Looking Back at Year 1...

As I mentioned before, we will spend this week looking back at some of our most popular posts and features.  Since today is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Day, I figured I would start by looking at some of the great organizations that we featured this year.  Then share some exciting deals from companies that offer items for all of us that have been touched by loss
 ...and end the day with a really exciting item that any parent that has lost a child would be thrilled to win.

Usually giving gifts feels better than receiving them.  I have so much more fun shopping for the holidays, than I do opening my gifts.  I typically buy people something special, for celebrating my birthday with me.  I figured why should my Little Orso birthday be any different.  So I reached out to the Pregnancy and Infant Loss Organizations that we covered, and asked them what they wanted for our birthday.  They do so many amazing things, and offer so much comfort to so many. I wanted to help them for once. 

So here is a recap of some of our favorites, and ways that you can help them keep giving and helping.  Please share with anyone that you think may be able to help. 

*Tiny Heartbeats- this is an organizations that loans dopplers (the instrument used to listen to fetal heartbeats) out to parents that have suffered a previous loss.  To read more about Tiny Heartbeats, and how you can get a doppler sent out to you, click here!!  Tiny Heartbeats is looking for used dopplers, doppler gel, or financial donations.

*A Little Thunder- They supply local (Kansas) hospitals with amazing comfort boxes.  As fellow loss parents, they know how hard it is to leave the hospital with empty arms.  They wanted to make sure that other families had something to help them.  To read more about them click here.  They are actually holding an online auction today to raise money, please head over to their Facebook Page to join in.

*OC Walk To Remember-  This organization is special to our family.  They are the ones that hold our local walk, and they provide the memory boxes and cameras to local hospitals.  Without them, we would not have anything to remember our daughter with.  Our pictures and memory box are all because of them.  I can't even emphasize how important these items are to us.  They may be a local (Orange County, California) organization, but they make an impact beyond our area.  They often donate to national infant loss organizations, and offer support to everyone.  Their fundraising for the year ends today.  Please click here to help them!!

*Robby's Rabbits-  They provide stuffed bunnies for families that have lost a child.  The bunnies can help fill our empty arms. They give you something to hug, when you miss your child the most. To read more about them click here.  They are asking for stuffed bunnies (and other animals), and money to help with shipping.

* Barrett's Blankets- Provides hand knit blankets for families, so they have a baby blanket to remember their child with.  They are handmade, so that you can feel the love when you wrap them around yourself.  To learn more about them click here.  They need donations of yarn, supplies, money, and shipping supplies. Also contact them about knitting or crocheting blankets for them.

*Calvin's Hats-  No head is too small, when it comes to Calvin's Hats.  They provide families with hats for their babies.  These little hats give you a huge amount of love and healing.  To read about their hats click here.  They could use donations to help keep them knitting.

*Miscarriage Blankets and More-  They started as a way to give people that suffered a miscarriage a way to remember their child.  Typically they do not get anything physical to hold on to.  They offer handmade little blankets (according to the size of your baby), and other items.  To read more about them click here.  They also run Kaitlin's Angels, which provides memory boxes to hospitals.  Both organizations could use donations and supplies.

*Solace Foundation- They help connect you with the best form of support for your particular loss.  They also provide comfort packages to local hospitals.  To read more about them, click here.  They need small teddy bears, butterflies, angel keepsakes, hand made shawls, and money.



These are just a handful of the great Pregnancy and Infant Loss Organizations that we have featured and worked with this year.  To see the complete list of resources click here. (if you would like to have your organization added to our directory please email me)  It is our up to date Infant Loss Directory.  I started it as a way to help families that have suffered this horrible loss.  When I first lost my daughter, I searched everywhere for support or anything that could bring me comfort.  My hope is that this directory will help others find the support right away. 

The event that brings you into this community is horrible and tragic, but the community is fabulous and so filled with love.

Stay tuned for some special offers and a Giveaway...

1st Birthday Celebration!! Day 1 :)

Yay our birthday week is finally here!!  I can't believe that Little Orso has been around for a year. 

