Baby K’tan recently sent us one of their amazing carriers to review*. While we reviewed quite a few baby wearing carriers, Baby K’tan wasn’t on our list simply because we hadn’t had the opportunity to try it!  Retailing at $49.95, I couldn’t justify buying one when no one I know had tried it.  Yes, we moms rely on word-of-mouth referrals.

So even though this carrier is fairly new on the market, it has quickly become one of my favorites.  In fact, as I’m typing up this review, my daughter is currently asleep comfortably in the Baby K’tan.  When I pop her in, she’s asleep within minutes!  The closeness and snuggle factor this wrap provides is very comforting for baby and comfortable for me.  Want one? Enter our Giveaway below!

 5 Reasons Why we Love the Baby K’Tan Carrier

1. It’s versatile!  You can wear baby so many ways from 8-35 pounds.  Wear your newborn (or TWINS!) up to toddler in a cradle carry, hip carry, facing you, facing away from you, on your back, etc!  I was especially thrilled by the FORWARD FACING option.  I refused to carry my children forward facing in any other carrier because I felt uncomfortable having them dangle by their crotch and putting the weight on their spines.  With the Baby K’Tan, the baby is supported by the fabric in a seated position so the weight is on their bottoms and not their crotches. The carrier itself doesn’t look like it would support baby because it’s so soft, but the fabric is not as stretchy as the Moby Wrap.
2. It’s compact and not bulky. As much as I LOVE the Ergo Baby, the carrier itself is very bulky.  Working at home with a sleeping baby asleep in the Baby K’tan is comfortable and it moves with you as many wraps do.  I can sit at the table or on the couch working without feeling like the carrier rises up on my body.  So this carrier feels just like a wrap, without all the wrapping! I can even comfortably carry a diaper bag or purse without it sliding off my shoulders.  SCORE!
3. It’s quite supportive.  When the straps are correctly crossed at the center of your body, the weight of baby is evenly distributed across your back and shoulders (when baby is in the front).  The carrier holds baby very tight against your body for support.  I don’t know if I would want to carry a 35 pound child in the wrap though.
4. It’s convenient to carry.  The wrap folds up and fits into a little pouch built into the carrier.  This keeps the carrier clean and packed up nicely to store and carry with you.  The second piece that wraps around baby and body reverses and everything is stuffed into the little pocket with a draw string.
5. It’s machine washable!  As a mom, I refuse to utilize anything often if it cannot be thrown into the wash!

Check out the video below comparing the Baby K’Tan to a traditional wrap style baby carrier!

1. These carriers are sized (i.e. XS, S, M, L).  So if you and your partner are different sizes, you would have to get two different sizes.  For example, I wear an XS but my husband would need a L.
2. It’s not adjustable so it didn’t look like it will fit at first.  Plus, because of the design, the carrier must fit tightly against your body.  This may be uncomfortable for some people, especially if you are in between sizes because when choosing the right size, you must go down a size if you are on the fence.
3. It is a unique design and can be challenging to learn how to use correctly.  Like any carrier, it took me several days of practicing before I felt comfortable attempting to pop my daughter in in public.  The carrier does come with an instruction manual that I studied and followed the provided steps, but Youtube also has several videos to help you learn how to use the carrier correctly.  I have yet to master the back carry with the Baby K’tan.
4. The standard Baby K’tan comes in 5 colors: Heather Grey, Eggplant, Basic Black, Warm Cocoa Brown, Sage Green.
5. Baby K’tan also has an Organic and “BREEZE” option.  We chose to review the Eggplant Baby K’tan carrier.  On hot Sacramento days like today, I carry my daughter in just a diaper and with no zippers or buckles, I don’t have to worry about her sensitive skin.  But in addition to a few organic options, Baby K’tan also has a BREEZE carrier that is made of a soft and breathable mesh fabric that will keep you and your baby cool on hot summer days.

FINALLY… ENTER OUR GIVEAWAY!

