The Itsabelly Blog

Has Your Child Inspired You to Become an Entrepreneur? Check out Rain Frog Boutique.

Like I said before I love finding women who are inspired to create their own businesses and really follow through with it. Mainly because I know it's a tough job being a mom, wife and business owner all at the same time. I live this challenge every day and it's exhausting but worth it when you are doing something you truly enjoy.  You just have to remember to sleep in between!!

Karen Spaeder was inspired by her young son after he recited the Pledge of Allegiance. At the end, he innocently replaced the traditional words, saying instead, “with liberty and justice for frogs.” She didn’t correct him but instead decided to create a business selling a beautiful line of bamboo and organic cotton clothing (for women, men & babies) along with luxury organic spa items called Rain Frog Boutique.  She was able to do two good things in one; follow her ambition and help preserve our planet.  Props to Karen!

I had the privilege of being able to try out her comfortable tee made of bamboo and  organic cotton.  It felt oh-so soft on my skin and it was in one of my favorite colors cherry red!  The really cool thing was that the tee features natural UV protection, moisture wicking properations and thermal regulation.  It also included a cool stitched-on frog embroidery and came with a real bamboo hanger. It is made with 70 percent bamboo, 30 percent organic cotton.

You can see all of Karen's products at Rain Frog Boutique.  An extra treat you might want to check out is the store's current sale.  You can get a hip bamboo tee in cherry red to wear with your shorts this summer!  She's also added some really hip chocolate brown tees. I'm going to have to do some shopping! 

Our Special Announcement to Honor Earth Day!

             

Itsabelly's Guide to Going Green with Baby is the first book to provide a simple resource for evaluating eco-friendly baby gear and to learn more about organic and natural family living. We offer mom-tested product reviews and tips to raising a healthy baby and creating a happy planet. The founders of Under the Nile, gDiapers, TheSoftLanding.com and Earth Mama Angel Baby provide insight on why choosing organic and natural baby products is important to creating a healthier lifestyle. Going Green with Baby features personal product recommendations from eco-minded moms Jennifer Lo Prete and Melissa Moog. Jennifer is a writer and mother of two that has long practiced green living. Melissa is mom to a toddler, writer and the founder of Itsabelly Baby Concierge, a premier baby planning agency that specializes in going green with baby.

Going Green with Baby will be released in the Summer of 2008. To pre-order your copy, please send us an email to info@itsa-belly.com or call us at (503)799-5719 with your name and contact information. We will contact you when the book is available for purchase. Wholesale inquiries are also welcome.

A Peek Inside...

• Plan your baby registry with the best mom-tested reviews of over 300 eco-friendly baby products. We cover all your baby’s needs from slings to strollers, non-toxic bottles to safe skin care products, organic baby clothes to eco-friendly diapers and sustainable nursery furniture.
           
• Learn why going green with baby is important for a healthy baby and happy planet. Our panel of eco experts weighs in on the importance of organic apparel, sustainable wood, non-toxic feeding products and natural skin care products.
           
• Discover our simple eco-mom tips to raising a healthy baby and protecting our planet.
           
• Decipher the meaning and standards behind eco-labels. What does organic mean anyway? We make your trip to the store easier with a useful guide to common eco-labels and organic certification standards.
           
• Gain valuable tips on going green on a budget. From our own experience, it may not be financially feasible to turn your household completely organic. We give you tips on how you can make green choices that are right for your family.

      

Do You Want to Glow?

I really enjoy finding other mom entrepreneurs who have used their skills and talents to create a business that they are truly passionate about.  Glow Mama is a perfect example of this!  I was introduced to Glow and discovered a refreshing way to hydrate rather than drinking my boring old water. 

Lucy Leahy has created a beverage made with natural ingredients that is flush with the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other nutrients for moms.  In addition, she has a company brand that I thought was hip, sophisticated and fun.  What I thought was especially important was that Lucy's company has chosen an eco-friendly path by using plastic bottles made from PET (polyethylene terephthalate) which are easy to recycle.  Glow Mama’s labels are printed with soy based inks and all of their marketing materials are printed on 100% post consumer waste materials with soy inks.  Go "green" Glow!!!!
 
