The Itsabelly Blog

Home Office Distractions: 4 Tips to Overcome Them

I shared with my friend Brandie that its been a definite challenge to work from home because my office sits right infront of my master bedroom and 30 feet away from the FRIDGE!  So, I thought for those of you who are home based entreprenuers you're probably going through the same challenges - distractions!  I wanted to share some great tips written by my friend Brandie Kajino over at the The Home Office Organizer.  She's a wealth of knowledge and can help you get your home office in top notch shape so check her out.  Thanks for the tips Brandie!

Written By Brandie Kajino

I was having a conversation with a teacher the other day, and she asked me about what I do. When we got to the part where I told her I worked from home, she mentioned that she was not the type who could work from home. She then explained how the laundry, cleaning and other errands and tasks would call her name from other rooms while she tried to work.

I must admit I don’t have this problem (several years of practice and lack of a housekeeper), but I do get this question a lot. So, how can you stay focused in your home office and get stuff done? Here’s a few tips:

1. Use your distractions as breaks: If you were in a cubicle or office outside your home, no doubt you would take a trip to the water cooler or a break outside. So, do the same in your home office. Put in a load of laundry, change the sheets, talk to a neighbor (maybe they work from home too), check the mail or go pull some weeds. You might think of your multi-million dollar idea while washing your socks!
2. Set a time limit: If you choose to do something around the house, be sure you are accountable. Setting a timer or scheduling a conference call will keep you accountable and less likely to get completely off track.
3. Hire help: If you simply don’t have the time (or patience) to do your household chores, consider hiring someone to come in a vacuum or do the laundry for you. If it nags on your brain, you will know it’s getting done and you concentrate on other things.
4. Talk a walk: Talk a walk and clear your head. Did you know that Ralph Waldo Emerson and some other great authors and thinkers were walkers? So, strap on your running/walking shoes and get some fresh air. I’ll bet that little “fold the laundry” voice will be harder to hear two blocks away.

Do you have a way you stay focused and get things done in your office? Do share!

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! 

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. 

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! 

Momnesia - Tips on How to Cope with The Dreaded Mommy Brain

Have you ever forgotten where you put your keys last?  Or went to the grocery store and left that list on the kitchen counter?  How about not packing extra baby clothes in your diaper bag incase your newborn soaked through his diaper?

I'm sure all of us have experienced some form of the dreaded mommy brain or what researchers now call "Momnesia".  I chuckled at the segment this morning on the Today Show because more often than not I have experienced a total brain lapse.  I remember being pregnant and my mommy brain already kicking itself into gear then.  My husband would say "I want my wife back" because sometimes I would start a sentence and mid-way not even remember why I was bringing the subject up in the first place (sigh).

On msnnbc.com the article "Post-partum Changes May Bring on Momnesia", Brizendene, the author of the book, “The Female Brain" states that the condition is brought on by the wildly fluctuating flood of hormones that accompany pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding. It alters brain chemistry.  All these hormones are in a stew in the brain that are changing the way a mother focuses.”

Ah, finally a somewhat scientific way to explain our brain lapses, "momnesia".  I wanted to share some of the tips Hannah Keely, totalmom.com's founder and author of The Total Mom Makeover says will help combat your momnesia:

1. Bring a Pen & Small Notebook w/ You - have these handy so you can always write things down
2. Scale Back - do less
3. Exercise -cardiovascular exercise actually improves attention to things

So, what are the things you do to avoid your momnesia?  Share them with us by commenting on this post. 

BTW, if you comment you'll be automatically entered into Itsabelly's iPod Shuffle Giveaway.  Winner will be announced in April!

A Challenging Way to Celebrate St. Patrick's Day

I've been training for the last few weeks to run (jog) the Shamrock 5k Run here in Portland which is on March 16th.  I'm proud to share this is my second 5k run...I completed the Race for the Cure last September.  Infact, I'm the captain of the Itsabelly Team which consists of ten members who are walking and running different events.  Thanks to Moe (my sis-in-law) for partnering with me on my 3.1 mile journey to hyperventilation and a beaten down body :)  Props to Pauline for actually kicking off sign-ups - I know you'll do great on your 8k run!  This will be a fun event because we have some of our hubbies and babies joining us in the walking event, hurray!

