Our WORLD

Lovebug is a master at knowing exactly when I’m distracted. We live in a big house with all hard wood and lots of nooks and crannies to get into. Me: Lovebug, I’m going to take a shower; what are the rules? Lovebug: No going upstairs, no going outside. Me: Ok, I’ll be right back. Lovebug: Mama, you didn’t ask…. Me: What’s going to happen if you break the rules? Lovebug: You’re going to give me a time out. Me: Right - be good! Yes Mama! Lovebug: Yes Mama. I haven’t come up with rules for when I go fetch the mail, use the toilet, make a meal or anything that requires me to leave the room Lovebug is in. It seems during those moments he is the naughtiest. Today was no exception. As I flushed the toilet this morning, I heard a loud thud and then crying. It was a scared cry, rather than a hurt cry, so as I approached the scene, I yelled: What did you do???? But as soon as i saw the blood dripping down his nose covering his mouth and chin my tone and demeanor changed. I scooped him up, cooing him while carrying him into the bathroom. I didn’t mention the bloody nose because I didn’t want to upset him more. The culprit: his radio flyer toppled over on it’s side in the dining room. Probably happened during one of his 25mph laps around the house, but I digress. After I wiped his nose and discretely threw the tissue away, I carried him downstairs in search of his fuzzie. As he lay with his fuzzie immersed in Handy Mandy, he touched his nose which left traces of blood on his finger. He couldn’t have been more thrilled. Lovebug: Mama!!!! I have a bloody nose! Just like Papa!!

Anyone who has had a preemie knows that even the newborn size in clothes is ginormous on a 1 lb infant. JULIAN & Co. hearts the new adorable collection of organic preemie baby clothes by Lapsaky at Nature’s Baby Blankets. Having a baby in the NICU means cords galore. These folks knew what they were doing when they designed the Preemie Kimono Gown. Definitely my favorite. If this line was around when Lovebug was born, I would have bought ten each of everything they make.

Our Heart on Her Wrist was featured on page 28 of the Spring 2008 issue of baby couture MAGAZINE.

i’ve started a month long treatment of topical fuorouracil. it’s not pretty and very uncomfortable to say the least. on top of that, i’ve had a horrible cold/cough for a week. yesterday hon offered to get lovebug ready and take him to preschool. i was thrilled beyond belief to be able to stay in bed. hon: lovebug, do you want to take a shower or take a bath? lovebug: shower hon: ok, eat the rest of your breakfast lovebug: i’ll eat it in the car (a true american) water in the shower turns on. hon: get in lovebug: i don’t want to take a shower, i want to take a bath hon fills up the bath tub and after much coercing, lovebug is finally in the bath lovebug: i don’t want to wash my hair hon peaking in our bedroom: does he have to wash his hair? i nod i hear a couple of complaints: “mama uses that”(i’m certain he is pointing to the puff). 90 seconds and that included hair washing, lovebug is out and walking around in a towel. after many orders from hon to “get dressed”, he is finally dressed. tony heads into our bathroom for the brush. lovebug protests in anticipation: no, no i have my own brush. i brush my own hair. all is finally quiet in our wing and i hear them rustling upstairs. i become kinda sad thinking lovebug doesn’t even seem phased that i didn’t make his breakfast, get him ready for school - that i’m not the one taking him. feeling antsy, i decide to get up - coffee is calling me. as i head upstairs i see my lovebug in a beyond wrinkled shirt, his hair - probably with soap still in it - dripping wet and half combed charging at me…. lovebug: i forgot to kiss you goodbye he kisses me with strict instructions not to wipe it off and out the door they go. hon sends me a text a few hours later: julian cried when he dropped him off apparently it did phase him

Happy Birthday Lovebug.

I love this picture. My friend and fellow designer, Resa lassoed in some gorgeous kidos and did a photo shoot of our baby and kid’s line. Anybody who knows the story of how JULIAN & Co. started, knows that it all started with the Id Bracelet. On the list of things to do in 2009 (if i’m still around !!) is to upload the many beautiful pics that Resa took onto the website. That was until I got a disturbing email from my other friend Jen.

Apparently the CPSC passed the not-so-well-thought-out (understatement) Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA)which is effective in about 55 days and will force me to remove the baby and kids line from JULIAN & Co..

Under the new law, I would be required to spend thousands of dollars to have each of the products in the baby and kid’s line tested for lead, including our Nursing Necklace . When I started JULIAN & Co., I learned that some solders (the substance used to close the joints in the links) contain lead. I wanted our baby bracelets to be safe! I searched until I found a solder that was lead free.

So I agree safety laws are needed. Baby bottles and sippy cups being outed with Bisphenol-A in them and all the mass produced toys made in China containing lead. I even support the Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act. However, what I object to is how the act is poorly written and lacks specifics.

This new law doesn’t affect just me, it affects every single business that makes a durable product which may come in contact with a child 12 and under. What does that even mean? What it means to me is that all small businesses who design and craft anything “child” will not be able to afford the costs to have their products tested and will shut down. As if our economy wasn’t suffering enough.

How can you help me and other mom run business threatened by this crazy law?

-Find your congress person and write a letter like this one.

-Join the Handmade Toy Alliance.

-Contact the CPSC directly.

-Please, pretty please tell everyone you know including your local media.

JULIAN & Co. hearts:

…you’ll be helping them too!