Category Archives: Green Parenting

For Sale: Ocah Full Buckle Baby Carrier, Didymos Black and White Indio Wrap Conversion

–SOLD–

Now that the littlest Baby Bird is running most of the time, I’m selling our much loved Ocah full buckle baby carrier, so that another family can enjoy it. This “Ocah” is a wrap conversion, made from an organic cotton Didymos black and white Indio wrap. Wrap conversions are made from wraps that are especially woven to be worn with babies, and to be soft and supportive. With a high level of attention to detail, Ocah is one of the very best converters. Operating out of England, custom spots are in high demand and the costs of shipping oversees and back can add up.

black and white indio ocah full buckle conversion for sale

Here is the description from the maker:

I am so pleased with how this Ocah Full Buckle carrier (OFB) has worked out. The Wrap used for this carrier is a Didymos Black and White Indio.  This is custom sized at 17″ tall and 18.5″ wide. It comes with a Pixie style sleephood, leg padding, arms out padding, matching chest strap,  and it has additional top stitching on the waist.

pixie hood black and white indio wrap conversion

You can see more pictures in a full feature of this wrap conversion on the Ocah blog here.

We bought this full buckle wrap conversion to be an easy to wear, but comfy, carrier, primarily for my husband. The custom-sized panel is wider than Ocah usually makes them. However, both my skinny/tall girls were still comfy. My husband is 6’2″ and I am 5’2″ and we both found it comfortable for wearing. We bought it second hand. The German-made wrap must have been perfectly broken-in and soft, but in excellent condition, when it was converted. The woman I bought it from (via the babywearer.com) only used it a few times. We didn’t end up using it much, because both my husband and I ended up having other carriers as our “favorites.” But this one has the adorable pixie hood, and is a good size for either small babies or bigger toddlers. We used Red Charlotte Suck Pads to protect against baby drool with our first, but the second left some drooly marks. I use super gentle detergent. They may or may not come out if you clean more aggressively. Detail picture of the stains available upon request.

For the condition, asking $250 cash for local pick-up in San Diego. Message me for a quote for US or international shipping. For reference, having a carrier made with these features would cost £282 (approximately US $428) NOT including the cost of the wrap or shipping it to England. And not at all factoring in the time you might spend stalking a custom slot.

Send me a message here if you are interested in trying it on:

Additional information:

Our home is smoke-free, and until very recently was pet-free. We now have a cat, but the carrier hasn’t been used since she joined our home, and has been stored in a room she does not go in. Perfume-free and scent-free home, too. Links to buy/sell/trade feedback on the babywearer.com and FB available by request.

Win Tickets to the Natural Family Fair!

How do you find local resources for parenting, babies and fertility? Does your family like live music and food? Do you miss going out to events, but feel it would be overwhelming with a new baby? All of your needs can be met at this year’s Natural Family Fair. I have two pairs of tickets to give away — and I’ll be there with a table myself (representing my psychotherapy private practice.)

Boy with guitar

Natural Baby Pros, Hullabaloo, and Reproductive Wellness present the 5th annual Natural Family Fair, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2014 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The Natural Baby Fair, Fertility Expo and Hullabaloo Family Music Festival combine for a fun-filled day of learning and entertainment, when all three events come together under one tent!

Your Natural Baby Fair

The fair answers all your pregnancy, birth, and health questions, while showcasing a variety of vendors, demonstrations and products to fit all lifestyle choices.

  • Keynote: Peggy O’Mara, former editor of Mothering Magazine – “How It Really Is: The Truth About the Early Years of Parenting”
  • Karen Brody, founder of Bold Tranquility, a fatigue management system – “Be Good to Yourself: Embrace the Healing Powers of Rest to Tame the Overwhelm”

Fertility Expo

Brought to you by Reproductive Wellness, this semi-private area is a great resource for couples seeking support in conception and natural alternatives. Attendees will have a chance to speak privately, at no charge, with the physicians and experts at the expo.  Speakers include:

