My daughter comes up with the most creative words. To be honest, I think she’s come up with a few terms more appropriate than the original.
For example:
An appliance that is a stove top and oven is a “stoven”. Makes perfect sense to me!
Here’s another that many kids ingeniously use, “hanitizer”. Again, makes sense and I know exactly what they mean.
One of my favorites has to be the “cat pool”…you know, the big pool next to the “kiddie (kitty) pool”. Obviously!
Then there’s how she describes someone sneezing. Being the true southern mama that I am, I taught her from birth to say “Bless you!” . Therefore, when a person sneezes she says they “bless you’d”.
Finally, there’s the “pajacket”, a button up long sleeve pajama top, of course! Genius!
What are some crazy cute things your kids have come up with?
As my daughter….and eventually my son…come up with these brilliant gems, I like to make a note of them (usually in my phone) and later transpose them into a journal that I’m building for each child.
These journals are somewhat random and not neat or pretty, but neither is life with kids. I used to put off adding to them until I was feeling creative or had a quiet moment. Guess what? The journal’s stayed empty and I’m STILL catching up.
My “inner Monica” tries to persuade me to do all the fancy scrapbooking stuff and start a new book each year, but as a solely left handed hemi and busy mom…I get easily frustrated with that sort of thing. I am NOT the super mom that digs cutting, pasting, cricketing, or whatever…if you are, I salute you!
My kids won’t care about all that fancy stuff as young adults anyway (at least that’s what I tell myself). They’ll just be thankful for the memories, right? So don’t sweat it if you can’t find time to make an elaborate page for every life event. SOMETHING is better that a stack of “I’ll get to its”.
I randomly add things like birthday party themes, their friends names, notes about special gifts, cards, cute pictures, and memorable events. As long as you date every entry, the randomness will work itself out. It’s like I’m creating a set of “Clift notes” about their childhood.
For example: Last year, after Lil Imp’s third birthday, I started asking my her a set list of questions like “What do you want to be when you grow up?”, “Who’s your hero?”, and “What’s your favorite toy?”. I plan to ask the same questions, record their answers, and add additional questions for each child until their 18th birthday.
Tips for sticking with it:
Keep the journals handy, not put up safe in a closet. I keep mine on a dresser in the playroom so I can write as we play.
Keep a list in your phone. There’s an app for that…I just use a notes app. I type in a key word or phrase as life happens, then add it to the journal when we I get a chance.
Make it a team effort. Ask your kids what THEY would want to say to their grown-up self…then try to write through yours tears of laughter.
Finally, don’t sweat the mistakes. Our kids will know good and well that we are not perfect by the time they are young adults. A scribble, coffee stain, or misspelled word will only add character!
Well, these guys are a riot this week so I better go jot some things down!
What sorts of things do you hang onto and add to as keepsakes for your kids?
I am a total sucker for the latest and greatest cleaning gadgets. I’ve wasted a lot of money trying each trend and learned 3 things: 1) most of the “As Seen on TV” gadgets are CRAP 2) You get what you pay for 3) and there is no such thing as a house that cleans itself.
That said, here is a short list of the items I count on to keep my sanity, er…um, I mean my house clean.
The Dyson DC35 Digital Slim vacuum cleaner is cordless and weighs in at only 10 lbs. This little vacuum is powerful enough to rid my living room carpet of pet hair and crumbs, yet lightweight enough for my 3 year old to use…although she doesn’t yet vacuum quite up to my standards. It’s suitable for every floor surface: carpet, vinyl, tile and wood and includes a motorized floor tool with two types of brushes. There are regular and max power settings that provide variations in suction. I generally save the max power setting for carpets and when I need to use the hand tools to retrieve crumbs from between the sofa cushions as it drains the battery much faster.
From an adaptive standpoint, this lightweight cordless godsend allows me to vacuum my entire house without fatigue or tripping over cords. However, there is no on/off switch and requires manual activation of a power trigger while in use, but like I mentioned above…my 3 year old can use it. Another caution is battery life. Yes, I vacuum my entire house with this tool, but not all at once. I can generally complete 2-3 rooms per charge.
I do still use my regular cumbersome vacuum for deep cleaning, but for weekly routine chores, this little vac works wonders!
