Mac ROCKS!

I have had an old iMac for years. You know, the cute one. The one that had those nifty commercials where it looked around. I have always enjoyed it and never got tired of it. But unfortunately, once I started using it for business, it fell to its knees. Even though I maxed it out, the things I need to do have become more than it could handle. The last week has been hell just trying to process orders.

I was given a super tight deadline to get a magazine ad done and quickly realized I was wasting more time trying to limp along with my computer; it would be quicker to go buy a new one and get it up and running. This being a 3 day weekend, it seemed kismet.

Well what I didn't realize at all was that the process of moving over would be so smooth. I have always loved Mac computers and people always convinced me that they were useless and I'd regret getting one. When I got my first Mac, it was quite painful initially but gradually less so, until at about a month, I never looked back. But I didn't quite think through this new computer thing. Had I still had a PC, I would have been in, ah, what's the technical term? Oh yes. Deep doo-doo. I would have had to reinstall all the software on the new computer. With a Mac, not so! I didn't realize this is how it was going to go. When I booted up the new computer, it very nicely asked me if I already had a Mac. Sure! "So go get a firewire cable and hook it up!" said the nice initialization software. I had it copy everything over and after an hour or two, my new computer looked just like my old one, only it worked! I mean, it flew! Yay! And now in hindsight, I am so relieved because a lot of the software I have is downloaded from various websites and I shudder to imagine what I'd have gone through to track it all down and track down proof of purchase and so on.

I went to bed feeling really, and I mean really, smart! But really, deep down, I know it wasn't me that was so darned smart. It's the people at Apple computers who set that nice easy initialization procedure up for me. I am still not sure how they managed it all. Is it because it's Unix? Or is it just a Mac thing? I don't really know. And further, I don't think I'll ever give it another thought!

Swiss Strolli Rider

Have you seen this thing? I went with my younger daughter to the JPMA Trade Show in Orlando a few weeks ago and this was one of her top picks! She is three so she came in an advisory capacity, you understand. Well, that and I know she would not have done well if mommy suddenly up and left for 2 days.

Her face lit up there when she saw it and she had a grand old time riding around while I had a moving conversation with Ruth from happystroller.com. And her face lit up again when the box showed up here. She danced around as I put it together, which luckily was much more simple than most things that I have taken out of boxes since becoming a mom. And we were off! On the way to the park, two people stopped us and commented on it. I was pleased but not surprised. It's a bit like having a lion on a leash; the Strolli draws a lot of attention because no one has ever seen anything like it and once they have, the wonder why it hasn't been around forever.

I am definitely going to enjoy using this. My older daughter likes to scoot when we go for a walk but she tends to poop out long before I'm done and want a lift. We had a Buggy Board that we used on a MacLaren stroller when we were on a vacation but when I tried to attach it to my walking stroller, I wasted a lot of time and money. I had to order an extra kit to attach it as it doesn't move easily from one stroller to another. Once that arrived, it was a very involved task to get the kit installed. And after all that, my daughter could not stand on it because it was under the stroller handle so there was just no room for her. So for a few weeks we limped along with it with her sitting on it but after a few items of her favorite clothing got ripped under the wheels, she gave up. So then I had two girls fighting over a single stroller. Sometimes, I would put my younger one in a baby carrier, but she is currently not interested in getting in any baby carrier! Ironic, as I am the local babywearing expert. But I respect her right to prefer the stroller or being carried over a baby carrier.

Anyway, now, when my older daughter is done scooting, she can hop in the stroller and my younger one can catch a ride on the Strolli. Which is pretty much where she was already sitting as I seem reduced to pushing around an empty stroller most of the time now! Tonight when we got caught in a downpour, she was very quick to get up and into the stroller so I know she will do whatever pleases her most, which pleases me greatly!

Father's Day Specials on Daddy Diaper Bags and Baby Slings at SoBeBabies

Use Coupon Code "Father" for 10% off! Enjoy!

JPMA

Well, I am off to JPMA in two weeks. I am so excited. I've been to trade shows before and even staffed booths, but it was never stuff that was for my own business. This will be the first time I ever spend the night away from my older daughter. I have booked the hotel for 2 nights, rented the car, printed out the driving directions, and bought new luggage because the zippers broke on our old bags. I still have to have a look at my old business wardrobe and see if anything at all fits my mama waist line. I have a funny feeling that my stuff is just so out of date that I am going to wind up in fairly casual clothing. I hope this is a blast!

