a big baby shower - supplement

SPECIAL ADVERTISINGtwitter.com/jamaicaobserverwww.jamaicaobserver.com 1THE DAILY OBSERVER

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

SPECIAL ADVERTISING twitter.com/jamaicaobserverwww.jamaicaobserver.com2 THE DAILY OBSERVER


THE EVENTOn Sunday August 28th 2011,

Boy O Boy celebrated the beauty ofthe maternal journey with thepresentation of A BIG BABYSHOWER, [a baby & child lifestyleevent featuring:

A Big Baby Shower was the firstof its kind in Jamaica and theEnglish Speaking Caribbean,creating a memorable andextraordinary event with games,surprises and presentations thathelped prepare expectant and newparents.

The event, hosted by SmileJamaica host Simone Clarke-Cooper, and D.J. Bambino,focused on the emotional,practical and aesthetic aspects ofpregnancy and parenthood. Withthe aim to inform, pamper and

support mothers during theirpregnancy and newbornexperience, a Big Baby Showersurpassed expectations withpatrons enjoying exhibits andseminars, game and prizesaplenty.

The East Lawn at Devon Housewas the venue for a relaxed, openand friendly place where newparents and parents-to-bereceived products and supportinformation relevant to pregnancy,baby and child care.

THE CONCEPTThe concept for a Big Baby

Shower was born out of a strongdesire to entertain and educatepatron families in a holistic andcaptivating manner, while utilizingelements associated with chic,

metropolitan events. On the heels of the launch of

their new, super comfortable BabyCarrier,(held recently inHollywood, CA.,) Britax USArolled out their impressive line ofcar seats, strollers and babycarriers. Many patrons wererecipients of amazing prizes suchas their Chaperone infant seat andstroller. Being well aware of thehigh costs that are associated withwelcoming a baby, A Big BabyShowers’ model of replicating atraditional baby shower, wasevident in the volume of gifts givento patrons:

• A Babymoon weekend from Sandals Resorts International• A trip for 2 to an American Airlines destination• Photo shoot from Fern Elise Photography • Diapers and wipes from Huggies• Strollers and car seats from Britax



Britax USA booth atA Big Baby Shower

New mummy Kenisha andbaby Chase at the event

Ajourney of a thousand miles begins withthe first step. Boy O Boy made that firststep almost 6 years ago, and entered theretail market as one of Kingston’s few

boutiques for children. 6 years on, we have grownwith our sights now set on building a structuredretail and resource base for our customers. Thevision for an event such as A Big Baby Showerwas realized with the valuable support of all oursponsors, participants and contributors. Theexecution of any successful event rests in thestrength of its team, and from the bottom of myheart, I say thank you.

After months of ups and downs, ins and outs,open doors and closed doors, A Big Baby Shower,a baby & child lifestyle event, was introduced toKingston Jamaica on Sunday August 28, 2011.As a first time event, with no precedent, nerveswere high and fears were real. A lot hard workhad gone into preparing for this event, which hadlong been my passion to execute. Fortunately, my

faith is bigger than my fears. During the9 month gestation period (punintended), my small but efficient teamcame together. Amoye, Naomi,Nicholas, Melanie, Cleon andSherene...THANK YOU. And to myfamily who went above and beyondwhile I worked hard to realize mydream...May God continue to shine Hislight on you.

On Saturday, the day before A BigBaby Shower, we grappled with makinga decision to postpone or proceed with our event,due to expected inclement weather. I went on myknees, and asked GOD (according to His will) toreward our 9 months of hard, diligent andrelentless work. When my prayer was finished, Ifelt a peace in my heart and decided to proceed. ABig Baby Shower started as planned, under sunnyskies, and welcomed more patrons than expected!Our event ended at 6pm and at 6:02pm, the skies

opened and God sent us a brief shower ofblessing! With a full heart, I acknowledge God’spresence in my home, my business and my life.

