AMAZING baby carrier!

Last week I won a giveaway for a Mei Tai style baby carrier from a blog that I follow- My Silly Monkeys. The carrier was from and made by Anna, who has an Etsy shop she started up earlier this year- Clothed in Scarlet.

I was really excited because 1) I won, and who doesn't like winning?!?! (We watched "A Christmas Story" last night, and the dad winning that lamp springs to mind here...) And 2) you can never have enough baby carriers! (Unless, of course, you don't HAVE a baby. Then that'd be weird.) Oh, and 3) I didn't have this particular type of carrier, nor had I ever tried one.

Anyways, it arrived in the mail yesterday (along with a TON of other great stuff, which was fun. Except that instead of having fun stuff arrive over several days, thus spreading out the joy, it's a big heap of joy all at once. Oh well.) and I could hardly wait to try it out.
It is made out of a big piece of gray corduroy with a beautiful piece of embroidered maroon brocade on one side (the front, although I think if DH tries it out he'll be using it with that facing in... not so manly, you know?). Attached are 4 long strips of the same corduroy. Two are sewn on straight and go around your waist, and two are sewn at an angle, and go over your shoulders. The corduroy was amazingly soft, and had little flowers embroidered on it in purple, maroon, and silver.

First I looked up the website that was listed on the enclosed card, so I could figure out how to use the carrier. Then I had to wait until the timing was right- Jack was awake, but happy and relaxed. That took a while. After several failed attempts I finally got him in and got the carrier all tied up. It was extremely easy to do (with a cooperative baby, that is) and once it was on it was SO comfortable!!

One of the benefits of this style of carrier is that it works for many different "holds" and will work for babies from the newborn stage well through the toddler age. To be honest, I haven't figured out what the weight limit is, but I know it will be able to hold Max if I want it to. It is VERY well sewn, and looks like it will last a long long time. (And it doesn't hurt that it's machine washable!!!)

Back to the "holds" part. Jack's favorite way to sleep and to cuddle is tummy to tummy, so this is perfect! (If the picture is too hard to see, try looking at it from a different angle.)
I have the long straps crossed in the back, and wrapped around to the front, and tied around him. The can be tied below him, but it's easier for me to do it like this for now. I have to say this carrier is by FAR the most comfortable I've ever used, and the most stylish, to boot! It is also the only one I own that is truly hands-free. (Okay, so I won't be doing any toe touches, but you get the idea.) I didn't feel any strain in either my shoulders or back, even after over an hour of wearing him! Jack is already 11 lbs. 8 oz. so I was starting to feel it in all the other carriers I have!!

I HIGHLY recommend Anna and her carriers! I cannot say enough good things about this mei tai, and the only downside I've found is that it's hard to put on with a fussy newborn. Other than that, it's amazing! I'll be taking it everywhere we go, and it's definitely my favorite!