Babywearing International of Chicagoland

Playing in a new location

hlmagrow — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 05:53:13 +0000

Tomorrow afternoon, we’re having a meeting at the Des Plaines Public Library (Friends Room B) from 1:30-3:30.

It’s a new, special meeting in a new, special location. We’ll see how tomorrow goes before deciding whether or not to hold more meetings there in the future.

We’ll have a few new carriers to play with and take some nice pictures of. We’re hoping you can give us some great feedback on what carriers you see tomorrow. Have I peaked your interest yet? You’ll have to join us to see what travels along to the meeting!

For tomorrow’s meeting…I’m hoping to share a little babywearing love and knowledge. I’m hoping to learn something new along the way. I’m also hoping to put some faces to the names I see often, and make some new friends. Are you coming? What are you hoping tomorrow brings?

Goodnight

heather

Today’s meeting may be canceled, but there are other options to consider!

hlmagrow — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:54:34 +0000

Due to a scheduling conflict (and a brand new squishy), the morning meeting today at Be By Baby was cancelled. We’ll be meeting in Chicago again the first Tuesday in March, per our normal schedule.

Yesterday’s meeting in McHenry County brought some new and familiar faces. We want to say thanks for coming, and hope to see you next month in McHenry County!

We also still have meetings this month scheduled in Mundelein, Grayslake, and Gurnee this month.

There is also a weekend meeting at a super duper special location scheduled for this Saturday afternoon (Feb 11, 2012), if that works as a second location for anyone from the city. This meeting will be at the Des Plaines Public Library on Saturday, Feb 11th. It’s a new location, and it’s a weekend meeting, so it should be hopping! We will have two awesome new Kinderpack buckle carriers to try on and play with. I’ll be posting a blog post of them shortly!

Have a great week!

RESCHEDULED MEETING NOTICE

hlmagrow — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:44:00 +0000

So.. with the nasty snow advisory and bad weather moving in during our meeting today, we’re moving this morning’s meeting to Heather’s house. If you need help and want to come by, please see the Facebook or yahoo group for more information. Alternatively call 847-970-9314 for directions. The new location is only a few minutes from the normal location.

We will likely have an additional meeting this week (probably Jan 27?) in Mundelein as well.

Thanks!

MEETING CANCELLED for TOMORROW 1/13/12

hlmagrow — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 04:04:17 +0000

We’ve decided to postpone tomorrow morning’s morning BWI babywearing meeting in Mundelein at Cygnus Lactation.

We’re rescheduling it for NEXT friday, January 20th, same time, same location. Social time/ setup will start at 9:30. Official meeting will start shortly after 10. Please join us when you’re able!

While we’re not scared of the snow, we expect turnout to be low with the morning weather and continual snow. We’d rather play in the snow tomorrow and meet up next week! Please see the calendar for the updated notice, it will be updated asap!

Babywearing to reconnect

hlmagrow — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 16:47:08 +0000

Somehow in our babywearing journey, we’ve gone from here at 3 months old (in a moby D stretchy wrap):

to here at 3 years old (in a toddler kinder pack):

Babywearing can be an invaluable way to bond and reconnect with your little ones. Whether it’s the initial bonding with a new little squish or reconnecting after a long day of work or trip out of town, it can help ease those transitions.

I just came back from a visit AWAY from my boys (the two little ones and the big one). They stayed home and fended for themselves just fine. I spent some nice adult estrogen infused time with some of my husband’s family. We had an entertaining road trip, the boys had some great bonding play time at home. It was a win-win.

However, between the daylight savings time change AND my first 3 day solo adventure without K, I was kind of dreading my return. Wondering if the small bit of freedom would end up being worth it in the end, if you know what I mean. Pondering the future whiney, clingy, needy, out of control boys that I might return to.

And yet again babywearing SAVED THE DAY.

K is 3 now, and doesn’t get worn as much as when he was little. It’s usually because “we’re going to miss the bus” so I pop him up. Or “he’s super tired”, or “won’t stop running away”, etc. Well, yesterday it was just “because”. He asked to be worn- his idea- a few different times. And he picked which carrier he wanted and brought it to me. If he hadn’t been used to this comfort zone, as I like to call it, it could have been a REALLY ROUGH DAY.

Sure, the people at gymnastics probably thought we were nuts, but that’s ok. He begged to go uppie, but of COURSE not in the back, that would have been too easy. He’s 3, average height, and a skinny 28#, so I prefer back carries or a short trip in a ring sling. Front carries, honestly- not my favorite now that he’s a preschooler. But I obliged, and he was happy and content on my front, sucking his little thumb, playing with my hair.

Close enough to kiss? Hehe, definitely not a problem. However, we’ve changed roles apparently, and I was the receiver, not the giver. It was very sweet.

In the end, it’s all he apparently needed for the transition. I guess I worried for nothing. Let’s just hope and pray the next few days go as well. Oh wait, I still have my carriers, so I think it’s a definite possibility!

Stay tuned for another post on the benefits of bonding with new little squishes!

Maybe like this one…

or this one…

or this one!

