September 2, 2017

Adventuring with a Toddler: Onya Baby Pure Child Carrier Review (#AdventureWithThemOnya)

“If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement, and mystery of the world we live in.” Rachel Carson

Challenge and Toddlers. Like most young tots, our daughter Georgia asserts her opinion and pushes the boundaries. Of course packed in with all that frustrating behavior are moments of pure joy, great accomplishment, and immense pride. However, when we’re in the thick of it, it can be hard to remember that, “this too shall pass”.

Especially in the last couple of months, I’ve lovingly and intentionally tried to challenge Georgia right back. Not by throwing tantrums, whining or making demands, though sometimes I feel like doing that, but by posing small achievable goals. As we adventure about, making sure I’ve built in ways to set-up success, I push her to be more independent, brave, and engaged in our environment.

Presently, Georgia has just two speeds on the hiking trail:

Run. Usually with abandon and no regard to instructions.
Whine, lollygag, and ask to be picked up.

Unfortunately, I never know which speed she’ll choose from day to day! For example, on one of our recent hikes, she took off at the trail head, and her big brother and I had to corral her back in the right direction. Just a couple of days after that incident, as soon as her feet hit the trail at the start of our forest outing, she was upset and refused to move.

Along with patience, frequent practice, and incentives, one of the things that’s helping us on our adventures is a soft-structured carrier, specifically the Pure carrier from Onya Baby.

[Read more…]

October 5, 2015

Kowalli’s Joey Jacket Review: Maternity, Babywearing & Beyond

All of last winter, Georgia and I stayed warm and cozy using Kowalli’s comfortable baby carrier cover. We dealt with some pretty cold conditions here in Seattle, and I loved the simplicity of just throwing on the fleece cover over the ergo to protect us.

Brand-new this fall though is Kowalli’s full babywearing coat called the Joey Jacket. Since receiving the jacket from Kowalli, Georgia (now 9 months) and I have had the chance to test it out on walks around the neighborhood, chilly mornings dropping Bergen off at forest school, and at an evening soccer game cheering on our beloved Seattle Sounders.

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October 9, 2013

Kowalli Baby Carrier Cover Giveaway!

I recently posted about the Kowalli Carrier Cover that we just added to our Adventure Gear Arsenal. I’m so happy with this handy tool that keeps both me and Bergen (2 years old) warm while I’m lugging him around in the ergo carrier.

I’m thrilled to announce that the folks at Kowalli would like to giveaway a carrier cover to one our readers! Remember, you can read all about the details of the carrier cover, how it works, and what I love about it in my previous review.

Kowallis can be used with all soft carriers (ergo, moby, beco, etc), and is made for children 0-3 years old. Even if you don’t have a little one at home, what a great gift for your babywearing family and friends!

To Enter the Giveaway

Easy: “Like” Kowalli on facebook, and leave a comment here on the blog letting me know you’ve done so.
Bonus Entries-Your name will be entered again depending on how many bonus entries you submit thus increasing your chances of winning (make sure to tell us in your comment which of these you did or already do!):
- “Like” Wild Tales of… on facebook
- Follow” Wild Tales of… on twitter
- Share this post by tweeting or sharing on your facebook wall or page. Make sure to tag @WildTalesof in your post.

Winner, Winner…

1 Kowalli Carrier Cover (valued at $69) will be given away to one lucky reader! Winner gets to choose from several great color combinations that Kowalli offers. Contest ends and all entries must be received by Friday, October 18, 2013 at 11:59 PM Pacific Standard Time. Winners will be chosen at random and notified on Monday, October 21, 2013. Giveaway open to U.S. and Canadian residents 18 years or older. After notification, winners have 3 days to connect. Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact me!

Kowalli Carrier Cover Giveaway is now closed. Congrats to the winner!

Many thanks to Kowalli for providing one of the carrier covers for the giveaway. All opinions about the Kowalli Carrier Cover are my own.

