Topic: Parenting

Topics:

Pregnancy
Baby
Toddler
Preschooler
School Age
Tween & Teen
Special Needs
Multiples
Single Parenting
Parenting Issues
Education
Dads

the simple things

By Alanna on May 24, 2013 9:28 AM | 5 Comments

The funny and weird thing about being a parent is the absolute pleasure you get from doing just a simple thing with your kid. Yesterday after an extremely stressful and worrisome week L'il E and I just sat in our kitchen eating apples and chatting (toddler speaking) about our day. At that moment I didn't care about anything else. I was truly just enjoying our moment together. I was an emotional mess this week and just hangin' with L'il E took that all away. On Tuesday the hubs and I went to the doc for a follow up ultrasound to check on... More »

only 7 more weeks!

By Alanna on May 17, 2013 12:44 PM | 4 Comments

People ask me everyday how far along I am and I never know the answer. When I was pregnant with L'il E I knew how many weeks plus days I was, but this time I've just been focused on how many weeks I have left. Just so you know, the number is seven! Only 7 more weeks of uncomfortableness before I move on to six weeks of tenderness. I so desperately just want my flat abs back (take note of photo above!). I want to wear cute clothes and walk around without bumping into things. I want to play on the floor with... More »

(Don't) Say My Name

By Amanda on April 22, 2013 10:29 PM | 8 Comments

I was pregnant three times. That equaled over 27 months to stew about our future babies' names. And stew I did. My husband and I did not exactly see eye to eye about names.Here's how it would go: I would spend hours combing baby name books and blogs and come up with a list of potential names. Then, one by one, he would POOP all over every suggestion. Thanks, Steve. Super helpful.With each pregnancy we found out the sex of our baby so we only had to fight about half as many names as we would have, had we not... More »

The Story of Rory (I'm a poet and didn't even realize it)

By Ryan on April 19, 2013 10:44 AM | 1 Comment

My first blog was about the birth of my son Travis, so to make things fair; I thought my second should be about the birth of my wee-man Rory.The differences between the two births were drastic. Travis was old school: water broke, went to the hospital, wife did majority... ok, all of the work, and 5 hours later we had a baby. Rory, on the other hand, was like me in the hot-tub...don't wanna come out.We were expecting Rory on February 18th, but by February 28th, 2011, it was apparent this little library book of love did not want to come... More »

Time For #2?!

By Sara on April 1, 2013 8:25 AM | 10 Comments

Well. I did it. I called the doctor (who my grandmother liked to refer to as 'the father') and made an appointment. I'm about to be 44. I'm old but with the ease I got pregnant the first time, I'm confident that I can give Will his biggest wish...a sibling.I've thought about it so much over the last year. Ultimately the pros outweighed the cons.I mean, the first time was a piece of cake so why not go for another? Okay,.okay before my sister's head blows off her body....APRIL FOOLS!!!!!!AS IF. People need I remind you of this...PPD and Two Year... More »

MobileMom Apps for New Moms

By Sonya on March 8, 2013 9:32 AM

I was just sorting out and getting rid of some baby books the other day. I had a shelf full of books like What to Expect When You're Expecting, Parenting by Dr. Spock, and a couple of fun baby name books were amongst my pile. I'm pretty sure I'm done that stage so I've passed them on to my friends. But I stopped to think about just how quickly things have changed in how we do our research. It was only 8 years ago that I had my last baby and I still depended on books at first glance for... More »

Who is the Pregnant One? Stop Stealing my Pregnancy Symptoms!

By Sandy on February 20, 2013 8:50 AM | No Comments

You're six months pregnant and haven't been able to look at, much less cook, raw chicken in weeks. You're visibly pregnant and every afternoon is filled with nausea. These things are all par for the course. Gestation is a marathon and while everyone experiences pregnancy differently, there is one thing for certain: once you have your baby, it'll all be worth it.What you probably don't need -- to go along with your all-day-sickness -- is your partner/husband experiencing all of the same symptoms that you are.For example, one of the most annoying things in my life is when I have... More »

Closed: Babies and Strollers and Gift Baskets, Oh Baby!