Using a traditional mop one-handed is a challenge at best. Between the heavy buckets and squeezing the excess water out while holding the mop with my chin…I need a more functional solution.
I use the Libman refillable spray mop in lieu of the Swiffer spray mop simply because it allows me to use my own *chemical free solution and a reusable pad. I did try to refill and continue to use my Swiffer for a bit, but found that the solution container leaked once the original seal was broken.
I currently own and use the Shark steam mop, I use it to deep clean my sealed hard floors. It’s lightweight and fast, heats up in 30 seconds, and automatically releases steam with every push-forward motion. However, since the steam is only released on the push forward and requires 15 seconds in 1 spot to truly sanitize, this is a mop NOT a sanitizer in my book. Still, it’s a great weapon against ground-in dirt, dust, and dried spills, and leaves the floor virtually dry.
I’ve started researching and saving for the HAAN Total HD-60 Steam Sweeper. This cool gadget steams AND sweeps simultaneously or separately, includes a carpet sanitizing attachment similar to the Shark, swivels, and is ready to steam in 20 seconds (I’ll keep you posted and review it when I get it).
The Swiffer Dusters with Extendable Handle extends up to three feet to reach dust in high and low places. This gadget saves my back in a couple of ways: 1) no bending or squatting to reach low shelves or baseboards 2) no climbing on stools or furniture to reach high places…hence no falling and busting my arse.
I clean my shower daily with simply the touch of a button and walk away—the dual sprayer spins 360 degrees to spray cleaner on all four walls and tub/floor. I simply refill the bottles with my own *chemical free cleaning solution and my shower stays fresh. My solution even keeps my glass shower door spotless!
That’s about it. I attempt to keep a rotating cleaning schedule, but seem to be failing miserably in that area at the moment. In a perfect world (where my kids helped and made no messes) this is roughly the schedule I’d keep:
Monday: Catch up on messes left during weekend fun, Swing chore (dust baseboards, shampoo carpet, etc)
Tuesday: Dust, Clean glass doors and mirrors
Wednesday: Change and wash sheets and towels
Thursday: Vacuum bedrooms
Friday: Clean and mop kitchen and bathrooms
Saturday: Outside chores, Wash the dog
Sunday: Have fun
Everyday: complete 1 load of laundry; keep up with dishes, crumbs, and pet hair; tidy toys; vacuum traffic areas
What are YOUR housekeeping secrets?
*Chemical free cleaning solution: 50/50 water and white vinegar with 1tsp of dish soap. For wood floors, I occasionally add 10-20 drops of lemon essential oil. For the shower sprayer, I also add about a tablespoon of baking soda.
**Disclosure: I received no compensation for this post. I purchased these items for my own personal use. I was not required to give a positive review and all opinions are 100% my own. I only review products that I’ve found to be adaptable through personal experience or that I have researched and tried for the purpose of adaptive review.
20 years ago today, I awoke right-handed 20 years ago today, I sliced the bread with ease 20 years ago today, I won at gin rummy 20 years ago today, my head began to ache 20 years ago today, they cut my favorite shorts 20 years ago today, they shaved my lovely hair 20 years ago today, I lost a lot of blood 20 years ago today, my mom flew to be there 20 years ago today, my dad feared a goodbye 20 years ago today, the doc tried one more time 20 years ago today, he stopped my bleeding brain 20 years ago today, I gave a crooked smile 20 years ago today, (deep breath) I began again
The Baby K’tan Baby Carrier is a soft hybrid carrier that offers the ideal blend of a sling and wrap. Its innovative double-loop design allows mom or dad to wear baby in multiple positions, without any complicated wrapping or buckling! It is lightweight and compact, yet ergonomically designed to distribute baby’s weight across both shoulders. Retail value: $49.95. www.babyktan.com
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As I’ve mentioned in a previous post, it’s difficult for me to carry my babies unless I am wearing them. I have always been envious of those moms who snuggled with their babies in a simple wrap carrier, but wrapping and tying them one handed never seemed doable. I even tried a few slings, but have yet to find a comfortable option. Hence, I’ve always felt limited to soft structured carriers (SSC) like the Boba and Ergo.
