Baby Be Hip has such loyal customers that we deeply value, so we want to get to know you all better & share your wonderfulness with everyone! Many, many thanks to this week’s great Customer of the Week, Patty First! Keep reading to find out more about Patty!

What are the names of your kids and how did you choose their names?

My seven-year old is named Ian George. Ian is a family name on my husband’s side, and George was my favorite grandfather. My 2 ½ year old is named Charles Reid (Charlie). Charles was the relative of my husband’s who purchased in the 1800s property in Maine that is still in their family and is a very special place for us. Reid is Colin’s grandfather’s middle name (He was also named Colin).

The best piece of advice you have ever received:

Wow – there are many. The one that has served me best is “don’t take things personally.” Sometimes people – including my kids – say mean or hurtful things or get really stressed out, but generally it’s not about you. When it is, own up to it, but when it isn’t let it go and try to understand what’s going on in their life.

What is some good parenting advice or tips you would give to new moms?

To trust your instincts and not get freaked out by what you read in baby books, which can be confusing and contradictory. You know your baby best. If they’re hungry, feed them; if they sleep through the night, let them; if something seems wrong, call the doctor. It’s so hard to keep perspective when you’re completely exhausted and caring for a baby for the first time. It’s easy to get overwhelmed.

If you had one free day all to yourself, what would you do?

I would go for a run, followed by a lot of yoga and a pedicure.

What is your favorite way to spend time with your kids and family?

Some of my favorite times are our Sunday meals. We have a family meeting every Sunday where we go around and say something we appreciate about each person that happened during the previous week. And then we have a special dessert, answer a question (from the family edition of Table Topics) and then write down new things the kids can do and put the pieces of paper in the “I Can” can. Charlie has just started to understand appreciations and Ian comes up with some really great ones. It’s a time we set aside each week just for our family.

What are some of your interests?

My interests other than running, yoga and spending time with my kids are cooking, gardening, drinking wine with friends, and I love my job (I help non-profits with advocacy).

Which Baby Be Hip product is your favorite to send as a gift?

I love the combos – especially the Essentials Gift Set with the bib, towel and burp cloth. It gives people a choice of things for different ages. I also LOVE the blankets. The fleece moon and stars blankets are my kids’ “blankies.”

Thank you so much to Patty for sharing a little bit about herself & for being such a fabulous Baby Be Hip customer throughout all these years!