Boba 3G Review

I'm Finely going to Review my Boba 3g for you all! Because I love my boba!

I got the Boba 3G in Kangroo in June 2013!! and I've falling in love with it

This is ME! in my Boba 3g at Tall ships in Bay City, Michigan with a Sleeping baby!

Before I bought the Boba I tried on a Beco and an Ergo and was not a fan on the way they fit compared to the Boba 3G. So for my birthday I brought that Boba 3G from SweetBottom Baby Boutique  and have been using ever since. As you can see in the picture above it's very comfy and my son is sleeping sound. He was in this for about 6 hours this day and didn't get fussy. I had to nurse him half way through and nursing was super easy and discreet! I just loosened the straps and latched him on. My husband stood behind me and had no idea when I was nursing.

This is also my GO TO for back carries. It's probably the fastest and easiest back carry for me! I do a back carry about 60% of the time while trying to clean house get dinner made, and working out!

This was the first back carry I ever did, This was on the day I got it in the mail.

As you can see my son loves it!

The pannel is great, The Boba has a wider base so it will stay knee to knee longer. Also is higher so it will support your babies back longer. My son is 29in at 10 months and it's just to the back of his neck. So we have awhile before the Boba is below his arms. 

I haven't washed mine in the washer yet, but I have spot cleaned with water and mild soap and it cleaned up Prefect! The coloring hasn't faded at all in the black or the color panel. the hood is stored in the black zipper pocket on the top that says Boba. It's super easy to use and great for when they fall asleep you don't have to worry about them waking up because their head is flopping around

 

If you have any questions about the Boba 3g! Let me know! Tweet me!

Tatto time!

I can not wait to get my next tattoo. I'm getting a breastfeeding tattoo... Because I'm so passionate about it! and I'm getting a tattoo for Zachary! Now I'm thinking of conbinding these. but need to be able to add more when I have more babies! I really want the tattoo right below my neck on my back! wouldn't that be sexy?

 This would be Black with blue baby!









I'm unsure what I would do this this one.

This would be Black Mom and Blue baby!
Thinking of having shading done to make it more human cartoonie!










Or just go all out on  it! Babywearing Breastfeeding! make the Mom look more like me!










HELP ME! I really want some feed back!

This blog was a little pointless but Just want some ideas!

review for Wrap Nap Fairy!

A couple weeks ago I received my Wrap Nap Fairy (WNF) wrap in the mail! I got a size 4 in evergreen.

WNF is a 100% Linen wrap, and I love linen so it was a good buy for me. When I got it in the mail it was so beautify wrapped I didn't want to undo it!

See! Look how pretty! ^^^!

It came with care instruction, and a couple instructions on how to do a couple different wraps, with pictures, which is very nice so you know if you are doing it right!
Now linen is kind of hard to break in, I was lucky when I got my linen ring sling it was already broken in. But I was ready for the challenge.
I took it out of the beautiful package and read everything a couple times because I was scared to mess it up.  I tried wrapping with it a couple times and my son hated it! it was tough and rough on the skin, so the next day I washed it, and hung it on the line to dry outside. and it was even rougher, so it went into the dryer on low heat with 4 dryer balls! and AMAZING! I could wrap with it! I was so happy! My son loved it, and it wasn't even all the way broken in yet.

It came with sleeping dust! He's so sweet!

Now that I have had this wrap for a couple weeks, and its amazing, its breaking nicely! You can't pass up the price. It takes a little to learn how to spread the rails so you don't have digging into your neck or shoulders.
Her Shipping was fast, there was a two week wait when I order, but she is a Work At Home Mom (WAHM) the wait was fine with me! And it was a nice surprise in the mail!
Look how nicely it's wrapping now!

Kangaroo carry!

If you're a mom that wants to baby wear with a Woven wrap! WNF is a way to go! She has great prices and great quality wraps! My son is 6 months old in these pictures, he is now over 7 months old and it's still supportive! He loves to cuddle and sleep with it, and keeps him calm in the car! It works great for wearing baby on your back, I'm not the best with back carries so I don't have a lot of pictures!

This is my booga on my my back!

