Robeez are changing.....

Robeez shoes announced today that they are lowering the prices on all their shoes! This is GREAT news for customers, but painful news for retailers who bought a lot of shoes at the original price and now have to take an uncomfortable cut on all that stock...but, that's the way it goes! So look for much lower prices on all the Robeez we have in stock. Soft sole shoes are going from $29.49 to $22.49. That's quite a jump!

The 3/50 Project

3- What 3 independently owned businesses would you miss if they dissapeared? Stop in . Say hello. Pick up something that brings a smile. Your purchases are what keeps those businesses around.

50- If 1/2 the employed population spent $50 each month in locally owned, independent businesses, it would generate more than $42.6 billion in revenue.* Imagine that positive impact if 3/4 of the employed population did that.

68- For every $100 spent in locally owned, independent stores, $68 returns through the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures. If you spend that in a national chain, only $43 stays here. Spend it online and nothing comes home.

1- Number of people it takes to start the trend...you.

Pick Three. Spend 50. Save your local economy.

What's happening around town?

Friday, December 4th- Downtown Ag Parade and street party on Third Ave. The party starts at 5 and the parade starts at 7!

La Leche League meetings will be held at Baby, Naturally every third Monday at 10am. The next meeting will be On December 21st. For pregnant and nursing moms & their babies.

The most important thing you can do to protect your family from the flu...

It's NOT getting vaccinated! It is Vitamin D supplements! The current government Vitamin D dosage recommendations are WAY off. Did you know that Vitamin D deficiency is related to cancer, hypertension, diabetes, osteoporosis and so much more, and up to 3/4 of the population is Vitamin D deficient. Read this article to learn more, and then go get your Vitamin D!!!
http://www.cbn.com/community/closerlook/GailonTotheroh3/C124_VitDSuperProtector.pdf

This weekend in Downtown Moses Lake...

Don't miss the Downtown Open House Friday & Saturday. Businesses are staying open late and serving refreshments! The Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony is Saturday November 14th with entertainment starting at 4pm and the lighting at 6pm, followed by a free movie in Sinkiuse Square (A Charlie Brown Christmas)- Bring your blankets! The Girl Scouts are selling Hot Dogs and Hot Chocolate and the Dutch Oven Society is offering wonderful chili and cornbread with all proceeds going toward Thanksgiving Turkeys for the Food Bank! Come have some good family fun!

The Keeper Moon Cup

The Moon Cup is an innovative feminine hygiene product that is worn internally, freeing women from the dependency of cumbersome, uncomfortable, expensive, paper-based products. Economical, efficient, comfortable and enviornmentally friendly, re-usable menstrual cups are an attractive alternative to other feminine hygiene products. Made by a woman for women, the Moon Cup (medical-grade silcone) is FDA approved and one of only 2 menstrual cups made in America. The Moon Cup is designed to catch your menstrual flow, rather than absorbing it. The Moon Cup has a potential life expectancy of 10 years. You can expect to spend $3 to $7 per cycle with regular tampons, but the Moon Cup cost is about 27 cents per cycle! Go Green!

Not Enough Milk?

Did you know the number one reason mom's give up breastfeeding is because of a perceived lack of enough milk? Sadly, it's an easily rectified situation. The best way to increase milk supply is to nurse more often! Mom's think there is nothing in there, so it's futile! God designed the whole system wonderfully... It works on a supply and demand basis- the more baby nurses, the more milk mom makes! The 'emptier' your breasts are (though they are never truly empty), the more your body works to fill them up. Imagine a self-filling tank- When your breasts are 'full' the tank is at capacity- it's not going to keep filling, so you aren't going to keep producing as much milk. But when you empty the tank, you produce more to fill it! If you think your baby is not getting enough so you supplement with formula, you are further decreasing your milk supply because your baby won't efficiently empty the breast, therefore you aren't getting the stimulation needed to make more milk...your supply will dwindle. Pumping will help, but a pump cannot get out milk like a baby can! A good latch is also essential! Baby isn't going to get a full belly if he/she doesn't have a good latch. It's a good idea to have the latch checked by a profesional lactation consultant because a lot of times a doctor or nurse really doesn't know what a good latch looks like.

