Growing a Business

  Two years ago (almost to the day) I cut up one of my husbands old unserviceable blouses. For those of you who read this and are not affiliated with the military just read that as I tore apart his uniform! I was about 20 weeks pregnant with Baby Battle Rattle and my husband was on his second deployment to Iraq. I had looked for baby items at the PX on base and all over the internet, but there was nothing to be found. Nothing that was cute enough to spend money on anyway! I got to work cutting out squares and made a simple quilt out of the old blouse. It was adorable!!! I was so proud of my handy work I posted a picture of it on Facebook so others could see it too. Little did I know that this was the beginning of Baby Battle Rattle. I was overwhelmed with how many people loved it and asked "Where did you buy that?" "Do you sell these?" and "Where can I get one!?"

The 1st ever Baby Battle Rattle blanket, August 20th 2009.

  Today I took the next step in building my brand. I have decided to work with LaunchHer. They had an amazing promotion going on this month and it is the right time to Trademark my business to protect my products and myself. I have also been working with an amazingly talented graphic artist who has designed a new logo for me. It's just about finished and I'm having a hard time deciding which one to go with because they are all so fabulous! There is so much going on and in the year that I've had my Etsy shop open I've added a lot of new items. It has been such a fun learning experience so far and I really enjoy creating these things for all the other military babies out there!



The new improved style & the most popular item in the shop!
Baby Battle Rattle blanket



It's A...

   A few weeks ago I had an ultrasound to determine the gender of our little bun in the oven. Grandpa took the afternoon off to hang out with Baby Battle Rattle and I headed out for my appointment. I went to a 3D/4D elective office for what was supposed to be a quick 15 minute peek at the baby. The woman who did the scan was so sweet and I told her when we went back to the room that I actually don't want to know what we're having. I asked her if she could put in into an envelope for me so that when Mr. Battle Rattle had a chance to call we could open the envelope and find out together. When I was pregnant with Baby Battle Rattle we were able to Skype a TON during that deployment, but no luck this go around. With Baby Battle Rattle I made a little onesie that said "I LOVE DADDY" in cammie letters and a pink bow on it to tell him we were having a girl.

   I told her that I really couldn't watch the ultrasound because I would know what baby was if I saw. She laughed and we got going to see what we were having...well 10 minutes went by and baby was NOT being as forthcoming as their older sister was. So I got up and went to the bathroom and ate a little candy to see if we could get baby moving. Laid back down and it took another 35 minutes to find out what baby was! The lady was so sweet and wouldn't let me go until she could find out. She went and put all the photos and a note card with the sex into an envelope for me and I anxiously awaited Mr. Battle Rattle's phone call. The day seemed to drag on forever. He didn't call so I went to bed fingers crossed that he'd be able to call tomorrow. Just after Baby Battle Rattle went down for a nap the next afternoon my cell phone rang...it was Mr. Battle Rattle! I answered and ran to get the envelope. Without further delay.......

Baby 2 is a GIRL! We are both so excited to be having another little girl. I was so surprised, I was sure it was a boy. The best part is that Baby Battle Rattle was born in December and this little one will be born in December/January so all those clothes I saved will fit perfectly in the same seasons! It's hard to believe that in just 2 days this pregnancy will be half way over!