99 Balloons

In case you have not seen it, there is a wonderful video that I came across on another blog:

See it here

Have a kleenex box ready for this inspiring video of parents dealing gracefully with a journey none of us wish to face. Read his full story here (start at the beginning, under 2006 posts). You will be forever touched.

Website Woes

I could do exactly this and not feel one minute of regret this week. Please excuse my website-broken links, pictures missing, categories out of sync. I am working endlessly to get it back up and running smoothly.

My apologies to all of you trying to order! Thanks for your patience as this non-techy tries to work the kinks out.

Geek squad....come save me!!

Lexie Barnes

Lexie Barnes Diaper Bag up for grabs at Parents with Style!

You gotta love the Lexie Barnes Diaper Bags- so cute and functional. I personally love the Dutchess- it has a sturdy design and colorful fabrics, and is the perfect size for everything that needs to be stored inside.

Check it out and don't miss your chance to win! See Details at Parents with Style.

I just got back from the Helen DeVos Children's hospital, where I am guessing some little girl's going to be very happy! Five new robes were donated to the Child Life Program, a very worthy cause and one that I have supported since the beginning of this year. For more information, read here. Thank you for allowing me to give back to the community I live in! There is nothing better than bringing joy to a child stuck in the hospital facing a serious illness.

If you have been thinking about giving back somehow, I encourage you to make a plan for this new year. It is good for the soul and really makes you appreciate everything we have been blessed with. Have a wonderful New Year!

Merry Christmas...a little early!

The holidays have already been in full force around here. Parties, making Christmas angels with my husband's 4th grade class [see below], buying presents, and sending out last minute orders has left me with little time to blog!

I wanted to make sure to take the time to express my sincere gratitude for this past year. MiniMe BabyGear has seen tremendous growth, and has turned into something I am very proud of. I owe that to you! I thank you from the bottom of my heart and wish your family a very Merry Christmas!

Sincerely, Jamie Bird

"Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." Matthew 1:23 (KJV)

New Items at MiniMe BabyGear

Perhaps it is because winter has finally arrived in Michigan and I am longing for the long green grass and pool days, but these hats make me want to be outside and in the sun!

Of course, I also carry wonderful and adorable flower knit hats and headbands as well for all those long winter days.

Not to be left out- I just added boy's knit hats with adorable and fun appliques as well.

Also new:



Cuddlebugs! Introducing a unique and adorable take along blanket- the Minkee Tab Cuddlebug Lovey! Still soft even after you wash it!


With wings made of soft minkee and then lined with satin, the tabs are added at the side to give your child something to play with. The chenille terry top is lush and thick, giving your child different textures and shapes to touch and rub. It is sure to become the favorite lovey! Offered at MiniMe BabyGear for $22.95. Qucik! Order by Friday for Christmas Delivery.

Amazing!

Yesteday a very interesting thing happened. I woke up, played with my son for a couple of hours, finished decorating the Christmas tree (I know, I know, a little early:-) and this really strange thing happened--the world of MiniMe BabyGear went on without me! I am so used to checking my e-mail first thing, returning e-mails for about an hour, working out issues. I love to do it, but sometimes it sets our day off on the wrong foot because I get so involved first thing. It felt so good to just relax, play with him, and give him my full attention for a while before doing business stuff. I am going to try and do it more often!

My great find of the week is: POTTY TOPPERS! Found at Babies R Us, they have saved me many gross moments, and I have only have them for a day. I get so sick of wiping pee off public toilets and trying to set out toilet paper only to have it fall off when I set my son on the potty, and I really hated the thought of bringing a disposable toilet seat everywhere I go (the bottom of it still touches the dirty seat, which I find disgusting). Retail is $4.99 for 10 of them. Worth every penny, as far as I am concerned!

Gobble, Gobble- Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your families! Take the day and celebrate the many things we have to be thankful for. Wishing you a very happy and relaxing holiday.

Made in the USA

The recent recalls of things Made in China have a lot of people begging for items made right here in the good old USA. So, why do people go to China? Why can’t products be made here instead?

Obviously, the biggest reason people go overseas is the price. United States manufacturers, in most cases, cannot compete. Currently, all of my products are made right here in the United States, but I admit that I have looked overseas. I cannot compete price-wise on a national level without going out of this country. For me, I have found that to produce my items in the states as opposed to in China costs me four to five times more.

Price aside, I prefer manufacturing here, which is why I have stayed in the USA. But we have to know that if we start the cry for products made in the USA, we are going to need to be willing to fork over the dough. Are you ready to pay $50 for a Barbie Doll? $40 for a set of blocks? I think many American companies are willing to come back if only consumers will start paying the price for goods made here. Otherwise, there will be no incentive for coming back. Did you know approximately 88% of children's toys are currently made in China? I don't even think American Girl dolls are made in the USA.

What are your thoughts- are you willing to pay four to five times more for something if it is made in the USA?

Isn't this just the cutest?

5 Minutes for Mom is giving it away free! This fun Pink Jalopy Pedal Car is ride on toy reminiscent of the 1920’s. So cute! Head on over to 5 Minutes to Mom to check out this great giveaway!

"They came to sit and dangle their feet off the edge of the world and after awhile they forgot everything but the good and true things they would do someday." Brian Andraes

It doesn't happen often...

I tackled the biggest job of them all today- cleaning the house. You know how it is. Things start to pile up on the counters, in the bathroom, toys left on the stairs, here and there and everywhere...by itself each area is not that cluttered, until you take the total of all messes.

*Side note-A very bad habit I have is writing important things- phone numbers, important businessc contacts, customers I need to contact- on small pieces of paper. I counted tonight- 38 papers. I need a new system!

Have you ever noticed just how happy you feel when everything is in it's place? Fortunately for my son, and unfortunately for me, his birthday is about a week away so more toys will be arriving to our house soon.

Augh well, it is clean for now. No telling how long it will last. I am even going to be before 12. A pretty good feat, if you ask me.