What I loved most about Glow Mama was that it's main ingredient is Kiwi which was given the grand title of “the most nutrient dense fruit in the world” in a recent study by Dr Lachance of Rutgers University. One tiny kiwi packs twice the vitamin C of an orange, twice the vitamin E of an avocado and 20% more potassium than a banana.  It has more fiber than a serving of bran flakes and is a good source of calcium, iron and folic acid.
 
So, if you're eating and drinking for two these days (or running after your toddler like me) give Glow Mama a try because it will only do your body (& baby's) good!  Oh, and it's only 70 calories per bottle, yeah!

Ingredients:

Filtered water,kiwi juice concentrate, white grape juice concentrate, cane juice concentrate, dietary fiber, calcium lactate, natural flavor, ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), niacinamide (Vitamin B3), ferrous fumarate (iron), pyridoxine hydrochoride (Vitamin B6), cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12), folic acid

Luna Lullaby's Bosom Baby...Could it Be Your Breast Friend?

Luna Lullaby was kind enough to send me their Bosom Baby Organic Breast Feeding Pillow for review.  I really liked the fact that it's a large pillow that could form to the shape of your body as needed.  The organic materials were of course a definite plus and because the pillow is large in size moms can use it to feed twin babies.  It also acts as a great sleeping pillow!  I know that my pillow definitely became my best friend when I cuddled up with it at night after a long day with baby. 

Bosom Baby creates the perfect position for mothers to raise baby up to breast level, making the latch-on process easier. The unique V-shape also makes a cozy, comfortable maternity sleeping pillow.  The pillow cover design does not utilize zippers or velcro. Instead it is a fold-over design that helps keep the inner-cushion secure and in place. 

The organic flannel pillow comes in an oatmeal and light pink color.  It sells for $58 on Luna Lullaby's site and they offer covers  (no organic covers at this time) at $34.

Here are some facts about Bosom Baby pillows:

*Helps properly position baby for any breastfeeding hold
*Size and shape supports elbows and shoulders
*Fits every waistline
*Great maternity sleeping pillow
*Removable washable covers
*Good for twins
*Good for tummy time
*Helps in handling and holding baby
*Soft, luxurious covers

Happy Mama and a Great Green Company!

In honor of celebrating Mother's Day Itsabelly is giving away Earth Mama Angel Baby's "I Love My Mama" gift set (to enter contest see below).  Earth Mama Angel Baby is a genuine "green" company which produces the only line of 100% natural skin and body care products to support the ENTIRE birth process: pregnancy, labor, postpartum and c-section recovery, breastfeeding, baby care and even the loss of a baby.

It's no secret that I love Earth Mama Angel Baby's products since I use them on my baby and myself!  So, I decided to get the inside scoop directly from the woman and pioneer who started it all.  I was able to visit with Melinda Olson (founder) and she gave me a tour of her wonderful company.  I was impressed by Melinda's deep passion to protect our babies and mamas with her creation of pure and safe products.  Melinda has been creating Earth Mama Angel Baby's products since 2002 where she started out of her home.  She is one of the FIRST companies to exclude the use of phthalates and parabens for several years now (way before the recent media hype on toxins).  Her company continues to create positive waves across the country as families come to Earth Mama Angel Baby for phthalate and paraben free products.  Not to mention all the employees I've met and talked on the phone with are every bit as warm and kind as Melinda herself!

Earth Mama Angel Baby uses the highest quality oils and QAI certified organic herbs. Their products are cruelty-free, certified vegan, kosher, and 100% toxin-free - that means NO phthalates, parabens, SLS, artificial preservatives, fragrances or dyes.  In fact, Melinda has created an invaluable resource with her "reading room" materials on various toxins like phthalates to help educate parents, see information here.  The company also honors the earth by using only eco-friendly recyclable or reused/resuseable packaging and packing materials.  Earth Mama Angel Baby is even the proud recipient of the BRAG (Business Recycling Award Group) for their green practices.

The "I Love My Mama" gift set was specially designed to pamper mamas, so it's perfect for that special person on your Mother's Day list, birthday or just because you love them.  The gift includes Happy Feet soothing organic foot soak, Mint Herbal Lip Balm, Happy Mama Spray to ease both morning yuckies when pregnant and the downs after baby is here, Earth Mama Body Butter for healthier happier skin and Natural Nipple Butter, all packaged in a reusable pink organza bag.  The set is an almost $50 value.