Getting back into fashion and retail has been a dream of mine for a while. However at this time in my life it is not practical for me to work out of the home, so I toyed with ideas of things that could give me a "taste" of the retail world.  I thought about doing a blog for a few years, although at that time it was going to be women's accessories blog.  I have such a passion for women's accessories!!  I kept putting it off, until I had my son. 

I could not handle that all of the kids blogs that I was reading, only featured items for little girls.  What makes people think that moms of boys don't like to shop??  We like cute accessories, and outfits too!!  Being irritated was the thing that finally gave me the push to start my blog (that and years of Daddy Orso saying "you know you really should start a blog!")  We started as a blog that would cover items for little boys, but have evolved into so much more.  We now have a Little Orso Council that help us with reviews, guest bloggers that share their passions, cleaning tips, Giveaways....and so much more!! However our main goal will be to always include boys!!

Thank you for making this 1st year so fabulous!!  Our dream for the next year is to make Little Orso more exciting, and incorporate more items that will make your life easier and more exciting!!  The main way that we can do this is by getting suggestions from you.  Please email, message, call, write, sing...anything that you would like to see us cover.

...and with that let the celebrating begin!!!

All this week, we will do 3 posts during the day. 

*The first will be a recap of some of our most popular features and posts.

*The second will share exclusive deals, that some of our favorite companies have shared with just us.  (get ready to start your holiday shopping!!

*The third will be filled with Giveaways!!  We have some fabulous items to give away this week, so don't miss a day.  The giveaways will be one day only events!!

We will be posting some of those giveaways in a bit, but here is one from us to get things started!!!

If we were to have an Orso Birthday Cake, the wish that we would make blowing out our candles, would be to double the amount of friends that we have at Little Orso.  So our week long Giveaway Event is this...

The person that sends the most new friends to our Facebook page, will win a special gift basket from us.  It will be filled with items for you, and your kids!!

To enter all that you need to do is share our Facebook page with all of your friends and family.  Have them either put "your name" sent me on our wall.  Or you can send me a message on Friday (by 7pm pst) with all of the friends that you have sent over.  They must "like" our page to be counted.  The contest ends Friday (10/19) at 7pm pst, and a winner will be announced by 9pm pst that day.

Start sharing and good luck:)

10 Minutes Of Me Time

Today we have a special guest, my friend Kimberly of the website suburbancitychix. 

Kimberly is a certified Yoga Instructor- RYT-200, who teaches Ashtanga, Hatha, Power Yoga, Tweens and Kids yoga classes in New York.  She is also currently obtaining her certification in Nutrition.  I don't know about you guys, but this post couldn't have come at a better time for me.  I am constantly stressed out, and take no time for me.  I can't wait to enjoy Kim's 10 Minutes for Me Plan.  We have another exciting post scheduled in the next few weeks, that will show you how to include your kids in your "me time", and Kim has some surprises in store for us for our birthday celebration next week.  Make sure you head over and check out her site today, and let us know how you enjoy your "ten minutes".

Sometimes, we wake up and get stuck in a routine.  Our routine, often does not serve us in a good way.  Yes, we take care of our children, then we either go to an office or work from home or maybe we are cleaning the house and running errands.  The fact is by the time we finish these tasks, the kids are home, dinner has to be served (whether cooked or bought), homework needs to be done and our husbands need attention.  We often live a life of 24 hours filled with a to do list that has nothing to do with ourselves.

So, how do we start and end our day with taking care of ourselves?  First, let’s start with a mantra “Today I choose Self-love”.  You need to repeat this to yourself every morning when you wake up and every night when you go to bed.  By saying these words out-loud you are telling the universe that you need time for yourself.  You may feel this is selfish, “But I need to take care of my children and my partner”, etc, but the truth is if you do not take care of yourself first, everything in your life falls out of harmony.

Let’s talk about time, and how to manage your day.   Many of you may be thinking, I do not have the time, I have so much to do and I just cannot fit in any exercise or quiet time in.  But, if we are going to be honest with ourselves there is time, you just need to carve it out.  Trust me, I am speaking to you from experience.  I worked for Fortune 500 companies for years, I commuted to the city  (about 4 hours daily) and now I run my own business and teach Yoga. What, I have realized is that through all the madness, I must make “Me time”.  Whether that means waking up at 5:30am, or 15 minutes before you usually do, make the decision to tell yourself, “Today I choose Self-Love”. 

