He is the original monkey behind Monkey + Moon. That has been my nickname for him since he was a newborn baby, and I love this kid to the moon and back! Did you notice the little heart hanging from our moon? Check it out! Wink.
If you come across a monkey wearing a beanie on our website, that’s our Jude. Wink, wink. You get the idea!
This isn’t just a business to us. It is a lifestyle and we want to lead with love – love for family, community and for what we do. Jude is very proud of his winks!
I recently gave him the company title of EOI – Executive Officer of Inspiration. Sure, I made it up. But to a 10-year-old kid, it sounds fancy! He deserves to feel special – he IS my creative inspiration!
Besides, we make the rules here! And rule #1 is to have fun! So, I decided to sit down and interview my new EOI about babies, monkey business and life. He’s going to be a big brother soon and I have plenty of questions. Here’s our conversation.
Gigi: Thank you for coming to hang out with me today!
Jude: You’re welcome.
Gigi: Now, I need you to take this interview very seriously. You are a professional, after all. Okay?
Jude: Okay. Now, I’m feeling nervous!
Gigi: What’s your third favorite dinosaur?
Jude: {giggling} Gigi! I thought you said this was serious! Third favorite dinosaur?!
Gigi: I was just testing you! Alright. We will start again, but I’m still curious. No one ever asks me what my third favorite dinosaur is.
How do you feel about having a baby brother this summer? We only have two more months to go!
Jude: I’m excited – especially because it’s a boy!
Gigi: Are you going to help your mom with him once he gets here?
Jude: Yes. But, I’m not changing any diapers! I’m too young!
{laughter}
Gigi: How are you planning on helping then?
Jude: I’m going to teach him different things.
Gigi: Like what?
Jude: About music, how to jump on a trampoline…how to ride a bike. Things like that.
Gigi: Those are nice ideas. Is there anything you’d like to give him from our store?
{Jude gets up and heads over to a hanging rack of clothes, ready to be photographed}
Jude: This one!
{He’s holding up a boys ribbed romper with rocket ships and planets on it}
Gigi: What do you like about that one?
Jude: It’s soft and has rockets and moons on it. Because, you know…moons.
{He’s blushing. He mistakes the planets for moons, but I understand exactly what he means. He picked the one he thought represented love}
Gigi: I think that is a wonderful choice!
Jude: {still blushing} Yeah…I like it.
Gigi: What do you love most about babies?
Jude: That they are so tiny!
Gigi: Me too. I love their kissable little feet and hands.
Tell me, how do you like being our Executive Officer of Inspiration?
Jude: Well, I AM pretty inspiring! I’m very creative too!
Gigi: {giggling} Yes you are! And modest.
{The modesty comment went over his head}
Speaking of creativity…what’s one thing you think that we should get for babies that we don’t sell yet?
Jude: {without hesitation} Toys! Babies need little toys that make sounds and that they can chew on and look at. And plushy monkeys (stuffed animals).
Gigi: Ha! I see what you’re doing there! But, you’re right. We don’t have any toys yet. See? This is why you are our EOI! I’ll have to look into that!
If we could do something kind for the babies in our community, what do you think we should do?
Jude: We could give some clothes to those that need them.
Gigi: That’s very nice. Should we donate some for the babies that are staying in our local hospitals?
Jude: Yes. I like that idea!
{he gets up and goes to the hanging racks again and starts feeling everything}
Oooh, this would be nice! I think they would like these! They are so soft! The softest out of everything here!
Gigi: Those are our bamboo tie-knot gowns. They come with matching hats too. Can you feel them getting cooler in your hands as you touch them?
Jude: Wow! Yes! I can feel them getting cold! These are really nice!
Gigi: I’m glad you like them! I have some for your baby brother too!
Jude: He’s going to love them! But, Gigi…these are made out of bamboo?
Gigi: Yes.
Jude: I didn’t know they could make clothes out of bamboo! That’s really cool! {he laughs at his own joke, very pleased with himself. I laugh too}.
Gigi: Well, kiddo. I appreciate you sitting down to talk with me today. We should probably wrap this up.
Jude: No problem.
Gigi: I love you…
Jude: …to the moon and back!
Gigi: Now, about your 3rd favorite dinosaur…
Jude: T-Rex! Can we get some ice cream?
*We will touch base with our favorite EOI again once his baby brother arrives. Stay tuned! I’m sure he will have plenty of modest things to say!*