Meet Your BWI Staff!

Meet Erin Carpenter, another one of our awesome VBEs!

Name: Erin C.
Ages of kids: M, 22 months (Two in February!)
Where are you originally from?: Huntington Beach, CA
How long have you been baby wearing?: Since M was a few days old. I knew I wanted to babywear, but getting my husband on board initially was a struggle. He tried M in a Moby and loved it! It's been downhill from there - SSCs, ring slings, and finally into the world of woven wraps when she turned a year old. Now that we're approaching two, I have my first wrap conversion mei tai (WCMT) in the works and I'm eager to put it to good use!
How long have you been a Volunteer Babywearing Educator/in Training?: I made VBE status one of my 2015 goals, and by mid-January, I had it in the bag! I am a teacher in my civilian career, so sharing my love of babywearing comes naturally to me. I love seeing other caregivers discover the benefits of babywearing and the bond that comes with it. 
What's your favorite type of carrier or go-to carry?: When it comes to grocery store runs, we love our toddler Kinderpack. I was delighted to hear that my husband continued that routine of ours when I was away at military training. When it comes to woven wraps, my favorite carries are Half Jordan's Back Carry (HJBC) and Double Rebozo Shoulder to Shoulder (DRS2S).  
What BWing obstacle/challenge/goal would you like to tackle/master next?: I am looking forward to falling in love with my WCMT and becoming proficient with different ways to tie it off.
What hobbies do you enjoy when you're not babywearing?: Reading, running, dancing, traveling (well, that's done while BWing too).
What are your future goals?: To continue to pursue my love of babywearing and sweet talk my daughter into being a willing participant for as long as I possibly can!

Meet Your BWI Staff!

Hey everyone! Meet another one of our very talented VBEs, Galen Duffy. Galen is in charge of our group's babywearing education. If you've ever wanted to know more about becoming a VBE too, contact her via Facebook today!

                                    

Name: Galen Duffy

Ages of kids: 4, 2, and one month

Where are you originally from?: DC

How long have you been babywearing?: 4 years

How long have you been a Volunteer Babywearing Educator/in Training?: 3 years

What's your favorite type of carrier or go-to carry?: I love Kangaroo and HJBC in a woven, 
and also love my ring slings.

What BWing obstacle/challenge/goal would you like to tackle/master next?: I'm devoted to making babywearing accessible and normal, and am looking for new ways to introduce babywearing to communities within COS. Also, my goal for the year is to be able to do a freestanding handstand again.

What hobbies do you enjoy when you're not babywearing?: Yoga, knitting, reading (in all of my quiet time - Ha!), and running

Meet Your BWI Staff!

Meet one of our rocking VBEs, Natalie Cross! 

Ages of Kids: 11, almost 4, and 18 months.

Where are you originially from?: My father was air force, so I'm from everywhere!

How long have you been babywearing?: Technically 11 years, but really only seriously for 4. I wore my oldest in an SSC when she was very small, but didn't start using wraps or other carrier types until #2 was born. 

How long have you been a Volunteer Babywearing Educator/in Training?: I've been officially volunteering with the group since our affiliation in 2014, but only teaching since June. 

What's your favorite type of carrier or go-to carry?: I can't pick a favorite! I love everything depending on the situation, but my most used carrier/carry right now is my Ringsling, and a half JBC using a short wrap. 

What BWing obstacle/challenge/goal would you like to tackle/master next?: I'd like to figure out how to do a Kangaroo Carry propersly. That shoulder flip is my arch nemesis. 

What hobbies do you enjoy when you're not babywearing?: Don't you mean "what hobbies do you have 4 minutes to enjoy, because you can strap a kid on and have a moments peace?" haha. I like to sew, and I homeschool my oldest, which is actually fun quite a lot of the time. I can't wait until all three of the kids are old enough to participate. 

What are your future goals?: I am working toward becoming an Advanced Babywearing Educator with BWI, and then in the future also becoming an MBE. 

Meet Your BWI Staff!

Meet Alena, our go-to girl for all things DIY Babywearing (Do-it-yourself)!

Name: Alena Sutherland

Ages of Kids: 3 and 1

Where are you from originally?: Sioux Falls, SD

How long have you been babywearing?: I've been babywearing since my oldest was 2 weeks old. 

How long have you been a Volunteer Babywearing Educator?: I've been "training" since that first meeting in August or September. I've been DIY-ing since just before my son's first birthday. 

What's your favorite type of carrier or go-to carry?: I flip flop between a Mei Tai and ling size 4 or 5 woven wrap. Double Hammock with a Candy Cane Chest Belt (DH CCCB) is the carry I always do. Seriously, always. 

What BWing obstacle/challenge/goal would you like to master next?: My next goal is to weave my own wrap. Or weave the most marshmallowy rainbow fabric you've ever touched and covert it to a Mei Tai. 

What hobbies do you enjoy when you're not wearing?: Lots of crafty things: sewing, crocheting, paper quilling. 

What are your future goals?: Make sure my kiddos grow up into good people and figure out what I want to be when I grow up. 

Meet Your BWI Staff!

Meet Your BWI Staff!

In this post, meet Bailey Hornback!

Name: Bailey Hornback, Advanced Babywearing Educator

Ages of Kids: 3 1/2 and almost 2

Where are you from originally?: Springfield, MO

How long have you been babywearing?: I started wearing when my youngest was a newborn. It was a necessity when a I had a newborn and a 21 month old at home to chase. I tried to wear with my oldest, but was using a carrier that was uncomfortable for us, so I just gave up. 

