And I have to point out this is also a fabulous stage! For instance, right now Little E is playing with one of our cats. This is one of his favorite activities. He's got a fabric measuring tape he's running around with and the cat is chancing it. Then he shakes it in the cat's face and giggles hysterically! It's just about the cutest thing ever.

Well, I've decided I'm going to try to write every week day. I'll just start writing about our day and what carriers we're using. Yesterday I used the Mexican rebozo at the babywearing meeting and I also tried out a Freehand mei tai, a Kozy mei tai and an octi mei tai, which is a mei tai with wide unpadded straps. Now, I need a Kozy in my life! And a octi mei tai, but I'll probably settle for a Maya Tie, which is the same concept, kind of a cross between a mei tai and a wrap.

Inspired by seeing the other baby wraps at the meeting I decided to give my nice German wrap another try. It's a beautiful yellow Storchenwiege and I love it, but given how hot it tends to be here I haven't used it too much. So, I wrapped E in it on my front and he took his afternoon nap! That was so nice and cuddly and peaceful. Then we went grocery shopping and I put E in the Hotsling pouch, which I've decided to keep in the car. When we got home I needed to get all the groceries inside so I put Little E on my back, in one of our Baby Hawk mei tais. Got all the groceries in, in 3 or 4 trips, put them away and started dinner (vegan "BLTs" and salad). Then Dad got home and E was able to get down and play for a bit before we ate.

After dinner E got some more time to play and then it was the nightly torture of teeth brushing and nighttime diaper putting on! No fun for any of us. As usual, Little E was pretty upset after those nighttime rituals and I distracted him by reading his favorite book: Where is Baby's Pumpkin. He also loves Good Night, Gorilla. He thinks it's hilarious when the zoo keeper's wife wakes up and finds a gorilla in the bed! When he was good n' tired I got myself ready for bed and wrapped him back up in the Storch on my front. I think he was asleep by 9pm, which was awesome! And what's amazing is he didn't wake up until after 9 this morning!