Busy Bee!

Hello everyone!

I'm enjoying being back at work and my dance business has picked up well despite having had the best part of 9 months not working. It's a bit of a relief if I'm honest! I have all my new logo'd up dance clothes and even some personalised dance shoes and jute bags created by my lovely friend at "Little Miss" (it's on Facebook www.facebook.com/pages/Little-Miss/296769490462337 - go check them out!). Nearer Christmas (shh, whisper it?!) she will be creating santa sacks. I will definitely be ordering this time as I missed out last year when she had to close the order list!

I have picked up my new Sabe mei tai with the sparkly New York scene. It is sooooo pretty and also really comfortable with a healthy dollop of sleepy dust! Bubba 2 fell asleep on my back in it whilst I was dancing, so cute!  Look :-)

It's been the Easter holidays these past 2 weeks, so hubby and Bubba 1 have been off work and school, cue a trip to the in-laws caravan. We were so lucky with the weather, lots of picnics, aimless wandering and I got lots of hiking-type babywearing in too, always a bonus imo ;-)

Bubba 2 is even more into everything at the moment and as you can see from this picture, I mean that literally. I have a box of cupboard locks ready for the hubster to attach asap. If she picks up the bottle of vinegar one more time and chews the top......grrr, it's my latest 'pet hate', lol! I'm not entirely sure why we even have a bottle as we never use it, but it's one of those store cupboard things, isn't it? Wonder how old it actually is.....hmmmm......

Milestone updates; she can now walk with her wooden walker, albeit not overly graceful, but she is super speedy. No teeth yet, but still manages to crunch her way through apples - not sure how?!

Today I went to a nearby town where there was a food and drink festival. I spent a lovely few hours with just my 2 girls as I'm always busier with dance classes in the holidays, so see them a little less :-(
Sabe also had a stall there and I popped along to buy a gift for the latest baby to arrive in the extended family. I picked up a lovely grey camouflage one and a couple of stars, which I'm a bit of a sucker for as a print! I hope they like them too. They're a really nice gift (it's pretty much my go-to gift of choice when a baby is born) - pretty, practical and a good price. At least with having worked a lot this week, I had some money to fritter as we wandered and having Bubba 1 there was handy for the photo opp!

I hope you have already found time to enjoy the better weather. I'll update you with my news again in a few weeks!

I am friends with the owner of the company. We met when I was asked through a mutual friend to model for the initial advertising shots when the company launched in 2009. I was a babywearer already and was really impressed with the products and proceeded to use the stretchy Sa-Be daily until my daughter was 18 months old and on several occasions until she was 3 years old.

All the opinions about the Sa-Be slings in my blog are my own, but any factual information such as pricing, availability, safety testing, etc is checked with the company and accurate at the time of publishing the post.

 www.sabebabywear.com

End of mat leave :-( Start of even more Babywearing :-)

It's been such a long time since I last blogged. I would love to say it's been because I have been so busy doing amazing 'out there' stuff like skydiving, but actually I've just been busy having fun being a mum to two, a playmate, taxi service, cook, negotiator, etc! To inspire me to get cracking with this post, I have just obtained a brand new Sabe in a new colour way! Gorgeous! What do you think?

As of last week, I am officially back at work and although I am only teaching a few children's dance classes a week across a mon- wed, my 'work head' is well and truly back on; reinvesting in new props; advertising; networking; mulling over new ideas and so on. I am lucky that Bubba 2 comes to work with me and I teach whilst she is in the Sabe sling. During her nap time, I use the time for my accounts and looking over the next module of my dance teaching exams (and today, this post!).

I was chatting with the owner of Sabe this weekend and they are now introducing Sabe mei-tais for when you wish to back-carry as the babies get bigger! Great way to expand the brand. Apparently, some New York City skyline fabric in black and white with a hint of sparkle has been ordered.......as New York is my most favourite city ever, I have to have one.......so watch this space! It will also make teaching dance easier as as she grows I can carry her on my back instead - phew, was wondering the best way forward in the future!

