Butternut squash and ginger jam

Today felt very autumnal and while we waited for the sun to come over the hills Matilda and I made butternut squash and ginger jam. We used this recipe from Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, but with the squash instead of pumpkin. It was really easy and tastes lovely. I think maybe I need to test for the setting point a bit earlier as I was waiting for it to thicken up but then when I tested it, it was very sticky - not sure how spreadable it will be!

After the jam was safely in the jars we headed out for a windswept but sunny walk to the park. On the way back I experimented with carrying Matilda in the ring sling as I find it very uncomfortable/tiring to carry her in my arms these days. She mostly walks everywhere these days but if she's tired she does still need to be carried really. She loved the ring sling but I found it hard to position her so she wasn't pressing down on the bump. More experimentation needed!

Sling for a doll

Well, Matilda has been asking for this for ages, and this morning we finally found the time. I had to make it in the style of an Ergo as that is what we mainly use (and she loves playing with the buckles). I didn't follow a pattern, just made it up. It hasn't had a thorough test yet, but so far it seems to be a hit. Buckles and webbing were from a brilliant camping/military surplus shop in Malvern called Harpers Bazaar. Fabric from my stash.

I made a sling!

Well, I was beginning to think our babywearing days were numbered. The Ergo waist strap had started to dig into me and I couldn't get it comfortable and I just felt like Matilda was too heavy. Another problem was Matilda was really resisting going in it unless she was ready for a sleep, and then crying in it as soon as she woke up. I borrowed a friend's top-of-the-range Macpac rucksack-style carrier but it was no better - incredibly heavy and seemed to pull on my shoulders. It reminded me too much of carrying heavy backpacks on D of E expeditions at school! Then someone from the village gave us their old Baby Jogger 3-wheel pushchair, which Matilda loves and to be honest it's a joy to push up on the hills (although I don't think I'd dare take it on the bus or to the shops - it's huge!)

At the last Sling Meet I was asking for ideas and someone suggested trying a toddler-size mei tai. No-one had one available and then I remembered I had started to make one ages ago but stopped because I couldn't imagine when I'd use it as I was getting on so well with the much-easier-to-use Ergo. I was looking around on the Natural Mamas site for ideas when I came across Podaegi carriers. As I'd already made the shoulder straps, it looked like a quick and easy make - and it was! I used the dimensions from this tutorial. The top section is padded with a layer of fleece, while the top of the straps have four layers of fleece (cut from an old fleece blanket). The main body and strap fabric is a heavy cotton - similar to denim - while the body also has a panel of gorgeous tree/leaves cotton fabric.

I took it out for a test drive yesterday and I was really pleased with it! Sorry about the pics - they're just taken on my phone - I'll try and get some better ones taken soon. I tied it in a ruck-style carry, using the ends to make a chest strap - that way there was no painful waist strap and Matilda was nice and high so she could see over my shoulder.

An Ergo strap protector

Babywearing in our village is on the rise! While there are always lots of framed hiking baby carriers in use due to the proximity of the hills, there are now also two other sling-using mums. Both started off with Baby Bjorn type carriers but both have since bought an Ergo. Neither mum uses a buggy much either so they are definitely in the babywearing mindset. It's great to have like-minded people so close! We have started going for regular walks exploring the many many footpaths around the area. I made one of the mums (who lives a few doors down from us) a strap protector for her new carrier as her little one was sucking the straps. She likes elephants so this scrap of cotton fabric was perfect. I sandwiched a layer of old towel between the cotton and a piece of fleece backing, then used a strip of velcro for the fastening. My friend was very chuffed with it. I just have to find another spare 15 mins to make another one for the other strap now!

Winter babywearing

It's been so cold the last week or two we haven't been able to get out walking much. So last night I made a babywearing jumper in a bid to keep Matilda warm on our walk today with our local mums walking group. I bought a size 18 jumper from a charity shop, cut a hole in the back and sewed in the neck bit from a child's fleece. Hey presto, one babywearing jumper! The walk was lovely but Matilda still got cold hands and feet. But luckily she didn't start complaining until just before we got back to the car. More layers required somehow!

A chilly walk on the hills

Yesterday we were out walking with friends - it was a cold but beautiful day!

My little hiker

On our recent trip to Cumbria we went for a lovely walk above Ullswater in the Lake District. Sam and I really enjoy walking so it would be great if Matilda loves it too. Well, she seemed to enjoy her first Lake District hike - she slept in the sling for the first part, had fun roaming around during lunch, happily went back in the sling while we descended the steepest parts of the route, then strolled the last bit herself, even using Grandad's walking pole for some of it! So far, so good!

Finally - a babywearing bag!

I've been mentally planning this bag for ages. I wanted something simple, versatile for wearing with a sling (and a toddler!), large enough to hold a couple of cloth nappies, drinks bottle, snacks and all the other stuff I seem to end up carrying round! I bought some canvas months ago to line it with and finally found some suitable exterior fabric a few weeks ago - it's a Liberty print called Strawberry Thief. I found it hiding away in a charity shop disguised as a curtain, and at £2 - what a bargain! The straps are long and tapered at the ends - I can tie them together in various ways depending on how I'm carrying Matilda. I put in an internal zip pocket, big enough for wallet, keys and a few other bits and bobs; the bag itself closes with a velcro flap over the top. I'm really pleased with how it turned out - I'll try and take some action pics soon!

A trip into town

I took these photos the weekend before last. The car had a water leak so we walked into town for lunch, buying tea at the village shop on the way and making a quick detour up the beacon to drink it. It's days like this that we feel so lucky to live in this beautiful place.

At the NCT Big Weekend

We had a lovely trip to the NCT Big Weekend in Telford last weekend. We saw some interesting and inspiring speakers, including Ina May Gaskin, Suzanne Colson, Jonathon Porritt, Ann Sinnott and Kate Evans.

Matilda crawled around the aisles and slept in the sling when she was tired, so even Daddy got to hear some of the speakers. It was a great weekend and a friendly atmosphere - lots of babies in slings and lots of mums breastfeeding their babies (and toddlers too which was lovely to see!).

I felt all inspired!



Trying out a wrap/mei tai cross sling...


Fun with Daddy...


At the campsite...

Introducing...

Here we are, me and Matilda, trying out back carries in front of the mirror. At 9 months, Matilda is getting a little heavy to be carried on my front for too long so I desperately need to master the back carry... Luckily we have an Ergo too, which makes things easier, but I can still only get Matilda into a back carry with the aid of another person, or a sofa to hover over!

Anyway, I intend for this blog to be a record of our family life. I hope we can look back on it and remember all the fun things we did together. I hope you enjoy reading it too!