A Pledge

I saw this pledge in Parents magazine this past month and it made me think how often we drive with our little ones on the road. Many of us careless without realizing the harm we place our children and ourselves in. I ask you to read this, take it in, ask yourself if you do any of these things, and take this pledge. Your children's lives and yours are too important...

Distracted driving is thought to be the cause of 80% of all crashes. For my family and the drivers, passengers, and pedestrians around me, I promise to cut back on distractions while I'm behind the wheel.

From now on, when I'm driving I will not:

• Use my cell phone or any handheld device
• Fiddle with my GPS
• Change CD's or DVD's
• Retrieve objects from the floor on the glove box
• Put on makeup or fix my hair
• Do anything that takes my focus off the road

If I'm a passenger in a car with a driver who breaks these rules, I'll speak up.

When it comes to the children in my car, I will not:

• Pass toys or snacks to kids sitting in the backseat
• Allow them to throw anything inside our vehicle (and I'll impose a strict punishment if they do)

The next time I shop for a car, I'll look for one with anti- distraction features...

on a personal note

It has been a while since I had made a personal post so I thought I might do so now. I am approaching six months of being in business for myself this Friday! I can't even tell you what a ride it's been. So first and foremost I want to thank all my loyal patrons for helping support my little store...you guys are the best!

This past Tuesday we had below 0 temperatures here in Denver and I realized that I can make an executive decision, being the boss and all, and not go into work if the rest of Denver was closing down! It felt good to be the boss that day! So Eva and I stayed home, played in the snow, made hot cocoa, baked pumpkin raisin cookies, and just enjoyed being mommy and child. It was a great day! Now, getting back into the store after being shut down for two days was another thing. It just reminded me how much work I have ahead of me. There are times when I feel like there should be at least 36 hours in a day, there are times when all I can do is visualize this little store in 5 years and me sitting on a beach somewhere tropical... reaping all the benefits, and then there are times that I think "If I have to unpack another Melissa and Doug box I am going to scream!"

Classes Scheduled for this month!

~ January 2011 ~ Naturally Loved Workshop Calendar
Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
					1 New Year's Day Closed	2 Closed
3 Closed	4	5 10am Toddler Art Class $$ Ages: 16m-4yr Cost: $10 Drop-in, $35 4-Classes	6	7 10:30am Healthy Moms & Babe: Healthy Recipe Swap & Juice Plus Talk - FREE	8 10:30am Coffee & Cream: Mother’s Gathering - FREE	9
10 Closed	11 11am Mother Goose Story Time - FREE	12 10am Infant Massage $$ Cost: $65, 3-week Series	13 5pm Baby Food 1: Yummy Purees and Mash $$ Cost: $30	14	15 10:30am Cloth Diaper/Baby Wearing Class $	16
17 Martin Luther King Closed	18 10am Sanity Saver with Kerry Stutzman; Prequel to Love & Logic Classes $	19 10am Infant Massage $$ Cost: $65, 3-week Series	20	21 10am Major Mom: Organize & Energize - FREE	22 10:30am Baby Sign Language Ages: Birth -18m Cost: $150/8-Week Session	23 10am Thriving Mama Spa $$
24 Closed	25 11am Mother Goose Story Time - FREE	26 10am Infant Massage $$ Cost: $65, 3-week Series	27	28 10:30am Transforming Your Toddlers Challenging Behavior – FREE Ages: 2yr-6yr	29 10:30am Baby Sign Language Ages: Birth -18m Cost: $150/8-Week Session 3pm Photography Workshop with Lynn Townsend $	30
31 Closed	Notes: $ = $5 Reservation Fee; $$ = Additional Material/Class Fee For up-to-date & full class descriptions: www.naturallylovedbaby.com
Created using the unLicensed version of WinCalendar.

Doulas, Santas, and classes, Oh My!

Well my fellow blog followers, I am so sorry that it has taken me this long to post a new blog. The holidays are difinetly among us and I can certainly feel it here in the store! Now if only it would snow in Denver to feel like Christmas! Better be careful what I ask for....

So just wanted to post on some things that are happening in my little store...

Dec. 9th is Meet the Doula Night! Come and meet some of Denver's best Doulas. Not sure what a doula is check out these links...www.doula.com/ www.coloradodoulas.com

The word "doula" comes from the ancient Greek meaning "a woman who serves" and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides non-medical support during labour and birth.

What is a doula?

