Tea Collection for babies and toddlers

With the tea parties going on around the country yesterday, I couldn't help but think of Tea Collection Children's Clothing, an amazing line of clothing for young people that has me wishing they created clothes in my size!

Check out this designer couture for little citizens of the world.

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep

For those of us who have lost a child, having something to remember him or her by is the key to moving on. I came across a website devoted to bereavement photography for infants and stillborn babies which I think is a lovely testament to the ways in which our loved ones live on in our hearts and memories.

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep is a non-profit organization providing resources and volunteer photographers to provide lasting images for parents who have experienced the loss of a child. For families overcome by grief and pain, the idea of photographing their baby may not immediately occur to them. Offering gentle and beautiful photography services in a compassionate and sensitive manner is the heart of this organization. The soft, gentle heirloom photographs of these beautiful babies are an important part of the healing process. They allow families to honor and cherish their babies, and share the spirits of their lives.

With her two daughters looking on,
Jennifer Clark holds her son Connor soon after he was born.
He died the same day. (Photo by Miyo Strong)

Each year nearly 3.3 million babies are stillborn, and more than 4 million others die within 28 days of coming into the world. [World Health Organization] With advanced medical technology, it is a parents expectation that those born unto us will out live us. When a baby dies, it is outside the natural order of life and families are left devastated and forever changed.

Every living being instinctually knows how to grieve. It is learning how to heal, that some need help with. Offering gentle and beautiful photography services in a compassionate and sensitive manner is the heart of the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation.

Remembrance Photography is a very important step in this healing process. Photographs are one of the most precious and tangible mementos that a parent can have, showing the love and bond that was given and shared with their baby. These portraits will last for generations, and will honor and remember a tiny life that is forever loved and cherished.

When I experienced a miscarriage - just about ten years ago - I knew that in order to heal, I needed something physical to hold onto, something to allow me to never forget. My tattoo is something that I see on a daily basis, when I look in the mirror or when I'm in the shower. It's there with me, everwhere I go, just as my unborn daughter is and I welcome questions from people wondering about the meaning behind my body art.

I am smiling now, thinking of my first pregnancy and how confident I was, thinking that I was prepared to be a mother at the age of 22. Little did I know that the world had something else in mind for me. Things fell into place as they were meant to and I am now a mother of an amazing little boy who energizes me, inspires me and fills me with pride.

Knowing that organizations such as Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep exist puts me in awe of the many people who have made it happen. Although I know the pain and suffering the loss of a child brings, I hope that sharing this resource will provide someone with a way to move forward without the fear of forgetting about the past.

Rock'n Deals from Rock'n Sprouts

Tomorrow is the first day to take advantage of the amazing five-day offer from Rock'n Sprouts. Take 25% off of your entire order when you use coupon code YOHOHO25. Here are a few of the items I added to my wishlist, some for my son and some as gifts for other lucky beans:

Organic "Good Egg" Tee



Build a Robot Puzzle and Spinner Game



Rockin' Rooster Corduroy Blazer



Geisha Dress from Hula Mula


Rockin' Rooster Alphabet Tee


Mod Squares Coverall by Kicky Pants


Beginners Luck Hat from Little Fit


Mum & Dad Tattoo Tee

T-Rex Puppet

Happy Shopping! To receive more great deals directly, please sign up for the Happy Healthy Hip Shopping Club newsletter with special promotions and offers.

Can You Say Oliebollen?

Have you ever participated in a shopping spree? Those that I've seen on TV during game shows of the past created the shopaholic in me. The energy and excitement of trying to get as many items into a shopping cart in a limited number of minutes gets me all worked up just thinking about it.

Oliebollen, an online shopping site filled with hip items for cool kids, is hosting a Shopping Spree like no other.

Starting this morning and going on for the next five days (Nov. 28 - Dec. 2), Oliebollen is offering an Arm Chair Holiday Shopping Sweep. They promise five full days of special deals, freebies and of course, a whole lot of fun.

Every day of this event, five free items will be offered on the site, only you'll have to click through the site to discover which ones can be added to your shopping cart at no additional cost. Of course, there are rules and tips for this great promotion, so head on over to Oliebollen to learn more, shop in your pajamas and stock up on fantastic toys, books, clothes, furniture and other cool gifts for babies and kids.

Bonus Families

My son keeps asking me when I'm going to have another baby. He wants a sibling and he's not alone. I have baby cravings all the time, especially after spending time with my sister's new baby - or looking at the pictures of him that are on my fridge or kitchen table. Basically, several times a day!

Bonus Families is a website and a wonderful term for the step-families of my generation. I'd like to inherit a bonus family someday, but I'm not in any hurry. I'm still enjoying the time I have with my son and getting to know myself as a single mom and individual who is trying to get some goals reached before inviting another adult (and child) into our world.

I spent some time getting to know someone recently whom I met through eHarmony. We decided, after learning more about each other, that we are not looking for the same things right now. He is looking for a serious, long-term relationship, whereas, I am searching for someone who I can finally be myself with. I think I've found him and even though there is quite some distance between us, and baggage from our past relationships, I have faith that with time, things will become less stressful and we can begin to share more of each other more often.

When my husband and I first separated and he moved out, there was a long span of time before our divorce was finalized. Nearly two entire years went by before the court declared us no longer married to one another. Clearly, our marriage was over long before my ex-husband ever filed for divorce.

