The blog may be a 'slacker' but not me...

As if the blog were it's own entity, I know, but seriously it may look like I have fallen off the face of the earth, but I have been juggling the 'hip' to do's in my life like nobody's business. Of course, the number one priority is getting the 'Hip' Army, armed and ready to spread the word... how I am doing that is what is taking some time. Obviously there is no 'hip'py godmother that is funding the ventures I have, so I am coming up with other ways to make ends meet for this very important mission. Non-for-profit seems to be the way to go and that is the avenue I have started to explore. Think about it. How cool would it be for every ortho and Children's Hospital in the USA and beyond (thank you Australia and Canada volunteers!)to be armed with 'Hip' Survival Kits for every new parent whose child is diagnosed with dyplasia? Don't you wish YOU had it? I know I do. I also wish I had clothes for Emma back then but that would have been putting the BabyHipWear cart before the horse, so to speak.

In other 'hip' news, I am so excited the Babycenter support group I formed is rapidly approaching it's 100th member. Though it still does not come close to hip-baby.org (and no, this isn't a contest) it makes me so happy that another online segment is finding comfort within a website they already have a bond with... when we hit 100 there will be a celebration courtesy of BabyHipWear! Speaking of celebrations.

It's June 2 and in a little over a month on July 4, 2009, BabyHipWear will celebrate our 1 year birthday! Big things planned for that milestone and all the 'hip' customers are sure to benefit.

Stay tuned and continued healing...

WE WANT YOU!

EMMA WANTS YOU!

(This was close as I could get to the classic poster...
and much cuter don't you think??)








As if my plate was not quite full enough with running BabyHipWear, taking care of Emma Rose, being Director of Advertising for Stroller Traffic and trying to cook for the husband occasionally, I came up with an idea I just can't ignore.

If you saw the article below, there is a huge outpouring of frustration and sometimes anger at the lack of preparation and education from some folks (not all!) in the medical community once a diagnosis is handed down.

How cool would it be if there was a "Hip Dysplasia Survival Kit" handed out to EVERY parent in the United States when their child is diagnosed? I think it's cool. A lot of the 'hip' mamas I have bounced it off of think it's cool. So, the recruitment for the 'Hip' Army is on!

I'm reaching out to my customers, blog readers, and support group comrades to volunteer to be the representative of the 'Hip' Army for your state. There is definitely a commitment involved in that you would be called upon to visit every orthopedic pediatrician's office and Children's Hospital in your state to make them aware that these kits are available. You would fulfill orders for the kits, and need to be available via email as the 'contact' person for all new parents in your area, should they have general questions, need advice, etc.

I know so many 'hip' parents that do this a great deal but this is taking is a little further. Committing to raising awareness and helping other parents is what I strive for daily through my company and personally in telling my 'hip' story.

I will not rest until the job is done. I just need some help.

If you are interested, drop me a line through my site to let me know. Thank you.

Continued healing...

The A-HA! Article for the medical community...

Doctor's take note...That is the message to the medical community in the article The Missing Link: How Dialogue Can Transform Hip Dysplasia Care in this month's O&P Edge magazine (see end of post for link). I was honored to be a part of such a powerful article that highlighted how more often than not, the medical community does not educate new parents once they hand down a hip dysplasia diagnosis to their child.

My participation in the article was spearheaded by Betsy Miller, author of The Parents' Guide to Hip Dysplasia. I've said it before, but it bears repeating. Betsy's book is an invaluable tool in the hip journey.

The article will hopefully make it into the hands of medical professionals who maybe haven't taken the time to address concerns the parents have after diagnosis. They can and should offer practical advice (car seat, clothing) rather than leave most of these parents clueless as to what to expect when they leave the Dr. office with their now 'hip' kid.

http://www.oandp.com/articles/2009-05_02.asp

Continued healing...

Hot time, summer in the city...

