Tuesday, March 27, 2007




Mommy's Little Monkey went to Oprah's Search for the Next Big Idea!!!!

Monday was an exciting day for me! I traveled north to Downtown L.A. to enter Oprah's Search for the Next Big Idea! It was so great. I started off the week a nervous wreck. With some motivation, simple mentoring and conversation with a close family friend and fellow inventor he really calmed my nerves where I was able to carry on the week in peace. As Monday approached I prepared and was on my way with confidence and faith that I had a chance at this contest that QVC and Harpo productions partnered up and had set up. I had a 4PM schedule appointment. We (my motivating team and emotional support from the birth of my creation and start of my business, cousin and sister-in-law) made it just in time and arrived a bit nervous yet excited. We signed waivers, just in case we were video taped by Oprah's cameras and then entered the room where many people were waiting to be discovered. Once I realized that there were so many people and that the interview process was nothing like American Idol I was relieved and a wave of confidence set in.
I then went to check in and once in line waiting we said a little prayer and off I was escorted to a table to display my product. I displayed the two products the best that I could and was ready for the interview to begin. A judge, Kim, came over and introduced herself and I then introduced myself and it began. I presented my creations to her and she asked me a couple of questions like what it was made of and if it was machine washable, if I had a patent and what they were priced at. It was a painless process and then I was done. I was very pleased with the experience but one thing I did notice was how these professional purchasing QVC judges showed absolutely no emotion. They simply asked their questions and were then on their way. I really noticed this while I waited. I love to read people too and I could not see any emotion in the two I studied. They must send them through many training courses or poker classes to teach them this skill!
When I was packed up and walking away the girls met me and they started asking me questions. We were then approached by Oprah's camera crew and they asked to interview us! WOW, this was too exciting for me. I said yes and they started asking me questions about the process and if I thought I would be chosen. What was I supposed to say? "oh yeah, I'm getting a call back for sure" NO! I did not say that, I simply said it was great and that the experience was wonderful. My judge was very nice and she made it very painless. I also said I was hopeful of the outcome. THEN.......I had to take advantage of the exposure. I asked if they wanted to see my product ;-) I HAD TO! The crew glanced at each other as if they had never been asked the question before, nodded at each other and kept filming. I took out my Nursing Curtain and informed them of what it was and what it did. The woman who approached me, who was most likely the one in charge whispered that she was nursing. We finished up and I then gave her one!!!!!! One of Oprah's people has one of my creations!!!!
Overall it was such a great experience and I'm really happy I did it. I'll receive the results by April 27th.
Keep your fingers crossed for me,
Evie

Friday, March 16, 2007

MAMALICIOUS!!!!
Check out my new fabric selections! http://www.mommyslittlemonkey.com/
We changed out the old and came in with some new and very cute prints including Mamalicious Blue and Pink. I love them!!
Soon to be added to the collection is The Simple and Sweet Nursing Curtain which is almost the same but much simpler. This cover lacks the valance and has a cute pocket in the front to hold all your nursing and non-nurisng needs.
Visit us to see what's new!

Thursday, March 15, 2007

Helping the New Breastfeeding Mommy


My best friend had her baby on February 11Th. I went to her baby shower the day prior and she had asked me what contractions felt like. I explained a bit and then she said she felt cramping. The day went on and just by glancing at her you could tell she was experiencing discomfort. With my own experience this could go on for days. I left a little later and told her to call me the next day.
She was scheduled to have a Cesarean due to the baby being breached later that week but Sunday, Feb. 11Th, was the his natural birthday. Her water broke very early that morning and once at the hospital they got ready for her and performed the surgery. I missed it all because I was at a baptism and forgot my purse at home! I cried a lot that day. He's beautiful and now officially a month old.
Although I missed the birth I did make it to the hospital later that day and stayed a while with her and her family. When I arrived the baby was in the nursery. When she started to worry a bit about the length of time he had been gone she decided to call her nurse and told them to bring her the baby. They listened to her wishes.....a good thing! When he was rolled into the room he came in bundled like a little burrito. Just beautiful, it actually made me feel like having another one but I think three is good right now :-)
She decided to start nursing him again but he was very sleepy. By the time I left his suction was growing stronger. She asked me when I would be back and I told her I would be back in the morning. This pushed me to go home and read up on Cesarean births and related issues on breastfeeding.
The next day they were both doing very good and his suction was better than the day before. He was very sleepy but expected from a Cesarean baby. His latch on was good too and she was making sure to latch the baby on correctly by making sure he opened wide and placed her finger in there and retired if it was a bad latch. This woman is the poster mama for breastfeeding and I made sure to tell her too. I'm just a little jealous :-)
Once she was home and after going to her first pediatric visit the doctor informed her that the baby need to latch better, that her had lost a lot and that he was jaundiced. This was something I had experienced with my first baby as well. It scared her a bit and she made appointments with a lactation consultant that helped her with her issues.
One thing that also helped her through her breastfeeding challenges was the La Leche Book "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding". This is a great book and I recommend it to all expectant mommies that are very adamant to breastfeed.
She is now almost 5 weeks postpartum and doing great. I told her my own secret of counting down each day when it gets challenging. 5 weeks has gone by very fast for me but I know when you're the one transitioning it can be hard. Counting down helps you to pat yourself on the back and realize hat you are one day more into giving the very best nutrition to your baby.

Until next time,
Evie
Missing Blogger!!!

I am very sorry that I have not posted anything in a while! I'm not missing...I'm here just very busy.
My best friend had her little monkey in February and I did do a lot of breastfeeding review and helped her out when I could (this topic needs it's own post). I've also been busy with the family, organizing the house, and of course the business.
My birthday just passed on the 13Th! I am now officially a year older :-) I'm proud and very accepting of aging, don't get me wrong, but this year I was a little blue. I 'm guessing it was the cold I came down which attacked me when I woke up that morning.
Anyhow, everything is going good. Now on to some Mommy issues.
Evie