So Heidi is one of my bestest friends (yes I know bestest is not a word).  She is the kind of person who brings milk to your doorway because you said you ran out and desperately need to make an iced mocha.  She also coordinates a team to help clean up your house when you have been down with depression and morning sickness.  I could go on and on, but in short, I love Heidi….and you should too.  Why should you love Heidi?!  Because she sells some awesome product called Norwex.

I am not gonna lie…I was super skeptical.  I had issues with the fact the line is geared toward people who use chemicals.  “But Heidi, I don’t use chemicals…I rock…I’m au natural”  Bwahahaha!!  What I failed to see is how much easier cleaning can be PERIOD with this stuff.   The microfiber cloths will knock your socks off.  Especially the window cloth (that you ONLY use water with!).  Read a little bit about Heidi and what her favorite product of the moment is.  Then click on some links, buy some products and fall in love with Heidi…I mean Norwex.

What exactly do you do ?
I’m a stay at home mom of 2 girls who are 5 and 3. I just became a Norwex Independent Sales Consultant in July, hoping to be able to earn a little bit of extra money and share these excellent products with as many people as I can.

Do you love it and why?
So far, I absolutely love it. Norwex treats their Independent Sales Consultants very well. There is a great commission, a fantastic incentive program for new consultants, and a monthly incentive program for all consultants. I love that I can share quality products that are helping to reduce the use of chemicals in our cleaning and personal care routines. Norwex is not just about making money, it’s about making a difference in peoples lives.

Do you babywear?
Yes, I’ve been babywearing for over 5 years! I started babywearing with my first child. She was born 6 weeks early and frankly, I was afraid to put her down. A moby wrap allowed me to not HAVE to put her down if I didn’t want to, and to still get things done around my home. Just two weeks ago, I wore her in my Ergo on a hike up to Beehive Basin! I also wear my 3 year old. Mostly on hikes, but also at the Farmer’s Market and other places around town. Yesterday I wore her at my older daughter’s Kindergarten registration, simply to keep her from causing a ruckus and getting into trouble!

How has it helped you in your business?
So far, I haven’t had to have my kids at a Norwex party, so I haven’t had to wear them in order to keep my business happening. But I will tell you that I LOVE babywearing! I would never have been able to function well as a busy stay at home mom without being able to wear my babies. Grocery shopping while nursing in the Ergo? Check. Vacuuming and mopping while doing a back carry? Check. Big sister to the playground while little sister sleeps in the wrap? Check. I think that being able to wear my babies helped me tune into their needs quickly and easily, to keep them close and comforted when they needed it, and it also helped me to simply get out and DO things that I always thought would be a nightmare to try and do with kids in tow.

Tell me about your favorite norwex product.
Right now my favorite Norwex Product is the Body Pack. A set of 3 coordinating Microfiber washcloths that come in 3 choices of colors: Vibrant, Neutral, or Vintage. Use the body cloth to clean your face and body without soap or cleanser! The microfiber cleans the gunk off and helps to gently exfoliate your skin, leaving you with clean healthy skin. They also make great face wipers for messy kids at the dinner table! These microfiber washcloths are super soft and have the patented Norwex AntiBac silver – which makes them self-purifying. There is also a Baby Body Pack, which is smaller, softer, and cuter – just perfect for giving baby a gentle bath without having to use any sort of soaps or shampoos.

Please go get your calendar and write this down: September 29th, 7 pm, Cindy’s house, Norwex Party, desserts and coffee to be served.  If you can’t make it, call me to put in your order.  View the products here at Heidi’s Norwex Page.  Call me to tell me you will be there or that you want to place an order 406-599-5111 (or email me, cindycindy@aol.com) .  Bring a friend, or two!! 

I have been a big fan of essential oils for a long time, however I never got really into them like I should have. Last year I started toying with them, because I heard Tea Tree Oil was antibacterial and was good to clean with or even put a few drops into your laundry. So I bought a bunch and started using ‘em up! Then I met Meredith. Now I have my own essential oil guru at my fingertips. She has so many ideas and thoughts on what to do with these very versatile little bottles. DoTERRA is a company that makes essential oils and very nice ones at that, the thing I like the most is they do different blends that are applicable for different reasons.