Pacifiers- did you know that baby's who use pacifiers wean much earlier than those that don't? Pacifiers are an artificial YOU! In this country, we feel like nursing is for feeding, when in reality it was designed as so much more. Baby's have a need to suckle and to do this at the breast, whether or not they are actively feeding, is an important physiological need. It is good for baby's to have plenty of access to the breast, and not just at scheduled feeding time. So if you are thinking 'He can't be hungry again, he JUST ATE!', don't hesitate to give him/her all the time on the breast he needs...it's not just about the milk! It's about the suckling, the skin to skin contact, the comfort...

Get enough food and fluids!

Hormonal birth control can reduce your milk supply too- regardless of how low the dosage is. Breastfeeding....good for baby, good for you!

Ginger Snappz Nursing Covers

Need a trendy nursing cover? Look no further than Ginger Snappz Chic Nursing Covers! I love the fabrics on these and they have that wonderful, flexible neckline so you can see the baby while nursing! The neck strap can be completly adjusted and fitted perfectly to mom's liking. One side of the cover has a terry cloth corner to store breastpads or use as a facial wipe for baby!

Shoo Shoos!

Some of you might remember that several years ago we used to carry Shoo Shoos. They are fabulous shoes and we are bringing them back! We are still going to carry the beloved Robeez, so these will just be an addition and hopefully we will continue to expand our shoes! Shoo Shoos are also made of leather and come in wonderful designs. They make a soft-soled baby shoe and a shoe with a rubber sole as well. The 2 biggest differences between Shoo Shoos and Robeez are that Shoo Shoos are made in South Africa, whereas Robbez are made in China, and Shoo Shoos have a lower price! That's always a bonus! Check in with us a a week or so to see our first small shipment of Shoo Shoos...and keep checking back as we order more!

The winner is....

Congratulations, Misty on winning the September Blog Give-away! You won a pair of Robeez and a pair of BabyLegs! Keep following for this month's give-away!

Let's all look out for one another!

Some of you may have noticed a LOT of windows in Moses Lake with boards on them. The vandals are at it again, shooting out as many windows in businesses as they can. It's a big cost for everyone...I had my windows shot out and it's very expensive! I ask you all to please be aware of this huge problem going on and if you hear anything or might know anything about who is responsible for this, please contact law enforcement. I have heard about security cameras being installed, so hopefully someone can catch the responsible party. Please help if you can!

Colostrum- Your baby's first immunization

Colostrum is the essential first milk produced for the newborn. Colostrum is three times richer in vitamin A and ten times richer in beta-carotene (an active precursor form of vitamin A responsible for the yellow color of colostrum) than mature milk. It is especially rich in IgA, which coats the lining of babies' immature intestines, preventing germs from leaking through, just at the time when the newborn is first exposed to the outside world and needs protection from germs and foreign substances entering his body. Colostrum also contains higher amounts of white blood cells and infection-fighting substances than mature milk. Because of it's high levels of vitamin A, antibodies, and other protective factors, colostrum is considered the baby's first immunization. It also contains antibodies that protect the baby from respiratory and intestinal infections, particularly pneumonia, middle ear infections, and gastroenteritis (inflammation of the lining membrane of the stomach and the intestines). Colostrum contains concentrated nutrients which the infant needs after labor. Until the infant has received colostrum, no other substance should be introduced into the baby's digestive system. The combination of these concentrated nutrients, healthy bacteria, and immune factors give the baby the healthiest possible start in life. Formula contains none of these factors. In fact, giving formula before colostrum has been ingested can cause serious digestive problems in the infant, some of which may not be diagnosed until much later in life. Although colostrum is secreted in small quantities (30-90ml), it is sufficient to meet the caloric needs of a normal newborn in the first few days of life. Without the antibodies in mother's milk, a baby's immature immune system has a very hard time dealing with disease.

Juice!