By Leslie on February 12, 2013 5:25 PM

Motherhood changes everything. It changes our bodies, it changes our daily routine and it changes our needs. That's where our... More »

Oh Baby! You're a Mommy!

By Sandy on February 12, 2013 3:00 PM | 111 Comments

Congratulations! If you're reading this you are either pregnant or have just welcomed a new baby into your life. Motherhood starts when you find out you're pregnant and from that moment on, every time you see another pregnant woman you share a knowing smile. You're both in the same club. You will forever be a card-carrying member of this club. This club that can be wonderful, full of love, fear, anger, happiness, camaraderie and isolation -- all at the same time. My name is Sandy and I'm a mom of two. I'm also the editor and co-founder of Oh Baby! Magazine... More »

5 Years!

By Sara on November 29, 2012 4:24 PM | 4 Comments

5 years or 1,825 days or 43,800 hours .... whoa.It all started 5 years or 1,825 days or 43,800 hours ago. I got pregnant.I was talking to my friend Steph today about being pregnant and giving birth and then I looked at the calendar and went - hold up - it's conception day! November 29 and 30. My two-days of legs in the stirrups. Shooting for those three eggs that were 'looking real good Sara'. Those three eggs that I watched grow over a week. Those three eggs that got a release boost from the shot my step-mother gave me... More »

Pregnant & The Parties: Where the most stylish mommies-to-be shop!

By Sonya on November 27, 2012 12:05 PM

I remember back 13 years ago when I was VERY pregnant during the holiday season. We always had tons of events and parties to attend and the lack of fashionable options drove me to tears. I was going to be a MOM and I was thrilled! But the stores offered nothing appealing. A couple years later, I started seeing a surge of more stylish pregnant ladies in my neighbourhood fueled by the celebrity tabloids of everyone flaunting their bellies and then some. Finally! Designers and retailers realized that pregnant women didn't all want to take the backseat in the style... More »

The Needle and the Damage Done??

By Sara on August 9, 2012 1:01 PM | 3 Comments

Will turned four recently. This means big birthday party, some cool presents and a year of saying 'next year, I'll be five.' It also means he'll be heading to the doctor tomorrow to get his four year shots. I'm not here to debate that issue - suffice it to say, my nephew has autism and Will is fully up to date on all of his shots, on time and on schedule - so that will tell you my personal opinion on it.What I'm uneasy about is how he'll handle it and whether or not to prep him before hand. So... More »

Huggies Little Movers Diapers and Huggies Overnites Diapers

By Kath on July 30, 2012 6:35 PM | 7 Comments

Real life with little ones is fast-paced and can be challenging with all of the unexpected twists and turns. From long walks in the stroller to an afternoon of bouncing and sleepovers at the Grandparents' house...we've seen (and cleaned) it all, right?Keeping our little ones clean and dry is an everyday test parents go through while keeping up with baby - they're always scooting around and playing, so of course we want a diaper that can provide the ultimate protection from leaks both day and night.Huggies Little Movers Diapers and Huggies Overnites Diapers help keep baby giggling during the day... More »

The New Cure for Morning Sickness?

By Sara on July 11, 2012 12:07 PM | 1 Comment

I love the Huffington Post. I love the way they write headlines that you immediately feel you need to rush to read. This one came up on my feed yesterday - Can Sex Cure Morning Sickness? Of course I had to go read it. Holy crap it was technical but the gist that I was getting? Your partners semen is a foreign substance in your body so you treat it like a virus and are try to get rid of it. So the more sex you have at the beginning? The more your body gets used to your husbands semen... More »

Am I a BAD MOMMY?

