Dragonflies and Ladybugs – An Online Children’s Clothing Boutique
By Heather Ledeboer | Category: Surprize Me! | Posted Wednesday, June 27, 2007
I recently emailed with Robyn Johnson, owner of Dragonflies and Ladybugs about her on-line business. I would like to share a bit about her store below as it was told to me and encouarge you to stop by and look around!
Since our inception in 2004, our store has grown to carry both national and international brands of children’s clothing including Baby Nay, BabySara, Beetlejuice, CachCach, Catimini, Chatti Patti, Le Pink, Little Mass, Jack and Lily, Meli Meli, Mish Mish, Oilily, Pipsqueaks, Room Seven , Sweet Potatoes, and Za Za Couture.
Finding and selling unique styles and quality children’s clothing has become our passion. We strive to provide the HIGHEST quality and style in children’s boutique clothing to fit all personalities. We also want our customers to enjoy the shopping experience from the comfort of their own home and office.
We hope you enjoy the store, and feel free to email us with questions and feedback!
We offer safe and secure online shopping 24/7, and we are proud members of the BBB Online Reliability and Privacy Program.
Mom 4 Life blog readers can get FREE worldwide shipping from Dragonflies and Ladybugs using the code FREESHIP07
NICU Parent Support
By Heather Ledeboer | Category: Hot New Finds | Posted Wednesday, June 27, 2007
I just came across two great resources for NICU parents and families–those who hold the littlest hands–a new blog and website. The blog is filled with reflections, ruminations & resources, the website with information and support. Both are from a respected physician, educator, author and former NICU Parent. If you or someone you know has a baby in the NICU, you might enjoy checking this out!
Dads Deserve to be Celebrated
By Heather Ledeboer | Category: Surprize Me! | Posted Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Soccer games, ballet lessons, play dates, business meetings, homemade lunches, carpools and birthday parties. Today’s woman often feels she needs to bring home a paycheck, run a household and be the perfect mother. No wonder we’re called super-moms; not to mention stressed out, overworked, exhausted and overwhelmed. Fortunately, we are not in this alone.
Today’s dad is more involved than ever before and he is definitely shouldering his part of the responsibilities. With so many women going back to work outside the home and starting home-based businesses, dads have really had more of an opportunity to step it up and share the family roles while mom helps to ease the financial burden. And it is no different with stay-at-home moms because being with children all day while taking care of a house and trying to have some personal time can overwhelm even the toughest woman, so help is still needed and perhaps even more so, by dad in this situation.
Despite how well dads are doing these days at contributing to the awesome responsibility of parenting, sometimes they still feel lost in their role at home. At work they thrive. They know what to do, how to do it and they receive financial compensation for their labor. At home however, they may have to be reminded of when the kids eat, what time baseball practices and tap classes are, and what new discipline strategies mom has implemented. It can feel awkward, challenging and frustrating at times.
Thank goodness we live in a society that understands this dilemma and strives to provide families with creative solutions. From feeding time reminders and self-swaddling blankets to catch-all bags created with dads in mind, there is something out there for every dad who feels he needs an edge on parenting.
The newborn stage is an especially awkward time for dads because mom has spent nearly ten months with her child living inside of her and she is pretty much the sole provider of comfort and feeding when the bundle of joy is born. This leaves dad to wonder how he can bond with the baby and what he can do to contribute. One way dads have been successful at bonding with their newborns is through sharing feedings. And there is a product out there that allows dads to share in the joy of feeding their baby while allowing mom to rest easy knowing that her child will not experience nipple confusion or become gassy from a bottle. It is the Adiri Breastbottle Nurser and it features a unique design that imitates mom’s breast as closely as possible. It is one of the best options for bottle feeding. Another way dads can bond with their newborns is through comfort. This is sometimes intimidating for them because it seems moms are pre-programmed with the ability to soothe, while it is often a learned art for dad. Mom4life.com has several products that help comfort baby and ease them into sweet slumber. From the Cozy Cocoon to the Sleep Sheep, you are sure to find the right product to help daddy experience the sweetness of soothing your child and helping them fall fast asleep.
As your baby starts to get a little older, dad may feel brave enough to go on an outing alone with him or her, perhaps in an effort to give you a break. This is a confidence builder for him and a sanity saver for you. And it may only take one failed attempt to discourage him from trying it again, so make sure he’s loaded with all the right products to ensure success on his outing and future breaks for you. One thing he is sure to need is a diaper bag outfitted with all the diapers, wipes, bottles and binkies he could possibly need, but do you really think he wants to be seen carrying that hip satin Chinese print shoulder bag/backpack you use? If so, think again. Dads are simple and practical, which is why Fleurville created the DJ Bag just for them. It comes in a variety of dad-approved colors and keeps their hands free to chase after babies on the go. It is the ultimate diaper bag for the ultimate dad.