Hubby and I had an unexpected day out together with just Bubba 2 in half-term. Our eldest went to Grandma's for the day and overnight, so we visited Hebden Bridge for a wander, a browse around the shops and a spot of lunch. We went to a cafe with a record store in it ( unusual!) , although there were no high chairs, I was able to fashion one with the Sabe and tying it around the chair. It worked really well ( fully attended at all times, of course!) and she was happy to munch her way through her lunch whilst nosying around at the other customers and I enjoyed a peaceful pot of tea and a sandwich. Hubby browsed the music.

The last couple of days seems to have seen the start of Spring, so I have been walking to work and doing the school run with the Sabe and bare arms - bliss, after what seems like a long, damp Winter. I hope you are all enjoying the sunshine too.

New Sabe website is live!!

I am pleased to announce that the new, revamped website is now live........is your child the face of Sabe? Check out the website to find out and visit the gallery to find your image(s). www.sabebabywear.com

I had a bit of a (very pleasant) surprise when seeing all the new promotional material.......it turns out that I'm featured in a lovely green and pink sling with Bubba 2 at just 3 weeks old!! I'm famous! It's such a lovely, natural photo too.

In other news, weaning has arrived!!!

 




The Sabe is still proving its usefulness out and about; on the school run; Christmas shopping; school nativity play and visiting friends. I have found myself using it more often in the house lately too. DD2 has been trying to crawl for ages now, perhaps 6 weeks (growing up too fast!) and she can get very tired and frustrated and won't settle to anything by then. However, if I pop her in the Sabe sling and potter about the house doing a few little chores (nothing major as I wouldn't want DH to get used to it, hee hee!) then she really relaxes and chills out.Just what you want - a contented Bubba.

It is also still working really well for my children's' dance class which I teach once a week, she is just so content in the Sabe. This week and throughout December, I do a specific Christmas playlist and I usually dress like an elf.......this year DD2 is the elf and I'm sporting a pair of reindeer antlers with bells on! Now, that's worth dropping in for a visit and a giggle........ As you can see, it was so tiring for her this week.....

A good reason to have more than one Sabe ( not that you need one, of course) ....Just had a major poonami on my red white spotted/apple green one, so that's out of action soaking currently. This is why you need more than one, lol! Take note hubby.....

This will probably be my last post until after Christmas/New Year, so Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays and I wish you a fab New Year. I'll see you in 2014!

On a non-sabe sling related issue. A friend has had the worst happen this week; her 7 month old baby girl has passed away from the condition SMA. I ask you all to visit this link to find out about the condition and see if you can contribute to the charity in any way.Please light a candle and know that there is another star in the sky tonight. x
http://www.jtsma.org.uk/AbigailsArmy

The Penistone Line Partnership Event Day

http://www.southpenninesrail.co.uk/

Yesterday was the event day at the Penistone Line Partnership and as a blogger I was invited to attend. It was to launch the leaflet "20 fun things to do on the Penistone Line". I arranged to meet my friend in Penistone and lunch was provided as part of the event. There were lots of stalls showing what activities could be done in various stations along the line.


We were very lucky with the weather, it was a beautiful autumn day. I chose to wear my apple green and red and white spotted sabe, (green side out). I set off straight after the school run to get the bus into town to the station. It was really well organised, when I arrived at the station we were checked in, given our tickets and goody bags and shown through to the train. On the train we were provided with musical entertainment by a six piece folk band who were excellent and Bubba 2 seemed to really enjoy the music too. Having kept me up most of the night as she had a cold I could only hope that I looked half as good as she did bouncing around?!

I have been on the Penistone line several times as my friend lives in Sheffield, but I don't think I've ever really paid much attention to the areas that you travel through. It is easy to forget just how rural Huddersfield can be once you leave the town centre. One of the most surprising sights that I saw were some llamas in a field! The autumn colours were stunning and in many fields there are sheep, cows, horses , all wonderful things for children to look out for on the journey.  It is only 30/35 minute train journey to Penistone and takes about an hour and a quarter to go from Huddersfield to Sheffield.

Of course my Sabe sling was really useful and very comfortable during both the journey and the event. I even managed to return home carrying a very large pumpkin - pumpkin soup, yummy! I had lots of really positive comments about the sling and people were genuinely interested and asking me questions and so I was able to distribute several leaflets! Bonus!

I saw one LittleLife backpack carrier and one ring sling ( my friend!). Apparently there is a sling group based in Penistone too.

