Exploring Our World

Now that our family is on a "normal" schedule (read: no more weekend, second, or third shifts) we are starting to get to do more things as a family.

 

A couple of weeks ago, we decided to go exploring a few miles north of us in the mountains. It was prompted by a little blonde telling her daddy that she wanted a pink fishing pole, and wanted to catch a fish.

Who could say NO to that?

So we grabbed the fishing rods, loaded up the car and headed to the trout stream.

 

For the first time EVER Hubby took a turn at babywearing so that I could do some fishing myself. He sent me wandering up the river. No luck there.

 

 

Goldilocks did a great job learning how to cast and reel. She was disappointed that we didn't catch anything, but excited to know that now we HAD to come back to try again!

 

 

I had not planned on fishing myself, but I couldn't help myself.

 I rolled up the pants and jumped on in.

 

 

While we were near the stream, we headed to the local fish hatchery to let Gray see the fish.

She got a handful of food and threw it in. She loved watching them jump for it!

 

She got to see trout of all different sizes at the hatchery.

It was a good learning experience for her!

 

Baby boy and I strolled along with them. He was perfectly content in his Ring Sling (click for the tutorial).

 

I loved spending time outside with both of my babies. With all of the mosquitos at our house, we spend more time swatting and spraying than enjoying the outdoors!

 

We took a little side trip to the Stumphouse Tunnel. Gray was super excited that we had to use a flashlight to see! It was dark, cold, and drippy, which was fun for her to see.

 

Brayden wasn't too sure about all of the darkness, but he had Mommy, so he was okay.

 

Love this picture of Hubby and Baby girl leaving the tunnel.

 

I think this little boy is happy to be worn. Snuggling up to Mama.

 

There were some fun things to "explore" outside. I had forgotten that to a three year old, everything is bigger and more awesome. That's the beauty of children!

 

We hiked down to the waterfall.

 

Then both babies wanted to be carried back up. Gray told Hubby that he was strong enough to carry them both...and of course he couldn't say no to that!

 

I look forward to  more adventures with our little family. Living where we do, there are lots of places to explore close by. Adventure day trips are going to make for a fun fall and winter (when we're not cheering on our TIGERS of course!!)

Charleston

We had the privilege of going to Charleston to stay with a friend this past week. What made it more fun, was trading lodging for food. He let us stay in his house...and I cooked him supper every night! Not a bad trade if you ask me!

 

The weather was perfect, and our little family of 4 enjoyed spending time together in one of the most beautiful cities around.

We strolled downtown to the Battery to see the Pineapple Fountain.

Somehow, someway we got there when there was NOBODY there. I will never get another picture of this fountain with nobody in it again! Usually there are kids swimming in it.

 

 

The last time we took pictures at the fountain, Gray was almost 2, and looked a LOT different.

She, of course had to jump in the fountain back then. I was also barely pregnant with baby boy. A lot has changed in a year! Look at them now!

Of course, Hubby had to walk baby girl around in the water. She loves to splash!

We were able to spend a couple of days at the beach, relaxing and playing in the sand. It's not too relaxing when you have a toddler and infant with you, but seeing how happy Goldilocks was made it totally worth it.

 

Baby boy took his first dip in the Atlantic Ocean this time. The water was pretty chilly, but he didn't seem to mind. How cute are the bathing suits for tiny humans too!!

 

 

Before we left we were able to sneak in a quick family picture. It can be hard to remember to take pictures with everyone in them! I'm usually behind the camera, so its nice to sneak into a shot every now and then. 

 
 

Hubby took off one day with his friend to hit the high seas and catch some fish! They caught a few and brought home our supper. This dolphin was a beauty, and tasted great too. Baby girl was fascinated watching the guys clean the fish. She's really into cooking lately, so it made her happy to get to see the whole process, from the cooler to the grill, to our tummies.

 

 

 

I was super excited to go the beach and try out my Water Sling for the first time. Baby boy and I both loved it!! Luckily, Hubby got to go to the beach with us one day so he could take pictures of it.

I can't wait for us to go back when both babies are older. It just gets more fun seeing how they change each time we go!

The Water Sling

During the Becoming Mommy series here at Grits & Giggles, I shared my tutorial for making your very own Ring Sling to carry your infant or toddler comfortably, hands free!

 

As we prepared to go to the beach a few weeks ago, I decided that keeping up with a toddler with an infant in tow would be a little challenging without some extra hands. As much as I LOVE my linen sling, I knew it would get heavy in the water and probably be uncomfortable for me and my tiny human.

 

So...I created the Water Sling!!

