For those of you that haven’t heard, my husband and I added a new puppy to our family this past week. We love him and wouldn’t trade him for anything but I have to admit, we’ve found ourselves asking ‘What did we just do?’ many times this week! It’s usually a question that arises at 3 am when Chester (the new puppy) is still crying or a question that arises after he goes potty in the house (again). I’m sure he’ll get acclimated but I pray that is sooner rather than later!

Meet Chester

As I added our Christmas products to the ‘Christmas in July?!’ album on Facebook today, I was once again awed by all of you moms out there. It seriously took me 30 minutes to add 6 pictures and links to the album. Why? Because it was potty time and then breakfast time and then potty time again (add a couple of more in there for Chester). Then Molly (our older puppy) and Chester were playing a little too rough so I had to facilitate play time… how you sweet mothers get anything done around the house, I have no idea!

I know it’s hot outside and your time and energy is focused on finishing up summer with a bang but start to think of your Christmas babies. We have outfits in sizes 0-6 and 12-18 months. We have knit hats, boots and bibs to wrap up the ‘Santa Baby‘ selection. Let us know if you love Christmas in July and want a head start on gifts this year… that way you won’t be saying ‘What did we just do?’ when it’s almost Christmas and you have all of the shopping left!

Tree Pique Bib

Have you ever gone to one of those places where you can paint ceramic plates? Amazing!! My friend Julie and I went this past weekend… I assure you, we enjoyed it SO much more than the kids having the birthday party there at the same time! It was my first experience and walking in is a bit overwhelming. The two girls working were busy so Julie and I just started looking at the shelves and shelves of ceramic items you could select. I went with the intention of trying my hand at a birth announcement plate but seeing all of the options made it difficult to decide.

I finally selected a square dinner plate and a ceramic airplane figure. Minus being a perfectionist, painting the items was very relaxing. Julie and I just talked and talked and painted a little! She had painted pottery before and had several tips/ideas to enhance the designs. When you finish, you leave your items on the shelf and go back 5 days later to pick up the completed product (they fire it for you).

Thanks to my sweet mother’s suggestion and Julie’s assistance, we’re exploring this avenue as a new item for Stork! We’ll see how the finished product turns out (hopefully they look okay) before proceeding but this would allow our birth announcement plates to be produced much more quickly! Instead of waiting 5+ weeks, Stork Deliveries by April could ship them out within 7-10 days. We could also take custom orders (for picture frames, tiles in frames, airplanes, flowers, any type of dish, etc.) And since one of the designs will be the plane from the Mud Pie ‘Oh Boy Little Flyer Collection’, hand painting the ceramic items will just be ‘plane’ fun! I’ll post pictures this weekend if the ceramic items turn out okay

It seems forever ago but we had true March Madness at Buford High. The sweet and loyal fans lined the city streets as our charter buses pulled out-of-town. We were 28-2 and ranked number 1 in our bracket. We were good. It had been years since the Buford High Ladies Team had gone to the final four. It was an interesting season (the story should be a book one day) but our team was focused and ready. We played our hearts out but came up short… 2nd place wasn’t at all what we wanted. It took a while but I’ve learned the lessons – teamwork, dedication, pouring your heart and soul into what you want and believe in – those lessons apply to life, not just basketball.

29 and 3 was our record that year. It’s funny what life throws at you. Now those same lessons I learned from high school basketball apply to my friend that has a 6-year-old facing cancer. They apply to a family member with an 8 month old facing serious heart issues. They apply to countless friends searching for jobs and trying to sell homes. Life’s lessons like pouring your heart and soul into what you believe in apply to all of our Stork friends expecting babies! They apply to our friends that are throwing 1 year birthday parties this year. Life has ups and downs. Amazing moments of joy and heart wrenching defeats… it makes a basketball game 10+ years ago seem pretty trivial.

So Ohio State has some serious issues with their football team. 5 players are suspended for the first 5 football games in the 2011 season. Another player is suspended for the first game. And now Coach Tressel has received a 2 game suspension. This negative media is unfortunately overshadowing an amazing men’s basketball team! The OSU Buckeyes have received an overwhelming 1st seed ranking for the March tourney. OSU fans are crazy and unwavering. It should be a great basketball tournament.

Go Bucs! Get your little point guard, shooting guard or center ready for March Madness. Stork Deliveries by April has Ohio State Newborn 2 Piece Sets and Bibs left in stock. We’ll ship them out within 24 hours of the order. Bring on the chips/dip, beer, burgers, friends and most of all, madness. We’ll help you get your little ones ready! Order online or email us with any questions.

