Monday, December 7, 2009

Sakura Bloom Triathlon Challenge #3 - My Entry

For the third and final round of the Sakura Bloom Triathlon, each of us had to submit a video. The content was pretty much wide open. We got to try out a Essential Silk Sakura Bloom ring sling. I am LOVING it. So gorgeous!!! I have the chocolate/teal one and the photo on the website doesn't do it justice. It's scrumptious.

So I decided to keep it simple with this round, seeing as I gave birth yesterday! :) I wanted to feature my new little guy in the video, so I went with a basic instructional video on wearing a newborn in a ring sling. I'm supposed to stay in bed for three days after giving birth, so I'm rockin' some jammies in my video! No make up either, lol, but I think it works.

He's here!


Graham David Speer was born at home at 1:48 am on his due date, 12/6/09! 8lbs4oz, 20.5" long. Nursing well and just perfect. He looks like his daddy! ♥ Mama and baby are doing well!




Photo by Nicole Eades, http://www.thebirthphotographer.com/










Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Sakura Bloom Triathlon Challenge #2 - My Entry

A couple weeks ago, we headed out to the park on a beautiful day to take some family photos. These were our last family photos as a family of three. We got some awesome shots, but I think the ones I treasure most are the babywearing photos she took.

The photos were taken by Chera of Chera25 photography. She's our go-to photographer and has photographed our family every few months since Jack was only a couple months old. I love her work!

I posted some of the pics up on the DFW Area Moms board and asked the mamas there to help me choose the photo to enter into round 2 of the Sakura Bloom Triathlon. It was a landslide victory!

So here is my official entry. Our family of almost-4 on a crisp fall day. 36 weeks pregnant, wearing a 2 year old and really feeling the true joy of babywearing in my Sakura Bloom essential linen (which happens to complement Jack's eyes in an amazing way). I love it!



And just for fun, I've got to post another one that melts my heart. A sweet kiss from my baby boy in the Sakura Bloom.



Babywearing = love.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Prego update!

I'm 37 weeks today! I am all set for a home birth. I think there is very little left to do that needs to be done. We have prefolds prepped, we have birth supplies on the ready, the house is pretty clean, baby clothes are washed and hung... and I have boobies to feed with! What else do you need?

I had a meeting with my doula today, she's also a massage therapist, so I got massaged. Heavenly!!! I see my midwife again on Tuesday, and my chiropractor on Friday. I also have a Homebirth Association of North Dallas meeting that I plan on attending this week. Should be fun and interesting!

A wonderful friend threw me a Mother's Blessing yesterday. The highlight was a surprise Henna tattoo artist! Here is my tree-of-life belly in all its glory! <3



I'm feeling really well still, no problems, no complaints. I'm embracing being a mommy of one for the short time that is left!

Babywearing

Today I chose my next sling for the final Sakura Bloom Triathlon challenge. This time we chose from the Essential Silk collection. I am looking forward to trying a silk sling for the first time!

I must say, I'm going to have a hard time letting the Essential Linen sling go back to Sakura Bloom. It is gorgeous, and so *us* and no longer available on the SB website!

The deadline for the photo challenge is 11/18. I've got a photo chosen. I've consulted my beloved Dallas Area Moms board, as well as my own mom, and there is a landslide winner. I'm going to keep you all in suspense for a little while longer though!

But for now, here are a few more teasers. :) Can you see why I don't want to send the twilight/cloud sling back?!






Sunday, November 8, 2009

Sakura Bloom Triathlon Challenge 2

Our second challenge is a photo. A photo that shows the joy of babywearing. Yesterday was a gorgeous day to take some photos with the second sling of the triathlon, the Sakura Bloom Essential Linen sling in twilight/cloud.

Here's a sneak peek! This is *not* my contest entry, just a teaser! My entry will show more of the lovely Sakura Bloom goodness! :)


Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Sakura Bloom Triathlon - Question #1

I'm taking some quiet time during Jack's nap today to sit down and really think these questions through. Here we go!

1: What first interested you in babywearing?

I have a friend to thank for my interest in babywearing. A mommy-mentor, if you will. She is my friend Wendi, who attended college with me and was my sorority sister. We live a few hours apart, but have kept in touch through the years over blogs and social networking sites. She documents her pregnancies, births and mommy experiences in her blog, and she has taught me many invaluable lessons.