Then…
I was introduced to the Baby K’tan while shopping at my local baby boutique, A Nurturing Moment. The owner, Glenni, is familiar with my need for adaptability and encouraged me to try the Baby K’tan with her weighted display doll to see if it might be an acceptable adaptable option.
After playing around with the doll in a few different carries, I decided the K’tan might be worthy of further review.
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Little did I know, it would become one of my daily essentials!
Hug Position
My son is a snuggler and demands human contact most of the day and night. I love this about him…it’s so nice to feel needed. However, it means that blogging and keeping up with housework must often take a backseat.
I tried wearing him in one of my SSC’s around the house and it worked well, but it was difficult to get the timing right. It’s a bit cumbersome to wear a SSC all day while baby is playing or eating just to be able to quickly pop him in it when he starts to get fussy or show feeding cues. I found that if I waited until he was ready to be held before I put the carrier on, I’d just forgo the whole thing and end up sitting with him and my Boppy.
My Baby K’tan solved all of those issues. I can toss my K’tan around my neck at a moments notice. I’ve even worn it across my chest in preparation to grab baby and go when he starts working up a fuss. It’s about like wearing a scarf, lightweight and soft.
My son may still fuss a bit while getting situated, but no more waiting on mommy to get settled with my Boppy…oh, and my iPad…and I’ll need a water…and maybe a snack…and, crap, I better go pee first because he may sleep for hours.
The K’tan allows me to stay mobile and hands free while my son nurses and naps to his heart’s content.
So here’s the breakdown…
Ease of use:
There is a learning curve. The Baby K’tan consists of two large loops of fabric connected by a small loop and a separate sash. This can be a bit daunting for a mom who is new to babywearing. Luckily, Baby K’tan offers a free step by step guide with pictures and easy to follow instructions for each of the 6 positions. There are also how-to videos on the Baby K’tan YouTube channel, as well as, my adaptive videos below to help you get started.
Mommy Comfort:
The K’tan is super comfy. No buckles, no straps, and balanced weight distribution across your shoulders and back. For me and my 19 lb tank of a son, this is not my all day carrier. My back starts getting fatigued after a few hours even while sitting. However, if I had found this option when he was a newborn, I could see myself easily wearing him for full day outings. Also, as you’ll see below, I am able to comfortably and safely carry my 32 lb three and a half year old with my K’tan in the hip position. This can come in handy when we are out and about, as I can carry one and push the other in the stroller. A quick adaptive note, a good stroller can offer a bit extra balance and support while baby wearing on the go. I’ll discuss this at length another day, but thought I’d mention it here as well.
Baby Comfort:
I love, love, love this carrier for baby comfort. Baby is able to move and stretch against the fabric while still staying safe and cozy next to you.
My son has eczema that often flares behind his knees and this is the ONLY carrier we’ve tried that does not cause pressure and rub spots where his legs rest and meet the fabric.
Breastfeeding:
(I’m actually writing this section while nursing) We love breastfeeding in our Baby K’tan. The stretchy fabric snuggles him close and is lightweight and cool enough for baby to stay comfy. Initially, I was concerned that my Baby K’tan was going to carry him too high to comfortably nurse, but once he settled into the hug position breastfeeding was a breeze. I am able to nurse sitting or standing. Due to my right sided weakness, I could never dream of nursing standing without a carrier.
If modesty is your concern, nursing in public in your Baby K’tan can be very discrete…as you may note in one of the videos below.
The Downside:
Sizeability: You must buy the size that fits you so it can be difficult to share with another caregiver. On the flip side, this is the trade off for no straps or buckles…and sometimes it’s nice to have something in the house that you don’t have to share. 😉
Weight Distribution: I must watch my posture in this carrier. Unlike an SSG which places some of baby’s weight on your hips, the K’tan (and any other wrap or sling carrier) distributes baby’s weight throughout your shoulders and back. For this reason, my K’tan has become my at home and quick in and out errands carrier. It is ideal for doctor’s visits, managing baby between the car and shopping cart, and nursing in public.
The Positions:
Hug Position: My favorite for my little one. Ideal for breastfeeding.
Two-Hip Position: Good for shifting baby’s weight when fatigue is an issue.
