Kikoi: The Trilogy

When I posted about my kikoi so many (three) of you jumped on board and wanted one for yourself. Well, I should have known that the kikoi takes some getting used to. I got my first one a few months after we got Olivia's placement and, truthfully, I didn't like it all that much.

But then, I figured out that it really didn't matter what the "right" way was for using it. The point was, I needed to use it. When we had Ella, I dug it back out because I really didn't have a choice. I NEEDED both of my hands all day and Ella NEEDED me to hold her. So, I decided to adapt, improvise and overcome. (That's my husband's college baseball coach's motto. Smart man. He has a lot of kids. I bet it wasn't really meant at all for baseball.)

At any rate, I LOVE my kikoi. I love it beyond the amount that anyone should love a long piece of fabric. And, after I shipped out 2 kikois I got 2 responses saying that they had no clue how to use it. Or, that they had tried to use it but it was awkward.

I totally understood. And, I equally wanted them to love their kikoi as much as I love mine. So, behold, below is a trilogy of sorts on how to use your kikoi. Keep in mind I really have no idea what I'm doing. I'm also going to add some commentary in reference to each of the 3 videos. Truthfully, I would have preferred that this all be consolidated into 1 video, but my cameraman kept stopping the video (twice) and the camera he was using creates a new video each time. And, I have no stinkin' clue how to combine them all. So, bear with me people.

Also, as Luke pointed out I probably could have just emailed these videos to the two people who asked about them but what would be the fun in that? Who would provide such lovely kikoi footage to the rest of the world?

No one. That's who.

First up, how to tie your kikoi into a good knot. Seriously, could the bottom of my foot be any grosser? I won't tell you that I had JUST had a surprise pedicure THAT VERY MORNING. Seriously, I am such a hick, as if my southern drawl when I said, "foo-yut" didn't tip you off to my hick-ness that nasty foot did. If you've ever question which area of the country I'm from, these three videos should make it CLEAR AS DAY. South, deep south. That's your answer.

Also, the side "commentary" is from Olivia. She's off camera strapped into her booster seat. I'm SHOCKED she was so quiet for the making of this film. She typically interjects her thoughts anytime someone else is talking. Even though her thoughts are undecipherable.

Okay, roll that beautiful bean footage...

Kikoi 1 from The Beaver Bunch on Vimeo.

My plan was that the cameraman wouldn't stop tape but rather pass off my babe to me in one fluid motion. Guess not.

For video #2

I realize it appears as though I'm flopping my 11 week old around like a rag doll. Apparently, having an average of a baby a year over the last 6 years has made me a little confident in my baby hold techniques. Other people have told me that I'm this way but seeing it makes me understand exactly what they mean. There were a couple of times that I wanted to reach through the screen and take my baby out of my own arms. Mind you, it never feels like she's being flopped around and I have never dropped one of our babies. And, truthfully she really is safe and secure within my grip. But have mercy.

Also, WHY HASN'T ANYONE TOLD ME ABOUT THOSE SHORTS? If you've ever seen me in those shorts and not said, "Um...what's with the Mom shorts? They are not working for you." you are officially dead to me. DEAD. Seriously. I have Mom crotch AND Mom butt in those! People! I thought we were friends! I'm burning those shorts. Or, at the very least, throwing them to the WAY BACK part of my closet and only pulling them out when I have nothing else to wear and it's 157 degrees with 200% humidity. You know, when it's so stinkin' hot I don't care how my butt looks because I'll be inside sitting directly in front of the air conditioner on my ugly Mom butt.

kikoi 2 from The Beaver Bunch on Vimeo.

Onto the 3rd video, if we must...

Please note that the cameraman told me to bend over like that to show how the baby is securely in place. But, I'm sure Michael Jackson had a grand excuse as well for his baby dangling mishap, so let's just move right along...

The ugly face. Clearly my desire to help is only nullified by me plastering an ugly face all over the interweb. Glad I'm not one bit concerned with myself. Too bad the still frame of video 2 just shot the water out of my ugly face theory.

kikoi 3 from The Beaver Bunch on Vimeo.

Finally, for those of you who this video actually applies to, it would be good to note that I don't untie my kikoi between uses. This makes it available more quickly when I need it and I also think it helps to stretch the fabric and gives you a little bit of extra room that I find so helpful. I know with my green kikoi it feels a lot more relaxed.

Anyway, hope this helped you gals. And for those of you who have never had a kikoi, well, I hope you'll tell me next time I have on Mom shorts. You owe it to me.