JPMA again

JPMA was great! All my goals were achieved. It was no easy job, I can assure you, but it really did go smoothly.

I got upgraded by Enterprise so I wound up in a PT Cruiser car rental. They sent me off with windows rolled down and I was on the highway before I realized I didn't have a clue how to close them! I eventually found the adjustments in an unexpected place. We came by a DVD player recently so my daughter was set up in the back seat watching videos. Poor kid. I didn't really know how to use the thing so I got it hooked up and going and thought how annoying the movie sounded, just repeating the same thing over and over and over. After 20 minutes, she started to fuss and I thought all was lost until I finally understood that she was now bored of watching the menu scene and would actually like some movie, please!

My older daughter meanwhile was off with my husband who showed her the time of her life so as to help distract her from her first night away from mama ever! They had dinner out on Lincoln Road in South Beach and saw a movie, getting home some time after midnight, I think.

Driving there, I only had one crisis. I had printed out my directions but of course it's been so long since I drove alone at night, it didn't occur to me that I wouldn't be able to read them. I was supposed to take an exit that had 4 numbered routes. I kept chanting it over and over like a little prayer. I came to an exit that seemed early that had 2 of the 4 routes and totally panicked. In the end, I exited, found out where I was, wrote the directions into my PDA, which, duh, lights up at night, and was able to get there without further incident. The hotel was not one of the approved ones for conference attendees, but it was just down the street and about a third of the price. It came with free breakfast and the rooms were nice. All for about $69/night. Not bad!

The first day there, I got the brainy idea that I'd be one of those posh but simply classic mamas you see running around with smoothed back hair in a low, elegant pony tail. I spent a long time straightening my hair with the hotel's blow dryer, something I haven't done in probably 8 years. I heaped pounds of product and really tried to be patient. In the end, what did I have? Frizz. Ugh. So I went as myself. Well, sort of an old and new version of me. Most of my work wardrobe was so old that the waists were up to my armpits. And of the few items I had with a low waist, only one or 2 fit my new post-kids waist.

I have to say, the ability to go to a show like this with a child and have no one bat an eyelash is really something. I had my fears going in but they were totally without warrent. I did have to get a registration for my little and that process was rather random as I was directed to a few differnt places rather vaguely, but in the end, I got it done. Once inside, everyone was very friendly to her. And those that weren't, well, what the heck were they doing there? Honestly! But seriously, I came away with some relationships I wouldn't have predicted. She was bascially on the SoBeBabies staff. If she was excited about a product and wanted to stay around the display, and if they were friendly to her, well, we talked! There were vendors that were ridiculous. They said that the screws were not tightened so it was unsafe for her to be on the furniture or in the strollers or whatever. Honestly! What were they thinking? I guess they didn't want their stuff dirtied but I was trying my best to keep her clean. That was actually tricky; everyone kept giving her cookies, chocolate and candy when I wasn't looking. I had to let that one go! Anyway, it was really only a small handful of vendors that we had to avoid. The rest were beyond friendly and the whole thing was a blast. Oh - well, there were a few mysterious vendors. Instead of their booths being open, they had built walls up and there were guards posted at exits. I kid you not. And some had formidable desks at the entrance and no clue what was inside. The gatekeepers were formal and stiff, asking what I wanted and basically putting me off. That must have been the point. I only ventured into one and found mostly cribs and nothing that looked particularly Top Secret.

One vendor I am working with is P'kolino. I am so excited to start carrying this line. Luckily, they are down the street from me. I wanted to take my older daughter in to see how the furniture fit a larger child. Here are some pictures from that trip. You can see how the furniture works with a 3 and an 8 year old and get an idea what I'll be carrying in SoBeBabies shortly! Here are some pictures of the furniture to give you an eye treat!









While I was there, I made some orders with vendors I already had relationships with including 2 Red Hens and DadGear Diaper Bags. I went ahead and signed up with Zolowear and Diaper Dude Diaper Bags. I said hi to HotSlings but still haven't ordered from them (but I will!) and enjoyed meeting Vesta of EllaRoo and Angela of Ergo Baby Carriers. When I had had a bit much and was feeling drained, I went over to one of the baby carrier vendors just to relax and recharge a bit.

It was so totally ironic that my little would not get into a baby carrier for anything. She was mostly into running somewhat randomly and I chased her with a stroller full of stuff.

My stroller was dragging me down, so hard to push, and I was really thrilled to be able to borrow an EasyWalker stroller for half a day. My daughter and I both adored it! I ordered my personal one right then and there and have been doing a lot more walking. It is so much better than my old jog stroller, which didn't recline and didn't let the front wheel swivel. I even use it for naps around the house when my little falls asleep on me. I pop her in there and she's not off lonely down the hall. I am totally loving this stroller. And speaking of strollers, my advisor, ahem, I mean my daughter was beyond taken with the Strolli, so we wound up getting ourselves one of those too. When the box came, she started ripping it open herself! Too funny! She adores this thing! Anything that makes going for a walk easier is great by me!

So that is the update on all the exciting things that are in the works at SoBeBabies. As you can see, I have been and will continue to be super busy. I wonder if I need to start paying my little as staff. Hmmm. She's such a great advisor!

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.