This week, October 8-14 2012, is International Babywearing Week!  Check out Babywearing International for ideas to celebrate this week, how to find a group near you, or for more resources on babywearing.  Check out their short video introduction to babywearing here.

I learned to carry Riley when he was just a few days old!  We tried out a pouch sling and a ring sling (click here to learn about the different types of carriers!).  Then, as I got a little more comfortable, we started using the Moby wrap on a regular basis.  Henry also approved of the Moby and wore Riley quite often.  It was our go-to way of getting a sleepy baby to sleep!  When Riley was around 5 months old, I decided I wanted a soft structured carrier.  I tried out the Beco & Ergo each for one week and decided that the Ergo Baby Carrier was the best choice for our family.  Everyone loved it!  Riley soon enjoyed riding around on our backs while we enjoyed the freedom of carrying our baby on our back!  I still used the ring sling & pouch quite often, but preferred the Ergo for longer time periods due to it's comfort.  Later, I decided to save up enough money and bought a used woven wrap.  I was in love! However, Riley was nearly 2 and very independent - he wanted nothing to do with riding around on mama's back anymore.  Now Riley is 3 and still asks to be carried on my back from time to time so I keep the Ergo in the car, just in case.

Bringing Information and Resources to Houston is an amazing event held each year to educate pregnant women and families in a free, fun, and exciting way!  As you arrive, you receive a free goodie bag with pamphlets, coupons, and freebies.  Next, you must decide which of the speaker sessions you'd like to attend.  There are multiple rooms where a variety of informational lectures/talks/demonstrations/films take place.  You can learn about nutrition, education, babywearing, breastfeeding, health concerns, and so much more!  

Then there are the vendors!! So many wonderful vendors come from all over Houston and the surrounding areas to offer their services.  Some vendors have supplies you can buy right at their booths, others offer discounts for when you visit their store later.  Many vendors have freebies, giveaways and raffles, and baby stuff for you to try out.  I'll be honest - the vendors are personally my favorite part of the B.I.R.T.H. fair ;-)

At Noon, we celebrate the physicians in the community who help support healthier mother & baby maternity care.  Following the awards, there is a fashion show!  The models are families from the community wearing clothing from various local stores as well as cloth diaper apparel and sometimes babywearing gear.  The children have such a great time being a part of the fashion show!  You can tell they know they're doing something very important!

Oh, and did I mention that all of the B.I.R.T.H. Fair events are FREE!?!  Yup!  100% FREE!!  So if you are pregnant, new mama, old mama, small family, large family, or even just thinking about having a family, this fair is for YOU!  Come out and meet the members in your birthing community!  It is a wonderful time to find the support you need for your pregnancy, babies, and children of all ages!  Also, don't forget to stop by and see me at the Music Garden booth - I'll be helping out there this year!

"Got a babywearing breakdown? Come by the BIRTH Fair's Sling Station, open 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, October 6, 2012. Local babywearing "technicians" will provide free, one-on-one baby carrier advice and tune-ups. Improve the fit of your existing carrier, learn a new technique or carry, get a recommendation, or ask a question!

New to babywearing? Please join Angelique Geehan and Mary Puryear Potee at 11 a.m. for "Baby Carriers and Slings 101." This orientation will cover the benefits of using cloth slings, major types of carriers, how to select a good carrier for your family (including basic safety points), and where to find help as your family's babywearing needs change.

Please feel free to spread the word!" -  from my friend's Facebook page :-)

Special Speakers Series

Friday, October 5, 2012
United Way - 50 Waugh Dr. - Houston

9:00 am to 12:00 pm - CPR - FREE - register at [email protected] 
9:00 am to 9:45 am - Circumcision
9:45 am to 10:30 am - Placenta Encapsulation
10:30 am to 11:15 am - Abdominal Scar healing
11:15 am to 12:00 pm - Acupuncture

Sunday, October 7, 2012 
Haven Center
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church - 1827 W. Alabama

1:00 pm to 3:00 pm - Birth Trauma & Your Baby's Brain - Pauline Dillard
3:00 pm to 5:00 pm - The Birth of a Father - Patrick Houser