Thanks to Baby K’tan, we have one carrier to giveaway.  The GIVEAWAY starts 5/14/2013.  The winner will be selected by random and we will announce the winner on our blog and Facebook page after the deadline of 5/26/2013.  The winner will be emailed instructions how to claim their selected size and color of the Baby K’tan carrier.

TO ENTER:

1. Like us on Facebook!
2. Like Baby K’Tan on Facebook!
3. Leave us a comment on THIS BLOG POST below with the following information: (a) Confirming that you liked Chic Baby AND Baby K’tan on Facebook, (b) Share why you want a Baby K’Tan Carrier, (c) Share something new you learned about the Baby K’Tan in this blog post.
4. Make sure you follow our Facebook page as we will be announcing the winner!

We will be contacting the winner at the end of the month!  Good luck!

*NOTE: Baby K’Tan sent us a carrier to review and we are not being compensated for this review.

The post Baby K’tan Review & Giveaway: The Wrap without the Wrapping! appeared first on Chic Baby.

If you have joined us in any of our signing series or classes, you have probably heard us talking about how signing has language development and literacy.  Young babies and children can essentially “read” books with us by using signs, which instills an interest in books and reading at an early age.  However, did you also know that signs can help children learn to love music?

In our MORE Sign, Say & Play® series, we focus on how signing can help social and emotional development in our babies and children.  During our FARM week, we share that your child’s all-time favorite music are songs sung by their favorite people: mom and/or dad (or caregivers).

Music, Signs, and Dinner!

Now that our son is two, it seems as if overnight he has learned to recite and sing along with a few of his highly-requested songs, such as ABCs, Itsy Bitsy Spider, The Wheels on the Bus, and Old McDonald.  While I am a music enthusiast and regularly play music and sing songs to my son, my husband needs a bit more encouragement.  Therefore, we got into the habit of showing our son signs to go with some of the songs we sang to make signing songs more fun for both our son and my husband.  Usually, our son copies us and signs along as we sing, however within the past few months, we have seen a transformation with his signing, speaking, and demonstration of his growing independence (and opinions).

A few weeks ago, during dinner, our son suddenly requested we sing “Old McDonald.”  Since we struggle with his weight gain, we will often play games and entertain him during meals to distract him in hopes he eats more.  As we were signing and suggesting animals (e.g. Cow and Duck), suddenly our son stops and says “No… Bah!” as he signed “SHEEP.”  (See below for a short clip!)  It was then that I realized that not only can toddlers use their signs to help in their language development, but they use their signs to become a partner in music and song!

Children are incredibly smart and understand much more about their environment and the world around them than they can typically verbally communicate.  By giving them a chance to share their thoughts and feelings, we not only give them an opportunity to build their self-esteem, but we are also helping them learn!

You don’t have to be the best singer or musician – your child does not care!  They love anything you sing to them (or they can sing with you) as long as you are spending time with them.  So, the next time your child asks you to sing them another song, embrace their request and sing them a song (or two) and know that every word and tune that comes out of your mouth is a chance to get those wheels turning in their brains and allow you to bond with your child!

The post Old McDonald Had a Farm: Signing and the role of Music appeared first on Chic Baby.

I just brought my new baby home from the hospital and recall looking at him and wondering, “what did I get myself into?” After my son was born, I thought I knew what to do with babies. I was wrong.  I had NO idea what I was doing.  Aside from the constant feedings, diaper changes, and sleep deprivation, I did not know how to do with my baby.

After a few months, we settled into our routines (thank goodness!) and I felt I had a decent handle on the daily “infant” needs.  I clearly remember staring at him as he lay on the floor wondering, “Now what?” He would look back at me with his shiny brown eyes, blinking, as if he expected me to perform.  I was at a loss.

I knew he needed tummy time, but he would yell and cry every time I lay him on his tummy.  I knew there were certain physical and cognitive milestones he was supposed to meet, but I had no idea how to help him get there.   And I knew that we needed help bonding, since we both experienced  challenges within the first few months of his life.   But I didn’t know how to do it.

