Sunday, August 1, 2010

Grand baby Claire will be three months old next Friday. Besides being adorably cute and funny, she is connecting me to memories of her mother and sisters when they were babies. It's been a reality check for me. I'd always considered my first daughter to be my 'easiest' baby, but as she struggles with various mothering challenges, I'm remembering the reality of parenting her as a baby. From four to seven months of age, she would only nurse lying down. Not the end of the world, I know, but darned inconvenient while attending an out of town wedding or meeting new inlaws for the first time. Fortunately, I was able to trick her with a sneaky football hold, and we were once again able to sit up and nurse.

It's been a joy watching Claire grow from a newborn to a three month old. She recently graduated to the facing forward and the backpack position in the babyTrekker. The first time she faced out, her mother and I were walking through the neighborhood. Claire pumped her legs in excitement, scanning our neighbor's houses like an enthusiastic realtor. While discovering the world from the safety of her parents arms, this position also calms her down when she's overtired, and puts her to sleep in the evening.

The backpack position has proven invaluable, and I love watching mom talk and baby coo while working around the house. Claire loves to face out, but facing in works just as well for her. Our family recently took part in a weekend hockey tournament, and Claire attended her daddy and grandpa's games in the babyTrekker, seated facing out on her mother's lap. She watched the game for a while, her little face avidly scanning the rink and the other faces nearby. Then she quietly drifted off to sleep. I've been told that this seated position also works well on a plane.

One of the best things about seeing my daughter wear her baby in the Trekker, is knowing that she didn't have to design it. She only had to put it on. Those frantic evenings walking the floor with my second baby, Michelle, are seared into my memory. The babyTrekker began as a wistful thought, and grew into a determination to create something that would work for both of us. My day dream about the great carrier that would meet her needs and mine became a reality, over twenty-three years ago.

Many blessings to all the parents who walk the floor at nights with little ones, or who share yard work, or stroll through their neighborhoods on a warm evening. To Hilary and Bob, and to all of you who have made the babyTrekker such an important part of your family life; Happy Trekking.