I need to do more reviews. And I can’t believe I haven’t yet shared with you the wonderfulness of the Sakura Bloom!! So let’s address the attractiveness first off. They come in a single layer linen, double layer linen, single layer silk and double layer silk. Right now in our library we have both a single layer linen and the double layer silk. They are both BEE U TEE FUL. The linens are fabulous for summer, very light and airy. The silks are a touch more supportive and look fabulous at any function. They definitely dress up any outfit with their shimmer.

Sakura Blooms have a gathered shoulder, which is personally my favorite, because it makes them very versatile.  You can go down your shoulder with the fabric as much as you would like, as well as gather it on top of your shoulder to allow your arm more movement. Like they should, Sakura Bloom uses slingrings which are a very reputable company that makes the rings specifically for this purpose, they are weight tested among many other things.

SB has the best customer service!  I have emailed Lynne on several occasions and she always answers me and is eager to help in anyway she can.  Not to mention you can go down right now to Bibs and Binkies to pick one up!  Yes!!!  I love that we have a local distributor.  But if you aren’t local or you need some more selection that B&B has to offer, I highly suggest you head on down to granolababies.  Giselle rocks.

So because I love these ringslings SO much I donated one to the Babes in Bozeman Expo.  Everyone who attends is entered to win it, among many other great prizes.  Please stop by this Saturday the 21st from 10 – 4 p.m. and say “Hi!”.

Working on inserting this video into the blog, but for now, just click this link!

http://youtu.be/UBCuUcQPGgM

Back in October I did a Feature on Jenna, my crossfit coach.  I thought you might enjoy a little update on me and my adventure as well as a little proof that babywearing really does rock.  Over the last few months the CrossFit games have been going on, both my hubby and I participated.  We didn’t really want to compete, but just prove to ourselves that we can do it!  Doing these workouts held special enjoyment for me as the first two workouts were my first “prescribed” workouts (I did the exercises with the proper amount of weights, etc as it’s laid out).  I also did my first real pushups.  Yes I have been doing this for over 6 months and have just started being able to do push ups on my feet and not on my knees.  Not only that but I did my first 20 inch box jump.  What is a box jump?  It’s this:

Yep, thats me. . . jumpin’ on a box.  Try it, it’s not as easy as it looks.  And while I was doing that, Jenna was doing this:

She was judging the participants with Mo on her back!!  How insanely useful!!    Babywearing is so functional and helpful.

Consider this post a special thanks to Bridger CrossFit and all the coaches there to helping me lose 30 pounds!  I have never felt better about myself and am loving all the energy I have.  I can’t believe all the different things I have learned about myself and my body.  All the while meeting amazing, fun, nice people and enjoying every single moment working out!!  Jenna, Meriah, Ben. . . .you rock.

I have been a big fan of essential oils for a long time, however I never got really into them like I should have. Last year I started toying with them, because I heard Tea Tree Oil was antibacterial and was good to clean with or even put a few drops into your laundry. So I bought a bunch and started using ‘em up! Then I met Meredith. Now I have my own essential oil guru at my fingertips. She has so many ideas and thoughts on what to do with these very versatile little bottles. DoTERRA is a company that makes essential oils and very nice ones at that, the thing I like the most is they do different blends that are applicable for different reasons.

Personally I use lavender in my bath, lemon oil with an olive oil base to clean my wood, tea tree oil for my cleaning, but Meredith has my trying a blend called On Guard to use for cleaning – totally loving it!!  I am looking forward to stocking some Breathe for those times where the kiddos are sick, it should help clear up their chests.  I am such an advocate of natural living and simplifying the way I do things.  The only items I use for cleaning are vinegar and baking soda, but with the oils, I have the added benefit of the lovely smell and the disinfecting or antibacterial power they provide.  I’m going to let Meredith take it from here and tell you a bit more about her and DoTERRA.

What exactly do you do Meredith? As an Independent Product Consultant with doTERRA, I educate people on the uses of essential oils and help them incorporate oils into their daily lives. I am also a potter and art student, mom to a beautiful 6 month old baby girl, a babywearer, and am interested in becoming a midwife. But my mission right now is to spread word to Bozeman families about the purity and effectiveness specific to doTERRA essential oils. I came to doTERRA as a way to earn an income while working from home and limit time away from my child. I love making my own hours, and the flexibility really helps me maintain my course schedule at MSU. Look for Muriel and I at my booth at the Babes in Bozeman Expo this May and check out my website.

Do you love it and why? I do love it! I love it because I am promoting something I use every day and truly believe in. I use essential oils to clean my countertops, bathroom, and floors. I spray lavender on my clean laundry. I give my baby a coconut and lavender essential oil massage after her bath. I have reduced fever, eased coughs and colds, soothed tummies, and calmed us both down after a long day all with essential oils. I had been aware of the benefits of essential oils prior to my introduction to doTERRA, but I never imagined they would be so effective. Essential oils have virtually replaced my medicine cabinet and cleaning supply.