Grow Baby Grow

It wasn’t until after I became an On The Grow™ Educator with the Baby Signs® program that I realized how easy it was to “play” with your infant.  All I needed was a few nursery songs/rhymes, a blanket, and a cup of coffee.  However, during the haze of new and early parenting, I don’t think I would have been able to recall the songs, find a blanket, or even drink a cup of coffee without falling asleep!

Fortunately, the Baby Signs® program have made it even easier for you, by organizing these easy songs and activities into four baby-focused classes:

On The Grow™: Baby Playtime Series (4 weeks)

• Week 1 – Baby Mind Time™ – Learn how to nurture your baby’s “natural” abilities – such as recognizing patterns, visual tracking, and mimicking – using simple songs and games.
  
• Week 2 – Look at Me, Look at You™ – This class explores how vision is a learned behavior and encourages healthy vision development by exploring eight specific visual skills using fun songs and activities.
• Week 3 – Rumble Tumble Tummy Time™ (Part 1) – In Part I of our two-part tummy time class, come learn how to make tummy time fun for babies (and parents) by using simple signs, songs & rhymes, and other toys and objects around the home.
• Week 4 – Rumble Tumble Tummy Time™ (Part 2) – In Part II, we will learn more ways to make tummy time fun for babies (and parents) by using MORE simple signs, songs and books, while focusing on the importance of touch and snuggle time.

In these classes you will not only learn easy ways to “play” with your infant, but you can help your baby begin to meet developmental milestones, such as vision development, brain development, and tummy time! Additionally, one-on-one time can help increase the bond between caregiver and child.  (Since bonding with your baby is very important for baby, we encourage all parents – including moms, dads, grandparents, and caregivers – to participate in this fun series!)

Join us at our next 4 week series, at Herself Moms (9125 U Street) starting on Friday, May 3rd from 9:45am-10:30am. 

Each class is $15, OR receive a discount when pre-paying for all four weeks!  Please visit our Schedule and Registration page for more information or to SIGN UP! 

The post On The Grow™: NEW and IMPROVED Baby Playtime Series (4 weeks) appeared first on Chic Baby.

As Baby Signs® instructors, we often hear from parents that some of their families and friends not only thought they were nuts for wanting to teach their baby to sign, but were either teased or discouraged from trying.  A few may hear that signing will delay their child’s speech or prevent them from wanting to use words.  Or some may be told that the mere idea of teaching babies to “sign” is ridiculous.  Aside from individual differences between children and number of spoken languages at home, people often ignore the many benefits of signing.

According to the Baby Signs® program, signing can:

• Reduce tears, tantrums and frustration.
• Allow babies to share their worlds.
• Increase respect for babies.
• Make learning to talk easier.
• Boost self-esteem and self-confidence.
• Stimulate intellectual development.
• Strengthen the parent-child bond.

Who wouldn’t want to be able to communicate better with their pre-verbal babies?  Reduce frustration and tears (both parent and child’s!)?  Or boost their child’s self-esteem and self-confidence?

From our experiences and knowledge, the majority of parents and families who sign (or have signed) with their babies can share that the experience was nothing but positive, and that signing has helped their family tremendously!  (Check out our Testimonials page to read what our Baby Signs® families are saying about the Baby Signs® program!)

One way to get dad/grandparents/relatives, etc. on board with signing is by sharing information with them about the Baby Signs® program, the research behind it, and what to expect when you begin signing.  For example, the Baby Signs® program is based off of research conducted at UC Davis and is the original baby signs program!  In addition, the researchers conducted a long-term study that measured IQ points of signing babies as they aged and found that signing actually helped them score higher on IQ tests.

How’s that for original!?  So, how can you share this wonderful information with your families and friends?  Easy!

Join us for one of our Baby Signs® Parent Workshops.

Baby Signs® Parent Workshops are 90 minute one-time introductory classes that teach everything you need to know to get started with the Baby Signs® Program.

These workshops are typically geared towards adults and are recommended for parents and/or caregivers of children ages 0 to 2 ½ years or children who have difficulty communicating.

