BOBA!!

So for those of you who haven't heard, on October 1 the makers of Sleepy Wrap released a brand new carrier for kiddos 15-45lbs and 1-4 years old called Boba (stands for Boulder Baby).  The Boba is a soft, structured carrier that can be worn on either front or back and has ingenious foot straps for toddler's feet to rest in, keeping their legs aligned at the proper 90 degree angle for maximum support.

We were generously sent a Boba to review and were so excited to try it since I had recently been looking into getting a more structured carrier.  Although Lion Cub is only 4 months old, he is already 16lbs and has very good head and back control, so carrier tailored more to a bigger child seemed to be becoming necessary if I was going to be able to keep wearing him.

So, what do I think?  Well, I first tried the carrier on with R-Man who is 3 1/2 and about 28 lbs.  I was thinking, "This is probably going to be really uncomfortable!" But I was pleasantly surprised to find that the carrier dispersed his weight across my back and shoulders very evenly, making me think that if I needed to, I really could carry him in the Boba.  Plus he LOVED it!  I believe his exact words were, "This is so cool mom!"

The next test was with Lion Cub!  I have primarily worn him on the front, since at this stage of the game that is the easiest, and I really can say that I like the Boba a lot!  We have worn it just about everywhere- the apple orchard, the store, breastfeeding group- you name it, we use it!  The straps are really well padded and pretty easy to adjust.  The bottom belt offers a generous amount of support to my back, which is especially important to me having scoliosis (it tends to get worse with the more children you lug around!).  The buckles are both very secure and the length of the back support for the child is nice and long to accommodate a long child (which Lion Cub is!).

What don't I like?  Well, sometimes the buckles seem a little too secure- the large, bottom buckle has a double latching system that can be a little tricky to unclasp when it is on your back.  Also, when wearing the baby on the front, the top clasp (that you hook behind your shoulder blades) can be a little hard to reach.  With that said, however, it hasn't detoured me from using it.

In fact, especially as Lion cub gets bigger and older and I am able to wear him on my back more, I am quite sure that Boba will be our go-to carrier!  It is so well designed with both baby and mama in mind that I think it is pretty hard to beat.  It is rare to find a company who puts as much research and development into making an all around wonderful product such as this, and the fact that it is 100% Organic and made in the US is just the icing on the cake!  Oh, and did I mention that it can easily be adjusted for moms, dads, grandmas and grandpas to all get in on the babywearing action?!  Gotta love that!

I can say with confidence that if I were looking into buying a carrier right now, Boba is the one I would get.  I think I would go so far as to challenge families to try it and not like, because once you use it you can't help but fall in love!  And hey, who doesn't like getting stopped in public and complimented on their beautiful carrier (as has happened to me!)?  The Boba just attracts that kind of attention!  :-)

So, have I convinced you?  Want to try one too?  Head on over to BobaCarrier.com and use the code mamakenz for a 10% discount through November 11- you won't regret it!!

Where I Babywear- trying on pants!

Lion Cub was especially fussy (very tired) and I had no choice but to wear him while I was trying on jeans the other day! My grandma was shopping with me and did have to help me actually get the pants on and off, but it worked!

Have you had any especially a adventurous babywearing outings lately?  Any just regular ones?  Share them here!  Include the Where I Babywear button and post your direct link!!  Can't wait to see!

Next week's meme will be I Was Here... Breastfeeding, so come back prepared with your latest BFing pic or story on Tuesday!

Changes for the fall

So, now that The Summer of Baby Love is over, I have decided to restructure my memes a little bit.  Basically, each meme will be posted once a month, instead of weekly.  Memes will be posted every Tuesday.  When each meme is posted I will also be announcing the meme for the next week, along with the topic, so that it is easier for everyone to participate.  Here is what the new meme schedule will look like:

1st Week of Month:  Chic Cheeks
2nd Week of Month: Where I Babywear
3rd Week of Month:  I Was Here... Breastfeeding
4th Week of Month:  Mama Time

I decided to do this so that I could participate in more of the wonderful memes that you ladies have out there, and because I feel like it will be more feasible for people to join in my memes if I only host one a week!

So, with that said, this week's meme will actually be on Wednesday (because of the holiday) and will be Wear I Babywear- you can post whatever recent babywearing pic you want, to join in!  I can't wait to see where you all have been wearing your babes! 

Where I Babywear- Cleaning the House

Lion Cub is getting so big that I don't wear him as much when we are at home, unless he is having a particularly fussy day. Well the last few days have been just that- particularly fussy- so yesterday I gave in, strapped him on my back and got down to getting some much needed cleaning done! Here are the pictures that my professional little three-year-old photographer snapped:

Here I am vacuuming

Washing Diapers

Putting fresh sheets on the bed! Thank goodness for my Mei Tai!