What comes to mind when you think of the early childhood years? Diapers, nursing, and those first beautiful, toothless smiles? If your children are a bit older it may be teething, potty training, sipper cups and juice. Juice boxes, juice bottles, juice drinks, juice pouches...grocery stores have entire aisles dedicated to such products. In our culture, juice is nearly synonymous with childhood. But should it be?

To answer that we need a brief primer on the different types of fruit juice. Most of us are aware of the difference between "juice drink" and 100% fruit juice. Juice drink is typically a small amount of fruit juice with refined sugar, artificial colors and flavorings added. When the package indicates that it is "100% juice" we know it's better than "juice drink," - right? Well, that's where it gets tricky.

Manufacturers know the draw of the "100% juice" label for conscientious parents. They are also well aware that the sweeter their product, the more kids will demand it. So, in an effort to satisfy both camps, many companies use juice concentrate that has not been fully reconstituted. In other words, it is still concentrated juice because it has not been completely diluted with water. It has the sweeter taste of "juice drinks" and yet, it can be labeled 100% juice.

Unless the package specifically states "not from concentrate", it can be difficult to discern between these types of real juice since both list juice concentrates among their ingredients. One way is through close scrutiny of the packaging. Now this is just meant as a rule of thumb, but the package with the eye catching, kid-friendly graphics tends to be the concentrated juice. Whereas, the label that merely pictures an apple and brand name is more likely a fully reconstituted juice.

Something else to consider before you fill that sipper cup with any kind of juice is what does the juice contain, as well as what does it lack. When a fruit is made into juice the pulp is removed. The pulp contains all of the fiber and almost all of the fruit's vitamins and minerals. The resulting 100% fruit juice is really just sugar, water and calories. While it is natural sugar from carbohydrates in the fruit, the human body still treats it as it would any other sugar. The more concentrated the juice, the more sugar and calories contained therein.

As a nation, we are primarily concerned with fat content and have forgotten the importance of watching our sugar and caloric intake. We all need nutritious calories to maintain health and keep our immune system functioning properly. This is especially true in growing children where empty calories mean a lost opportunity for vitamins and minerals necessary for their developing bodies,. High sugar consumption is associated with diseases such as diabetes and obesity. It is for this reason that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends limiting children under six years of age to 6 ounces or less of fruit juice per day.

The AAP has found excessive juice consumption to cause tooth decay, diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating and flatulence. They have even linked it to malnutrition and stunted growth in extreme cases.

So, the next time that you find yourself perusing your local grocery store, take a look at that juice aisle. Consider the ramifications and ask yourself if these juice products really deserve to be so closely associated with childhood. Then, turn your cart back to the produce section and grab a few more apples, oranges, grapes, bananas, pears.....

Written by Michelle Love, M.Ed & reprinted from Nursing Family Newsletter

September Give-away...Best or Worst!

Recently I had a poor customer service experience, which got me to thinking quite a bit about the whole subject. To enter in this month's give-away, share your WORST customer service story...or your BEST customer service story, or both! Post them as a comment, and at the end of the month we will randomly draw from all the posters. Please include your email address! The winner will recieve one pair of shoes and one pair of Babylegs!- your choice!

The Winner is..................

The August Give-away winner, by random drawing of blog posters, is.....ANNA! Yeah!! Check back for the September Give-Away!!

August Give Away!

So...summer is winding down and Labor Day Weekend is right around the corner. School starts and it's back to the grind. It seems like summer just got here! Who is taking advantage of the last Holiday weekend to go out and do something with the family? If you are going to travel anywhere, you will appreciate our August Give-Away! Someone will win the Weekender Bag from O.R.E. Originals. It's a beautiful, generously sized bag to hold all of your essentials! *Cotton canvas lined with nylon canvas *Outside pocket, 3 interior compartments & inner zipper pouch and it's machine washable! This Ore Berry Vines Linen Weekender Tote Bag makes a great treat for yourself or an anytime gift for friends and family. Size: 26W (top) x 15H x 11.5W (bottom)

So here's how you enter to win: Tell me about one family trip or occasion that didn't go quite as planned! Did you go to Disney Land and it poured down rain the whole time? Tell me about it! Did you order a Care Bears Birthday cake for your daughter's birthday and when you picked it up it was a Cabbage Patch Kid/Winnie the Pooh Combo? (That happened to me!). Just post your short story here and include your email address and a winner will be drawn from the posters!

