Along for the ride

As a glance down at the date on my computer, I seriously can not believe that the new year is just around the corner! I am amazed at the rate of which life speeds by, getting faster and faster every year. I vaguely remember back to adults having this same discussion in my presence as a child, but could never understand what they were talking about since summer break seemed oh-so-far-away. Now, I get it. I understand more and more each passing year.

As the new year draws near, I have spent a bit of time analyzing my personal goals, as I think we most do when the Christmas trees start popping up at malls everywhere! I have realized that many things are just as I would like them, but many others need more attention. Say, this blog for example!!! (Mark, no comments here!) See, when I started RuffleButts years ago, I was very driven to create a successful business, but equally important was reaching people all over the world to share a positive experience, an inspiration in some way. Although this is still very much a priority to me, with the time commitments of the business, our company family, and my own family (now a bit larger than it was at that time), I have found myself sacrificing a few of those things that were and are important to me. This is absolutely no excuse, but I know I am not alone here!!

So, my commitment to myself and to you, our readers...I am making it a priority this year to share more of my journey. It is my true hope that this journey inspires you in some way. Maybe it makes you laugh (at our comedy of errors), or cry. Maybe it gives you that kick-in-butt that you've been waiting on to pursue your own dream. Whatever your dream may be, whatever your own story, I hope you'll come along for the ride!

So fast

Where does the time go?? Time has always gone by quickly, but I am discovering that the day that "Mommy" replaces your birth name is the day that the clock goes on high-speed! Is it Christmas yet? It will be before we know it!! I seriously can't believe my last post was in March! So here's the quick summary of March to July for me and RuffleButts...




March - ended up in the hospital with early labor
Early April - ended up in the hospital again with early labor
April 4th - our little one decided to finally make his entrance...for real this time!
Yes, you read that right HIS entrance!! We were blessed with a precious little boy, Jonas David Schaub.
April 6th - I returned to the office, with Jonas in tow (maternity leave...what's that?!)
May 11th - we relocate the entire RuffleButts office, warehouse & team to our new space...with Jonas in tow
May through June - working at the new office...with Jonas in tow
late June - my little boy has his first day of "school"
July 1st - here I am, seriously I feel like it's still March!

I realized recently that when Aubrey was born, all of these women kept approaching me in public to see our little squirt, and they all had the same response..."enjoy it cause they grow up so fast." At the time, it seemed like she would be a baby for years to come. Now, the 2nd time around, I finally get it! They were so right, they do grow up incredibly fast. I am truly soaking up every minute I get with my little ones and treasuring every bit of it.

In a way, my children are mirroring RuffleButts for me. They were born within a year of one another. I feel like I have watched the business crawl, then walk, and now with our new warehouse and incredible team, I feel like my little baby is growing up! It could not be more rewarding to witness this process. And the best part is, this baby, RuffleButts, is being raised by a village. Our team and our customers have such a hand in where we are today. I know, for a fact, that we would not be here without them, without you.

Layla Grace Golf Tournament

Layla Grace, as many of you know, has always held a very special place in our hearts here at RuffleButts, as well as in the Schaub family. When I found out that there was a golf tournament organized for the new Layla Grace Foundation, I knew we had to be a part of it. I'm super bummed that we're too far away to participate, it sounds like a ton of fun! So, my 2nd best option was to find a way to be a part of it from afar. We are excited to say that we are now an official "hole sponsor", so we will be posting that ruffled baby bum logo somewhere along the course at High Meadow Ranch golf course in Magnolia, TX. Hopefully the golfers will get a good smile at that hole!

If you are in the area, I highly recommend that you check out this event.

The Layla Grace Foundation’s First Annual Charity Golf Tournament will take place March 26, 2011 at High Meadow Ranch golf course in Magnolia, Texas.

Entry Fee of $150.00 includes:

• Green fees
• Arrival package
• 2 drink tickets to use during the tournament
• Awards dinner with open bar
• After-dinner concert with Sundance Head
• $100,000 shootout
• Prizes & more!

To register online, click here.

Fabulous photogs and new products!