By Sonya on May 25, 2012 2:35 PM

After a couple days knocked off my feet and "recuperating" (HA!) from my c-section I was shuffled off to the breastfeeding clinic located in the maternity ward. Rules were you could not leave the hospital until you've got the "latch on". Well, I was already an emotional wreck. I was overwhelmed with the feeling of "WOW, I just brought another human being into this world and I'm responsible for his survival. Oh crap!" I was wheeled into the breastfeeding clinic with my first born (shelf head and all for being jammed in my pelvis for months - luckily he rounded out... More »

What to Expect...when you see this movie

By Sonya on May 17, 2012 7:08 AM | 5 Comments

Have you seen the trailers yet? The movie comes out on May 18th everywhere. And yes, the "Dudes Group" is hilarious! What to Expect When You're Expecting - The movie is loosely based on the best-selling pregnancy guide that most of us moms, and soon-to-be moms, have read at some point. People reference it all the time. I recall following along the book and marking every stage of both my pregnancies. I remember someone telling me to "take it with a grain of salt". So, I did. I actually checked my library and I still have it even though it's been... More »

Missing Out!

By Sara on May 16, 2012 1:02 PM | 2 Comments

There are a few issues about being a single parent that suck.a. You alone clean up all the barf, regurgitated food and poop.b. You can't run out to the store at 9pm when you realize you don't have any milk.c. You can't trade off early morning wake-ups on the weekend.d. You can't drive a babysitter home at the end of the night.I always thought that was about it until I hit the mailbox tonight. In it was a postcard to Will from his new Junior Kindergarten class. It said "HI WILL! We can't wait to meet you and your mom... More »

Did You Doula??

By Sara on May 9, 2012 8:05 AM | 9 Comments

When women were out in the fields dropping babies and then resuming their work five minutes later, I'm sure a doula would never have come to mind. But now, they are becoming more and more popular. I'm a HUGE proponent of the doula. Why? What does a doula do? I see a doula as a mid-wife for the mother. Her focus is on you - your needs and ensuring that you have as successful a birthing experience as you can. She acts as your advocate with the doctors and nurses so you can focus on getting that baby out and... More »

Baby Showers: Neat Gift Ideas & Customs

By Sonya on May 3, 2012 9:55 PM | 1 Comment

We're into that season of baby showers. I have several friends due in the next few months and I've got some shopping to do! A few interesting ideas have come through my "inbox" lately and after having a few little ones myself, I'm wishing some of this stuff was around when I first started! We're all trying to be more environmentally smart AND good for baby too. The Charlie Banana Designer Diapering System is a great stylish choice! Cloth diapers remain a popular choice for many but disposable diapers still come in handy with special occasions and visits to the grandparents.... More »

YIKES! Maybe Eight isn't Enough For This Mama.......

By Chantel on April 29, 2012 1:49 AM | 20 Comments

The other day the hubby and I went to visit his cousin and partner who just had their second child. A beautiful little girl. As crazy as it sounds I was a tad bit jealous. BAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!As soon as I laid eyes on this tiny gorgeous baby sleeping so sweetly on the couch I felt that familiar pull in the bottom of my heart. I want another baby. CRAZY! EIGHT ISN'T ENOUGH!!!!???????Maybe not. I sat by this little bundle and took in her sweet smell - the smell that only comes with a baby who has just arrived. I stroked her little hands,... More »

Showering With Love and Mockery!

By Sara on April 20, 2012 1:19 AM | 4 Comments

I had an unconventional baby shower really. It was everyone I loved - in one place - at one time. I saw it as my wedding but without a groom and without the booze for me. There were no games; no gift opening...just lots of hugs and advice. I loved it.As a surprise, my sister asked everyone to bring a square to make a quilt out of. Something with a memory or advice - such an awesome idea. About three years ago, I gave them all to Will's #1 babysitter to quilt it. She got most of the squares put... More »

Bellies, Bellies EVERYWHERE!

