Why do I wear my babies?

International Babywearing Week starts in a couple of days and Babywearing Steph is asking for our favorite babywearing photos. (Could I have fit in the word babywearing one more time into that sentance?!) Go link up your favorite pictures too and you can be entered to win a sling from Nonny and Boo. I have a couple from there already but can you really have too many slings?

I love my babies and I love having them close by me but really, really the main reason that I carry them on me is that kissable little head. I could (and do) kiss the little head many, many, many times a day. Oh, and that little baby head smell is just about the best thing ever to keep me happy!

My favorite pictures of my kids in various carriers!

Last November at the San Diego Zoo.

Last Fall!

This past Spring.

This past summer at Auntie's wedding!

Can someone please tell me...

...where my baby girl went??? And how is it that she's already climbing and standing???

She is up the stairs in a blink if the gate isn't up and her brother cheers her on. (Like it's a good thing the baby can get to the top all by herself in 30 seconds flat.) I'm encouraging him to teach her how to come down safely.

She's in her last month being zero and (I know I constantly say this) but I don't know where the year has gone. It's hard to believe that last year at this time I was almost 70 pounds heavier than I am now (yikes!)

Luckily she still lets me wear her around much of the time which give us both some extra time together now that she's so busy! Even though from the set of pictures at my sister's wedding it looks like she's still very interested in what her big brother and the rest of the big kids are up to without her.

I've written about the benefits of babywearing before...

Another benefit is that when within a three minute span you pull paper, dog hair and something unknown out of your crawling baby's mouth you don't think twice before putting her into a carrier and continue about your day. The sad thing is the length of time that goes by before it occurs to you that you should probably clean the floor!

Yet she won't sleep in the car????

Yes, we are in the shower - and her head and hands are doing a fairly good job covering everthing - I've seen bathing suits that cover less (unfortunately). I find that the only way I can ever get my legs shaved is to wear her in my water sling from Nest. I usually nurse her while I'm shaving - no I have never figured out completely hands free nursing but at least her weight is supported and then I support her head in the crook of my elbow so one hand is free.

This particular day she fell asleep - luckily my hubby was home to snap an unforgettable picture before the camera battery died. I've been debating about putting it here for a couple of weeks and finally decided that in b/w it dosn't look so revealing. There's just alot of skin tone in the colored version.

Well, this is I'm certain WAY more info than you wanted about my shower babywearing and probably more of me than you ever thought you'd see on this generally G rated blog!

Thanks Ashlee!!!

My wonderful blogging buddy Ashlee who blogs at Mama's Nest and is the owner of Nest sent me a sling! I've used it every day since receiving it on Friday, it's my first adjustable sling and I love it! Plus I love the fabric, it's very well made and I think more stylish than my wardrobe!

It is so easy to put it on quickly even just to do one small task, with other carriers if I'm going to put it on it's not really worth it if I'm just taking out the garbage before I change her diaper. This one I just plop her in and we're ready to go. Like my son, she doesn't like any of the horizontal positions, just upright which is fine with me. I have figured out how to nurse in it but I still have to hold her with one hand. I think I may go to my local La Leche League meeting on Thursday because I know it's possible to nurse hands free so hopefully someone will be able to give some advice. For now, it's nice to have to take a break to sit and nurse but soon it will be nice to be able to nurse on the go.

I also LOVE the tail of the sling, it comes in really handy for shielding the sun out of her eyes and covering up while nursing or when she's asleep.

If you need encouragement on why it's good to wear your baby Ashlee's got a great list here. My favorites are *Carrying infants lowers the level of stress hormones and adrenalin circulating in the blood stream of the infant, as well as the parent/caregiver. *Continuously carried infants actually initiate separation faster and become more emotionally self-reliant. *Babies who are carried have a lower mortality rate than infants who are denied this constant contact. - Well there are just too many to list here!!!! Thanks again Ashlee!!!!

Freeloadin' and lovin' it!

One week old in a carrier made by a good friend of mine. (If she ever wants to sell them I'll let you all know!) : The only way dinner gets made (one monyh old):