How many children do you have and what are their ages? Please tell us something about each child.
I have 2 cuties. My nursing duo is Gretchen who will be 3 in October and Koen is 14 months. They are both such treasures!

Gretchen loves to dance, color and read. She has quite a sense of humor and is constantly cracking us up.

Koen has coy down pat. He does this adorable shrug thing where he shrugs and buries his chin in his chest then looks up at you side ways. Melt my soul! He also never stops moving. Not even in his sleep!

What is a funny or rewarding experience you've had as a mama?
One of the most rewarding experiences I've had as a mama is nursing my 2 cuties. While learning to breastfeed was one of the most difficult things I've ever done it has been far worth the struggle. Gretchen nursed right through my pregnancy with Koen and they still share today. I'm extremely proud of that. What cracks me up is when they're nursing together and playing with each other. It starts with Gretchen playing with Koen's ear, she has a thing for ears, then Koen will swat her away then grab for her nose and it goes on from there and ends with milk all over the place and 3 laughing people. ;-D

It's things like that that I know I'll look back on and remember with a happy tear in my eye as they become adults. Cheesy I know, but aren't most Mama's cheesy when it comes to their kids? lol

What did you think you'd be when you grew up?
I thought I would be a teacher or an ob/gyn.

Who did your classmates think you were in high school?
They thought I was a smartish klutz who was always the Mama of the group.

Would they be surprised by who you are now?
No I don't think they'd be at all surprised that I'm a stay at home mom. Though they might be surprised that I own my own business. :-D

Are you married? How did you meet your husband?
I have been married for 4 1/2 years to Karl. We were Jr high sweet hearts. A mutual friend of ours set us up on the steps outside the cafeteria. It was love at first sight. Being teenagers though, we broke up and didn't speak for years. We eventually became pen pals and friends while I was living overseas. I was able to go to his Navy boot camp graduation in Great Lakes and that's when we got back together. That was 6 years ago. :-D

Who were you before Ducky Buns Etc, any interesting jobs or schooling?
I was a college student and Mama. I did 2 1/2 years in University with a major in early childhood education. I then took an almost 2 year break from school to focus on our family and move 3 times.... Being military, we move quite a lot.

Before I had children of my own, I was a nanny. I worked for 2 families during that time. One was while I was in Iowa, taking care of a precious special needs boy. He is such a treasure, I still often think of him. And one was while we were in Virginia, taking care of a very gifted little girl. I only spoke French with her which was an interesting twist! :-)

How did you get started cloth diapering and sewing your own diapers?
I started cloth diapering Gretchen as an infant. I fashioned my own fitteds out of some Gerber prefolds and flannel.... I had trouble though finding a proper cover and eventually went back to sposies. But I soon returned to cloth absolutely determined to make them work and I did.

Koen has been in cloth since day one. I didn't discover the wonderful world of pocket diapers until Koen was born. I fell in love with pocket diapers! I could stuff just how I wanted and Karl didn't have to guess which cover went with which diaper. Perfection! The only problem was the lack of pocket insert options.... So I started messing around with fabric and that's how Ducky Buns Boy/Girl Hemp inserts were born. The experimenting started over a year ago though I didn't bring them to market until this last spring.

What inspired you to create your business?
A WAHM shop that I had been frequenting for several months was put up for sale. That is what first got me thinking. With a brand new baby and a 20 month old we really could use the extra money and with us moving constantly, it was impossible to move up in a company like normal. Besides that, it's extremely important to me to raise my own children, I didn't care if we were dirt poor as long as we could pay the bills and eat, I figured it was worth staying home with our kids. But a little extra spending money would sure be great! I was also a classic hyena, constantly searching for different, cuter, better diapers. I thought I might as well put all that research to good use.

It didn't work out that I should buy the business that was up for sale so I started my own. It was the best thing I could have possibly done. I get to be home with my children where I'm needed most while running Ducky Buns Etc which has become incredibly rewarding. We all need things that are just for us. Ducky Buns Etc is that for me. I started it from scratch and I've helped it grow. I can contribute to our family finances without having to give up time with my family. Plus, as we move around the world with the Navy, I'll be able to continue my business. That's something only the internet can give.

What did your family say when you told them you were going to be an entrepreneur?
They told me to go for it and to let them know if there was anything they could do to help. :-D

How did you come up with the name Ducky Buns Etc?
I was really into duckies at the time. I was rolling names with Ducky around in my head and Ducky Buns Etc just stuck. :-D

If you could do any kind of work you wanted, other than the business you now have, what would you be doing?
Besides being a Mama, I'd be a doula. The whole birth process absolutely fascinates me and I love to take care of people.

What are your dreams for the future?
Family wise, I would love to some day adopt a special needs child. Goodness, reading that it sounds like a beauty pageant answer, "I wish for world peace." Seriously though, so few people want to adopt children who have special challenges and they so desperately need families. I would love to be able to provide that stable home and adoration that all kids need from their Mamas, biological or otherwise.

Business wise, I hope Ducky Buns Etc continues to grow and thrive so that we can afford for me to stay home with our children and any children we may be lucky enough to love in the future.

If you have time for hobbies, or outside interests, what are they?
I absolutely love to sew our own clothes.... Gretchen loves dresses so she's got a closet full of them, she gets such a kick out of getting to pick out her own fabric and helping me sew! And it warms my heart to hear her proclaim to everyone within ear shot, "I pretty! Mama made my pretty dress!" as she twirls around. And I've made a bunch of pants for Koen, comfy, cute and plenty of room for cloth! I've made primarily dresses and skirts for myself.... Typical mama, I haven't gotten nearly as much done on my clothes as I have the kids. ;-)

Who, living or dead, real or fictional, would you like to have lunch with and what would you discuss?
Oprah. I would love to talk to Oprah about doing a show on the various benefits of cloth diapering and attachment parenting.

What is your favorite dessert?
Brownies with ice cream and whipped cream on top. Mmmmm.

What is your favorite book?
Slow and Steady, Get Me Ready by June Oberlander

What's something that no one would ever guess about you?
I have multiple tattoos and piercings.

Anything else you think would be fun for others to know about you?
I am a total klutz. I bump into walls on a regular basis and can trip on air! LOL

I just have to add here that I'm now back in school full time with the University of Phoenix's Online Business Degree program. I'm living my dreams right now! I get to stay home with my kids, complete my degree, and run my business all at once! Ain't life grand!

http://www.duckybunsetc.com
Products include: Ducky Buns Boy/Girl Hemp Inserts and Doublers, Happy Heiny's, Fuzzi Bunz, Ecobaby organic diapers of all kinds, Proraps, Bummis, Stacinators Fleece and Wool, various natural soaps and lotions.