Wondering What My Plans For 2012 Are?

This past year has been great. Life, business, all of it. I'm so blessed. 

In 2011, business speaking, I've added a product line, grown my FB page to 300+ followers, met some awesome friends & biz owners, grown my coaching biz & had a great year in sales.

But, I'm not finished yet. Not because I'm not content or greedy or anything like that, but because this is business & businesses are meant to grow. I have big plans for 2012 & I want to share some of them with you.

Let's start with the biggest one. 

I'm switching gears & opening a new shop. 

Yeah, you heard me! I've been hinting around at making this big change for a while now. So I'm here today to let you in on my little secret.

My natural skin care line - Baby Swank Naturals - has done so well that I want to expand it even further, beyond babies & in order to do that, I'll be phasing the herbal products out of my shop & into a new one. 

Now don't stress. I'll be giving everyone plenty of time to get used to my new shop & the products will overlap for a while. Right now is just the beginning of this new shop. I've still got a lot of work ahead of me. I'm working on graphic design at the moment & that doesn't happen overnight. I'll be keeping you posted on this big change & I'm definitely going to launch this baby the right way!

As for Baby Swank

Baby Swank will remain for the time being. Once I'm in the new shop {name to be revealed later} I'm not sure what will happen to it. Do I move the Washcloth Bibs over to the new shop too or keep all that good stuff in Baby Swank??? I'm just not sure, but if you have an opinion, I'd love to hear it.

Other than that...no matter which shop or what products we're talking about, here are some of my big plans.

1. I'd like to get 4-5 wholesale accounts with retail stores.
2. I'd like to get one of my products featured in a magazine.
3. I'd like to triple this year's profits.
4. I'd like to launch at least 2 new product lines.

Sound good? Sound ambitious? Great! 

As long as all goes well & business is staying in perspective with my family responsibilities, you'll be hearing from me throughout 2012 as I reach these goals & then in December, you can cheer with me as I say, "I did it!!"

Thanks for sticking with me & for all your encouragement & support. I need you!

xo, Meagan

A Merry Christmas & A Happy New Baby

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season with your friends & families. Ours was excellent. Busy & hectic, but wonderful & relaxing at the same time! 

We visited lots of family, gave & received a lot of gifts, ate too much food, & enjoyed our time together. What a wonderful season!

We also welcomed our third little man into our family early Wednesday morning {3:26am}. Yay! Uriah is finally here! He weighted 8 lbs. 5.6 oz. {my biggest so far} & he was 20 in. long. Labor & delivery was quick, all-natural, & with no complications! Praise the Lord!

I'm so glad it was before Christmas. I had time to recover & get things together before we had holiday plans upon us. 

He's a wonderful baby. He's calm & content & he's adapting well to our family... even with two excited little bros to get used too! Below are some pics. Enjoy! I'm sure there will be plenty more!

Little Uriah!

Ummm, baby love!

Meeting his big bros!

Some... of the family!

Judah is so happy to have his little brother here!

My midwife/doula, Angie, & I.

Stay Healthy this Winter

With little kids it always seems that someone has a cold, but bring on cold, wintry weather & you've got the flu & other nasty bugs to consider.

Here's what I use to keep myself & my family healthy during the winter months.

Double E Immune Booster via Bulk Herb Store

This herb mix is full of immune boosting herbs to help your body protect itself against those nasty little critters that want to make you & your family sick. 

It contains Nettle Leaf, Peppermint Leaf, Echinacea Root, Echinacea Tops, Elderberries whole, Ginseng Root and Rosehips. Best of all, it's totally organic & everyone can take it as much as they'd like. No contraindications here, but it's always good to err on the side of caution if you suffer from severe allergies to weeds, grass, hay, or plants.

It has a great flavor & the kiddos even like it. The echinacea & elderberries are what give it it's immune boosting properties & everything else has great vitamins & energizing properties to keep you going strong.

For me & my man...I take this mix & make a tincture out of it with Vodka.

For the little ones, I make their tincture out of glycerine...a sweet, edible syrup that doesn't affect blood glucose levels.

We all also drink it as tea sweetened with honey or maple syrups on these chilly Tennessee days.

Almost Ready

My, oh, my how time has flown!

Not that I knew it wouldn't. From the beginning of October I knew the next 3 months would pass quickly with all the holidays that are jammed into the end of the year, but still, I can't believe it's the middle of December & Uriah will be here any day now...hopefully!