By Sara on March 28, 2012 8:00 AM | 7 Comments

Way, way back in 1991 Demi Moore appeared on Vanity Fair in this iconic cover. Man, did she make pregnancy look beautiful. That smooth perfect belly housing her perfect, soon to be daughter Rumer. Didn't it make you want to get knocked up??Let's cut to 2008. I'm pregnant with my one and only. I have maybe 10 pictures of me pregnant. And only one where I've exposed my belly (in comparison to my dad and brother....both sporting large bellies at the time). I didn't love my pregnant body. My boobs were enormous - I think for most of it they... More »

Is Breast Really Best?

By Jen on February 21, 2012 2:02 PM | 12 Comments

Breastfeeding is a very controversial subject. My kids are 9 and 12 now so I am far away from decisions or judgment or emotion surrounding this issue. However, the other day I overheard a conversation that brought it all back.I was in an elevator for an extended time with two you women. One had a baby a few months old and the other was pregnant. As the elevator stopped on various floors to let others in and out and we made our way down to the parking garage I overheard a conversation that went like this:New Mom: "I don't mean... More »

The Original Baby Soiree!

By Sonya on February 16, 2012 11:39 AM

Are you a new, or soon to be, mom in the Toronto area? You may be interested in attending THE ORIGINAL BABY SOIREE hosted by the Intercontinental Yorkville Hotel on March 11th. This is touted as the MOST luxurious baby & toddler event of the season!The event will feature more than 40 of Toronto's premier industry specialists who will exhibit the best of the best in all things baby & toddler related. There's also a VIP Gifting Suite (aka The Boom Boom Room) filled with premium products that you can select for swag bags (for VIP ticket holders), and goodies for... More »

International Adoption Timelines

By Heather on January 23, 2012 10:07 AM | 1 Comment

I've been asked a few times about how long it takes to complete an International Adoption. The answer varies drastically depending on what Country and what Agency you choose as well as the parameters you have set for the *proposal. China for example is around three years while Russia can be completed in around a year and a half.Here is a summary of my adoption time line.*Proposal or Referral is the document that contains the photo(s) and medical information on a child that is available for adoption January 2010- Home study started and PRIDE course taken. Agency and Country chosen... More »

I'm Wrong, Baby

By Amanda on December 7, 2011 10:36 PM | 9 Comments

A lot of my friends are pregnant right now, and for every one who is, I have a guess, nay, a feeling about the sex of their baby.I have had a feeling like this for almost all of my friends who have ever been pregnant, but you know what's funny? That feeling, my intuition, has been wrong 100% of the time. 100%! I have never once been right! Not even about my own pregnancies! What about you? Are you good a guessing the sex of unborn babies? What do you rely on to make your predictions? ... More »

From Baby Bird to Chubby Chicken

By Heather on November 10, 2011 8:17 PM | 7 Comments

I came across pics from the day I brought Roman home and was shocked at the wee little bird looking at the lens. I really didn't think that he was that small though the doctor told me he was in the bottom fifth percentile for weight. This is normal for children coming from an orphanage and I knew he would grow but am blown away by how quickly it has happened. It's amazing what large servings of love, whole milk, fish oil and a lot of snuggles can do. Six weeks later this is my Baby Bird transformed into a... More »

The Risks of Multiple Births

By Erin Little on September 23, 2011 6:13 PM | 3 Comments

One of the biggest challenges of fertility treatment is the occurrence of multiple births. I have twins, and I'm happy, but, multiple pregnancies are high risk pregnancies. And there is a hierarchy of risk. After the joyous realization that you're pregnant, you await the first of many ultrasounds. It will reveal whether the twins share one placenta or each have their own. Sharing is more high risk for the twins; vascular pressure can become unbalanced, damaging, even killing one twin. Or they can share one amniotic sack. This is very dangerous, because there is a high possibility of strangulation as... More »

Hopes and Dreams and IVF.

By Jen on September 20, 2011 7:09 PM | 11 Comments

This post is sponsored by Conceivable Dreams, the provincial voice for thousands of infertility sufferers and their supporters across Ontario. To learn more about these issues and how you can help visit www.ConceivableDreams.org or follow @OHIP4IVF on Twitter.Last week I wrote about how costly infertility is: Emotionally, physically and financially.John and I were very, very lucky, in every way.I was very, very aggressive in seeking treatment. I was 35. John had his vasectomy 11 years previously. I researched everything and I knew what our odds were.I gave it six months after the vasectomy reversal. For IVF I chose a clinic in Toronto... More »

Maybe Someday He'll Be Born...