Raffle Contest Winners

hlmagrow — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 17:41:10 +0000

Congrats to all the winners! I taped it and my husband drew (I’ll add it in a little later when we have time).

1. 95.00 Gift Certificate to Cygnus Lactation in Mundelein. Karen Guisbert

2. A bottle of BIOFREEZE (pain relieving roll on) and a half hour massage from ADIO Chiropractic in Libertyville: Jenny Brushaber

3. Sustain.able Sprouts and ColorDip Studio combined donated this Natibaby wrap it is bamboo/linen blend and was professionally dyed by CDS: Karaleigh Salmi

4. Babyette has donated this pretty purple gauze wrap: Trish Pfeiffer

5. RedCharlotte has donated a pair of baby carrier suck pads of your choice from her store: Jenny Brushaber

6. Obimama has donated neutral colored pretty linen ring sling: Megan Vignocchi

7. Our Group donated an infantino eco-sash mei tai carrier: Sara Johnson

8. Babyette has donated this gold water ring sling: Mary Haas

Congrats to all and I will post the video of it later!

heather

Happy IBW Week Saturday… photos, events, and raffles, OH MY!

hlmagrow — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 16:40:53 +0000

(this photo is on the train half in a carrier sitting on my lap being entertained playing with the hood).

Photo Contest

We have a photo contest that’s underway, if you have a favorite photo (one from each category), please vote for it! Voting will run through Sunday at noon! Well give you the results by Monday morning!

Here’s the direct link http://bwichicagoland.wordpress.com/2011/10/12/photo-contest/

Events

We had a few great events this week, starting with a social gathering at the Algonquin Township Hall in Crystal Lake. We had 23 caregivers come and share their knowledge and experiences with each other. Though we did some 1×1 help, there was a lot of great group sharing going on. Some mamas shared tips on using ring slings. A gorgeous Snuggybaby wrap was given away. The lucky winner was a new attendee with a newborn who was there looking for another option to her Bjorn, so it was a lucky match for the drawing!

Yesterday was a busy babywearing day in Lake County. We had 16 caregivers come and share their babywearing love. We held a giveaway drawing and a pregnant first time mama won the Boba wrap. Another great giveaway! One of our leaders gave us feedback on all the great carriers represented at the ABC conference a few weeks ago. We will have a few new wraps coming our way from the event, stay tuned for details when they arrive!

After a bit of a break some of us headed out to the Mundelein Farmer’s Market. We had an opportunity to show off a few ponchos and larger jackets while wearing our little ones since it was getting so cold and windy! It was the last market of the season, and the kids enjoyed some free apples, local bakery goodies, face paintings, a hayride, popcorn balls, and a little free pumpkins! I’ve never seen the market with so many fun samples for the kiddos!

The preschool to grade school aged kids enjoyed the “hayride” on a few local streets through town. My poncho worked wonderfully as a blanket over us, since the 3 year old came off my back for the ride. My son has decided both arms and one shoulder need to come out of his poncho hole to play with my hair. It looks like my poncho will need a few alterations, since I don’t really prefer to be strangled by a 3 year old…

We have two more meet-ups scheduled for today. I’m sure we’ll have a few pretty photos from the outdoor event to post later!

Raffles

Our fundraising raffle is also underway. We welcome all to enter the raffle, you don’t need to be a member of our group. Our only requirement is that you’ll need to pay for shipping if you win and aren’t local (since this is a fundraiser . Some of the raffle items have very few entries, so the odds are great for winning!!

Here’s the link for the raffle:

http://bwichicagoland.wordpress.com/2011/10/13/raffles-and-giveaways/

Happy Babywearing Weekend to all!

Raffles and Giveaways!

hlmagrow — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 19:24:09 +0000

Thank you!

THANK YOU to the great companies who donated items for our celebrations this week. We are excited to share these items with our members in one way or another! A few of the items will be added to our lending library so attendees can try them out. The rest will be either given away at the events this week or raffled off as a fundraiser.

As a volunteer, nonprofit group, this is the only time of the year we do any fundraising. Purchasing raffle tickets supports our organization’s ability to pay for meeting spaces (if needed), new carriers for our lending library, and pay for printed information to give to caregivers interested in babywearing. And at the same time you’ll have an opportunity to win SPECTACULAR gifts! It’s really a win-win situation for all of us!

We have received generous donations from businesses we LOVE, both locally and online. First we’re introducing you to these businesses, then we’ll get to the goodies and show you the raffles

……….

The Nitty Gritty Details

Now, here’s the deal. Raffle tickets are 3.00 each, or 2 tickets for 5.00. You can purchase raffle tickets from any of the leaders at any events (excluding the farmer’s market Friday). You can also buy them from us if you want to come see us Or you can make a gifted donation through paypal and we will enter the tickets for you.

Paypal instructions: For paypal you’ll select “personal” and select “gift” to bwichicago@gmail.com. In the comment section write which raffle item you want to enter. If you want to enter for several items, state how many tickets you want for each item and we’ll split it up for you. We will send you a response to confirm your raffle ticket. You may not see a response right away, but we will respond. Raffle tickets can be purchased until noon on Sunday Oct 16th.