Personally I use lavender in my bath, lemon oil with an olive oil base to clean my wood, tea tree oil for my cleaning, but Meredith has my trying a blend called On Guard to use for cleaning – totally loving it!!  I am looking forward to stocking some Breathe for those times where the kiddos are sick, it should help clear up their chests.  I am such an advocate of natural living and simplifying the way I do things.  The only items I use for cleaning are vinegar and baking soda, but with the oils, I have the added benefit of the lovely smell and the disinfecting or antibacterial power they provide.  I’m going to let Meredith take it from here and tell you a bit more about her and DoTERRA.

What exactly do you do Meredith? As an Independent Product Consultant with doTERRA, I educate people on the uses of essential oils and help them incorporate oils into their daily lives. I am also a potter and art student, mom to a beautiful 6 month old baby girl, a babywearer, and am interested in becoming a midwife. But my mission right now is to spread word to Bozeman families about the purity and effectiveness specific to doTERRA essential oils. I came to doTERRA as a way to earn an income while working from home and limit time away from my child. I love making my own hours, and the flexibility really helps me maintain my course schedule at MSU. Look for Muriel and I at my booth at the Babes in Bozeman Expo this May and check out my website.

Do you love it and why? I do love it! I love it because I am promoting something I use every day and truly believe in. I use essential oils to clean my countertops, bathroom, and floors. I spray lavender on my clean laundry. I give my baby a coconut and lavender essential oil massage after her bath. I have reduced fever, eased coughs and colds, soothed tummies, and calmed us both down after a long day all with essential oils. I had been aware of the benefits of essential oils prior to my introduction to doTERRA, but I never imagined they would be so effective. Essential oils have virtually replaced my medicine cabinet and cleaning supply.

Beyond the many benefits of essential oils in general, what I love about doTERRA is the quality. DoTERRA essential oils are among the best on the market, if not the best. They are the only essential oils that are 100% Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade (CPTG), meaning no additives, fillers, or carriers. Use them topically – on a rash or burn, aromatically – diffusing while doing yoga, or internally – a drop under the tongue, in water, or in a capsule. These oils are so potent that in many cases, one drop is all you need. I also love the business opportunity that doTERRA has facilitated for myself and my family. I came to doTERRA while struggling with the choice between full time child care, finding fulfilling work, and doing something that not only matters, but is lucrative. I am eager to expand my doTERRA business to as many people as I can and help others with the same choices.
Do you babywear? I have been a baby wearer since Muriel was just a few weeks old! I had been using a wrap for quite some time and just recently switched over to a soft-structured carrier, then a mei tai. I wear her when I grocery shop, walk the recycling over to the bins near my house, get stuff done at home, when she’s fussy. Sometimes I just wear her when I know she needs a nap or is not feeling well. She instantly calms down and absolutely loves being so close to mama. It has made such a huge impact on our attachment and well-being. Baby wearing is the centuries-old solution for happy families.

How has it helped you in your business? One of the reasons I chose to become an IPC with doTERRA was for the benefits of staying close to my daughter. So, it goes hand in hand that I bring her along when I attend engagements and expos with doTERRA. She’s calm and content on my back, and I am free to chat and facilitate new experiences with the oils. If she gets fussy, I rub some lavender on her feet, and voila! She’s calm again. Plus, people love baby wearing and it always stirs conversation, so it’s a great way to break the ice.