You and your husband have no doubt shared the duty of changing diapers, so why not continue to do that when you enter into the realm of potty training? This way you are a team and your child knows you both mean business. It also ensures that if you need to run an errand or be away from the child while your husband watches him or her, he will know what to do, when to do it, and how to do it with regard to potty training your child. In the spirit of dads loving to make everything fun with their kids, equip him with PottieStickers. They are portable, consistent and rewarding, making dad’s involvement in this process that much easier. And if you want to reduce frustration from not being able to readily find all the potty training tools and supplies you are using, provide your child with the Potty Bench and Step Stool by Boon. It organizes all your potty training supplies, makes cleaning up a breeze and converts to a step stool so you and your husband can remember to enforce the necessary habit of hand washing after going potty. If you want your husband to partner with you on this sometimes challenging journey, be prepared with the right equipment and make it fun and enjoyable.
Dad does a lot to help out around the house and with the kids, but there is more to parenting than just being responsible and doing what’s best for your children. It has to be fun! Playing is an element that cannot be overlooked because it is all too important to the learning and development of little ones, not to mention an excellent way for dad to bond with his children as they grow older. Dress up used to be thought of as something only little girls did. But there are some great products out there that make it cool for both girls and boys to play pretend, and in turn, play together with dad. Ellie Bellie Kids created capes that will inspire your boys to be imaginary superheroes and they will definitely bring out the little kid in your husband. These little adventure creators come in a variety of colors and can be personalized with your child’s initial. They are sure to be a hit with both dad and son. Then there is the classic tutu by Lillian Grace or PrissyPoofs that will take your little princess to a far away kingdom where Daddy is her knight in shining armor, ready to rescue the damsel in distress. And whether dad is pretending to soar through the air with your little superhero or slaying dragons to save the princess, the Lucy & Michael Table Tent is the perfect setting for their adventures. So keep the camcorder on hand for those spur-of-the-moment dress-up sessions because these are memories they will all be fond of in years to come.
Dads deserve to be celebrated for how they provide for their families, come home to relieve mom, and create lifelong memories with their children as often as possible. They are not perfect but they are invaluable. As moms, we have the ability to equip the fathers of our children with all the right tools to help them feel more comfortable in their role as daddy, from newborn to graduating senior. All it takes is a little creativity, forethought and caring. So, whatever stage of parenting you are in, consider what it will take to get your husband more involved on all levels and then be proactive in helping him get there. You never know; he might just surprise you.
Sweet Slumber
By Heather Ledeboer | Category: Family Focus, Mom 4 Life Product Feedback | Posted Tuesday, June 26, 2007
It’s not often you hear someone talk about memories of their dad singing to them as a child. But Charlotte Ray will be one of those people one day because her daddy sings her to sleep every night. Not only that, but he sings the song he wrote for her on the day she was born! Charlotte
’s mom, Emma, says that “Hearing his voice calm her into sweet slumber is the most beautiful thing.” What a precious memory this father is making, not only for his daughter and himself, but also forCharlotte
’s Mom 4 Life. If your husband is not musically inclined, then perhaps a Soothing Sounds CD could provide the right sleepy-time atmosphere for some rocking chair time with daddy while the Twilight Turtle gently comforts and calms them both.
4titude Award winner Stephanie P. (Blog writter and mom)
By Heather Ledeboer | Category: 4titude Awards | Posted Monday, June 25, 2007
Our most recent 4titude Award winner is Stephanie P. I invite you to read her amazing story and find awe in the healing power of God.
Q: Stephanie, please share the trial, set back or loss you have experienced:
A: My oldest son Noah began to have unexplained seizures at 2 ½ years old. They were so awful that he would have hundreds of different types of seizures a day. I couldn’t leave the house and no doctor or medication would help. We were told he might end up in an institution. The mama cat in me rose up and I knew that this was not in the plans for my son!
After learning about a special diet to treat seizures called the Ketogenic Diet, we found a doctor that was willing to help and Noah was seizure-free within 4 days of the diet. The diet is very strict and monitored by a dietician. It is not easy by any means, but it is definitely easier than watching our child have seizures all day long. Noah was able to come off the diet just before starting Kindergarten almost 1 year ago. He’s been seizure-free almost 3 years. It’s amazing. You can read the full story about Noah here. ( http://adventuresinbabywearing.blogspot.com/2006/05/full-story.html )
Q: Despite the pain you have endured, what beauty have you seen come out of this?
A: I’ve seen myself shaped into a strong woman, a more informed parent, a grateful person for many little things, the simple things in life, and I have been able to share our story to countless families, helping them get the care they need and encouraging them through the difficult times of starting the Ketogenic Diet.
Q: To what or to whom do you credit this beauty?
A: I am thankful for an ever and always faithful God.
Q: What advice or wisdom do you wish to share with others having been though this experience?
A: I tell everyone in similar situations to never lose hope, no matter what doctors or people may tell you. Have faith. Anything and everything is possible.
Q: If someone else reading this is going though something similar, do you have any resources to recommend they look into further for help or support?
A: I would be happy to talk with anyone that has questions. I also encourage parents of children with epilepsy to ask their doctor about the Ketogenic Diet, and if the doctor does not support it, get another opinion!