Emma- circa Summer, 2008

It is summertime in April in the Big Apple. What happened to our beloved Spring? Why am I sweating as I type? (oh right, hubby said no air conditions will be put in windows until we have at least a week of warm weather-GREAT!-a lot to be said for central air)

Speaking of soaring temps...at BabyHipWear, what you need is what you get. I developed the HipSleeper because I heard from my customers that the traditional ones did not work for their 'hip'sters. I developed the HipCape because moms were killing themselves trying to wash their 'hip' kids hair without getting casts/harnesses wet. Now, just in time for the summer- SpicaShorts.

Just like their parents, the SpicaHip pants, the SpicaShorts will be available in both stabilizer and non-stabilizer bar options.

They are custom order, and not available in every print, but as with all products, the more we sell, the more we can add!

Now if you will excuse me, I am going to go stick my head in the ice box.

Continued healing...

Graduated!

Since Emma's left hip was still slightly shallow, she had been going for Xrays every 4 months versus every 6 months since coming out of the harness. Yesterday was her 4 month Xray, 1 day after my 37th Birthday. I figured that had to bring some luck, no?

It was nerve wracking to say the least. That is one of the hardest parts about hip dysplasia. You don't get the diagnosis you want which is "Great, the hip is in place, see you never!" There is constant follow up visits for years. Each follow up visit brings on the shakes for me... you just never know.

The great news is the left has caught up with the right and we don't have to go back for 6 months! We graduated!

Here's to hoping all of your follow up visits make you as happy as this one made me.

Continued healing...

What a difference a year makes...

Last year, at Easter, I was so happy because Emma was able to wear a dress and you could barely tell she had on her harness. I had been so self conscious for her with the harness and was dressing her in awful baggy outfits daily (this was prior to the launch of BabyHipWear). I was excited to shop for her Easter dress because FINALLY I would be able to buy something her size that actually fit! I went with a retro Pucci print. So mod!

This year, there is no more harness to concern myself about... I am thankful this Easter that Emma is therapy free and remind all the moms and dads out there that this too will one day be a reality for you and your little 'hip' bunny.

Happy Holidays and continued healing...

Unstoppable!

I hear so many stories from BabyHipWear clients about how depressed and down they are that they "lost' their squishy baby to a brace, harness or cast. I was there and I know, it is NEVER how you imagined life would be. I urge you to keep somthing in mind: this is temporary and you are helping your child to develop properly and avoid so much more pain and suffering in the long run by handling the problem NOW. Shift your thinking if you may for a minute to the joy you will experience later... I just was emailing a client today and told her to trust me, before she knows it her son will be bouncing off the walls. After just getting back from the park, I am exhausted... Emma did not stop and ran all over like a loon. I never would have dreamed this day would be upon me when she'd actually be walking, let alone sprinting! So keep the faith. They will get there. And then they too will be unstoppable.

Continued healing...

You say potato, I say...NO WAY!

Potato sack... Potentially fun if you are in a race with one on, or are one of the Brady Bunch, but not so fun if you are trying to pass off clothing that is too big and you look like one.

When Emma was diagnosed with hip dysplasia she spent nearly 90% of the time looking like a potato sack. I tried, (I really did!), to find clothing appropriate for her. It wasn't summer, so dresses weren't a real good climate choice, so I resorted to buying oversized stretchy pants and oversized shirts to fit over her harness.



Witness Exhibit A.
<------------

At the time I couldn't believe that there wasn't a company catering to these children's needs. So, I started BabyHipWear back in March of '08. Though the clothing wasn't officially for sale until July 4th, 2008 (a conscious decision to launch on that date to demonstrate the 'freedom' these children would one day have from their binding therapies), it took a while to get the clothing just right. I don't settle for anything in life, let alone settling for ill fitting clothes for my child. Dysplasia is hard enough on the people who love the child, why not put them in clothing that actually fits?



Witness Exhibit B.
<--------

I take no greater joy than seeing children in BabyHipWear so please feel free to email me pictures of your child in his/her finest 'hip' attire and I will post it on my blog!

Continued healing...

Bathing in harness/spica cast

When Emma was first fitted for her harness at 3.5 months, I turned to the ortho in horror when she said she would need to be in it 24/7 and have a sponge bath ONLY. Spongebath ONLY?? For the three months she was guaranteed to be in the harness?? That was going to stink... in more ways than one.