Most professional baseball teams have worked hard this winter and are now ready to start playing their spring training games. Hard work during off season will separate the good teams from the great teams. I find it fascinating the pro teams will play a game every day for the next month! Take my Atlanta Braves for example – they play tomorrow through March 30 with one day off! That is incredible… I remember how exhausting it was to play a basketball game once a day for summer camps – and they were only 5 days long.

Spring brings wonderful experiences. Flowers, my favorite month (April of course), Easter, March Madness and baseball. It brings back the promise of warmth and outdoor grilling. So though it is only February 25, I’m going to start thinking about Spring!

Stork Deliveries by April is up to bat! We are ready to help you prepare your little ones for Spring. From your little pitchers and outfielders to your little Easter bunny, we are ready to hit that home run for you. See below for a few of our baby baseball products. Personalize most items for just $8 more to make an extra special gift or keepsake. Let us know how to help!

Here’s to Spring,

Stork Deliveries by April

Well, the minute the rice goes on the stove, Molly is alert and ready to eat. It takes 10 minutes (the instant kind) to boil but then is piping hot! She’s at my heels the entire time – we’re still working on ‘staying’ out of the kitchen. Poor thing is starving by the time the rice is done but I cannot give it to her yet. It made me think of our sense of timing. When I want something, I want it right away! Molly did too. But sometimes it is in our best interest to wait (so we won’t burn our mouths on the hot rice).

We’re anxious for Stork Deliveries by April to boom into business! But for that day to come, we’re relying on our friends and family to help with this grassroots effort of spreading the word. Please let everyone know – 10% off SALE for President’s Day on select Lovies (see below)! Lovies come in different shapes/personalities but any one of them will quickly become your baby’s best friend. Make the animal blanket extra special for your little princess or prince by embroidering a name or set of initials (just $8 more; see the last picture as an example). Moms, guess what? They are machine washable too!

Email us with questions/feedback. Stork Deliveries is sending you our puppy eyes… please help us spread the word!

In honor of Valentine’s Day 2011, we’ve compiled a list of why moms LOVE being moms. The entries are short, sweet and to the point. Some will make you laugh and some will make you cry. Most of all, moms can identify with other moms and realize this role of motherhood (though it feels like a job at times) is really one of the most important roles in our lives. Motherhood is something to be treasured daily.

Why do you LOVE being a Mom?

• Why do I LOVE being a mother? It is God’s way of letting you experience the truest love possible. A mother’s love is like no other love. It is also a way to experience life again through the eyes of your child. For instance, when you take your child to Disney World, you are doing that for the child but you can ride through “It’s a Small World” as many times as you want and not look foolish. You just look like you are being a good mom!! – Gail Aiken
• Being a mom is the greatest gift given to a woman. When you embrace the meaning and give it your best you have so many joys to experience: Firs…t smile, first laugh, first tooth … to saying I do and their presenting you with your first grandchild and all the joys in-between. A good mom sees to her children first and let’s all the rest fall into place. The Bible says in Proverbs 31:28 …”Her children arise and call her blessed.” May we all strive to be blessed. – Renee Green
• Why do I love being a Mother? Let me count the ways! It is the greatest gift and joy God gives a woman. That of unconditional love to and from another human being. My greatest gifts are of my children and now my grandchild. God gives freely His love to us and look at the gift HE gives mothers. Our precious little bundles of joy. Never take Him or those entrusted to you for granted. – Kim Medlin

Funny quotes on Motherhood -

• Mothers are all slightly insane. JD Salinger
• Any mother could perform the jobs of several air-traffic controllers with ease. Lisa Alther
• My mother’s menu consisted of two choices: Take it or leave it. Buddy Hackett
• I suffer from M.A.D.D. – Mommy Attention Deficit Disorder. Raenita
• I’m not going to vacuum ’til Sears makes one you can ride on. Roseanne Barr
• The phrase ” working mother ” is redundant. Jane Sellman

From Stork Deliveries by April, Happy Valentine’s Day to all of you moms out there! We look forward to spoiling you next time you need a personalized baby gift or baby shower gift.

In order from left to right: Anchor 2 Piece Set, Easter Bunny Dress, Chick Seersucker Sleeper, 1st Birthday Cupcake Pinafore, Giraffe Pajama, Boathouse Baby Sailing 3 Piece Set, Personalized Pals Monkey and Frankie the Frog Lovie.