How can essential oils be beneficial to us Babywearing mamas? Anyone looking for more simplicity in their lives, would like to create a green home, or find a natural health care alternative can turn to essential oils. A mama can clean, disinfect, soothe, calm, cleanse, treat, reduce, ease, strengthen, and improve overall health with just a few different essential oils. The problem is they are so fun and smell so great, you just want to try more and more! It’s super simple and good for our environment as well. What I love about essential oils and baby wearing alike is that they are age-old, time-honored traditions. There is a lot of knowledge in that. It’s easy. It makes sense. It’s natural. And it is better for the environment. Another interesting aspect of doTERRA is their tremendous growth potential. Founded in 2008, doTERRA is about to explode in the essential oil market. Bozeman is loving doTERRA essential oils for their quality and effectiveness. Opportunity abounds for Independent Product Consultants who would rather work on their own time.
How about my children?? Essential oils can be your medicine cabinet and first aid kit for all of childhood’s aches and pains, cuts and scrapes, bruises, bellyaches, beestings, and a myriad of childhood illnesses. It is a good rule of thumb to dilute essential oils for use on children and infants and not use them internally. I have had great results applying lavender on Muriel’s feet, in use during infant massage, and diffusing it in her room at night. I can lay her in her crib awake, and she watches the mist from the diffuser till she falls asleep. Awesome! Essential oils can also be used for easing colic, upset tummy, cold, cough and sore throat, cuts, scrapes, burns, insect bites, diaper rash, earache, dry skin and exzema/dermatitis, reducing fever, teething and thrush, among other things.
Look for us at the Babes in Bozeman Expo this May 21st. I’ll be there with Muriel! My website is at mydoterra.com/mbird. There you can browse different oils and blends and read more about essential oils. I can also be reached at doterrabozeman@gmail.com or by phone at 406-548-8683. I would love to meet with you! Thanks for reading.

Last year the Babywearers of Bozeman participated in our very first baby expo. And boy did we have fun!! I have basically been looking forward to this for the past year. We spread the word of babywearing to hundreds of parents, had around a dozen parents try on carriers while we were there and passed out a gazillion brochures. It was so much fun! To thank for the brand new event in Bozeman, we have Tracy and Kendra!!

The Babes in Bozeman Expo is on May 21st from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.  The Babywearers of Bozeman are putting on a Demo at 3:30.  The entire time we are there we will be actively trying to get parents to wear there children, using various carriers that have been donated from several businesses:  The Natural Baby Company, Bibs and Binkies, GranolaBabies and Piece of Cloth.  We might also have a little surprise for those of you who attend the demo, so please come and tell all your friends who are expecting or who are new parents to come.  I can’t wait!!

What exactly do you do Kendra/Tracy?
(Tracy) I am a full time mom of a 3 ½ year old and new baby. Before I was a mom I was a real estate appraiser, but since then my husband has taken over that business but I am lucky in that I can help him out anytime he needs it.

(Kendra) I am a mom first and foremost, and also a part-time Graphic Designer. I am currently home full-time with my 3 ½ year old daughter and my new baby boy. I do freelance graphic design from home and once my maternity leave is over I will return to working part-time in the Murdoch’s Ranch & Home Supply Advertising Dept.

Check out a few of Kendra’s logos around town!

Tanya’s Dance Studio

Ruby Slippers Boutique

Montana Broker Properties

More than Muscle

Do you love it? Why?
(Tracy) I love being a mom. I was 30 years old when I had my first child. I had graduated from college, started and run my own business and was very ready to be a mom, which has so far been the most challenging, yet rewarding career choice.

(Kendra) I love both my jobs. Being a mom is something that I’ve dreamed of my whole life and I am so excited to finally be living that dream. Graphic Design is what I fell in love with while in college and I figured it would just be something I’d do until I had kids. However, after having my daughter I had a hard time giving up graphic design. So I continued very part-time (8-10 hrs/week) just to keep myself up to date with the programs and to continue my working relationships that I was enjoying so much before I left on maternity leave.

Do you BabyWear?
(Tracy) I do babyWear. Aksel seems to really love it and I love having my hands free to help Lucy. I have been trying to walk everyday and it is so nice to keep him nice and close in the cold weather. He snuggles right in and goes to sleep.

(Kendra) Yes, I do BabyWear, more so with my second child then with my first. With Elsye I would BabyWear to sporting events, on vacation, and periodically for other occasions. With Myles, I seem to BabyWear for every occasion. He is so happy while in my carrier and it helps me be more available to my daughter while out and about.

What exactly is the Babes in Bozeman Expo?
Babes in Bozeman is an Expo for everything “Baby & Toddler” that surrounds us in the Gallatin Valley. This year is our second annual event and it is taking place on May 21st at the Holiday Inn. We decided that it would be great to have a Baby Expo where we could buy beautiful baby gifts (clothing, blankets, bows, etc.) and check out local businesses, health care providers, and even creative people around our valley that have goods and services that pertain to our children and us. This year there is tons of baby, toddler and mommy shopping, you can meet your ob/gyn, pediatrician or pediatric dentist, learn about swim lessons, recreation, massage, watch a fashion show or a baby crawl. Most of all it is also a great place for businesses and families to network with others in our community and have a great time.

