Blog
August 10, 2012
It was just about five months ago now that my husband and I stood peering at two very positive lines on a pregnancy test. Our thirteen month old daughter; oblivious to our fast changing life, was sleeping soundly down the hall. Unreal is the only word that could describe that moment; coming to grips with the fact that we would have two children, under the age of two in the very near future. Of course, once the shock wore off, we were thrilled beyond words. A brand new adventure was about to wrap us up into an exciting, fresh chapter in our lives.
Fast forward a few months into my pregnancy. I woke up with a sense of excitement; I was to see our sweet baby on a ultrasound screen this day at my OB/GYN appointment. My daughter woke up, and I hurried around our home, getting little one and myself ready to walk out the door. Already, I was a little flustered; feeling a likeness to a pack mule as I tried climbing the stairs with a twenty four pound toddler on my hip, and a diaper
August 09, 2012
I think one of the biggest gifts we can give our kids is the gift of travel. Not only does travel expose children to amazing locations, but also it teaches about other cultures, develops situational flexibility, encourages imaginative thinking, and helps illustrate a sense of world scale.
When my first son, Alexander, was only 5 months old, we had the amazing opportunity to pack our bags (and our house!) and head to England for 3 years. While some might find the thought terrifying, we were so excited about the opportunities it was going to give us to go, do, and see!
While in England, our family grew with the birth of our second son, Edward. But even
August 06, 2012
I didn’t have a Passport until I was 19 years old. To say my children’s traveling adventures will be different from mine is a bit of an understatement. But, we’re living in Germany and we are going to make the most of it and that means visiting and exploring countries I never imagined I’d see as an adult, let alone as a child. My kids are definitely too young to truly appreciate all they’re experiencing, but that won’t stop us from packing up and hitting Europe.
Bruges, Belgium
Our first overnight adventure outside of Germany was to Bruges, Belgium. My husband and I visited Bruges about seven years ago when we lived in Germany before, but this was our first time with kids.
August 01, 2012
In honor of World Breastfeeding Week and National Breastfeeding Month, I wanted to compile my tips for a successful breastfeeding relationship. As a postpartum doula and lactation consultant, many expectant moms have told me how nervous they are about breastfeeding. It's no wonder as to why some women have fear since horror stories abound about sore nipples, low milk supply and biting babies. I would like to offer you some peace of mind to help you prepare for your breastfeeding journey.
Tip 1: Stick with it! Don't give up.
Breastfeeding is natural, just like walking is natural. But it takes time to figure it out! Can you imagine how many babies would give up walking if they gave up after
August 01, 2012
Happy August! This month, to celebrate the many ways and places you can Hug Everywhere, we have two fun promotions running. A photo contest and a carrier a day giveaway!
Let's all Hug Everywhere! The Ergobaby carrier keeps your baby close, while leaving you free to move about your busy day. The ergonomic design is so comfortable, you can wear it longer. And the carrier cradles your baby just the way you do when you hug, so you can hug everywhere, no matter what you are doing.
Show Us Your Hugs Photo Contest
Where have you hugged your baby? Have you hugged your baby in the Ergo at the Great Wall of China? Strolled a tropical beach? Navigated the crowds at an amusement park? Or have you been able
July 28, 2012
When we found out that my cousin would be getting married in Seattle in May 2012, we decided to take a few extra days off and make it into a fun family vacation. High in priority on our packing list for any trip is our Ergobaby Carrier. Back when we had a two year old and a new baby, we bought a second Ergo. Now that our children are older (5 ½ years, 3 ½ years, and 5 months old), we are only using the Ergo with our newest baby. Don’t get me wrong, having two Ergobaby Carriers still comes in quite handy! We are able to keep one in the car and one in the house at all times. But, traveling is an exception! There are too many variables when traveling with young children. You never know what will happen, so always take both of the Ergobaby
July 27, 2012
I am a childbirth educator. I am a doula. I am a babywearing, make that toddlerwearing, mama of a 3 ½ year old little boy...
Since I began working in the birth field in 2004, I have theoretically known and talked to many about the benefits of babywearing. I love the idea that keeping a baby close and snug in a sling or carrier can actually help the baby's growth, benefit the breastfeeding relationship, and calm the baby all at once. There are many, many ways in which physical human connection benefits babies and parents, and babywearing is one way that we can keep that physical connection close while we go about our daily lives. Because of the way humans have evolved, we birth our babies when they are physically helpless, whereas other species' babies are more adept at body control very quickly after birth. It takes human babies nine months gestation in utero and another nine months to a year “gestation”
July 27, 2012
A lot of people think we are crazy because we travel with an infant. I think it has been something that sort of defines us. During our first cross country trip in 2010, Mila was only 5 months old when we left. In a couple of weeks, we will be heading out again with a 3 1/2 month old baby Luka. The first time around, Mila was not old enough to walk or sit in a compact, collapsible stroller, we had to find a carrier that was comfortable for both the parent and the baby as well as being extremely mobile. After looking and trying at a lot of options, we decided that the Ergobaby carrier was the best solution.
[caption id="attachment_2805" align="aligncenter" width="500"]
July 26, 2012
Here are what long flights and car rides used to mean: Quiet time. Daydreaming time. I’d make sure I had a good playlist on my iPod, a water bottle, gum.
And then I had a baby.
Here are what long flights and car rides mean now: A vaudeville show. Step right up, babies and gents, we’ve got jugglers and funny face-makers, song singers and snack givers, a strong man who can hold a baby in one arm and walk up and down the aisle not one, not two, but 15 times for your amusement. A fortune-teller who knows exactly what happens at the end of Where’s Spot? For a 2-year-old and her parents, it’s laugh and the world laughs with you, cry and “Are we there yet?” takes on a whole new urgency.
Sadie’s first road trip happened when she was two weeks old (a four-hour drive for a family beach vacation). She first went on a plane at 6 weeks. And both times, I steeled my nerves for whatever was to come. Have baby, will travel, onward and upward. Or something.
Except… there was remarkably
July 24, 2012
When our first baby was born we were given a hand-me-down Ergo and we nestled our precious newborn in it with the infant insert – and so began our love affair with babywearing.
Ever since then, there has always been an Ergo in our home. Our first baby is now an active two year old and Ergo has carried him (literally) through every stage – it could be easily be the only carrier you ever need. Of course if you are like us, you might want to try all kinds of different carriers – and even several types of Ergo carriers. There are several carriers we love, but Ergo has always been in heavy rotation