Updates

Major apologies for the time lapse between blogs. I've been so busy and blogging hasn't been the first thing on my mind!

Jack is becoming such a little boy, running faster, talking more and such a little delight :) This morning he asked me for some "boobies" (hopefully you can all see the humor in this and not the offense!) I was taken aback at first...and then when he pulled my hand to the fridge I realized he wanted BLUEBERRIES! I had a good laugh :) We'll have to work on that one.

Another funny talking incident...We had a lot of puffy, white snow a week or so ago. Jack looked out the front door and yelled with a lot of excitement "Lellows!" He thought all the snow was marshmallows, which he loves :)

He spent his first night away from mommy and daddy last week too! Unfortunately it was because Rob and I were both completely out of it with the flu. But I'm happy to report all is better now and even happier to say Jack did wonderful and had so much fun at Grandma and Papa's he didn't want to come home.

I've been so busy working for Chanel again this season. I'm in the middle of working 9 days in a row right now. After Christmas, most of my work with Chanel slows down majorly and I get time to breathe again :) It's definitely fun and I'm thankful for the flexibility it offers.

I think most everyone reading this knows this by now, I also launched my own website last month: www.juliestrating.com I've received great feedback and also booked some really exciting events for early next year.

And in other news, the sock animal business My Amalies that I run with my friend Amanda could soon be coming to an end if there are no changes to a bill that was recently passed by Congress. In a nutshell, the new law (the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act [CPSIA]) will require all children's products (intended for those younger than 12) to be tested for lead and phthalates. It also requires each component to be labeled individually providing the manufacturing date and stating that it complys with the mandated testing. My initial reaction to this was "Excellent! We need more accountability with our children's items especially with all the toy scares in the last year." Except I realize now many, many small businesses that cannot afford this mandated testing will be affected negatively: be forced out of business. You can read more about this at: www.handmadetoyalliance.org

I think that's the bulk of updates I have for you now. (I'll put pictures in the next post!) I can't believe Christmas is one week from today! Jack and I are headed out to buy our last two gifts today and then we'll be all set.

Enjoy your day and Merry Christmas everyone (in case I don't update again before then :)