By Sarah on June 13, 2011 8:45 AM | 4 Comments

Weekend Update: No baby:(Although my husband insists I need to be more optimistic, I am being realistic and allowing my mind to get used to the fact that I will most likely be medically induced again. And not until NEXT WEEKEND (or later...bah!).At this point, about a week(ish) overdue, with everyone and their dog commenting on how low my stomach is and how I must be ready to pop (with twins...so funny) at any moment, I have taken to simply smiling and nodding and biting my tongue. I really don't have nice things to say to people anymore. Weird how... More »

Natural Induction

By Sarah on June 9, 2011 8:41 AM | 12 Comments

Give me the low-down. What natural induction methods work?? Here's the thing...Many months ago, while I was feeling oh-so-fab pregnant with my cute little belly and boundless energy, I had told my doctor I didn't want to be induced. Yes. I said that. I wanted (and still do) to know what it felt like to go into labour on my own. I wanted to call hubs at work with a panicked "GET HOME NOW" and time those contractions until they were 5 minutes apart and we could jump in the car and go to the hospital. You know, just like... More »

Do You Bikini?

By Amanda on June 7, 2011 5:29 PM | 16 Comments

Summer is nearing and it's time to break out the swimsuits! Yay?If you're like most women, the thought of flaunting your body in a revealing bikini is a little intimidating, especially after the effects of pregnancy. My struggles with weight and body image have gobbled up far too many summers and in recent years I have really grown in my acceptance of my body, even with its battle scars. The stretch marks, cellulite and wobbly bits are all pieces of me that tell part of the tale of who I am: the babies I've birthed, the food I've shared with... More »

Fake Labour Sucks

By Sarah on June 5, 2011 7:36 PM | 8 Comments

Last night I had my first real taste of non-forced labour. The kind that just comes on all on its own, the kind I didn't get to experience with my first son because he refused to make any movement toward being born. We really forced him out.On the way home from my sister's wedding reception (yeah! I made it to the wedding!), I started to get contractions. Hard and heavy contractions. They radiated right into my back, which was exactly what my labour was like with my son. They were happening every few minutes and, to be honest, I kinda... More »

Sentence Updates From A Very Pregnant Woman...

By Sarah on May 30, 2011 8:03 AM | 9 Comments

I am 38 weeks pregnant.And very grumpy:) VERY grumpy.The doctor thinks the baby will be about 8.5 pounds-9 pounds. That made me feel sick. However, they said The Boy would be that big and he was in the 7 pound range.I have a ton of pre-labour symptoms (including the scoots...ewwwwwwwwwww and major insomnia) but I don't want to believe that I'll have the baby soon. I think I'll feel too let down if he decides to come late.I am finally on maternity leave. The last month of work got really hard because I was walking up and down huge flights... More »

Knit one, Purl two...The Pregnancy Crazies have struck

By Sarah on April 18, 2011 8:55 AM | 4 Comments

I am officially pregnant and crazy. Like CRAAAAAZY. I'm probably a little crazy when I'm not pregnant, but the hormonal imbalance of pregnancy has made me do and say things that I have never thought of doing before.It started in January, when I woke up one day and told my husband, we're selling the house and buying something bigger.End of story- no arguing (although I think he was ready to move as well). Within a week, we'd listed our house, sold in 8 days and bought a new house in 9 days. Just like that. We move on April 29th... More »

Advise me not

By Sarah on April 13, 2011 9:19 AM | 4 Comments

The number one thing pregnancy and parenthood has taught me? I hate Hate HATE being told what to do. Unsolicited advice is my number one pet peeve and I guess, in various states of sleep deprivation, I don't really handle it all that well.Let me back up. When I was pregnant with The Boy, people started giving me advice. What I should and shouldn't eat (yes, I was aware that fast food wasn't the best choice, but when you throw up everything else, you eat what you can eat), how I could curb my weight gain (um, aren't you supposed... More »

