Wednesday, November 12, 2008

International Babywearing Week

I have been feeling some sadness lately that the things that defined me as a young mother have gone. I am still the same mother but the seasons has passed. I find it strange that people who are meeting me for the first time don't know that I am a babywearing, EC'ing, homebirthing, lactivist, attachment parenting, crunchy mama.

Nutmeg is almost 3 and it is no longer remarkable that she doesn't wear diapers. I never have occasion to strap her on my back - she would rather be running. I no longer make enough milk to feed the world and grow the chubbiest baby that you have ever seen. My "Got Breastmilk?" bumper sticker is somewhere in the pile of stuff that I never look at. I don't speak up during labor discussions because it hardly seems relevant NOW that I gave birth to my babies upstairs on my own bed in this very house. That Nutmeg's birth was the single most glorious achievement of my life.

So when Mommy Bee reminded me that it is International Babywearing Week I felt compelled to make a statement saying this is one of the defining activities of my life. Babywearing made me the mother I am. Babywearing created income, identity and some of the most precious moments of my life. Through babywearing I have taught others how to connect with their precious children. Baby wearing inspired me to make art.

Through babywearing I have lost weight, made friends and been the object of curiosity. I was so used to people staring at me for having a baby strapped to my back that I hadn't noticed that they don't stare anymore, I am just another mother with 3 adorable moderately behaved children. Unremarkable.

When I received my first sling I put it on with a sack of potatoes to practice before the baby came, I have never, ever looked back.
I went everywhere with my baby on my back from hiking up a slippery muddy slope in search of a view to jumping on a trampoline.

This is a compilation of art I have created about babywearing, others have made for my babywearing business, and photos of me, my children and my baby carriers (all homemade.) The slide show is crude- I have no idea how to do this properly.

Thanks to the lady at the Breastfeeding Class for introducing me to slings, to Tracy for insisting that I try a wrap and to my babies for riding around for 7 years.

5 comments:

Erika said...

good job on the slideshow! I didn't even think to look at blogger for one. :) Do you feel a little naked not wearing babies anymore? Or do you still tote Nutmeg around?

Jessica said...

My first memory of you is when you guys came home for a visit to K-2 and we were in the chapel and you walked in wearing your baby (not sure which one it was at the time) and I thought you were the coolest person ever.

grandmawhitehouse said...

Great Slide show. It left me smiling. I especially had to laugh when I saw E with a sling on. HE HE HE

Gardners Glad Tidings said...

Just one more thing that proves you are the greatest mom I know. Thanks for your inspiration...you have more creativity in you pinky then I do in my whole body. Love you.

PS Book found...stand down...so sorry.
How was middle march group?

Jenny said...

You are remarkable...you know?! I have to admit I thought you were crazy when you first mentioned to me that you "potty train" you babies from birth, but I have to admit now that I just think you are amazingly cool to do all that you do! All I have to say is I missed on the the whole baby wearing thing, so the next little one I have (if I have a next), I'm flying you down here to teach me a thing or two...deal?!