I followed her blog through her first pregnancy, which ended in a traumatic emergency cesarean. She later found out that the cesarean was most likely unnecessary, preventable and a result of multiple interventions. I read as she celebrated the birth of her son, but grieved the loss of a vaginal birth. I read as she openly spoke about breastfeeding her son. I learned about attachment parenting and cloth diapers from Wendi. And I learned about babywearing. I remember choosing a pink Hotsling from her registry and sending it to her when her son was born. I saw her photos and read about her experiences wearing her son. How it made her life easier, how it helped with bonding and closeness, and of course how cute all the different styles of baby carriers are!

I have Wendi to thank for a great deal of my early mommy-education. Thank you for empowering me to take charge of my own childbirth, to ask questions, to follow my own mama instinct. Thank you for showing me cute cloth fluff for my baby's bum. And thank you for showing me babywearing.

Sakura Bloom Triathlon - Question #2

2: How is your personality reflected in your parenting style?

I'd describe myself as an easy-going gal. I'm not too tightly wound. I'm up for anything, fun loving, fly by the seat of your pants. I think I'm an excellent boy-mom, if I do say so myself. We stomp in puddles, dig in dirt, look at bugs, act like dinosaurs and have a silly old time.

I am an AP (attachment parenting) mama and I think my personality definitely helps me in that regard. I don't often have a rigorous schedule. I like to give my son the opportunity to make good choices on his own. Sometimes that takes a little bit of time for a 2 year old to do. But it's working for us. I exercise my patience with him, and even negotiate. I give him some control. That may seem odd to some people, giving a 2 year old control or negotiating with him. But I'm not a "my way or the highway" type of person. I don't want my son to obey all authority without asking questions. I allow him time to think for himself, the opportunity to make the right choice, and to see natural consequences for his actions. I hope to raise smart, conscientious, free thinking boys who will make our world a better place.

Sakura Bloom Triathlon - Question #3

3: If you could spend a year traveling with your family, where would you go and why?

A year traveling the world with my family would be a dream come true, and it's exactly what we'd do if we ever won the lottery! I imagine we'd go quite a few places in a year's time.

I absolutely want to take my family to Europe. I've been lucky enough to spend a little time in France and Spain, but my husband has never been.

We'd see London, Ireland and Scotland. I'd spend some time in the countryside riding horses. I was an avid equestrian for many years and dream of getting back in the saddle. Riding in the UK just seems so idyllic. And we'd need to stop in at an Irish pub so my husband could enjoy a Guinness like they were meant to be drunk.

I would also love to visit the Scandinavian countries. One word fellow babywearers: Kleinsmekker!!! I'd probably do a fair amount of shopping there, buying up adorable baby hats and such.

Of course we'd have to see Italy and the Mediterranean. Spend some time drinking wine, soaking up the culture, and lounging by the sea. Oh and eating tons of bread and pasta!

We'd tour Germany, beirgartens for my husband, the Didymos store for me! Then we'd have to stop by Australia and do some scuba diving. Tokyo would be a must-see. I'd love to spend some time in Africa, to see the desert, the people and the animals. The anthropologist in me would love to see the pyramids in Egypt, and to go back to Mexico to see more Mayan and Aztec ruins.

And last, but not least, we'd come home to Texas... right after a quick detour to Hawaii. Texas beaches just can't compare!!!

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

My Sakura Bloom Triathlon questions!

Here are the questions for my first challenge! I've got to find some quiet time to formulate some great responses! Check back again soon for my answers!


  • What first interested you in babywearing?


  • How is your personality reflected in your parenting style?


  • If you could spend a year traveling with your family, where would you go and why?


  • Monday, October 12, 2009

    It's getting crazy around here!

    My due date is approaching in less than eight weeks and my calendar is filling up fast! I have a feeling these next few weeks are going to fly by!

    I'm looking forward to a visit from my sister and her boyfriend this weekend. We plan on hitting up the State Fair of Texas for some sightseeing... and fried stuff. Dare I try the fried butter that's featured this year? Gak, probably not. But I will eat fried something, take lots of pictures and share them here!

    I have a midwife appointment tomorrow morning. I don't expect any big news or anything though. Baby is moving, he can move my whole belly. I think he's still head down. I'm feelin' pretty good all in all! I'm very lucky that my body handles pregnancy pretty easily.

    Random thought: I need to lay off the ju-ju-be.com before my diaper bag collection starts rivaling by babywearing stash.