To win all you have to do is sign up for our blog through Feedblitz located in the top right-hand corner of our blog, sign up for our newsletter as seen on the bottom of our home page here or leave a comment on this entry.  So, you can enter your name up to 3 times maximum if you'd like to!  The contest starts today April 19th and ends May 7th just in time for Mother's Day. 

What are you waiting for?  Treat yourself or a mama you know.  Sign up to WIN!

A Cheat Sheet to a Good Night’s Sleep for Baby

By April Beach, Founder & Consultant of Sweet Pea Baby Planners, www.sweetpeababyplanners.com

Your new baby has arrived, and with her the endless question, “How’s she sleeping?”   Even if your answer is “great”, you soon learn that all newborns sleep well, and this time has passed.   After questioning friends and attempting to read numerous novels on sleep approaches, you realize you’ve dozed off into one of those informative pages at lunch time, and you’re too exhausted to find a cure. 
Before reading, trying, and failing at the next sleep solution, consider this; you will not find sleep success until you adopt an approach that matches your family’s unique lifestyle and individual personalities.  Try writing down what sleep success look likes to you.  What are your goals?  For some it may be a complete night sleep, while others may choose to keep a nightly breastfeeding session, and still others like the idea of a family bed.    Consider whether you would honestly be comfortable letting your baby cry, and if so for how long.  Are you desiring a fast change or are you willing to invest a few weeks in the process. Talk with your partner, compare concerns and goals, and create a united front.   Consistency, patience and unity are the keys to your success.   Finally, hold yourself accountable.  Arrange to call a friend the following morning and share how the coaching went for the previous night.   Be honest about the ways you succeeded, as well as the areas in which you struggled.   Reassess and continue on.

A cheat sheet to finding your approach:

- If you’re looking for a consistent daily routine, set nap and feeding times, and don’t mind some crying, these two approaches do a great job at ensuring a full night’s sleep.     “Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child” by  Marc Weissbluth, M.D.  And “Baby Wise” by Robert Bucknam,  M.D.

- If you want to continue night nursing in or out of a family bed, you don’t want to let your child cry,  and you still seek a good night’s sleep, try “The No -Cry Sleep Solution” by Elizabeth Pantley www.pantley.com

- If want your baby sleeping in her own bed, can’t handle the crying, and are willing to invest a few weeks in the process, try “Good Night, Sleep Tight” by Kim West, licensed  practicing child therapist  www.sleeplady.com

- If you don’t mind lots of crying and want a quick solution, and if your baby is over one and you have allowed poor associations to interfere with healthy sleep, try “Solve Your Child’s Sleep Problems”  by Richard Ferber, M.D.  www.childrenshospital.org/views/june06/sleep.html

Consult with your child’s Pediatrician before beginning any sleep coaching to rule out illness, injury or medical conditions that can interfere with normal healthy sleep. 

Bringing Baby Home - How to Help Your Child Adjust to Life with a Newborn

I appear as a guest on our local AM Northwest TV program on channel 2 once a month and this morning I shared the information below.  You can also click on the link highlighted above to watch the video.

If you have a toddler at home and you are expecting your second child you're probably wondering how to help ease the transition into life with a newborn. Your toddler is used to having your undivided attention and now she has to share it with someone new.  This transition phase can be challenging for both parents if they are not prepared.  It's even harder on your toddler if you haven't spent quality time helping her understand how life will change.  I will note that you can never completely take away the change and stress your first child will feel with a new baby but you can definitely help ease her transition by making her feel more secure and loved.

Here are some tips to help your child and you adjust:

Before Baby is Born

• If your child is old enough take her to a sibling preparation class. This class is usually held at your local hospital or healthcare facility designed for children two years of age and older.  It helps siblings prepare for the emotional and physical realities of the arrival of a newborn. Activities can include arts and crafts, role-playing, and a mini-tour of the nursery and maternity unit to see where mom will be spending the night.
• Give her a baby doll to play with
• Expose her to other babies and let her see you interact with a baby
• Children's picture books can help your toddler visualize how life will change with a new baby
  
• Have your child help you pick out gifts for the baby
• Make sure to spend quality one on one time with your toddler helping her understand how things will change once baby is born
• You can tell your preschool age child that you are going to have a baby by sharing the preparation activities and also showing her your growing belly
• If your toddler will be transitioning out of her crib and giving it to the new baby make sure to do this a few months before the birth so the adjustment of losing her crib is not such a huge deal   
  