Doulas are often trained and experienced in childbirth. They provide continuous physical, emotional, and informational support before labor, during labor, birth and the immediate postpartum period. A doula's goal is to help the woman have a safe and satisfying experience, as the woman defines it. The concept of a Doula is not new. A woman supporting another woman through labor is a tradition that goes back many years in all cultures. Some women do not live in close knit communities where their sisters, mothers, aunts, and friends are there to support them through pregnancy, childbirth and motherhood; these events can be scary and can make a woman feel lost if she has to experience them alone. A doula helps fill this gap by providing support to the woman and her partner or support system throughout the childbearing year. A doula does not replace the support system; instead she helps support them so that they can focus on loving and encouraging the laboring woman. Doulas also serve as a source of information during pregnancy, labor and birth. A doula assists families in gathering information about their pregnancy, labor and the options available for delivery. Another important role of the doula is providing continuous emotional reassurance, physical comfort such as massages, and a TENs machine and trusting in the woman's ability to birth her baby. The acceptance of doulas in maternity care is growing rapidly with the recognition of their important contribution to the improved physical outcomes and emotional well-being of mothers, partners and infants.^[2]

On Dec. 10 we have a FaceBook promotion, so fan us! The Twelve Days of Christmas begins and we will have incredible deals each day a different sale!

On Dec 11 an Elimination Communication Seminar, find out how to start potty training as early as birth! 10:30 am

On Dec 12 Spa Sampler Day Come in from 10-11 and receive some pampering, mimosas, and great shopping deals! Naturally Loved will be opened from 10-3

Dec 15 is our Holiday Handmade event, Local artisans will showcase their beautiful work and you can shop! 5:30-7:30pm light refreshments served.

On Dec 17 Intro to Signing

DENVER FAMILY CONSULTING AND NATURALLY LOVED PRESENT:

Signing Smart Sign Language Play Classes ~ A Sneak Preview!

In a play class series you and your child will:

~ Play and have fun while learning to sign quickly and easily!

~ Learn to communicate faster and easier using signs!

~ Better understand each other, enhance your relationship and reduce frustration!

Join Julie Buck, owner of Denver Family Consulting, for a 30 minute Play Class Preview held at Naturally Loved Baby on Friday December 17^th at 10:30 am. Come and see how sign language can benefit you and your child! $5 charge. RSVP to 303/955-6207. Walk-ins are always welcome! All children are welcome.

Happy Halloween! Bring in your little GOBLINS for an organic treat and 10% of your entire purchase all day Friday October 29th!

The UL Halloween Safety Guide and ‘Trick or Treat’ Family Safety Quiz

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It’s the scariest night of the year! But with a little attention to safety, you can keep it fun and not frightful. Here are a few tips for you to follow and a quiz to review safety with your kids. Boo!

Don’t Frankenstein Your Lights
Do not connect more than three miniature light strings together. Also, be sure to check the rating on your extension cords and do not plug in more than the recommended wattage. Cords should not be run under carpets or tacked-up with metal nails or staples.

Inspect Decorations with Fiendish Care
Inspect all of your electric lights and decorations for damage or wear. Cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires and loose connections may pose a fire or shock hazard. Look for a red UL mark to indicate that lights are certified for both indoor and outdoor use. A green UL mark indicates certification for indoor use only.

Beware of Candles!
Candles, especially in a Jack O’Lantern, should be off the ground and out of children’s reach. Try battery-operated LED candles for an even safer option.

Don’t Trip Up Your Goblins
Halloween costumes should allow full movement for your kids. Costumes that drag, constrict or drape pose a dangerous hazard, especially at night. Check to ensure that costumes don’t restrict your children’s vision, and instruct them to watch out for tripping hazards, such as cords.

For more tips check out....

http://safetyathome.com/seasonal-safety/fall-safety-articles/the-ul-halloween-safety-guide-and-trick-or-treat-family-safety-quiz/

Grand Opening! We had a great grand opening this past weekend and wanted to show some pictures of what fun we had!

Greenest Family Contest!

Announcing the "Greenest Family in Denver" Contest! Please submit a paragraph and a picture of your green family and turn it into naturallylovedbaby@gmail.com We will be announcing the winner at our grand opening party on September 19th between 12-4! No worries you do not have to be there to claim the grand prize...which speaking of is a $100 gift certificate to the store and a free photo session with our featured photographer Lynn Townsend! What are you waiting for? Check out Lynn's blog at www.davidlynnblog.com