Kokopax Carrier

I absolutely love the idea of a baby carrier. The hubby has already asked if he can have a Baby Bjorn. How cute is that?! Seeing as I have plenty of time to make a well-researched list on the supplies we'll need for the bean, we're going to make sure that we're only going to get the things we absolutely need. We're thinking simplicity when it comes to baby products. The hubby and I were a little surprised at the number of things available after our first Babies R Us visit (we were there getting something for my brother's baby). We'll see how true we stay to our philosophy.

Anyhoo. I was reading a baby related blog when I came upon an image of this carrier. Seriously, how cute is it?! That's probably what got me first. The fabric. Yup. That's me. Then, I realized I should do a little research on this cutie carrier and find out whether it should be something added to our list.

Here's the details on it according to their website:

The kokopax classic carrier offers a fresh new take on the traditional framed carrier. Designed as the go-to gear for the cheers and chores of daily life, the fashionable, lightweight and easy-to-use carrier offers a safe and comfortable ride for baby.

Features:

• made with 100% cotton canvas  
• anodized aluminum frame
• comfortable shoulder straps  
• adjustable frame to fit individual user  
• padded waist support  
• handy storage pocket  
• kickstand for easy loading  
• 5-pt. safety harness  
• ties to secure pax protector™
• toy ring to attach koko™ or other toys
• weighs approximately 2.7 lbs.
• fits in airline overhead bins
• makes a great every day baby backpack
• for use from 6 months to 2 years (or up to 35 pounds)
• patent pending
• includes green carry bag

Now, what I've read from different sources:

1. It's nice because it's up high.
2. You can put the baby down still in it and their feet will dangle.
3. It's comfortable, especially if you're prone to back pain.
4. It doesn't have a gagillion straps to deal with.
5. Babies love it.
6. It's not super heavy like other carriers.
7. It's about $150.00.
8. Six different fabric options!
9. Daddys like it too.

 This seems like a nice option for a baby 6 months or older up until he/she is 35 lbs. Thirty-five pounds sounds like a lot of weight to be carrying on my back for hours, but perhaps the baby daddy will feel different about this.

List or not to list: I think we would list this one, but it's still to early for it.

The Bean Bump: Week 10

It's time now for the weekly bump shots. I wanted to start earlier, just to get a real {before} and {after}, but I've been tired and lazy, so we're starting here!

{the uniform: bump covered}

{bump exposed!}

{navel gazing shot}

Week: working on week 10!

Bean Size: a prune

Gender: we'll find out on February 2! My mom's guessing "girl."

Total Weight Gain: I have no idea. Maybe 2 lbs?

Maternity Clothes?: I'm not gonna lie. Stretchy waistbands are the best. Why would I continue to try and squeeze myself into my tight jeans? So, right now, only baby momma pants.

Sleep: not so good. I wake up a lot more during the night; most often cause I need to tinkle. Having two perros and a crazy sleeping hubby in the bed doesn't help either.  Oh, loving the afternoon naps!

Stretch Marks: no thank you. I'm starting early to prevent any of those from exposing themselves. Bio-oil is my best friend.

Movement: definitely not yet. But, according to the books, our little bean in moving around in there just having a ball, probably wishing he/she had a real ball to play with. Gotta use those hands and real fingers!

Status of the Button: way in.

What I Miss: not having a stomach ache every single day; heartburn is my nemesis. I miss wine. boo.

What I'm Looking Forward to: everything! Enjoying pregnancy and sharing it with my friends and loved ones.

Best Moment this Week: eating a finger-licking grilled cheese sandwich and not having heartburn. YES! I told the hubby bread, cheese, and butter are the best. Ever!

Preggers Bod-New and Exciting!..maybe: visible blue veins nourishing the bean! Yay! Breaking out like I never have. poop.

Bean Milestones: arms with elbows that bend and a tummy with working organs.

Food Cravings: one week it was anything with vinegar, another week it was tomato sauce, the next it was lemony stuff, this week...meat and cheese. Can I get a burger with that?!

How's the Rice?: the hubby is fabulous!! I have totally been slacking on my wifey duties, but he hasn't complained once. He's always there to help with everything.

Tib Bits: I know the bump doesn't look like much, but to me it is very noticable. I know what my body looked like before the bean and this is definitely different. It's not only grown in the front, but I'm now carrying a tire around my waist. woo. =)

A is for un avion

I just bought the cutest alphabet flash cards! I just couldn't resist getting them. They were really just calling out to me in their cutie little French voices. =)

Aside from having them in French, you can also pick them up in Spanish. They didn't have the Spanish ones at the shop I bought them at, but I just might have to get them later. You can buy your own at eeboo.



The hubby and I already have a plan to make sure our little bean speaks Spanish (which is mandatory if you're a part of my family), but I'd love to squeeze in a couple French words as well. I think these might do the trick!

Bird, Bird, Bird... Bird is the Word

Although the hubby and I discussed waiting a few months before beginning the nursery (it's currently our guest room), this has definitely not stopped me from imagining what I'd like it to look like. Right now, it's looking like birds will definitely be involved.

On my way home from work today, I stopped by the bookstore and then popped in to West Elm to take a look around. They had lots of cutie things for sale, but the first thing that caught my eye was this...

{sheesham bird from west elm}

Even though my mind may change later on, I bought this little birdie with the nursery in mind. Even if it doesn't end up in the Bean's room, I'm sure I'll find room for in somewhere else. Isn't it cutie?!