Included with registration is one Baby Signs® Complete Starter Kit, which includes 4 Baby Signs® chunky Board Books, a Baby Signs® Favorites DVD, Parent DVD, Parent Guide, and Signs at Glance Flip Chart.  Participants will also receive information on:

• the history and research behind the Baby Signs® Program.
• the benefits for you and your baby.
• when to begin signing with your baby.
• effective ways to teach signs at home.
• what to expect as your baby transitions from signs to speech.

Additionally, participants will also learn starter signs to begin teaching Baby Signs® at home!  Registration fees are $55 (including $40 Complete Starter Kit).

Our next Baby Signs® Parent Workshop is scheduled for Saturday, May 11, from 10am-11:30am.  The workshop will be held at Herself Moms (Midtown). Pre-registration is required to attend. 

Please RSVP through our Schedule & Registration page to save your space!

Class details and location will be sent upon registration.  Please note: while this workshop is designed to be led in a child-free environment, we will have baby-friendly toys and room if childcare is unavailable.

For further information, please use our Contact page to send us a message!

The post Baby Signs®: You’re going to WHAT to our child? appeared first on Chic Baby.

[Confession: my words were actually "Oh Shit" and little did I know how many times "poop" would come up in a conversation in the near future...]

So yes, two forms of birth control later and my husband (then fiance) and I had some major decisions to make.  One of which was: “I am going to keep working.”  Having a baby wasn’t going to slow me down!  Little did I know that I didn’t have to slow down.  I just had to change.  Well that took some time to figure out but guess what… I’m still working!

The Mommy Track

Fast forward 9 months and I was a stay at home mom with my son for 8 months until I got stir crazy at home and decided to return to the working world.  This went on (and off) for three years or so in non-profit and social services type of work alongside of taking classes with the goal to get my Masters.  But sadly, it’s hard to get off the so called “Mommy Track.”  So something must have shifted (d’uh) because when it came down to the MASTERS VS BABY debate, baby won.  We decided on baby #2.

I quit my job for good and jump started Chic Baby teaching Baby Signs® classes and going to school for fun.  Fast forward another 9 months and I had my daughter.  I continued to teach classes and got quite busy.  Fast forward another 9 months and the opportunity to start a Passion Parties business landed in my lap.   And here I am.

As I meet more moms like me, I realize that there are so many moms who are rockin’ businesses at home.  Many of these moms are successful, confident, and happy.  This doesn’t mean that everyone is cut out for it, it doesn’t mean that it’s easy, and it doesn’t mean that there is anything wrong with working a 9-5 job.  This just means that: (1) we all gravitate towards like minds, and (2) there has to be some reason for why so many moms are great at running businesses from home.  So I came up with this list…

Why Moms are ROCKIN’ At Home Businesses

1. We are RELATIONSHIP BUILDERS.
   Women get criticized in the corporate world for being too “hormonal” or “soft” if they stop to strike up a fluffy conversation.  Fluffy conversations aren’t bad!  They’re a great way to segue into a potential business opportunity.  We build relationships with other people because we care and we see the value.
   
2. OWNERSHIP is a powerful tool.
   When you are running an at home business, you are everything.  This means you have to take ownership over everything.  You will get out of your business what you put in, so when you take ownership over your positive and negative experiences of your business and not let them own you, you can go far.
3. We COMMUNICATE. 
   How many men communicate as well as women?  I don’t know many.  This isn’t an insult to men.  This is simply the way men and women are wired differently and this is why moms can rock an at home business.  We have to know how to communicate with our spouses, our children, our friends, teachers, and caregivers.  Communication is key to the success of any business.
   
