So she hasn’t even started to crawl yet, but it’s never too early to start working on “the walk”. Right? Right.
Avery is great at getting her legs up under her, but she’s still not sure what to do with her arms. So when she’s on her stomach, she’s usually like this….
But she’s figuring things out every day, so it’s only a matter of time. I’m not sure if we should be scared or excited. Both? I guess being a parent pretty much means you’re always scared and excited, huh?
It’s evident that Avery wants to be like Mommy and Daddy and stand on her own legs like us. Every time we stand her on her feet, she cracks a big smile and sometimes lets out a high-pitched bird sound. Not sure what it is, but it’s cute and usually means she’s happy.
On most nights now, our routine will include Avery doing what we call “the cat walk” on our kitchen island to keep her happy. Since naps are becoming scarce, Avery isn’t always the happiest of campers in the evening, but she really gets focused while on her feet.
Apparently, I do too! Depending how tired she is, Avery will either let her feet hang as I hold her…
….or she’ll put on a show and strike a pose as she “walks” back and forth across the island.
I know she has a while before she actually walks, but this fun for Going Mom and me to see our daughter enjoying herself and it’s great exercise! Sometimes exercise can be tiring though, so we’ll let Avery take a break and sit at the island.
I guess she’s not too thrilled about sitting on Mommy and Daddy’s head yet. At what age does that happen? Right now she seems unsure of what’s going on. Probably because she is unsure of what’s going on….hmmmm.
Confused on Dad:
Confused on Mom:
Hey at least we both look cool! No?
Oh well, I wanted to make sure and note how Avery is showing signs of mobility other than rolling and hope to post on her next “first”.
When did your baby first start to crawl? Walk?
Know anyone whose baby skipped crawling and went right to walking?
Yep, we’re that mean, we had our daughter get shots the day after Easter.
Pretty cruel, huh?
We are following the alternative vaccine schedule, so it wasn’t a lot of shots, but we’ll be there again in another month. Sorry, Avery.
Going Mom took the day off to go with us for the shots, and I always appreciate her company. I feel kind of guilty sometimes because when she’s home, I tend to do less of the baby tasks. But, Kelley does enjoy soaking up every extra second she can with Avery, so I don’t think she cares too much.
Once in the car, Avery was flashing us smiles unaware of her pending pricks.
Avery surprised with a hefty poo while waiting in the doctor’s office and we immediately changed once she was in a room. With her diaper off, we put our squirmy baby on the scale to see how much she gained from her 4 month appointment. At 4 months, she was 13 lbs 9oz. and this time she was about 14lbs 13oz. Almost 15lbs!!
I love seeing how much more attentive Avery is with everything and she’ll grab whatever is in reach. We laid her on the patient table and she wasted no time grabbing the paper liner and bringing it to her mouth.
Poor girl, so ignorant of what’s come.
Well, hello nice lady with blue hands.
There were 3 shots for the day and one nurse tried to console Avery as the other administered the shots.
So much for the consoling, Avery lit up in tears within seconds. She made sure to hit the high chords so everyone knew she was NOT happy.
With all of her squirming, Avery knocked one of the needles off the table requiring the nurse to prep a new one. No worries, Mommy was there to help soothe her.
Oh, okay, that wasn’t too bad….
With the last needle ready, Going Mom the now somewhat content Avery back down.
Okay, I’m ready to go back in the car n…hey, wait…
The nurse was quick, but Avery let us know she felt the prick (I like rhymes, what can I say?).
And once more, Super Mommy was there to calm our distraught daughter as Daddy just took pictures.
At least she tried to console her. I think Avery lost her trust in us after thinking shots were over the first time. Now that she’s more aware of her surroundings, I wonder if she’ll pick up on the doctor’s office in another month.
Back in the car, I asked Avery if she was looking forward to her 6 month shots, and judging from her look, I’m thinking NO.
We have been meaning to open a savings account for Avery, and decided to go after the appointment. As we sat in the cubicle with one of the bankers, he asked us for her social and we both turned to look at each other.
Crap! Shots after Easter and we can’t remember our daughter’s social security card! Oops, sorry, Avery.
To try and make it up to her, I offered to let her drive back home.
She wasn’t impressed.
So I put her back in her car seat and we made a stop at Sprouts and an auto parts store before heading home.
Going Mom took advantage of being with us and she wore Avery in the Ergobaby Ventus that they sent me free of charge to review. Kelley was able to quickly put it on and get Avery secure before we went inside.
I made my usual zig-zag through the store as Kelley picked out some baby and lavender oils to make our own baby wipe solution. The solution will consist of baby oil, lavender oil, and tea tree oil. Hopefully this will aid in clearing Avery’s rash and we’ll feel better knowing the ingredients are pure and simple.
Going Mom’s extra day off was spent mostly with us just running around and doing errands, so hopefully we’ll be able to slow things down next weekend and enjoy playing with Avery together.