From Cindy:  There are like 70 different vendors, including some of my FAVORITE people, like Dr. Kim Maxwell (the best baby chiropractor ever!!), The Birth Place, Fit to be Dyed and SOOO many more!!  You have to come visit even if you don’t have babies, there will be tons of stuff for you to see.

Why should I attend?
It is going to be such an amazing day filled with a huge selection of vendors and exciting activities every half hour. Please check out our website at Babes in Bozeman and see who all is coming, what’s on the schedule of events and what you can WIN! Come to shop, learn and have fun!

Five years ago, my eldest son had eczema.  I am not sure why, but cloth diapering seemed like a logical thing to do to help rid him of his skin issues.  Now I know that some dietary issues helped clear up his skin, but after visiting Kim who sold me my first diapers, I was totally hooked on the concept of cloth diapering.  We purchased prefolds and some covers and those did us well for years.  As a matter of fact, I am pretty sure Titus still used most of those prefolds.  My family has ventured out to more than just prefolds, including about 10 GroVia diapers, fitted diapers, some all in ones and some pockets, but my favorites are still those prefolds.

Kim has come a long way herself.  When I first met her she was “The Montana Diaper Company” and ran her business out of her pantry.  Yep….her pantry.  I came over to her house, it was a one-on-one cloth diaper consultation.  She took the time to talk to be about it, show me the different types and how to use them.  It was wonderful.  Soon enough Kim outgrew her pantry and moved into a space.  It had a small showroom, but was mostly used for just housing her inventory.  Then she moved into a larger space.  Then she opened up a real store.  The name changed to “The Natural Baby Company” and they sell WAY more than just cloth diapering supplies.  They have maternity clothes, really cool toys, carseats, and my favorite. . . .can you guess?. . . .baby carriers!!!  I am so glad Kim was around when I needed a little shove in the cloth diapering direction and am so glad that she has grown her store to be an all around great resource for not only natural moms in Gallatin Valley, but all over the country!  I introduce to you local celebrity. . .Kim!!

What exactly do you do Kim? Well, like most mommies the question is:  What DON’T I do   On a professional level I am the founder of The Natural Baby Company and the creator of GroVia (a modern line of reusable diapers).  The Natural Baby Company began out of our laundry room in 2003 and has grown into 2400 sq feet of retail space, an additional corporate office and now has 15 local employees!

Do you love it? Why? I love what I do because I know it makes a difference.  We are able to give families healthy, eco friendly alternatives in products that have been LONG overlooked in the baby care industry.  I love seeing more and more families using cloth diapers, breastfeeding and wearing their babies.  Personally, I get to do what I know and love to support my family.

Do you babywear? We do!  I dabbled in wearing our first daughter in 2000, but at the time had no idea a carrier other than a Baby Bjorn existed.  By the time we had our second baby and started our business I was able to use a ring sling and pouch.  These made a HUGE difference in being able to wear him for longer periods of time.  Our third and fourth baby spend hours being worn (often on my back) in the warehouse while I packed and shipped orders.  I love how easy it is and that my baby is always close to me.

How has it helped you start and run your own business? Once discovering just how great babywearing is and how beneficial it can be I was hooked.  We have always carried several lines of carriers (pouches, ring slings, soft carriers, and stretch wraps) in the store and it is so rewarding to be able to show parents,  how with a good carrier, baby wearing is so wonderful.  We’ve recently expanded our babywearing section to include several brands of woven wraps and ring slings and the baby wearing area of the store is one of our most popular!

Here is Kim’s hubby Dwayne toting around their daughter in an Ergo.  This was taken around when I first met Kim, before they had their 4th and 5th child.

You are well known for your natural products, what are a few of your must have natural baby/new mama items? Cloth diapers (they save money, are easy to use, and generate so much less waste), a wrap or ring sling (these are my favorites for the newborn stage) and easy to breastfeed wearing baby, Nummies nursing bras and Glamour Mom nursing tanks, Magic Stick, Aden and Anais Organic Cotton Swaddle Blankets.

