Mei Tai Baby

I was given a Mei Tai baby carrier from a friend of mine. She had purchased it for herself but never ended up using it. I was pretty excited about this because the carrier I had was a cheaper one that you can get at your local super mart and it was only good for smaller babies. I have been using the Mei Tai for about 6 months now and really enjoy it.

The Mei Tai has a very simple shape. There is a large rectangle that the baby sit in. Then there are two padded straps that go up off the top and two un-padded straps that go off the sides of the bottoms. There is also a padded area at the top of the rectangle that is great for supporting baby's head.

You can find a great how to tutorial here on how to put on a MeiTai either as a front carrier or a back carrier.

For front carrying you tie the waist straps around your back with the printed panel hanging down against your legs.You then take baby and hold them against you and pull the panel up and over them. You pull the padded straps up over your shoulders and cross the straps in the back. You then bring the straps around front and tie them behind the baby's back. Here is the padded straps crossed behind my back.

Here is me wearing Zeke when we went to get our Christmas Tree. My MeiTai came with a black fleece cover for going over the baby while wearing them. Kind of like a blanket. It has elastic on the corners that you slip the top shoulder straps through to hold it up and the bottom is sewn closed like a little sack for the baby's legs to go in. I of course forgot to bring it with so I simply tucked a blanket around him and we stayed nice and warm!Here is the MeiTai with Zeke at 2 months. With littler babies you can tuck their legs up into the carrier so they are almost balled up. The day this picture was taken it was so miserably hot outside and humid and I did wear this for about and hour and a half then we ended up putting him in the stroller to cool off.

I have also used this as a back carrier as well as my husband. We put our 2 year old in it. You tie the waist straps first then put the baby on your back (this is best if you have a person to help. You then flip the carrier up over the baby and pull the straps around your shoulders. You can cross them in the front but I did not. You simply pull them over and back under your arms and tie behind baby's back. I was extremely comfortable with my 2 year old on my back while carrying him around.


Over all I am pretty happy with the MeiTai. If I wear it for a VERY long time I will start to get sore but other than that it has worked great for us.

Baby Love Ring Sling Review

Welcome to babywearing week! We have a fantastic week lined up with reviews on a number of carriers and even a couple of giveaways! I, personally, am so excited about this week! I am an avid babywearer and supporter of babywearing (and if I had a second addiction to cloth diapering, that would be it!) So stay tuned for more information on slings, wraps and other type of carriers!

Without further ado, let's get started! First on the list: Ring slings, featuring one from Baby Love Slings.

I had worn our first two children in wraps and pouches, and I had borrowed a ring sling from a friend but didn't "get it" - I found it incredibly uncomfortable and I was most certainly wearing it (and my child!) wrong. Then, through the wonderful world of blogging, I met Farrah of Baby Love Slings. We often talked of babywearing and I finally confessed that I had never really used a ring sling. I convinced hubby that I needed a ring sling when we found out we were expecting our third child. I was determined to figure it out, make it work and love it! And of course, I knew I would be ordering from Farrah.

It took me forever to decide on a fabric (I chose Aqua Floral) and it arrived just before Caedmon did. Once we got past the fuzzy first few weeks, I finally attempted to use the ring sling. I have to say that Farrah was so incredibly patient with me as I sent picture after picture to her of me trying to get the sling just right. I spent what seemed like hours in front of a mirror trying to get it just so. Before I knew it, I had my little man all snuggled up -

Caedmon at one month, the first day we really figured out the ring sling. He was asleep within seconds. He always liked to be slightly to the side. If he was straight upright, he was miserable - he still, at 5.5months, much prefers to hang out at an angle!

Caedmon at almost 2 months
((Sorry for my face being out of pictures, hehe, I don't like to have my picture taken!))

I quickly fell in love with my ring sling and I was so thankful for it. While my older two loved the wrap and pouch slings, Caedmon wanted nothing to do with them, but he loved the ring sling! I'd wear him in it all day around the house, to doctor's appointments and church. He is now a little over 18lbs at 5.5 months and still fits in it great, but really only likes it when he is tired (he much prefers the freedom of 'moving' in a soft structured/buckle carrier). I'm excited to see if he will love it as he grows more and that 'freedom' isn't such a new thing.