4. We are extremely KEEN.
   As a parent, you develop a very keen sense of hearing, vision, and smell.  This makes you able to multi-task very well.  So while multi-tasking may not be the most healthful or effective of strategies, it’s definitely one that you cannot escape.  When you work at home, you are constantly doing something else at the same time.  For me that’s usually watching the children and listening to a teleclass or breastfeeding my daughter while editing a blog post or writing emails at 3:00am. It’s not easy, but it really is worth it… I promise!
5. We are INVESTED.
   Our children get us here, our businesses keep us sane and keep us moving forward.  Staying at home with our little ones is a huge motivation to keep ourselves invested in our businesses.  Women are known to be extremely passionate and this carries through to our investments: OUR CHILDREN.  They’re the reason we’re here and the reason we’re staying here.  We can’t just pick up and leave, so we will create a job that allows us to stay.
6. One Word: NETWORKING.
   I scratch your back you scratch mine.  This doesn’t mean that we totally use each other, but business success is a two-way street.  Because of our moms groups and various social endeavors, we meet new potential clients every day and we can chat them up.  And if you look at many at home businesses of direct sales with network marketing, the majority of the owners and clients are women.  Why?  Because we network!  And we’re back full-circle to Relationship Building…
   

Success Depends on Your Attitude

So for the last 27 years, I thought life was all about finding yourself.  Through children, I realized that we create ourselves.  And I chose to create my dream job so I can have my dream life. I chose to change my attitude about “losing out on a career” and decided that I would create a career.

Does this sound too good to be true?  I promise it isn’t.  It is possible!  If you think you can, you can!  Wanna try it out?

Get Your Own Business Started From Anywhere!

The post Why Moms are ROCKIN’ At Home Businesses appeared first on Chic Baby.

What does it mean?  To some, it can be defined as those who share the same blood line.  To others, it may simply be sharing a family name.  To me, it doesn’t mean either.  Family are people I consider trustworthy and reliable and who love, care, and respect me unconditionally. While I know what my definition of family is, over the years, I have realized that it may not only be unique and different from other people around me, but quite different even from those in the same “family.”

Who is my family?

Before I go any further, I would like to share a little bit about my personal life.  My nuclear family consists of a special blend of adoptive parents and adoptees.  My two sisters and I were adopted when we were infants and therefore consider our adoptive parents, our “parents,” and even more importantly – family.  Personally, our family has not only struggled with the issues of adoption – not everyone in the extended family agreed or approved of our adoptions – but we also experienced alienation and discrimination as a result of our interracial family.

Growing my family

A few years ago, my husband and I met, had our first child, and married.  None of which would I ever regret, however choosing and marrying someone ultimately means marrying into a “family”.

Personally, this is something I struggle with today.  I’m not sure if it my lack of trust of others regarding my adoption or growing up feeling racially distant from those around me, but I do know that it has impacted whether I  to open up to others.  I realize that my decisions are driven by my past experiences, values, and opinions.   I also realize that my decisions may not always be the “right” choices, or decisions accepted by everyone around me.

Going back to the issue at hand, because I experienced not so positive encounters and interactions with extended family in terms of our adoptions, I both value and unfortunately limit those I consider “family.” Coming from a loving and supportive (adoptive) family who have not only invested time and energy in helping me not only work through my personal battle growing up interracially, but also helped me battle the forever issue of adoption (which comes up in conversation much more often than I would like.)

A few months ago, I had an experience that not only forced me to rethink my own family values and beliefs, but also made me seriously doubt the decisions I make for my family.   Suddenly, I did not know what I believed in and why I felt so strongly about certain things.   While I know most of my decisions are based on my past experiences, I recently learned that the majority of my choices now revolve around my growing child.  Some may call me selfish and rude, but during these early and crucial moments in his life, I realize how much every experience defines his personality and his future.  Now, currently pregnant with our second child and having a young toddler at home – whom I share the same “blood” and family name with – I am even more conflicted between parenting through my personal experiences, while wanting to give both children opportunities to fully experience the world around them.

What is family?

I may not have any advice to offer, but I can share – that in my opinion – it is most important you feel empowered to make those difficult choices for you and your child.  If something does not feel comfortable to you as a parent, then you have every right to avoid that situation.  Your child will have many opportunities as he or she gets older to reestablish connections and relationships in the future.  Enjoy the few precious moments you have with your baby and make the most of them.

