sakura bloom sling diaries – history

                                        

When she grows up I’ll tell her about her first year, how we travelled from the beach to the fragrant garden, journeyed through the apple orchards to the city and back to the gumtrees near home. As we wandered she was worn in silk and linen, between my hip and my belly, her little hand clasped to me. I carried her close and kissed her head and every so often we stopped so she could feed – on a park bench, in an urban cafe, standing beside the ocean.

….her first year recorded in illustration, photography, film and words; her story, my story – our history.

communication
exploration
style
love

I wear the simple silk sling in amber, the essential linen sling in organic raven/maple and the pure linen sling in twilight.

illustration by Rebekka Seale
images one, two and three by Tim Coulson
image four by Luisa Brimble
image five by Tamara Erbacher
image six, seven, eight and film by the beautiful dad (of the baby in the sling) – Daniel Grey

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Showing 66 comments
  • Mariela
    Reply

    Jodi!! this is so beautiful and lovely, wow! what a beautiful family. Big hug!

  • Lou Archell
    Reply

    BEAUTIFUL – all. Your family has such grace and beauty and talent. Poet is looking more like Che.. I love her eyes full of wonder. xx

  • sascedar
    Reply

    so beautiful…poet giggling as your hair tickles her, that adoring stare at your face. my mum said to me that it's a shame you don't get to see how your babies look at you, from the outside- well lucky you, this is a beautiful collection of images.

  • Vicky
    Reply

    SO beautiful! my favourite par is her mimicking your hand movements as the water(?) falls from your fingers

  • Reply

    Oh, this is gorgeous! What a special keepsake & journal of Poet's journey with her Mumma, on hip.
    I love her giggles and the wonder in her eyes.
    Just beautiful.
    x

  • oscarlucinda
    Reply

    So so beautiful. Little family of artists x

    (Makes me want to wrap up little Sassy in her Sakura sling now!)

  • [Good Mum Hunting]
    Reply

    My 17 month old loved watching this with me, he laughed when Poet laughed.

    This is truly devine.

    xx

  • ally
    Reply

    a beautiful story
    x

  • ashley
    Reply

    Jodi,
    I have been a ergo user for my first. Want to change it up for number two and these slings look beautiful. Which Sakura would you recommend as most versatile?
    Thanks lovely lady, x ashley

    • Jodi
      Reply

      Ashley, I think it really depends on where you live. For hot/humid weather I would recommend the single layer linen, if you live in a moderate or cold climate – take your pick! I bought a double-layer linen before The Sling Diaries began and I adore it but in the midst of our humid summers it was a bit warm x

    • ashley
      Reply

      I live in a cold in the winter/ humid in the summer place. Hmm, perhaps I need two! Thanks for your reply Jodi. Xx

    • little wild moose
      Reply

      Ashley, I have the single layer linen and LOVE it. Super supportive for Everly (who is 10-11kg now), yet also not too warm (E has her Daddy's Scottish blood and gets hot very easily!) If you can't afford two, I'd go for the single 🙂 xx

  • Victoria
    Reply

    This is so beautiful, such a wonderful thing to leave behind.
    I am also^^ thinking about getting a sling they look so comfortable to wear , I currently own a baby bjorn & egro & you have totally sold me.

  • bron @ baby space
    Reply

    jodi! this is such a sweet collection of images. I'm sure poet will treasure these when she's older. I absolutely love that illo — heading over to check out rebekka's work right now 🙂

  • Kate
    Reply

    This made me cry. The bond you share with your precious Poet is unmatched. Wonderful work as always, I truly enjoyed reading your words and watching Daniel's video. It brought back many memories that we sadly don't have on film! x

  • Christina Lowry
    Reply

    So lovely. I love wearing Emerson in our sling. Her velvet hair brushes against me and I steal kisses all the time. I love hearing that contented baby sigh, when she is snuggled in to my shoulder falling asleep. I love her little grabby hands and the way they 'help' hold things that I'm holding. I love being able to still chase after Cohen and have my hands free.

    In the past five months of wearing her I've had people give me the knowing smile so often. But I was quite shocked recently when we were at the nursery to hear a woman say to her husband "how awful, she's hurting that babies neck." He hadn't heard her and she repeated herself a little louder, nodding in our direction. I didn't know whether to burst in to tears or confront her and explain that Emerson was in no pain but rather quite comfortable and if she were not she would let me know. I did neither and just told myself that that woman didn't 'get it.' It's so nice to see so many people that do though. xx

  • dear olive
    Reply

    That video. Incredible. Kellie xx

  • Selena
    Reply

    This is so lovely Jodi… lucky little Poet to be so close to Mummy's heart & breast 🙂 I love the Sakura bloom sling- it makes my big bubba feel light as a feather on my hip… but it's out of the budget for me I'm afraid once you factor in postage from the US. Do you know if they are available for sale (or loan) anywhere local?

  • Maxabella
    Reply

    This is wonderful! It made me cry a little bit. But then, your posts always do. I don't know why, but you make me nostalgic for something that I can't quite put my finger on.

    x

  • Lucia
    Reply

    oh my. you guys are too much. adorable. tears. thank you for sharing your beautiful family.

  • Olya
    Reply

    I didn't want that video to end. And then had to play it again, and again, and again… What a stunning, talented family you are!

  • kristi
    Reply

    everyone who was involved made this a really lovely story, especially that baby girl in the middle of it all.

  • fliss
    Reply

    Love everything about this beautiful post. Xxxx

  • Bungalowgirl
    Reply

    That video is just beautiful, especially that little girl's giggle and seeing the way she gazes at you. And the illustration is perfect. melx

  • Mother Down Under
    Reply

    What a beautiful video…I love the dancing…and how you can hear her giggle over the music…lovely memories to have captured.

