We touched down in a sunny, 68° Portland, Oregon on Wednesday afternoon. It was so nice I could hardly stand it. Since we’re at the coast much of our time in state, we decided to stick around the city and do some browsing of the shops on 23rd while eating gelato with those cute little shovel things.
{The sunglasses were a sleep aid.}
[Aside: I'd like to officially introduce you to our baby carrier that we wore to the zoo (that some of you noticed). Yes, it's new and yes it's awesome. It is a mei tai style carrier from Baby So Smart (who did not pay me to tell you about them, although if they wanted to I'd be open to the idea ::wink::). We super duper love it. OBaby can actually sleep all snuggled in there (unlike our ring slings now that he is so big) and we bought it before this trip for that exact purpose. While we walked 23rd Ave, he napped happily as I debated leaving my socks and underwear behind so that some stunning candle holders could come home with us.]
{OBaby, wondering if there’s space in the luggage
for that $180 baby boutique jumper.}
Parenting on the go is so much easier for us with babywearing. We didn’t pack his stroller and we are just borrowing a car seat while in town (which has stayed in the car for the entire trip). We packed so light that we didn’t even check bags and so far we haven’t forgotten anything.
There’s something about flying [by the seat of your pants] with an infant that appeals to DanO’s and my problem solving sides. For example, when we landed, OBaby was in entirely the wrong outfit for the warm and sunny afternoon we were experiencing so we did a quick in-arms wardrobe change standing the shade in a parking lot, then carried on our way. Later when we realized that he would be snuggled right up to us for a good period of time in the mei tai, we nixed the pants we had just put on him.
That’s right, my baby walked around “trendy-third” in nothing but a polo and his diaper because that’s what worked for us. There’s something to be said for doing what works in parenting and not what ‘looks good’.
That’s not to say that he didn’t look good, because clearly, he did.
{and I think he knows it}
~~~~~~
Speaking of questionable behaviors, we took our pants-less-baby-on-the-go to a Starbucks there on 23rd where I had made plans to meet someone from the internet (somehow, the more often I say that the less creepy it sounds). This wasn’t just anyone from the internet though, this was the outdoor wife herself, my future roommate at The Relevant Conference in October.
We talked about churches, husbands and the struggle of trying to keep up on blogging. I also confessed to her that I was going to have to milk myself pump while at the conference, so we should probably get comfortable with each other sooner rather than later (which began well as I fumbled to nurse OBaby while sitting directly across from her in an uncomfortable wood chair. Nipple flashing: now that’s what I call bonding.)
Joking aside (I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again), I love this crazy blogging on the interwebs thing. It has brought so many great people into my life, some that I’ve met in person and some I haven’t yet, but all of them beautiful.
I don’t see anything wrong with just the polo…I mean, I’d wear it…
Look at those rolls on his legs!! So cute!
love those rolls!!!!!!
The picture of Dano and Mr McCutie just melts my heart.
♥
Oh those LEGS!!!
I’m officially putting in a request for more photos of those delicious and nutritious legs of OBaby’s. Droooolworthy!!!
i love baby-wearing too! it’s the best! and our son often goes pantsless because it’s easier! and we have that polo outfit too! :)
you look great in yellow!
danO looks great in plaid!
i love OBaby’s rolls, and i am slightly jealous of them (for my baby, not myself lol).
I like your new carrier. It was recommended to me but I went with the Beco. I want something that allows a front outward carry position.. Any suggestions anyone?
OBaby is so friendly!!! Too cute.
OBaby is so cute!!! I love 23rd Avenue with all of it’s cute little shops. What part of the coast are you going too? I will be taking my 6 month old to Seaside soon :)
Packing light is the only way to go, isn’t it? It’s so … freeing. Sort of like being a baby and not having to wear pants! => Hope you guys are having a wonderful time.
What a cute little guy! Found you through Top Mommy Blogs, and loved your posts! Am looking forward to reading more! :)
Smiles,
Sarah
i saw on the baby carrier website that it can be used as a front facing carrier also. have you tried it that way? i’m curious if its comfortable for you and baby. if it is, i might be interesting in buying one.
Hey Alissa – We haven’t worn him out facing in this mei tai (we have done inward facing both on both our fronts and backs), but I saw that the description did mention it being possible. Also, I googled it and found this: http://www.diaperswappers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=338803
You might ask Baby So Smart themselves, if that is the brand you are looking at buying. Their contact form is here: http://www.babysosmart.com/contact_us/
I hope that helps!
-AllisonO
i totally go by the philosophy of just doing what works. not what’s “right”. is that means pj’s all day, then so it is. if that means no pants, then that works too! even for mama!!! lol looks like y’all are having a great time! it’s gonna be nice and warm (70′s) here this week. come back, minnesota misses you!!
I totally dig how your hair flower matches DanO’s shirt!!! You guys are like those couples who dress to match everyday! :)
You are too cute and I’m so glad you like the mei tai!! :)
Steph
Oh my goodness! I just love those adorible rolls on OBaby! A handsome babe, for sure in just his polo onsie.
PS – If you lived in the desert, a diaper and nothing else is perfectly acceptable! Oh, and I have a picture somewhere on my blog of both my boys laying in the grass in the front yard and John is in a t-shirt, undies, and crocs. No Pants!
OBaby looks cute as can be!! Diapers and onsies — and nothing else — are our usual baby clothing around here when it’s warmer. Especially with babywearing!
I *like* your new carrier!! May just have to get one for us!
I can’t believe you flew across the country and didn’t check your bags!!! With a baby!!! Wow! you’re my hero! And the polo and no pants? Too cute and very trendy:)
So happy I stumbled on your blog! Your whole family is just so adorable. I’m sort of reliving the early months through reading your blog. I miss babywearing so much. I had the old school New Native Baby Carriers. I brought my then 7-month-old to the Philippines in it and it made it so much easier. 24-hour plane trip with a nursing baby!
I just found you on Top Mommy blogs… OBaby is so cute in his sunglasses! My son has the same ones! I bought them for him because he’s always squinting at the sun when he’s riding in the car – I was afraid they might be a waste of $ in case he wouldn’t like wearing them but he actually gets a huge smile on his face every time he wears them – he seems to think they’re fun – looks like OBaby likes his shades too :)
I will totally consider the Mei Tei carrier! I love the pattern!!! We have a baby bjorn, but I have heard that most babies can’t fit in them for too long, because of their chunky legs (which I am sure my baby will have right from the start)
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