The End of an Era

As the years have progressed, we've used our backpack carrier less and less. That's understandable as Teddy has grown. Physically, he's now close to 4 feet tall and weighs 80 pounds. When I'm only 5 feet 2 inches on a tall day, there's not much height difference between us. He's also grown steadier and stronger in his walking, though his ability to listen hasn't grown in equal proportions unfortunately. 

For the past several years, each time I pulled out the carrier I was reprimanded by my loving husband and mother ... truly from a place of love and concern that I'd injure myself by carrying Teddy. I insisted on bringing the carrier last year on vacation (and used it on one hike for just a short stint when the listening ears and all other attempts failed). When I didn't pack it for vacation this year, I knew it was time to pass it along to another family in need.

We had to do one final "ups" before mailing the carrier. He still fits. ;-)

Since it was hard for me to give up this season of life, I wanted to give it to another PIGN-CDG family who could benefit. As I type this, our carrier is on its way to Colorado where I hope it brings a sweet 4-year-old boy and his family as much as it did for our family.

Look at that toothless grin! We loved exploring together!

This carrier (and its predecessors) allowed us to get through the basics of life. It made grocery shopping possible when I needed my hands free. It made shopping trips possible when I couldn't wrestle Teddy into carts anymore due to his size, especially combined with my height. (There may have been a couple times we upended the shopping cart when I was trying to wrestle Teddy out by myself.) It allowed Teddy the snuggles and closeness he needed when he was in a mood and needed all the extra love ... yet I couldn't just hold 60+ pounds of sad Teddy.

We did plenty of hiking at our land with the carrier. Ted had to take an important call.

Beyond making the ordinary moments easier (or simply possible), this carrier traveled the country with us. I'm pretty sure this carrier has visited more national parks than many Americans. So, I couldn't resist searching back in time and sharing a handful of places we've been and memories we've made with this carrier. I'll be forever grateful for what this carrier gave our family.

You couldn't always see Teddy in the selfies, but you can see Black Canyon of the Gunnison.

It's completely safe. He's strapped to my back at Olympic National Park.

This was when Teddy still had pacifiers attached to the carrier at Rocky Mountain National Park.

Again, perfectly safe to walk up a river with a child strapped to your back. 

No way we trusted Teddy around the ancient ruins at Mesa Verde.

Not pictured are the ladders we climbed to get to this view in Canyonlands.

Sometimes I even let Dave carry Ted, like here in Great Sand Dunes.