Mei Tai Baby Carrier

Mei Tai baby carrier in red, black and white.

Love that black and white fabric!

I decided I wanted a new baby carrier for the new baby. I have a couple of them but they just don't do exactly what I want them to. So, after my sister-in-law let me borrow hers when Ryan was 2 I settled on a Mei Tai carrier.  I searched and searched for a tutorial (they are expensive new!) and finally found this one. The instructions seemed pretty easy to follow and there were some good pictures so I got some strap fabric to go along with some great black and white fabric (can't remember the type of pattern name) that my Mom got me years ago and went to work. I did end up leaving off the hood, it seemed a bit small since I was wanting more of a sunshade but decided it wasn't really necessary and a hat would work just fine instead. Besides, it would have covered up some of the great fabric when it wasn't in use. If I do decide I really need a sunshade hood I can always make one that buttons on.

I have pregnancy brain, I'll blame most of it on that. I also am a perfectionist and an over-thinker. I made a moderately simple project into a beast. First I had to double up the fabric in the straps because I didn't think what I bought would be thick enough. Then I couldn't understand why I would need such a large piece of padding for the shoulders and spent quite a while looking up other examples of this tutorial so I could see some better pictures of the straps themselves. I ended up using a smaller piece of padding but don't know if that was a bad thing or not yet. My sewing skills aren't perfect (which FREAKS out my perfectionist nature) so, while the finished product looks pretty good, I can see the flaws in the stitching (some of it I can blame on my old sewing machine). Also, after I took the pictures, I realized that the bottom strap is lower on one side than the other. Oh well. It is functional, pretty and will hold up to anything!

Quick Re-cap

I just realized how long it has been since I posted and really don't want to take the time to update this blog properly so, here is the quick version;

*Sometime in August: We find out that I'm pregnant with kid number 3, wahoo! We had been seeing a fertility specialist trying to figure out what was up so we could have at least one more baby. After taking some fertility drugs we saw success (and miraculously, only one baby)! Due date is April 29th but I'm hoping she (yes, another girl) comes at least a week early so we can be sure and have an April birthday instead of 3 May birthdays! Need to spread them out as much as possible.

Leah's Kindergarten Picture

*September: Leah had her Kindergarten picture taken. You can't see it, but she has on a big poofy purple tutu and purple leggings. She didn't realize you wouldn't see those in the picture.

The family + slight baby bump.

Leah drawing the pumpkin's face before painting.

Ryan painting away.

Ryan's finished masterpiece.

Leah's finished masterpiece

*October: Halloween of course. We went to the annual ward Trunk Or Treat and painted pumpkins. I wanted to carve the pumpkins this year but we ran out of time. I also really wanted to find a witch's costume to go with my awesome pink wig but was out of luck by the time I got to a store out of town that might have costumes.

Leah and Ryan on the hayride

*November: Leah had a Thanksgiving Day program at school. She got to make crafts, grind corn, make butter, eat and go on a hay ride. We had Thanksgiving dinner at our house. My sister, Kimm came down to celebrate with us.

*December: We went to Arizona to stay with my parents for Christmas. We went down a little early so Lance and I could do a Christmas show in Glendale. Big Bust! Oh well, the weather was warm and sunny and we found a wonderful used rocking cradle for the new baby too. Christmas was wonderful! The Grandparents spoiled the kids (as they are supposed to) and we got some good loot too. We forgot our camera but took pictures with my Mom's camera, I just haven't requested them yet so don't have any. I'll post some when I get them.

First Day of Kindergarten

 Leah still loves to pose.  I don't know where she gets it from.  She asked if her hands looked good like that with her dress. I said she didn't need to do her hands like that but of course she ignored me.  Leah picked out her first day outfit with her Auntie Kimm a month ago.  The dress, green flower and shoes have been sitting on her dresser since then.  Poor lighting but I was in a hurry because we were already leaving a little late.

 Ryan was turning like a ballerina with his hands up over his head so I had him twirl into place and took a picture quick like so he was actually facing forward.  Hard to get that boy to stay still sometimes.

Dropping off in front of the school.  Again, another pose.  She was so excited, hardly nervous at all.  When she got in line with her classmates ready to go in the classroom she got really quiet so I think the nervousness was kicking in.  Hopefully she has a great day!

Turtle Kids

 Leah and Ryan ran out from the storage room where they were playing and said they were turtles. They then put the their turtle "backs" on and asked me to take some pictures.  Quite the imagination!  Leah's back was the poor flat bean bag chair.

 Ryan's turtle back was a little less comfy and kept falling off unless he stayed really still.  It fell off more than stayed on.

Two turtles together.

Random Sillyness

Leah made a tall tower for her Rapunzel doll.  She was so proud she asked me to take a picture.

 Lately Leah and Ryan have been playing a game where one of them is in "trouble" and the other one is either the mean guy or the good guy.  This time Leah was in trouble and Ryan was supposed to be tying her up.  What you can't see is that Leah actually put the string around herself and got it all ready, then gave the ends to Ryan (who doesn't know how to tie) who promptly changed sides and said he was the nice guy now and was saving Leah.  Leah was a little put out because she really wanted to be tied up.

 

Ryan chose his own spoon for dinner, I don't know why he decided he needed two though, or baby ones for that matter.  He then proceeded to put them all over his face.  He said he wanted colorful eyes since the spoons were colorful.

Leah got more spoons and made fangs out of them.

More Dressing Up

The kids play dress up quite often, nearly every day for at least 2 minutes.  Ryan will be immensely sad when he grows out of his amazing Buzz Lightyear costume.  I think on this particular day Leah was a princess in need of saving and Buzz Lightyear came to the rescue, deserving a hug of course!

Dress Up Time Again

Ryan wanted to be Robin but instead of playing the part he decided to take a break and play on my iPad.

Leah got a fairy for her birthday and a fairy outfit that matched.  She was thrilled!