I found that the 'bath' chairs (see above right) were the perfect solution as to where to place her for this 'oh so cheap' version of scrub -a-dub-dubbing she would have to go through the next few months. I wanted her to feel like she was in the 'tub' so I put the little bath chair in the tub and sponged away! That was all fine and good for washing her body, but her hair? Well that was a different ordeal, um , I mean story.

I would pick Emma up and hang her head over the side of the tub, trying to cover the harness straps with my one hand that was also holding her football style, and then pour water over her head with the cup in the other hand. Needless to say, I think I managed to keep the top of her straps dry about, hmmm....0% of the time.

What I didn't have, and hence later invented for BabyHipWear, was the HipCape. Think about when you go and get your hair cut. They put that huge cape over you. I took that concept and added some terry cloth (for extra absorbancy) at the neck and shoulders, some strategically placed velcro and voila! It's great for harness and spica to help protect the cast from getting wet.

Now you can REALLY wash that dirt right outta' their hair...

'Hip' kid in the making...

Every day I get emails and posts on the support group I started from people (mostly moms) who are just beginning their 'hip' journey with their child. They all have that underlying tone of fear of the unknown and usually, disbelief.

Hip dysplasia takes a lot of people by surprise. It even took us by surprise and I was diagnosed with bilateral hip dysplasia at 1 year of age. Emma, my daughter (and BabyHipWear inspiration) was a prime candidate for hip dysplasia and for reasons I have now had to come to peace with, went undiagnosed until 3.5 months. If I was truly shocked, I can only imagine the feelings of parents who have never even HEARD of this affliction.

One of the goals of BabyHipWear is to educate and bring awareness to hip dysplasia. Yes, we provide a basic need for your child, clothing, but at the end of the day, by us all becoming more aware, and sharing our stories, we can help early detection in other children by spreading the word anyway we can. Be it blogs, word of mouth, or just sharing your experience with a neighbor, education will come if you are a champion for it.

Feel free to comment and share your story anytime on this blog or at the support groups linked to this blog. Continued healing...

IT'S ALLIIVVVEEEE!!!!! (or it's 'LIVE' is more like it)

After a brutal three weeks of Bobbie (The Nifty Studio) and I changing and rearranging, we are DONE with the BabyHipWear redesign! *APPLAUSE*

'Hip' per and better than ever, the new site conveys the exact message I want to send to everyone that has a 'hip' kid in their life- shopping can still be fun for your hipster! No need for baggy shapeless clothes when there is BabyHipWear. I hope you love the site as much as I do... and now... I need a nap.

The ever changing face of BabyHipWear...

As we prepare to ditch the old and usher in the new website, I wanted to take some new shots of Emma in the latest BabyHipWear fashions. Once again, it was sheer torture for the both of us. She is at the age where she doesn't understand "Stay still" at all... trying to get her to smile, well that is even more impossible... and when she does smile she is bouncing up and down so fast, she becomes a blur. Regardless, I did get some keepers... I love the shot to the right... caught in mid dance...

I love this shot. Struggle of

mom verse daughter...

Loving our new prints...

So thrilled to have replenished BabyHipWear's inventory this past week... some super cute prints are now kickin' it on the website. Monkey Around, Keep On Truckin', Ms. Ladybug, Madame Butterfly, have made their debut this past week. All are designed to make shopping for the 'hip' kids fun. That is what it is all about. Being a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle etc. of a 'hip' kid is stressful enough so we always look to lighten the load just a little bit.

On another note, I am eagerly (translation-anxiously) awaiting a mockup for the new BabyHipWear site. "Bobbie can you hear me?" I have a March 10th deadline otherwise we go dark.

NOT hip in any way, shape or form... stay tuned...

CH-CH-CH-CH-CHANGES!

MIA is what I have been since the decision (and not so hard decision I might add) has been made to completely overhaul the BabyHipWear site. The designer, Bobbie, at The Nifty Studio has been feverishly working to meet our March 10th deadline. The new site will be much more user friendly and will include new features such as how to coordinate the 'hip' outfits and *gasp* store access from the home page!! The fact that the previous site builder I worked with when I launched the company did not have that feature still baffles me to this date... so stay tuned. Good things a'comin'!