Eden Velveteen Mei Tai

I am so jazzed! (Doing a little dance here!) I have been adding new baby carriers slowly, slowly, as time and business and life for a work at home unschooling mom of two girls allows. I have never added any Mei Tais before because I wanted just the right one to fit the SoBe image. Something that would have mainstream appeal. Something with style and pizazz. Something both men and women could wear (and kids too!) Something that works well with jeans but can go a bit dressier and still feel elegant. And of course something with rock solid construction and super comfy and easy to use.

The Eden Velveteen Mei Tais arrived today. I think I got to my office seconds after they arrived! I had them out of the box immediately. They are everything I'd hoped for. Wouldn't you know my daughter would not let me try it on because we were going to Starbucks. We do our modeling at home or running errands. But later, she fell asleep on the way to see my aunt at the hospital and I was able to pop her in a front carry.

Aaaagh!

Even though she's 2 1/2, her head rested comfortably on one of the wide shoulder straps. I am by no means a mei tai expert so I did have to tighten it a few times, but in the end, she was in there a good hour napping and I got no back pain even though she was a still a bit lower than I would have liked. Not bad for 25 pounds! Most baby carriers do not work for front carriers for toddlers. This is where a mei tai can shine and particularly one with nice wide straps.

I'll be working on my technique as time allows. I do have an article to write on structured baby carriers so the mei tai may not be my focus over the next few weeks but it is so gorgeous, it may find itself jumping off the hook anyway.

Eden Baby Carrier Velveteen Mei Tai

$90.00

Eden Velveteen carriers are made from a medium weight stretch velveteen that has just the right amount of stretch to cuddle snugly around your little one without being bouncy. They are 97% cotton and 3% spandex, which makes them incredibly soft with a luxurious simplicity that will compliment any outfit. Eden carriers are easily machine washable in cold/warm water and tumbled dry on low. The carriers are also reversible to the "cleanest" side! Eden carriers are sized to fit the majority of bodies.

Eden baby carriers are a contemporary version of the Asian Mei Tai. Eden carriers are created by a happy-to-work-at-home Santa Cruz, CA mama and are sewn in San Francisco by a reputable sewing house. She designed Eden carriers while pregnant with her second child. After developing back issues when carrying her first child, in a variety of one-shoulder slings, she decided that she needed a more ergonomic way to carry her children. She was frustrated with the bulky fabric of some of the current baby wraps and was concerned about the spinal health of her children, which is sometimes compromised in some of the currently popular front packs. She stumbled upon the traditional Mei Tai design and was instantly a convert! She loved the look, the ease of use, and the comfort to both baby and baby wearer. From birth, her babies have been comfortably and safely carried everywhere in the Eden.

Eden baby carriers offer versatile ways of carrying newborns, toddlers and beyond (when the walk is just a little too far). Newborns can be carried safely on the chest. Older babies can be carried on the chest, hip and back. Toddlers are easily carried on the back. I strongly believe that wearing your baby close to your body benefits both you and your child in many physical, emotional and practical ways! Eden carriers are a stylish, ergonomic and comfortable way to optimize intimacy with your wee ones.

Mothering Magazine Babywearing Issue

SoBeBabies: As Featured in the Mothering Magazine Babywearing Special Issue

Check me out! I haven't blogged here in a while because I was just bursting with the knowledge that I'd be in a magazine! I've had articles published before but never my actual photo! What an honor! I am so thrilled that M'liss included me and my two websites in this Mothering Magazine Babywearing special issue.

It was such a scramble to get the photos done. She knew exactly what she wanted but I only had a short time to get set up. Normally, I photograph outside but this needed a neutral background so I had to try to do the best I could with limited resources in a really short amount of time. I duct taped (gawd, I love duct tape!) a sheet to the wall of my balcony, cleared away all the furniture, and brought out all the lamps I own. I put a thin gauze cloth against the screen to block harsh shadows and then I waited for the light to come at the ideal angle. My younger daughter, pictured in the photos was so fussy. It was the third photo shoot in as many days and she really was quite done with all this. It was my older daughter who really saved my sanity. With the camera on a tripod, she patiently took photo after photo when I told her to click.

It turns out that the credit is for Sobebaby instead of SoBeBabies but it's really SoBeBabies! And there is also a mention of The Ergo Lady in the resources section! I am beyond thrilled! I have worked so hard on the Tips and Tricks section and I am so proud of it. That reminds me - I have to update it to include a tip I got from a mom of a four month old who wasn't quite big enough to sit with his legs open in the Ergo. She puts one foot in. Great tip from Michelle! And remember that these tips are good for all structured (soft pack) baby carriers.