Friday, May 14, 2010

Backpack, Backpack

I very recently became interested in baby wearing. I have an 18 month old DD. She loves to be independent and see everything but she isn’t old enough to walk on her own. She is too independent to let me hold her hand so everywhere we go it becomes a struggle of me chasing her around. I take the stroller most everywhere we go but she always wants out after about 15 minutes and then I’m stuck pushing the stroller and chasing Natalie. I really needed a solution to our issue because what we were doing just wasn’t working. I started looking into carriers for toddlers. I asked around on twitter (my go to place). And found that when it comes to baby wearing what works for one doesn’t always work for everyone. There were so many different opinions on which carrier was better that I think it confused me more than anything. There were so many carriers that I wanted to try but the price was pretty high. There was no way I could talk Hubby into letting me get one of these carriers when we are going to get more than a few months use out of it (so I thought).

I waited and kept researching, I checked the swap board but they were still too pricey. One day Ergo Carriers came on babysteals.com. I was so stoked! I waited a few hours to order though, I still wasn’t sure if I had convinced Hubby. He said yes so I went ahead an ordered it. I received it within a week and as soon as we got it I tried it on with Nat. We were home alone but I still wanted to try the back carry. It was a little difficult but we got it ok. Snapped a few pics and it was nap time.
That night when Hubby got home from work we went outside and played basketball with Natalie in the Ergo. She had so much and felt like she was right there with us playing. It was so sturdy that I never worried about her falling out or even being uncomfortable. I have used it many times since to make dinner or do the dishes.
Today I decided to push mow the grass with Natalie in the Ergo! It was kind of spur of the moment but this kid loves being outside and the grass needed to be mowed. So I strapped her on in the back carry which we are getting much better at and off we went! We had so much fun. She kept pointing to the animals in the yard and leaning over my shoulder to see what was going on. I will be doing this more often now!

It’s just starting to get warmer out but I can’t wait to use the Ergo more, I am already thinking of all the places I can take it. One thing I really like about it is that if Natalie wants down, the carrier is light enough that I can still wear it and chase her around, so far she doesn’t want down though.

When I want to put her in the carrier I ask her if she wants to go in Mommy’s Backpack because she is a huge Dora fan. She repeats back to me “backpack backpack”. I love that we have a special name for it and she knows exactly what I’m talking about when I say it.

Now I just wish I had looked into baby wearing when she was younger. I feel like wearing her gives us such a special bond, we are sharing things that she will never share with anyone else. I feel like she learns so much more because she has a great view of the world.

7 comments:

Nikki said...

Awww! I wore Cubby when he was a baby, but not as he got older. The kid LOVES to run and explore! We did get a chance to try a Boba carrier with Daddy and I'm considering getting one but the price... EEEK!!! Adorable! Thanks for sharing!

Tami said...

yay! i love carrying my little girl and she loves being up high and being held. we usually use a mei tai or a wrap :)

Unknown said...

I am so impressed! First, you are mowing the lawn. Second, you are mowing the lawn while wearing a baby! Talk about a work out! Why dont you do some squats while you're at it! I have a baby bjorn and a hug-a-monkey. I have been using them more often since lil miss has been so clingy lately!

Mindy said...

I love these pictures! I want to do babywearing with my next as well. There is so much to learn and they are so pricey, though, so it's definitely a difficult decision. Thanks for sharing your experiences with this one. :0)

Jessi said...

I <3 baby wearing. I love my wraps and slings though. I wouldn't mind an ergo but I do love the closeness of my wrap.

Pictures are too cute!

Amy @ Motherhood and Miscellany said...

That's great! Love the photos. I love my Ergo too, though I'm not too great at the back carry, and I can't use it for the front carry anymore. Miss has always loved it though!!

shanjol23 said...

I love these pics of you wearing Nat!! Sooo cute!!