All I Do Is Pee

By Sarah on April 8, 2011 9:00 AM | 3 Comments

I could probably stop after writing the title of this post, because it kinda sums up my life. I have entered the time in my pregnancy where all. i. do. is. pee.Interestingly, I would hazard a guess to say that I spend over 3/4 of my pregnancy in the bathroom. The first 5 months are dedicated to "morning sickness" (or in my case, all day sickness). From month 7 onward, it's all about the pee. The non-stop pee.The worst part is that I don't have any convenient times to pee. It always come right when I'm in the middle of... More »

Induction?

By Sarah on April 5, 2011 8:46 AM | 17 Comments

To induce or not induce, that is the question. The Boy was induced. He was 10 days late and nothing was happening. NOTHING WAS HAPPENING! I was huge, and kinda bored (I know, I know, bored...heh), and desperate for him to be born, so I bugged my doctor from a week before my due date until the day he was born for an induction. I was so thankful when they finally decided to induce me, even though it took 23 hours for him to make his appearance.This time, I'm not so sure I'll be as quick to ask for an... More »

G- Pass!!! (& I bruise like a peach)

By Sarah on March 31, 2011 9:20 AM | 2 Comments

Well, folks, I have some good news! I passed my second Glucose test for Gestational Diabetes. I'm in the clear- I do not have any problems metabolising sugars and am not at risk for developing Gestational Diabetes during this pregnancy.So, yes, the horrific diet I was on for three days (I counted the calories and I will tell you that 900 calories a day is not enough for this pregger to say lucid) is no more and I celebrated with half a sleeve of Oreos.In other news, apparently three blood tests in one arm over a period of two hours... More »

Evil Crotch Pain

By Sarah on March 30, 2011 8:41 AM | 12 Comments

The title of this post says it all. I am once again inflicted with a lovely nugget of pregnancy that I have coined EVIL CROTCH PAIN (ECP for short).For me, ECP begins around 28 weeks. Just when your pregnant belly is starting to be heavy and large enough to be a nuisance. It actually starts slowly. A little twinge here, a sharp pain there. Sometimes enough to make me sit down or draw in a sharp breath, but nothing that I can't handle.Then I hit 30 weeks. I'm a few days away from that now. And ECP joins me on... More »

G-FAIL

By Sarah on March 23, 2011 8:51 AM | 7 Comments

I got a phone call yesterday that I failed my one-hour Glucose Tolerance Screening Test. Of course, I reacted exactly like any sane pregnant woman would and cried into my chicken fingers and fries because it may be the last time I indulge in them this pregnancy.I now have to go for a special 2 hour Glucose test. My levels were slightly high, so my OB isn't overly concerned, but I am. For the next three days, I have to follow a special 150 g of carbs a day diet and then get the 2 hour Glucose test after fasting.... More »

I Said No to Prenatal Testing...

By Sarah on March 22, 2011 9:11 AM | 8 Comments

Husband has his birthday over the weekend (Happy Birthday!!). He is now officially in his 30s. Gah! I'll join him in September but we need not discuss that until then.When I was pregnant with The Boy, I was 28. And terrified. Now that I'm pregnant with New Baby, I'm 30. And terrified. I have reoccurring nightmares about things going wrong, how I'll handle them, if I'm up for a challenge should God see fit to give me one...kinda like when Cliff Huxtable on the Cosby Show dreamed he was giving birth to a Hoagie...remember that? Funniest episode ever. I digress.When... More »

The Big, Ugly Cry aka: I'm a Pregnant Hormonal Mess!