Lunch was provided by the Art Cafe in Penistone and was wonderful, lots of choice and it tasted amazing. When I return to Penistone, I will definitely be lunching at the Art Cafe!

Market day is every Thursday in Penistone and it was full of lovely products at very reasonable prices. I bought some honey, chutney, a pumpkin, some cakes and was given a selection of veg good for stews. The veg and pumpkin was from the community farm in Penistone. From the information stalls I received a small teddy bear from the Elsecar Heritage Centre ( great for squish' memory box #making memories) and many leaflets detailing short walks, cycle trails, the Kirklees Light Railway and shops such as those at Elsecar.

http://www.elsecar-heritage-centre.co.uk/
http://www.kirkleeslightrailway.com/
http://www.thisispenistone.co.uk/

It was a wonderful day out and I have already mentioned to several friends about going on a day trip perhaps at a weekend nearer Christmas or in the school holidays; the train journey and visiting Penistone or indeed any of the places along the line would make for a fun day out for adults and children alike.
(For a kid-free day out, I'm thinking Meadowhall.......!)

Busy, busy!

It seems a very long time since my last post and yet I don't even think I've done that much - just a bustling family life really!

The wedding we went to at the beginning of the month was absolutely amazing. We all had a lovely time. It was a very relaxed wedding with lots of vintage touches; vintage jars of sweets from my childhood scattered around the venue and bunting from 70s fabrics which really reminded me of my Nan's 'housecoats'!! My eldest enjoyed herself, having freedom to play and dance to her heart's content. She drew a picture during the vows exchange which captured the bride perfectly?!  (Picture to follow!!) I had made my dress as I couldn't find one suitable for both a wedding and for breast feeding ( I sense a gap in the market there......). It was comfy, looked great and most important, did not fall apart! Sling-wise, I did use my wrap conversion for a while, but Bubba 2 wasn't settling down for a snooze well, so I nipped out to the car and swopped into my purple and pink Sabe during the reception! Mega comfy and squish was asleep within seconds. It was doubly good that I diduse my Sabe, as another guest had an 8 week old baby and I ended up doing a Sabe sling demo for her!

From talking to people when I'm out and about, most of whom are not nor have ever been baby wearers or sling/carrier users, I've been thinking about muscle memory and why it is so comfortable to carry a baby or child. Then I used the pram about a week ago and found it really tiring and I think that's linked into muscle use too and what my body is used to. I recently learned how to use a ring sling and at the consultation with Huddersfield Sling Library www.slinglibrary.com I was given the challenge of using the rs once a day for 7 days in order to build muscle memory and get used to it. Whatever type of mode of baby transportation you choose to use, I think a week of use everyday really does build the muscles......so it's probably worth remembering that when trying new carriers, slings, etc - just a thought.

It's currently half-term and so we're out and about doing various family things. So far my favourite has been the miniature steam railway we went on at our local park. I've started thinking about keeping warm and dry too whilst babywearing. I have a MAM bw cover which is great as I can wear any coat with it, but sometimes I want to look a little smarter/trendier.....then I rediscovered my woollen cape coat ( a Florence and Fred at Tesco best) at the back of my wardrobe. It's perfect...looks smart, is warm, is fairly on trend and fits around the two of us with a bit of growing room! That's what I'm wearing in the mini railway photo - very pleased!

Miniature railway Autumn fun

I am friends with the owner of the company. We met when I was asked through a mutual friend to model for the initial advertising shots when the company launched in 2009. I was a babywearer already and was really impressed with the products and proceeded to use the stretchy Sa-Be daily until my daughter was 18 months old and on several occasions until she was 3 years old.

All the opinions about the Sa-Be slings in my blog are my own, but any factual information such as pricing, availability, safety testing, etc is checked with the company and accurate at the time of publishing the post.

 www.sabebabywear.com

Weddings and slings and things

'Tis a late wedding season for our friends and family at the moment, so I have nominated my pink and purple sabe sling as the one to build each wedding outfit around! Last weekend was hubby's cousin's evening reception and also the first wedding where our children were invited too. Cue one very excited 5 year old! There were lots of sweets for the kids on arrival - just to power them through the dancing and the evening in general, so they went down a treat! I love to dance, which is good as I'm a dance teacher, lol. Dancing was fun and easy with Bubba 2 in the sling and please do note the shoes I was wearing! As you can see, I felt they warranted their own picture.....Squish just looked around fascinated in her happy 'quiet alert' state that is the magic of babywearing. I was asked lots of questions and generally found the family to be very interested and supportive and it seems several of them read the blog too - even better!

