When friends asked if we would like to go to the Glasgow Baby Show with them last year I was excited to say yes but tentatively added; “we had better take our own car just in case...” our first baby was due in 5 days and I was willing ‘it’ to arrive. How true that proved to be as shortly after returning home, I went in to labour and Finley entered the world at 12.49pm on 24th April 2010.
Amid the excitement of first birthday celebrations, I jumped at the chance to return to the fabulous event this year and re-live the anticipation of the twiliight hours of pregnancy.
On our first visit my husband and I looked around with inexperienced, overawed eyes, thinking; wow - do we really need all this stuff? as a sense of panick bubbled beneath my hormonal surface. The ironic thing is, when the very helpful lady from Lansinol asked if we wanted a demonstration in using the electric breast pump I replied something like; “ no thanks, I am planning to breastfeed and am happy to use a manual pump for the bit I will need to express.” As luck would have it,I had big problems breastfeeding and exclusively expressed until my baby was six months. (With an Ameda double electric breast pump.)
Anyway enough about last year. This year, thanks to Emma's Diary, we bundled our 'almost' toddler on to the train and joined our friends, Lynne (take a look at her fab blog ooh baby - all things cuteable) hubby Darryl and Finley’s new pal Maya for another great day out at the SECC Glasgow.
The event looked smaller through my now more experienced eyes but this is probably due to the fact I am not waddling like a weeball and fending off early labour pains as “just another braxton hicks”.
There were many gimmicks, and the odd hard selling business person, but on the whole the vendors were friendly and offered useful advice. The food was reasonably priced with a choice of light lunches in The Emma's Diary Cafe. Stokke provided the high chairs - I only wish we had the need to try one out last year as I think they are fab and may have invested for the wee man. Boots provided a fabulous baby changing area complete with nappies and wipes and there was a brilliant creative area for older children (something I didn't explore in detail but will definitely use when I visit in the future.) All in all a perfect set up for a family day out.
We visited pretty much every stall and a few really stood out:
Finley isn't quite walking so we are holding off buying restrictive shoes for his developing feet. However, I was keen to find footware that will keep him warm and offer some protection from rough ground whilst cruising - no easy feat (excuse the pun) when the owner of the feet in question is a mini action man in the making; shoes or socks simply do not stay on when put to Finley's climbing, crawling and cruising test! With this in mind I am pleased to say I found the ideal bootie at Zippy Tots. The Oxxy Boot comes in a huge variety of funky colours and is available in soft leather or suede. I love the way they are easy to put on wriggly people and stay put when crawling at speed! I couldn't resist buying two pairs - red suede and green leather, yay!
(image taken from zippytots.co.uk)
This company specialises in creating stunning hand and foot castings for babies, children and adults. I really love the idea of catching a little bit if time to keep for ever (I guess that is the hopeless romantic in me). I have brought my husband and mum fingerprint jewellery and would love to have a cast done for myself in the future.
I have to say these little works of art look even more amazing when you see them for real.
(images taken from www.babyprints.co.uk)
I love this business quite simply because I love cakes! I am a hobby cake decorator and am fascinated by the precision and love that goes in to celebration cakes.
Finley has just had his first birthday and we were kindly given many beautiful toys. We are lucky enough to be invited to his new friends birthdays too so I am always on the look out for funky, practical toys. This business spesializes in toys with outstanding play value and educational benefits. They were reasonably priced and almost nostalgic in their appeal. It is lovely to see an independent toy shop with such clever, well made toys.
The shop is located on the South side of Glasgow and definitely worth a visit if you happen to be in the area.
Having a few nasty falls from horses (and doing a lot of mucking out) has led to me having a bit of a bad back. This makes carrying Finley in a standard carrier uncomfortable. Consequently I have been on the look out for a sling. He is quite a big boy and far to wriggly and independant to stay in one for long but we woud love another baby in the future so when I saw the Papoozle from Tots Bots I had to have it.
We borrowed a sling from friends when he was very young but I found it complicated and awkward to fit. The Papoozle couldn't be easier. It has a strap that easily clips around your waist and the rest ties. The waist strap also takes most of the pressure so the weight is distributed evenly. Finley is snug and comfortable but, as I said, he gets bored and wants to resume his action man antics before long. I just wish I had found this product earlier and know I will reep it's benefits when wee one number 2 arrives.
So that was our fab day out with lots to try and see. Finley had a wonderful time and was delighted to have a sing and dance with his pal Jo Jingles. We go to the group every week so it was great to join the crowd for a dance with Big Jo. I recommend this music and movement class to any one with a baby or infant as it really stimulates them and they love it!
