Sometimes...

Sometimes you have an off day.  You know the days where you sleep through your alarm, your coffee spills on you while walking into work, and the printer in the lounge couldn't find your documents in the cue.

Sometimes you have a terrible day.  Those are the days where things happen that you don't even want to admit to.  The things that you would love to write about on your blog, but it really isn't the time or place.

Sometimes you have a contender for best day of your life.  Those are extra sweet, especially coming right after those terrible days.  These are the days like today.

Ray's first birthday is in less than 3 months. I don't even know how to handle this.  So far, I have been oblivious to the fact that she has gone from an itty bitty snuggle bug that slept on me at the drop of a hat to a tiny human being who just wants to explore until she can climb into the tub by herself.  It's finally hitting me so why not soak it in and start planning the best day of her life (so far).  My inspiration was buzzing thanks to the perfect location.  I received confirmation of our date to be right on her birthday and I was heels over head! And without expectation, I fell mid-flip thanks to one short email. "There was a mix-up and unfortunately the building is unavailable on that day."  I had the option to try for the next weekend, but when you can party on your babies actual birthday, there really is no other option.  So off I went, sulking while searching Google for comparable locations.

My sister pulled through, as usual.  There is a reason she is my best friend.  With her help, I was able to reserve a very similar venue which is only a few streets away from the original and for the same price! So, along with all my crazy babywearing posts, get ready for some crazy mama bear, birthday planning posts.  With an "Oh, the Places You'll Go" theme, I know I will have my hands full, but I will do anything for my girl!

Trying to be the biggest Ray of sunshine

You know those days that just drag on, nothing goes right, and you just need to go to bed so you can wake up over it. That was my week. One thing after another just blew up in my face. Yet, somehow I managed to look through it and move forward.

As I lay here exhausted waiting for the weekend as if having a 4 day weekend wasn't enough, I'm comforted by the fact that I have the littlest Ray of sunshine sleeping in the other room. She is happy, she is (mostly) healthy, she is comforted, she is peaceful, she is safe. She stayed home from daycare to help fight a nasty cold. She took lots of naps, didn't really fight through them. She let me clear her nose, give her medicine, check her temperature. She snuggled with me while she played with her pacifier and a box of tissues. And then she went to bed. It was quite an uneventful day, and I didn't expect much more.

But as usual, sick Ray woke up and needed to cuddle back to sleep. I happily picked her up, walked through the house, got the nose sucker thing, and went back to her room. I cleared her nose and just as I picked her up to my shoulder, I felt it. The warm breath on my neck, a little chest rising and falling with mine, little warm fingers gently holding my cheek. I've always said she is my littlest Ray of sunshine - she shines brightly through the darkest days. But I never thought of myself being anything similar to her. I forget how incredible it is to be a mom. This little human is shaped from ME! How in the world can that even be possible? Am I really that okay of a person that I can in fact create another person and they be perfect? I have no idea how or why it happened, but it did. She is perfect in every single way, and no one will see it or understand it but me.

Kindred Pa'ia Ice - The one to turn my heart to Gold

I have been dappling into writing review for my most favorite wraps - aka all my wraps.  I find they are all so different in their own way, and not only because they are different sizes and brands. I've had such a hard time starting this review because I feel I won't be able to do this wrap justice. But then I'm reminded this is MY blog.  It's a place where I am allowed to share all my thoughts and not worry about feeling judged. So that's exactly what I am going to do.  I hope you find it helpful even though it will be filled with nothing but good things to say, because I really have a hard time finding something wrong with this wrap.

Company: Kindred Wrap
Name/Color Way: Pa'ia Ice
Fiber Content: 45% Tencel/55% Cotton
Size: 5 (Base -1)
Wrapee: My 17lb 9 month old daughter, Ray

I had discovered the beauty that is Kindred thanks to another babywearing blog review.  I had stumbled upon Ballard Stripes Sage and thought I fell in love.  It wasn't until I found their chatter page, though, that my heels soared over my head.  At that point, I wasn't going to be picky, because every wrap I saw was classic, timeless, and just pure beauty.  I had tried to knock some dollars off a few for sale posts with no luck.  I just was not ready to justify spending over $100 on a wrap - I didn't understand (yet).  Finally, this baby popped up.  It was $30 under retail and I took the plunge. I am so glad I did.




I expected a slippery, no texture wrap.  I thought passes would glide easily, slip knots would slide, and bigger wrapees would cause sagging.  I opened the box and was incredibly surprised at the texture I felt.  Tencel seems to have similar wear as wool as this wrap has been loved on and has some felting as a result, but I honestly don't mind.  Our first carry put my doubts at ease as I had a sick baby who was not patient at all for a multi-pass carry, so we opted for a simple rebozo with a slip knot.  And let me tell you, despite my Ray's tries at straightening and kicking, that slip knot held strong and girl was out like a light before I knew it.  While tails were dragging, I wrapped them around my waist and tied them off out of the way and got on with my life - and Pa'ia kept us both happy and comfortable.




While I consider size 6 to be my base, this wrap is so nicely broken in that I can squeeze out front wrap cross carry with no issues.  I use this wrap for every carry (even those with incredible tails to show off more of this beauty).  I tend to keep multiple passes bunched as it is great at holding in heat.  While it feels light in hand, it has a great amount of cushiness to it.  My shoulders are super picky (I cannot ruck with a linen blend for more than 30 minutes, and tied Tibetan I may be able to last another 15 minutes) but this is my go-to wrap when we are up for a long time.  The shoulders pleat on their own, double knots are full of life, and candy cane chest belts max out at 3 twists.




I can't say enough good things about this wrap.  It has brought so much comfort to Ray and I, and each day I pick it up I know she feels the same love I do.  It has saved me from melt downs, saved her from exhaustion, and has helped us through this crazy journey called life.  Kindred will always have a place in my heart and in our home.