There is sooo much that goes on behind the scenes to run a sucessful small, family owned business….in fact its kind of mind-boggling at times to think about all the aspects of it! Abbie, co-owner of Mom’s Milk Boutique, does a ton of “behind the scenes” work from overseas…all while homeschooling four kids! Yep, she’s kind of amazing, huh? Read on to learn about Abbie and her family…and to find out how many consecutive months she has been breastfeeding because that statistic alone is kind of astonishing! 🙂

What is your title and role at MMB? How long have you been working there? Bonnie and I did this together. This idea for this shop came about when our second children were about 6 months old (Heidi and Ilana are two weeks apart). We were inspired. Bonnie has definitely been the one in the trenches. She’s there day to day making everything lovely happen. Since inception, I have worked on the website, accounting, buying inventory, advertising, and lots of social media. What do I do? Basically, I get to go on really big shopping sprees and think up crazy, good sales. Doing everything remotely can definitely be a challenge, especially now that I am 7 hours ahead of the store. Yet, Bonnie definitely touched on the people side. For 5 years, she and I have been on the phone e.v.e.r.y.d.a.y. Sometimes I call more than she wants me to. 🙂 

· What is your top favorite product at MMB? Everything. All of them. I have to test one of everything. If I don’t like it, I don’t keep carrying it. If after using it for years I fall out of love, I clearance it.
But….if I had to choose just one, it would be my Bravado Seamless Silk Nursing Bra. I wear one every day (not the same one though for those that got worried).
At this very moment…..on my counter is a bottle of CJs Creamy Lotion in Caribbean Therapy Blend. In my bathroom washing wool there’s Naturally Luxe WOW Bar in Sandalwood Vanilla. In my shower – California Baby Tea Tree Shampoo & Conditioner. After bath its Episencial Soothing Cream. Hanging in my hall – Planet Wise Hanging Pail in Aqua Swirls. On my 18 month old – bumGenius Elemental in Mirror. I could go on. 🙂

· What is your favorite babycarrier and why? Impossible to choose. I love them all for different reasons and at different times. For newborns I love my Sakura Bloom Ring Slings and my Moby Wrap. When baby and I need more support we love our Dolcino or Calin Bleu woven wrap. For on the go, I grab both my ERGO and my Boba – my 4 year old loves to be carried, still. Last weekend, we went snowshoeing and Legend (18 mo.) stayed warm and comfy on daddy’s back in the ERGO – see a stroller do that!

· What does your cloth diaper stash look like? Um, eclectic and embarrassingly large. I do reuse and lend out. At the moment, Bonnie has my newborn stash. I have been able to use many of the same diapers that I used for Heidi for Kaatje and Legend. My favorites are definitely more used. My doublers have holes. My prized Goodmamas and hemp Sloombs – that I stalked for DAYS over 4 years ago – need new elastic. As I said, I try everything. I guess I should add product tester to my list of (fun) jobs.

· Who are the members of your family? My husband Seth (well, his job) is the reason I get to wake up every morning and drink my tea while gazing at the Alps. Well, for a few more months anyway. It’s amazing how 2 years will fly by. Then there are my wonderful and fortunately adaptable children Graeme (9), Heidi(6), Kaatje (4), and Legend (18 mo) who seem to be enjoying this adventure as much as we are.

· What do you like to do for recreation? Travel, and all the adventure that comes with it, is definitely our kind of recreation. We homeschool and we live in Europe, so we have tried to take advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity and see everything we can whenever my husband gets a free moment. We are sunny beach weather people, so we love to swim and hike. Everything else depends on the weather, plus, with little ones we do a lot of things together. This winter we have had really good snow, so the kids have really gotten to enjoy skiing and the chocolat chaud.

· Share a favorite family tradition: I have two. The first would be our names. My parents had five children whom they named in alphabetical order (Abbie, Bonnie, Cacie, Dominie and Ethan). We five children decided that we would continue that tradition when naming our own children starting with Bonnie when she had Faith, then my Graeme and Heidi, Bonnie’s Ilana, then my Kaatje and Legend, and on to M with Bonnie’s latest edition, Montgomery.

My 2nd favorite family tradition is my Great Grandma Hamilton’s Cinnamon Rolls. When at home for Christmas, my dad makes them, and I make them when away. They are delicious and have been enjoyed for generations during the Holidays. I am really blessed that my mom was so brilliant as to have her to right down the recipe some 30 years ago. Cherish your family moments and write your memories and stories down. Generations come and go far too quickly, but they can live and share a connection with our children in memories.

· What is one tip you have for breastfeeding mamas? Support. Surround yourself with support, find a Le Leche League and attend regularly before, during and after! Make a community – make friends with other breastfeeding mamas. The connection of breastfeeding is reason enough to make great friends. High five each other in the mall and at restaurants. Get support and BE support because you are enough.

· If you could have any superpower, what would it be? What? I make milk. I have been lactating for 80 months straight and my 18 month old still hasn’t night weaned. That I am still awake, is pretty darn super!

· What is one of your favorite quotes? “The purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment, your peace of mind, or even your happiness.” Rick Warren

· What are your goals/intentions/resolutions for this new year? To make the life of everyone that touches MMB a little sweeter.