I'm not the best at back carries, and my mirror is dirty! But I got him up, and I was proud!

Here is her link to her Facebook page! She is very sweet momma, and very quick at responding! but remember we all are mommas, and kids can be a handful!

https://www.facebook.com/WrapNapFairy

-Stephanie!

Breastfeeding momma life

Breastfeeding is one of thee most amazing things I've done in my life. Its got its down side, but nothing to cry about.
I'm very passionate about breastfeeding because of how beneficial it is to not just the baby but the  mom too. Most people know that breastfeeding is good for the baby. And it only took reading the ingredients of formula to understand that. But for the mom, it cuts back the risk of breast cancer and cervical cancer. Helps drop the baby weight faster. You can burn up to 500 calories A DAY. But with that being said, you have to eat extra to keep your milk up. But eating right keeps your milk tasting good and baby and mom healthy. Also, I don't know if you have carried around a diaper bag, it's heavy, why add extra weight with water and powder to make formula. And forget about making sure if you have the right formula weighing you down, when you could just keep your baby's milk fresh, and always have the right amount, no matter how long you are out. :)
Now let's talk about the baby, your sweet baby. Don't you want to give them the best? Breasts milk is the best. Now think about your babies belly, it's so little the size of a marble when first born, your body is making the correct amount of colostrum, is easy to digest, and they eat more because they are digesting the milk. Also, less likely to have an over weight teen because they have learn how to eat the correct amount of food.
If you cloth diaper like me, breast milk poop dissolve in water. Fun fact!

Now I'm going to address why people stop breastfeeding before they should.
Feeling like a cow or paci, this will pass in time, but a lot of people don't like that feeling. This is personal choice and takes determination until the feeling passes.
I'm not making milk, LIES! 95% OF WOMAN MAKE MILK.  If you feel like your not making enough. Are you going through a growth spurt? If your baby is having the right amount of diapers, and gaining weight, probably grow spurt, or baby likes to eat.
If your not making enough milk you can take a vitamin pill, or drink mothers milk tea, eat different types of food, and pump after feeding, supply and demand. Giving the baby formula or pumped milk in a bottle will bring down your supply. If you're pumping, pump while the baby is taking the bottle so you don't lose your supply.
I couldn't breastfeed my first, so I can't breastfeed. This is not true, if you want to breastfeed and are willing to try, see a LC, and address a latch issue, supply issue, or just for support to push through long nights, and sleepy days. Because trust me, they pass, and you'll miss them.

I know some people don't want to or physically can't, this blog is not for them.

HAPPY BREAST FEEDING

-Stephanie

My 2.5 years as a Military wife

I married my husband right before he deployed, if you read our story you know this, well I got inspired reading, Aprons and Anchors by Nickohl.
Let me just put this out there, I WAS NOT A GOOD NAVY WIFE. I'm a great wife, but a horrible navy wife.
So our first deployment was 321 days long, its the 3rd longest in Navy history. And it SUCK. For the first couple months I was in college, and keeping our marriage a secret. I didn't understand how important sending boxes was. The first one I sent wasn't so great, but I sent it. I wrote letters but felt like I said the same thing in all of them. And he wouldn't get them until a month later.
I sent a kick ass angry bird box, and a Christmas box. Yup only 3.
We were lucky we got to Facebook chat but when he was on I was s always at one of my jobs, (I waitressed and was doing nails). I enjoyed my life, I was a good wife, I always told him how much I love him and missed him so he knew, but I didn't understand that being a navy wife, I had to step up my game. Half way through deployment he became very depressed, he wanted to end our marriage because he didn't think we would work out. I've never cried so much in my life. I cried to Teri because I knew she would say the right thing.
I really thought I was going kiss our marriage goodbye and we had only spend two day's together marriage. The rest as apart. I told him no matter what he said I was going to his homecoming to pick him up. I wasn't letting him have no one there when the ship came in.
Finely when he got home things got better, we talked about everything and got it in order. And we were happy. We got pregnant and became even more happy. But I was still a horrible navy wife, I hated under ways, and stupid duty days. All I wanted was to spend time with my husband. But it was always to much to ask for. We spent every holiday apart, and I spent Christmas on ship 9 months pregnant because I wanted to spend time with him. I have no idea rank from rate. No idea what half the acronyms mean. And the saddest part is, I Don't Care! At all. Because no matter what his job is I'm his wife, navy or not, I don't feel special being a navy wife. I feel special being Martinez's wife. I'm supportive of his career, no matter what it is. (I just don't always understand it)
If I could go back I would have been a better navy wife, but I think it really helped strengthen our marriage. It helped us understand its hard on both sides in different ways.
Now the question I get asked a lot, aren't you going to miss being a Navy Wife? And all I say is NOPE! My husband will be official all mine again, and I don't have to share him.
Don't get me wrong I will miss the NEX and tax free everything. But I love my husband more than the NEX (most days) :) just kidding.

