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!!!