The Baby Bjorn

We received a Baby Bjorn from our cousins at our baby shower. We tried to use it early when Nyla was born but she was too small. So we decided to wait a bit and bring it out again when she was bigger. Apparently we have almost waited too long. Yesterday we decided to use the BB, as I like to call it, instead of the stroller at the mall. Paul and I had to have a practice suit-up at home so we wouldn't look like amateurs in the parking lot. Let's just say that Nyla is snug in it.

I looked at the labels yesterday. The limit for length is 28". The limit for weight is like 26 pounds. Hmph. Miss Nyla is coming around to those numbers in a hurry. I was afraid that she wouldn't fit, but luckily she did!

We faced her outward so she could look at all the people and clothes and colors and shops while we walked around. She was ecstatic! She spent the entire time smiling and laughing and saying hi to people. Okay, not literally saying hi; more like drooling uncontrollably anytime someone came around.

Here are a few things I did not anticipate while using the BB:

1. Nyla kicked me in the tummy and hips the entire time. Not like on purpose, but she would flail her legs and arms around when she was excited, thus kicking me in the hips. This also meant that there were a few times where she also slapped me in the face. It's like being a punching bag.

2. My back was killing me by the end of the afternoon. Hello, I felt like I was pregnant...again. Homegirl is heavy to carry.

3. I must prepare myself better for the onslaught of complete strangers who want to coo and make baby faces at Nyla. I am just minding my own business and women are coming out from behind the racks and around the cash registers all to make silly baby noises and faces at Nylabear. Of course Nyla obliged them with a smile and I tried to smile too. But it was so weird; I just couldn't believe how many times I had to stop and let Nyla say hi to people.

4. I need to move quickly with the BB. I cannot linger around things. If I linger, they end up in Nyla's mouth. I stopped once in front of a rack of clothes and let my guard down for just a second; next thing you know, Nyla had the hanger all the way in her mouth. All those tasty germs...

5. I also need to be careful of walls and corners and things jutting out. When I was pregnant, I used to run into things all the time with my belly. Not on purpose of course, but it wasn't abnormal for me to run into the door when I turned around, for example. I used to also run into people with my belly. Now, with Nyla in the BB, it's the same concept. There is a humongous, heavy baby sticking out in front of me. But the difference now is that I can't be running into things all the time; I don't want to hurt my Nylabear!

All in all, the BB is a dream. I love not having to carry her carseat. It takes up less room than the stroller, although the stroller is my favorite form of baby transportation. I like having Nyla close to me. I think the BB will come out again soon. Nyla loved it, that's for sure!

Happy girl in the BB