In conclusion, what is family?  For some it may be blood, for others it is the name, and a few may even see it as merely a social meaning.  In the end, family means nothing while at the same time it means everything.  Family is what you define it to be. Write your own story and love YOUR family.

The post Are You My Family? appeared first on Chic Baby.

Interested in Baby Signs®?

We have lots of classes starting in March and April!  We’re so excited to be partnering with Herself Moms and will be teaching classes at the Midtown and Roseville location!  Please check what classes we have starting by checking our Schedule & Registration page!

Interested in Parties?

You’re in luck!  We are expanding by adding Passion Parties!  Perhaps you’ve heard of Passion Parties, or perhaps you haven’t.  Regardless, I’m going to tell you about what they really are and why I decided to add this wonderful business to Chic Baby because I guarantee there are some of you out there who were just like me.  This is why:

I’m sure I’m not the only one who heard the term “Passion Parties” and ran for the hills.  I pictured, as I’m sure many of you also do, a wild party with sex toys flying through the air.  Now I’m not denying that these types of Passion Parties are out there, but honestly they were not for me.  So I just looked the other way whenever I heard “Passion Parties.”  That was until a friend, former client, shared she was a Passion Consultant and so in an effort to support her business, I attended a few of her parties and was intrigued.

These Passion Parties were NOT what I expected at all!  Sure there were sex toys, but what I didn’t expect was the educational pieces, the empowerment and confidence I felt after, the non-sexual products, and how comfortable I was!  (The wine probably helped, but moving on!)

Passion Parties

I quickly realized that Passion Parties isn’t all about the sex toys. While sensuality is a very important part of Passion Parties, educating and empowering women from the bedroom to the bank is the most important piece! Passion Parties gives you the confidence to talk about sex, builds your self esteem to take back what’s yours in your relationship because you deserve it! You deserve to be pampered and you deserve to have a great time! My goal is to EMPOWER you to make the educated choices and enhance your relationship in and out of the bedroom. When you feel good about yourself, you feel more confident about yourself and your sexuality, and that affects every aspect of your life!

Become a hostess and book a party with me for FREE! All you have to do is provide some light refreshments (like wine) and the party place.  All my hostesses get free products, discounts, and special rewards.  Or maybe you want to help women feel pampered and empowered, too?  Then become a Passion Consultant and join my team! The rewards are endless! Contact me for more details!

Visit my website for more information!  You can book a party, learn more, or shop confidentially anytime!

The post It’s Party Time! appeared first on Chic Baby.

Unfortunately, throughout the years we have learned how difficult that can be at times.  Friends become busy and caught up with their lives, our schedules become too hectic: we cancel playdates, skip our dinner dates with friends, and all of a sudden we have lost touch with some of the most important people in our lives.

During the last two years, I have transitioned from working OUT of the home, to working IN the home.  I admit, I do miss the extra income and break from parenting – especially now that my son has entered his toddler years.  Everything has become 10x more dramatic and interesting these past few months.  However, every time I find myself checking craiglist.org for jobs, I remember why I chose to stay home and teach Baby Signs:  I wanted to enjoy watching and learning from my child.  The spilled milk and scattered cheerios mean more than “another mess to clean up.”  It means, “Mommy, I need some attention!”

In addition, aside from missing the extra income, I have been so surprised to have met wonderful moms (and women) these past few months – both as a mom and Baby Signs instructor.  I have learned more from them than I could ever learn working away from the home.  I feel much more supported – and honestly more appreciated – than I ever did working in an office.  Additionally, I feel that the things I choose to do, whether for them or for the children, aren’t because I want people to praise me or tell me “what a good job I did,” but because I want to spend time with other like-minded people and give myself a mental break.

Being a work at home mom, I can recommend two things:

1. Find a good support network of other parents – or even WAHMs – and put in the EFFORT to maintain strong positive relationships. They will be your life-line when you feel your life is spinning out of control, because I guarantee you – someone has had a similar experience.  I can proudly say that many of my “mommy” friends have helped me survive these initial years of parenting where I can admit I knew nothing about.