This weekend is another wedding - an all day event with both children invited.Obviously presenting several challenges about what to wear/take. Whilst I have picked out my pink and purple sabe sling to use......I must confess that I may *whisper* use my Erna in Wonderland wrap conversion ......at least for the ceremony. It doesn't get many outings yet as it was custom made to a toddler/preschool size, but with a few adjustments; cinching in, folding over, etc, I'm fairly sure I can "make it work" - a nod to Tim Gunn from Project Runway there! Watch this space for how this wedding goes.

I've been continuing with my children's "keeping in touch" dance class each week and here is a lovely photo taken by one of the mums showing me with my sling and pom poms!

As my blog is starting to get noticed - all thanks to you my lovely readers - I have been asked to attend a Penistone Line railway event. The plan is to use my Sabe sling on the railway from Huddersfield to Penistone and blog about it. I'm really looking forward to it, as there's lots to do along the line at various stations and they run music trains and nearer Christmas, Carols on the some of the trains. www.southpenninesrail.co.uk

The new Sabe website is being launched soon, so keep checking.....there will be a blog link on there and a video featuring me and my girls going out and about and doing chores with the Sabe sling. I'm really excited for everyone to see it. I've had a sneak preview and I'm relieved to say that I'm not pulling any silly faces when I'm concentrating on popping squish into the sling - phew! Also, if you were  one of the many who entered the "Face of Sabe" in July, then the winner will be announced and featured on the new website.....could it be you???

Remember check out www.sabebabywear.com !

I am friends with the owner of the company. We met when I was asked through a mutual friend to model for the initial advertising shots when the company launched in 2009. I was a babywearer already and was really impressed with the products and proceeded to use the stretchy Sa-Be daily until my daughter was 18 months old and on several occasions until she was 3 years old.

All the opinions about the Sa-Be slings in my blog are my own, but any factual information such as pricing, availability, safety testing, etc is checked with the company and accurate at the time of publishing the post.

 www.sabebabywear.comwww.sabebabywear.com

So, what have I been up to?

It's been a busy couple of weeks since the return of school and work for the 5 year old and the hubster - I thought it would be quiet now, but no!!

I have begun teaching my babies to pre-school dance class again as part of my "keeping in touch" days and so as not to lose the contract to anyone else! Bubba 2 comes with me and I've been keeping her in the Sabe whilst teaching the class and it's working out really well. She even dozed off for about 10 minutes this week, despite me jumping around!

As a birthday weekend away for hubby, we went to his parents' new caravan one weekend and went on a beautiful walk around some waterfalls in the area. It's a 5 mile circular route, but we planned to just do part of it with the baby in the sling and our 5 year old, however the weather was so good and the Sabe was mega comfy with squish fast asleep, so we just kept going. It was great and I fully deserved my fish and chips that night!  

I've also visited a friend in Sheffield and we went to "Kino Bambino" (baby cinema) and I couldn't believe how many babywearers were there! Lots of stretchies and a couple of mei tais - it was lovely to see.

Today I've just returned from an impromptu afternoon and evening in Leeds "en famille". Hubby was going to deliver his new EP (www.lostwinter.co.uk) to a couple of independent record stores and then onto a stag do. As I had no plans with the kids we thought we'd go over on the train and have some tea out before he met up with the lads. Excuse the not great photo but the other half was on the stag do by the time I thought to take a photo, so no.1 obliged! Another great chance to use the Sabe for hassle-free travelling and fun with the family!

The journey home

I am friends with the owner of the company. We met when I was asked through a mutual friend to model for the initial advertising shots when the company launched in 2009. I was a babywearer already and was really impressed with the products and proceeded to use the stretchy Sa-Be daily until my daughter was 18 months old and on several occasions until she was 3 years old.

All the opinions about the Sa-Be slings in my blog are my own, but any factual information such as pricing, availability, safety testing, etc is checked with the company and accurate at the time of publishing the post.

 www.sabebabywear.com