By Sarah on March 17, 2011 7:48 PM | 8 Comments

On Tuesday, I lost my Blackberry. I was driving home from a meeting and called my husband to ask him what he would like to eat from my recent favourite fast-food joint (note: I ordered DOUBLE the food he did. What does this tell you?). I finished talking to him, put down my phone, and went through the drive-thru. Then I got home. And there was no phone. I couldn't find it in my purse, on the seat of my car, on the floor of my car, in any of the cup holders...it was totally gone. And I lost my... More »

Best Laid Plans

By Sarah on March 9, 2011 8:50 PM | 10 Comments

Birth plans?Hm- you know, my first pregnancy I slaved over my birth plan. Here are the highlights:COMPLETELY NATURAL BIRTH, including:Vaginal BirthNo epidural No vacuumNo forcepsNo episiotomy Walking and jacuzzi tub to ease labour painsandNO INDUCTION(!)And then it was my time to give birth...Ah- best laid plans- I laughed in the face of my best laid plans...I was induced after being 10 days late without any movement and THREE stretch and sweeps (holy dina- those are torture). Because I was induced, I was hooked up to an IV and was stuck mostly in my birthing room for the duration of my... More »

The (fuzzy, self-taken, in a dirty mirror) Belly Shot

By Sarah on March 3, 2011 9:00 AM | 15 Comments

Oh goodness.There is nothing more tortuous to me then people taking my picture while I'm pregnant. I hate it. Thus, there are a significant lack of preggo pictures of me floating around these days. And while I'm usually the first one to mug for the camera, I'm hiding even more recently.I've entered the big zone. As in, "my belly is totally bigger then my butt and people are asking me when I'm due and I'm tempted to lie so they won't respond with a gasp" zone.Let's face facts- I get big while pregnant. I don't know how or why because... More »

The Hair on my Chinny, Chin, Chin

By Sarah on March 1, 2011 9:13 AM | 10 Comments

You've found out about my disgusting pregnancy wart. Someday soon you'll get to see my massive (oh my goodness, you must be 9 months pregnant, how did you get so big?) belly. So you might as well know about my hairy chin.Yes. When I am pregnant I sprout hair. Long, dark random hairs. On my chin...and my stomach...and a few other places that those hairs just feel like growing. And it's just gross. Especially because I am really light skinned and quite blonde (thank you highlites) so those long dark hairs really seem to stand out.When I was in university,... More »

The Good Parts of Being Pregnant

By Sarah on February 24, 2011 1:25 PM | 12 Comments

I've written a ton of posts about what I can't stand about being pregnant. My list is long and detailed, believe me.However, there are some really amazing things about being pregnant. Some things that I am probably experiencing for the last time. Gulp. Because getting the opportunity to be pregnant even once in your lifetime really is the most amazing blessing. Baby flutters that turn into Baby kicksThere is nothing, NOTHING, more amazing then feeling your baby moving in your belly. Baby #2 has become a fantastic moving machine the past few weeks. Those flutters that I have been feeling... More »

Thou Shalt Nots...

By Sarah on February 18, 2011 2:51 PM | 17 Comments

I was at my doctors office yesterday for yet another appointment. At about 6 months pregnant, I just get tired of going to the doctor, waiting for 45 minutes in the cramped waiting room only to see the doctor for less then 5 minutes. Sigh.This time, she pulled out some new "reading material" her office had received, including a list of Things a Pregnant Woman Should Avoid. Double sigh. Because, if you ask me, the worst thing about pregnancy (after all the puking I do for the first 5 months) is the extensive list of Thou Shalt Nots. Pregnancy really... More »

I'm Pregnant, NOT FAT (and other things I'd like to say to idiots)

By Sarah on February 1, 2011 9:19 AM | 12 Comments

I feel like my pregnancy brings out the idiot in everyone else and the hormonal mess in me. Totally not a good combination!So I'd like to clear up a few things:1) I AM NOT FAT. I am putting on weight because I am 21 weeks pregnant. I'm supposed to. I'm sorry that some of that weight goes to my hips...I don't want it to go there either, but I carry my babies low and thus my hips carry some extra weight. I don't think your jokes about me eating too much fast food or needing to go back to the... More »

Creating a Pregnancy Community

By Sarah on January 30, 2011 7:00 PM | 3 Comments

My first pregnancy was spent feeling very lonely. I had great people surrounding me, many of whom were mothers, but no one else was going through what I was going through. They didn't remember (or know) if those pains shooting through my crotch were normal (they are, by the way), they forgot how tired pregnancy makes you and how grouchy you can really be, they expected the same old Sarah because I didn't make a big deal out of how ridiculously sick and tired and uncomfortable I felt. I was desperate for someone in my life who got it and... More »

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Now Why Would You Do THAT?