So I'm still doing some last minute things to get ready for him to be here. So far I've cleaned out the dressers & the closet in the boys room to make space for his things. I've washed all his clothes up & they're where they need to go. I've gotten all the baby equipment out which has been washed & cleaned. It's all set up & ready for him. I'm stocked on diapers, feeding supplies, & baby products. Plus, I actually have our bags packed early this year.

So I feel like I'm more prepared. I'm still trying to get Christmas stuff together. The house is decorated, but there are gifts that still need to be wrapped. That's on my to-do list for this week! I think I need to stock up on laundry detergent too. Better add that to my list.

Anyway, all is well here. We're just waiting & getting more excited by the minute. Thanks for all your thoughts & prayers! I really appreciate them!

Get Your Holiday Glow on with this Easy Natural Facial Moisturizer

Do you ever look back at pictures & think, "What was going on with my skin!"

Don't let that happen to you this year! Be prepared!

Today I'm gonna give you another recipe for beautifying your skin & giving yourself a naturally healthy glow that will radiate in your holiday photos this year!

My first piece of advice would be to start out with the exfoliating scrub recipe I gave you last month. Use this 1-3 times a week or however often you need it to keep the dead skin cells off your face. This alone will give it that healthy glow.

Follow up with this recipe for a facial moisturizer that is light & absorbs well into your skin. Put it on before your makeup & especially after you wash your makeup off at night.

You'll Need:

1/2 cup distilled water
2 tsp. vegetable glycerin {draws moisture to your skin}
5 drops of essential oil {whatever smell you prefer}

Here's Whatcha' Do:

Quick & simple. Put all ingredients into a bottle & shake well before use. Apply via a cotton pad or using a spritzer attachment on your bottle to mist your skin & let it dry!

Here's to love skin in this year's pics!

Enjoy!

xo, Meagan

Are You Following Me on Facebook Yet?

Are you following me on Facebook yet? 

Just checkin! I'd hate for you to be missing out on all that's going on over there.

If you are, way to go! Be sure to leave me your thoughts & comments. I'll get back to you, I promise!

If you aren't, click here to "like" my page now. {Psst...you'll get a little something when you do!}

Winter Washcloth Bib Collection

If you want to keep your little guy or gal looking fashionable this season while being eco-friendly at the same time, these Washcloth Bibs are your ticket to eco-friendly fashion!

Check out the newest collection right here!

2011 Winter Collection

 Yellow & Gray

 Blue & Gray

 Red & Gray

 Pink Geo

 Blue Swirls

 Green Night

Get em' before they're gone...right here @ Baby Swank

Our DIY Advent Calender

Last year I wanted to make an Advent calender for the boys, but I never got around to it because I was busy. This year I made sure to put it into our schedule so that we could enjoy some extra seasonal festivities. In fact, we'll be doing a lot of festive things this year thanks to our Advent calender.

So here's a pic of our calender & below you'll find the steps I used to make it. It's simple & fun for the kids.

Start with scrapbooking paper of your choice. Cut into 4x6 inch pieces or whatever size you need to get the size pocket you want.

Fold & glue 1/4 inch all the way around. Fold in half & score with a bone folder.

Glue edges to create your pocket. Set under something heavy until glue dries.

Print off numbers 1 - 24 to put on your pockets. Cut out.

Glue your numbers to your finished pockets.

Print out tags for your daily activities, punch holes & tie with twine or ribbon. Write your activities on your tags...one for each day.

Put your tags into the appropriate pockets & hang up however you'd like! Be sure to have fun!

Below are a few of the activities we'll be doing.

Make an Advent wreath

Drive around looking for Christmas lights

Drink hot cocoa with marshmallows

Watch a Christmas movie

Paint holiday pictures on the windows

Read a Christmas story

Decorate the Christmas tree

Wrap presents

Make a homemade Christmas gift

Sing Christmas songs

Read about Baby Jesus's birth

Color Christmas pictures

Make ornaments for the Christmas Tree

....and more!

My Go-To Herbal Supplements for Pregnancy

I'm very blessed. I've never had any major issues with my pregnancies...not even minor issues really. I attribute this to being in good health in the first place & trying my best to take care of myself while I'm pregnant.

So today, I'm going to share some of the things I do & use to help me & my babies stay healthy during our 9 months together.

Supplements/Herbs:

First off, I always get an all-natural, whole-food prenatal vitamin. None of that synthetic stuff the Dr. offers. Those vitamins don't do as much for me & they make me sick. The natural one's don't. I also include a prenatal Omega pill of some sort. Usually Garden of Life brand for the vitamins & omega.