No, I do not love jogging and it's definitely not my favorite type of exercise but I do know it helps me burn a ton of calories which is especially good for getting rid of my gorgeous love handles.  I've always struggled with my weight since I was a child.  I've been as small as a size 5 to as big as a size 14 (LARGE gap isn't it)!  I just want to get back to my normal size 7-8.  I did receive great news from my OBGYN yesterday and I've finally reached my pre-pregnancy weight, YAY!  I was so happy to hear that piece of news because its been a long 19 months since giving birth to Isabella of struggling to eat healthy, exercising, getting enough sleep, taking care of my family/household and being an entrepreneur.  If you've ever struggled with your weight you probably feel me here.  Ok, so I thought to include some tips in this entry that have helped me continue on my quest of losing that last 10-15 lbs which is ideally where I want to be! 

Maybe you have other health and fitness tips you want to share.  Or you're setting a new health and fitness goal you want to achieve.  What are they?  Share your comments with us here.

My Health & Fitness Regimen:

• Drink at least 6-8 glasses of water everyday.  I carry my Klean Kanteen bottle around every where
• Eat through out the day (mini balanced meals and make sure to eat a healthy breakfast)
• Eat healthy carbs like fruit and veggies.  If you have to eat rice/pasta choose brown rice or whole wheat pasta.  Eat more whole foods and cut out processed foods.
• Incorporate flax seed into your diet.  I choose to make a fresh berry, banana smoothie with low fat soy milk, protein powder and 2 tblsp of flax seed which I have in the morning for breakfast
• Snack on raw almonds or low fat organic yogurt (we love Trader Joe's Organic Low Fat Yogurt) with 2 tblsp of wheat germ
• Hire a personal trainer and if you can't afford to see her more than once a month cut the cost in half and do some partner training (our trainer kicks our butt, we love her).  I do this now with my friend Jil and it's so helpful to work out various types of muscles.  It switches your fitness routine up instead of doing the same boring thing.
• Set a goal!  I can't stress this enough because if you have a goal it will hold you accountable.  This has been my saving grace by keeping me on track everyday to get my exercise in!
• Grab a partner - whether it be your hubby, girlfriend, your dog or a running/biking group it helps to keep you motivated when you have someone to keep you accountable and motivated.
• Buy the book Runners World, Complete Book of Women's Running by Dagny Scott Barrios...  It's a great training book that maps out a plan on how to get you from jogging to running, how to care for your body and it addresses pregnant runners too
• My schedule is to run on M,W,F and I do my long run every Friday, increasing my time.  Off days I'm weight training (abs, legs, upperbody).
• Last but not least - Get some sleep!!  Itsabelly's Marketing Manager, Jennifer and I have tried to commit to sleeping earlier (early to bed, early to rise).  If I can get to bed by 10:00-10:30 pm I will definitely have a more productive and less stress free day ahead of me.

Imagine Having Eight Kids Where Six Are Sextuplets at the Age of Three!

I just had to blog about this after watching the Oprah Show (yes, I'm an admitted Oprah fan).  She interviewed the family of Jon and Kate Gosselin who are the parents of twins and sextuplets!  Their story just struck a chord with me today. Kate was being interviewed about how she handles taking care of EIGHT children.  She said she spends most of her time cooking healthy, organic meals for her family of 10. "My day is make a meal, serve a meal, clean up a meal, clean up everything, wipe this one, change that one, deal with this one," she says. On average, she runs the dishwasher two or three times a day. 

She doesn't give them any food options, what they see is what they eat or they don't eat.  She is not a short order cook, she is not a buffet - if they don't like it, too bad!  Personally, this is the motto I live by when cooking for my family.  She also said she lives for the present and just prays before her day starts that she has enough strength to get through the day.  She doesn't worry about tomorrow (how could she with EIGHT KIDS).  Kate also said after a bad day, they try to go to sleep knowing tomorrow is a fresh start. "We just really want our kids to grow up productive members of society," Kate says. "And be the best whoever they are that they can be."  I echo this same sentiment as a parent!

While watching the show I was truly in awe of how this mom and dad are able to handle all of the work that goes into caring for their large family not to mention making ends meet financially.  It puts me to shame when I complain about not having time for myself, going nuts when Isabella throws a fit over not wanting to eat her food or not having time to fold the two mile high pile of laundry on my bed but I guess it's all relative, right?

