My name is Caren and I am a very lucky to be able to work from home and be close to my two beautiful (soon to be 3!) boys.Having my sons has opened my eyes to a brand new world of discovery, joy and a sense of wholeness as well as dealing with the panic, frustration and sleep deprivation that comes with being a mom. With my older son I didn't get much done or go anywhere because when he was sleeping he was in my lap, and when he was awake he was also in my lap. I found that I never wanted to put him down (much to my wonderful mother-in-law's dismay I am sure!) and so I stayed home and on the couch a lot. When he was around three months old a friend gave us a carrier that they had used with their children and a whole new world opened up for me. No matter where I went or what I wanted to do I could take my little guy with me.

I quickly jumped feet first into babywearing and the style of parenting that seems to go hand in hand with it. I found that I was not the only one who loved having my babies close to me and that caregivers all over were also carrying their children. There were so many added benefits to carrying my son with me and still having my hands free, but the biggest one of all was that I was able to resume so many of the things that I had been missing out on by staying home on the couch. Of course when I brought my second son home he naturally went right into a carrier and we continued on with life almost without missing a beat. Having a carrier made it possible to keep my newborn close and still care for my 18 month old son at the same time. I truly think that it also helped for my older son to accept the new baby and not resent my needing to care for him. I am excited about adding one more addition to our family in the winter of 2009 and know that while it will take things awhile to settle down, life will be far easier with a (few!) carriers at my disposal.

More than one night was spent in a rocking chair with one of the boys in a carrier so that I could try and get some sleep, and most everyday is spent with one of them in a carrier as often as I can get them there. It's such a heart warming experience now when one of them brings me a carrier and says "Up mama". I absolutely love wearing my little guys and having them close enough to kiss and snuggle whenever I want to.

I hope that your O&A carrier will give you the same joy and closeness that they have given me and that you will carry your little ones as often as they will let you. 

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when shies are gray...