by Mrs Money

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I love wearing Penny, and to be honest, sometimes it’s the only way I’m able to get things done! Either she’s fussy and just wants to be held, or I want to keep her from getting into trouble while I try to do laundry or clean. Babywearing helps me in so many ways, and it also benefits Penny! I’ve tried a few different styles of baby carriers so far (it’s addicting!) and one of my favorites is the Boba 3g. Here are some of the features I love about this soft structured carrier (SSC).

Picture courtesy of Boba

-It’s super easy to use. Once you adjust it to your personal settings, you just clip two buckles (one at the waist and one at the shoulders) and it is secure. My dad has used the Boba 3g Carrier, and you just let out the straps (or take them in) and it’s good to go for another person.

-The comfort is amazing. My mother was skeptical about the Boba Carrier hurting her back.  She tried it and loved it!  I have worn Penny for hours at a parade and had no discomfort at all.  The straps are padded so they are very comfortable.  The baby’s weight seems to be evenly distributed so you don’t feel any pressure points.

-You can use it for newborns with no separate insert. Other SSC carriers you have to purchase a “newborn insert” to use it for babies 7-15 pounds.  With the Boba 3g, you just flip up the bottom, snap it, and it makes a little pocket to put the baby in.  It’s safe, and it works.  Since Penny is tiny at around 13 pounds, I’ve used this carry with her and she really likes it because she can see over the carrier.

-Purse holding strap and pockets. The Boba 3g carrier has a little snap-able purse holding strap. It is harder to carry your purse while using a baby carrier sometimes and having the purse holding strap is not only great for convenience, it’s wonderful for safety as well.  Since it snaps, it would be harder for someone to steal your purse.  The Boba also has nice little zipping pockets that you can put keys or other small items in if you need storage.  I think this is awesome!  I like to take Penny for walks around the neighborhood, and it’s nice to be able to store my keys in the carrier versus having to carry them in my hand.

-It’s beautiful and 100% cotton. I chose the “Soho” print and love it.  I really like that it is eye-catching, and when I go out in public I know it turns heads.  The all-cotton fabric is so nice because it is breathable.  I haven’t felt really hot while wearing Penny because of it.  We have been baby wearing all summer, despite the 100 degree heat!

-The hood is so convenient. The Boba 3g comes with a hood that goes into a small pocket at the top of the carrier.  I have used the hood to protect Penny from the sun, and also when she naps.  If I forget a hat or sunglasses (or she just doesn’t want to leave them on!) I don’t worry because I can just flip the hood up.  No big deal!

-The high back and foot straps. The carrier is nice and high, which makes it secure for small babies as well as larger toddlers.  With the Boba 3g Carrier, you can use it from newborn to toddler without having to buy a new carrier.  I think this is a great investment.

Enter for your chance to win a Boba Baby Carrier, and one of two Boba Wraps! All products can be seen at www.bobafamily.com. With Boba products it is easier than ever to enjoy Freedom Together as a family and Boba wants YOU to get a chance to use their products. To enter to win, “Like” them on Facebook and for an additional two entries, follow them on Twitter.
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I received a Boba 3g Carrier to review.  No other compensation was received, and all views are my own.

by Mrs Money

As you can imagine, we received many gifts when we found out we were expecting Penny and also after her birth.  I’ve said before that I didn’t want a ton of baby “things” and that still holds true.  However, my mother never got that memo (well, she did but she’s an excited grandmother) and went completely overboard.  I appreciate her gesture, but it is overwhelming to go through numerous garbage bags full of baby clothes and toys multiple times.  I’ve gone through and donated items to some less fortunate mamas and that makes me feel good.  Now that Penny is 5 months old I’m starting to go through and evaluate what we want to keep for future babies.  Here are some of the things we have, and what we plan on doing with them.

-Baby swing: keeping.  Penny still uses it, and it was a shower gift brand new, so it stays.  The only time it gets used is when I shower, and then it’s presence is invaluable.

- Pack N Play:keeping. We’ve used this as a changing table and I’m anticipating using it as Penny grows.

-Bouncer: Not sure.  We got a pink bouncer brand new (we wanted the big items all gender neutral, which they are) but I don’t know if it is worth storing for 2-3 years or so.

-Bumbo Baby Seat: Probably selling.  They can easily be purchased on Craigslist usually.

-Crib: keeping, as it was purchased brand new with an organic crib mattress.

-Outgrown clothing: keeping some of it, donating the excess and items I wouldn’t use anyway.  There’s no sense in keeping a million baby clothes.

All of the larger items that were purchased new and that are gender neutral we’ll most likely keep.  Items that were purchased second hand that still have life left will most likely be sold on Craigslist or gifted to a friend.  There are so many baby items that you can buy second hand it’s not even funny.

What really gets me is that people say you need a ton of things for baby, and having babies is so expensive, when really, you can do it so cheaply.  Pretty much the only things we’ve really needed and used for Penny are cloth diapers, boobies (for milk), a wrap or carrier. clothes, and a safe place to sleep.  It truly is amazing how little you really need.  It is nice to have somewhere to set them down when you need to, but you can always lay them on a blanket on the floor.

What baby items did you decide to keep, and which ones did you get rid of?

by Mrs Money

For the past 5 months I’ve been a stay at home mom.  There are a lot of things that I’ve noticed over these past few months about our money spending habits.  Before I quit my job, Mr. Money and I enjoyed eating out frequently.  It was our hobby I guess.  Well, after we had the baby we’d find ourselves so tired that we’d grab take out or just go out for dinner.  Looking over our budget and bank balance, I’ve realized that’s got to change.  We just can’t afford to go out to eat like we used to and still be able to meet our savings goals and stay on budget.  I’m going to make a conscious effort to meal plan a bit better and make sure that we aren’t just being lazy when we go out to eat.  Maybe it would help to have a set night to go out to dinner?

I get the moving itch every few weeks or so.  It is hard having a baby and not being around family!  The reason is probably not what most people assume: I don’t feel overwhelmed taking care of the baby.  I prefer to be the one taking care of her.  I just feel like my family is missing out on watching her grow up and that makes me sad.  Sometimes I dream about Mr. Money finding a new job in Michigan, us selling our house and buying a new one up there with a few acres to grow food and have animals.  That would be fabulous.

We’ve got a nice garden growing this year, and that is thanks to Mr. Money. I can’t wait to be able to eat the yummy veggies right from our backyard. We’ve got squash, green beans, watermelon, tomatoes, red raspberries, carrots, beets, swiss chard, and broccoli growing.  Yay!

I am really enjoying not working outside of the home.  I feel like this was just meant to be and I am happier than I have ever been.  It is worth every sacrifice!