    Looking forward to the babywearing meeting this Saturday, send me a message or check out www.dfwbabywearing.com if you want to come!!!

    Saturday, October 10, 2009

    My first Sakura Bloom arrived today!

    The first sling we try is a single layer linen from their Pure Collection.

    Ooh hello!


    Lovely packaging!


    What color did I choose to try? Spice!!


    Some action shots! It was just lovely even with a prego belly and a 2 year old!


    Kisses for mama!


    Isn't the color awesome?!


    And now it's hanging out on the "wrap rack" with its friends!


    I can't wait to take it out for a spin to the store! It has a lovely silk-like pool and sheen. I'll be showing it off at the babywearing meeting on Saturday in Plano if you want to try it out!

    Thursday, October 1, 2009

    Sakura Bloom Triathlon update

    Well after much deliberation, I finally settled on a color from the Sakura Bloom Pure Collection to try for the Sakura Bloom Triathlon! I polled the lovely ladies at dfwmoms.com, as well as Jack and my husband. Spice, a lovely, autumny orange won out with top votes. Canyon, a bold red was in second place. Jack voted for Canyon. :)


    So now I stalk the mailman! :D I'll post pics when it arrives.


    Happy October!!!

    Monday, September 28, 2009

    Picture problems

    I realize the photos in my blog are cut off, and I'm trying to figure out how to fix them. This post is a test... I'm screwing with my image settings.

    Here's Jack and I in my newest (to me) fluffy, Dream Carrier SSC! *drool*



    ETA: Well look at that, I fixed it! I'll go back and fix the old posts here in a minute.
    ETA#2: All photos should be fixed!

    A resolution!

    Well I'll admit it, my poor little blog has been neglected.

    But I have a resolution! I resolve to blog more. I normally spend my internet time divided between www.thebabywearer.com (I go by jackattack there), www.dfwareamoms.com (I'm becca there) and facebook. But I'm resolving to take a little time each day to blog here as well!

    Why? Well partially because I've been meaning to, and partially because I imagine I'm going to be receiving a little extra traffic because I was chosen as a competitor in the Sakura Bloom Triathlon! It's a "competition" put on by Adventures in Babywearing, and Sakura Bloom ring slings (with some help from Fawn and Forest too!) Click here to read more about the triathlon, and check my blog again soon for more from me about this, including my interview questions, photo and video. I'm super excited to be chosen, I've been doing a happy dance all morning! If you are my facebook friend, you know how much I've been lusting after a Sakura Bloom as of late!

    And I'll add a personal update too! I'm 30 weeks pregnant now, only 10 weeks to go! It's a boy, his name is Graham David and we can't wait to meet him! I just had a midwife appointment today and everything looks great. Graham is head down, which is great news. Jack (2 years) did great with the appointment and listened to the baby's heart. I don't think he knows what's coming, even though we talk about it. Although he might know more than I give him credit for. He has started calling things "mama" and "baby," like the big liter of shampoo is the mama and the small one is the baby. And he was acting out a mama/baby situation with his waldorf dolls last night. The big one was the mama and the small one was the baby, and he put the baby on the mama and said "mama hold you!" <3 Maybe I'll pull out his child's Maya wrap and see if he wants to wear his Bamboletta waldorf doll, Arlo, today.


    Sunday, March 8, 2009

    Crafty #2

    I made some cloth napkins. I was kinda inspired by the Earthy Rainbow baby wrap. I made 6 napkins in this colorway, and I have two more pieces of the same fabric in different colorways to do. Next up is some un-paper towels!
     


    Also, this is what happens when you're up sewing late in to the night, and there is alcohol involved. Note, this was NOT sewn by me, but my my mother who has been sewing since high school! What is wrong with this picture?!



    Saturday, March 7, 2009

    omg crafty!

    Today I got a sewing machine... a Brother Innov-is 40.



    And I SEWED something for the first time in like 15 years. I made a "wrap scrap tote" out of a wrap scrap I got for free. It was a wool didymos indio, light blue. I'm not sure the name of the exact name of it, I'm curious to find out though. I'll post it on thebabywearer and find out. My mom is in town, staying with us, so she guided me through it.



    After mom left, I added one more little embellishment!



    I also have fabric waiting in the wings to become cloth napkins, un-paper towels, a linen/silk ring sling and a cute little half apron. I'm so excited!!!