Beyond the many benefits of essential oils in general, what I love about doTERRA is the quality. DoTERRA essential oils are among the best on the market, if not the best. They are the only essential oils that are 100% Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade (CPTG), meaning no additives, fillers, or carriers. Use them topically – on a rash or burn, aromatically – diffusing while doing yoga, or internally – a drop under the tongue, in water, or in a capsule. These oils are so potent that in many cases, one drop is all you need. I also love the business opportunity that doTERRA has facilitated for myself and my family. I came to doTERRA while struggling with the choice between full time child care, finding fulfilling work, and doing something that not only matters, but is lucrative. I am eager to expand my doTERRA business to as many people as I can and help others with the same choices.
Do you babywear? I have been a baby wearer since Muriel was just a few weeks old! I had been using a wrap for quite some time and just recently switched over to a soft-structured carrier, then a mei tai. I wear her when I grocery shop, walk the recycling over to the bins near my house, get stuff done at home, when she’s fussy. Sometimes I just wear her when I know she needs a nap or is not feeling well. She instantly calms down and absolutely loves being so close to mama. It has made such a huge impact on our attachment and well-being. Baby wearing is the centuries-old solution for happy families.

How has it helped you in your business? One of the reasons I chose to become an IPC with doTERRA was for the benefits of staying close to my daughter. So, it goes hand in hand that I bring her along when I attend engagements and expos with doTERRA. She’s calm and content on my back, and I am free to chat and facilitate new experiences with the oils. If she gets fussy, I rub some lavender on her feet, and voila! She’s calm again. Plus, people love baby wearing and it always stirs conversation, so it’s a great way to break the ice.

How can essential oils be beneficial to us Babywearing mamas? Anyone looking for more simplicity in their lives, would like to create a green home, or find a natural health care alternative can turn to essential oils. A mama can clean, disinfect, soothe, calm, cleanse, treat, reduce, ease, strengthen, and improve overall health with just a few different essential oils. The problem is they are so fun and smell so great, you just want to try more and more! It’s super simple and good for our environment as well. What I love about essential oils and baby wearing alike is that they are age-old, time-honored traditions. There is a lot of knowledge in that. It’s easy. It makes sense. It’s natural. And it is better for the environment. Another interesting aspect of doTERRA is their tremendous growth potential. Founded in 2008, doTERRA is about to explode in the essential oil market. Bozeman is loving doTERRA essential oils for their quality and effectiveness. Opportunity abounds for Independent Product Consultants who would rather work on their own time.
How about my children?? Essential oils can be your medicine cabinet and first aid kit for all of childhood’s aches and pains, cuts and scrapes, bruises, bellyaches, beestings, and a myriad of childhood illnesses. It is a good rule of thumb to dilute essential oils for use on children and infants and not use them internally. I have had great results applying lavender on Muriel’s feet, in use during infant massage, and diffusing it in her room at night. I can lay her in her crib awake, and she watches the mist from the diffuser till she falls asleep. Awesome! Essential oils can also be used for easing colic, upset tummy, cold, cough and sore throat, cuts, scrapes, burns, insect bites, diaper rash, earache, dry skin and exzema/dermatitis, reducing fever, teething and thrush, among other things.
Look for us at the Babes in Bozeman Expo this May 21st. I’ll be there with Muriel! My website is at mydoterra.com/mbird. There you can browse different oils and blends and read more about essential oils. I can also be reached at doterrabozeman@gmail.com or by phone at 406-548-8683. I would love to meet with you! Thanks for reading.

This video is mostly for my friend Judi, who is using her first wrap with her third child.  She is doing a wonderful job wrapping, but I thought she might enjoy trying something besides a Pocket Wrap Cross Carry!!  This one is easier to adjust and you can get it tighter.

Finally, another review from me!  Trust me this one is worth the wait.  I have been searching high and low for a great coat to wear over my little ones and none of them really seem to fit the bill.  Until….Zoli.  I had Caroline who is over in France send me one so I could review it for an article in Montana Parent Magazine and I am sooooo glad she obliged.  This is a beautiful coat and I can’t wait to share it with YOU.  Yes. . .YOU!  I am sending this pretty little thing out traveling.  So if you want to try out a babywearing coat for a few weeks to see how it fits you, baby and your lifestyle, then drop me a line and we will get you involved.

The coat is made with fleece and Caroline has added the most sweet touches.  The trim is a bright green, but she has lots of other colors.  The collar is very feminine and can be fastened with a hidden button.  The pockets are super deep and lined with a fun colorful print.  The very bottom of the coat cinches so you can’t get any gusts of wind going up your coat, or snow!  I was outside on a 30 degree day with just a tank and baby, we didn’t have a problem staying warm.  With some layers I think it could be fine for colder weather.

To use the coat, you zip in an insert for baby in the front or in the back.  The coat can be worn with baby on your back or front, without baby or even can be used with a pregnancy insert that makes space for a growing belly.  What a beautiful versatile coat!!

For me, the best part of the coat was ordering the hats that match.  Both the infant and the toddler had have panels that go down the child’s front and back.  This ensures that while in the coat, no rain, snow or wind can get to baby no matter what!  The infant hat has elastic around the face to cinch up for more protection from the elements.  Besides being super functional, they are SUPER cute!

Please go check out Caroline’s site for her Zoli Coats.  I would love to get together with some other parents and place an order to save on shipping.

And as always thank you Kelly Kuntz for taking the photos for the article in this Month’s Montana Parent Magazine!!