Link up your babywearing pics from this week (and include the Where I Babywear button)- we would all love to see!!

Two Memes in One!

Alright everybody, I got a little behind this week- it was a looooong week! So, please forgive me for the absence of two of my normal memes! To make up for it I am doing a two for one deal- you can link up any post your have that is Breastfeeding or Babywearing related, right here, right now!

Just make sure to place the appropriate button on your blog and then come back and leave the direct link to your post! Can't wait to see what you contribute!

Where I Babywear!- Blogging!

Can you believe I didn't post this one sooner? Yup, that's right- I blog while I wear my babe! How else would I get my posts done for the week?! I have no clue!

Post your Babywearing pics for the week then head back here and include them in the MckLinky! Make sure to include the Where I Babywear Button in your post too!

Can't wait to see where you and your babies have been!

Where I Babywear! Down by the River!

The other day we headed down to a small river near our house to release a little frog R-Man's grandparents had given him. Lion Cub had been especially fussy that day, so it was the perfect opportunity to wrap him up tight and walk around to calm him down! Nice to get out of the house period, really!

Where have you been wearing your babes? Post, add the Where I Babywear
button, and link up in the MckLinky! Can't wait to see!

Where I Babywear- at the Lake!

Surprise, surprise! This week's babywearing photos are at the lake!

Yup, Lion Cub is getting worn more and more in an effort to keep him less fussy- the lake was no exception! Gotta love that Sleepy Wrap!!!

Where did you babywear over the 4th? Post your pics, include the Where I Babywear button, then come back and put your direct-post link in the Mr. Linky! This one should be a lot of fun! I don't know about you, but I don't think that anything makes kiddos more "independent" than attachment parenting!

Where I Babywear- During Tot-School!

I have been doing LOTS of babywearing this week as it would seem that Lion Cub doesn't want to stay asleep when I put him in the swing (as he was for a week or so), so most of the time I end up needing to wear him to keep him happy and sleeping! Here is a picture of one of the times my Sleepy Wrap came in very handy- Tot-School:
If it weren't for my Sleepy Wrap, Tot-School would not be happening right now- period! However, being able to put Lion Cub in the wrap (even while he is fussy) while I do projects with R-Man has been our savior and I feel like I much better mom because of it!


In other babywearing this week, we also took Lion Cub to the store for the first time this past week. Because of it's ease to put on, I used my ring sling on our outing, however, I must say that after wearing the wrap so much lately I was definitely missing the comfort of it compared to my sling! I will always adore my sling, but there is a definite difference!

So where have you been babywearing this past week? Post about it, include the Where I Babywear button then come on back here and add the direct link to your post in the Mr. Linky! I can't wait to see!

Where I Babywear!- Everywhere!

This week I am finally introducing my final new meme:

(and yes, just now as I am posting this I realized that the button says this is a cloth diapering meme- obviously, that is wrong! I will fix it just as soon as I have the time!)

Much like I Was Here... Breastfeeding, Where I Babywear will give everyone a chance to post and share their favorite things about babywearing along with pictures of where you have been wearing your baby as of late!


So, for this week I am posting a pic from Father's Day. As I mentioned in my Sleepy Wrap review earlier this week, wearing Lion Cub during our Father's Day dinner was the only way I was going to be able to eat at the same time as the rest of the family! Sure, he may have had a few crumbs in his hair when it was all said and done, but that was definitely worth it! This past week you would also find me wearing my babe (in our beloved new Sleepy Wrap) while making dinner, blogging and watching TV- sometimes it is the only thing that will call him down (we are both still suffering from colds and keeping him upright is very helpful in keeping his nosie clear!)!

So, where have you been babywearing this week? Write your post, include the Where I Babywear button and come back here to post your direct post link in the Mr. Linky! Can't wait to see!

Introducing A Babywearing Meme!

There are few things I love more in life than babywearing! It sounds crazy, and of course there are those times when a mama just needs her space, but I can think of only a handful of things that are as precious as having my little one nestled closely to me in a carrier! Along with the shear fact of the experience, I also thoroughly enjoy trying a variety of carriers! So, the meme I will introduce to day is, of course, all about babywearing!

Much like I Was Here... Breastfeeding, Where I Babywear will be all about the places and ways we wear our babies! Along with my posts I will include a Mr. Linky for all of you to share in the fun, and inspire us with the creative and adventurous ways you wear your babe (or toddler!). Just link to your direct meme post and show us your daily triumphs and trials with a little one attached! Oh, and make sure that you post the Where I Babywear button (code in left sidebar) on your blog post if you would like to be included!