Kudos to Kate and her husband for surviving and just living.  All in all, when in comes down to it, what matters is that you have each other because when every material thing is stripped from you, what you'll have left is the bare essentials, your loved ones.  In this family's case there is a presence of abundant love to go around!  Hopefully, this post will keep things in perspective for you when things get really challenging at home and you're about to pull your hair out because you just don't have enough time to get that one last thing checked off your to-do list!  Don't worry it will be waiting for you tomorrow with open arms :)

Baby Concierge/Baby Planner in a Box Now Available (the start-up kit to launching a successful baby concierge business) TM

I've been working diligently on creating a Baby Concierge/Baby Planner in a Box (start-up kit) TM to help future entrepreneurs interested in launching their own baby concierge/baby planning business.  I'm happy and excited to say I'm ready to share it with the world! 

The kit is full of extremely invaluable information, tips and guidance on how to break into this new niche of baby planning.  The kit is based on my personal and entrepreneurial endeavor in launching Itsabelly Baby Concierge since March of 2007.  Baby Concierge/Baby Planner in a Box TM will help you understand the do's and don'ts of trying to break into a new niche and how to gain credibility in a relatively unknown field.  The kit will definitely give you a significant jump start at launching your business and I'm offering 1 hour of my consulting time with purchase of the kit.

Here is a peek at the table of contents in my kit:

Writing Your Business Plan
Resources
Creating a Business Plan You Love
Business Action Plan Template   

Market Research
Baby & Mama Industry Facts
Factual and Data Market Research Resources   

Marketing
Marketing 101
Effective Marketing Tools
Expand Your Internet Marketing Skills
Target Your Marketing Efforts

Earning Media Attention and Expert Status
Media Relations Tips

Developing Your Pricing Model
How to Set Your Price
Itsabelly Package Example

Researching Baby Gear
Itsabelly Product Research Guide

Building Partnerships
Sample Pitch Letter

Engaging Your Customer
Building Customer Relationships

FAQs   

Below is a description of what a future Baby Concierge or Baby Planner's background should look like.  Are you this person?  If so, contact Itsabelly for more details on how get your Baby Concierge/Baby Planner in a Box (start-up kit) TM to help you launch your dream business!  Contact: 503-799-5719 or email at info@itsa-belly.com

• Wants to work from a home based office
• Needs flexible hours to take care of children
• Is VERY resourceful and LOVES to do research
• LOVES to help others (particularly moms, dads and families)
• Has a strong drive to succeed
• Excellent at multi-tasking
• Well organized (or at least knows where their car keys are hiding half of the time)
• Great Follow-through
• Strong Customer Service and Interpersonal Relationship Skills
• Has good marketing & sales experience (or has the drive to learn)
• Has a supportive significant other and family for the late night hours of work you'll be putting in

2008 Copyright & Trademark Protected
Baby Concierge/Baby Planner in a Box (start up kit) TM is copyright protected. Please do not copy or use any images and content from this blog without written permission.

 

The Feeling of Alone...

I told my husband I wanted to take some time to be "alone" this afternoon.  He looked at me surprised.  I proceeded to tell him I wanted some alone time and needed him to take care of Isabella for the afternoon.  It was spur of the moment but I didn't care.  I basically wanted to get in my car without having to be worried about my baby in the backseat needing her sippy cup or a snack.  I wanted to go shopping without having to push Isabella in the cart and worry that she would suddenly scream out for no obvious reason.  I just wanted all the noise around me to be gone so I could be alone in my head.

So, I left from 12:30-4:00 pm and went to Target (every mom's favorite place to "hang out" and buy that cotton v-neck tshirt for 8.99 or kitchen gadget that you don't need), then I spent a whole HOUR at Starbucks with my tall, skinny mocha (they now have sugar free mocha syrup, yahoo!) and book in hand, then off to Trader Joe's to get groceries for dinner!  Ah, it was SO NICE to be ALONE.  I loved every minute!!  It felt so freeing to be in my head alone...to be in my car alone.  I never thought that being a mom would make me crave wanting to be in Target alone, sheez!  As if Target was my salvation, too funny.  I know there's a mom out there reading this who knows exactly what I mean (feel free to comment on my blog if you're one of those women).

I wrote this post because I believe that we as women need our "alone time" to rejuvenate, re-energize and re-focus because we do so much for everyone else that we often forget about ourselves or we always come last.  So, give yourself that time you need to re-fuel so you can be the best mom, wife and friend that you can be.  It's ok to ask for extra help from your hubby and believe me I'm going to keep asking.  Because at the end of the day, I came home with a smile on my face, ready to play another round of blocks with my baby and ready to whip up another meal!