This Moment

*No words necessary - just a precious moment :) *

A Biking TRIO!

Tonight was momentous - we biked together as a family....all THREE of us (P is just a BIT too young at 4 months...) J has a balance bike and something clicked tonight as he rode around and we rode with him.  I have taken him out to ride plenty of times, but I usually just walk pushing the stroller while he rides.  We were proud parents to see him cruise on that bike, and he was thrilled!  He even biked about half of the 1.5 mile trip home.  So fun!!!

The best part is that he wants to ride like Daddy and Mommy and we love that he can be active and keep up with us (at a 2-year-old level anyway!!)

This is how we get down to the park....love that Chariot!

Proud Kid! Helmet and all.... :)

Just like Mama (see helmet placement)

At the park waiting for Daddy to meet us to bike home together (P is happy - even if he doesn't look it! - in the Action Baby Carrier!)

"Those" Cookies

Confession: We love cookies at our house.  Husband calls my KitchenAid mixer the "Chocolate Chip Cookie Maker."  J can be bribed to do anything nearly with a cookie (uh not that I ever have to bribe my children....)  The good news is that everyone is ok with healthy cookies (which are often like a trail mix in a cookie) and I don't mind having them around quite as much (though they are still a treat!)  Here is a recipe I have adapted, changed, etc. etc. and we love (*note, we are cooking at 7000 feet here so you sea-level folks may not need as much flour!)

Cream together:
3/4 cup butter
1/2 cup which sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 eggs

When Adventures don't happen like they are supposed to....

We have had our fair share of attempts at getting outside and enjoying the family that have ended in frustration, crying kids and a less-than-ideal situation.  The reality is that those days just happen and we are slowly learning to not see it as a "failure" but rather a "learning experience".  Since Husband is a wild-land firefighter and summers are busy, most of our full-family adventures happen in the winter (and we do love our snow! :))  This winter will be a whole new experience with another baby around and a fuller load to haul, but we are determined :)

Here are some things we have learned the last couple of years:
- When it is windy (which it often is here) absolutely bring the Chariot - it provides wind protection and a lot happier kids.
- Bring way more clothing than you think you will need and layer up.

it was -20 degrees this time, so all the layers were a necessity and he stayed toasty warm!

- Investing in the good stuff (as far as winter clothing) for kids is worth it for your sanity.  But, if you get desperate and forget stuff, use that extra clothing you brought (J has worn our coats on occasion thanks to Mama's forgetfulness!)
- Better yet, don't forget the extra clothing....especially important things like coats.
- Hand warmers (those little things that come in packages that you shake to get going) are a very good invention.
- They do make baby ski goggles.

- Never, NEVER leave home without a TON of food, especially if your crowd includes toddlers and/or pregnant women.  Chocolate chip cookies work miracles....

Feel free to leave comments with any other tips you have (winter or summer recreation!)

Only in the Mountains....

Nothing like 75 degrees in the evening (5:39 to be exact ;)) and.....

 .... 38 degrees the next morning!  The bear boys are bundled up for a morning run.

Little reality check from Husband when I was complaining about him having to work so much and no time for working out on my own: "that is why we have invested in some of the best gear out there - so you CAN continue to get out with the kids."  Ouch - no excuses here! :)

Action Baby Carrier review and *PROMO CODE!*

**Disclaimer: while our Action Baby Carrier was generously supplied by the company for the review, the thoughts and opinions of this review are entirely my own.**

_{Let’s be honest, when Baby #2 joined} our family, I was not completely (ok, at all!) prepared for what another little one in our home would mean.  Everyone says that the second one (and sometimes the third) are a real shocker, but I had no idea what was coming. I figured I had it all together and could handle anything and those were just “problems” other people had. HA! That 5 pounds of sweetness rocked my world.  Sleep wasn’t happening, Baby #1 wasn’t slowing down so I could rest and everything that was “mine” and “my time” had to be put on the (very) back burner.  When Husband was called away on a wildfire when P was 2 weeks old, I got a bit desperate.  I needed both hands to continue my active life with kids! I had carried J in an Ergo while I did work and when he got super needy, but Ergos don’t work for infants and I needing something NOW.

Long story short, that threw me headfirst into a search for the perfect carrier that could accommodate my necessity to have my hands free and my baby safe and comfortable while I chased his big brother.  The Action Baby Carrier interested me immediately because of the ease of use and slim design.  Our family bikes most places in town and I wanted to be able to throw it in the trailer and still have room for all the other “stuff” two kids, a dog, and a Mama require for a couple of hours (which is a shocking amount!)  Plus summers are hot here and I personally HATE being hot and wanted something that wasn’t going to make both Baby and I uncomfortable.

J showing size of carrier when wrapped up

I have worn the Action Baby Carrier nearly all day for the past 2 weeks. I love my baby to pieces, but I demand something that will be comfortable if I am going to have him attached to me for that long of a time period!  I am a big fan of Soft Structured Carriers due to the ease of use and the ability to modify it easily for different baby-wearers.  I love that the carrier has the option to cross the straps in the back when doing a front carry – it distributes the weight very well and adds to the comfort.  P weighs somewhere around 11 pounds and I carry him easily all day.  J is closer to 30+ and I can also wear him comfortably on my front for long stretches at a time (though he and I both prefer back carries just so he can watch and I can see what I am doing better!)  The carrier is simple with no padding except for the straps, which makes it cooler in the heat.  P is in a weird in-between stage where he wants to “stand” in the carrier instead of having his legs “froggied” – I am looking forward to when he is big enough to put both legs out (which will be only weeks away.)  However, I have to mention that he IS comfy and happy in the carrier as it is right now!