International Baby, International!

Is it crazy to have guilt about a blog?? Well, I do. Being the overachiever that I am, I cannot help but feel guilty with each passing day that I am not updating what is going on with all things BabyHipWear. First, foremost and of utmost excitement is we just added a 6th country to our sales total. Ireland has now joined the BabyHipWear community. Thus far, BabyHipWear has received orders from Norway, the Netherlands, Australia, the UK and the good ol' USA (obviously). Ireland was what I'd call a "personal" goal in that I married an Irishman and 90% of his family still resides there. Now if a 'hip' Italian would buy (my country), I would be one happy paisan!

Since we have been selling out of so many sizes, we are adding a boatload of new fabrics come end of February. I am very excited for some, including Madame Butterfly, Monkey Around and Ms. Ladybug.

For now, ciao! (hey, I have to send the good vibes out there- you get back what you put out so c'mon Italy!)

The Squeaky Wheels get the grease...

There truly is power in numbers.

After what I imagine to be much pressure regarding the CPSIA law, the members of the Consumer Products Safety Act voted unanimously to suspend the law for 1 year while they review 4 proposed rules which will somewhat redefine what the initial law stated. I translate this to mean more 'make-sense', relevant rules on lead testing. I shudder to think of what would have happened if this stay of the law wasn't granted, but you know what? It was. Time to move on and keep on truckin'... speaking of which...

The BabyHipWear frenzy continues as we continue to sell-out of existing fabrics and are looking forward to replenishing with our Fab Feb Fabrics all launching on the site on February 14th! Keep on Truckin', Madame Butterfly, Monkey Around and Very Violet are a few of the new Fab Feb Fabrics to be debuting this month. We've already started taking pre-orders for those 'hip' folks that just can't wait!

Thanks for your support of BabyHipWear and to all those that signed the petition to amend this law that would have crushed our company. All we want to do is provide 'hip' clothing for your 'hip' kid and now, we will continue with pride.

Keepin' the faith...

As you can see from the date, my upkeep with the blog has been mediocre at best. The good news is, it's because BabyHipWear is really starting to catch fire. The bad news? When I do write I feel like I am going to forget something major so I wrack my brain, and get a headache. I've been analyzing, as I always do with everything in my life, what has changed in the past month that has sales climbing, inquiries hitting my inbox daily and overall awareness peaking? The answer is simple. Google.

Whereas before, when you would type in keywords like "hip dysplasia clothing" or "spica cast clothing" you'd get some random dog dysplasia sites, some support group sites like the fantastically helpful http://www.hip-baby.org/, and then, if I were lucky, me. Now with all of the increase in press, the bloggers writing about BabyHipWear and my own online support group (see links on right side), it is reflected on Google what has been true all along- BabyHipWear OWNS the market for hip dysplasia clothing. Which brings me to a recent email exchange I had with a fellow 'hip' mom......

J's son is 4 years old and has cerebral palsy. As a result he deals with a lot of ortho issues. Currently he is wearing a spica cast for his latest surgery and we are in the process of custom making pants for him to deal with the bar in between his legs that is attached to the cast to keep his legs apart. His mom is nothing short of awesome and has been through a lot with her son in his short life. She was ecstatic to find that a company like BabyHipWear exists. In her own words: "I just couldn't accept that no one has clothing for children in casts and I believe in the law of attraction. If you believe something is out there then it will be. Works for me."

Works for me too J. I'm glad you searched, found us, and that we have the honor of creating some 'hip' clothing for your already hip little boy.

POWER in numbers...

As you have read in my earlier post, the CPSIA law that threatens all mom and pop shops that make clothing, toys, bibs etc. for those children under 12 is looming. February 10th 2009, now dubbed "National Bankruptcy Day" because of all those small businesses put out of business by this extreme law, is creeping up on us. I just got word that BabyHipWear's story was featured on upscalebaby.com. It is critical to keep getting the word out and to do it QUICKLY. Time is a tickin' and the more people that know about the repercussions of the law and the more people motivated to DO SOMETHING, (write you local congressman/woman, sign the online petitions) the better.