If you don’t live super close, be aware it might take a little time to meet up to transfer the item. If you live in the Chicagoland area I can meet you halfway. If you live farther, or don’t have time to meet up, the item can be shipped if you pay for shipping costs. (we are a nonprofit and this is a fundraiser after all).

Photo Contest!

hlmagrow — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 05:08:31 +0000

Here are some favorite photos from our members that were submitted for a photo contest. They are listed here randomly. Who gets the bragging rights? YOU decide. Here’s how you vote:

Submit your faves for any or all categories:

1. Female Caregiver and child

2. Male Caregiver and child

3. Child and doll

Either comment on the blog below or send them to the group e-mail at bwichicagoland@gmail.com

Example: Male Caregiver 20, Child 12….

Please note, female Caregiver 14, 15, and 16, and Male Caregiver 11 were added in after we started, if you want to change your answers, just let me know. thanks

If you submitted a photo to me and I missed it, please send me an e-mail to let me know.

Thanks!

A World of Possibilities

hlmagrow — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 03:51:06 +0000

A world of possibilities. Hmm. When I first saw the theme for this year’s International Babywearing Week (IBW), I’ll be honest, I really had no idea what that was supposed to mean. After I thought about it a little more, I think that it’s supposed to be interpreted individually. If I’m wrong, I’m sure someone will tell me. :)

The world of possibilities babywearing has opened for me may be COMPLETELY DIFFERENT than the world of possibilities it has opened for my friends, my neighbors, and those I’ve never met before. So I guess I can only share what it means to me. So here goes…

It means more opportunity. Opportunity to learn, interact, or visit with others while my little one slumbered on my chest. It meant going to weddings and feeling calm while my family with little kids were running around chasing the children like crazy people. Ok, well aren’t all families crazy anyway? So maybe that one’s a bit of a stretch…

It means bonding. My husband could bond with our boys through wearing them. Whether it was the Baby Bjorn early on or the ergo sport later, he has been able to also care for them the way they’re accustomed to being comforted with me during the weekday.

It means protection. People seem less likely to want to put their dirty hands all over your newborn when they’re wrapped up tightly to your body. Little kids reach for feet, not baby faces. And it means comforting them when they’re sick (and fall asleep on your back in a wrap… and let you get them in bed still asleep!!).

It means freedom. It means vacation. Hiking and camping in tents. Exposing our kids to nature. In bear country in the Rocky Mountains. And the Smoky Mountains. Even though we call Illinois our home. It means we can take the train downtown and not HAVE to lug a stroller around. Don’t get me wrong, I have strollers. I’ve been thankful to occasionally use the jogging stroller to exercise- though it’s not a very pretty or fast sight. I’ve been thankful for their storage when Christmas shopping. It just means I have an OPTION.

It means I could be a more “lazy” mom. Babies who are worn cry significantly less than babies who aren’t worn in those early days, and also beyond. Babies cry for all sorts of reasons. Sickness, overstimulation, health problems, missing naps, the reasons can be endless. I’m all for making my life easier. And opportunity to feel less stressed? I’ll take it!

And as my child gets older, ahem, I’ve also been known to use it to calm my kids down. I’ve been overheard on numerous occasions saying “that’s it, if you can’t XYZ you WILL go uppie until you can calm down”. XYZ means anything in my world from running into traffic to hitting his older brother to touching every.possible.thing.breakable in a store. Sometimes I’m surprised by the hands up in the air wanting to jump up for a break. Sometimes I’m quickly tossing him on my back. I then feel him sink against me and settle quickly, contently. Sometimes it’s instead it’s after a momentary yet futile resistance. A few minutes in that safe place can calm the overtired, overstimulated toddler or preschooler just as easily as it does a baby. Photo of his favorite beloved Kinderpack courtesy of Kristy Garceau Photography: www.kristygarceauphotography.com

And being part of this BWI organization means I can help other caregivers. It’s really a “caregiver to caregiver” organization. It doesn’t mean I have to know EVERYTHING about babywearing or know EVERY single fabric, length, or fiber of carriers out there (and believe me I don’t). It also means I can defer to others who have more experience or knowledge of other specific carriers or carries.

It means I can take what I’ve learned from other caregivers, and share that knowledge with other caregivers. This can be a foster mom who just wants ONE carrier to help juggle her day, a nanny who’s passionate about caring for her littles and wants a few options, or even a dear friend who wants 20 to play with them all.

The important question is: WHAT WORLD OF POSSIBILITIES HAS BABYWEARING OPENED FOR YOU?

We’d love to hear your stories! And don’t forget to send me your photos for the contest by Sunday evening to hlmagrow@gmail.com. Sunday evening we’ll also be letting you know what special raffles and giveaways we will have over next week. Stay tuned for some items that could be coming your way!

ADDING INFORMATION…PLEASE NOTE: THE PHOTO CONTEST, SPONSOR, RAFFLE, AND GIVEAWAY INFORMATION WILL WILL BE POSTED MONDAY OR EARLY TUESDAY. SORRY FOR THE DELAY!