  • Rachel
    Reply

    So precious — Jodi, can you tell me where you got the little red bonnet that Poet is wearing for much of the little movie? It's absolutely precious and I would love to make my yet to be born, baby girl one!

    • Jodi
      Reply

      It's from acornkids.com.au Rachel. Blessings for the rest of your pregnancy x

    • Rachel
      Reply

      Thanks! I love the little yellow sunflower one she has too — is it from the same place? I'll have a poke around.

    • Jodi
      Reply

      The yellow bonnet is from Dover & Madden on etsy x

  • Amelia
    Reply

    Jodi, Kdog and I both watched this with silent tears and smiles. Thanks for sharing this beautiful little snippet. X

  • MANDY
    Reply

    Oh Jodi this is too special …. you girls are so divine (and I loved hearing Poet's little giggle)
    …. and well done Daniel once again XXX

  • Amy Walters
    Reply

    Hi Jodi, have just discovered your blog this week and it's lovely! Poets red hat is too cute!

  • tilema
    Reply

    I'm crying happy, happy tears. You guys are so inspiring.
    Lena x

    • tilema
      Reply

      I just came back and watched it again. Daniel Grey – you are a genius.

  • gabrielle
    Reply

    beautiful hearing Poet giggle

  • Lerosso
    Reply

    Daniel's video is stunning, he's such an artist!

  • blowing raspberries
    Reply

    That print is perfect!

  • Viki
    Reply

    What a beautiful video. It's so lovely and natural. It'll be something to treasure, and Poet will be lucky to watch it one day.

  • Lauren Knight
    Reply

    OH, that video! You brought tears to my eyes, realizing how fleeting each moment in that first year is. Thank you for reminding me to cherish each.

    Beautiful.

  • Kerstin
    Reply

    too beautiful for words…

  • jay
    Reply

    to see such delight, happiness, comfort and security in Poet's face and actions, to me it is blatantly obvious it is the best place for a child to be. such beautiful, precious and intimate moments, thanks for sharing lovely one.

  • kit and nancy.
    Reply

    beautiful. these captured moments are a delight. x

  • Pink Ronnie
    Reply

    Those giggles almost melted my heart….
    Thank you for sharing this with us!
    Ronnie xo

  • look see
    Reply

    So beautiful! Each and every bit of this made me smile! 🙂

  • little wild moose
    Reply

    This is so beautiful, I've watched it four times already. Well done to Daniel. I love the part, Jodi, where you are walking along and Poet is looking up at you with such love and joy. It makes you realise how magical it must feel to a little one, to be held so close to Mumma's face. I love how connected I feel to Everly when I carry her. Babywearing is a beautiful thing. x

  • Amy
    Reply

    Hi Jodi, I hope you don't mind but I wanted to ask, how often do you use the sling vs a pram? It seems like there's almost no need for the pram with one of these beauties. Would you get a sore back walking around like this all day? I hope (when the time comes) to avoid using a pram as much as possible and I am wondering how realistic that idea is.

    • Jodi
      Reply

      Amy, hi….
      I still use the pram – most definitely. I find that the longest I can wear Poet in the sling for is about 3 hours. She's at the age now where she wants to get out and explore so it's more her decision than mine. I still use the pram for long exercise-type walks…I wouldn't give that up. But mostly I use the sling….I love how easy and practical it is. In Poet's first few months I used the sling much more than the pram though – she was so small and I much preferred to wear her than have her in the pram x

    • Amy
      Reply

      thanks so much jodi. 🙂

  • Ella
    Reply

    beautiful stunning and such sweet sentimental feelings. xoxo. love you guys.

  • softearthart
    Reply

    Just delightful, cheers from
    New Zealand, Marie

  • Kelly Rae
    Reply

    I absolutely love the video 🙂 amazing!

    question about your sakura bloom's–for hot weather, which was your fav?

    • Jodi
      Reply

      Kelly…for hot weather I would definitely recommend the pure single-layer linen x

    • Kelly Rae
      Reply

      Hey thanks 🙂

  • heidi
    Reply

    How beautiful, I have loved carrying my littles in a sling. Thank you for bring back such fond memories.

  • madds
    Reply

    Amazing…. Speechless!

  • Carolee Beckham
    Reply

    so beautiful!!! 🙂 love all of this.

  • Nell
    Reply

    Oh Jodi. Could there be any more goodness in this post?! The illustration, the pictures, the beautiful beautiful film. A company couldn't ask for more fantastic a spokesperson. xx

    ps. Just wondered…how old do you you think Poet will be when you stop putting her in the sling? We use the Ergo all the time, which is fab, but I'd love something a little free-er for Josephine; a little more sociable. She's nearly 7 months now, do you think it's still value for money buying one, or do I only have a few more months of wear before she gets too big and heavy? xx

    • Jodi
      Reply

      a few months…try a few more years of wear! You will love a Sakura bloom sling Nell…I promise x

  • Dressing Ivana
    Reply

    your words, the video and the way she looks at you made me cry

  • jamie
    Reply

    YOU GUYS ARE SO AWESOME

  • coco13
    Reply

    I loved this video, captures so much love. I just ordered a single layer Linen ( i live on the Sunsine coast- it can get quite warm)i am soooo excited to get it and use, i have an 11month old who's 9ish kilos so i think plenty of use will be had!! xx

    • Jodi
      Reply

      I promise you'll get so much use out of it. What colour did you get? x

    • chloe
      Reply

      So many gorgeous colours I went with Caribbean a lovely blue Im thinking I may just get the lovely burnt orange too, think it was called Canyon.x

  • Mélie
    Reply

    Comme c'est beau***

  • Kathrin
    Reply

    This video brought me to tears….
    So beautiful!
    Thank you! ♥

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