That’s a wrap.

With the warmer weather, I’m managing to get out with the family circus in tow on a fairly regular basis. As long as I make the trips quick, no vocal chords are strained and we all make it home with nary a single homicidal thought.

While I’m still trying to decide on a stroller for the twins + the occasional might want to rest Gab (have i ever mentioned how indecisive i am when faced with many options?…whoo, this stroller thing is working a number on me…do i go twin, triple, twin with a toddler attachment, twin with a bench on the back, jogger, side-by-side, front-to-back, these shoes with that belt…sheesh), I have a make-do system worked out for the time being.

For trips where a shopping cart is involved, Gab sits up front in the cart, Ethan is in the infant carrier/carseat inside the cart, and Alani is strapped to me in a sling/wrap. You’re all familiar with slings, right? Man, I wish I had thought of slingin’ it with Gab because, people, it is so much easier! Wrap that baby tight and away you go. But, be prepared for the gawkers and the confused children. At least, here in middle Alabama.

I’ve yet to run into another slinger, although I know there are some in town as I’ve met a few at La Leche League meetings. So, I know they exist. I’m curious if they get the same reactions I experience.

At the zoo a few weekends ago, a small boy breaks away from his parents and madly runs up to me, “HEY, LADY! WHATCHA GOT IN THAT POUCH THERE?” Umm, a wee little kangaroo? We were at the zoo.

I told him a baby. “THAT AIN’T NO BABY! THAT’S A DOOOOOLL!” Umm, no I’m pretty sure it’s a real baby. He didn’t believe me and was pulled away by his parents still stammering, “THAT LADY’S CRAZY! THAT WOULDN’T NO BAAAABY IN THAT POUCH. THAT WAS A DOOOOOLL. WHY DID SHE BRING HER DOOOOOLL TO THE ZOO?” Why did I bring my doll to the zoo? Was it ok in that 6-year old’s mind that a 36-year old woman would be carrying a doll anywhere strapped to her chest? Just as long as it’s not to the zoo?

Again, this morning I was out with Alani strapped on (oh please, google gods, don’t send that traffic my way) while I finally went hunting for a new phone. (i’ve had radio silence on the air waves the past month due to the passing of my cordless phone…i talk so very little on the phone that i didn’t really miss it…but, paying a phone bill without a phone is a bit ridiculous, eh?)

So, yeh, I’m out with the usual arrangement of kids. As I’m passing a girl of about 9-years old, she eyes my wrapped bundle of goodness and sweetly says, “I like your doll.”

I told her, “Thanks,” and kept going.

**Just to clarify in case you’ve temporarily lost vision in one or both eyes, that’s not me in the above photo. I borrowed that image from amazon.com. I am currently using a Moby wrap like the one pictured, but in the chocolate brown color. And, I look no where near as polished and calm as that lady while wearing the wrap. I’m more of the sweaty, haggard, red in the face, unsure that I have the baby positioned correctly, constantly inquiring, “Can you breath in there?” variety. Why I’m not a Moby wrap model is beyond me.**