Babywearing

When I was pregnant with Josie, I had a bunch of baby items on my must-haves list that I thought I needed. Of course, many of the things I got, I've used. Still, since then, I've realized how little is really needed for babies. There are endless baby related items, some of them convenient and helpful, but still overall unnecessary. When it comes down to it, all you really need for young babies are clothes, diapers (though many cultures don't use them and instead practice EC), a car seat and a good, quality baby carrier. Or two. Or three, haha. I mean, you CAN make your own baby wipes, breastmilk is all they need to eat, though somewhat controversial in this country, cosleeping has been the norm throughout most of time, making cribs unneeded. Especially with Donny, toys are pretty useless. He would rather play with something important or better yet, play with a person like his sister. Babies are good at finding their own "toys." I'm not saying I don't like using all the fun baby gadgets I have, but sometimes, I think simpler is better. I try hold my babies instead of carry them around in car seats, rock them instead of making the swing do it, and wear them instead of pushing in a stroller (although sometimes strollers border on necessity!) I just think all the marketing in the world can't take the place of a mother's touch, voice, nourishment, and safety. Of course, it's impossible to hold a baby every moment of the day or play and engage them ever waking moment. But, I try not to rely on these things when I don't need to.

In many 3rd world societies around the world (where they don't have diapers, plastic toys, and endless baby gadgets) they rely on my favorite baby gadget. Babywearing has been done since the beginning of time as a way to both keep babies safe and happy, and be productive. So glad our culture is finally catching on! Plus, there have been many studies on the benefits of "wearing" your baby.

Anyway, so I just wanted to say how much I LOVE my carriers. I have been absolutely in love with my new ERGO. Donny lives in this thing. Unlike the Baby Bjorn, it doesn't put strain on your shoulders. I can wear him for hours and not feel sore at all! I almost forget he is there half the time. Plus, I can nurse discreetly, hands-free! When he was younger, I loved my Baby K'Tan. I would definitely recommend both for any mom. A must have!! I think next time I might want to try a ring sling wrap.

Our Newest Addition

When I thought of having a pet with 2 small children, all I thought of is another thing to find a sitter for when we are gone and having another mouth to feed. Cats were definitely out cause Kevin is allergic, and we are both more dog people than cat people. (Not that I don't like cats. I love them, I would just rather own a dog) Then, this guy showed up on our doorstep and refused to leave.

It's been declawed and really wanted to live inside with us. I'm sure it was an inside cat and got lost or abandoned. We have asked around the neighborhood and are still looking for an owner. I have been reluctant to take it to the SPCA cause it's such a sweet cat, I want to make sure it gets adopted. It would be a perfect  inside lap cat for someone. I would like to find a permanent home for it, but in the meantime, it's ours. I mostly want to find a new home for it cause it deserves a home where it can be inside and get better attention. We are gone a lot and it doesn't get as much attention.

Maybe Josie prayed for him (her?) to come, haha! I don't know why it chose our house, but even though we left out of town for a week, the cat still stuck around. Of course, we finally bought some cat food and started letting it sleep in the garage. After all, it has provided hours of entertainment for the kids and it's a pretty low maintenance pet. So, we begrudgingly have a new family member.

I must admit, I really do like the new kitty. Kevin and I agree it's seriously the nicest, most social cat we have ever met! As soon as I sit down it will jump on my lap. Even when it's food bowl is full, it comes running when we come home cause it loves the attention. It is so super patient with the kids and actually really likes them. It's always following Josie and rubbing up against her. It never seems bothered when they crowd it or try to pick it up. Donny is even learning how to "pet nicely."

I definitely have to supervise, though. Not for Josie's safety, but for the cat's. She is always trying to hold it, make it play games with her, feed it non-cat food, or dress it up. This is just one of the many ways I have found the cat being "decorated" by Josie. Notice the bowl on the cats head.

