I hate saying that Evie can’t do something.

But the truth is that she simply cannot walk for a long time due to her physical limitations.

Evelyn is not a fan of the stroller.  And, frankly, neither am I.  It takes up tons of room.  And it really limits where we can go.  I’m thinking back to an attempt we made to navigate an unpaved corn maze using the stroller.  Not good.  Think about trying to push a stroller along a beach or into tight spaces.

We have been “wearing” Evie since she was a tiny baby.  We used a lot of wraps when she was a baby and then moved onto the Ergo mostly…although I still occasionally throw her in a front wrap on the moby for perspective on how big she has gotten.  And a laugh.  Not to actually do anything.

Using carriers has been crucial for our family to access the world…keeping life accessible to us.  Limiting the places that we take both children or leaving Evie with a babysitter is simply not something we are willing to consider.  My kids go where I go.  I don’t leave them for longer than a couple of hours.  For me, happiness is its truest when I share moments with my kids.  While I recognize that as they get older, things will naturally change, not yet.

For a long, long time, I’ve been pushing the limits of the Ergo Carrier.  By a lot. I think it is rated for 35 lbs and Evie weighs 55 lbs.  I planned to use it for as long as Evie fit in it.

Yesterday we took a trip to Montreal and Evie rode the carrier for several hours.  Today my back and neck are in severe distress.

I was almost in tears, thinking this morning, “how are we going to go anywhere for any duration of time?”

I posted a desperate plea on Facebook, tagging a few fierce babywearing advocate friends.  In case you don’t know, there is this entire culture of babywearing parents that exists.  To say they are “into it” would be, perhaps, the understatement of the century.  So pretty much within minutes of posting, my post had been replied to, reposted, and replied to lots more by my friend’s babywearing friends.

These people are seriously amazing.  I had many great suggestions and a link to this post from a woman who continues to wear her 11 year old child for reasons similar to the ones that we have carried Evie.  Her 11 year old weighs less than Evie, but I found some great carrier options in her post and in the comments below.

I have, now, ordered several carriers over the course of the last few hours.  Several means three?  Okay maybe more than several.  I consider these to be investments in our family.  These are Evie’s soccer shoes, her art camps, and whatever other expenses typically developing kids might acquire.

These carriers will keep doors open to our family for as long as I am physically able to strap her to my back and for as long as she is safe and happy back there.

I hate being reminded of what Evie can’t do.  Usually, I don’t give it much thought because I don’t have to.  Even better than not thinking about it, is finding a way to do what I think is impossible.  Today, a piece of fabric strapped to my back, well several-ish pieces of fabric, will continue to allow us to go to all of the places we want to go and to keep life accessible to us.

Thanks Nicole (and friends of Nicole), Leila, and Kathlin!