2. Don’t be afraid to set aside that email (or in my case, blog post) and give your child some attention. When I hear “mommy, mommy, mommy, mommy…” and feel the endless pulling on my arm or leg, I look over at my child and see eager eyes asking for nothing more than love.  While it’s tempting to ignore their cries for “one more second,” the times I find myself scooping him up and giving him a snuggle, both of us are happier and calmer.  It’s a win-win situation.

As I look around the house tonight, I see dirty socks and PJs lying on the floor and sticky spots of who-knows-what on my couches, it all reminds me that this was the life I chose.  This was the path I chose.   And I could not – and would not -  ask for anything else.

The post Parenting: WAHM vs. Sanity appeared first on Chic Baby.

To me, this means:

• Wash my face regularly and take care of my skin.
• Take the time to put on makeup (even if it’s just a little concealer).
• Exercise.
• Eat better (as in remembering to eat).
• Take my prenatal vitamins.
• Pamper myself.

So, when I say “mommy makeup,” this does not mean a yobaby facial… (although I have heard great things about an oatmeal mask).  However, I’ve never been one to slather food on my face, so I resort to mud masks (when I remember) and making an effort to get out of yoga pants.  How am I doing so far?  Well it’s one week down and I’m doing pretty well so far.  My biggest challenge?  #2.

5 Best Makeup Products for Moms

1. Under Eye Concealer
   Whoever does not have dark under eye circles, please share your secret!  I’ve noticed that just touching up under the eyes and on other reddish parts instantly brightens up your face.  I prefer the Maybelline Age Rewind Dark Circle Concealer.  It’s not too expensive, it’s not perfect, but it works pretty well.
2. Mineral Foundation and Powder
   Mineral makeup is gentle enough to sleep in, and that’s good enough for me!  Of course I don’t sleep in it overnight, but I feel better about putting something on my face that’s not going to clog any pores.  I have used Bare Minerals for years and still love it!  It’s not heavy, it doesn’t look caked on, and you can adjust coverage to your liking.  As a busy mom, I usually prefer light coverage so I don’t look too “made up.”
3. Vaseline
   Vaseline has so many uses!  When I had an allergic reaction to a lip gloss, vaseline was my lifeline.  It not only eased the irritation, it helped heal and moisturize.  And since the back of our hands are always extra dry, rubbing leftover vaseline onto the backs of your hands is very soothing.  Plus, I know it’s not going to irritate my baby’s skin.  If it’s safe for a baby’s bottom, it’s safe for my lips and her face.   Honestly, I haven’t used lip gloss or lipstick in years.
4. Tube Mascara
   Haven’t heard of tube mascara?  It’s amazing!  As someone who does not wear a lot of makeup, having a good eyelash curler and tube mascara makes a huge difference.  I never liked to scrub at my eyelashes to remove mascara, but easy-to-remove mascara usually cakes off or gives me raccoon eyes after too much yawning.  So tube mascara is a great solution!  I like Cargo Better-Than-Waterproof.  It stays on yet comes right off in warm water.  I just jump in the shower and as I wash my face, the little “tubes” come right off.  Easy peasy!
5. Smudge-Free Eyeliner
   Eyeliner can really open up your eyes and make you look so much younger.  If you don’t have time for eyeshadow and an extensive routine, eyeliner is one item that can make a huge difference.  My sister discovered Stila Smudge Stick and I will never buy another eyeliner again.  It glides on smooth and you have about 30 seconds to make any changes and then it stays pretty well!  I don’t get any smudges under the eyes and the lines actually last an entire day (even through multiple yawns).  Not convinced?  Well Amazon has a great price for this amazing eyeliner!

So what’s your favorite product?

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Maya Wrap/Ring Sling

So my first experience with baby wearing was with a Maya Wrap. I used the Maya Wrap religiously with my son until he walked, and even beyond walking!  Breastfeeding in it was a cinch and I loved how I could wear him facing out or towards me and I could wear him on my front, hip, or back.  In fact, I distinctly remember wearing my son when he was three years old when he took an unscheduled nap.  And yes, he still fell under the maximum weight limit (what can I say, I have lightweight children).