What do you think will be your go to carrier for your new squishy? I’m so, so excited to start this baby off in a woven wrap, I have a linen blend Didymos that should be perfect.  I’ll likely wear baby in this wrap around the house and office.  For the diaper bag I have a linen Comfy Joey Ring Sling.  I love this sling because it has a really comfortable shoulder design and it easy to toss on and slip baby into, plus they are GORGEOUS!

Since I originally asked Kim to be featured on our blog, she has had her 5th child.  Here is Kim’s beautiful baby boy in a back carry.  I am SO proud!  Thank you Kim for your time and sorry it took me so long to post this!

For all you local mama’s, make sure to stop by the store and get information on The Natural Baby Co. resource center!  They are doing so many fantastic classes, informational sessions and demonstrations.  I wish that had been around when I started having children.  Also they sell Comfy Joey Ringslings, which we will be featuring here on the blog soon, you’re next Ayesha!

Brooke is a looooooong time friend of mine.  Okay, well for the past five years anyway.  She was my next door neighbor for several years and we both were pregnant with our first two kiddos at the same time.  When we were both pregnant with #2, I decided I wanted to make my own baby announcements, and thus found out that Brooke LOVED to stamp!  Ever since then we try to get together every so often and just stamp together.  She designed both #3 and #4 kiddo’s birth announcements and I always look to her cards for inspiration.  About 6 months ago she decided to become a demonstrator for Stampin’ Up and I am SO glad she did!

Not only is Brooke my card making buddy, but she is also my babywearing buddy.  She totally introduced me to the wearing world outside of the Baby Bjorn by lending me her Moby wrap.  She has supported me starting up the group and watched me grow in my babywearing knowledge.   We have been on many walks together wearing our babies and have had lots of discussions on parenting.  I love Brooke and look forward to continue cardmaking and babywearing together!

Check out Brooke’s Blog, because she has some great cards made and is planning some super cool events.

What exactly do you do Brooke? I teach people how to unleash their creativity, get their hands dirty, and STAMP!  I am a demonstrator for a company called Stampin’ Up!, a leader in rubber stamps and papercrafting.

Do you love it and why? I absolutely love working for Stampin’ Up!  It opens up so many opportunities to meet new people and to share my passion with my friends!  I have been making my own handmade cards for about 10 years now.  I grew up in a super crafty home, and I feel like being crafty keeps me grounded.  Papercrafting is my craft of choice!  I feel accomplished when I create something beautiful that I can simply send in the mail, with a nice little note, and make someones day!

Do you/did you babywear? Yes I did!  My first carrier that I bought was a Moby.  I loved (and would still love if I had a little one to put in it) wearing my baby so close.  It made trips to town so much more enjoyable and felt so great being so close to my little baby.  Although, I do remember a time that I had my little newborn, Maddie, in the wrap all snuggled up on the front.  I was at the grocery store and I needed a watermelon.  You know how watermelons are kept in those big cardboard bins, and there weren’t many left, so I had to dig down to the bottom to get one.  Well, I couldn’t quite reach the watermelons with a baby on my chest.  It ended up being kind of a big struggle, and I ended up going home without a watermelon that day.

Why should I as a busy mom take the time to make cards? One of my favorite things is to send homemade Thank You cards.  I feel like it is so important to make others feel that they are appreciated.  What better way to make someone feel appreciated than to take time out of your busy schedule and create something special for them specifically, whether it is a Thank You card, a Birthday card, or a Just Because card.  My passion for papercrafting has definately rubbed off on my two girls.  The have their own drawer of paper, their own stamps, and their own washable ink pads.  The three of us get together and make cards all day long!  They have mastered scissors!  My girls have created so many awesome projects that would melt any mothers heart.   Sharing my passion with my kids is priceless!

If I invest in some supplies, can I use them for things besides making cards? Of course you can!  For all those scrapbookers out there, Stampin’ Up has so many wonderful stamps, paper and accessories to create beautiful scrapbooks!  Also, homemade home decor it huge right now, especially with the holidays!  I recently made a Fall themed luminary!  It was so simple, made out of paper, and beautiful!  i have also made wreaths and wall hangings using nothing but paper!  I have many Christmas home decor items swirling around in my head right now.  I might not even need to get out the Christmas decorations this year, I will just make all new ones!   Stampin’ Up not only sells papercrafting supplies, but they have come out with a line of Decor Elements (vinyl rub ons), jewlery and fabric!  I have been waiting for years for Stampin’ Up to come out with fabric!  If you love wearing jewlery, Stampin’ Up has created charms where you can design your own using stamps and change them as much as you want!