The success of A Big Baby Shower is testimonyto reaping the benefits of resilience. A Big BabyShower exceeded expectations, and you, ourvalued sponsors, participants, contributors andpatrons, helped to make that possible.

THANK YOU !

A BIG BABY SHOWER TEAMNicholas Parsons, Naomi Garrick (Garrick Communications),

Michelle Gordon, Amoye Phillpotts-Brown.

Michelle Gordon, Owner, Boy O BoyLimited

THANK YOU

A HappyMummy and HappyBaby at a Big Baby Shower

A Baby and Child Lifestyle Event

One lucky family at A BigBaby Shower was thewinner of Jamaica’sfirst ever UltimateDream Nursery

Giveaway! Promoted with a commissioned

watercolour image by artistRachel Wade, Boy O Boy’snursery giveaway found muchfavour with interested patrons. Allthey had to do in order to have achance at winning the nursery,was to visit each booth at theevent!

Boy O Boy selected over 25items to create a $500,000*Dream Nursery. An amalgamationof 4 local retail stores, as well asseveral baby productmanufacturers based overseas, allcontributed to the event’s grandprize……An entire room filledwith premium baby products anddéécor that made one lucky

couple more prepared than theycould have ever dreamed!

Soshannie Chin-Mitchell, ateacher, and her husband AndreMitchell, a pharmacist, are theproud mummy and Daddy to 3month old Keira. According toSoshannine: ““Winning thenursery was a surprise and ashock to the whole family! TheDream Nursery has brought joyand happiness to us. Everythingthat was won; there is a need forit. Before I would nurse, talk andsing to Baby Keira on the bed.Now, we have a rockingchair where I can comfortably sitand bond with my baby. Thestroller allows her to sit and enjoythe scenery while being pushedaround. The breast pump reallycame in handy as I needed one toexpress milk for Baby Keira todrink while I am at work. Most of

the items can be used as Keiragets older, the crib is a 4 in 1 andthe furniture and lamps will beused in her room as she getsolder.””

My thoughts on A Big BabyShower are that it is a wonderfulevent for moms to be and newmoms like myself; it wasinformative and interesting. I liked

the narration of the stages ofpregnancy. I enjoyed participatingand watching the competitions.The booths gave me a chance tolearn about new products likeHappy Baby and Britax amongothers. This event definitely hasto be an annual one and theMitchell family is really gratefulfor the prize.

DREAM NURSERY CONTRIBUTORSBoy O Boy, Ba-bee-licious , Babybop,Spaces , Timi & Leslie , JJ ColeCollections, Britax USA, Therapedic,LIME, HUGGIES, Beverley JacksonPainting, Skip Hop, Fern ElisePhotography, Pigeon Baby Products,L’oved Baby, HappyBaby and LittleGiraffe.



ABig Baby Shower wasdesigned for first-timeexpectant and newparents. However, withtraditional rules ignored,fathers were also

showered with their share ofpreparation and celebration as theyenjoyed the comfort and excitementof our ‘Daddy Lounge.’

The Daddy Lounge was a virtual‘man cave’ complete with choicegames and sports and premium bar.Enjoying the musical skill of DJBambino, fathers relaxed in thecomfort and ‘home away fromhome’ feel of our living room-styledlounge provided by ARD2K.

THE DADDYLOUNGE(a.k.a.) THE MAN CAVE

LIME executive Stephen Pricewith new baby Aiden

Representing the ‘new Dad’well, The Daddy Lounge,outfitted with comfy loungefurniture from ARD2K

THE ULTIMIATEDREAM NURSERY

GIVEAWAY

Soshannie and Andre Mitchell, glowingwith excitement after being announcedwinners of Boy O Boy’s Dream NurseryGiveaway.

Baby Keira testing out her new crib,while parents Andre and Soshannielook on.