I loved the closeness and snuggle factor of the Maya Wrap as it conforms to your body, but it wasn’t the most supportive for long periods of time and I needed to be able to actively chase after my son.  It was perfect for my daughter as a newborn as she was so little and it does keep her smushed up in a womb like position.  I do still love the Maya Wrap dearly and keep it close, especially as it’s very worn in and soft.  I use it when I need to pop her into a wrap quickly.  It’s now my emergency wrap that stays in the car.  I still love the Maya for it’s simplicity, but I needed something more supportive.

Moby Wrap/Rebozo

So after the birth of my daughter, my sister had given me a Moby Wrap that I tried and frankly, could not figure out.  So one day, I sat around on Facebook while she was nursing hunting down “baby wearing” groups.  Well lo-and-behold I found a group.  I suddenly felt very inexperienced and ignorant to the baby wearing world as most of these ladies had stacks and stacks of beautiful wraps (rebozo style) that they used to intricately wrap their babies to their bodies like a pretzel.  Well to me it seemed intricate.  But I knew that rebozo style wasn’t for me.  To me it was like knitting – beautiful with a learning curve that I didn’t have time to learn.

What I did like about it was that it worked for many different body types, it keeps your baby curled up like in the womb, and it was excellent for discrete breastfeeding.  What I did not like about it in addition to the seeming complexity was that being short, the tail was very long and I had to wrap it twice to knot it.  That created a very bulky knot and uncomfortable no matter where it was.  I couldn’t sit down in it.  So as I mentioned above, while it didn’t work for me, it may work great for you!

Ergo Carrier

Well then I remembered a good friend of mine, who runs the blog Tiny Helmets Big Bikes, raving about the Ergo carrier.  Then I found out my local Costco was selling them for only $80.00!  (Note: they are also as cheap as $80.00 on Amazon!) Originally, I bought an Ergo Sport for my husband so he could wear our daughter when we were out and about, but I fell in love with it.  There were a few flaws I didn’t like about the Ergo Sport, like the straight straps that cut into my boobs when I wore her on my back, the lack of the front pocket for keys and phone, and the extra long straps (I’m a tiny person).  Plus, the infant insert was bulky on my small frame, so I didn’t wear my daughter in the Ergo until she was old enough to go without the extra insert.  But after hemming and hawing about getting an original (mainly the pocket and curved straps), Costco’s price dropped from $80.00 to $55.00 after the holidays.  I jumped with joy and got a second Ergo.  So now we have two and I’m in love.

The original Ergo carrier feels smaller, it does have a thicker material and no front vent, but it has the pocket that I couldn’t do without. The Ergo is perfect for someone with an active lifestyle, especially if you have more than one child.  With a four year old, it seems inevitable that as soon as I put the baby to sleep, the older child needs a snack or help on the potty.  With a forward wearing baby carrier, wiping a poopy bottom with a baby in front is quite challenging.  (In fact, I was able to write this entire blog post with my baby asleep on my back).

While I still love the Maya Wrap, the Ergo carrier works much better for my daughter.  I love the support so I can go on walks with both of them in the afternoons and not hold my keys or phone the entire time.  Plus, it has a nifty little hood and breastfeeding is fairly simple.  If I can walk around Target and breastfeed, I’m in heaven!

Baby Bjorn

The Baby Bjorn is a well known name.  It’s a baby carrier that allows you to wear your baby facing towards you or facing out (but only on the front).  My sister has this carrier and used it quite regularly when her son was very little and she had no complaints, except it lacked the back support around the waist as he got larger.  There is a model that has the back support, but I have not tried it.

So while many people love this carrier, my sister did not use it for an extended period of time.  I personally chose not to use the Bjorn because I worry about the “crotch dangling” position.  I’m sure babies love the free feeling and the ability to kick legs and see the world, but I would rather my baby be supported by his bottom than the crotch.  So again, some people love this carrier but with other options on the market, I chose to use different products for baby wearing.

What’s your favorite baby carrier?

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