World Breastfeeding Week Celebration!

Please join us at Dogwood Park for the annual WBW Celebration! Bring the family and enjoy entertainment and lots of raffles for some great prizes! We are giving away 3 gift baskets and a stroller! Wednesday, August 5th from 10-2pm. Be there or be square!!

Congratulations to Tara, Winner of the Just Ducky Basket!

Life is sweet!

Everybody loves candy! Did you know that adults consume 65% of the candy that's produced each year? We love candy so much that we are regularly adding to 'The Sweet Suite', our candy corner located right inside Baby, Naturally! The Sweet Suite offers candy by the piece, featuring Nostalgic, Organic and Novelty Candies. We are also preparing to offer the latest trend in Occasions- Candy Buffets! This is a unique, fun and memorable way to entertain your guests. Candy Buffets are perfect for any occasion- Weddings, Baby Showers, Birthdays, Grand Openings and more! They look so fun and inviting that it really excites your guests! They offer a great alternative to serving an entire meal, and guests can take them in cute little containers as a favor.

I have fond memories of searching for cans and bottles as a child to cash them in for coins. Then we would head over to Don's Market and buy candy. I almost always chose a Chick-O-Stick. We have those! What are your memories of childhood candy?

When to wean the baby...

Recently we had a discussion on our Facebook page about 'extended' breastfeeding (extended meaning anything beyond the U.S. average duration of 6 months). A sampling of the responses were:

"I would say that after 3, that is too long";



"I would not be horrified to see a mother breastfeeding her toddler child. There are so many benefits to extended breastfeeding."



"I think if the 'baby' can un-do your bra, that's too long!"



While around 77% of moms in the U.S. breastfeed for some period of time, 43% were breastfeeding at 6 months, and 21% at 12 months. There is a surprising lack of data on breastfeeding rates after 1 year of age, partly because the company that has been the main compiler of breastfeeding rates, Ross Laboratories, only measures data up to 12 months because that is their target group for formula marketing, and I suspect that not many people focus much attention on toddler nursing because the percentages of U.S. moms doing it are lower and because just getting moms to nurse for at least the first 12 months has been enough of a challenge.



So how long to nurse? The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding for at least 2 years. It's not so unusual in other countries to nurse 2 years and beyond. The American Academy of Pediatrics takes a conservative stance and recommends breastfeeding for at least the first year. The tremendous health benefits of nursing do not stop at 1 or 2 years of age. They continue for the duration and have life-long health benefits. Not only does breastfeeding protect against ear infections, gastrointestinal ailments, diabetes, Crohn's Disease, Celiac Disease, leukemia, arthritis, obesity and osteoporosis, (and so much more!) but breastfeeding protects both mother and baby against breast cancer. Did you know that breastfeeding for 7 years total or longer reduces your risk of breast cancer to almost zero? I truly believe that this is the American Cancer Society's most under-utilized pieces of information!



So why do we wean so early? The top reasons are societal views and norms, education (less educated women tend to breastfeed for a shorter amount of time), and lack of support and education in breastfeeding. The US has so many working moms and that certainly has an impact on duration of breastfeeding. Generally, babies of working moms receive artificial nipples for a portion of the day and artificial nipples (including pacifiers) result in earlier weaning.



Kathleen Detwyler, Ph.D, has done a lot of amazing research on breastfeeding and has come up with this: "The minimum predicted age for a natural age of weaning in humans is 2.5 years with a maximum of 7 years." For some very interesting reading, visit her website and read her fascinating research! http://www.kathydettwyler.org/
Comments, thoughts & opinions?

'Just Ducky' Giveaway Challenge!