October 8, 2013

Adventure Gear: Staying Warm and Dry with Kowalli’s Carrier Cover

While we don’t carry Bergen (now 2 years old) in our soft carriers nearly as much as we did before he was venturing off on his own two feet, believe it or not, I still find myself strapping him into the ergo (on my back) quite a bit. I’ll often bring the carrier along with us for back up in case his legs grow too tired, or in situations where we might want to keep him close and not wandering off or getting himself into trouble.

Recently, we were lucky enough to add a new tool to our babywearing and adventure gear arsenal. The Kowalli is a carrier cover that can be worn right over our ergobaby carrier so as we are out and about, it keeps us warm and protected from all kinds of weather elements. Right off the bat, there are so many things to love about the Kowalli brand:

Kowalli is an American owned and operated small business, and all of their products are designed and manufactured in the USA. Even the materials for their carrier covers, booties & hats are 100% American.
The fleece used for their products is high quality Polartec, which is weather-treated to protect against and repel rain, snow, and wind.
Simple, yet genius design. The carrier cover is “one-size fits all/most” making it easy to share with other babywearing adults, and it’s just so smart! I love how easy it is to bring along and wear to provide extra warmth for me and Bergen.

I’ve had the chance to test out the Kowalli with Bergen on our neighborhood walks and also while cheering on our beloved Seattle Sounders soccer team on a cold & rainy evening. Bergen can walk quite a long way (in toddler terms) on his own and he’s also been learning to use his balance bike, so lately we’ve played around with ditching the stroller and just using the ergo carrier for backup. Now that we’re getting some chillier temperatures, the Kowalli really comes in handy to keep us both warm, often when we are making our way back home after some serious play!

About the Kowalli Carrier Cover

The Kowalli carrier cover is made of weather-treated Polartec fleece, and works with all soft carriers with the child being worn in all positions (front, back, side, facing out, etc). The fleece protects adult and child from cold, wind, rain & snow, and is recommended to be used, in coordination with appropriate layers, in temperatures as low as 15 degrees F (-10 C). Since the carrier cover has a toga-style design, the child being worn can always see out. The drawstring cinches around the top and bottom lock warmth in, and also create a comfortable fit for all wearers.

How the Kowalli Works

Once the child is set in the carrier (front, back or side), slip the Kowalli over your head. So far, I’ve needed help from another adult with this part (since Bergen is on my back), but I think I’ll get the hang of it with more practice!
Place your right arm through the arm hole, and left hand out through the top.
The left side stays open (toga-style) allowing the child to see out.
Cinch the drawstring cords at the top and bottom for a snug fit.
Easiest way to remove the Kowalli is by uncinching & just letting it drop down towards the ground.

What’s to Love?

First and foremost, the Kowalli really keeps me and Bergen warm! I love the simple design, and the fact that we can utilize the carrier cover in fall, winter and spring. When we were testing it out in the park the other day, I was blown away by how much colder I was when I took the cover off to let Bergen run around.
The Kowalli is comfortable and easy to layer with other coats and outer pieces depending on temperature and weather.
Since it’s “one-size fits most”, the carrier cover can be worn by multiple adults. Slaed and I can both use the cover, but just adjust the two elastic cord pieces (top and bottom) to fit.
A small addition, but the built-in pouch on the front of the Kowalli is the perfect hand warmer and something I always wished for in my ergo.
I love all the fun colors that the Kowalli line offers. We actually chose the most popular color combination: “Onyx/Shining Sea”, but there are 4 other awesome color combinations to choose from.

What’s to be desired?

Well…I wish I’d known about this carrier cover two years ago! We still have some “babywearing” life left with Bergen, but since he’s doing so much of his own adventuring, we don’t get to use the carrier (and cover) as much as before.

Our only suggestion might be to create a waterproof version. Living in Seattle, much of our outdoor time can be disrupted with rain, but we tend to press-on as best we can and adjust our outerwear accordingly. The fleece is weather-treated, protecting us from the wet, but a waterproof addition might make the carrier cover even more water resistant.