Here are some quick easy fixes you can do when you wake up:

Wind Removing Pose

First, while lying in your bed, take one knee into your chest, clasp your hands around the outside of your knee, (directly under it and pull your leg into your chest, while the other leg is straight on the bed with your foot flexed.  Take a few breaths here and then repeat on the other side.  This pose is great for stimulating your colon, strengthens the arms, improving hip flexibility, and firming the abdomen and thighs.

Then, roll onto your side and out of bed.

Next find a quiet room, put your IPod on, or sit in silence and listen to your breath. Come into a comfortable seat on the floor, in Yoga we call this Easy Seat.   

 Sitting up tall on your floor/mat in a cross-legged position, shoulders rolled up, back and down, with your head in a neutral position. Note* you can sit on a blanket or a block which will help you to sit up taller and change the angle of your pelvis, which in turn will help keep your back in proper alignment. Once seated, start by inhaling simultaneously by sweeping the arms up and overhead palms touch, and then exhale breath out as you bring arms down, let them fall to either side of you.  Keep your neck in a stable position.  Repeat this 3x’s then on the 4th, sweep your arms up, take a deep inhale, now exhale and twist your upper torso to the left (left hand comes to outside of the buttocks and right hand comes to left knee and neck turns to face the left). Hold the twist and repeat on the other side.  Note* if you used a blanket or block remove it before moving into the next pose.

Come onto your knees and push back into Child’s Pose.   

 

To get into this pose, kneel on the floor or mat, touch your big toes together and sit onto your heels, slightly open your knees out to hip distance.  Sit up tall take a deep breath in and fold over your legs, exhaling all the stale air that does not serve you out.  Bring your arms in front of you, hands pressing into the ground and shoulders rolled back.  Press into your forehead (if your head does not touch the ground, then utilize a block, a book, or a rolled towel) that will allow the sensation of the point in between your eyes also known as Third Eye to be stimulated.  Then, relax your arms and just breath.  This pose is a resting position that will help calm the thoughts in your mind, while relieving stress and fatigue.  It will also stretch your hips, thighs and spine and will help to alleviate any back/neck pain or stiffness.  Hold this pose for 5- 10 breaths.

Slowly move your hands back so they are framing the top of your head.  Push into the ground with your palms and pull up into a tabletop position.  Knees may need to be adjusted.  Make sure that your hands are shoulder distance apart and knees are hip distance apart.  Tops of toes are pushing into the ground (so envision you are standing on your tippy toes). Your head is neutral and you are looking down.  Now, we will move into Cow/Cat pose.   

Inhale fresh positive energy and pull your chest up, shoulders come down naturally and sit bones pull up, don’t over strain your neck let it go with the flow of your movement. Now, exhale release the tops of your feet to the mat/floor, round your spine, belly comes in and head releases toward the ground.  Repeat this for 3-5 breaths, with control.  This pose will stretch the spine and massage it at the same time.

From tabletop, we move into Down-ward Facing Dog.  

  

Spread your fingertips, push into your palms, while, pushing into the tops of your feet and lift your knees and hips off the ground. Stretch your heels toward the floor, continue to lift through your legs engaging all the muscles, but do not lock the knee (you may keep a small micro bend).  Now, while pressing into the palms your going to do a mini roll with your forearms and upper arms outward, you should feel your shoulders roll into one another.  Your head should be in between your upper arms, with no stress, but not hanging like a rag doll either.  The benefits of this pose are amazing; it calms the mind, it helps relieve stress.  And, it also, stretches your spine, shoulders and hamstrings.  It will help you build strength in your arms and legs and it will improve your digestion. 

Finally, float back and forth from child’s pose into down dog 3-5xs and repeat after me, “ Today I choose Self-Love”.  This entire routine will last 10- 15 minutes, depending upon how many breaths you take between each pose

Thanks Kimberly, I am off to get my "10 minutes of me time", I hope you all join me:)

Shark Tank!!

