Today is the day I'm officially declaring myself a mediocre-ist. I'm starting to realize that for some reason, I've befriended a lot of perfectionists throughout my life.  Not sure if I'm drawn to them because they fascinate me or if there are just simply a lot of them.

Anyway, after a lot of soul searching I've figured out that I am not one of them!  I strive for mediocrity.  My motto is, "That's good enough".  When my perfectionist friends have conversations about cleaning their banisters with toothbrushes, I will no longer wonder why I don't have the desire to do the same.  When my perfectionist friends point out that all my picture frames are slightly crooked, I will no longer wonder why I didn't take the time to use a level when hanging baby pictures. 

I will just simply shrug and say, "Eh, whatever...I'm a mediocre-ist!"

I've been going to Yoga for about 5 or 6 years now and I absolutely LOVE it.  I love stretching all my muscles and getting all the weird kinks out of my body that build up from lugging 3 kids around.  I love the feeling of peace and ease that comes over my body at the end of an hour long class. 

I realized just now, that the one part of Yoga I'm not so good at is the same thing I struggle with in my day to day life.  I call it the "Just Be" part. 

When you first sit down for a yoga class, the teacher instructs you to focus on your breathing, focus on the moment, don't let any thoughts or stress from your day enter your mind, just be, focus on your breathing and sit still for a few minutes.  I try really hard, but I'm always secretly thinking "come on, let's get the show on the road and start moving here".  I'm anxious for the class to get going so that it will be over and I can have that feeling of relaxation.  I realize that this is the complete opposite of the purpose of Yoga.

However, I'm the same way with my kids and life.  I catch myself wishing that they'll "just outgrow this annoying phase" or daydream about the years ahead when they are all in school and I have some free time to myself.  Or I'm rushing the day along to get to naptime so I can get some household chores done. 

I'm trying to start focusing on each moment and enjoying the fact that I have a 5 year old, a 3 year old and a 9 month old . Because I'll never get this day again to Just Be.

Does anyone else struggle with this?

I've been noticing a lot lately about the popularity of "baby-wearing".  With my first two kids, I was not that into the idea.  I did have a Baby Bjorn, but only used it when absolutely necessary (like a public place that didn't allow strollers) because it hurt my shoulders and neck.

I see moms around town with their little newborns snuggled so happily in these crazy contraptions of slings, and they both look so happy.  It's seemed womb-like.  So, I decided to try it.

I got a baby sling from www.hotslings.com and I was very impressed before I even fully pulled it out of the box.  The fabric is gorgeous and you can instantly tell that it is extremely well crafted.  

I picked the La Vie en Rose pattern (shown here) and I have to honestly say that one of my favorite things about the sling is how GOOD I look in it.  I'm a jeans and t-shirt kind of a girl - always have been.  But seriously, I throw my supercute baby into this super hip hotsling over my worn out jeans and spitup encrusted t-shirt and I'm instantly transformed into a ROCKIN' HIP MAMA.  I get lots of compliments everywhere I go.

An added bonus is that baby Joel (7 months old) loves it!  Granted he's the third child and squeals with delight anytime anyone even looks at him, but he does really love being attached-the-hip (LITERALLY!) to his mommy. 

The only thing I don't like about the hotsling is that it does start to hurt my hip/lower back after a while.  However, this may be a problem with my body and not a hotsling in general.  I've had 3 c-sections in the past 5 years, so I have a weak abdomen/core/lower back.  Maybe if I was stronger this wouldn't be an issue?  Also, with the side hold (shown below) your one arm is not fully functional because the sling is over your shoulder and kind of restricts movement a bit.  For instance, you couldn't really wash dishes with your kid in the sling.  It is way better though than carrying your baby in your arms. 

I'd definitely recommend a hotsling to anyone interested in baby-wearing!