In this business, I have been fortunate to work with some fabulously talented photographers. As most of you already know, we have long worked with Amanda Elkins of AmandaElkinsPhotography.com. She continues to blow me away with her talents behind the camera, but just as importantly, we have grown together as moms, business owners, and friends. She is my go-to for our big photo shoots, although sadly she is all the way across the country. So, on occasion, and here recently, I have also had the pleasure of working with a few other photogs a little closer by. I am so excited to not only share their incredible work, but also the fun new products they captured for us.

First up...swimwear!! We couldn't be more excited to share our new 2011 RuffleButt Swimwear Collection. Since we sold out in less than 3 weeks last year and had to re-produce everything, we are bigger and better than ever this year. We have tons of new prints, multiple new styles and we are keeping if fresh all Spring long! The first two to arrive are after many requests for a RuffleButt one-piece style and the ruffled two piece style was so much fun to design, I just couldn't help myself. Hope you enjoy!!

Bela (the adorable model shown in this picture) was a total trooper shooting on the beach in less than ideal weather. Isn't she just too cute in those superstar sunglasses!

So, after many requests, not only have we added the one-piece to our Spring 2011 Collection, but we also now offer all the way up to 4T.

This is one of my favorites so far to design. I went a little crazy with the ruffles, but it is just so fun and frilly, I couldn't help myself! Again offered from 3-6m all the way up to 4T, this suit is just a fun summer wardrobe addition for every little princess.

Next up...Ruffled Dresses galore! As we are receiving in new merchandise everyday, when these fun and ruffled creations arrived to our offices, I thought it would be a fun chance to work with a local SC photographer (Erin Dietrich of ErinDietrichPhotography.com) that had reached out to me a while back. The dresses first arrived in the satin version for the holidays, but is also soon to arrive in the cotton version for a Spring sunny day. She also has a cutie patootie of her own and was just perfect for some fun shots. She also was able to capture our brand new RuffleButt undies with some creative help from her husband in posing the precious tots, along with our fun new RuffleButts wave Bloomers. Erin did a great job, especially considering that she shot these pics about a week after we experienced some major winter weather here in the Carolinas, so was limited to working indoors.

In our bold black, this is the new satin Ruffle Dress. The body is made of a machine washable (on

delicate preferably) satin, while the ruffles are made of the same organza as you have come to know and love on the RuffleButts Organza Collection. The dress is super fun and actually quite comfy...Aubrey loves to run around in her ruffle dress, pink being her favorite of course!

So, the back story to this pic...let's just say there is a cat being held in the air by hubby to distract two toddlers, which turned into some super cute poses! Good thinking Erin (and hubby)!

These fun new RuffleButt Wave Bloomers were supposed to be a fresh limited edition style for Spring, but with the incredible response, they will likely have a long-term home here at RB!

Prego

No, I have not completely fallen off the face of the planet...just working hard to tread water and keep up here in the office! These last few months have been more insane than usual around the RuffleButts household. Aside from our crazy growth, which I owe completely to our amazingly wonderful and supportive customers, we have also been hard at work planning for our new styles, big announcements, new team members, and on a personal note...an addition to the RuffleButts family due this April! Yes, we are adding to the Schaub clan, Aubrey will soon be a big sister!

Seriously, I don't know how you guys do it! Moms are just super heroes in my book and I don't know how you do it with more than one. I guess I'm soon to find out! For now, I am enjoying my big round belly and feeling those kicks and squirms all day long. We're trying to prepare for the big day, but I'm honestly so busy around here, I am admittedly a little behind in the preparations. A nursery is on my list for this weekend, after having our first little scare and ending up in the hospital for a quick one-day stay last week. Aubrey threw me for a few loops in her first 9 months, but this little one is a bit more anxious. After a lot of fluid and a few contraction halting shots, all is well and back to normal. Now stay put little one, for at least a few more weeks! A name...next on that list! So, stay tuned for more surprises - boy or girl...I can't share all of the fun news in one day ;)

So, that is our big news, our ENORMOUS blessing, and I am honored to share it with you!