In the past, it’s been very popular with you guys when I post the gifts that we’ve chosen for Annie and Andy. As you know, we have a 3-Gift Christmas here – meaning we give three gifts to each child. One of gold (a treasured gift, usually a toy), one of frankincense (something for worship), and one of myrrh (something for the body).

This has become a very interesting topic to a lot of people – so much so that we were interviewed for The Today Show blog and also for WFAA-TV in Dallas, Texas. We are so tickled to be able to share this idea (one we heard of ourselves) with others – so that we can focus on the true meaning of Christmas…and keep our budgets intact. 😉 [Read more…]

This is our fourth Christmas celebrating Advent together as a family. Each year I am more excited about it than the year before…because this is a time when our family can bond and sing kum-ba-ya. Ha, ha! No really, we SO enjoy our yearly Advent activities – because it’s a time when we can focus on Christ and spending time together…instead of the hustle and bustle of Christmas and the stress that can sometimes accompany it.

So, let me catch you up if you’ve joined us since last year. Our family celebrates Christ’s birth by focusing on Advent during the holiday season. We start December 1^st and have a family activity every day through the 25^th instead of the traditional gifts.  Each day our activity is accompanied by an Advent devotion using Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room (affiliate link, as usual). I’ll put some past Advent links at the bottom of the post in case you want to see them. [Read more…]

Having children has really put me into touch with the sinful nature. And I ain’t talking about my kids. I’m talking about myself. Man alive. I finally see myself a bit more how God sees me – I’m filthy rags. Thanks be unto God for His saving grace.

But really, Barry and I realize the heavy burden that we bear – the burden to teach our children in the ways of our Christian faith. It’s a daily walk for me – and I’m not teaching Annie, she’s teaching ME. Every day I learn things from her. Every day being with her causes me to beg God for mercy toward me. And as I am teaching Annie to obey me, I am teaching her to obey God. [Read more…]

NOTE: Another long post with a video…so, you’ve been warned. 😉

When I first started babywearing with Annie, I used cheap carriers. While they did the job, they weren’t very comfortable…and then I met the Moby Wrap. I remember the first time I wore Annie in my Moby – I remember thinking “Now THIS is how it’s supposed to be!” It just felt right…snug and secure. I fell in love with it immediately.

When I am in the front-carry stage, the Moby Wrap is hands-down my favorite carrier. I like the fit – I like how it feels so secure – I like how fast and easy I can put it on – I like that I can put it on before I leave the house – I like that it’s machine washable when it gets baby snot all over it…or when Mama drops hot dog chili all down the front panel. [Read more…]

Guest post by Brandy Nichols

The very first way I learned to carry my child (other than my arms) was in a ring sling.  My husband’s mother gave me one in those very early days with my first baby.  I think I must have gone around for a year or more, wearing my sling or mei tai much of the time.  Many folks love using ring slings for getting their child up and down quickly and praise them even in the toddler years.

A ring sling is a length of cloth where one end is threaded with sling rings, folded over and sewn (very well).  The other end, the tail, is free.  It’s threaded through the rings, too, to make an adjustable pocket for the baby.  Ring slings are not the same as those infamous bag slings from a few years ago.  I like ring slings for carrying very small babies most of all.  There’s not lots of fabric to wrap around them and no special inserts or adjustments required, such as for soft-structured carriers.  Babies are only very little for a short time, anyway. [Read more…]

I’ve already told you that Moby wraps are my favorite carrier for when babies are under the age of 1 year. When I want to wear my baby on the front, I grab my Moby. When baby is big enough for back carry, I grab my soft-formed carrier (I have an Ergo Sport as well).

If I had to tell you to purchase just ONE carrier (but really, I think you should own at least two…and I’ve got four), I would tell you to buy a Boba. Why? Because it’s SO versatile. You can do front carry or back carry (I’ll show videos of both). Plus, they’re pretty stinking cute. [Read more…]

I must admit I was quite excited when Stacy told me she had a woven wrap for me to review.  I had heard of Dolcino, but hadn’t seen one.  That’s one of the things about woven wraps – they’re not often things you can go to a brick and mortar store and pick one off the shelf.  I’m used to mail order, though.  Finding wraps in a store is much more common in Europe, where babywearing is more of the norm, but they’re generally pretty expensive.

A woven wrap is long piece of fabric made specifically for babywearing.  They vary in length, anywhere from 2.7 meters to 5.7 meters (quite long!).  They’re used to wrap around your baby and yourself so you can carry your child as you go about your day.  They’re likely to be the most challenging carrier you can use, but also the most versatile.  They are one size fits all and can be used on the front, back or hip.  There’s a perfect carry for the age and temperament of your baby (such as ones who like to lean out of a carrier). [Read more…]

NOTE: This post is a bit long and includes two videos. Proceed with caution. 😉

The first carrier I’m going to focus on in this babywearing series is the Mei Tai…not to be confused with the alcoholic drink. Please do not drink and babywear. HAHAHAHAHA! The way I talk about drinking all the time, you’d think I was a big alchy. But anyway, I digress. Editor’s note: Stacy is not an alcoholic.

My mom made me a Mei Tai when Annie was young, and I did enjoy it but we could never get the fit just right. Then I was contacted by Valerie of Gracie and Sam – and I got the idea to do this series on babywearing. She wanted me to try out one of her custom-made Mei Tais. I was PUMPED because all her carriers were so pretty. [Read more…]

Written by Brandy Nichols, Contributing Writer

When I had my first child, I thought of babywearing as a way to be present for my child in a culture littered with baby-holding appliances.  It seemed natural to me.  I didn’t need (or have the budget for) a swing that mimicked my heartbeat.  My mother-in-law gave me a ring sling as a gift and I made my first mei tai soon after.  Like magic, my daughter fell asleep nearly every time I put her in either one.  I didn’t understand it, but it sure was nice to feel her downy head against my chin.

Over the next year, I wore her much of the time, as first children seem to be the ones who don’t want to be put down.  We did yard work, cooked (with her on the back), hung out laundry and went for walks to the store.  I was able to get things done and offer the kind of presence she needed.   I was also able to get her to sleep when she needed a nap.  Golden. [Read more…]