On Adoption

If you have known me long enough, you probably know that Kyle and I have a heart for adoption.  God willing, we are prayerfully hoping to start the adoption process of welcoming another little one into our family in the next 2-3 years.  It is something that has been pressed into my heart since I was very young.  Since Kyle and I have been married, it is something that has been laid on our heart as a couple.  It is a few years out for us before we can start that process, but in the meantime I love hearing about other adoption stories.  I believe as Christians we are called to take care of orphans.  For some of us that means actually adopting a child, for others it means maybe helping another family adopt.  God's plan for how we take care of these children who desperetly need us looks different in every family.  But I do know one thing; we are called to action.  We are called to take care of those who others look past.  We are called to advocate for those who have no voice.  

Rylie is a young woman whom I have had the pleasure of getting to know via blogging the past few years.  She is an amazing young woman, and I was thrilled when I read she and her family were in the process of adopting a little girl.  You can read more about their story here.  Rylie is here on SBD today to share her thoughts and her heart for adoption:

Let's talk about adoption. In today's busy, self-centered life, it is easy for things like adoption to be pushed to the wayside. There are many (somewhat-legitiment) reasons as to why people cannot/will not adopt (ps: I'm not saying every family is called to adopt, they're not), but my heart breaks for 153 million orphans & vulnerable children who need our help... And when I hear statistics that say the number of international adoptions has dropped 60% in the last six years, I'd say we're failing to hear their cries and identify with their lives. 

Just know, this is written from a Christian perspective to Christian readers. Because for us, dear reader, adoption changes everything. Adoption is so intricately rooted in the gospel that we cannot ignore it nor take it for granted. Keeping in mind that each child is fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14), we must not simply care for, but chase after the forgotten and the undesirables. 

Let's begin by saying: Christians are not called to adopt, they are commanded (Isaiah 58:10; Deuteronomy 24:17,19; James 1:27). In his newest book, author Jonny Carr said, “If Christians are not responsible to care for the orphaned, who is?” There are over 2,000 verses in 63 of the 66 books that make up the Bible having to do with caring for and protecting the weak, marginalized, oppressed, fatherless, abused, and vulnerable. In fact, though it is not apart of the 10 Commandments, defending the poor is the most frequent law the Lord gave His people. Therefore, it is safe to conclude that justice is near to His heart. “If we have the means and the capability to care for orphaned and vulnerable children, yet fail to do so,” continues Carr, “we are in direct disobedience to God.”

Additionally, adoption is woven through the fabric of Scripture. God adopted His people (Ephesians 1:5; Galatians 4:5; Romans 8:17), so we should adopt others. God is a Father to the fatherless (Deuteronomy 10:18, 24:17-22), so we should also be fathers to the fatherless. Furthermore, we are called to help the least of these (Matthew 25:40). What is a better way to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and welcome the stranger (Matthew 25:35) than to adopt a child? Furthermore, the gospel at its heart is rescue and redemption. The Bible is a story of a Father who loved His people, despite her flaws, shortcomings, and downright rebellion. It is a story of a Father who “so loved the world that He gave His only Son” (John 3:16). It is a story of radical sacrifice and extravagant love. It is a story that beckons its followers to do the same.

To conclude (though I could give you a 10 page research essay & talk your ear off for hours), adoption is very countercultural, yet very biblical. So, why adopt? In a world filled with 153 million orphans and vulnerable children, the better question is, why not adopt? Yes, adoption is costly. Yes, it takes much time and energy. No, it does not make much sense to the unbelieving world. But may Christ’s Bride be so bold as to follow in the footsteps of her Savior, no matter the cost, no matter the time, no matter the social consequences. Throwing aside all selfish ambitions, may we as God’s people identify with the poor, marginalized, and oppressed, and through that may we see the poverty of our own hearts. 

Visit Rylie's blog here and check out their giveaway.

So Goes Life

 

So, goes life. You swear to yourself that you will make time for blogging... Then the stomach bug hits your home for a week... Then baby goes back to getting up several times a night... And blogging once again goes on the back burner. Oh, well. My posts may be a little shorter in length these days, since I have all of five minutes of free time (bouncing a baby on my lap as I type with one hand). 

 Happy Monday!