The next thing I do is to add herbs in on top of it. Once I'm further along in my pregnancy, I start taking Red Raspberry Leaf. I've taken it in capsules, I've taken in as a tea, & I've made a tincture out of it & taken it that way. The tincture is best, but for me it works better to do a bit of all three.

Red Raspberry leaf has a medically proven & trusted track record in helping strengthen the womb of a pregnant woman, & it is also reported to be effective in restoring the womb after delivering. It can be used to help all sorts of women's reproductive issues. {Link to Bulk Herb Store's Mama's Organic Red Raspberry Brew...where I get almost all of my herbs!}

Then the last thing I do before I have my baby is I use a labor prep tincture called "Gentle Birth". It helps to get your body ready to have a quick, safe delivery & it minimizes complications such as hemorrhage & things of that nature. 

I did not take this with my first pregnancy & you all know how long that one was. I did take it with my last & it went MUCH faster & easier. I'm sure the whole 1st baby, 2nd baby thing had a lot to do with it as well, but I'm sure this was super helpful.

Resources:

As far as resources for preparing for pregnancy & labor, BHS's has a new video & book series called "Making Babies". It's a 3 part series that takes you through the entire process naturally & healthily from pre-conception to postpartum. A definite must in my opinion!

The last thing I usually use is the book, Natural Childbirth - The Bradley Way. I love this book & I wish I'd had it for my first. Maybe things wouldn't have been so long & drawn out that way! It focuses on teaching your what your body is doing during labor & how to relax & work with it so you can have a quicker, easier labor. {Caution...mature images. Don't leave this one laying around for your kiddos to find!}

It definitely worked for me last time because I almost didn't make it to the hospital. I got there 17 minutes before Isaiah was born! We'll prepare better this time...promise!

Anyway, I hope this has given you a bit more insight into how I do things when I'm preggo. Again, #3 is almost here. I can't wait. I'll definitely keep you updated & thank you for all your thoughts, prayers, & kind words. It means so much!

xo, Meagan

{Some of the above links are affiliate links of mine, meaning I make a small commission if you use my links to make a purchase. I appreciate your generosity! Thank you!}

Check Out My Baby Belly!!

I'm not sure why it is that people obsess over baby bumps?

Mine's more than a bump now of course. I'm due in a month. I feel like it's more of a mountain!

I guess it's because they're little & cute & there's a baby inside & all that gushy stuff. So today I thought I'd give you all a bit of an update on my preggo self & show you a little tummy shot.

I'm due December 20th so that makes me 36 weeks this week.

I've gone late with both of my previous two little men.

• Judah was born at 42 weeks
• Isaiah was born at 41 weeks

Baby #3's name will be Uriah. I still don't think we've settled on a middle name yet. We're tossing James around in our minds. Uriah James...has a nice little ring to it.

My goal is to have an all-natural delivery again. That means no drugs people! Hopefully this last labor will be like my 2nd one & go quickly.

• Judah's labor was 42.5 hours...total...seriously...no fun...never want to do that again
• Isaiah's labor was 4.5 hours...total...seriously...no fun...doable

I've not hit my nesting phase yet. I think I'm trying to focus on getting life in order for the holidays first.

Anyway, here's a pic of me & my little Uriah below! Enjoy!

Heads Up: Black Friday - Cyber Monday Sale

OMGoodness! I can't even believe it's that time of the year again! Thanksgiving & Black Friday weekend...the biggest shopping weekend of the year. Crazy!

Seriously, the older I get {& I'm not that old!}, the faster time flies!

So here's what I've got for you this weekend...starting Thursday night & ending Monday at midnight!

All orders $35.00 & over will receive FREE SHIPPING with coupon code - "FS2011"

plus

All orders will receive a free holiday gift list printable - to help you keep track of those you need to shop for!

Now below, I've put together a little Baby Swank gift guide, just in case you need a bit of help!

Gift Baskets - the perfect gift combo for the new mama or little one in your life!

    

Stocking stuffers - fun bath finds for your tot!

         

For Little Bums!

       

Enjoy...pass this along to your friends...& I hope to be working with you soon!

xo, Meagan

PSST...don't forget I offer gift wrapping & direct shipping as well!!

3 Steps to a Successful Nighttime Baby Massage

There's nothing better than a baby who sleeps through the night, but as many of you know, getting your baby ready for bed begins long before bedtime comes.