Check www.storkdeliveriesbyapril.com for sizes and prices. Email us if you have any questions. In addition to the above featured products, we’re also introducing University of Washington knit hats and juice bibs… Go Huskies!

We are looking forward to working with you this year! Thanks for any support, orders and referrals you can help us out with – Stork Deliveries by April

C.M. Olson (Ole), from Cassville Missouri had a famous traveling basketball team called The Terrible Sweedes. His wife, Doyle, owned a hair salon, and several of her employees played basketball at night. Legend has it that one night her employees dyed their hair red and played against a local men’s team. It was an instant hit, and Ole decided to book the team in games against men’s teams. Women were still playing the six-on-six, half-court game at the time, but the Red Heads would play full court and by men’s rules.’ Excerpt from www.womenssportsfoundation.org.  And women’s basketball as we now know it was formed!

Our blog spotlight this week shines on Debbie Smith Loftice. She is a lovely woman of many talents. She played basketball for the Red Heads, married a man who loves her and the sport and has raised two children that are quite distinguished athletes themselves.  She has taught Special Education and Spanish. She is dedicated to taking care of her parents and is cherished dearly by her students, family and friends. Debbie enjoys the company of  her grandchildren and I’m sure they play a little basketball from time to time.

In her spare time, Debbie knits Newborn Receiving Blankets. The vendors featured at Stork Deliveries by April are spectacular and trusted. We know they will produce a quality product before we ever list them. Never is this more true than with Debbie’s blankets. The blankets are fashioned in adorable, super-soft flannel material and are extremely large in size for receiving blankets. The Newborn Receiving Blankets are durable, machine washable and can even be embroidered with your baby’s name or initials ($8 additional cost). They’ll make a great baby shower gift or hospital gift too.

Sometimes it is tough in business relationships to establish a personal connection. Not the case with Debbie Loftice. We’ve known her, loved her and respected her for years! Her Newborn Receiving Blankets are high quality and extra special because they are hand-made by a loving mom, grandmother, wife, teacher and Red Head. Email us or visit our site to order your Newborn Receiving Blanket today!

This year, they made the playoffs because their conference was weak. They were 7 and 9 and still somehow got in. Yet, talk to anyone in Seattle and the Seahawks are now the best team ever! They are definitely going to win the superbowl! My husband and I are not from this area and just laugh. Seattle calls it the ‘12th man‘, the fans are the 12th man on the field to support the team. The Space Needle has a ’12th man’ flag flying high. Again, we just laugh!

We were watching another football game yesterday with friends and one of the girls is a buyer for baby and toddler outfits at a major department store. I asked her about the popularity of tutus for 2011, thinking maybe they were on the way out. She lit up and said she had just done an article on tutus… they are as popular as ever and not going anywhere anytime soon.

Stork Deliveries by April wants you to jump on the bandwagon for your little princess! We have these adorable tutus in size 12-18 months: I love them because you can personalize the white bodice to create a special outfit for your baby girl. Have her name embroidered or a short message (such as Mom’s Princess or Daddy’s Little Girl). Have a patch embroidered like an ice cream cone or birthday present with ‘Sophie’s 1st Birthday’ written beside it. The ribbon tutu outfit itself is adorable but for just a slight extra fee, this outfit can be anything you want it to!

Jump on the amazing tutu bandwagon (it’s actually worth getting on this bandwagon). They’re not just for ballerinas anymore! Visit us at Stork Deliveries by April to order or email me with any questions. We look forward to helping your tiny dance twirl into the 2011 tutu craze!

Many people look at a new year as a time to spring board their lives to new and better things. My 14 week old puppy used her puppy bed to spring board up onto my couch yesterday… I was faced with trying to discipline her and laughing so hard as I just wanted to see her do it again. She’d get a running start from approximately 20 feet away, put her head down, sprint toward the bed and launch herself onto the couch (mind you, the couch we just bought a year ago and plan to keep for a long time to come)! She was jumping up to a better life of laying on the couch instead of her puppy bed.

Stork Deliveries by April is approaching our 6th month of business. We’re always looking for ways to spring board our business into new and better things. Mud Pie has released their 2011 product line and we are LOVING it! Stay tuned for the new arrivals to make their appearance on our site. We’re looking for new vendors to add to our esteemed list, new ways to get site visitors and new festivals to participate in.

Best wishes in this new year. May business grow, families thrive and faith abound. And may my little puppy learn to only use her jumping ability away from my couch