If you are interested in unleashing your creativity, or simply finding your creatvity just send me an email at brooschall@hotmail.com!  I would love to meet you and craft with you!

Over a year ago, I met Beatrice at the library.  I noticed her carrying her babe in a Moby and invited her to the group.  She has been one of my favorite people ever since.  I knew she sewed, because she made herself a carrier as well as a friend of hers, but didn’t know that she knit until I saw her Facebook page.  And I couldn’t believe how cute her hats were!!!  She knew I was having a baby, so she asked me if she could take some pictures of the babe once born in exchange for a few hats.  Even after getting a few, I have to have more, they are sooooo stinkin’ cute!!!  We have three hats for Tiny and a headband for my other daughter.   I am already dreaming of what hats I want to get my boys (and myself!).   So if you are looking for some hats, whether they are for photography props (which Beatrice’s specialty) or just to keep your noggin warm, Sweet Pea Hats is definitely the place to go.  She does custom orders as well as having some ready made hats at her Etsy Shop.

What exactly do you do Beatrice? I make knit hats and photography props.

Side note from Cindy:  She doesn’t just make hats and photo props.  She makes rockin’ hats and beautiful photo props.  Just check out all those pictures!!!!!  If you have an infant on the way, you HAVE to get one of her nests.  Adorable!

Do you love it? Why? Oh yes, I absolutely love it! I love being creative and it’s so neat to get to share my handmade items with others. I’ve shipped all over the world and it’s so awesome to think of my items being used in Australia, Norway, Germany, etc.

Do you/did you babywear? I am a babywearer – these days not so frequently as my youngest child recently turned two and she is much more interested in walking rather than being carried.

Before my son was born, I purchased a sling to carry him in and did use it some of the time. It wasn’t really the right carrier for me and wasn’t very comfortable. Then, before my daughter was born, I saw a baby being carried in a Moby like wrap at the store. I went ahead and purchased a Moby and absolutely LOVED it! Having my precious daughter so close to me, the ease of getting around with her attached to me – safe an happy – as opposed to navigating a stroller.

Babywearing actually helped me during one of the worst times of my life. When Emma was only 2 ½ months old, my mother-in-law had a stroke. We soon found out that she would not get better and had to   travel to Bozeman in a hurry. I can’t even imagine how much harder that time would have been had I not been able to carry Emma in my Moby wrap. It was such a comfort to me to feel her tiny, warm body so close to me and it made the difficult trip ever so much easier not  having to lug around a carseat.

I met Cindy at the local library not long after I had moved to Bozeman from New Jersey. She was so helpful (I was having a bad babywearing day, not having put my Moby on correctly) and told me about the babywearing group. My daughter had outgrown the Moby and I borrowed some soft-structured carriers from Cindy. On our daily walks, I much preferred carrying her rather than pushing her in the stroller – it was so much nicer to have her right there close to my body instead of the stroller. I also wore her on hikes – a far cry from the uncomfortable framed backpack carrier!

Nowadays, my Emma is much more interested in walking than being carried, but there is still the rare occasion when she rides in the carrier. We went for a little hike not to long ago and as soon as I pulled the carrier out of the trunk, she got all excited and yelled “Ride!” I hope she has as many fond memories of our babywearing times together as I do.

We love your hats, where does your inspiration come from? That’s a hard one – things just pop into my head all the time and it’s difficult to say where all my ideas come from. I just love being creative and coming up with different things.

Here is the best part about this post.  Beatrice is giving away a free hat!!!  Yay!  One lucky person who leaves a comment will win a beanie in their colors and size of choice.  Here is a sample of her beanie:

Please stop by Sweet Pea Hats and then leave me a comment telling me which item is your favorite.  One winner will be selected October 30th sometime in the morning.  Don’t forget to also become a Fan on Facebook so you can see all of her beautiful new hats and photos that photographers all over take of babies with her props!!

Thank you Beatrice for allowing me to feature you and for offering a generous giveaway!