The Art of Baby Wearing Week: Ergobaby (GIVEAWAY!)

Ergobaby contacted me awhile back about reviewing one of their Bundle of Joy carriers.  I jumped at the chance, because I had been dying to get my hands on one of their carriers.  You see, I suffer from really bad back pain; scoliosis and a old car accident neck injury.  I have pretty bad back/neck pain almost on a daily basis.  Someone I know (who also suffers from severe back pain) suggested I try Ergobaby. 

All I can say about Ergobaby is that it is amazing.  Ergobaby carriers are designed to evenly distribute the baby's weight across your body, so it lessens the stress on your back.  The material is soft and comfortable.  And you can easily throw your Ergobaby carrier in the wash when needed.  I really love my Ergobaby carrier!

Ergobaby is offering She Breathes Deeply readers a chance to win one of their Bundle of Joy carriers in navy!  You can enter multiple ways daily.  Good luck!

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The Art Of Baby Wearing: Baby K'tan

My lovely sister in law, Becca (who also has two small kiddos) recommended B'ktan baby carriers to me.  She wore her littlest one in the K'tan and loved it.  I decided I would give it a try.  

Baby K'tan is great for so many reasons.  First off, there is no tying, wrapping, or buckling.  From the front the K'tan looks like a regular wrap.  But you put it on over your head like a t-shirt (and it feels like a t-shirt, too).  It is easy to just throw on when you are on your way into Target (Mom's favorite place). It is compact and small, so it is easy to tote around in a diaper bag, too.  Another great plus, is that it is really nice for younger babies.    

I was also impressed with how nice it looks on.  Let's be honest; not all baby carriers are very stylish.  But, the Baby K'tan looks really nice with your outfit, and has many colors to choose from.  Baby K'tan is made from 100% cotton. You can easily throw them in the washer and dryer with no hassle (a big plus for me, since my two kiddos are MAGNETS for dirt and grime).  

Baby K'tan baby carriers offer multiple wearing positions for babies (8-35 pounds).  I started my youngest off in the kangaroo hold and recently tried her in hug position.  

The story behind Baby K'tan is really interesting and inspiring.  Two families that were friends were both raising babies with special needs, and needed a carrier that could suit their needs.  Thus, the Baby K'tan was born.  You can read their story here.  Also, a percentage of the proceeds of every Baby K'tan  is allocated to the American Heart Association, as well as to "help fund education, medical research, advocacy programs, and promotion of awareness and inclusion for individuals and families living with Down syndrome."  I love to support companies that are giving back, and Baby K'tan does just that.

Baby K'tan

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See you all tomorrow for day five of

The Art of Baby Wearing Week!

The Art of Baby Wearing: Inspiration Part 2

Name: Gillian

Blog: Comes In Colours

Kids names/ages: Roman (age 5) and Asher (19 months)

What do you love about baby wearing and why is it important to you?: My favorite part of baby wearing is definitely the unique bonding experience. I love the feeling of having my baby pressed so closely to my body. There is something so special about being feeling a warm baby body against your own with your arms free to cuddle your baby as you go about things in daily life. Baby wearing has been so important to me on my own journey as a mother because it has created many wonderful memories and sweet moments for me to hold on to. The baby days of my little ones are flying by and I love being able to think back to when I’d walk to my husband’s work on a fall day with a tiny Roman on my chest, or when I took Asher on his first walk in the ring sling - the way his mouth made a tiny o as he looked up towards the stars.

What's your baby carrier, wrap, or sling of choice?: Overall, I would probably say that the Ergo is my favorite carrier. For me, the Ergo has been the most versatile and comfortable. I also love the Moby wrap for newborns because of how it wraps the baby up so tight and snug on mama’s body. It almost mimics the feeling of pregnancy to me. I also use a ring sling and a Hot Sling.

Any advice for a mom new to baby wearing?: Look for good deals! I found my Moby wrap at a consignment shop for 10 dollars! I saved a little money on my Ergo by buying it from EBay. It was brand new and still in the box. I have found that the majority of baby carriers stocked in children’s consignment shops and thrift stores are the cheaper brands, however if you are pregnant and on a budget keep your eyes out for the good brands!

Name:  Erin

Blog:  Pitter Patter of Little Feet   

Kids names/ages:  Everly, 2 ½, and Amelia, 4 months.

