When you have a new baby, the world around you kind of disappears. I promise I’m not trying to be self-centered but the thought of anything else going on the in the world besides the chaos that is me adjusting to our new normal is hard to grasp. Because of this, it never really dawned on me that it was Memorial Day weekend until I heard people talking about 3 days off and saw people loading the carts with hotdogs and beer on my trip to Target. I feel bad about this because it’s such a special weekend to stop and reflect on the hardworking men and women that serve and protect this country. And though I don’t have anything incredibly poignant to say, I am always grateful for their dedication and sacrifice.
Though David is back at work today, I was so happy to have him around all weekend. So was Hailey! It was gorgeous and we spent all Saturday morning at the park and splash pad as our first outing as a family of four.
So far mornings seem to be when I get the best naps from Kaitlyn, especially if she is in the Ergo- she will snooze away! I’m a bit worried about it getting too hot, especially with the infant insert, so if anyone has any lighter weight wraps/carriers to recommend, I’m all ears.
The nice weather was perfect for outdoor projects and Hailey dedicated herself to helping Dad finish building her new playground. She spent hours (HOURS!) out back with David. She’d follow him around and hammer and screw in everything after he did. It was ridiculously adorable.
They even managed to fit in some swimming in the first lake dip of the season. I’m really hoping she turns into a fish this year, though I’m not yet sure how I’ll manage the pool with her and Kaitlyn.
While those two were playing, I managed a trip to Target with Kaitlyn, a lot of laundry and picking up and a lot of snuggles. We sat outside with David and Hailey all afternoon on Saturday (Kaitlyn LOVES natural light/being outside and I attribute it to helping her get her nights and days straight so quickly), but Sunday afternoon brought a serious gas attack for Kaitlyn, which meant a lot of tummy rubs, bouncing and nursing.
On days like yesterday, I am so grateful for the generosity of family and friends in helping us out with meals. I’ve cooked once since Kaitlyn was born (fish tacos on Friday!).
It felt amazing to be back in the kitchen, but I know it will still be a bit before it’s a consistent routine. The days right now are still so unpredictable.
Other than that one meal, our dinners have been completely supplied by others. While mom was here, we ate well…
crockpot BBQ and slaw
fancy breakfasts
chicken piccata and asparagus
salmon and veggies
And now that Nana is back home, several friends have put together a meal train, in which we are basically supplied with dinner every other day for another week or so. Grateful doesn’t even begin to describe it!
Beef and lentil taco salads
ceviche
So, needless to say, we’ve been eating really well. I keep repeating the it takes a village mantra in my head and I’m happily accepting the kind gestures of my friends. The gifts, flowers, cards, love and food we have received has been truly overwhelming. Now if I can get an overlap during naps today, I’ll get my pen busy writing thank you notes.
Until then, I’m off to see what the day brings!
Do you have any light weight carriers/baby wrap recommendations?
What did you do on this holiday weekend?
Elizabeth says
I love the Moby wrap. If u r worried about heat just put her in a diaper and tuck her in the wrap 🙂 I used the Moby longer than anything else … Sometimes still use it if Brooklyn is fussy!
Stacy says
We love the baby K’tan carrier. Very lightweight and easy to put on 🙂
Kathleen Ojo @ My Ojos says
I love the meal train idea! When my daughter was a newborn I just wore her in our Baby Hawk carrier (a mei tei) with a rolled up blanket underneath her for height. I liked the mei tei carriers because they seemed well ventilated, but still, it was in August in Southern California and we were HOT! I remember one time, she was wearing an orange onesie and I had a white shirt on when we went out. By the time we got home, I’d sweat so much that her outfit bled into my shirt and turned it orange! But she always seemed very comfortable, and I did my best to keep us in the shade/AC as much as possible.
Parita @ myinnershakti says
I have 0 advice to share about anything baby related but just want to say that you guys are the cutest freaking family ever! What a fun weekend! And it looks like H is adjusting well to the baby!
Emily says
Roll up a towel and put it at the bottom of the ergo. It creates kind of a shelf for the baby and gives you a little more stability without the heat of the insert. Emily from daily garnish mentioned it in one of her posts when Cullen was just a baby.
I also felt like the moby was a bit hot for babies – all that thick fabric. Both of mine were may babies so I know what it’s like to try and baby where during the heat
Emily says
*wear not where 🙂
Debbie says
I was actually due 2 weeks after you but our little guy decided to make his own schedule and come 3 weeks early. We also have the ergo with infant insert but he is just a bit too small for it at the moment. I got the JJ Cole Agility wrap and he LOVES it. We live in South FL, and so far he has had no overheating issues in the JJ Cole. We liked it so much we got a second one for my husband (it is sized) to use and both wraps are getting a lot of use. Congrats on the beautiful baby girl!!
shannon says
My little guy hates the Ergo because it’s so hot with the insert, and we even got the performance-y outdoors version. He doesn’t mind the Moby wrap as much, but like someone else mentioned, it still gets hot outdoors. That’s the go to for around the house though. I wish I’d looked more into the baby Bjorn line, most of those seem more ventilated. I think we’ll have better luck with the Ergo when he has better head control and can do without the insert.
