Autumn Fallin' From Trees

Autumn is by far my most beloved season.

I just can never get enough.

I always feel like autumn goes by quicker than the other seasons around here.

Once the leaves start falling from the trees, the weather starts to really cool down.

Winters of course seem to last a lifetime - though I won't even start uttering that W word right now.

I shudder.

We are taking in this gorgeous autumn weather deep into our souls.

Letting the sun rays soak into our skin.

Even when the sun has been shining this week, there is still a crisp little chill in the air.

I love that crispness. 

When it's still warm enough to just wear a light sweater but your nose gets a little cold. 

Joshua was gone all last week for work so the morning after he got home I made a big breakfast and we piled into the car and zipped over to our favorite nature park.

It was still early enough that the sun wasn't very warm but as the morning went on our layers came off.

We picked some wild apples.

Collected tiny acorns.

Searched for the brightest and most beautiful leaves.

 Found vintage bottles and pottery.

Chased squirrels and chipmunks. 

Twirled in circles and laid in fields and watched the clouds pass by us. 

I think we all feel most alive when we're in the woods.

Alone and in the quietness of nature.

There are no boundaries, no fears.

We can just run and be free.

There are no rules and no limits.

These are the best days.

I say that often but when you have children, I feel like every day is just so much better than the last.

Life is constantly changing and moving as they grow. 

We as parents are learning and growing just as much as the girls are.

We grow with them and I love that about parenting.

We change with the seasons - the seasons of life and I'm loving the gifts that come with each new day.

xo.

Parenting: Babywearing

So, over the next few weeks/months I'm going to do a little series about parenting. 

I'm definitely no expert, and I don't think I ever will be, so everything I say is really just my personal take on how I (and my husband) parent and raise our kids. 

I'll be touching on a whole slew of subjects including: co-sleeping, extended breastfeeding, meals and baby foods, scheduling, "toddler-schooling", discipline and other personal parenting things. 

We really parent from the heart.

Some people think we're crazy.

Some people are on the same page.

And other people just couldn't care less.

Anyway, I decided to start out this series light and simple and begin with babywearing!

When Viv was born I didn't really wear her much at all. 

We had a Mody Wrap and an Ergo carrier but I didn't like either of them very much and it always just seemed easier to carry her. 

Shortly before Penny was born I did a lot of research into "babywearing" and all the different types of carriers out there. 

I knew that I would have my hands full with two little ones and I needed to get into the whole wearing my kid thing so that I could get things done. 

So after doing a lot of research and talking to a lot of friends I decided to go with a ring sling since I didn't care for the wrap or the hard carrier. 

When Penny was born I was gifted a Sakura Bloom sling and it was the best decision I've made!

It was the easiest to get used to and my newborn baby LOVED it. 

Viv was only 16 months old when Penny was born and so I didn't get a break at all. 

From the moment we came home from the hospital it was back to real life with a toddler. 

Being able to curl Penny up all cozy in the sling was like a dream.

I could still give my attention to Viv, while still being able to keep my new baby as close to me as possible. 

I never had to let Penny cry while I was busy taking care of Viv and I loved that.

Now that Penny is a few months old and a little bit more stable, wearing her has become even more fun. 

Where ever we go I'm able to just pull my sling out of my purse, throw it on, and carry her around - no stroller, no hassle. 

She's big enough that she can hold her head up and just look at me and look around at the world - she plays with my hair and touches my face - there's just so much love!

When I'm in the grocery store, I don't have to carry a bulky car seat around and have it take up all the space in my cart.

When she's teething I don't have to lay her down in her bassinet and cry while I take care of Viv.

If she's cranky or tired and I'm making meals, giving Viv a bath, or sweeping the floors she doesn't have to cry and I don't have to not get anything done. 

It's amazing how such a simple thing as a sling can be so life-changing and wonderful. 

I feel so bonded to my little girl when she's close to, looking into my eyes. 

As she gets older she's going to want to be more independent and not want me to be so close to her all the time. 

These early months are so special and pass so quickly. 

I'm so thankful for these close bonding times and all the love between my sweet little lady and I. 

I am in no way affiliated with Sakura Bloom...just a product that I LOVE.