A Favorite Quote of Mine

I had my post-pregnancy checkup at the doctor yesterday and realized that I'm no longer pregnant. I know it's been weeks, but it just hit me. And then last night, I woke to feed my daughter at 3:00 a.m. and noticed her strong self had moved so far and it got me thinking this morning of a quote I hold dear to my heart.

Any of you who have given birth will appreciate these quiet, thoughtful words by Elizabeth Berg:

"I worry about you, lost-looking in a crib that seems gigantic. I check on you a million times a day as you sleep there, your head nudged into the corner of the bumper pad. Is it familiar to you, that feeling of having your head pressed against something? Is that why you determinedly make your way there, regardless of where in the crib I lay you down? I am glad to have you out in the world with me at last, but sometimes we miss the way we used to be. Thus it is that I wake up and put my hand to my empty womb; thus it is that you inch your way up toward a memory, seeking a kind of solace in your sleep. We have not left pregnancy behind completely, either of us. We remember together."

Leg Huggers

Leg Huggers are perfect for keeping your little girl's legs a bit warmer this winter. They're also ideal for crawlers, girls in dance, and potty training little ones. And they're also eco-friendly!

These great leg warmers are made entirely of sustainable bamboo which is incredibly breathable, antibacterial, soft, and free of any chemicals or pesticides! All of that and they're cute too! My daughter has the ones shown in this photo and she loves them!

See all of their adorable styles at leghuggers.com where you can purchase Leg Huggers for $10.00.

Four Seasons Puzzle

Here in Wisconsin I'm already dreaming of Spring...and planning a warm-weather vacation to get me through until then. I'd love to walk outside with my children without first putting on boots, hats, mittens and large jackets. I'd love to see leaves on the trees, feel green grass in my toes. But until vacation and until Spring truly arrives, there is the Four Seasons Puzzle to inspire daydreams.

Each puzzle shows two children in this five-layer puzzle. For each layer, your child can arrange the seven pieces to create spring, summer, fall or winter!

Available at moderntots.com for $26.00.

The Winter Water Factory

The Winter Water Factory started selling a single item five years ago in one store on New York's Lower East Side...and today they carry items for women, children as well as home goods, and they're sold as far away as Sweden, Japan and Australia.

All of their products are made using their signature textile prints which are hand-printed on natural fibers in a workshop in California. They are then sewn in New York's fabric district. And just look at those prints above...I love the vintage yet modern feel and the colors are bold and fun! You'll love their fully printed shirts for children...sure to make a statement at the playground!

Visit winterwaterfactory.com to see their full collection.

Give Away Winner

The winner of the TAG Toys drawing is Amanda from Oklahoma. I hope your children enjoy their new puzzle...it's on the way!

Raising Kids Who Care

Now that the traditional season of giving is past, it's time to ensure our children hold on to their caring and thoughtful ways all throughout 2009...and I came across an article from Reader's Digest that outlines just how to raise such children.

The article outlines how five different families have taught their children, by example, how to be compassionate, respectful, and giving...stories such as Kathy Saulitis who "once heard a high school student speaking at a PTA meeting about a community service project he'd organized. She though 'I want my children to grow up to be just like him,' says Kathy. 'I want them to learn how to give, develop compassion and empathy, and be around kids of diverse backgrounds.'"

Each story shows what worked for each family...what their ideas and passions were. Not every idea is for every family. The idea is to read the article and gather what works for your family...and branch out from there.

The key, if you do nothing else, is to lead by example. Hold open doors for people arriving at the post office with you, assist the elderly up steps and curbs, allow cars to merge ahead of you, and donate food to feed those less fortunate all throughout the year...anything that shows your children you're aware of other's needs. And you'll quickly find your children being mindful of others as well. After all, they are always watching!

Read the full article for more ideas at rd.com.

Sequential Clothing

If you want to teach your children about progression and sequences or want easy packing for a weekend get away, these shirts are a must!

Made of 100% organic cotton, they show the sequences of a Popsicle melting. Sure to amuse anyone your child comes into contact with three days in a row!

The shirts are sold as a set and are available at twistedtwee.co.uk for $59.00.

Natural Mat

Children log a lot of hours in their beds making organic mattresses and bedding logical. And although there are a few brands on the market that use organic materials, Natural Mat is one that is 100% organic...quite a feat!

Natural Mat mattresses are handmade in Devon, England from 100% renewable and sustainable raw material sources that comply with Fair Trade policies. And each product arrives in packaging that is 100% biodegradable and 100% recyclable.

The mattresses are made from natural rubber latex foam, organic coir, horsetail hair, mohair and lambswool. And these natural and organic materials are put together without the use of glues or bonding agents making your child's mattress synthetic-free...wonderful for the growing number of children suffering from allergies and asthma. The lambswool is bathed in a mixture made from essential oils of lemon, lavender and eucalyptus which renders it anti-dust mite!

But if you're not able to afford an organic mattress, an organic mattress protector and bedding are your next safe and eco-friendly step. They are also handmade in Devon, England from luxurious soft flannelette and crisp cotton percale making the perfect bedding for all seasons and climates.

Amazon.com has a wide selection of Natural Mat products currently on sale...bedding starts at $45.00 and mattresses start at $305.00.

Happy New Year!

A wise manager of mine once had my coworkers and myself gather into a conference room in which sat an enormous table piled with magazines of every genre. We were instructed to look through the pages and cut out our future...whatever we dreamed it to be...and glue them to a poster board. We then took turns explaining the meaning behind our displays.

The reason for such an exercise, our manager explained, was because a study she had recently read showed that people who envisioned their future through writing or pictures, had their fantasies come true X percent of the time...I don't recall the actual number.

But I do I remember that my story board had children on it, a photo advertisement for the television show Gilmore Girls (I dreamed of living in a quaint, friendly town like their fictional Stars Hallow), an old house with charm, a happy man (hoping to be a good wife), a women in some great clothes (no explanation necessary there!) and other various dreams of mine.

I now have three healthy, happy children. I live in Cedarburg, Wisconsin...a small town straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting. Our home was built in 1887. I hope I'm a decent wife, but suppose you'd have to ask my husband. And I'm happy to report that more days than not I'm pleased with my apparel. Coincidence, I don't know.

But I do know that these results have made me a believer in the power of positive thinking...that it at least can't hurt. So if you're hoping and praying that 2009 brings about specific changes for your life, I recommend you spend some time writing down your future as you see it, or taking your scissors to a magazine as I did all those years ago. And you can have your children do the same as well...you're never too old or young to dream big!

It's a new year. A time for cleansing. A time for beginnings. A time for looking forward.

I pray your 2009 is overflowing with faith, friends, beauty, happiness, sunshine, love and wealth…and that you encounter just enough challenges to appreciate it all!

After all, you need a few clouds to make a beautiful sunset! Happy New Year!