*Stephanie

P.s. don't you feel better about yourself, lol

http://ApronsAndAnchors.blogspot.com/   - Nickohl's blog.

Babywearing for the win

May be its just me...Wait I know its not just me. I love baby wearing.
I got myself a Boba 3g for my birthday. My first Soft Structured Carrier (SSC). And it's the best thing ever. Well may be not the best, but its hitting the top ten things I own. I went shopping the other day and Zachary doesn't nurse well or sleep well while out and about, he just wants to look at everything. The carrier was amazing, he slept for an hour in the car ride, ate when he woke up, than was good while we shopped at the clothing store. Than we were on our way to Walmart after getting lunch. I strapped him in the Boba and nursed him while we were in Walmart. I kept asking my grandma if you could see anything and she no, so I was pretty stoked. Then he just feel asleep and slept the whole time we were in Walmart. We picked out clothes, food, toys and cards and not a peep, until we were done. Than he was done, he wanted out, good thing we were checking out. Nursed him in the parking lot and he was happy!
I love the things you can do with baby wearing. Some times strollers get too balky, and hard to move. I'm so happy my sister in law told me about the world of baby wearing. Its a life saver. People also aren't trying to touch your baby, and it benefits the baby this learning conversation, weight gain, and learning to be confident and independent. Research all carriers before you by, and find someone you can borrow from or rent from online! I tried on a lot of SSC before I settled on one because I wanted to make the right choice. <3

Babywearing in walmart.

Breast milk Vs. Formula

It's time for that blog! This is not for starting any arguments, just my opinion.
-Women were giving boobs to feed babies. At some point they become the object of sex, and boobs become taboo. Breastfeeding in public is frowned upon. 

Breast Milk

• Is made up of Proteins, Fats, Vitamins and Carbohydrates. the combination of these help make breast milk easier on babies tummy. That is why people feel like breastfed babies eat more because their tummies digest the milk easier.
• The vitamins in breast milk are related to the vitamin intake. Taking a prenatal will help mommie and baby get the vitamins they need to be healthy/ Fats help with babies brain development. A long chain fatty acids are needed for brain, retina, and nervous system development during the last trimester they are deposited into the brain. These are also found in breast milk. 
• The main Carbohydrates in breast milk in Lactose, counts for 40% of carbohydrates in breast milk. The lactose decrease the unhealthy bacteria in the stomach. Also helps growth of healthy bacteria.
• Proteins are Lactoferrin, Secretory IgA, Lysozyme and Bifidus factor. These help protect the baby from viruses and bacteria. Lysozyme helps agest E.Coil and Salmonella. 
• Human milk is made specific human babies, after you give birth the hormons in your body chain and you make colostrum "liquid gold" that changes to the babies need into milk. 

Formula

•  Formula comes in power and a liquid
•  In Similac the number one ingredient is corn syrup, which makes up 42.6% per serving, and the second ingredients is sugar. Formula can cause the same problems as drinking a can of soda.
• Corn Syrup is the number one hardest thing for a baby to digest. Most Formula fed babies will start sleeping through the night before breastfed because they trying to digest the formula. Also is the reason why formula fed babies are more fussy, it's harder on their stomachs.
• The highest sugar content are in Enfamil Premium and Parent's choice premium, at 13.5 and 12.4grams per serving.
• The GMO's have not been proven safe for human consumption, even tho it's in food, a baby belly is so sensitive,  you have to watch what you put in it, or you'll have one angry baby on your hands.  