I know you want to win this adorable 'Just Ducky' gift basket! It's stuffed with some very cute items! The basket it's in is adorable all by itself, but inside you will find some Axel Craft Bath Critters, a Mini Ducky Bath Bag by O.R.E. Originals, a rubber duck, a bottle of Burt's Bees Baby Bee Bubble Soap, a Cute little Duck wash cloth by Sterling Baby, a bag of Artisinal Candies from Yummy Earth and a Boo Boo Duck by Gund, and 2 notebooks. This makes a great gift to keep or give away as a gift!

Have you tried the food at our newest downtown restaurant, Pho Saigon? I have heard rave reviews so far...so your challenge is, name 3 things off their menu (and the prices)! All correct entries will go into a blind drawing and the winner will receive the Just Ducky Basket! Contest ends July 31! Email your answers to babynaturallyorders@yahoo.com

Edward & Bella will be there!

Well, they would be if they were real!

Did you know that the blood collected by the Inland Northwest Blood Center stays in our area?

Moses lake needs blood! The Inland Northwest Blood Center is having a Community Wide Blood Drive June 30th, July 1st, 2nd, & 3rd. 11am-5:30 pm

Free hot dogs, ice cream, treats & t-shirts! Enter to win a rafting trip, a BBQ, a Triple Play weekend Getaway & Gift Certificates! Go to http://www.inbc2.org/ for more information.

Grant County Animal Outreach Banquet & Auction

Hey, you animal lovers! The Grant County Animal Outreach is having a Banquet & Auction on July 18th. This organization has worked tirelessly on taking care of our community's unwanted and stray animals. Since taking over, the animal euthanasia rate has decreased dramatically! They are doing some amazing things out there, but they can't do it without money to operate! Please support them by attending the Banquet & Auction. There will be some awesome things to bid on and you might take home something special!

Enjoy dinner, no host bar (beer and wine only), with silent and live auctions to support shelter pets in Grand County. Proceeds will help improve medical equipment and maintain quality subsistance to the animals in their care.

Where: Masto Room (BBCC ATEC)

7611 Bolling Street

Moses Lake, WA

Date: July 18, 2009

Time 6pm-10pm

Tickets are $25.00 per person and available at the Animal shelter and from any Board Member. For questions call Carmen at 509-431-7048

Win A Webkinz Jr.!!!!!!!!!!

Every Webkinz Jr.® plush pet comes with a secret code that is used to log into Webkinz World. Once there, children can feed and care for their virtual Webkinz pets, decorate and furnish rooms for their pets, enter challenges, play games and do odd jobs to earn Kinzcash—the virtual currency which pays for food, clothing and treats. Webkinz Jr. are aimed at the 3-6 year age range and encourage children to imagine, explore and learn! Enter to win the Webkinz Jr. of your choice by answering the following questions correctly:

What Brand are Webkinz Jr.?

What year was that brand founded?

By whom was it founded by?

All correct entries will go into a drawing. Email me your answers at babynaturallyorders@yahoo.com Winner will be chosen July 1st! Please encourage your friends to follow our blog for their chance to win free stuff!!

And the winner is.....

Michele Slyter! Congratulations, Michele! You are the first winner in our bi-monthly Baby, Naturally! Give-away!! Enjoy your adorable 'Octotunes'!

Keep reading our blog for the next contest!

The cutest babies on the block!

Yes! We now carry Lee Middleton collectible dolls! They are so adorable and life-like! They are weighted to feel like a real baby. Come by the window and take a peek! We do close the curtains at night so they can get their much needed sleep (and to keep them out of the afternoon sun!). Lee Middleton Dolls are designed for the collector and range in price from $95-$160. They are safety tested for ages 13 and over. We have some play babies as well that are designed for actual playing! * Blog readers: Mention this 'BLOG SPECIAL' and get 20% off your Middleton Baby!

Fanci-Free To Go!

Check out these great diaper & wipe pouches by Fanci-Free! They also have great pacifier pouches to keep those little suckers from ending up in the bottom of the diaper bag where all the little crumbs reside!

Win me!