What do you love about baby wearing and why is it important to you?:  Babywearing is such a special thing a parent can share with their child.  You share your body with this growing baby for nine months, and then go through the life-changing event of birth, and suddenly, you’re both expected to automatically adjust to life after pregnancy. With both my girls, babywearing allowed me to hold them close whenever any of us needed a little something extra.  With my second child, I missed her so much during the day when I went back to work.  So coming home and putting her into her sling to wear for a while allowed us both to bond after being apart during the daytime hours.  I love how babywearing allows my youngest to practice her social skills with others – when we’re out shopping or running errands and I wear her, she’s so interested in interacting and loves to make eye contact and smile!  I feel like babywearing is really setting her up to be such a lovely, confident person. 

What's your baby carrier, wrap, or sling of choice?:  Right now, I’m using my Sakura Bloom double linen sling, which I love.  I’ve recently heard great things about the Ergo carrier and would love to try that out next.

Any advice for a mom new to baby wearing?:  Be patient, and keep trying. Some babies don’t adjust to babywearing immediately.  If baby is fussy when you try to wear her, and it doesn’t seem to be working, take her out, and either try readjusting or just try again later.  Once baby seems to be in a comfortable position, get moving, and pat their bottom – this always seems to work for me. 

Name: Brandee

Blog: This Little Moment

Kids names/ages: Seth 2 years and Bryn 7 weeks.

What do you love about baby wearing and why is it important to you?: Mandy couldn't be more right that if you have more than one child babywearing can make all the difference! I credit the fact that we've had no jealousy issues with our toddler to babywearing because my hands are free to play with him. No momma guilt either because no one is left out.  The very best part about babywearing though is that it allows you to soak up every moment of this fleeting babyhood. All of those new baby sounds, smells and smiles aren't going to be missed if your babe is attached to you. It's also an awesome way to be close to my toddler when he needs to cuddle and I'm really busy.

What's your baby carrier, wrap, or sling of choice?: Ergo with infant insert.

Any advice for a mom new to baby wearing?: I stopped carrying Seth in the Ergo a couple of months ago when I noticed that it was digging into the backs of his legs. Just recently learned about foot straps for older children to stop that from happening. So my advice is buy all of the accessories too if they're available for your carrier like an infant insert, foot straps and weather cover. 

Name: Briana

Blog: I'll Be Your Sky

Kids names/ages: Jordan - 3, Helena - 1.5, 18 weeks pregnant with Violet.

What do you love about baby wearing and why is it important to you?: I love everything about babywearing. It makes life so much easier. Need to vacuum but the baby is crabby? Throw her in a carrier and away you go! On a walk and your toddler's legs are tired? Toss him on your back to give him a break. It's also an amazing way of bonding. When my daughter was born, my son was only 15 months old. She lived in the sling the first month. It gave me a way to bond with my newborn, while still giving my little man all the attention he needed. That is SO important to me, and I am so glad to have found babywearing because of that. I can't wait to wear Violet!

What's your baby carrier, wrap, or sling of choice?: It all depends. On my mood, on baby's mood, on the situation. But usually, I love ring slings for the newborn stage, and wraps as they get older. 

Any advice for a mom new to baby wearing?: Don't give up if you don't like your first carrier! There are many different types, and they vary even between brands. There's something for everyone! 

See you all tomorrow for day four of

The Art of Baby Wearing Week!

The Art of Baby Wearing Week: Boba Baby Carrier

 When I go looking for a new item for baby, I like to look for other mom's that have reviewed that same item.  When I was researching baby carriers, I saw that Boba had really great reviews from other baby wearing mom's.  I wanted to try Boba out due to its ability to carry young babies in a froggy legged position without an insert.

I received my Boba in the mail and it was even prettier in person than the pictures I had seen of it.  The other day, a couple of other Mama's and I brought seven children ages four and under out, and I kept my littlest one in the Boba pretty much the entire time.  She snoozed while I pushed my older daughter around in the stroller and chased her all around the playground. 



The Boba is great for being outdoors.  It has been so helpful to me when I am outside playing with my older daughter.  We love being outside, so I tuck my littlest one inside the Boba and she gets to enjoy the outdoors with us.  The Boba has a detachable cover to shield baby from the sun, as well. 



