Monday, November 25, 2013

A Thankful Heart

Green Baby Elephant has now been in business for 3 years. Time flies when you are having fun! I have met a lot of families here in Tucson at local events, shopping days, and consultations. And I have met many families virtually. A lot of you have also referred family and friends to the store, which is the best compliment ever. Green Baby Elephant would be nothing without your support. I started Green Baby Elephant in 2010 to be a resource for families to learn about and purchase cloth diapers. The store has now expanded to carry other natural baby products as well as baby carriers. I know there are hundreds of other stores that sell cloth diapers, baby items, and carriers, some in the form of big box stores and other small, independent businesses. When you choose to shop at Green Baby Elephant, you are helping a mom live her dream. I’m a stay at home mom to 3 roar-some little boys. It’s sometimes difficult to juggle between owning my own business and raising 3 boys, but I’m passionate about both. I want to help families with the sometimes overwhelming choice to cloth diaper & wear their babies. We all subscribe to different parenting styles, but the one thing we have in common is that we want to do the best for our child{ren}. So whether you want organic diapers, diapers that are made in the USA, diapers that fit in a tight budget, or somewhere in between, Green Baby Elephant is here to help. The same goes for baby carriers. You are sure to find something that will comfortably carry your newborn, infant, and toddler. And like any well rounded baby store, you’re sure to find some fun and perhaps necessary extras. I’ve spent the last 3 years slowly building up the store to become a one-stop shop for families that are looking for a green baby boutique, and I hope that you find that is the case. I want to give a big ‘Thank You’ to everyone that has supported Green Baby Elephant during the past 3 years.  I’m looking forward to many more years!

Thursday, November 14, 2013

My Babywearing Journey

I don’t think I’m any different than any other mom with more than 1 child in that I’ve evolved with each baby I’ve had. I tweak my parenting skills, try different things, and work daily to find a groove that works for me and each of my boys. One thing that has changed with each boy is how I carried them. I recognized quickly after each of their births that life still moved on ahead. Chores needed to be accomplished. Groceries still needed to be bought. Care for older brother{s} needed to be met. Wearing each baby made daily tasks possible, as well as for fun outings & vacations.

I remember the first time I wore my first son, CW. He was about 5 weeks old, and I used a Snugli at the grocery store. He wasn’t a fan of his car seat, and neither was I. It was so heavy, and it took up too much room once it was put inside the basket. I rocked out in that Snugli! I still remember how accomplished I felt walking up and down the aisles with my first born fast asleep. It was such a good feeling. I wanted more. Unfortunately, my back did not agree. After using it a few times, it was quickly retired. It didn’t deter me from finding something else. I moved on to a Bjorn with the extra back support. That worked much better. We traveled to the Midwest and didn’t take a stroller along. It was great to find a carrier for the both of us. But again, it didn’t last long. CW grew out of it at about 6 or 7 months. So that was the end of my babywearing with CW using a carrier. I held him in my arms up until the day before his brother was born.

Baby #2, BW was carried in the Bjorn at a much younger age. He loved it. I loved it. Like his older brother, he quickly outgrew it. I knew I needed something else. There was no way I could keep up with an active toddler and a baby at the same time without having my arms free. A dear friend lent me her pouch sling. Nirvana was reached. BW and I just about wore that thing out. I would go to 2 hour MOPS meetings, and he’d be in it the whole time. Unfortunately, I would wind up with vicious migraines afterwards because the fit wasn't exactly right. It was so worth it though. He was happy the whole time at the meeting, and I got to be with friends for a bit. Eventually, he grew out of it. He was too heavy, and I couldn’t bear the thought of using the pouch any longer. So again we upgraded to a new carrier due to necessity. I needed my hands free to care for both boys while accomplishing daily tasks. This time I invested in a soft, structured carrier, an Ergo. BW was probably around 1 year old when we first began using the Ergo. It was so great to be able to put him on my back and wear him. It literally opened a whole new world without having him ‘in my face’ the whole time. I could cook meals safely without him crying & pulling at my legs. I never wore him in any other carrier while cooking because I was too scared of him grabbing at a knife or having something hot splash on him. The only drawback was some slight hair pulling at the very beginning. We used that Ergo until my belly didn’t allow it anymore. It was time to grow baby #3, MW.