The winners, flanked by Dream Nursery contributors Michelle Gordon (Boy O Boy), Shauna-Gaye Hart (Ba-bee-licious), Kerisha Cadogan (Babybop), Janelle Pantry(Spaces) and Gary Kester (Britax)

Elements of theDream Nursery

Most mothers-to-be and new parents have one thing incommon – a strong desire to learn all they can abouttheir new role. Scheduled mini seminars addressedsome of these topics while entertaining and educating onBabymooning, Baby Gear, Fabulous, Fit and Pregnant,

Financial Planning, Returning to work, to name a few.

Specially invited guests received custom-made event swagdiaper bags by ILE, filled with contributions from eventpartners and Boy O Boy suppliers included diapers andwipes from Huggies, a bottle of Chamdor (non-alcoholicchampagne) from Lascelles, sun visors from NCB, baby

bottles from Pigeon Baby Products, baby body wash from Johsnon’sBaby, discount cards from Ba-bee-licious, Indigo Boutique, andBabybop Store who also gave branded chemises for baby. Overseascontributors included assorted accessories from Silly Souls, LittleGiraffe, and L’oved Baby.

Dr Thea Davis, speaking to a captiveaudience about Pregnancy, MedicallySpeaking

MOMRESOURCE SEMINARS

The Swag Bags

A view of some ofthe booths at A Big

Baby Shower

In order to enter to win the grand prize of The Ultimate DreamNursery, patrons were given an event passport which had to bestamped by each exhibitor represented at the event. Eachexhibitor then had direct access to patrons, and ampleopportunity to promote their business.

The Passport



Photo courtesy of Marc Evans


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Photo courtesy of Live Stush

Mary’s Child is a place of safety for pregnant teens who findthemselves wards of the state through the Children’sServices Division of the Ministry of Health. The girls rangein age from 11 to 17 years.

The home is exactly that for its 12 residents – a home. While not allthe girls are victims of crimes, they are all in need of care love andattention, which Mary’s Child provides. The girls are taught how tocare themselves while pregnant and then to care for their children,with emphasis being on providing a clean, healthy and stableenvironment for the babies.

Boy o Boy’s decision to become involved at Mary’s Child is inkeeping with our mantra to give back to our community in a real andtangible way. Since its inception in December 2005, Boy O Boy hasembarked on several charitable initiatives including Hope For Hope,BOB’s Children and working with RJR’s Christmas CuddlesProgramme. According to Michelle Gordon, “As an SME, we try tomake our contribution in a way that is representative of what we do.It was only natural to reach out to our partners who are like-mindedand eager to make a difference.”

On learning more about the girls, their habits and routines, we tookthe decision to give the girls strollers to ease the burden of walkingwith their babies for their daily activities. Doctors visits, follow upappointments, going to school and other off property tasks, will nowbe easier with their brand new strollers and baby carriers from Britax.According to Gordon: “When I approached Kate [Clark] from Britax, itwas a no-brainer! She was very excited and pulled out all the stops toget their donations here to Jamaica.”

The girls also received newborn and stage 1-2 diapers fromHuggies, clothing from L’oved Baby in California, and also from Ziggyand Orly Marley representing their children’s clothing line at RootsZionwear, also from California. We received support to tie it alltogether with shipping sponsorship from Mail Pac Services.

We were very pleased with the support received, and proud todonate the new items. Very often these homes receive second handitems, and although these are appreciated by the recipients, getting agift that you take out of the box for yourself, is a wonderful feeling.

Boy O Boy will continue to offer support to Mary’s Child throughplanned mentorship and training programmes.

Gary Kester, International Sales Director Britax; Jennifer Collins, Manager Mary’sChild; Amoye Phillpotts-Brown, Events Assistant, Boy O Boy; and Kate Clark, Eventsand PR Manager Britax

Kate Clark and GaryKester telling Ms.

Collins all about hernew Britax strollers.

GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY

Mary’s Child


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Britax USA:

BRITAX USA would like to take this opportunityto thank Boy O Boy for giving us the opportunityto be part of such a ground-breaking event! Wereally enjoyed speaking with all the expecting andnew parents who braved the heat during ourwonderful celebration. Not only did the eventdisplay all the different products and servicesoffered on your beautiful island, but the messageto consumers was so important. BRITAX is veryproud to offer Jamaican residents car seats tokeep the kiddos safe on the road, strollers tomake it easier for caregivers to get around morefreely and baby carriers to take away the back andshoulder strain of having to hand-carry babies 8-32lbs. Again, a BIG THANKS goes to Michelleand her TEAM for including us in such a specialday. Jamaican residents can find BRITAXproducts at Boy O Boy (12 Merrick Avenue,Kingston, Jamaica).

Kate Clark, Britax

Huggies:

Kimberly-Clark, owners of the HUGGIES brandof diapers, baby wipes and child care products,would like to congratulate BOY O BOY on thesuccessful staging of A BIG BABY SHOWER. Aperfect complement to the HUGGIES brand forwhich the tagline is “Parenthood, ChaoticallyBeautiful”, the event offered moms to be, dads tobe, and new moms and dads a wealth ofresources which will help them to navigatethrough the chaotically beautiful journey calledparenthood.

A BIG BABY SHOWER, the first of its kind inJamaica, is an event which we are pleased toendorse with the HUGGIES brand and it is our

hope that it will become an annual event. Theseminars, games, numerous giveaways, and theimplementation of a ‘passport’ system tomaximize interaction between exhibitors andpatrons all lent to a well-executed event whichkept patrons engaged and excited.

The HUGGIES team would also like tocongratulate the team of A BIG BABY SHOWERand other contributors on blessing a lucky couplewith the amazing gift of a Dream Nurseryequipped with everything including HUGGIESdiapers and baby wipes.

We extend a big thank you to Boy O Boy forinviting HUGGIES to be the exclusive diapersponsor of this event and we look forward to alasting partnership.

Lascelles:

Chamdor was delighted to support Jamaica’sfirst Baby lifestyle event. Its success istestament to the fact that it was a well-neededevent whose time had come and we look forwardto working with the team next year.

Ensure:

Congratulations on the successful inauguralstaging of the Boy o Boy – A Big Baby Shower.We at ENSURE, understand the importance ofproper nutrition for all, especially for our newmoms and “moms to be” and were happy to beassociated with this event. We look forward topartnering with you on your next venture – seeyou in 2012!

Ensure – Nutrition in Charge!

drennaLUNA maternity

“ABBS was an excellent event. As a uniqueevent it offered a very targeted market channelfor the products aimed at this niche segment.The quality of the event resulted in highsatisfaction from patrons as well as sponsors andthe satisfaction of patrons enhanced theresponses received by sponsors.

drennaLUNA Maternity was launched at the

ideal event: not only in terms of the access toexpectant mothers but based on the alignment ofthe event quality with the essence of thedrennaLUNA label. drennaLUNA maternity likethe womenswear collections, offers sophisticatedand elegant styles so that during pregnancy themom-to-be feels and looks just as beautiful. Ilook forward to participating each year.”

– Arlene Martin, drennaLUNA

HappyBaby

HappyBaby could not have imagined a betterevent to catapult HappyBaby into the homes andlives of our island’s mummies and daddies thanat this year’s Big Baby Shower. It was a perfectSunday afternoon...filled with fun, freebies andfamilies! We applaud Michelle and Boy O Boyfor having the foresight and the initiative forseeing that we really do lack events for newparents in Jamaica and for doing somethingabout it! HappyBaby eagerly looks forward toBBS 2012!

Jaime McConnell, Director, HappyBabyJamaica

Calling The Shots:

Calling The Shots wishes to thank Boy O Boy,and all the sponsors for a successful event. Itwas well planned, and perfectly executed. Theevent passport was a wonderful idea as it reallydirected prospective clients to our booth. Ourbusiness specializes in maternity photographyand this event brought our target market ofexpectant mothers right to us. It really was asuccessful venture for us and we look forward toparticipating in this event in the future.