The amount of information on formula in very low before the company don't want you to know about what is in it. Right now we are fitting to get these company to list everything they put in formula! Like GMO's.

My biggest pet peeve is when women say they couldn't breastfed. Because fact is 95% women make the correct amount of milk. I understand if women don't want to breastfed, but when they say they can't, they don't know the facts, and that really gets to me.


(This blog will always be getting updated with more information)


-Stephanie








Links 
http://americanpregnancy.org/firstyearoflife/whatsinbreastmilk.html
 http://www2.aap.org/obesity/SSB.html
http://www.naturalnews.com/033926_infant_formula_corn_syrup.html

Virginia Vs. Michigan!

I grew in a small town in Michigan called Greenbush. Very small, you can drive through it and just think you're in the middle of no-where. It's very much a family place, which why I enjoyed growing up there.
I moved to Virginia Beach in February 2012 to be with my husband when he came home from deployment. I love being in Virginia Beach its so different! I am walking distance to a 7-11 a Subway and a small shopping center! Three malls a half hour away.
Two very different places!
Being in Virginia Beach I think I've learned a lot about myself that I wouldn't have living in Greenbush. I started to see the change when I got pregnant, I saw there was a different styles of parenting. Breast make milk, cloth diapering is really fun, babies should be worn. Before I moved to Virginia I thought you fed babies formula, used disposable diapers. If it wasn't for moving from Michigan I think I would still think that way. But I'm a breastfeeding mommy, who is addicted to cloth diapering, and loves wearing my baby everywhere I go!
I think a lot of times we do what we know and what works, and we don't think to look at whats out there. I researched a lot and learned a lot from my sisters in law. My sister in law showed me the world of baby wearing, and cloth diapering. Something I never seen in my hometown. Surprisingly I don't know why more parents don't learn about it. Baby wearing is a life saver for me. Wrapping my baby helps me get cleaning done, easier to go on walks, and babies love it! Cloth diaper I know isn't for everyone, but it's saving the environment. PLUS, they are way to cute for words. 
I'm so happy I got to see more of the world before I had my baby, and I got to learn about different parenting styles. There is a lot of different parenting styles out there! Don't settle for what you know, there might be something new you love. Attached parenting, Crunchy mommy, you never know what is right for you until you try it!
I sad I wouldn't co-sleep, I was going to breastfeed, and I wanted to work. I'm a co-sleeping, co-showering, baby wearing, Stay at home mom! and I love it! I wouldn't change my parenting at all!

-Stephanie

Review for Flip covers!

I have two Flip Diaper covers, One Size(OS) Snap! Albert is my personal favorite print!

I've been Cloth Diapering(CD) for the past couple of days, my husband thinks it's gross, but I enjoy it so much. I'm using pre-folds, I have a pre-fold under the cover. The pre-folds I'm using are the 10 pack Gerber cloth diapers and 5 green stitched Indian pre-folds from Diaper Junction.

Flip Diaper Covers: I love them. What I personally enjoy about them is they fit nicely around my son legs, and hold in wet diapers great. I've only had one leak. The snaps are very tight and hold while my son is playing and rolling around.The insides wipe clean between changes very easy, and drying after a wash is fast. (I hang to dry over night). The velcro I think would be a lot easier than the snaps, but for me if he pulls on them, they won't come off as easy. The idea of OS I love, they last from 8 lbs to potty training! I don't want to keep spending money as my son grows up! (Saving money, one reason why I cloth diaper!)
The diaper cover lays really flat so it's not too bulky under the onesies and pants! Sometimes I think it lays better than a disposable diaper.   

Personally I wish they came in more patterns, and were a bit more boyish. Snaps get a little hard when I'm trying it tuck the pre-fold and get him in the diaper and my son is trying to roll around the floor! That is when the velcro would come in handy. But I"m not sure how easy it would be my son to pull them off! 

-Stephanie

Albert Diaper! (My Favorite) 

PS, Any questions feel free to tweet me (@stephanielm31) or Comment!!

First day of CLOTH!!! I'm in love!