Farrah also makes child size slings and sent one along for my boys to practice their own babywearing skills!

Keaton "monkey"wearing at 3.5 years with a sling to match mama's! ;-)

Ring Slings do have a bit of a learning curve, but once you get it, you get it.

Here is a video demonstration of a hip carry with a 5 month old:



There are many ways to use a ring sling in various carries.

Just like with any carrier, there are pros and cons to using a ring sling over another type of carrier.

Pros:

• A ring sling is compact, it can be folded and stored easily
  
• A ring sling is versatile and can be worn by any one, any size who is caring for the baby (some carriers come in sizes and one care provoder may not be able to wear baby without purchasing a carrier in their size)
• You can carry baby in a number of positions
• It is easy to nurse your baby in a ring sling
• Can be used from infancy through toddler-hood
  
• Can be used on both shoulders

Cons:

• Because it does use only one shoulder, that shoulder may become tired after some time, and the need to switch sides may arise
• Some may find difficult to use (does take practice!)
• Some may find it is uncomfortable as baby gets heavier

Disclaimer: I purchased a ring sling from Baby Love Slings at discount for my own personal use. All opinions are my own, and you may have a different experience.

Peachy Green (formerly Bright Star Baby) AIO Review

Have you ever tried a new diaper and thought to yourself, "I think I could easily replace all my diapers with this brand..."? I, myself, love variety. I love trying new diapers, having different systems - I don't think I really have a "favorite" diaper. However, upon trying out the Peachy Green (formerly Bright Star Baby) AIO, I definitely had those, "I want this to be my only diaper!" thoughts. It is beyond phenomenal.

First, let's see what makes up this diaper. Left to right:

• the shell, mine came in a yummy (yes, yummy - just wait til you see it!) color of Spice. The inner is 100% bamboo/organic cotton. One word: divine. So soft, it's ridiculous.
• the middle item (which should be on the far right, as it's an "extra") is a snap in hemp booster for when you need extra absorbency (traveling, nap/night time).
• finally, the snap in fleece soaker. Heavenly. This is actually a double layer (see next series of pictures) so you can adjust to put the absorbency where needed.
  

Then you snap it all together and you have some superior absorbency lined up. I know you're thinking, "this kid is going to have a big 'ol diaper butt....just wait!

It has side snaps for a snug fit across the tummy. This was actually the first time I had used a side snapping diaper and I was thoroughly impressed.
Now, remember the name of the diaper? Peachy Green (formerly Bright Star Baby) Ultimate Trim Fit AIO? Remember all the "punch" it got packed into it? Look how trim!!! You can also see the snug fit across the tummy.

I mean, really - you will be hard pressed to get more trim than this!

It hugs the back and is super snug there as well.
This diaper worked amazingly well for us. I even used it one night (with all inserts in place) and it lasted all night on our little guy with no leaks to speak of (I threw a fleece cover over it for good measure, just in case). It has not left red marks on his legs, back or tummy either. It dries super fast, also.

The only issue we had was our first use, totally user error!

I snapped it this way:
When I should have snapped this way:
I put the little guy in his Bumbo seat (aka: the poo seat) and within minutes, he did his thing. I went to change him and poo had gone everywhere along the sides, making a huge mess as I changed him. I tried the 'right' way every other time without that issue happening again!

For kicks, I put my 32+lb toddler in it just to see the fit. (I reviewed the Size 1 for 12-28lbs and up to 17.5" rise. I thought for certain that even if it did fit him, it would be a snug fit).
With there being 4 thigh snaps, we still have some growing room in this diaper!

It lasted all through nap time without a leak! He thought it was pretty funny that he was wearing his baby brother's diaper (as did mommy!) So great to have a diaper that I can use between the two of them!

With as trim as this diaper is, combined with the absorbency - this is one that I will be recommending for as long as we are in diapers!