I've always had babies that slept well & straight through the night early on. I would give them a nice, warm bath, followed by a good massage, some warm jammies, some snuggle time mixed with a full feeding, & off to bed they'd go. Ahhh, makes me ready for bed just thinking about it.

For me, the massage was key. Babies play all day, kicking & squirming, & by giving them a relaxing massage after a nice calming bath always helped to settle mine down quickly.

So today, I want to give you instructions on how to relax your little one with a bedtime massage.

1. Get your supplies ready

Put a blanket or towel under your baby & have your massage oil nearby. Make sure it's warm in the room. You don't want your little nudist to get too cold!

2. Start at the top & work your way down

• Start by rubbing a little oil on your finger tips & gently rubbing it over babies forehead, nose, cheeks, & chin. Work your way down to her neck next making sure to focus on the back of it especially if she's learning to hold her head up.

• Next move down to her shoulders & arms using a gentle but firm downward rub all the way to her fingertips. Make sure you have enough oil so that your hands slid across her skin.

• Now go back to her chest & work your way down to her belly using small circles. Roll her over onto her tummy if she'll tolerate it & do the same thing to her back before rolling her back over. If she doesn't like being on her belly, now is not the time for tummy training. The point of the massage is to relax her.

• Lastly you're going to start at the top of her legs & work your way down to her toes using the same downward rub you used on her arms. If you want you can stop & focus on her feet using small circles on her soles, it's totally up to her.

3. Finishing touches

Now all that's left is to get her dressed & finish up her bedtime routine.

Not only will this massage help relax your baby, but using the oil will be beneficial to her skin by providing it with nutrients & making it super soft.

So I hope you give this a try with your baby. These are the instructions that come with my Herbal Baby Oil in my shop & it would make a great baby shower gift or stocking stuffer!

Inspiring Thanksgiving Finds & A Yummy Recipe

Fall is my favorite time of the year. The colors, the smells, & the get-togethers are the best. Everything is special & has a homey feel to it & it's a great time to reflect on the past year & realize all the blessings in your life!

Speaking of decorating for fall, here's a treasury with lots of beautiful items you can use to make your home extra festive this year!

Autumn Leaves Thank... cookiedoughcre... $13.95	Needle Felted Pumpk... feltjar $20.00	THANKSGIVING or Fal... GoodwinsCustom... $115.00	Autumn Thanksgiving... FlowerThyme $40.00
SCENTED Cinnamon Va... WildRidgeDesig... $55.00	PrimitiveTHANKSGIVI... WickedlyCreati... $21.00	Thanksgiving Banner... inspirationalb... $24.00	Thanksgiving Thumbp... Penmagic $40.00
Thanksgiving Decor ... BobbiLewin $60.00	THANKSGIVING TURKEY... Vintagraphy $10.00	Thanksgiving decora... FayesAttic11 $16.00	Thanksgiving Home D... braggingbags $29.99
Holiday Napkins - S... joycebuckley $26.00	Pumpkin Trivet Oran... StephanieMakes... $11.00	Hostess Gift Thanks... RiverValleyJew... $25.00	Fabric Leaves - Vin... janejoss $21.50

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

What a better way to show someone you're thankful for them than with a little gift. Is this something you do each year? If not, now's the perfect time to start!

THANKSGIVING TABLE ... SugarAndPaint $10.00	Thanksgiving - Bowl... RyensMarketpla... $23.00	Thanksgiving Pumpki... AubreyEApothec... $5.75	Thanksgiving table ... CraftyClementi... $12.00
Fall and Thanksgivi... VintagePageDes... $10.00	Thanksgiving Coaste... arthurandolive $15.00	Give Thanks Pear Th... thepaperpeony $4.00	Thanksgiving Fall C... PoppiesCakePop... $22.95
Vintage Button Rust... gullorilla $12.99	Gift Set YellowBowl $12.00	Pumpkin Cup Cozy Mu... natalya1905 $17.50	give thanks, embroi... monkeyandsquir... $26.00
Thankful Thanksgivi... inspirationalb... $18.00	Thankful For You, T... SimpleTastes $14.50	Thanksgiving Iced S... iHEARTtart $30.00	Fall & Thanksgiving... tiffanybrownde... $10.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

And speaking of Thanksgiving, get-togethers, & lovely things...here's a link to a super deliciousa recipe that you can make & bring to your Thanksgiving dinner. It's sure to impress & be a big hit!

Pumpkin Bread with Streusel Topping via Bakingdom

Happy Thanksgiving!

xo, Meagan