Have you ever followed up a fun day with your kids by having something not fun for them? Sayyyyy, like shots?
Do you make your own baby solutions for wipes, bathing, or general cleaning?
Before Avery, my daughter, was born, I knew I wanted to wear her in a carrier. But, I was uninformed about the actual benefits of babywearing, I just thought it would be a cool way to get some extra exercise! Do you know anyone who tries to turn anything into some form of exercise? Well, meet one more….me!
With zero research, my wife and I bought a Baby Bjorn and thought we were all set. Once Avery was born, I was wearing her in the Bjorn at two weeks as we went on and did chores around the house.
Like most new parents these days, I proudly posted pictures of myself wearing Avery on Facebook and Twitter.
In one of my posts, I mentioned how I had sore shoulders after a long walk and another dad commented saying to ditch the Bjorn and get an Ergo. Then several other dads chimed in giving full support of getting a better carrier. Thus, my baby carrier research began.
For days, I read and re-read fact sheets on baby carriers and reviews by other parents. I was surprised at how detailed and passionate so many parents are about babywearing. I finally concluded that I had been doing it all wrong; letting my baby’s legs dangle and even having her face outward! According to the International Hip Dysplasia Institute, dangling legs put your baby at a high risk of developing hip dysplasia.
Needless to say, I had to find a high quality carrier that would allow both Avery and me to be safe and comfortable wherever our adventures take us. Trying to figure out which one would be best was difficult; you’d think I was buying a new car! Then, I came across a review on Onya Baby and was drawn to their carriers. I know the other dads mentioned Ergo, but I had to make sure I didn’t rush into things like I did with the Bjorn.
I e-mailed Onya about possibly allowing me the opportunity to try one of their carriers and write a review on my blog. I received an upbeat response from Diana, who, after we spoke on the phone, kindly agreed to send their Outback model. Oh my gosh, I felt like I was getting a new car! I have since posted my review on our Onya Baby Outback carrier and am happily using it almost every day.
Ready to go on our first hike.
I say almost because Ergobaby recently sent me the Ventus carrier from their performance line to review and I use that as well. So far, Going Mom and I both enjoy it and it’s a good option for store trips. Having use several carriers now, I realize that there are many great choices out there and the best choice will vary depending on each individuals’ preferences.
Through all of this, I learned a great deal on the benefits of babywearing for both parents and their babies. For instance, if your baby simply hates “tummy time”, babywearing is said to eliminate the need for this exercise. Avery was part of the “tummy time” hate club, but she eventually learned to roll over without much time spent on her stomach. Was it from being worn in a baby carrier? I’m not sure, but I bet it definitely had a big role in her success.
Roll over success!
Babywearing offers a myriad of benefits over alternatives like strollers and car seats; here are several just to list a few:
It aids the baby in developing balance, motor skills, and mobility in general.
Babies who are worn are less likely to cry as much during the day and even at night!
Parents and their babies have a stronger bond when worn or carried and it will last all the way into adulthood.
Carried babies are happier and healthier.
Babies get a better view of the world around them when worn. Poor babies in strollers or car seats only know a world of knees and shins!
Babywearing parents also enjoy the freedom of both hands and to move around safely with baby happily close to you. Plus, my original reason for wanting to wear my baby, it really is great exercise!
I found these benefits of babywearing and much more on Boba’s website, Mark’s Daily Apple, and Onya’s blog. All sites are packed with useful information to answer all of your babywearing questions along with cites and sources to back it up.
The benefits listed above and on the websites add up to why I wear my baby, and can be explained in one word; love. Yes, I wear my baby because I love her more than I ever knew possible.
Skin to skin with dad!
The feeling that overwhelmed me as I watched Avery come into the world for the first time was a feeling of unconditional love. I only felt it one other time as I watched Going Mom walk down the aisle in her wedding dress. The air escapes from my lungs and I feel my heart stop in awe as happiness flows through my body; that’s true love!
As a dad, I will never be able to duplicate what my wife shares maternally with Avery, so I count on babywearing to get as close as I can. I wear my baby to help her grow into a happy, strong, confident, and loving daughter.
Heading out for a walk.
I am proud to have her close to me as I shop at the store, go on long walks, mow the lawn, or just move around the house. Everything we do and see, I tell what’s going on and I know she’s absorbing all of it in her constantly growing brain.
So, when asked why I wear my baby, I could pull out a list and go over the slew of reasons, but I will just say it’s because I love her. And, according to The Beatles, “All You Need Is Love”! I’m a proud dad to the most adorable girl and happy husband to the most amazing wife, and love is what makes us a happy, healthy family. Okay, and good food and exercise!
I want to express my deep gratitude to Onya Baby for giving me the chance to see what a real baby carrier is like which has turned me into a major advocate for babywearing!
Are you a fellow babywearer?
If so, what are your reasons?
If not, would you like to?
An at-home dad on a mission to keep it real when it comes to food, fun, and raising a healthy, happy family.