I need this!

{Daydream in China Blue and Orange}

Sooo cute!

Birdie Images

Charlie Harper Downloads

I'm sensing a pattern with my posts. A birdie inspired nursery, perhaps? I mentioned this to the hubby and he loved it. He's so sweet. =)

What a vision!

It's like they read my mind! I definitely do not want a very gender specific nursery. I want it to be soothing; loving; a little bit of heaven right in my home. The nursery by Rhoney Design is the perfect mix of modern and vintage that I'd love to incorporate into our space. I just L-O-V-E that wallpaper on the ceiling!

What is there not to love?

Deck the...walls.

If you know me, you know I can't wait to start decorating the nursery. I have load of ideas stored in my cabeza! This frijolito's room is going to be fabulous! hehe

Anyhoo, I love these prints from Made by Girl. They are just soo cute and you can even get it personalized!

I just love alphabet prints.

Letter to Bean

Dear Little Bean,

I'm nervous. I'm scared. I'm worried about tomorrow. I had the chance to see you last week when the doctor let me know everything seemed normal. She thought she almost saw your heartbeat, but didn't want to promise anything, as you were still itty bitty and it was hard to tell. But, now, a week later, I'm crossing my heart that you're going to be bigger and stronger and capable of showing us that heart beat. The doctor said that having a heartbeat means we'll have a 90 percent chance of meeting you in about eight months. I'm having some slight pain on the right side and that makes me nervous, but I think it might just be a tummy ache. You're pretty picky about what I can and can't eat. I can't wait to see you tomorrow. I promise I'm going to be thinking only the best. If you show daddy and me how happy you're doing inside, I'm sure I will cry tears of happiness.

Te adoro frijolito.

-mommy

Sweet and Simple Mobiles

For the crafty mama. A little felt, a bit of thread, some color inspiration and voila! You've got yourself a mobile!

Oh....my aunt's name is Nancy

{originally posted on my other blog}

More often than not, whenever I introduce myself to someone new, I get that response. Yup, it seems everyone either has a mom named Nancy or an aunt with my moniker. Do I mind? Not one bit. I love my name. It's not very common because as you've figured, people with my name tend to be much older than me. It's good in both English and Spanish;which is important because I'm Brown. Thank goodness my name isn't something that would be impossible to pronounce in English.

On a slightly different side of the name topic. Some of my cool colleagues and I spent most of last week at a conference in sunny southern California. More than once, the subject of names came up (This is the kind of stuff girls talk about). Girls like to imagine what we'll name our future kiddies...yes, you know you have/did. So, when I came upon this super cutie name selection website, I couldn't resist sharing. Especially because I have two friends that are preggers.

This adorable website gives you the opportunity to search for names based on a large selection of categories like: traditional names for different cultures, celebrity baby names, and dispositions. You can also just search for a name you have in mind. It will provide you with a cutie little graphic you can change and then purchase random thingers from. LOVE IT! I love names and monograms and this just drives me gaga.

Umm....the hubby knows I want a baby girl named Olivia. He's down. I call it!

Give it a looksie...I'm sure you'll like it.

Any baby names you wanna call dibs on?

Is it a boy or a girl??

I was perusing thebump.com when I came upon this baby gender predictor. It's supposed to be over 90% accurate. I input my brother's girlfriends info (that is due in March) and found that it definitely gave the correct gender. They're having a BOY! We can't wait to meet little Corbin Ryder.

Give it a try and let me know if it's right.

Now I'm only wondering if it's the actual date of conception. I mean, what if the time frame was over the span of two months??

A Birdie for Your Birdie

How cute is this?! Something for the files...

Martha Stewart Bird Mobile

Tools and Materials

-Bird template
-Heavyweight paper
-Craft knife
-Screw punch
-White glue
-Embroidery floss
-1/8-inch armature wire
-Wire clippers
-Brown floral tape
-Pink and green card stock
-Flower craft punch
-Leaf craft punch
-Hot-glue gun and hot-glue sticks
-Monofilament

1. Print bird templates onto heavyweight paper. Cut out shapes with a craft knife. Punch holes where marked.

2. Assemble birds, running white glue along the slits to secure pieces in place. Thread a 6- to 12-inch (depending on how low/high you want your bird to hang) length of embroidery floss through each hole.

3. Cut 12- to 18-inch lengths of 1/8-inch armature wire with wire clippers. Wrap with brown floral tape. Repeat with a couple different lengths of armature wire. Attach 3 to 4 lengths together to form branches.
4. Punch flowers from pink card stock. Punch leaves from green card stock. Punch a hole in the center of each flower and bend petals upwards.
5. Double-knot embroidery floss a quarter inch from one end, then cut 2 inches down from knot, creating a stamen (knot and above) and a stem (below the knot). To stiffen embroidery floss, dip it into glue and run through your fingers to spread glue down floss; let dry.
6. Feed the "stems" through the holes in the center of the petals to create small flowers. Hold a flower upside-down by stem, put a dab of hot glue onto the underside of the hole, and add a leaf. Repeat with all punched flowers.
7. Use floral tape to attach flowers to branches. Tie birds to branches, balancing against each other, to finish mobile. Tie a length of embroidery floss or monofilament to the center of the mobile to hang.

Rice and Beans...oh, yumm...

Here we are! A hubby, a wifey, and a frijolito on the way!

Enough said.