The Blanket

If you know me then you know I've been one busy woman lately. I'm trying to blog more often, but I can hardly find the time to sit down and think of what I'd like to say let alone actually formulate what I'd like to say and actually post it to my blog! When I blog I like to include a picture, so most of the time when there is something for me to blog about and I don't have a picture I just don't blog about what ever it was going to be. There was one thing this week I thought was interesting and figured it might be worth blogging about. I didn't get a picture, but I found one on google to help me out.

I was babysitting this week for a family I've known for a while. When their now four year old was a new born I would put her in what we called "the blanket" - also known as a baby wrap. She would want to be held, but I would need to help the older kids with homework or make lunch or do anything else that would need a hand or two. The baby wrap was great! So great in fact I got two of them and put one in the church nursery where it has been used and borrowed by many. When the now four year old was about two years old she would call the wrap "the blanket" and the name has stuck. 

I haven't used "the blanket" in a while because the babies have grown up to be big kids. I have loaned out "the blankets" to friends with new borns and even used it once while dog-sitting when the dog was afraid of the wind and wanted to be held all day.

Okay, so here it is. The baby wrap with a dog in it. 

Sure this may be the silliest thing you've ever seen, 

but if it works why not go with it!

Anyhow, I had "the blanket" in my car to return to the nursery from a friend borrowing it, but hadn't had a chance to remember to put it away. This past week I was babysitting and while driving around after taking the kids roller skating (which would be another blog in itself - try taking a 4 year old skating and try not to fall yourself!) the four year old who named "the blanket" fell asleep in her car seat. We needed to go into the store and I was faced with waking her up, leaving her in the car with her 11 year old sister (which I was highly debating against), or using "the blanket" and taking her into the store to continue her nap. 

I wasn't sure if she'd be too big since it has been at least a year since we've last used it, but figured why not try the side hold. I wasn't going to leave her in the car with her sister, so she'd be woken up either way, but at least this way she might get more of a nap (she was SO warn out from skating... or should I say falling and getting up only to fall again). The 11 year old helped me get her into the wrap and off we went.

The side hold with a baby wrap for those 

who have NO idea what I'm talking about.

With the wrap there are multiple holds you can use

and on this day I used the hip hold or side hold.

It wasn't until we were in the store she groggily wakes up and asks where we were. I told her we were in the store and we are almost ready to leave. She then lays her head back on my shoulder and mumbles... "I like the blanket." 

I love baby items you can use from infancy to 4 years old! I wonder how much longer I could use "the blanket" with her. I'm guessing not much longer considering her feet were dangling at my knees! (Again, for those who know me and know I'm not the tallest person you'll ever meet this isn't surprising. In fact I've had many conversations with this four year old on how little I am. One of our conversations included a debate on why I should have a car seat when I'm driving because I'm so "little.") I think it's time for "the blanket" to be passed on to new babies, but it's good to know I can use it with a four year old if I need to!