When Erin and Josh first came into little urbanites, they were pregnant with their son Oliver. They’d just moved to the Northwest from New York City to work for a large design company, and as I’d made a similar move myself, we had a lot to talk about.

That winter Erin and Josh decided to trade the Portland drizzle for the Florida sun, but we stayed in touch on Facebook and I have followed the launched of their own family company, Feel Handmade. As the buyer for little urbanites I have a particular interest in artists that create handmade products, and I was amazed by the craftsmanship, artistry, and love that goes into each of their metal and leather pieces.

When Erin and I caught up via e-mail last month, I asked her for her thoughts on a few of our Modern Motherhood questions. Here are her wonderful answers!

What physical or personality traits do you see in Oliver that remind you of yourself?

Our son is a perfect blend of us, but he gets my questioning eyebrow raise.  If you get my right eyebrow to raise high into my forehead…watch out, it’s the signal that I feel something is wrong. Oliver gives it right back to me.

Describe your favorite piece of art or project that your child has made for you.

He is too young, but I kept his very first crayon scribble.

Take a peek – what’s in your diaper bag right now?

Nothing…It was a mess, I had to clean it out because it was filled with a pair of dirty socks and organic graham cracker crumbs!

What is your must-have baby product?

Natursutten pacifiers!!!

What’s one ecologically or socially responsible thing you do that can change the world?

I couldn’t possibly list one thing.  I deeply care about the environment and want to pass a healthy planet on to my son, so I daily try to become more and more ecologically responsible. Some of the ways: We use zero chemicals around the house: from cleaning the windows, the laundry to washing my own hair and my son’s beautiful skin. We don’t use toilet paper (Toto Neorest toilet) or paper towels, we buy organically and locally, we avoid plastic as much as possible, we buy quality not quantity and this standard has become the backbone of our family business, hand-making quality handbags that will last several lifetimes…I could keep going.

What do you look forward to everyday?

Waking up to my beautiful family, spending the entire day together playing, and being creative. Also cooking, I love cooking!

What’s one way you find to spoil yourself?

Hmmmm…I don’t. I keep saying I would like a pedicure!

Is there a parenting technique (e.g. attachment parenting, the Ferber method, co-sleeping) that you have strong feelings (negative or positive) about?

I have not researched parenting techniques. I feel that good parenting comes from the heart. Love and understanding. My son sleeps with us when he needs and also loves his crib. I hold him and kiss him when he cries and he loves being independent. It seems to be working, I have a healthy very happy son with a huge of personality.

Do you read any “mommy blogs” or participate in any online parenting communities? If so, which are your favorites and why?

Not really, I always checked out Parents.com just to see the weekly progress photos and notes.  I also enjoy www.drmomma.org/

Have you read any pregnancy or childcare books that had a particularly profound influence on you?

I had many friends give me different childcare books, but none of them resonated with me. I read about hypnobirthing half way through my pregnancy and started taking a class with my husband, it was a perfect class for us. We wanted to experience everything about childbirth.  I recommend this class to every pregnant mother that does not have any complications. I was in labor for 3 days and gave birth to my son naturally.  Intense, but worth it.

What advice do you have for new parents?

You can NEVER be prepared to be a parent. Have a lot of patience and try to realize that some things are out of your control. Learning to be selfless is eye opening, it will change you and if you let it, it will help you become a better person.

One of the more enjoyable parts of my job is meeting other people in the children’s retail industry.  I met Valerie Swift back in 2007 when she came into the store to tell us about a must-have stroller called UPPAbaby. Valerie knew what she was talking about!  Now the UPPAbaby Vista is one of the most popular baby products on the market and one of the best selling strollers at Little Urbanites.

Today Valerie is the sales rep for many of our favorite brands, and I always listen carefully to her point of view on new products and happenings in the industry. Valerie owns her own small business called 2girls Marketing, and is the ”go to” person for many of our favorite products at Little Urbanites, including Aden+Anais, Medela, Oxo and UPPAbaby. We’re lucky to have her as part of the Little Urbanites team!

oxo tots Aden + Anais Medela Swing Breastpump UPPAbaby G-Luxe

What is your must-have baby product?

UPPAbaby VISTA. After 4 years, this hasn’t changed. I didn’t realize how attached to a stroller I could be.

What physical or personality traits do you see in your children that remind you of yourself?

High energy, analytical, sensitive and determined.

What’s one ecologically or socially responsible thing you do that can change the world?

Recycle, recycle…recycle.

What’s one way you find to spoil yourself?

Being a working mother with an active 4 y.o., finding a quiet space, snuggling under a blanket and losing myself in a good book is considered spoiling myself. However, a good facial is always a welcomed treat.

Is there a parenting technique (e.g. attachment parenting, the Ferber method, co-sleeping) that you have strong feelings (negative or positive) about?

Reggio Emilia and Parenting with Love and Logic. This method of parenting has been invaluable to teach responsibility, respect and good decision-making. It has also helps significantly with the stresses of parenting, especially in difficult situations since this method teaches parents how to empower their children to make good choices while still achieving the collective goal.

Describe your favorite piece of art or project that your child has made for you.

My 4 y.o. daughter made a book for me with drawings accompanied by a beautiful story about her and I smelling flowers and picking berries. There was also a lot of ice cream eating…all the things I love.

Have you read any pregnancy or childcare books that had a particularly profound influence on you?

Transition to Parenthood and Parenting with Love and Logic.

What advice do you have for new parents?

Trust yourself. You can do all of the research in the world, but a mother’s instinct is very powerful.