Adventure Position: We’ve attempted this hold a few times, but my son is not a fan of facing out. Babywearers should use caution when wearing a baby forward facing because it can cause extra stress to the back and shoulders due to the way the baby’s weight is distributed and carried vs. the way it’s distributed when baby is snuggled close and “wrapped around” facing your body. It’s also important to remember to support the baby’s legs and hips when forward facing. Fortunately, the K’tan allows for this needed support by enabling the wearer to widen the base of the carrier/ fabric so that it cradles the child and gives full support to his hips and spine. See Owner’s Manual p.9
Explore Position: I prefer this position to the Adventure position, but my son is almost too large at 19lbs to pull it off.
The Adventure and Explore positions may be ideal for wheelchair users that need extra security holding their little one while using hands to ambulate their chair.
Hip Position: Great for hauling a larger child. I also use this position with my son for a quick assist, but it’s not entirely hands free and thus not ideal for this one-handed wearer.
Is it wrong to want another baby just so I can try the Newborn Kangaroo Position? 😉
With so many position options this carrier is ideal for adapting to the caregiver’s individual babywearing needs.
Baby K’tan helped me be gain independence through adaptive babywearing and I hope it will do the same for you!
In honor of Independence Day, I am offering one lucky winner a free Baby K’tan in your choice of size and color. The contest begins at midnight tonight (6/20/13) and will run through July 5th. Please share this post and submit your entries above. Good Luck!
Adaptive Baby Wearing
This part applies to all carriers…whatever works for you:
My tip for any mom with limited mobility or just new to baby wearing: Find a place to sit. It is 10x easier and safer getting a baby or toddler in carrier while seated. At home, I prefer the couch for extra wiggle room. When out and about, I get baby situated in the carrier while sitting in the car or on a park bench.
To unload your baby: Simply sit and lay baby in your lap or bend over a chair, car seat and gently lay baby down and slide him out of the carrier. Once baby is situated in his next destination (car seat, floor, Dad’s arms) take the carrier off.
As with all things adaptive, do whatever works for you. Every body is different. Find what adaptations work best for you and your baby. My goal is to demonstrate the adaptive possibilities of the carrier, the rest is up to you!
Disclosure: I received no compensation for this post. I purchased a Baby K’tan carrier at a discount for the purpose of this review. I was not required to give a positive review and all opinions are 100% my own. I only review products that I’ve found to be adaptable through personal experience or that I have researched and tried for the purpose of adaptive review. Amazon links are affiliate links.
For me, baby wearing is the equivalent of carrying my child. Secondary to my disability, I am unable to carry my kids “the old fashioned way” for any length of time simply because I need my only functional arm and hand for things like opening doors, getting a drink, picking a wedgie, wiping noses, and well, you get the point. Strength, balance, and endurance are also issues since I am only able to carry my kids on my left hip.
I’ve tried many different carriers with my kiddos over the years. After much trial and error, my go to carrier is a heavily padded performance Soft Structured Carrier (SSC) simply because of the extra security, comfort, and accessibility that it offers. However, it can be miserable to wear out during steamy southern summers. I was in need of an alternative solution for my clingy must-always-be-held baby boy.
After a bit of research, I decided to give the new BobaAir a try.
Here are a few of the features that attracted me:
Compact and self-storing: This carrier only weighs 0.7lbs and folds up into itself for easy storage…Just like that cool windbreaker I had in college!
Diversity: The BobaAir is a SSC that offers front and back carry and that is intended for children between 15-45lbs.
Durability: It is made of 100% Nylon and therefore easy to clean and extremely durable.
Sleeping Hood and Pocket: Like many SSCs, the BobaAir includes a sleeping hood and a large pocket to store your hood in when not in use. The hood can be used to protect your little one from sun or rain, or to provide a cover when they are nursing or taking a nap.
Sizeability: The BobaAir is designed to fit parents of all shapes and sizes. All straps are fully adjustable and have those handy little elastic bands so you can comfortably tuck the straps away once you have the carrier comfortably adjusted. AKA: MY HUSBAND CAN ALSO HELP CARRY THE LOAD!
The Trial:
Our first BobaAir outing lasted about 2 hours, included some indoor/outdoor time, a lot of standing, a bit of walking, breastfeeding, and sitting whenever I needed a break.
Sizing and buckling were similar to that of my performance SSC and very accessible. In fact, the centered buckles (standard for Boba) may even be a bit easier to manage than other SSCs that have a static side and adjustable side usually making them right handed.