Today I finely got to do a WHOLE day of cloth diapering! Sad he is in a disposable right now, But we are working our way to a night time cloth.

I only needed six pre-folds today! Which means I have the right amount to do a every other day washing! I have three covers, two, One Sizes (OS) Flip, and one, size one Thirsties. They are so pretty, (my main reason to start cloth)
I had one leak today, but I'm not sure if that was because the pre-fold wasn't prepped right or because his penis was not pointed down. I'm re-prepping the diapers I used today to see if they don't leak tomorrow.
For preparing, I did washing in cold water, and drying until dry! repeat about four times. And today we had one leak! So tonight I've rinsed in cold water, Ran a full HOT wash, and now rinsing in cold water, next to dry fully for tomorrow! :)
Covers only got washed in the normal washed and prepped once, laying flat to dry so the elastic doesn't fall apart. . 

Going to re-view after a couple more days of use. :)
So keep an eye out!

Happy cloth diapering!

-Stephanie

Breastfeeding Daddy??? You heard me!

FUN FACT!!!

MEN CAN PRODUCE MILK. They have all the same parts we do as women to make breast milk.


 http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=strange-but-true-males-can-lactate

 http://www.unassistedchildbirth.com/misc-articles/milkmen-fathers-who-breastfeed/

 CHECK OUT THE LINKS!!!
This is something Crazy I learned yesterday while online. Daddies always feel left out in the breastfeeding relationship, now you can let them know they can get involved!!! Re-lactating isn't as hard as people think it is! It just takes time, and you can give up because it's not an over night thing! But that's for a whole different post!

Have fun!!!!

-Stephanie <3 br="">

Testing testing

1... 2.... 3...... 4......5...... 6.....

BOOM

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Daddies and Breastfeeding!

I don't think people touch on how much the dad is part of the breastfeeding relationship. For me without my husband supporting me I don't think I could have done it. Yes when I wanted to stop he said he was going to support me and he did. But Zachary didn't take the bottle so he supported me breastfeeding. To this day, sitting with me in the car, getting me the boppy, glasses of water and making dinner while I feed our son is so much support! In the hospital he helped me get Zachary to latch properly because I was tired and weak. He got me pillows and was awake while I slept just in case Zachary woke up and I didn't. I wouldn't have my breastfeeding relationship with my son any different! I know it stresses out my husband that I am the only one that can feed the baby, but in the end you know "Breast Is Best" it's not made up, it's not just something some hippie said. It's Fact. Woman have boobs to feed babies.
My husband plays with our son, co-showers with our son. and cuddles him to sleep when I need time for myself. Our son loves his daddy, and some days only wants mom to eat and than he wants nothing to do with me because daddy is so much fun to play with. 

So...

Here is a link from Gallia County WIC Breastfeeding support on some benefits!

 http://wicmommiesbreastfeed.weebly.com/1/post/2012/07/breastfeeding-and-fathers.html

 

Wash Wash WASH!

YAY!!! I've started on my way to cloth diapering today! I got 3 small covers from diaper junction to put over the pre-folds. I have 9 pre-folds! three are covered with receiving blankets for extra adsorbing. I'm very excited to start tomorrow! I don't know if I'm going to use them when I go shopping tomorrow because I don't have a wet bag yet! my next buy! I'm so excited! this is going to be so much fun. I'm hoping to get my hands on some pockets! they seem a lot easier and more fun! but I like being able to use my covers more than once. :)
What I did is washed all the pre-folds about 4 times, wash, dry, wash, dry, wash dry, well you get the point. The receiving blankets get washed once and so did the covers. 

I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow. Going to be a lot different than using disposable diapers. Now to go cuddle with my son and sleep to get ready for our new day!

-Stephanie!

Cloth diapers

Well, I'm a mom! I love my 4 month old son, I'm sick of pampers, I want to cloth diaper. I wanted to cloth diaper but my husband thought it was gross before we had the baby. Now being a SAHM I am always changing diapers and doing laundry. So I can't wait to start cloth diapering. So... Going to start blogging my journey on cloth diapering. About what works and the best from the worst. :) join me!!

Love being a crunchy mommy.