After Baby is Born

• When baby is born have your toddler come in to spend time with you first before she's introduced to the new baby
• Use the baby's name so that the toddler knows the baby is a person rather than "the baby"
• Encourage your toddler to touch the baby and show her how to do so in a gentle manner
• Make sure to continue your toddler's regular schedule once you come home with baby (ask for help from family members to assist you)
• It is important to maintain the same rules and discipline even after the new baby arrives so your toddler has consistency 
• Include your toddler in usual routines for the baby such as diaper changing, feeding time or bathing   
  
• Each parent should make quality one on one time with the toddler so she still feels that she has your love and attention
  
• Have your toddler become your little helper by asking her to get a diaper for the baby or find the baby's toy
• If your child is older it will be easier for her to adjust to a newborn sibling because they can understand what is happening and be actively involved. 
• You should encourage involvement in helping with the new baby but not force it.  Offer to your older child that she can attend an infant CPR or child safety course designed for children who will become a new big brother or sister.  If your child feels like she has the skills and confidence to help care for her newborn sibling it will make it an easier transition on all of you.

Resources:

Keys to Preparing and Caring for Your Second Child by Meg Zweiback

Siblings Without Rivalry by Faber & Mazlich

Feedback from a parent on reading both books - "The latter has tips which will be more useful long past the day that baby #2 arrives, whereas the first book deals more with psychological and practical preparations for the family's newcomer, with an emphasis on the early days. Both are gems."

 

So, What the Heck Does an Itsabelly Baby Concierge Do Anyway?

I hope this blog entry will give you a good idea of what a day in the life of a Baby Planner is like while providing consultation to an expectant couple.

I recently traveled to Arizona for business and pleasure.  While I was there I met with The Bump's Managing Editor, Kira and her husband Jeff Krieger.  We planned a few hours to head over to the baby store and check out products they were considering for their registry.  

Many people wonder what a "Baby Concierge or Baby Planner" does exactly because it is a new and growing field.  When I first launched Itsabelly 1 year ago I would explain that I was like a wedding planner but instead of planning for the big wedding day I'm helping parents plan for baby's arrival and the first year after.  This could mean doing research to figure out the best baby products to place on a couple's registry or designing the baby's nursery with a personal touch by assisting parents in picking out furniture and decor.  There are many concierge and consulting services a baby planner can offer and it's just a matter of what an expectant or new parent needs help with.  Itsabelly takes care of pre-natal needs before baby is born and services new parents 12 months after baby is born (e.g. helping parents choose the best car seat as the infant grows out of the infant seat or learning how to make organic baby food). 

For Kira and Jeff, it was a breeze because they already had a clear idea of what their budget, space and lifestyle needs entailed.  I also provided a simple set of questions for Kira and Jeff to review prior to meeting with them so that we could spend our time efficiently at the baby store.

Kira and Jeff had a middle of the road budget and didn't want to clutter their home with too many baby gadgets and gizmos.  They wanted to go the simple but sophisticated route when choosing their baby gear.  They also wanted to go organic in certain areas so I advised them to consider going green on items that would touch baby's skin or placed in baby's mouth.  Products such as baby clothing, swaddle blankets, crib sheets, baby bottles and pacifiers were items I recommended they go green in.

Jeff was a great expectant dad to work with because he asked some very good questions and really wanted to be involved in deciding on big ticket baby items (like the crib, stroller and infant seat as most new dads do).  Kira beamed as she watched Jeff get into the baby registry experience.  Kira was able to push, pull and touch baby gear in the store while listening to my consultation on what to look for in items like a stroller or crib.  It alleviated many of her questions and allowed the baby registry experience to be much less overwhelming.  We already know being pregnant and going through labor is stressful and challenging enough! 

I'm grateful to be part of Kira and Jeff's very special time by helping them ease into parenthood.  I know that they will absolutely be wonderful parents!  Thank you to Kira and Jeff for making my job as a baby planner a real treat!