Janette Meggs, Director

Therapedic Caribbean The “Big Baby Shower” event was for us a “no

brainer” as a participating sponsor. Thisbreakthrough event covered all aspects of family

and new baby additions to the family and from allaccounts the patrons had lots of fun. Therapedicwas very happy to be associated with BBS , itwas, innovative, high quality, impacting, familyoriented and above all masterfully executed.Congrats BBS and Boy O Boy

Aswad Morgan Director- Therapedic Caribbean(Member of the Morgan Group)

Babybop Store:

We at Babybop want to thank Boy O Boy forhosting such a wonderful event. We loved theconcept and thought it was well executed. Theevent gave us a chance to meet new clients andreconnect with old ones. We look forward toworking with you again next year.

Kerisha Cadogan, owner Babybop

Patron comments:

I had no idea what to expect at A Big BabyShower, but was pleasantly surprised with thequality of the event. It was unlike anything I’vebeen to before in Jamaica, and on par withsimilar events that I’ve seen in the US. Kudos tothe organizers! Hope to see this event again nextyear.

Natalie Murphy, mother of 2, expecting #3

As a newlywed couple, my wife and I went to ABig Baby Shower to get a feel for what’s availableto us when we decide to venture into parenthood.Impressive! Looks like we don’t have to go to‘forin’ at all! It was great. A nice day out for thefamily, and a cool hangout for us guys in a reallywholesome environment.

Sean Mullings, father-to-be (one day)

TESTIMONIALS



SPONSORSBritax USA, Huggies, LIME, NCB Capital Markets, Chamdor, RainforestSeafood, ATL Automotive, The Spanish Court Hotel, American Airlines,Mailpac, I Print Digital, AmbuCare, Ensure, YourStyle Ezine, Live Stush,RJR and The Jamaica Observer

EXHIBITORSBritax, Boy O Boy, Ba-bee-licious, Baby Bop, Spaces, Calling the Shots,Johnsons Baby, Happy Baby, Fern Elise Photography, Kid N Play Ja,Pigeon (Qualcare), Drenna Luna Maternity, Mothers Choice Maternity,Sugabuzz, Lime, Revamp, Ministry of Health, National Health Fund,Gerber (Chas E Ramson), Rainbow Land Nursery School, ChubbyCheeks Diaper Cakes, If Walls Could Talk Décor.

CONTRIBUTORSThe Moveable Feast, Truly Fruitrageous, Cinderella Hats, Tai Flora Luxe,ARD2K, BASE Manor Park, Male Ego, Indigo Boutique, Kre8it Solutions,Norma Webster Salon, Cannonball Café and Sandals ResortInternational.

Bringing home a new baby is a dream come true.The first year especially is a magical time, filledwith that first smile, first giggle, first word andfirst bubble bath – lots of memorable momentsyou’ll want to capture. And with so much

excitement comes an awful lot to learn and remember too.That’s why the JOHNSON’S® and DESITIN® brands, two

of the most trusted and reliable baby care sources, haveteamed up to bring you practical information and helpfultips you’ll need to be ready for some of your baby’s mostimportant firsts, from the first bath to the first haircut andall of the wonderful moments in between.

BABY’S FIRST BATH

STEP 1: FILL IT UPGather all of the essential items you’ll need before you startthe bath. Fill your baby tub with a couple inches of warmwater, testing the temperature with the inside of your wristor with a baby bathtub thermometer. The water should bebetween 90°F and 100°F.

STEP 2: IN WE GOSupporting the head, neck and back, place baby in theshallow bathwater bottom first.

STEP 3: BATHTIMEStart with your baby’s face. Use a damp cotton round toclean around each eye. Then, apply JOHNSON’S® Head ToToe to a washcloth and gently clean the rest of the face, hairand body, washing the diaper area last.

