Katie and I were outside taking a walk in this beautiful 50 degree weather today, when I was reminded of a post I’ve been meaning to write for a while.
At our baby shower, I was very lucky to have been gifted by my cousins this really cool baby carrier. It’s really just about 5 yards of stretchy fabric with a decorative panel of fabric sewn in the middle. Once you get the hang of how to wrap it around yourself, it becomes the most comfortable carrier I’ve used yet.
I’ve tried one of those structured carriers that you see all over the place, and it puts so much more pressure on your shoulders. I’ve even tried a sling, and still use it occasionally. The sling can be more convenient when you want a quick carrier for a short time, but it’s not quite as comfortable as my wrap. What makes it so comfortable is that the fabric is wide enough that it spreads the weight out over a larger area. Also, the baby is being supported by not just your shoulders, but your waist and hips and back too.
These aren’t the best pictures to really show how the wrap works, but doesn’t she look adorable and cozy? Katie just loved being wrapped up in this in her very early days. If she was fussing, or we had to go out somewhere I’d just wrap her up, and pull one side over her head for support. It’s hard to describe, but you can do it in such a way that doesn’t cover her face, but lets your hands free to do other things (like eat at a restaurant). We didn’t have a stroller very early on, nor even an easily carried car seat. Although, if we had I think I still would have preferred the wrap. Also, if I ever had trouble getting Katie to sleep, she’d zonk right out those first few months if I had her in the wrap (I once slept in the rocker with her in the wrap on a particularly fussy night). Some people have even found clever ways of discreetly nursing with the baby in a wrap. I wasn’t able to do it for various reasons, but it’s great for those that can.
Better pictures and instructions at the website for the vendor that made my wrap: Lovey Duds
One of the things that makes this style of carrier really cool, is that you don’t need to spend a lot of money. You can just buy about 5 yards of the right fabric, and either fold it in half lengthwise, or cut it in half lengthwise and sew the edge. I have a second wrap that I made from fabric I bought.
While I have a moment, let’s talk about baby food. Corey and I chose to make our own baby food, instead of buying the jars. It’s significantly less expensive, likely more nutritious because it’s more fresh, and won’t have any preservatives or ingredients that we don’t like. We try to avoid crazy chemicals and ingredients that we can’t pronounce in our own food, so of course we do the same for Katie.
So far it has been remarkably easy, but you really don’t need to make it complicated. We have several ways to puree food, depending on our mood, how much we’re making, or what needs pureeing. We have a KidCo food mill which is made just for the purpose, and it’s great for making single serving purees. We also have an adult size food mill/ricer which is nice for larger batches. We’re also foodees, so the potential for using this in our own meals is a bonus. We also have a big food processer, and a little attachment for one of those immersion blenders that’s great for a few servings.
OK, so that sounds like overboard, but most of the appliances we had before Katie. We probably really only needed a food mill of some kind.
I try to roast, or steam her food, and I only boil it when I’ll be pureeing the food with the water it was cooked in. That way I can keep all the nutrients in the veggies.
Very early on I made this really great applesauce when apples were in season. I just roasted chunks of apple, and put them through the food mill. They didn’t need any sugar, because it was deeelicious. So much better than any store bought applesauce I’ve had.
It’s really fun to give her avocado, or soft pears because she can work on her motor skills and enjoy having control of her own food. Bananas are great too. I can’t wait until I can introduce dairy into her diet, because there are so many more things I can make.
Well, yesterday was an adventure. I was snowed in and unable to leave for work, and we were without power all day until 1am today. Today I tried to make the trek out to work, but made it to the end of my driveway and met with several inches of slush. My driveway was more clear than the road, which means that the roads hadn’t been plowed since before around 11am yesterday.
I am so greatful for having electricity, and lighting!
I think we got about 8 inches of dense wet snow. It seemed to snow for at least 24 hours yesterday, with a bit of rain thrown in here and there. Corey said that according to the radio 20,000 people were without power last night.
I am reminded of a similar storm that we had last year. It was about as bad, but without the ice and it hit a much smaller area. I suppose it was our karma because we managed to avoid a large portion of the storms that hit the east coast this month. We’re lucky to have a gas kitchen stove, wood burning stove for heat, candles, and a regular landline phone. However, I learned that one thing we don’t have is a battery powered radio!
I am so ready. About this time every year I get itching for the warmer weather. This year is no exception. I love snow, and I love winter, and the cold doesn’t really bother me. Spring is just my favorite season, and there’s really only so long you can take the dark and dreary. Until the warmer weather comes, I seem to keep cranking out scarves. This one I’m really excited about.
A shot of it on the loom.
My grandmother’s birthday is coming up in a few months, so I think that will be the next project on the loom.
Katie is just growing like a weed. This is one of her favorite things to do lately. She can even scoot around the edge pretty well.
This is my current source of fun. I mentioned taking a weaving class a few weeks ago, and have been thinking about this loom since. Since I recently did some samples for store credit at work, I was able to get one for myself. This scarf was done yesterday in about 4-5 hours off and on.
On the baby front, she has been really tough lately. I think she’s started teething again, so hopefully she’ll sprout a tooth soon. She’s also been very needy and wants to be cuddled and held all the time. Naptime is tough too. I guess the fun 5 and 6 month phase is over.
I’m thinking maybe she’s going to crawl in a month or so.
Yesterday I had the rare occasion to go out on my day off and take a rigid heddle weaving class. We used Schacht’s Flip Folding loom, and it was a ton of fun. Since I work at a yarn store we get to take classes for free, and this was one of the rare staff only classes.
I think I did OK. It’s very warm 100% very soft wool (Tosh Worsted if you’re interested).
I am having so much fun with Katie lately. She’s really learned to laugh, and she has a great sense of humor. A baby’s laugh is just one of the most precious things in the world.
Katie in one of her favorite Christmas toys. Her playpen!
Comment: Hey Kristin, I just read something from a few years back that mentioned you, and realized I haven’t seen you for a while, so I came here to see...
Entry: Wrap Carrier
Author: Jon Udell
Time: March 11, 2010, 7:51 pm UTC
Comment: Hey Kristin, I just read something from a few years back that mentioned you, and realized I haven’t seen you for a while, so I came here to see...