Interested in winning a Kowalli Carrier Cover of your own? Enter my giveaway!

Please note: The folks at Kowalli generously provided us with a carrier cover for review on the blog. All opinions expressed are my own.

Come join the conversation! We’d love to have you join us on all of our adventures by “liking” our facebook page and following us on twitter! You can also keep up to date with each and every post by subscribing to the blog via email.

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August 22, 2012

A Year of Babywearing: Benefits & Tips

It’s hard to believe we’ve been “wearing” Bergen for a year now. I remember like it was yesterday putting him in the Moby Wrap for the first time when he was just over a week old, walking around the house, and then walking to Breastfeeding 911 class thankfully just two blocks from our house. I was so afraid he would fall out, so I cupped my hands around him like I was holding him anyway. Now in what feels like 5 seconds flat, he’s buckled into the front or back of the Ergo carrier, and we are off on another adventure.

We rely on our carriers, and in no way shape or form could we continue our active lifestyle without them. There are some places where strollers just can’t go, and places where strollers get in the way. We also can’t just carry Bergen around all day in our arms, and he’d get into more trouble than you can imagine if left to his own devices!

Our Benefits of Carriers & Babywearing

When Bergen is safe and sound in a carrier, our hands are free to do other things. These can be fun things like shopping, eating, or even wine tasting, but it’s also handy for chores like laundry, dishes, and cleaning.
Bergen feels secure, and thus more calm because he is close to one of his parents. This was especially important when he was a newborn, and when he was first teething.

When Bergen was a newborn, (and even now that he’s older) he could nap on the go in his carrier. Many babies will nap longer in the carrier than they would in their crib, bassinet, in your arms, etc.
Carriers are less bulky than strollers. They travel well, and allow us to navigate places like festivals, farmers markets, and sporting events simply.

“Strangers” are less likely to touch a newborn baby when they are being worn by mom or dad as opposed to the openness of a stroller, buggy, or carriage.
Bergen is at our level and right there with us exploring the world. I feel like I’m more likely to talk and interact with him on walks, hikes, and shopping trips. And especially when he’s facing out in the bjorn with his Dad, he is able to socialize with everyone around him; something he absolutely loves to do.

Our Tips for Babywearing

Start early! I can’t emphasize this enough. From my experience with Bergen (starting at about 1 week old), and friends with little ones, the sooner you start, the more routine and “normal” being in a carrier will be for baby and parent. Start with just wearing baby around the house, then try a short walk close to home. Once you are comfortable, you can work up to grander adventures.
Practice often in short spurts. Just because baby doesn’t like it after 15 minutes, doesn’t mean never do it again. Try it again later for another 15 minutes.
Talk to other moms and dads. Watch other moms and dads in action. Ask questions. For the first 5-6 months, I only carried Bergen in the front carry position with the ergo. I was curious about carrying him on my back so I just asked other moms and dads about it when I saw them out and about.
Watch videos. Do a you-tube search, and you’ll find all kinds of helpful tutorials for every type of carrier and position.
Enlist the help of others at first for guidance on positioning, and making sure the baby is safe. As I was learning to carry Bergen on my back, I needed Slaed to put him into place while I concentrated on buckling. Now with some practice, I’m able to hoist him on my back by myself from a chair or the back of the car.
Visit a maternity/baby store that sells several different carriers. Have a store employee help you try a variety of carriers out to see what works best for you. I found it helpful to try the carrier with a doll first, before getting Bergen involved.
Think like the little engine that could…and remember the old saying, “if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” You will improve, and it will get easier, I promise!

Find some of our babywearing adventures here.

Babywearer? Give us more of your benefits and tips in the comment section!

Come along with us on all of our adventures by “liking” our facebook page and following us on twitter!

August 12, 2012

Guest Post on Ergobaby Blog

One of our stories is featured on the Ergobaby Blog today! Go visit the site to read our story, and while you are at it, check out all the other fun babywearing families!

You can read the original post here.