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The launch of our new website!!!!

'Burgher Tots

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My Baby's Bonnet

(disclaimer: there will be a post about Ian coming very soon!)

My baby girl's bonnet is from an Etsy shop. For the life of me I can't remember the name... and can't find the email either.

We get compliments on it continuously.

I think it's just the pinnacle of girly-girl. I love playing with my boys, but I love dressing up my girl!

Lauren in the Jumperoo

Congratulations to our Friends!

We congratulate and welcome Melanie Rose to the world! Our dear friends Mike & Kim entered the new parents club yesterday and we couldn't be more happy for them!

Can't wait to meet her!

My kids are pretty cool

I do complain about them a lot and I should be more careful about that. In the grand scheme of things, I have great kids. They are (mostly) well behaved, kind, loving, and very smart.

I guess it is just hard to be grateful for such good kids when they still know how to push my buttons and I'm operating on very little sleep.

But I'm trying.

I'm trying really hard to be smitten with my children even when my almost-four year old refuses to nap and the heaps on the I'm-so-tired-I-can't-see-straight attitude.

I'm trying to enjoy my seven month old even when she screams like a banshee to be picked up every fourteen seconds while I'm trying to cook dinner. And when she pulls those fine little hairs on the back of my neck.

I'm trying to be thankful even when my 2 year old throws himself to the floor in protest when it is time to leave the train table at the book store.

My kids really are wonderful. They don't run too far down the path in front of me. They don't get into things they shouldn't *very often. They can (and do) play by themselves. They do as told in stressful situations. They roll with the punches when we run out of chocolate syrup. I have it pretty easy, really. And I know that.

Sometimes I need to blog it to remind myself how nice our little (big?) family really is!

Lollitops

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Lauren's Lollitops hat that I bought from Babysteals while she was still in-utero finally fits!

Babywearing

I'm not sure how mothers of babies get anything done without a carrier. I've worn each one of my babies and Roger has also worn each of them.

Playing Soccer with Lauren in the Ergo 2/11

When we only had Ian, we mainly used a borrowed Evenflo Snugli carrier. Occasionally we used a Playtex Hip Hammock. After I was pregnant with Aaron, but still wanting to wear Ian, a friend of mine recommended the Ergo Carrier. I'm so glad she did! It is, to date, the best carrier I've ever used.

Lauren in the Moby 09/10

The same friend (along with a couple of other girlfriends) gifted me a Moby Wrap after Aaron was born. It took a bit of practice and watching YouTube videos to learn how to use it correctly, but I grew to love the Moby for my infant(s). If it weren't for the slushy-slop & coat-wearing during a Pennsylvania winter, I'd use the Moby a lot more. It is just too complicated to tie during the winter here. It is a great carrier for newborns & infants. I've never had my back hurt while using it.

Aaron in the Moby at age 12 months 10/09

This past fall, I ran into another problem: I had a 3 1/2 year old, a 2 year old, and an infant. I needed something that was quick to accommodate a lot of in-and-out type errands. I snagged a Maya Ring Sling from Craig's List & it was great until Miss Lauren decided she needed to see things and so the Ergo came back into the picture.

Aaron in the backpack 05/10

I would call my babywearing with my third child extensive. I wear her every single day...even when we don't leave the house. On my back or on my front, it doesn't really matter. She's most content when she's snuggled up to me in the Ergo. I can wear her for long periods on outings to the zoo or museum, I can wear her for a short hop through the pharmacy. I wear her to paint, to cook, to clean, to play with Ian & Aaron.

Lauren in the Maya Ring Sling 08/10

Roger wearing Ian on a hike 05/09

I've become so dependent on the carrier now (two free hands, one for each preschooler to hold) that I'm not sure I could do an outing without wearing Lauren... unless, of course, Roger or my sister wants to wear her! And they do. Auntie Emily takes every opportunity to wear Lauren (And Aaron, and Ian) that she gets. Likewise, I've also worn both of her boys too. No bonding with an Aunt quite like being worn in a Moby or Ring Sling. It's a great way to live & love!

Aaron in the Moby facing out while hiking 07/09

I'm not sure how I arrived at such a babywearing way of life, but I'm glad I did.

Ian in the Snugli at the pumpkin patch 10/07

If you're interested in my recommendations for a baby carrier, here's my two cents:

For infants anywhere/anytime: Moby Wrap.
For infants in the winter in the North: Ring sling or Ergo. (Although Ergo isn't technically for infants unless you have the insert.)
If you want to breastfeed while wearing a baby: Maya Ring Sling
For older infants/heavier infants/toddlers: Ergo carrier
For backpaking: Kelty Kids
For gifting: Action Baby Carrier (based on reviews. I can't wait to try one! We gave one to friends recently & I hope they let me try it sometime!)

I do not recommend:
Playtex Hip Hammock (really hard on your neck.)
Baby Bjorn (for the money, there are much higher rated options.)

What I'd love to try:
Mei Tai (based on friends' opinions)
Beco Carrier (based on friends' opinions)

Click on the babywearing label on the right to see other posts I've written on the subject!

Sweet Aaron Says

Aaron was playing just now and I could hear him over the monitor.

He said, "And thank you for mommy who loves us so much. Thank you for daddy who loves us so much. Thank you for sister and thank you for brother who love me so much."

....

"You have to sing with us! You have to sing it! bye bye, I'm going to get a cake for you. From the store. A birthday cake. And a candle. You need to blow it out. It is chocolate."

...

"I'm back. Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you. Here's one piece. You have to eat it!"


What a sweet little guy.

I love him!

New Posts

I have 3 new posts that need finished & published. I keep getting interrupted!

This week has been very busy. Last week was too. I hope that's not the new normal.

Tomorrow Ian goes to school at 9:00. Lauren has an ear check at the pediatrician at 9:30. Then Aaron has a lung check with the allergist at 4:10.

I need to get my dinner plan together right now. Yikes.

I just wanna relax on beach somewhere... or maybe just beside an indoor pool. Or something.

We went to Phipps Conservatory

Grandma loves the orchid show at Phipps so we took her there today! Aaron lost his mind 3/4 of the way through & cried the whole way home. Good grief!

It was horribly overcast today so I was using the Canon with the lightscoop & flash... the quality isn't super.