Meet the Leaders
I knew I wanted to wear my first baby before she was even born. I got a SSC for my baby shower, but it didn’t work well for my squirming newborn. I didn’t have a local resource to help me choose a carrier that would work well for me and my baby. I kept trying to find a carrier, and by the time my little one was three months old, I found a pouch carrier that worked well for both of us. After that we journeyed through a variety of carries as a family. Babywearing has been an amazing thing for me, my daughters, and my husband. I started Mamaroo with Emily Heldt of Tree of Life to give parents in the Salem vicinity a local babywearing resource.
I work part time for the City and I'm a mom to a busy 5 year old girl and her sister born in March 2011. I am an Oregon State University graduate, with a degree in Natural Resources and an avid amateur photographer. I like to spend my free time taking photos and couponing.
Our family has a backyard organic garden every year, and I preserve much of our surplus. I also raise and show mini rex rabbits and have a small pack of rowdy dogs. Our family is most happy when we are outside on a camping adventure, spending time gardening and taking care of critters, or discovering new places.
~Chelsea Mamaroo Co-founder and Leader
I work part time for the City and I'm a mom to a busy 5 year old girl and her sister born in March 2011. I am an Oregon State University graduate, with a degree in Natural Resources and an avid amateur photographer. I like to spend my free time taking photos and couponing.
Our family has a backyard organic garden every year, and I preserve much of our surplus. I also raise and show mini rex rabbits and have a small pack of rowdy dogs. Our family is most happy when we are outside on a camping adventure, spending time gardening and taking care of critters, or discovering new places.
~Chelsea Mamaroo Co-founder and Leader
I began Babywearing when my son was only a few weeks old and we had to move! My son was a high-needs premie who was happiest when I was holding him, and to tell the truth I was happiest when I was holding him too! I just needed to figure out a way to also unpack my kitchen so we could stop using paper cups! I had traveled to Africa and Korea and casually observed mothers carrying their infants while they worked but hadn't had the foresight to figure out exactly how they did it!
I tried every which way to make my secondhand Baby Bjorn into a comfortable carrier for both of us (I even tried it on my back- NOT recommended!) but knew there had to be something else out there. That's when I stumbled across a Mamaroo flyer and it was love at first sight! Here were other mothers who didn't want to leave their babies laying around in plastic swings AND who still got stuff done! From there I have become a carrier-aholic, with a special passion for DIY slings and carriers. I even converted my husband (who still likes the Bjorn, which proves that there is a carrier for everyone!) and we recently welcomed our second so into our family.
I am fortunate enough to be a stay-at-home mama to our sons but hope someday to finish my Masters in Social Work. When I am able I enjoy the outdoors, knitting, sewing, photography, horses and reading. But lately I have developed a serious passion for sleep! My husband is in school to become a teacher and is very supportive of my passions (especially the sleep one) and is an amazing father to our son. I am also a passionate breastfeeding advocate and am pursuing my Le Leche League certification.
~ Summer Mamaroo Co-Leader
I tried every which way to make my secondhand Baby Bjorn into a comfortable carrier for both of us (I even tried it on my back- NOT recommended!) but knew there had to be something else out there. That's when I stumbled across a Mamaroo flyer and it was love at first sight! Here were other mothers who didn't want to leave their babies laying around in plastic swings AND who still got stuff done! From there I have become a carrier-aholic, with a special passion for DIY slings and carriers. I even converted my husband (who still likes the Bjorn, which proves that there is a carrier for everyone!) and we recently welcomed our second so into our family.
I am fortunate enough to be a stay-at-home mama to our sons but hope someday to finish my Masters in Social Work. When I am able I enjoy the outdoors, knitting, sewing, photography, horses and reading. But lately I have developed a serious passion for sleep! My husband is in school to become a teacher and is very supportive of my passions (especially the sleep one) and is an amazing father to our son. I am also a passionate breastfeeding advocate and am pursuing my Le Leche League certification.
~ Summer Mamaroo Co-Leader
I began babywearing when my little man was a few days old in one of the slings that has been recalled. I never felt that it fit right, so I moved on to try a few more carriers that never worked. I then got in touch with a friend, and former owner of a carrier company. My son, well over 25lbs and about 14 months old LOVED the Mei Tai that we purchased from her. When asked how he wanted to “go get Daddy” on our daily walks, invariably he would chose that over riding in the stroller.
Three years later, I knew the only way I would survive having more than one child, would be to wear our next child. With a little bit of DIY knowledge and a love of Mei Tai's I made a bunch. After my little girl was born, I was having problems with the pouch and her love of standing. I moved her to a homemade Mei Tai. I think I lost her in it a couple times. I then attended a Mamaroo meeting and learned about wrapping. She loved it. I LOVE it and now I love the beauty of wrapping. I now wear her all the time, and she always prefers it rather than riding in the stroller.
I am fortunate enough to be able to stay at home with my kids. My husband and I love DIY projects, but are smart enough to know when to hire someone else to do the work. :) We have a small garden in our back yard, and like to let my son help plant things (which is how we ended up with “solar yellow carrots”). And we love to “preserve” the fruits of our labors.
~Stephenie Mamaroo Co-Leader
Three years later, I knew the only way I would survive having more than one child, would be to wear our next child. With a little bit of DIY knowledge and a love of Mei Tai's I made a bunch. After my little girl was born, I was having problems with the pouch and her love of standing. I moved her to a homemade Mei Tai. I think I lost her in it a couple times. I then attended a Mamaroo meeting and learned about wrapping. She loved it. I LOVE it and now I love the beauty of wrapping. I now wear her all the time, and she always prefers it rather than riding in the stroller.
I am fortunate enough to be able to stay at home with my kids. My husband and I love DIY projects, but are smart enough to know when to hire someone else to do the work. :) We have a small garden in our back yard, and like to let my son help plant things (which is how we ended up with “solar yellow carrots”). And we love to “preserve” the fruits of our labors.
~Stephenie Mamaroo Co-Leader