  • Keynote: Christa Orecchio, a clinical and holistic nutritionist and founder of thewholejourney.com – “Creating a Healthy Pregnancy in Your 30s and Early 40s
  • Dr. Brooke Friedman, Reproductive Endocrinologist at Reproductive Partners  – “Frozen Embryo Transfers: Making IVF Safer and More Natural”
  • Aimee Raupp, author, acupuncturist, herbalist, and women’s health and fertility expert – “Three Things You Can Do Now to Improve Your Fertility”

Hullabaloo Family Music Festival

Head into the Paddock to boogie on the grass and enjoy several music acts throughout the day.  Hullabaloo will play for two sets, and we’ll also enjoy the performances of Randy Kaplan, The Hollow Trees, Kathryn Cloward and Melissa Green.  Several family-friendly vendors and activities will be in this area as well to allow your kids to channel their inner-monkey and inner-artist.

The Breastfeeding Lounge returns with The Dad’s Lounge, and Free Community Clinic is making their debut.

The fair will be broadcasted live via New Mommy Media. Live interviews and demonstrations of speakers, sponsors and talented pros who will be at the fair. No matter where in the world you live, enjoy an inside view of the expertise and cutting edge support that the fair offers – live on the day of the event.

Due to huge support from several key sponsors, this family event is made very affordable to the families of San Diego. Key sponsors include: Nature’s Whisper Yoga, home of hot mama yoga, BabyHawk, San Diego Breastfeeding Center, New Mommy Media.com, Gymboree Play & Music, Kid Ventures, Basic Training for New Dads and Good Vibrations Family Chiropractic.

The fair is 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 14. Tickets are $10 for adults and children are $7. Tickets may be purchased in advance (purchase tickets here) or at the door. Goodie bags will be given to the first 250 families. Family Packs and VIP packages available for pre-sale, including a Babyhawk carrier and other full-sized products.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

pssst: If you would like additional chances to win tickets I am giving four away on my therapy website, www.AbigailBurdLCSW.com.

GIVEAWAY: Ergobaby Wrap Carrier

I am very excited to host my biggest giveaway yet! In partnership with my psychotherapy business, Abigail Burd, LCSW, I am raffling off an Ergobaby Wrap. I believe firsthand in the benefit of keeping baby close and wearing a them in a hug.

win an ergobaby wrap

For the parents that already love babywearing, what makes this wrap unique is that it is a hybrid stretchy wrap, half way between a stretchy wrap (like a Moby) and a woven wrap. It is literally made of yoga pants material. So imagine the comfort and gentle compression of your favorite yoga pants. The wrap is perfect for newborns. Since it keeps it’s shape better than other stretchy wraps it will also last you longer and work for bigger babies.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

For those that can’t wait until the end of the contest, or if you don’t win and want to buy a wrap, now is a great time. I have a promo code for 20% off the Ergobaby Wrap and the Ergobaby Swaddler. Enter ocnewborn at checkout.

20% off ergo baby wrap discount code20% off ergobaby swaddler discount code

Green Kid Crafts – Free Trial or 40% Off a Subscription

I first heard about Green Kid Crafts last winter, when Little Bird and I visited Paint the Walls.  Green Kid Crafts is a San Diego based company that makes hands-on and eco-friendly Discovery Boxes, Creativity Kits, and STEM Science Kits (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). The subscription delivers a monthly box, perfect for kids ages 3-10 years-old.

green kid crafts

We recently received a free sample box. We thought it was great! Our box contained three different activity kits around one theme (ours was botany and of course our Little Bird was happy to have another excuse to get out into the garden.) Since we really liked Green Kid Crafts, I have signed up as an affiliate –and just in time to forward some special offers.

FREE TRIAL FLASH SALE: JUNE 16 – JUNE 19

For the first time ever Green Kid Crafts is offering a free trial! Enjoy a free sample-size project from one of their most popular Discovery Boxes! You just pay shipping. You will be automatically enrolled in a Green Kid Crafts monthly subscription*, and may cancel at anytime. For a limited time only and while supplies last. Go here to get your free trial:http://www.greenkidcrafts.com/free-trial/

Your free trial includes the Soap Making Kit which includes:

– All the materials to make your own soap
– Supplies for kids to get creative with colors, glitter, embedded treasures, and different mold shapes, including a silicone mold
– Bonus 20-page Kitchen Science digital Green Kid Magazine, filled with fun project ideas and experiments.