My babywearing evolution really kicked into high gear with MW. He was in the Ergo with an infant insert at a few weeks old. Now I had 2 older kids to care for on top of a growing business on top of daily household chores. Life didn’t stop, and MW rolled along easily with me. The buckles started to get to me though, and I needed to find something that was a little faster to use. Once again another wonderful friend lent me a ring sling. Heaven! I found what I needed. Quick and easy ups & downs with MW. At this period of time I was getting all 3 boys in and out of the car for my oldest son’s preschool drop offs & pick ups. I needed speed, and I found it with a ring sling. I did some quick research, and I purchased a Sakura Bloom. It was amazing. MW is now 16 months, and we still use it. He took a brief snooze in it this morning. Teething has been a little rough lately, and wearing him comforts him so quickly. I’ve also moved on from an Ergo to a Tula. MW loves it. I love it. We recently took a vacation, and we traveled without a stroller. Our Tula made going through airport security with 3 boys a little smoother. It made naptimes easier while on the go visiting with friends, walking around in museums, and shopping with family while on vacation. I can’t say enough wonderful things about our Tula. Within the past couple of weeks, I’ve also began using a Dolcino Wrap. My skills are very basic, but I’m improving. At 16 months, MW still can be worn comfortably in the wrap. Next on my babywearing to-do list is to wear MW on my back with a wrap. I’ll get there eventually.

So why did I tell this long story about myself and wearing my boys? I wanted to share where I am coming from and why I added baby carriers to the store. Babywearing has been and still is a huge part of my life. I love it. I need it. I also wanted to share where my babywearing journey has taken me. I am proud of my evolution. Proud of how much I can accomplish with my 3 boys by my side. Let’s be honest. It’s more like 2 by my side and 1 up on my hip. Maybe you feel the same way, and you need somewhere to start. I needed friends to help me on my babywearing journey, and I’d like to help if you need it. There are quite a few different carriers that are now available in the store. Hopefully, you’ll find something that will work for you and your baby. Maybe you’ll use multiple carriers with your child. Maybe you’ll use a different carrier with each baby you have. I’m here to offer support and a place to find what you need. Green Baby Elephant is proud to carry Tula Baby Carriers, Sakura Bloom ring slings, Snuggy Baby wraps, Dolcino Wraps, and EmeiBaby Carriers. http://www.greenbabyelephant.com/babywearing/

For my Tucson families, there is a Babywearing Inernational chapter here. You can find out more about this wonderful group here http://www.bwitucson.org/. They meet regularly, and they offer great support during your babywearing journey.
Baby #3, MW. Sweet, sleepy snuggles.


P.S. Watch for more babywearing stories & pictures on the blog in the future. It’s fun to reminisce. 

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

On the 12th day of Christmas...

Green Baby Elephant gave to me, a FREE pair of Rock-a-Thigh Baby Socks! Get a free pair of RaTB Socks with any purchase of $75 before tax & shipping. This offer is limited to in stock RaTB Sock colors & sizes, so don't wait to get your favorite print. There's no coupon necessary. Please give 2 color/size options in the special instruction box upon check out. Be sure to check that your choices are in stock by clicking here.


Rock-A-Thigh Baby Socks are made in the USA, and are perfect for this chilly time of year. I put MW in a pair under his pants as an extra layer when we are going to be out at night. These also ensure that little legs stay covered when baby-wearing. There isn't a gap between the top of socks & the bottom on pants when wearing RATB Socks. They also make diaper changing on the go easy & keep baby's legs warm.

So fill up your cart with stocking stuffers {teethers, amber necklaces, changing pads are just a few ideas}, diapers, detergent {Rockin' Green's holiday scent is almost gone!}, wet bags,  Jellystone teething jewelry for yourself, & more.

