remembering our babies

Today, October 15th, is the National Day of Remembrance for pregnancy and infant loss. I've suffered four miscarriages. 3 of them were only days after finding out I was pregnant. The fourth was at 10ish weeks. It was a girl. Would've been my fourth baby girl. All were while trying for our fourth child.

I needed a D&C on July 29, 2004. And what I find miraculous, is Hunter {my fourth that is on earth with me} was conceived on July 29, 2005. I think God is great!

It's amazing to me once you've suffered a loss like this, how many people you find out have suffered the same. I love Angie Smith's blog ... started when she realized the baby she was carrying, Audrey Caroline, may not be born alive. I encourage you to read her story.

Angie posted last night with a reminder of today's significance. She encouraged readers to post a comment with their own story. Whether miscarriage, stillborn, SIDS, or the loss of a child ... we all share in the emotion of loss. As of right now there are 1174 comments {that number was 1600something when I started writing this post}. It is incredible to me when reading these stories {kleenex recommended!} how many of us share in this loss. But also the strength and courage we've mustered to accept it as God's will and move on.

Tonight you're encouraged to light a candle at 7:00pm ... all over the world, no matter your time zone. Keep it burning for at least one hour and there will be a continuous 'Wave of Light' over the entire world. Join me, won't you?

And since I'm writing about pregnancies ... I should mention, there seems to be something in the bwp water, as we've got 3 preggos afoot! Well, one is an honorary bwp'er ... but still!

The ultrasound photo I've posted belongs to Lisa {our office manager} whose precious bundle is resting safely in it's waterbed. Can't wait to meet him {did I just say him?}! :)

loop

Our selection of Loop stationery is ready for the taking in our webstore. 

And because we're jam packed with holiday selections, I'm currently not buying everyday designs.  Therefore just a small selection of Loop's wonderful offerings ... for now.

weekend greeting giveaway {eleven}

Bring on the pumpkins! It's Halloween time ...

This card is from Uncooked. Are you familiar? They are hilarious ... when we're at the show {nss}, we are pretty much literally laying on the floor laughing at these cards.

So ... let the commenting begin. Just leave me a comment saying who you would send this card to and why {by next Friday}. I'll pick my favorite and you get the card. You can find more rules here.

And in honor of trick-or-treat, this week I'll send this candy bar from Bloomsberry along with the card. I love this packaging!

And for last week's winner ... Micaela. Thank you so much for commenting. What a great support to your daughter's childcare provider. I'm sure she'll be very moved by it. Send me an email with your mailing address and I'll send you out the card.

Happy weekend everyone!

yummiest of all

Do you have a go-to catalog/website for that certain something?  When it comes to unique children's clothes, or baby gifts, mine is Chasing Fireflies.

I fell even harder when I received the latest Halloween catalog.  Not your typical costumes in here ... just look at these ... are they not adorable?

Makes me not only want to order that delicious bumblebee costume ... but the little bundle inside too!  :)

delphine press calendars

Too beautiful to pass up ...

Exhibit A: a lovely desk calendar {of which I am the proud new owner}

Exhibit B: an equally lovely wall calendar

breast cancer awareness

I wanted share the ecard we sent out yesterday ... there are ads for awareness everywhere I turn this month, and I love it!

I'd like to encourage you to 'shop for a cure' ... if not at bwp, then anywhere that will make a difference.

my october calendar pages

I love this month's Linda & Harriett calendar.  It's perfect for October and Halloween.  We've gone crazy in our house this month decorating for Halloween.  My girls love bats, spiders, webs ... pretty much all things creepy crawly and "spoooooky" as the baby says.

I think the Snow & Graham calendar page is pretty cool too!

indulge me ...

This is my four year old singing Burnin' Up by the Jonas Brothers.  I realize I'm speaking as a mother here, but it was too precious to keep to myself!

a little something extra

I received these glasses with a reorder from one of our designers {I'm almost positive it was Mina Lee}.  The kids had a blast with them!

I love when we get little extras with our reorders ... thank you!

who wants a baby deer?

{photo courtesy of daily mail}

This is Rupert. He was delivered via cesarean section when his mommy was hit by a car. I love him.

weekend greeting giveaway {ten}

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, I've chose this inspiring letterpress card from Elum.  I've had many people in my life affected by breast cancer ... either themselves, or someone they know.  We need to do all we can to support the efforts to find advancements against this horrible disease ...

Know someone you'd like to send this card to?  Just leave me a comment saying who you would send it to and why {by next Friday}.  I'll pick my favorite comment, and you get the card.  Find more rules here.

As for last week's winner ... big booty judy, come on down!  :)  Shannon, I loved your comment!  Please email me your mailing address and I'll send you out the card.

Thanks everyone!

don't vote

{found via jessica claire}

This is pretty awesome ...

warehouse sale

For those of you that may not know, the bwp warehouse sale is quite the fete in Milwaukee. It started when we were in our old location, which really was basically a warehouse. We'd have the sale upstairs in our office space on the third floor, which was a large open space.

I'm suddenly thinking back to the ancient hydraulic elevator we used to bring products back and forth, for receiving/pricing and then back down to the sales floor. Ahh, memories ...

Anyway, we had people waiting in lines! to get into the sale ... crazy! And since moving into the new space over five years ago, we decided to continue with the warehouse sale.

Unfortunately, our sale space is extremely limited now, and I'm afraid the sales have lost a bit of popularity. Which is a crying shame {did I just write crying shame?}, because there are some pretty good deals to be had! I mean, don't get me wrong ... we still have our diehards ... we just don't have people waiting for us to open the doors anymore.

To put some excitement back in the sale, we've tried something new {and fun}, everyone that comes in gets to pick out a candy peppermint to see if they get an extra discount {60 or 70%} off the already 50% discounted price.

So ... moral of the story? If you're in the area next weekend, stop by for some early holiday shopping. Not in the area? During the sale days, we'll be offering an extra 15% off items in our webshop.

decision made!

We are getting very close to being done with our new addition.  {YAY!} ... problem was, I. could. not. decide on a color scheme for my new office.  But I am now happy to say ... decision made!

Last week, I picked out a sofa that will add the key color element {blue}, and then pillows and decor for accent {green & grey, as noted above}.

When I got home I was so excited, that I wanted to relay my color choices to the gals at bwp, so went online to COLOURlovers ... {have you seen this site?!} to whip up a swatch to send my friends at the store.

And then, in honor of my {huge} decision, Emily put together our very own bwp inspiration board.  Thank you Miss Emily!!  

tony's table {four}

Doesn't this make you want to go back to art class? Paper ghosts, hanging bats and a haunted house made of paper ... fun, fun, fun!