Recently I bought my son the cutest shark hoodie from Old Navy.  I guess I should have shared it on here, because we have never gotten more compliments on anything!!

They appear to be sold out online, but maybe you can find one at your local Old Navy.

This made me realize that maybe it was time that I shared some fun Old Navy finds. They have so many great items for kids there...and you can't beat their prices!!

Here are are some cute fall items, that are sure to turn some heads:)

Performance Fleece Critter Hoodies

Leopard Print Mary Janes

Super Grover Tee

Astronaut Jr Captain Sleep Set

Button Front Cardi

Licensed Backpack

Knit Trapper Hat

Owl Trapper Hat for Baby

Flocked Dino Tee

...and the best part is they are having a 15% off sale right now.  Just enter the code ONFALL15 at checkout.

Custom Ink

Last weekend we attended the OC Walk to Remember, in honor of our daughter.  Attending something like this is so bittersweet.  Part of you is thrilled to get a day to remember your child publicly, and celebrate their life.  Then the other part of you is pissed that you are part of "this", and that the life you are celebrating was cut so short.  I definitely was torn, which is why I was "off of my game". 

Typically I plan for things about 3-4 months in advance.  Most of my holiday shopping is finished in August, and I plan my outfits days in advance.  However my sadness kept me from planning for the walk.  I knew we needed shirts for "our team", and that we needed to register for the walk.  My husband and I were actually volunteers for the walk, and passed out flyers months before reminding people to register ahead of time.  Yet here we were a week before with no shirts ordered, and registering last minute.

I quickly registered us...that part was easy. 

However now I was on a search for a place that I could custom design shirts, and have them delivered in 5 days!!  Did a place like this even exist??

Luckily for us it did.  I stumbled on this wonderful user friendly site called Custom Ink.  They made it so easy to design your product (in our case shirts), and had a 24/7 chat line.  I quickly designed a shirt, and then called them to see if there was any possible way that we could get it in time for our walk.

The woman I spoke to was sympathetic to why we needed the shirts, and quickly helped us get them ordered.  She also personally checked each shirt to make sure they were done the exact way that we wanted them done.  She definitely was one of the best customer service people I had ever spoken to....and as you all know I shop online a lot!! ...and have worked in retail the majority of my life!!  So this is a huge compliment to her, and her company.  I made a point of letting her, and her company know this!! 

She was so efficient that when I got off the phone, I knew without a doubt that they would arrive in time and be perfect.  And that they did...they actually came 2 days early!! 

We were thrilled with how our shirts had turned out, and even got some compliments from other families on them.  The quality of the shirts really stood out, they were thick and soft.  Shirts like this typically end up flimsy and see thru :(  Ours were white, and did not require any undershirts.  They also held up perfectly in the wash.  I washed them before the walk and after, and none of the ink faded.  They look as good as new!!

When it comes to things for my kids I only want the best!!  Custom Ink is definitely the best when it comes to custom made products.  I can't wait to get more items made by them.  They offer a lot more than t-shirts!! Head over and check out everything that you can make!!

I only recommend the best things to my friends (you all are my friends), but when it comes to infant loss items I am even more picky.  I know how much more meaning each item holds...the product symbolizes so much more!!  Anything that represents your child (ren) has to be prefect!!  I can honestly recommend Custom Ink to everyone.  Especially to those creating items in memory of their loved ones.  I am confident that you will be as pleased as we were!

Things I Don't Need, But Definitely Want:)

AKA things that my husband doesn't agree that I NEED;)
...although I added a few this week that I think he would even want!!  Can you guess which ones??

Handle Bar Grips

Polaroid attachment for Iphone (my friends that tease me for using my Polaroid still sent me a link to this lol)

A clutch for your bike:)

Bike Chalk Trail- You need sometime fun for their bike too;)

Good Wishes Maternity Voodoo Doll- I could have used one of these!!

Ipad arcade (I guess I should put an Ipad on this list first;) )

Construction Plate

Do you have a list of thing you want like this??  Items that you don't quite need, but know that they will make your life more fun:)  What is on your list??