Two Mamas Fight to be Green & Lean

We did it with frost bitten toes and fingers!  Last Sunday morning was Portland's 5k Shamrock run and we crossed the finish line with flying colors (ok, truth being we had a hell of a time jogging what was a slight incline (it really felt like a killer hill) at the 1.5 mile mark).  It was a bit crazy starting our day at 5:30 am, getting our babies bundled up with parents in tow (we freezed our bunz off).  We took the Max train which is our local light rail public transportation downtown so we didn't have to worry about parking.  There was a record 14,000 people celebrating the Shamrock Run's 30th anniversary at the race participating in events like the children's 1k to a 15k run.  People dressed with green fedoras, green/white striped Dr. Seuss hats, four leaf clover tights and apple green tutus filled the waterfront park area where the event kicked off.  The cool thing about this event is that a portion of the net proceeds from the 2008 adidas Shamrock Run benefits Doernbecher Children's Hospital Foundation.  So, not only did we burn some calories but Itsabelly is helping a great cause!

This was my second 5k run/jog and I finished it in 36.25 minutes.  Still boasting a S-L-O-W 12 minute mile and proud :)  Moe (my sis-in-law) was right behind me, yahoo!  I'm very proud to have been her partner in this race especially because she just gave birth to her first baby 3 months ago!  Now, isn't that something to high-five about!  Right on!!  And our hubbies and babies they completed their 3.5 mile walk so high-fives all around (dads survived all of the melt downs & feedings without us, that's the real accomplishment).

I truly believe in setting goals and striving to accomplish them. This helps keep me accountable and focused on the end result.  Signing up to do the last two 5k runs has totally helped me to stay fit and lose most of that dreaded baby weight. 

So, if you haven't gotten up off your behind yet and signed up for a fitness goal do it now!  Stay tuned as I sign up for my next race...anyone want to join me?!  Share with us here what your next fitness goal will be.  If you enter a comment you may be the lucky winner of an organic Earth Mama Angel Baby Gift Basket or an iPod Shuffle.  Don't miss out!

The Ultimate Blog Party is Here! Join us For Some Fun!

Welcome to Itsabelly's Blog Party as hosted by 5minutesformom.com! 

So, I thought my family and I would share the inside scoop on the people behind Itsabelly Baby Concierge during our blog party.  But let me explain what we do first...we're a premier service that assists new and expectant parents on how to navigate the world of all things maternity and newborn with a green focus.  If you want more info on our business click on our website here or click on our link located on the sidebar to the left.  I'm also the Pregnancy Planning Expert for The Bump and will be the Green Parenting Blogger for emomsathome.com soon.  BTW, if you leave a comment on my blog, sign up for my newsletter or blog feed via Feed Blitz before April 1st you will be entered into our cool iPod Shuffle giveaway contest, see details here.

So, above in our first picture we have Randy (husband, daddy,VP of Finance & Operations), Isabella (our 19 mo old, inspiration and Chief Tester of all Baby Products), and myself, Melissa (Head Mama, Queen Multi-tasker, x-HR high tech junkie).  This picture was taken in Cabo San Lucas just a few weeks ago.  As you can see we had a beautiful time!

Here we have Cindy (my sis-in-law and inspiration). Cindy actually flew up from Cali to help me register at BabiesRus almost 2 years ago.  Without her personal assistance I would have pleaded insanity and died of overwhelming stress from not having a clue about what to put on my baby registry (this is where I gave birth to Itsabelly).  Cindy was important in helping me come up with my business concept.  Thanks Cin!

Here is my mom with Isabella at 2 months.  Mom makes it possible to get Itsabelly work done and as Isabella's favorite playmate loves every minute.

Pictured below is Czari (pronounced Zar-ree), my sister.  She is with Isabella at 9 months during our picnic in Napa at Via Sattui Winery along with our little friend Malia.  Czar is a fabulous Auntie and always so supportive of Itsabelly, willing to help me with Sales and Marketing anytime!

Last but not least is Jennifer LoPrete and her 2 beautiful children (last picture).  Jennifer is a wonderful mama and Itsabelly's Marketing & PR Manager who has done a superb job.  Her excellent writing skills, marketing talent and dedication make her a rare gem.  We love her!!

I hope you enjoyed a view into the Itsabelly Family.  Thanks for stopping by and please leave a comment to say hello!

And if you're a parent, pregnant or know someone who's expecting please send them Itsabelly's way to sign up for our free parenting tips and information on non-toxic baby products via this blog.  Don't forget to enter and win an iPod Shuffle too just for saying hi!  Cheers!