As Earth Day approaches, we gals here at The Baby Times want to do our part in not only sharing with you some of the very special products we've found that are fabulous and organic for baby or have actually been recycled but to reminisce about when we were growing up. While the word eco-friendly was not one we heard often in school and at home, quietly and perhaps unassumingly, our parents were doing their part to reduce waste, reuse and recycle.

We wore hand-me-downs from our siblings or family friends. We spent endless hours outside digging in the dirt with a pail & shovel or had the simple joy of helping harvest tomatoes and cucumbers from our backyard garden. There were games of monopoly by candlelight and nights our parents heard the sweet sound of giddy screams as we played flashlight tag.

Each product that was selected for this issue is in honor of Earth Day. Bring nature indoors with Garden Tykes' Counting Birds Wall Cards beautifully printed on heavy card stock and tied with grosgrain ribbon packaged in a sturdy gift box. Recycling has never been so chic as with Sage Baby NYC's one-of-a-kind vintage handkerchief dresses. Teach baby that vegetables are our friends with Our Greenhouse's Organic Vegetable Toys made and stuffed with 100% organic cotton. Dress baby in the sweetest 100% organic About A Bean onesie from Bean New York. Bubble up baby's bath time with Thyme's Sweetleaf Baby, tear-free Baby Wash & Shampoo.

Every small step we take in protecting our mother Earth means a better place for our children for many years to come. Happy Earth Day everyone! See you next week when we contemplate Great Expectations -- our maternity issue.