*Note: This is a sample kit. This Soap Making Kit is one of 3 projects from the award-winning Kitchen Science Discovery Box. 

FATHER’S DAY SALE — IT DOESN’T HAPPEN OFTEN 40% OFF SALE: UNTIL JUNE 15TH 

If you’ve been considering joining Green Kid Crafts, try now! Thanks to Father’s Day, you can get 40% off a new Green Kid Crafts subscription! Use code “HEARTDAD” at checkout to receive 40% off a new subscription. This coupon is valid through June 15, 2014Green Kid Crafts costs $19.95 per month and ships for free. With this coupon, you’ll get your first month for $11.97 – a heck of a deal! Green Kid Crafts is a monthly subscription service that provides all the hands-on materials needed to inspire creative and educational fun. With themes like Music, Ocean, Mad Scientist, Nocturnal Animals and much more, these Discovery Boxes deliver everything needed for unique activities that parents and kids can enjoy together. The box is designed for kids ages 3-10. Green Kid Crafts is a subscription service, but you can cancel at anytime. 

Visit here to sign up to receive a different themed Discovery Box! Each Discovery Box contains at least 3 activity kits with everything needed to complete fun, creative, and science-oriented projects. 

Disclaimer: We received a box for free, but made our own opinions. Links are affiliate links, meaning we will get credit for sales. Thanks for your support!

Summertime Fun at Suzie’s Farm

We had so much fun picking strawberries at Suzie’s Farm this spring. So when the opportunity came up for more kid-friendly activities and lunch at the farm, I cleared out my schedule. The little Birds and I joined a small group of bloggers and were treated to a tour and hanging out with Melissa, the director of education at Suzie’s Farm. “Doctor Carrot,” as she is known there, told us all about their summer camps.

sunflowers at suzie's farm

Ever wonder who the “Suzie” in Suzie’s Farm is? A sweet doggie! Melissa and Abby of Suzie’s Farm told us all about the dog that adopted the founding farmers as they led Little Bird and her new friends in acting like dogs and other animals on the farm. We sang a song about plants, took a tour of the garden and picked leaves for an art project.

stealing strawberriesAs the tour was ending, the unmistakable fragrance of strawberries filled the air. Abby told us we could each pick three, and only three, strawberries to eat on the spot. Little Bird and I had no problem finding sweet, beautiful red strawberries. In fact, we kept finding them. I figured she must have meant three strawberries each per person, not per child, right? Soon we fell behind the tour, unable to stop! I felt a bit like Charlie and his grandpa in the Chocolate Factory as we stole a few more sun-warmed strawberries.

chickens at suzie's farm

After the tour we were treated to lunch by the young and talented chefs of Salt & Cleaver. For a sausage restaurant (“sausage” is in their url), they prepared a surprisingly plant based and delicious meal. Highlights for me included Padron peppers with a beet and goat cheese sauce, finished with orange zest; a zucchini based “mac and cheese’ (no noodles but plenty of cheese); and a watermelon and feta salad with house made pickles. The restaurant is in Hillcrest and looks like a fun night out. Next mamas’ night out??

Full disclosure, Little Bird and I were treated (and treated well) to lunch, three strawberries and the tour. (Baby Bird stuck to milk.) Regardless of the delicious bribery, I fully recommend exploring past the CSA. You can experience Suzie’s Farms in one of the following ways:

  • Tour the farm, picking your own veggies as you go. Every Tuesday and Saturday, $10/person and $10/bag of organic veggies.
  • Check their calendar for special events, including a party for picking peppers and tomatoes in August (I’ve got your tomato sauce covered here and here and preserving peak tomatoes here and here.)
  • Week long summer camps start June 16th, with options for grades K-5 and grades 5-8. Cost is $285/week with sibling discounts for multiple children. Activities range from learning about farm animals, farm tools, cooking, making art, and survival skills to running a farmer’s market. Can I sign up?
  • My top pick: Coming up in September, the Autumnal Equinox Dinner is a fancy pants, multi-course, wine and dine alfresco affair, catered this year by Whisknladle. Yummmmmm. Tip: tickets sold out last year in July, so buy early!


Click on any of the images below to see more of our day.