Babywearing

 If you know me, you  know that I frequently have a baby on my back.

That's how we roll - babywearing makes it easier to snuggle with my babies and get things done.

It was a lifesaver about a year ago when the cows got out into the road and we had to get them back in unassisted and I had to go in and out of ditches and open gates and move quickly, oh, yes, and the baby was hungry, too.  Babywearing means I could burn calories marching all over chasing cows, while breastfeeding at the same time.  ;)  What's not to like?  Oh, yeah, the cows were out...

Babywearing isn't just for mamas, though.  Micah babywears- one of the many things about him that makes me all weak at the knees. ;)

I think a stretchy wrap is the best newborn carrier of my stash.  There is a bit of a learning curve, but the incredible comfort is worth the effort.  A friend gave me a Moby wrap for Miriam and I loved it!  My second recommendation would be a ring sling.  They're great for shorter chunks of time when you don't want to put on the wrap.  Plus you can use it well into toddler hood for a hip carry! You can make one (my mom made me my two), or buy one.  I also love our mei tai and podaegi, and want to experiment with woven wraps.

Miriam loves being worn... and wearing, too! ;)  Here she is with her baby in a doll sling. :)

This post was written for the Babywearing Carnival hosted by Jami of Babywearing Videos.  Thanks, Jami!


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Around the house...

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Earth Mama Angel Baby Milkmaid Tea Review

I recently received some Earth Mama Angel Baby Milkmaid Tea for review.* 

Milkmaid Tea contains herbal galactagogues like fennel, fenugreek, anis seed, and caraway seed.


I haven't had trouble with milk supply (except during pregnancy, and Milkmaid Tea is not intended for use during pregnancy), but tandem nursing means I am producing a lot of milk (moo!) and so sometimes it is nice to give my milk production a little herbal support.  If you're struggling with milk production, start with this page from Kellymom on how milk production works, and then check out this page with things you can do for your supply.

 The day that my tea arrived, it was pretty warm, and the idea of a hot cup of tea was just not my cup of tea.  ;)  But on the back of the box it suggested that it was good iced or hot, so I made some iced tea with it.  It was great!  It has a nice, mild herbal flavor.  Compared to the Traditional Medicinals Organic Mother's Milk Herbal Tea  I felt that the Milkmaid Tea had a milder flavor.  I think Mother's Milk tea has a  stronger, more licorice like flavor.  I like licorice, so I don't mind it, but I know some people don't like licorice...

The next morning it was cooler and I had a hot cup of Milkmaid Tea instead.  It was tasty, but I felt that it was a bit weak tasting, which surprised me since I had used one tea bag in a standard sized mug and made sure to steep it for 10 minutes (the box suggests 5-10).  However, I didn't squeeze the tea bag at all, like I always do with the Mother's Milk Tea (it says to in the instructions for MMT), so perhaps that was part of it.  The next time I made a hot cup I made sure to squeeze the tea bag instead and I think it seemed stronger.

And because this is a truthful review  - Micah didn't realize what kind of iced tea I was drinking and took a drink.  He did NOT like it, and refused to believe that it didn't contain his childhood nemesis, Slippery Elm Bark, until I read him the ingredients list out loud, at which point he began talking about the need for an ingredient audit!  So, *I* think it tastes fine, but just for full disclosure, that is obviously not a universal belief!

Thanks, Earth Mama Angel Baby!


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*I was sent a box of Milkmaid tea to review.  I was not compensated in any way for this post.  All opinions expressed are my own.  All links are Amazon affiliate links, so if you buy through them I have a few more pennies of play money.

Playdough!

 We used this recipe and made some homemade playdough today!  Nathan had never played with playdough, so I was a little apprehensive that he'd have trouble understanding that it wasn't food, but he did great and had a lot of fun with it!  :)

Do your kiddos like playdough?  Have you ever made playdough?

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Simple Granola

From the More with Less Cookbook (with a few minor alterations)

Makes 2 1/2-3 quts.
250*
1 hour

Preheat oven to 250*.  Combine in large mixing bowl:
2 c. whole wheat flour
7 1/2 c. rolled oats

Blend together separately
1/2 c water
1 c. extra virgin olive oil
1 cup honey
2 t vanilla
1 T salt
(Sometimes I like to add a big dollop of peanut butter!  And it tastes great with brown sugar instead of honey, just add a little extra water.)

Add blended liquids to dry ingredients and mix thoroughly.  Spread out on 2 greased cookie sheets and bake 1 hour, or until dry and golden.  Store in covered containers. (I like reusing empty oatmeal containers.)

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3

3 years.

honeymooning

2 children.

1 marriage.
 

Blessed.

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