Sugaree Spice

The Sleepywrap Success

It’s time to retire our ring sling and get a carrier that will let us continue wearing Kyan without wearing our backs out. Yesterday, we were off to another Koaladventure to Forest Hills Chase Shopping Centre – perfect for testing the newly-delivered Sleepywrap. 

So with our Koala Princess bundled in the wrap, Ken and I took 4-hour turns.

We bowled,

ate yummy food,

played arcade games,

and most importantly (for me!), we shopped!

At day’s end, I was amazed with all that we were able to do. Even better was the absence of the aches (lower back for me, upper back for hubby) and exhaustion we got from our old sling!

Here are our observations:

Cons:

1. Because the fabric is sooooo long, tying it up with the ends not skimming the floor is impossible.

2. Putting bub inside the folds is a little unwieldy, but I’m thinking practice will make it easier.

3. It looks snazzy when wearing bub. But without her, we looked like we were in costume…   

Pros:

1. Sleepywrap’s elasticity is just right to make Kyan comfortably snug.

2. It did not droop the whole time she was on me, I didn’t feel that she was going to slide down or pop out over the top.

3. It provided such excellent support that not once did I catch myself leaning back or stooping my shoulders.

4. And the best part: my hands and arms were totally free to browse and pay for my shopping goodies!

Since we always do everything together, the whole family gave their reviews as well. Here is what they say:

Ken: Forget pink. Real men wear their bubs.  

Riley: Cool! You look like ninjas! Or X-Men!

Baby Kyan: Zzzzzzzzz………… (Slept the entire time, except for meals!)

That’s a full family approval from us!

Bim and Gen’s Dark (Photo) Affair

Bim and Gen Teocson (in the photo) were our wedding videographers and they did a fantastic job (though I have yet to see the final output, no thanks to me and my laziness!). For our wedding and prenup, Ken and I went for the understated and classy glam look - something I was happy with.

Until I saw the prenups of these two.

To say that they push the envelop is a massive understatement. Their concept just shows a depth of artistry that clients can only benefit from. It was so unique and quite refreshing to see couples exploring a darker side and being creative. And the best part? They pulled it off with so much flair and gusto that I want to have prenup pictorials again… If that makes sense! 

Click on the photo to check out the rest of the spectacular shots. Props to their suppliers Oly Ruiz of Metrophoto, Geof Gonzales (stylist) and Angie Cruz (makeup artist). Hats off to you all! 

Baby Slings A Safety Threat?

The parenting world is abuzz with the news that the US government is hunkering down to issue a safety warning on baby slings. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission says that there have been too many deaths for the threat to go unchecked. A certain baby sling was even named to be particularly unsafe, specifically the Infantino SlingRider, which is a bag type sling (a sling similar to  a messenger bag, with baby sitting in front of the wearer’s tummy or just below the chest). Some babies/kids have also reportedly fallen from some soft cloth slings - hence the hoopla.

With all products, safety should be an issue particularly concerning babies. However, it seems as though slings have been generalized in the warning. This is just unacceptable as it becomes a strike against baby wearing. I personally feel the attack because I have received those “looks” while wearing my daughter. Apparently, more and more people are becoming oblivious to the wondrous experience of wearing ones bub, to the point of it becoming an unusual or even weird practice. Again, this is just unfair. As one blogger mentioned, people wore their babies in olden times with women even working in the fields!

It is sad to hear that even with something that is meant to help parents such as a sling, babies can die. But rather than razz on the product, isn’t it better to call out parents who can’t be bothered to check their babies while in the sling? I’m just saying that an item can only be an instrument of harm, but the one who can do the most harm to babies is parents’ negligence.

Catch more of the story here. For proper baby wearing tips, visit Babywearing International.

By the way, I am a babywearer and darn proud of it!

Philippines’ Isla for Benetton’s It’s My Time

I didn’t think Benetton, the illustrious fashion brand of my youth, still existed! It does and they are running a global model/face search dubbed IT’S MY TIME. It’s an interesting concept involving the consumer pulse to pick who will front their campaigns. I signed up to check how good (or bad!) the entries are.

Some are downright comical! Makes me wonder how accurate the voting will turn out to be, in case of pranks. One in particular caught my attention though, and in a good way. Isla from the Philippines showcased her style through photos that showed her in action, doing sports and just living life to the fullest. Her smile is contagious, and she made me want to try all the things she was doing:

rock climbing, skateboarding, surfing, THE WORKS!

I will vote for her as much as I can because she really does have that beauty within that shines through. She is also a true Pinay beauty with her lovely golden tan and infectious smile.

Check her and other entrants online! Who knows, you just might be inspired to join too.

On Being a Parent

Being a parent goes beyond procreation.
It’s the sleepless nights from conception to the rest of the children’s lives.
The kisses that make their skinned knees and monsters go away.
It’s the vicious anger you feel when they get shoved in the slide
The grief they give as they run amok and generally just create messes
over and over again.
The tears you shed within when they cry as you discipline them.
The fears that choke you up, as you think of all the bad things
that can possibly happen to them.
The loneliness each time they let go of your hand
as they take their first step
as they grow up
as they make a life of their own.

I’m a proud parent and I have felt all these emotions.
It is exhausting.
But the joy - oh the joy of your little one’s smile…
Of their kisses and hugs…

There is no one I would rather be but me.

Tech-illiterate Me

I cannot count the number of times I opened a blog account (or any web account for that matter) which I didn’t continue. Multiply, Blogger, Twitter… The list goes on. Just this past two weeks I’ve failed to post anything to this blog (bad Ree!).

Part of the reason is that I have a short attention span with all things bright, new and shiny. But I think it’s mostly because I see all these spiffy blogs with all kinds of widgets and gizmos on them and feel small. I’m a self-confessed tech-illiterate - you know, the kind that calls IT hysterically when the screen goes blank. But I’m tired of not knowing. So if there is anyone who can recommend tutorial sites or books (apart from the Dummies one, unless that one really helps), I welcome your ideas.