STEP 4: WRAP IT UPWhen you lift your baby out of the tub, hold from underboth the arms, supporting the head and neck, and wrapbaby up in a soft, hooded towel to dry off.

STEP 5: THE FINISHING TOUCHA gentle massage with JOHNSONS’ Baby Lotion willreplenish the moisture her skin needs and help her relaxafter the bath. Warming the lotion in your hands first, startat the head and with small, circular motions, slowly workyour way down your baby’s body, finishing up with the feetand toes.

Rainbow Land Nursery School wishes to congratulate andacknowledge with gratitude its past parent, Michelle Gordon of BoyO Boy - Your baby lifestyle boutique for the opportunity to displayour school at their successful Baby and Child Lifestyle event. Wefeel honoured that Rainbow Land was given the opportunity to

participate in this delightful event and that our school was her choice for bothher children’s first school experiences.

For further information, call(876)905-0276 or visit our website atwww.RainbowLandJamaica.com We would be delighted to have you come in,observe our learning sessions and register your bundle of joy at RainbowLand Nursery School.

Kirk Distributors…

Rainbow Land Nursery School

The choices thatmothers are facedwith can be quitecomplicated. That’swhy the nutrition andfeeding expertsbehind Gerber

products have created aninnovative approach to help youmake healthy and age-appropriatenutrition decisions.Complementary foods should notbe introduced to babies belowthe age of 6 months. Sustainedbreastfeeding is recommendedafter the introduction ofcomplementary foods and Gerberis fully committed to this. TheWorld Health Organisationrecommends exclusivebreastfeeding is best for yourbaby up to six months,thereafter; it is advised thatmothers should follow the STARTHEALTHY, STAY HEALTHYNutrition Guide for the bestnurturing.Nestlé Start Healthy isan educational initiative thatunderlines the importance ofbalanced nutrition. Every childdevelops differently and thiscolour coded guide is designedto assist mothers inunderstanding their baby’shunger and fullness cues to learnwhich healthy food choices arebest suited for each stage of thechild’s development, as well asthe importance of consulting withtheir health professional beforethe introduction ofcomplementary food.

Supported SitterHunger cues:Cries or fusses toshow hunger, opens mouth andleans toward spoonFullness cues:Slows down speedof sucking, releases nipple orstopsPhysical signs:Lies ontummyand pushes up on armswith straight elbowsProduct choices:Gerber SingleGrain Cereal, Gerber 1st FoodspureesSitterHunger cues:Opens mouth leanstoward spoon, shows excitementwhen foods ispresentedFullness cues:Turns head awayfrom spoon, becomes easilydistractedPhysical signs: Sitsindependently, picks up andholds small object in handProduct choices:Gerber MixedGrain Cereals, 2nd Foods Purees,100% Fruit JuiceCrawlerHunger cues:Reaches for foodwhen hungry,shows excitementwhen food is presentedFullness cues:Turns head awayfrom spoon, spits out familiarfood or pushes it away

Physical signs: Crawls withstomach off floor, may pull selfto standProduct choices: Gerber 3rdFoods Purees, Graduates snacksToddlerHunger cues:Expresses desirefor specific foods with words,

sounds or gesturesFullness cues:Shakes head to say“no more’’Physical signs:Stands alone andbegins to walk aloneProduct choices: Graduatesmeals, snacks and beverages

The Big Baby Shower was anexceptionally wellorganised event.The East Lawn of Devon Housenever looked better. A great time

was had by all,especially at theGERBER booth. TheGerber booth wasequipped with abeautifully decoratedtent, numerous Gerberproducts on display, playarea for the kids,sampling of juices andlots of giveaways, sothat patrons just couldnot resist stopping by.Most individuals wereeager for details onGerber’s products andwhich foods wereappropriate for their children,which of course was provided byour staff.

Gerber has been distributedlocally by Chas. E. Ramson Ltdfor over 20 years. For further

details on Gerber products pleasevisit our website atwww.chaseramson.com.



a big baby shower - supplement

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