 

The water sling is made just like the regular ring sling, but is made out of Lycra/Spandex material. It's still very durable, doesn't hold water, and is super comfortable to wear.

I did use a stretch stitch on my machine to allow the seams to pull and stretch more without the thread breaking.

 

Because it does contain sooooo much stretch, you do have to adjust the sling to be extra tight on your little one, but my tiny human looks super comfortable being that close to mommy.

 

I got to spend the day at the beach playing with (and chasing) my baby girl without worrying about needing extra hands, or dragging around a wet and heavy baby carrier.

 

It was perfection.

It will be even more fun this summer in the POOL as baby girl learns how to swim! I can keep baby boy close to me, and keep both hands on my little swimmer.

{Tutorial} Ring Sling

Today I want to share with you how to make one of my favorite, and most used baby items. You can buy slings, carriers, wraps a lot of places, but choosing your colors and tayloring the sling to you makes it so much more fun to wear!

 

There were soooooo many times that I just needed to run into a store by myself with Gray, and couldn't push a stroller, and didn't want to put her in a cart. Having her sit on my hip let her know that she was close to me, and I knew that she was safe. AND, I had both of my hands free to do some shopping. My old sling was always in my car, and it got used....a lot.

 

I decided to make a new one for the new baby, but Gray helped me test it out too! It fits from tiny newborns, to toddlers. As long as they're not too heavy for you, you can carry them in your ring sling. And since it's completely adjustable, Mommy, Daddy, grandparents, etc. can carry your baby without worrying about the fit.

 

 

 

Materials:

2 yards mid weight material

 (My favorite is linen) You can also use denim or duck. I wouldn't use quilting weight cotton, because they just aren't as strong, and we want it to hold our baby!

2 Sling Rings (from SlingRings.com) These are made just for babywearing.

Do NOT use craft rings, or welded rings. They aren't safe.

1/4 yard accent fabric (can be cotton)

Sewing things

 

Cut your fabric into a rectangle 2 yards long and 30" wide.

 

Hem and finish all 4 edges with a serger or a rolled hem.

 

Now we need to pleat the shoulder for strength and comfort.

Make 1 1/2" -2" pleats along one short side of your fabric.

Pin each one in place.

 

 

I pinned at the top and about 6" down. Iron your pleats to hold them in place as well.

 

 

Sew a seam across the top of your pleats to hold them in place.

 

 

Thread the pleated end through BOTH rings.

 

 

Fold over about 3" and pin down. You may have to work to keep it even, but if you ironed your pleats down about 6", it will definitely help.

 

 

Sew 2 lines of stitching to hold in place. You can use a double needle, or do two separate lines. I also like the look of using a decorative stitch as well. Most of the weight will be on this seam, so make it strong.

 

 

To add an accent band, cut a width of fabric (mine was 6") by the length of the bottom of your sling. Iron all 4 sides to the wrong side, so you'll have no raw edges.

 

Stitch this on to the bottom of your sling for a sweet pop of color!

 

You could also add a zippered pocket, or a key ring if you're feeling fancy.

 

 

Thread the long end of your sling through the rings like a belt, and enjoy carrying your baby hands-free!

 

Make sure your baby is secure and YOU are comfortable while wearing the sling. The baby should fit nicely in a deep pocket created by the fabric.

 

*Update* I figured it was about time I showed my newest addition IN his sling!

 

 

Baby girl still likes it too!

 

 

So bright and Happy!

 

 

*Happy Sewing*

Custom Ring Sling

I LOVE babywearing. It's something I had never really heard of before having Grayson. I had seen people on TV with their front carriers...the cool dad walking around the park with his kid strapped to his stomach, you've seen them. Once Gray was here, I realized that is is THE BEST way to take a baby out in public, or get things done around the house.

Gray has been in her fair share of pouches, ring slings, and now a woven wrap to keep her cozy and next to me while we're out getting things done.

Just last week we did a 5K with her strapped very cozily to my back!

A high school friend of mine wrote me last week wanting a ring sling for her new baby (Born last week...Congrats!) I was more than happy to make her one.

She gave me great flexibility with the color/style. I had a list of her favorite colors to go on, and the shopping was up to me! I found the softest, most vibrant lime linen at my fabric store and knew it would be perfect.

It's 2 yards in length, and 30" wide so it will snuggle a newborn and easily carry a toddler.

The shoulder is pleated for comfort, and the scalloped stitching adds sweet detail.

I hope she and her new baby enjoy it as much as I loved making it!

Are you expecting a new little one?? Need something to help snuggle your toddler while you're shopping? Need a unique and beautiful shower gift? I would love to make a custom sling for YOU.

Send me a message HERE