Here's the first opportunity to win something FREE from Baby, Naturally! Octotunes by Lamaze is a big, sweet, orange octopus and each tentacle makes a different note when squeezed. He's also vanilla scented! A great toy for any baby! And you can win Octotunes if you can tell me the names of Octomom's youngest 8 children! First AND middle names! Contest ends in 2 weeks. All correct answers will go into a hat and we will blind-draw one winner. Remember to email me the answers privately at babynaturallyorders@yahoo.com with your name and address if you don't live in Moses Lake!

Hair this week.....

If you have a girl and you love hair stuff, come in later this week to see our new assortment of hair bows! They are so adorable!! Here is a sampling of what's coming! These are made by Jamie at LanieBug Boutique and she does an excellent job! We have another assortment on the way too so check back for pictures!

Milkbank- A healthier way to store breastmilk!

I was so excited when I found out about MilkBank- a fantastic & healthier way to store breastmilk! MilkBank is a vacuum system that pumps the oxygen out of the bottle and vacuum seals it. (Clinical tests show that any level of oxygen exposure begins to spoil breastmilk) Oxygen can cause breastmilk to have an off-taste because it can distort the flavor. MilkBank also has come up with an insulated bottle that can keep the milk warm throughout the feeding. (Clinical tests prove that warm milk provides superior nutritional absorbtion). What could be cooler, other than straight from the tap, of course!

Did you say FREE?

Is there anyone who doesn't like a chance to win something, for FREE? I personally like the chance, but I never win anything! :( If that's your story, things could be looking up! Every so often when I blog about a new, exciting product, followers will have an opportunity to win something!!! I enjoy a little excitement and creativity so chances are good that you will have some fun trying to win! So keep reading and spread the word!

My aching feet!

Today was a good day at work! I have definately felt the sting of the economy and it really sucks! When I have a decent day, I get a little less stressed out. Internet sales have picked up slightly, but are still nowhere even in the average range that we used to get. :(

10 hours on my feet was a long day...no wonder I have such bad feet. They always hurt. But if I think about it, I probably sit down for 30 minutes a day, and that's only if I have orders to put in! Brian is getting irritated with the fact that I am never home. There is SO much to do at work and I have a really hard time making myself stop! I get frustrated that all the little details and odds and ends that should be getting done do not get done, unless I do them myself. I feel like such a horrible mother, wife, housekeeper! My poor children rarely get a home cooked meal these days. And sitting down together at the table anymore? Doesn't happen. I get home around 7 many days, then it's bath, find something for dinner and it's bed time. This house is an atrocious mess! We are here long enought to mess it up but not long enough to clean it. My mother-in-law is putting on the pressure to get the girls room finished, but that's a job that will take time- time that I simply do not have. Sunday, after church is really my only option. But my sister will be here this weekend, so it's not going to get started.

Speaking of my sister, I'm very excited to see her! We will be going to see Rick Springfield in Tacoma again. Time away will be really nice! I'm going to take 3 days off! Woot! Hoping to take her to see Ellis too if we have time!

Is Spring really coming?

I am so excited about tomorrow. Yahoo weather says it will be 70 degrees! The sun tends to make everyone a little happier. Maybe it's the much needed Vitamin D that we've gone without for too long? An added bonus is that it makes people happy, and happy people spend money! It's been a brutal last few months at the store for sure. I am looking forward to more traffic and hopefully more spending down town. There are so many things I want to bring in this year, but I can't bring in more if the sales aren't there to support it. I've been very cautious lately and it's been hard to supress that desire to bring in every cool and wonderful thing I see! I am really excited about carrying Dex Baby products! A customer requested crib wedges and Dex not only carries those, but a lot of other very functional items that will be very useful!

Here's an idea! We just got in several great feeding items- baby food grinders, electric and manual, freezer food trays, child-proofing items and these great Treat Molds!

This is the perfect way to make HEALTHY treats for your kids! Put in blended fruits, yogurt, anything you want! A much better and cheaper alternative to the treats I just bought my kids from the ice cream truck! These molds are under $5!

Does the world need another blogger?

Why yes, yes it does! I have so many things to say and so few opportunities to express it all. Please humor me and read! :)