Another great feature to the Boba is that it has a built in purse strap that keeps your diaper bag or purse from sliding off your shoulder while you are out and about (a great perk!). 

I am really pleased with my Boba.  It has been really nice to have a carrier that allows me to get outside with my family and keep up with my two year old.  And it is really pretty, too! 

Boba

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See you all tomorrow for day four of 

"The Art of Baby Wearing Week."

The Art of Baby Wearing: Inspiration Part 1

I asked you all if you would be interested in contributing to "The Art Of Baby Wearing Week", and I received such a great response!  I have had so many inspiring Mama's share their baby wearing stories, I have broken it into two separate posts.  These Mama's featured inspire and encourage me.  I know they will do the same for you!

 Name: Allison O'Sullivan

Blog:  O'Sullivans Abroad

Kids names/ages: Tegan, 16 months

What do you love about baby wearing and why is it important to you?:  When Tegan was itty bitty, she wanted to be held all the time (who can blame her?) so baby wearing was a great opportunity to bond and get things done.  As she's grown baby wearing has been our go-to for transport because the places we've lived (Taiwan where she was born and now Nepal) have not been super stroller-friendly.  We don't even own a stroller any more, just wear her in situations where walking isn't a great option.

What's your baby carrier, wrap, or sling of choice?:  We've used a Baby Bjorn, the Moby, Ergo, a Osprey framed backpack and a sling and liked them all at different stages for different reasons.  The Moby was great when she was a newborn and I was home with her during the day by myself.  The bjorn when she was tiny and it was the coolest option for our hot and humid locations and we could switch her between us easily.    The Ergo she liked once she could stick her feet out and now that she can ride on my back - this one has been my favorite for the longest and my go-to.  The sling is good when I need a smaller option to carry, it fits in the diaper bag easier.  Finally, the Osprey framed backpack is what we take her on longer hikes with us.

Any advice for a mom new to baby wearing?:  
-Practice at home first.  Walk around, put it on and take it off, put the child in and take them out, do some chores, bend down, get stuff out of your pockets, etc.  You'll get the hang of it and see what works for you.
-If you don't love it at first try again, or try a different style carrier.  Both babies and parents have a preference.
-If you go with a wrap style, you can pre-wrap it so you are ready to go when it's time to put your child in.
-Some airports will make you take the child out of the carrier when going through security, others won't.
-Many airlines will make you take baby out for take off and landing as it is safer to have them in a car seat or in your lap if you have a lap-seat ticket.



Name: Marla Michau 

Blog: The Merrythought

Kids names/ages: Fabienne 2, Abram 9 months 

What do you love about baby wearing and why is it important to you?: 
My two little ones are just 18 months apart.  My daughter was a bit delayed in walking so baby wearing has been a life saver, especially in the newborn stage when my little guy needed to be cuddled often.  I love baby wearing because it allows me to be close to my little one for longer periods because my hands are free and I'm able to get tasks done.  It's also super comfy for the baby.  We took a road trip when Abram was 3 months and did quite a bit of hiking.  He slept through most of those hikes in the Moby Wrap!  Baby wearing is important to me because studies have found many important benefits for the baby including less crying and fussing and better sleep.   

What's your baby carrier, wrap, or sling of choice?: The Moby Wrap has been great for me, I like that there are so many different ways to wear the baby, which makes it practical for varying activities and different stages as your baby grows.  

Any advice for a mom new to baby wearing?: Don't be intimidated by wraps!  Take a few minutes to watch some videos on YouTube or read through the instruction book.  Try a couple different holds and find what is comfortable for you.  Once you get it figured out it becomes second nature and it's totally worth it to have free hands and have your baby close and cuddly! 

Name: Ash Schlax

Blog: love.lulu

Kids names/ages: Coen Lewis (2 1/2 years old) and Norah Rose (1 month)

What do you love about baby wearing and why is it important to you?: I love it for the convenience, closeness and freedom it gives me. It frees up my hands to care for Coen while having Norah close, and that is such a huge help in surviving life with two little ones. I'm also a strong believer in the many developmental benefits for a baby that's kept close to their mother, and I think baby wearing is a great (& simple) way to achieve that. And, well, Norah is way more content being snuggled up to someone. I don't think I'd get much done if I didn't wear her. haha.