Today's the last day to enter in the 2 giveaways going on at Green Baby Elephant. The first giveaway will have TWO winners for the Leslie's Boutique Grab 'n Go Bag. The second giveaway is for $30 in Green Baby Elephant store credit. Every purchase today gets extra entries into both giveaways. Rafflecopter is down at the moment, but the extra entries will be added asap! Good luck to everyone that has entered.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

On the 11th day of Christmas...

Green Baby Elephant gave to me, cold relief for baby! 10% off NasaKleen Aspirators. Don't let the idea of sucking out baby's snot gross you out. It's so much easier and cleaner than a traditional bulb aspirator. Baby's boogies won't touch your lips, and the aspirator cleans up easily as it comes apart in pieces. And I have to admit that there's something super satisfying about seeing what came out of MW's nose while I'm cleaning the aspirator. Gross, I know. But I think I'm in safe company with you mamas, and can admit something that yucky. So don't wait until your little one has a cold. Now is the perfect time to pick up a NasaKleen Aspirator to put in the medicine cabinet.

Don't forget to enter the giveaways that are going on over at Green Baby Elephant. Tomorrow's the last day for both giveaways and the 12 days of Christmas specials.

Monday, December 10, 2012

On the 10th day of Christmas...

Green Baby Elephant gave to me, Laundry Day Goodies! 10% off  Knickernappies Diaper sprayers,  Rockin' Green Pail Freshners are only $6.25 {reg $7.50}, and a Free GroVia Wet Bag with the purchase of 2 or more BabyKicks Basic Pocket Diapers. 
 
Rinsing dirty diapers is easy with the Knickernappies Diaper Sprayer. It easily attaches to the back of the toilet, and risnse the dirties away.
 
 
 
 
 
Rockin' Green Pail Freshners help keep odors at bay. Sprinkle a little in your pail, and your holiday company won't even know that it isn't wash day.
 
 
Give BabyKicks Basic Pocket Diapers a try. They stuff in the front, which means no unstuffing a yucky mess in the back. Buy 2 and get a free GroVia Wet Bag to store the diapers while waiting for wash day {valued at $6.75}. It's a great sized wet bag to keep in your diaper bag while on the go. This would make a great 'Intro to Cloth Diapers' gift for a friend. You can choose the wet bag color/print of your choice by filling out the "Special Instructions" box upon checking out.
 
 
Don't forget to enter the giveaways. The rafflecopter entry forms are here. Two days left to win a Leslie's Boutique Grab 'n Go Bag and $30 in Green Baby Elephant Store Credit!!
 
 

Thursday, December 6, 2012

On the 6th Day of Christmas...

up to 15% off Thirsties! This sale will be good through December the 9th. So think of this as the 6th, 7th, 8th, & 9th Days of Christmas specials. Because this is a 4 day sale, I feel like I am skimping out of a few days of Christmas cheer I have a Bonus for you all. Every purchase of $150 gets a Free OS Diaper. And my Tucson clients can get a Free bag of Rockin' Green's limited edition holiday scent, Cran-Siberian Pomegranate, with a $100 purchase. Tucson fams can stack the freebies offer and get a Free bag of RnG & OS diaper with a $150 purchase! Now it's time for the small print: gift certificate purchases may not count towards the freebies & the total is before tax & shipping. The free bag of Rockin' Green will NOT be shipped, and is only available for local-Tucson pick up.  The offer for both freebies is good while supplies last, and 1 free bag of RnG and/or diaper per household}. Don't forget to enter the giveaways over at the shop's website. Rafflecopter has been wonky about posting on blogger, so I've moved them over to the shop. Be sure to shop early for the best selection!

*All orders placed this week will be available for pick up or  will be shipped on Monday, Dec. 10th.  If you need to contact me before the 10th, I'm only an email away! :)*

Monday, December 3, 2012

On the 3rd day of Christmas...

Green Baby Elephant gave to me...20% off ALL Bamboobies products PLUS a free pair of Bamboobies with any BB purchase {while supplies last!}.

Ditch the sposies for the boobies. And pamper yourself or a nursing mama on your shopping list with soft absorbent Bamboobies.

 
Remember, all orders placed today may be entered in to win $30 in Green Baby Elephant store credit!