The case against baby proofing

I don't baby proof, never have. The extent of my baby proofing is rubber banding the handles of the cabinet doors that face each other, together. Oh and closing the bathroom and bedroom doors. Of course that only works until the baby is tall enough to reach the handle and open the door. I didn't baby proof with Penni because we lived with my parents and I didn't want to mess with their house not knowing how long we'll stay. When we moved into our own place we tried to set it up to be kid friendly. We don't have nick nacks on low shelves, and no low sitting entertainment center. The kitchen is kind of the main battle ground and I generally try to get the kids out of there so they don't get too comfortable I suppose. When babies get mobile it's a lot of work to keep them out of where they are not suppose to be, but I think in the long run it's more beneficial. Yes it would be easy to lock up all cabinet doors and let the kids have free run of the house, but I think it instills a sense of false security. I'd rather teach my kids early on that the kitchen is not a play space, so that when I happen to be at someone else's house I don't have to spend the entire time pulling my kids out of the kitchen cabinets because they discovered unlocked doors. My kids will be used to staying out of the kitchen, and they might need a gentle reminder and redirection at first but I think it sets in rather quickly that that's just not a safe play space. This applies to other things and areas of the house as well, kitchen just stands out in my mind at the moment. I'm all about natural consequences, I think that's the best way to teach a child a lesson, whatever that may be.  Anyways I'm not saying baby proofing is wrong or anything, I get why people do it, it's just not for us. Just my humble take and opinion on the matter.

Second time around, baby wearing edition

I think with Penni I thought that I would "try" this baby wearing thing. I started out with a pretty basic ring sling, an Ellaroo, and liked it quite a bit. Eventually made a moby type wrap, later got a mei tai and then made a podeigi. I was content with that, but did always wish I could get a woven wrap. This time around as soon as I got a BFP I started saving up for a woven wrap, and as soon as I had enough in my paypal I bought one off the swap. I think I was only 10-12 weeks pregnant when I bought that wrap, I was that excited! A friend (a very generous and kind friend) gave me a wrap conversion ring sling, that thing rules and is my new go to carrier. I'm still working on getting more comfortable with back carries in the woven wrap but we are getting there. I have 2 of them now a linen/cotton blend and an all cotton one. Love them both, now I'm on a mission to either trade one of them or save up another for one of the wraps I've been drooling over, mainly because of their adorable prints. Also dying to try a wrap conversion mei tai, I didn't really like the baby hawk mei tai I tried with Penni, but I think I might like a wrap conversion if it has wrap straps. This baby wearing thing is quite addicting! I'm pretty proud though that Cora is almost 5 months old and is yet to really go into the stroller, the only time I've taken it with me is to an amusement park to load my bags into, baby still gets worn. Even though we've had a pretty hot summer, we both still prefer the closeness that baby wearing provides us. I actually feel bad for moms when I see them pushing big strollers around narrow isles at stores, or trying to work doors (the non automatic kind) and strollers, setting up or collapsing those massive things while the baby is screaming in the car seat. I wish more people were more open minded and willing to give it a try because I think many can benefit from it and would really like it! This upcoming weekend I'm going to my first baby wearing meeting and I'm nervous and excited, hopefully I'll get to play with a wrap conversion mei tai.
Baby's first time in a woven wrap, I can't believe how tiny she was, why must they grow so fast.


My second woven wrap, a Girasol


The lovely wrap conversion ring sling that a friend gave me


Babywearing is so great that Penni wants in too haha, she's begged me to wear Cora so I finally figured out a way


Now I need to sell something so that I can start saving for one of those adorable print ones I really want!