What's your baby carrier, wrap, or sling of choice?: I have a few. I'm currently loving my Moby wrap (on loan from a friend). I used a ring sling with Coen and love it as well. I am hoping to get a Baby K'Tan or something similar soon, too. 

Any advice for a mom new to baby wearing: I know for me it a bit overwhelming at first--I wanted to figure it all out beforehand, choose the perfect sling, etc. But then I realized that there's no need to over think it. There are so many great options out there, and so much great advice from other moms out there, it's hard to go wrong. So just choose what you think works best for you and your little one, and enjoy It. Because wearing your baby is great. :)

Name: Joanna 

Blog: Modest Momma Fashion

Kids names/ages: Lily, age 9; Margot, age 2 years, 4 months; Evan, age 6 months
What do you love about baby wearing and why is it important to you?:
I love everything about baby wearing- the closeness, the bonding, the practicality as well as all of the health benefits for momma and baby. Baby wearing has become less of a luxury (as it was with Margot) and more of a necessity now that I have a toddler and an infant, but the experience hasn't changed- it's amazing to maintain the closeness of being with Evan after birth. 

What's your baby carrier, wrap, or sling of choice?: 
I have tried so many wraps, carriers and slings to find the perfect fit for me. I absolutely loved the Baby K'Tan for newborn/early infancy. Now that Evan is a sitter and loves to be more social, I prefer the Becco Butterfly 2 or Ergo. 

Any advice for a mom new to baby wearing?: Don't give up if you haven't yet found the right sling, carrier or wrap. I was discouraged early on because nothing I tried fit well or felt secure enough, and I felt like I would never be able to do it. I have been blessed with generous mommas willing to share and let me try all kinds of carriers to decide what works best. 

Name: Alyce

Blog: Blossom Heart Quilts

Kids names/ages: Jonathan is 3 years old, Isabelle will be 2 at the end of March.

What do you love about baby wearing and why is it important to you?: For me it is all about the conveniece! When Isabelle was younger, she was able to be comfortable and cosy whilst Jonathan was still in the stroller. Not to mention holidays and not needing to worry about stroller access! And now that we live in Japan, it fits inside a backpack for day trips when she is tired of walking.

What's your baby carrier, wrap, or sling of choice?: An Ergo Sport in black - so that my husband can wear it and still look stylish! And the "gap" helps keep Isabelle cooler.

Any advice for a mom new to baby wearing?: Choose what works for you - comfort and how easy it is to put on and use are the most important aspects! Try on a few too - a Baby Bjorn type didn't work for us as it hurt my neck and shoulders, whereas the Ergo is much more comfortable and works on my back or front too.

Name: Amy

Blog: to be changed

Kids names/age: Molly- 21 months & Cooper- 2 months

What do you love about baby wearing and why is it important to you? Baby wearing is important to me because it is a continual bonding experience with my babies. I love having my baby close to me. He was comfy and cozy in my womb for 9 whole months, so wearing him tightly and as close as possible makes his transition to the outside world a little smoother. As my baby gets older, seeing the world from the same height as mama helps him to learn and even have hands-on experience. 

What's your baby carrier, wrap, or sling of choice? I have three carriers and I love them all for different reasons. Right now, for my two month old, I'm loving my homemade ring sling. It seems to snuggle him the closest, and it's super easy to put him in and take him out. I used to love carrying my daughter on my hip in this sling! I also recently got a Beco Gemini, which I really like. It is incredibly sturdy and gives great support. However, I have a feeling I will like it even more once he is old enough to face out. 

Any advice for a mom new to baby wearing? I would love to encourage any mama that has tried baby wearing and found it difficult. Try again. Don't give up. There is a learning curve. There are many times that my little one has to "surrender to the sling", so to speak, before he will relax enough for it to be enjoyable for the both of us. And while it is wonderful to be "hands-free", there will still be many things that are tricky to do--such as getting clothes out of the washer, leaning down to pick something up, and washing dishes (if you're so short like me that your baby hits the counter). Bottom line--maybe it comes super easy to some people and their babies. But if that's not you, don't get discouraged. Keep at it! Baby wearing can be an incredibly wonderful relationship and experience.