In the slightly modified immortal words of John Lennon, "Power to the 'little' people!"

http://upscalebaby.com/blog/cpsia/specialty-store-for-babies-with-hip-dysplasia-threatened-by-cpsia/

BABYHIPWEAR HITS THE AIRWAVES!

Thank GOD I have experience in radio broadcasting because this am I literally had 45 seconds to get myself together (that's a whole other story) before I went on-air with music god Matt Pinfield on 101.9 RXP. For those who don't know Matt Pinfield, he used to be one of the most knowledgeable MTV V-J's (you know, when they used to show videos) in history. These days, he is hosting the morning show on NY's RXP and sharing his wealth of music knowledge with rock and roll loving NYers. Matt is a great asset to the small business community. Each morning he features a local business and today was our lucky day! Matt and Leslie (his AM co-host) seemed really interested and supportive of BabyHipWear and I loved the fact that he pointed out the clothes are great for any baby/toddler who just want to be hip and comfy. Matt even pointed out that name could go either way (trust me, not everyone I encounter gets it :) ).

I got to plug the website and give out my number. Right after the show, I got a very heartwarming call from a father by the name of Jeff whose daughter has endured three surgeries for hip dysplasia. He was so ecstatic to hear that there was a company for clothing now and wished he knew about us back in March. That is what I always get the biggest rush from - when people say "YES, there is a need and thanks for filling it." It is the reason why I give up all my free time to ensure this company is doing the best it can and what it set out to do- help the 'hip' community! Rock on!

FOCUS people, FOCUS....

The Focus Group surveys for BabyHipWear have been coming in and the 'hip' moms that volunteered have some great ideas... and most touching to me, they are all expressing gratitude that I started BabyHipWear. That in and of itself means everything to me. I love reading their feedback, be it painful or praising! That is what research is all about- you may THINK you have a great idea, but it's only a great idea if other people feel the need for it. I am glad to see, at the very least, that these moms feel I am making a difference in the hip dysplasia community... now, if we can just get that CPSIA law amended, we'd truly be rocking!

On a separate, yet somewhat related note, SpicaHips and the HipCape launched Monday. I already have moms so interested in the SpicaHips and the 'test' results of the prototypes have come back with praise... the pants are great because they velcro open on one side, so it's easy on and easy off with the cast. I hope to post pics of some SpicaHip kids soon!

The thorn in my side is the CPSIA law...

I must confess....It has been hard to be excited about BabyHipWear these past few weeks due to the looming, unnecessarily severe CPSIA law. This law will require mandatory lead testing of all items for children under the age of 12 come February 2009. I am all for keeping our babies and children safe, but this law is a rash, not well thought out response to the China lead scares that occurred last year. The lead testing is being passed onto the manufacturers who in a lot of cases are moms who have a craft or idea and have followed their American dream to bring it to the public. The ramifications of this testing will kill the mom and pop shops in droves. .. and the negative economic repercussions won't stop there. The 'big dogs' like Carter's are already passing along an increase in pricing to their customers to compensate for the testing costs. The online community is rallying, the 'mompreneurs' are sharing information and we are looking to get this law amended. The lack of media coverage is sickening and unfortunately very much needed to help raise awareness. All we can do it write to our congressmen/women, sign petitions and wait.

What happened to my muse?

Now and Then....

When I first launched BabyHipWear I couldn't get Emma to stop smiling as I snapped away getting the shots needed for BabyHipWear. Now, not so much. The latest photo shoot was a total disaster. All I needed was a shot of Emma in the new HipCape and what I got was, well, a lot of tears as you can see.

Welcome to the world of BabyHipWear!

On July 4, 2008 I launched a company online called BabyHipWear. Aside from the birth of my daughter, this was the proudest moment of my life. There is NO OTHER company out there like BabyHipWear and our mission is to provide clothing for babies with hip dysplasia as well as raise overall awareness for hip dysplasia. Starting a company (heck, keeping the company GOING) is not easy, so I am starting this blog to take you behind the scenes of BabyHipWear and to provide insight on just how much blood, sweat and tears goes into keeping it alive.