How long have you been a Volunteer Babywearing Educator?: 1 year

What's your favorite type of carrier or go-to carry?: I like to wrap with woven wraps (right now, I'm loving a size 4). However, now that I have 2 toddlers on my hands I am often sporting a SSC as it is so quick to do ups and downs. My boys seem to need up and then right back down. 

What BWing obstacle/challenge/goal would you like to master next?:  In terms of wearing, I would like to become more proficient in using a ring sling. It is one of those things that I can teach, but can't do. I have a new ring sling coming and I am determined to become more comfortable with them myself. In terms of being a babywearing educator, I have my eyes on becoming a Master Babywearing Educator. I am really passionate about being an educator. Even when my kids are grown up, I can't see myself leaving the babywearing community. I love it too much. 

What hobbies do you enjoy when you're not wearing?: I really don't have a lot of hobbies. I enjoy swimming and doing Zumba at the YMCA. I have also found an appreciation for hiking since we moved to CO. My family also volunteers to walk dogs every week at the local no-kill animal shelter in Pueblo. 

What are your future goals?: My future goals are to get my 2 year old to sleep in his own bed. I would also like to implement a Pueblo babywearing meeting and see it grow to be successful before my time in Pueblo is up. 

Meet Your BWI Staff!

We are excited to introduce a new blog post series of "Meet your BWI Staff!" Our Volunteer Babywearing Educators and Trainees don't always get to meet all of you at our meetings, so what a better way than to introduce ourselves. 

In this post, meet Baxter Snider!

Name: Baxter Snider

Ages of Kids: 4 (Almost 5), 3 and 1

Where are from originally?: Miami, Florida

How long have you been babywearing?: Almost 5 years! My aunt got me a Ring sling to use with my first and I've been slowly branching out with carriers ever since. 

How long have you been a Volunteer Babywearing Educator/In Training?: Haven't started my training yet! 

What's your favorite type of carrier or go-to carry: A size 4 wrap and Galen's quick kangaroo is my go-to. I can always count a wrap nap and a happy nursling. 

What BWing obstacle/challenge/goal would you like to tackle/master next?: Double hammock. I just can't seem to get it right...but I will! I'd really like to keep branching out with my carries in general. 

What hobbies do you enjoy when you're not babywearing:? Hobbies? I don't really have any. I love all things birth! But that's now a job I love and not so much a hobby. Is drinking coffee a hobby? ;) 

What are your future goals?: Become a VBE before we leave CO. I love that babywearing will help me find a new group of friends wherever we end up next. I just hope they are as amazing as the lovely ladies here!!!

International Babywearing Week Update

We appreciate everyone so much for coming out to our International Babywearing Week events. This was our first year as an official Babywearing International chapter to participate! We hope everyone had a great time at all of our events and playdates. This year we celebrated by having a trip to the zoo, a potluck at one of our member's houses, park playdates, an ice cream social at a local ice cream shop, a playdate at the mall play place, a babywearing ballet class, and a donut party to end our week's festivites!

Check out some of the pictures from International Babywearing Week!

Marie, Lauren, Nicole, and Tiffany cuddle their babies at the mall.

  

Katie K. and Lauren B's husband, Justin, feed giraffes at the zoo.

Some of our members at the zoo!

Our Chapter President, Marcia S., wears her sweet son while at the zoo.

Natalie C. and her daughter enjoy the zoo!

This sweet little boy is enjoying his mommy's cuddles. 

Two of our VBE's Marcia S. and Natalie C. at the zoo!

  

  

Our out-of-town visiting BWI member and VBE Lacy C. joined us for a potluck!

End of the Week DONUT party! Thanks to everyone who attended!

If you missed IBW events this year, do not fear! This is an annual event. We would love for you to join us for our monthly meetings in the meantime. Join our Facebook group and 'like' our Facebook page. BWI Colorado Springs would love to meet you!

April Meeting Dates

Hey BWI Colorado Springs! April Meeting Dates were just announced, so invite your friends and bring the kids. :)


Monday, March 31st, at 10am there will be a meeting at Cheyenne Mountain Library.


Saturday, April 19th, at 10am come for our second meeting of the month at Cloth Diaper Market.


The lending library will be at BOTH meetings. If you haven't yet paid dues to be a BWI member, you are welcome to play around with the carriers at the meeting. Just a reminder: $30 pays for your dues for one year, allowing you to take home one of any of the carriers in our lending library every month! What a great deal for those of you wanting to try out something new without spending the full sticker price. Click here if you're interested in joining today!

See you all at the next meeting!

BWI of Colorado Springs!

We're thrilled to announce that our local group is now an official chapter of Babywearing International, Inc. This means great things for the future and support of our group, our lending library, and our mission to promote babywearing within our community!

We encourage everyone that is able to attend meetings regularly and join as a member of BWI of Colorado Springs. The annual dues amount is $30, and you have complete access to our lending library with the option of renting out one carrier each month for the year. These paid dues will help our group expand our lending library! Please consider joining us as a member and be a part of this amazing organization. If you are unable to join as a dues paid member, meetings are still free to attend and the lending library is still available to try out during meetings.

If you haven't yet filled out a photography release, please do so by following the link so that we can continue to use your awesome action shots of you wearing those babies! If you are not comfortable having your picture taken at meetings and used for our purposes, please check the box necessary within the release.

This is a really exciting time for our group! If you have any questions about this news or how you can be a part of things, please see our Facebook page at BWI of Colorado Springs. Thanks everyone!