Peachy Green (formerly Bright Star Baby) Ultimate Trim Fit AIO comes in a slew of delicious colors and a handful of adorable prints. While it comes in 3 sizes, their site mentions that Size 1 fits a wide range of babies - yes, yes it does!

disclaimer: I received one Peachy Green (formerly Bright Star Baby) Ultimate Trim Fit AIO diaper and one hemp booster for review, All opinions are my own and you may have a different experience.

Homemade Tortillas

I love being in the kitchen. That's about all there is to it. And, whenever I can find a way to make something we spend oodles of money on, I get all too excited.

About two years ago, I was reading a blog and the blogger mentioned that she started making tortillas/taco shells at home. I wanted to smack my forehead. We have tacos every week - hubby and I love Mexican food and tacos are one meal guaranteed to be eaten by my picky pre-schooler (even with sour cream!) Not to mention, my husband will usually take a meal of tacos for lunch one day a week, and often I'll make other recipes that involve tortilla shells in some way, shape or form. Needless to say - we use a LOT of taco shells around here!

I bought a tortilla press and some corn flour. Scared to try it, it sat in our kitchen for the longest time. Recently, I pulled it out and finally put it to use.

What you will need:

A tortilla press. I'm certain you can do this without a press, but seriously, it takes 3 seconds with one. FYI: it weighs 6lbs. Doesn't seem like a lot, but it's a beast! Being this heavy though, you don't have to put a lot of work into it.

Your ingredients (this is for 16ish 5-6inch tortillas):

2C corn flour (I bought mine on amazon, but I have now seen it at Kroger and WalMart)

1 1/4C water (you may need more)

1/4t salt
a bowl to mix it all in

I like to use my cast iron skillet to make them, but any ungreased skillet/griddle will work just fine

Mix your ingredients together making a soft dough (if it's crumbly, add water, 1T at a time). Roll into 16(ish) small balls.
Cover with a damp cloth to keep them moist.
Now. You're going to think I'm crazy, but please, unless you want to waste your ingredients, trust me! Grab a grocery bag and cut two large circles, then wash with soap and water (let air dry, or dry completely with a towel). Lay one piece of the bag on the base of the press, place a dough ball on top of the bag, and then the second sheet of plastic bag.


Close the top of the press.
Swing the latch over...
...Press...
open up the press & TORTILLA!If you have toddlers, they will probably scream, "The circle is done!" after each one!

You will need to cook your tortilla on the skillet/griddle on med-high heat, about 1 minute on each side (pictured blow). You can also fry them and make tostadas.
But, in the time it takes you to drive to your favorite Mexican restaurant, you can be serving up yummy tortillas at home!
Not pictured (because I totally forgot as I was into my "system"): You can easily freeze these. Simply let cool completely, place a sheet of wax paper between each tortilla, slip a batch into a freezer bag and pop in the freezer. When you're ready to use, either thaw on the counter ahead of time or pop in the microwave for a few seconds.

These don't taste exactly like store bought tortillas, but those are typically flour (which I haven't tried yet).

Now, I need some salsa and cheese dip!

Have you ever made tortillas at home?

Smart Bottoms Live Daiper Party!

Today is the big day! I am very excited for tonight as I host a Smart Bottoms diaper party from right here in my very own living room! I invite all of you to join in on the fun with the opportunity to view and attend the party live with us!


I was able to attened a party last week and was totally impressed. Christy, the owner really knows her stuff when it comes to cloth diapering. I learn so much from her that I didn't know before. I also had the oppertunity to review a couple of their products and was pretty impressed, especially by their Smart Fold!

I hope as many of you as possible can attend our live diaper party. It will last around an hour and while viewing the party online you will also have the chance to chat with not only other moms learning about Smart Bottoms but with a consultant as well. If you have a question all you have to do is ask and the consultant will answer it. Also at the end of the party you will have the opportunity to win some great prizes as well as make your own purchases!

And because I like to give extra bonus entries if you make a purchase from my diaper party you will get one extra entry per every dollar you spend to go towards the Smart Bottoms Diaper Giveaway on my blog! Just fill out the form at the bottom of the review and include your information!