Donny is quite fascinated by the kitty and gets very excited to be around it. I'm pretty sure part of it is cause he want's to share it's food. Don't worry, I only let him share when it's tuna : )

Mmmmm..........tuna!!!

Look at that scraggly hair!! Don't worry, he just got another hair cut. This kids hair grows so fast!

Aww..... nice petting : )

Trying to swipe some cat food again.

I have a feeling it's going to be hard for Josie to say goodbye if we find it a new home. They are BFF's!!

Memorial Day

Some friends from church invited us to "the beach" for Memorial Day. We have been to the beach at Lake Michigan before, but this was a much closer lake beach. It's a state park called Potato Creek. It was really beautiful and the beachfront there was really nice. I thought it would be really crowded, but it was a surprisingly mild crowd. We will definitely be going back this summer!

I love Donny's "Heat Miser" hair from lathering it with sunscreen.



Not long after we got there, he was ready for a nap. We made him a little sleeping tent. The nap didn't last long and he was pretty cranky all day.





The beach was beautiful! The water was a little chilly, but felt perfect with the 90 degree weather!






Josie was hooked. She has always loved water, but this was perfect for her. Anytime we go anywhere, Josie is always glued to my hip. She wants me to do everything with her and is never really very independent. Playing alone for a long time or with other kids is usually extremely rare. The whole time we were there, I don't think she spent even 10 mins with me. She was off wading in the water, playing in the sand and making friends. I even had to go get her once cause she was wading too far down the beach. That just blew my mind. Definitely coming back here!!

This was when we first got there. Daddy took her out first, then mommy. Then she just had fun by herself while mommy and daddy visited with friends.






She had no fear about wading in up to her chest and even close to her neck!


























As always, Kevin brought his guitar to provide sing-along entertainment. All the people around us enjoyed it and were making requests. Donny was too tired and cranky to enjoy the water or sand. Plus, I think the sunscreen bothered his eyes. Since he really just wanted to snuggle instead (as he always does) I decided to let Kevin "rock" him to sleep, haha...



This is my new Ergo carrier that I absolutely LOVE!!! I got it on babysteals.com for half price. You can wear it in the front or back. I use it all the time either putting one of the kids on my back during grocery shopping, or putting a sleepy, cranky Donovan in front. It puts all the weight on your hips instead of shoulders, so it doesn't make me sore. Oh, and Kevin can use it too!! Donny was looking pretty sleepy, so I snapped the head cover in place. I love that feature. In other carriers, if they fall asleep, their head just dangles at an uncomfortable angle. He never quite fell asleep all the way, but he was enjoying the music and movement.






I had to snap a pic of Josie playing with some friends she made. This NEVER happens!! She is usually too shy or scared of strangers. I was so proud : )



We stayed right through nap time, so before we even left the park the kids were out cold.






After we got home, we continued to enjoy the beautiful weather. This picture kinda reminds me of this one.






We finished off the day with a nice holiday barbecue and Donny got to try corn on the cob for the first time. He loved it.

David & Linda -50 Years!!

Easter weekend (yes, I'm a bit behind) we all flew out to Utah to celebrate Kevin's parent's 50th wedding anniversary! What a special event. The sisters all planned most of it and we did what we could from here. Kevin made the invitations and provided the musical entertainment.

Kevin has great parents. We have both been blessed with parents that love us and taught us well. His family took me in as their own from the beginning. There was no warming up period. They have always shown me that they loved me like their own daughter. I have always appreciated that and love having 4 more sisters to talk to. 

Here is the whole brood:

Kevin's oldest sister, Kerrie and her family:



Next oldest, Kim, and her family:



Kristie and her family:



Karman and her family:



Kevin and Jesse providing entertainment:






Ok, this was amazing!! Someone wrote out the Proclamation to the World from the church in this BEAUTIFUL calligraphy and personalized it for David and Linda. It was all done by hand and was so detailed. I wish the pic was bigger, but yeah, it was amazing.



Everyone's hands on a tie quilt:




It was such a great event! I'm glad we got to go and be there for the special day!