1. Happy New Year!
2. A Closer Look: BumGenius
3. January Events
4. January Classes
5. New Baby Carriers
6. Sprout Swap

Happy New Year!

Seems every newsletter you read about now begins with “Can you believe it’s already 2010?” I’m still having trouble figuring out how to pronounce 2010. Is it twenty-ten? Or two-thousand-ten? I’ve also heard, from those who attached themselves to the previous decade, oh-ten.

No matter what you call it, 2010 will certainly be an exciting year for us at Sprout Soup. We have lined up lots of great enrichment opportunities, parenting discussions and classes, and we’ll also see the return of the Sprout Swap!

The days and months seem to fly by when you’ve got kids, but I hope you will carve some time out of your busy schedules to join us in our quest to create a natural parenting community here in Columbus.

Weekly Events

Weekly activities are open to everyone and FREE. Age ranges are suggestions.

Crafty Tuesday
Tuesdays 11am-12:30pm
Each week we have a new craft project, geared toward ages 2-6. Crafts take 10-20 minutes.

Moms Groups
Fridays 10am-12pm
Weekly playdates are a relaxed time for moms to connect with other moms in the area and let their kids play.

Monthly Events

Activities listed here are FREE & open to all.

Dad's Coffee (New day!)
First Saturday 10am - January 2
Hey dad! Let mom sleep in! Bring the kids to Sprout Soup for playtime. Coffee's on us.

Babywearing Meeting
First Wednesday 10am - January 6
A casual time to see baby carriers in action. Come with questions or to share your stash.

La Leche League Toddler & Tandem
Second Thursday 7pm - January 14
Support group for mothers nursing beyond one year and/or nursing more than one child. Contact Helen for info 740-485-2864

Parenting Discussion with Rebecah Freeling
Thursday, January 21, 6:30pm
“Transition Magic” Use rituals and rhythm to your advantage! Rebecah Freeling of Briar Rose Childrens Center, a Waldorf School here in Columbus, will lead this workshop and discussion full of practical parenting tools. Donations accepted.

Columbus Attachment Parents
Second Saturday 10:30am - January 9
Fourth Thursday 6:30pm - January 28
This month: Gentle Discipline

January Classes

Healthy Children - Healthy Planet
Info Session Wednesday, January 13, 10:15am
Weekly Sessions begin Wednesday, January 27
Offered in cooperation with Simply Living and Earth Institute, this discussion course will equip parents with information and tools to raise children who are creative and connected nature in a world that is focused on technology, media and consumerism. Registration is required, attend the info session or call for more info. $25 one-time fee covers class materials.

Introduction to Infant Massage
Saturday, January 23, 12:30pm
Caregivers are invited to bring their infants to learn a full body massage protocol and techniques to help alleviate discomfort associated with gas and teething and other issues. Due to the small class size, registration is necessary and cancellation appreciated. To register contact Melissa Weaver, LMT at 614.581.5893 or melissa@melissaweaverlmt.com.

Cloth Diapers 101
Saturday, January 16, 10am
An overview of the different types of cloth diapers, how to use and care for them. $10 per family registration required.

Cloth Diapers and Baby Carriers
Sunday, January 24, 2pm
This 90 minute class will cover both the basics of cloth diapering and options in baby carriers. Perfect for new and expectant parents. $10 per family registration.

Arbonne Baby Care
Tuesday, January 12 or 26, 1pm
Join us to learn and share how healthy products can benefit the whole family.

Download our December Calendar in PDF format - print out or keep on your computer for easy reference.

New Baby Carriers at Sprout Soup

Baby carriers are becoming an essential for all parents, and as more families see the benefits and joys of carrying their children, the options in carriers continues to grow. Sprout Soup will introduce three new carriers in the coming months. All are members of the fastest-growing carrier category: soft structured (buckle) carriers, and two of them can be used from infancy through toddlerhood. Extraordinary comfort and style options make babywearing essential for every parent.

From BabyHawk, makers of our best-selling Asian style baby carrier, comes the Oh Snap! Improving on their traditional carrier design with easy-to-use buckles and comfortable structured waist belt. What makes this carrier unique is the dual-adjustable hip buckles that allow a custom fit for everyone by changing the shape of the waist belt, transferring the child’s weight off your back and shoulders. The Oh Snap! is ideal for older infants (approximately six months and up) and will easily last through toddlerhood. This carrier is able to be used with children up to 40 pounds.

The Oh Snap! is available now at Sprout Soup in a range of colors and fabrics, or we can custom-order a carrier just for you.

Sprout Soup is also working with Olives and Applesauce to offer these gorgeous buckle carriers. The Olives and Applesauce, or O and A for short, includes an infant hammock, making it the ideal single carrier for families looking for something that can be used right away but will remain comfortable as the child grows.

Sprout Soup will offer a few limited-edition custom design O and As, look for the first to be released in January and a second in February. We will also have a selection of stocked solid and pattern carriers.

Finally, Beco Baby Carriers will introduce the Gemini this year. The Beco Butterfly has been one of our most popular carriers, the Gemini should be no different.

At first glance the Gemini has the look of an infant front pack for newborns. It is also one of the few carriers in our lineup that will allow a forward-facing position. But unlike traditional front packs the Gemini can convert to become a full-seat carrier for older children (it’s always best to support your child with a full seat that will not put stress on the developing spine). In this mode the carrier can be used with older infants and toddlers on either your front or back.

The options are expanding, but we are always available to help you choose the best carrier for your needs!

Download our event calendar in PDF format.

Thank you for your support!

Noah and Alissa DeRouchie

www.SproutSoup.com

Sprout Swap 2010

February marks the one year anniversary of Sprout Swap, a twice-yearly event of deals and steals on cloth diapering and natural baby items. Those interested in participating in the February swap can sign up and drop items off beginning January 26. More information and forms will be available on our February Swap Web Page. The swap dates are February 19-21.