Emily says
Have you looked into beco carriers? I bought the butterfly and it’s really similar to the ergo but the infant insert is just a bit of cloth.
Maria says
No baby wrap advice here, but there has to be something out there , right?
The low key weekends spent outside are my favorite kind! Happy to see that everyone is doing well!
Katya says
meal trains are the best thing ever! so nice to not have to worry about cooking in the first few days/weeks post-baby!!
Kristina says
Have you checked out Sakura Bloom ring slings? They come in linen or silk. I only have experience with the linen but it’s super light weight and works really well from newborn through toddler years. I love mine. Can’t wait for my newby to arrive next month to get another little bum in it.
Erica says
I couldn’t agree more! We have the Sakura Bloom as well and it was so nice to use during the Texas summer when my son was still small.
Brittany Dixon says
Looking this one up now- thank you!
Erin says
Hi, first time commenting on here I think, but I’ve been reading you for years now! I live in Spain and both my children have been born in the summer and it is SO hot! I have a carrier that may be difficult to get in the US but it is the BEST! It is the MANDUCA, a German carrier quite similar to the Ergo but made of a organic hemp cotton blend the newborn insert is just a kinda cloth strap and the pack also has a zipper on it that allows it to be sized up or down length wise to better fit a newborn or toddler. It works quite well even in the summer but for those really hot days the best in a linen ring sling although I don’t enjoy the slings as much once they are older. Congrats on your beautiful daughter, I’m due in a month so I am enjoying reliving the newborn days through your posts! Take care!
Katie @ Pick Any Two says
I loved my K’tan when my son was really little. And I also was fortunate enough to have a stream of meals delivered during those first few weeks. I think I thanked everyone about ten times! I had no idea I’d feel so grateful for the gift of a home-cooked (by someone else) meal!
lfwfv says
Strongly recommend the maya wrap/sling on amazon. My son lived in it for the first 6 months when the ergo was too hot and constraining for him. You can easily nurse with it, hold your wallet etc. So you don’t need a purse, and it is super easy to use once you get used to tightening the fabric. He had his longest naps in that sling. I have read your blog for a long time, but probably never commented. Thanks for sharing your beautiful family with us and congrats on your new sweetie!
Shelly says
Both of your girls are adorable! Do you mind sharing what playground that is? We are in the market for a play house / slide so that one looks perfect!
Brittany Dixon says
We got the Atlantis (http://www.swingsetsonline.com/backyard-products/play-sets/atlantis/) but a word of warning- it’s quite a beast to put together! H loves it though 🙂
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
What awesome family and friends you have!! That taco salad looks amazing! I need to start adding lentils to mine instead of just beans.
Jess says
I don’t personally have experience with it, but I’ve heard so many amazing things about the Solly Baby Wrap. Similar in function and design to the Moby, but more lightweight, breathable, stretchy…and a little easier to use.
http://sollybaby.com
Lindsay Ingalls (@RunWithTongs) says
As a babywearing educator I would recommend a ring sling – ideal for newborns. Sakura Bloom are my favorite and Maya Wrap is also great.
Ali says
The boba air is lightweight!
Tiffany says
We have a baby bjorn that is made of a mesh material meant for that exact purpose. I can’t remember the model name (bought for my older daughter almost 3 yrs ago, but used everyday with my 2 month old!). I like the bjorn when they are small, but loved the ergo when they are a little bigger (bjorn hurts your back then!).
Theresa says
Slings are a lil tricky but so wonderful! Definitely find someone who knows how to use it to help you. Also the make water friendly slings and moby wraps so you can manage both girls at the pool. It’s a lifesaver to have use of both hands.
Jackie K says
Try a Solly baby wrap. They are very light and very fasionable.
Heather says
I agree… I think a ring sling would probably be the coolest for warm weather, though I’m not much help beyond that… I’m still trying to figure mine out and my squirmy girl is almost too squirmy for the sling, which could mean I’m doing it wrong. :p
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables says
I love, love, love my baby k’tan!!! So easy and comfy!
Lisa says
Hi Brittany!
First, congrats to you and your sweet husband on such a beautiful little girl!
Love your site, your recipes, and your ideas for toddler meals–I check it all the time!
I have two girls as well, Sophia (4 1/2) and Julianna (22 months). Born in late summer months, July and August meant light weight carrier for us too . . . we loved the Moby! So light weight, and awesome for its ability to just get tossed in the washing machine. Also worked great as a nursing cover. Just don’t buy black . . . I made that mistake, and always felt they would have been a bit cooler in a color that didn’t attract the sun QUITE so much. lol
Thanks for all you do, and for taking the time to keep in touch with all your people. We appreciate you!
Lisa
Webbyrå says
This looks delicious!!! I’ll definitely make this recipe some time next week. 😀