Saying that I'm involved with a married man would not be accurate. Telling people that the man I'm dating is currently separated would be more precise. His marriage has ended and despite the fact that they tried to make things work for their children's benefit, they have finally made peace with the fact that there is nothing left to hold onto.

In my adult life, I have met many people from different backgrounds with diverse pasts that they've overcome. Along the way, I have made both good and bad decisions, as we all have, but I have faith that the path before me will lead to happiness and true love.

Where will your path lead? You can think positively and hope for a happy ending, or you can make the choice to let the negative thoughts take over. I choose to believe that good things come to those who wait and I have been patient and cautious and continue to take one day at a time.

Happy Being Single

It's interesting to see how single women and men, with or without children, seem to always be questioned about their relationship status. My friends from college joined me last night for drinks. There were five us there and each of us had quite a unique situation going on in our lives and each one of us was perfectly content with the way things are going.

I chat an awful lot about my personal relationships so readers know that I'm content being single, and am still having many of my needs met from different sources in my life. Let me share with you the status of the four friends that were at my table.

One friend is married. He has a toddler and Baby #2 on the way. Another friend is engaged and getting ready to start her life in a new city with her future husband. Another friend is preparing for her wedding next year. They have been together for about a decade and have a son together. They've been living as a married couple for many years but are making it official next summer. And last, but certainly not least, there was a friend there who is also single. He has no children, has never been married and is not dating anyone at the moment.

Each one of our situations and experiences are quite unique. Each one of us is pretty honest and open about the way our lives have turned out and brought us to the place we are now. I am so pleased that we have been able to keep in touch and that we all make time to get together every once in a while to catch up.

Since my single friend and I had much in common - between people asking us about marriage and whether or not we'll settle down with anyone and questions about kids and whether or not we see babies in our future, I decided to talk to him about being single.

The two of us continued the conversation after the others at the table went home. He and I discussed how satisfied we are with our lives right now and the idea that somehow every one is meant to have a life partner doesn't quite work for us.

I think that, for me, I was always meant to be alone. And being alone no longer equates to loneliness. I admit, there are times I feel lonely and yearn for people who are far away, or miss having someone to wake up with each morning, but for the most part, I enjoy single life.

I like dating and getting to know people and having them in my life for certain periods of time and for different reasons. I am not actively looking for someone to spend the rest of my life with or be a dad figure to my son. I would be perfectly happy if I were in the same position by the time I turn forty.

There is one thing that I do think about changing with regards to my family. I would like to have a second child someday. Perhaps even a third. Do I start trying to conceive now so my son would be five when I have the second, or do I wait until a man comes along that is willing to help me raise a child?

Many men, and women, choose to be single parents from day one. There's a term for them. They're called intentionally single parents and while I don't think I would ever label myself this way if I did decide to raise another baby on my own, I do think that there needs to be more support for these types of families.

I think I'll throw it out there to the men in my life, the fact that I want to have another baby someday. Actually, most of them already know that I wouldn't mind having a second. What I don't think I've shared with them is that I wouldn't mind taking on that job solo. I wonder how many men would be willing to be a donor, willing to help me make this happen while being able to step aside and let me play Mom one more time.

What do you think? Is this a selfish decision that one makes or is this me craving a baby because I'm spending time this week with my 8 week old nephew? The jury's still out on what will happen next and I don't like living in absolutes. I'd be curious to know what readers think.

The Cleanest Diapers on the Planet

If I were to have another baby (or when I do), I most definitely plan on doing things differently. The main change that I would make would be the elimination of disposable diapers.

Blueberry Diapers, founded by mom Margarita McClure, turned me on to the idea of leaving behind the "convenience" of disposable diapers and switching to a safer, healthier and environmental-friendlier organic cotton cloth diapers.

There are many statistics that point to the growing problem facing our environment. Did you know that it takes (on average) between 250 - 500 years for disposable diapers to decompose?

How about the fact that the liners in disposable diapers still contain sodium polyacrylate, the same substance that was removed from tampons over twenty years ago!

I also had no idea that diapers are made from petroleum by-products. Add to that the cost to families during the diapering years ($2,000 - $2,500) and it just makes a whole lot of sense to start changing our habits within our homes.

Since babies are so much more vulnerable to toxic exposure, McClure set out on a mission to create the cleanest diaper on the planet. She did so with both Swaddlebees and Blueberry Diapers - free of bleach, chlorine or pesticides.

Swaddlebees are made of organic cotton and are designed with fun and whimsical patterns (from zebra print to blue latte). Over 32 designs are available on line as well as diaper covers and accessories.

Back to School Gear

Dots & Daisies Lunch Tote by Room It Up



ferd

Wrap Black Geo




edenstar

Cropped Pant

Ed Hardy Kids Sailor Mouse Polo Shirt

Mod Dress




west village kids

CamouflageTee & Boxer underwear

Too Cool Couture

Edgy & Adorable T-Shirt



True Religion - Boy's Zuma Billy Jean
Toddler/Kids


Sophia Burgundy




zecar flywheel by chico bicalho




Flaming Fire Ball Personalized Aluminum Lunch Box








Love is Better Than Ice Cream




Mommy's Little Man onesie