mama kanga, baby roo

elodie's entrance into the world was a transition from a comforting, cloistered environment into a noisy and bright moroccan bazaar. the soft murmur of her inside world made way for an assault on every sense. she had no concept of day or night and it was our job as parents to nurture her through this transition. for the first several weeks, we were her world. whenever my shoulders ached from marathon breastfeeding sessions and i was so tired i could hardly stand it i would try and remember this. so when she was two days old i weakly put on the sling. it was liberating to keep her cocooned and have her nurse or sleep peacefully wherever we were. just like she did inside of me.

now elodie is 2 1/2 and she still learns so much while being worn. on our walks, i stop to point out a pomegranate tree, a pretty cloud, the rain, every season something new. i remember when she was weeks old worrying that she wasn't stimulated enough. somehow i settled into the idea that if i carried her with me i could talk with her, sing with her or just be and still get things done.

her world has grown to include the hilltops, stars, sky and beyond. i see her thinking about these things and though her horizons have broadened she still wants to be nestled close to me. she says that i'm 'mama kanga' and she is 'baby roo' when i wear her. i'm grateful she wants to be close to me with her little hand pinching the back of my arm. i will close my eyes as an old woman and this will count as one of my fondest memories. 

cooking dinner, nursing, teaching, comforting a sick baby -- the world goes around because of all the different mamas out there. we are all parenting in a way that is unique to us but the message is the same - love and comfort to our little ones. you can see a mama carrying/wearing her child from a mile away with her intuitive rock back and forth, back and forth. such an admirable sight and one that connects us to each other.

sling: c/o sakura bloom simple silk sling in charcoal

sunglasses: c/o selima optique

3/4 sleeve tunic: c/o lilla p

stripe split placket tank: c/o lilla p

jeans: j brand

belt: vintage

tote: a gift from a close friend brought all the way back from a real moroccan bazaar ;)

jewelry: greek coin necklace from street vendor in nyc & mal de ojo bracelet

wedges: vintage (kinda like these)

elodie's dress: splendid sample

sandals: saltwater

my outfit was inspired by this pretty mama. whether i'm riding a bike, having a picnic, strolling through a farmer's market, adventure is there for the taking and a beautiful sling, jeans, a tank/classic tunic combo and straw basket can be versatile enough to do all those things in!!  

read all of the entries from round two of the sakura bloom styleathon and stay tuned for another giveaway on marvelous kiddo!!

all photos by my wonderful friend sarah yates