Little Orso Rawrrr....Grrrrrrr Bookshelf

In honor of today being World Animal Day, I thought I would share some of the cutest little animals that I have seen in a long time.

These Jellycat animal books, are so cute!!.  My son loves them.  They have adorable illustrations, and each book has a tail. 

The books have very few words, so they are meant for younger kids.  However they are still engaging enough to keep parents involved in story time.

There are quite a few animals to choose from including; cows, bunnies, dinosaurs, ducks, elephants, giraffes, hippos, kittens, lambs, pigs, puppies, and sheep.  Each one cuter than the next!!

Jellycat makes some of the best stuffed animals, so grab a book and an animal and you have a fabulous gift:)

Chop, Chop, Chop!!

A while ago I wrote about one of my favorite items, my Boon Drying rack:)

I mean seriously could it be any cuter??  Well now I have a new favorite item from Boon, their Slicer.

Meal time can be such a handful, especially when you only have one hand and limited time to prepare it.  This Slicer makes things so easy!!  It cuts everything into perfect "kid sized" bites.  I wish I would have discovered this product, back when my son first starting eating "big kid" food.  However I still have to watch the size of his bites, especially since he tries to eat too much at once. 

The last 2 months have been so much easier, since I got my slicer.  It is also great for traveling, and going out to eat.

Just like my drying rack, this item is not only for babies...it makes a great chopped salad:)

In the Mood for Fall!

Despite that fact that we are still in the 90's, I am in the mood for Fall.

Here are some great Fall looks that I love....

Benetton- Seriously how cute??

Slouchy Beanie-  I wish they looked this good on me:)

Toms Cord/Fleece- My son loves his Toms

Wrist warmers- adorable!!

Gucci- This one can be filed in "dream"...for so many reasons;)

Suspenders!!

Gap- Fall in California (raincoat and shorts)

Gap- Now we just need rain!!

Ralph Lauren- ears get cold too!!

Did you get your kids anything new and exciting for Fall??  I'd like to add all of these items to my son's closet. We do have the rain boots, they are even cuter in person.  Now we are hoping for some rain:)...and cooler temperatures!!

♥ Barrett's Blankets ♥

We figured we would start off Infant Loss Awareness Month, with a fabulous organization!!

Staci was 18 weeks pregnant, when she learned that her beautiful son had gone to heaven.  Her biggest regret was that she didn't get to take the blanket that her son was wrapped in home with her.  It would have given her a piece of him, something that touched her baby.  Something she could hold on to and cuddle with, when she missed him most. I was lucky enough to get my daughter's blanket, and even have a piece of it in my locket that I wear every single day.  I can not tell you how much comfort it brings me.  I grab my locket every time the pain starts to be too much.

Staci and her husband decided that they wanted every parent to have this comfort, something they unfortunately did not receive.  The love in this community blows my mind!!  These parent's first concern was comforting other parents.  That is what drew me to this organization. 

Staci of Barrett's Blankets

Barret's Blankets donates their beautiful handmade blankets to hospitals.  These blankets are given to families that have lost a child, so they can wrap their baby in them... and then take them home.  So beautiful:)  They also have started providing blankets for babies staying in NICU. 

You can also request a blanket for a child that you have lost in the past, by contacting them directly. These blankets may never get to be wrapped around your child, but hopefully they can be wrapped around you for comfort.

The blankets are all handmade with love, and Barrett's Blankets runs strictly on donations.  If you know how to knit or crochet and are interested in helping them make blankets, please contact them here.  Also they need supplies (yarn, shipping materials, money....), if you can help out please contact them.

Losing a child is so difficult, if you know someone that has lost a child or if you have, please check out this organization and our infant loss directory.  Being surrounded in support helps so much.  Also if you know of another great organization that you think I should share please email me directly. 

Let's work together to make infant loss no longer a taboo subject.  Together we can save babies, and comfort those that have lost a child!!

Get involved this October, and be inspired by organizations like Barrett's Blankets.  The smallest thing can make the biggest difference...