The minimalist BobaAir actually made wearing my 19lb son a bit easier since the carrier itself weighs virtually nothing. As far as adaptability, this is an EXCELLENT feature!
Usually, after wearing my son for any length of time in my heavier SSC, our shirts will be damp with sweat and I worry about him becoming overheated. After 2 hours in the BobaAir, our shirts were dry and my son was cool as a cucumber.
The BobaAir really IS cooler.
Mommy Comfort:
Initially, I was a bit skeptical of this carrier due to the lack of padding. However, once adjusted correctly, I found the BobaAir almost as comfortable as my go-to padded soft carrier.
My right-sided weakness means very little natural padding through my right shoulder and I found myself adjusting the shoulder strap around my boney collarbone multiple times. Fortunately, this can easily be remedied by using an extra teething pad or doubled piece of cloth as a shoulder pad when needed.
Baby comfort:
My son was definitely cooler, but there is a tradeoff. With no padding, the backs of his legs and behind his knees had some pressure marks. The marks quickly faded once out of the carrier and no raw spots were noted.
On that note, let me mention the eczema perspective for a moment. As any eczema mom knows, heat is a big issue. I would most definitely recommend this carrier for it’s lightweight properties. However, be warned that the nylon, although cool, is not very soft. I would recommend putting baby in lightweight clothing that covers his/her highly prone eczema hot spots to protect from rubbing irritation, but you probably already do that anyway, right?
Breastfeeding:
The BobaAir is a dream for breastfeeding mums. Without any padding to get in the way, the breathable nylon keeps baby cool and ready to nurse. I will say that the “sleeping hood” falls a bit short as a nursing cover as compared to my other SSC, but I think the benefits far out weigh this one minor infraction.
Summary:
Despite the BobaAir’s minimalist appearance, I am able to carry my 19lb son comfortably for limited intervals. This is not an all day carrier. I will continue to use it for summer outings, church, and travel and I believe it will be ideal for flying.
As an added bonus, I was also able to give my 33lb daughter a piggyback ride for the VERY 1st TIME! That single experience put this carrier near the top of my list.
*A word of caution when using this carrier, if you are having trouble getting the straps adjusted comfortably CALL BOBA. Their customer service is excellent and ready to help. Initially, I spent 3 days playing around with my BobaAir trying to get everything comfortably situated. Come to find out that my carrier was defective. Total fluke! If I’d just called Boba to begin with, I may have realized this before I subjected my son and self to so much frustration. Once I contacted Boba to discuss my concerns, I had a replacement BobaAir within 48 hrs as well as a shipping label to return my 1st carrier free of charge to Boba. They assured me that they would be examining the defective carrier to remedy potential future issues. My replacement carrier adjusted quickly and comfortably on the 1st try.
Adaptive Baby Wearing
This part applies to all carriers…whatever works for you:
My tip for any mom with limited mobility or just new to baby wearing: Find a place to sit. It is 10x easier and safer getting a baby or toddler in carrier while seated. At home, I prefer the couch for extra wiggle room. When out and about, I get baby situated in the carrier while sitting in the car or on a park bench. Just fasten and adjust the belt before getting baby out of his car seat or stroller.
To unload your baby: Simply bend over a chair, car seat, or bed, unbuckle my chest strap, and gently lay baby down and slide him out of the carrier. Once baby is situated in his next destination (car seat, floor, Dad’s arms) take the carrier off and tuck it back into itself.
To unload your toddler: Find a deep enough seat for you both to sit and carefully let her out of the carrier.
As with all things adaptive, do whatever works for you. Every body is different. Find what adaptations work best for you.
How have you adapted baby wearing to fit your needs?
Disclosure: I received no compensation for this post. I was provided a BobaAir for the purposes of this review. I was not required to give a positive review and all opinions are 100% my own.
I only review products that I’ve found to be adaptable through personal experience or that I have researched and tried for the purpose of adaptive review.
Amazon links are affiliate links.
These journals are somewhat random and not neat or pretty, but neither is life with kids. I used to put off adding to them until I was feeling creative or had a quiet moment. Guess what? The journal’s stayed empty and I’m STILL catching up.
Tips for sticking with it:
