Wrap me up, Buttercup Baby – Beluga Baby Swaddle + Doll Carrier Review

Since day one with Ezra, we have faithfully used our Beluga Wraps on repeat. Now with our second baby, Miss Isla Jane, I am using these wraps even MORE, having a toddler and a new born is no joke and also ‘no hands’ if you don’t have a Beluga Wrap!

Recently Beluga Baby launched two brand new products; the first being their Oversized Bamboo Swaddles. These things are HUGE. 35 x 35 inches and pure, buttery soft, bamboo goodness. They are the perfect companion, wether it be wrapped around them, cozy in the stroller or the comfort piece your child that cant leave their side while walking around the house. This swaddle is what babies and toddlers dream of.

When we first put Isla in a swaddle I didn’t think it was going to work, as she is a babe who likes to be free and kick around. You know, feel-the-wind-between-her-toes kind of girl. We wrapped her up, criss crossed and zig zagged this little bean and she was as happy as a clam, laid there completely content, smiling away.

One of my favourite ways to use the swaddle, other than swaddling, is to layer with Isla’s favourite fuzzy blanket. She has this white fluffy little thing that she cannot sleep without, but when we are out and she has it in the carseat, it is really easy for her to kick it off. Beluga Baby to the rescue! Because of the amazing four way stretch this bamboo fabric blend has, it easily curves and tucks in to wherever you need and stays put!

We are never without a blanket because the swaddles, much like the classic Baby Carriers are SO compact! They are made of the thin, but durable Bamboo Cotton Blend and can appear large, but fold up SO small that you could fit one in your jacket pocket – perfect for those cooler days!

When Ezra grew out of the Baby Carriers, I was sad and little bit heart broken that the Beluga era had ended, but then, BAM, doll carriers!

The second item that they launched was their amazing Doll Carriers, these came out just in time for baby #2 and for Ezra to start practicing to be a big sister! Ezra’s eyes LIT UP when she saw that she could wear her most cherished dollies around the house and out while grocery shopping. She was ecstatic to have her very own carrier to keep her BunBun close and still be able to carry a bag of fishies while sipping her apple juice. She had no idea what she was in for once her baby sister came along.

Since then, Ezra asks to wear her BunBun to the coffee shop, grocery shopping and even so that she can bring her stuffie’s downstairs but still be able to hold on to the railing. (So cute right?!) Now, when I have to grab a gift for a tiny human, I find myself reaching for one of these three, Practical, Stylish, and Playful. We love our Belugas and are honoured to be part of the pod 😉

Introverted Extrovert

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May 28 2016

When you think of a newborn baby you think of love, joy and excitement. A new chapter in your life, full of twists and turns, nothing quite like anything you’ve experienced. But that’s exactly what it is, nothing you’ve ever experienced. There is such a high, but there are days of extreme low, all the feels & low energy. This is something that I thought I would not have the chance to experience. I look at myself as someone who is cheerful, exciting and energetic. Thinking about the possibility of PPD or just the extreme highs&lows of having a baby, didn’t cross my mind. Until it did. It rocked me. I won’t go as far to say that I experienced PPD, but there was definitely moments and days of depression and jealousy. Sad of the days that I couldn’t just be myself and move, write and craft as I wanted and jealous of my husband being able to just pick up and go. Go to work, visit and joke around with his colleagues, play baseball for the summer and simply still be apart of community.

This is my story.

How becoming a mother changed my perspective on social time, family time and me time. How crucial the balance in-between is.

I would find myself constantly asking myself, ‘where am I going?’, ‘when will I be better?’, ‘where is my identity?’ Yes I am Ez’ mother and Mackenzie’s wife, but really, Who am I now? I am not, in no way, saying this negatively, but if I had been able to prepare myself for the fourth trimester, getting on and growing strong with baby life, I would have. I would have prepped, I would have pampered, I would have given myself a reality check and checked IN with ME.

Yes, yes, all who know me and have met me before babe would see an outgoing, energetic, extrovert. I will have to correct you here. Since becoming a mother I feel like my life has shifted (surprise, surprise). Being an extrovert with a baby really rocks you. I now feel as though I have to be social ALL the time because I am around my sweet girl. Absolutely no personal time and then when hubby gets home or I have time to go out with friends, I don’t want to. I’d rather go sit in my room with my computer, Netflix & popcorn. Introvert.

WHO SAW THAT COMING?

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In the past I would crave the social interaction. I would feed off it, find joy and find peace in it. To me, there was nothing quite like a morning, afternoon and evening out with the girls. Seriously; 24/7. When it really comes down to it though, plain and simple, I really do need to look out for me and my mental health. How was my day? Was it tough? Should I go out tonight? Will this all just snowball in to tomorrow if I don’t take some time to rest and just be. Bringing myself back down after a day of constant ‘mommy-I-need-to-have-one-hand-on-you-at-all-times-or-else-I-will-cry-bloodymurder’ calls for a well needed glass of grape juice, fishy crackers and good ol’ HGTV.

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What are some things that you’ve found have helped you through the dull&darker times of motherhood? Especially in that first year. What have you found to be a comfort to you? old or new? I want to hear your thoughts and help you through this special, amazing and empowering time of motherhood!

Xox.