My favorite feature of this carrier is the internal support straps that make it unique.  Action Baby Carriers took some great pictures and posted them on their site that show you what I mean.  Both of my boys sit comfortably on the straps and don’t suffer from leg “pressure marks” resulting from their weight resting on the edges of the fabric of the carrier.  I keep the carrier tight around P’s body so he feels like he is being hugged while I am carrying him (but I still get my hands free!)

Husband I have put the carrier to the test and it has lived up to our expectations.  We wore both boys in it during a day trip to Yellowstone (love that we live that close) and I have easily continued about my daily chores and responsibilities with P in it throughout the days.  I have also worn him while going down slides and playing at the park with J.  J loved riding in it while we ran around the house putting the carrier to the test (P is obviously too young for that!)

Sleeping Hood up half way (he is resting comfortably on the side that is up)

The Natural Bridge in Yellowstone :)

The fabric of the Action Baby Carrier is soft and sturdy.  I have the “Camper” print and LOVE it. J jokes that when he is in it he has an “owl bum.” 

Due to the fact that we live at 7000 feet in Wyoming, the sun can be rather intense. I need a carrier that will protect especially P from the sun (and then I don't have to worry about a hat.)  I love the streamlined design of the sun hood and it seemed to cover my boys fairly adequately.  Before trying the Action Baby Carrier I had only used hoods that would wrap around my child’s head a bit more and didn’t think I would like this design.  However, it adds a lot more support than other hood designs when up (due to the fact that it is an extension of the carrier) and does the job just fine.  I think I still do prefer the additional complete coverage of a hood that shapes around the baby's head, but like I said, there is nothing wrong with this either - it is completely personal preference.

The only complaint I have is the chest straps that secure the carrier when in the back position are not attached so that they remain adjustable.  However, this also means they can slide off the straps and I nearly lost one of them.  I wish there was a way to secure them AND keep them adjustable.

A little more about babywearing and the Action Baby Carrier Company:

The first SSC (Soft Structured Carrier) was introduced by Karen Frost in 2003 as a modern spin of the  classic mai tai with buckles to make it easier and faster to take on and off.  Action Baby Carriers were started in 2006, so they have been around quite a while and remain a leader in proper design, style and comfort.  They are a family-run business dedicated to their Mama and Baby customers and the entire baby-wearing industry.  I love that they make their carriers here in the United States and refuse to join their competitors in manufacturing overseas.

In summary:

Pros:

-       - Slim design (no extra padding to add additional weight and heat for Mama and Baby)

-       - Internal straps to secure Baby and Toddler and avoid discomfort resulting in pressure marks on their legs

-       - Comfort (love that the straps can cross)

-       - Can be used from newborn through toddler age (40 pounds)

-       - Family-run business made in USA

-       - Affordable pricing

-       - Waist strap can extend 28 – 53” which accommodates for smaller parents, larger parents AND pregnant Mamas with no extra extender needed.

Cons:

-       - Chest strap can fall off and be lost

       

         I also have to say that I fully believe that not every baby carrier fits every body the same!  Just as not everyone would comfortably wear the same backpacking backpack or pair of jeans, baby wearing is different for every person.  The most important thing is that you and your baby are comfortable.  However, it is an investment worth making (and makes life oh so much easier!!!)

        

       Ang and Scott over at Action Baby Carrier have been super generous in offering all of you the ability to get yourself carrier at a deal!  Use promo code mtn10off to get $10 off your purchase!  Click here to go directly to the store!

Feel free to comment with thoughts and/or questions or email me at mountainmamatales@gmail.com

Our Favorite Snack

Keeping busy and active and being outside a lot requires ample energy. These are the very best granola bars I have found and we make them nearly every other week in our home (they don't manage to last long.) We buy our flour (Montana Wheat is incredible and the only flour I buy now!!) and oats in bulk. You can find the recipe here at Kitchen Stewardship.  J and I made a batch this past spring and I managed to get some pictures and scrap with them (digiscrapping is my creative outlet!)  This is also one of those recipes you can modify (I always replace some of the butter with peanut butter and often add chocolate, coconut and extra nuts) without messing it up. :)

**click on the image to read journaling**

Fall Is Here!

Fall means harvest time (well at least for some....) 

Thrilled to have this corn, but sad that....

 ...this is the only thing we can grow (and it is still not red....and yes, there is only one...)

I have come to the conclusion that the fact that my plants are thriving INSIDE (nights have been in the low 30s) better in three days than they have all summer outside is a pretty good indication we NEED a greenhouse. Oh the joys of the sun and WIND at 7000 feet in Wyoming!

However, yea for hat weather and CLEAR beautiful skies!

Chariot Sweetness

I cannot sing the praises of our Chariot enough.  It is the piece of equipment that lets us continue to get outside - running, walking, biking and skiing.  It is a full load with two kids in it (plus snacks, drinks, dog leash, quilts, phone, random books, etc. etc.)  The boys are always happy in it and safe and comfortable.  

And, uh, I seriously think I should get bonus points for my run just pushing this! :)

This is Why We Babywear....

Sometimes we need a little reassurance that it is worth the extra little weight of carrying a baby around most of the day :)  This is an incredible article worth reading (especially if you are on the fence!)

Strollers, Baby Carriers and Infant Stress

Diapers.

I love that we use cloth diapers. I love that it is healthy for our children. I love that we are reducing trash by a significant amount.  I love that we are saving money (assumedly $1500 a year!).  I don't love that our electricity is about half the normal cost at night. I don't like that it consequently means doing 2 loads + hanging diapers to dry in the middle of the night. I don't love folding them.  But, the benefits far outweigh the inconveniences and so we will continue!  And seriously, babies are CUTE in cloth diapers!