By Kath on May 22, 2013 11:05 PM | 8 Comments

2012 was a record-breaking year for births in Alberta, with 52,398 new souls being welcomed into the world here. And according to Service Alberta, Emma and Liam were the two most popular names given to these little bundles of joy. I'm gonna be honest with you here: I love it when the top-baby-names list comes out each year. It's a chance to put on my robe and wig, take out the gavel and get judg-ey. And although we don't like to admit it, most of us secretly like mounting our high horses and looking down our noses at the plebs, with... More »

The Receiving & Giving Blanket

By Sonya on May 5, 2013 9:52 AM | No Comments

It seems to be baby shower season and if you're looking for a gift that is stylish and thoughtful, consider this beautiful line of blankets. This past Friday, Holt Renfrew officially launched the exclusively designed Armani Junior Baby Blanket to benefit Free The Children. This limited edition blanket is available in store and online with part proceeds going to the charity to help communities in Kenya."Every mother and baby deserves a happy and healthy start, and the basic necessities of health care and clean water," said Alexandra Weston, Holt Renfrew's Director of Brand Strategy. "Holt Renfrew joined with Armani to... More »

Time to take your new baby to the park!

By Sandy on April 29, 2013 8:39 AM | No Comments

When you're a new mom it's easy to get cabin fever and spend time wondering what to do that doesn't involve a mop or washing machine to fill your days.Your local park is not just for toddlers and kids. You and your newborn can and should enjoy countless afternoons at the park. Here are some tips to make your first of many outings an enjoyable one:- You will need a fully stocked diaper bag you may have to change your baby's diaper while you're out.- A blanket will come in handy for diaper changes or for just lounging on under... More »

The Story of Rory (I'm a poet and didn't even realize it)

By Ryan on April 19, 2013 10:44 AM | 1 Comment

December 31st 2008...Happy New Dad

By Ryan on April 16, 2013 10:33 AM | 8 Comments

Since this is my first blog I should start at the begining- November 28th, 1975. No don't worry I won't put you through that. Put it this way, I came into this world bald and chubby and 37 years later...I'm bald and chubby. Considering this is a blog about being a dad, I should start with December 31st, 2008. New Years Eve - a night where most people are dressed nicely and preparing to sing 'Auld Lang Syne', I was putting on a unisex smock and preparing to be a father for the first time. Here is how the night took place:... More »

Exclusive Pumping: Not Your Worst Option

By Emily on April 8, 2013 8:10 PM | 6 Comments

When you have a baby in BC, they send a public health nurse to come and make sure you know what you're doing and that your living room isn't a meth lab, and with our little one, things were no different. And while the nurses at the hospital were amazing and lovely and I wanted to bring each of them home to live with me, the public health nurse sucked. I am sure that she meant well. She contradicted everything the hospital nurses said, and then went on to list the things I was doing wrong and the things... More »

Bathing Your New Baby!

By Sandy on April 3, 2013 1:50 PM | 1 Comment

The first few weeks of your baby's life you may not want to rush into bath time. It's perfectly ok to give him sponge baths. As long as his face, hands and genital area are clean, there really is no rush. Bathing your baby for the first time can be intimidating but doing so in a relaxed and safe environment will make it enjoyable for both of you.Prepare yourself before bath time and don't worry about getting the umbilical stump wet - it's safe to do so, just make sure you dry it gently after bath time.Here are some tips... More »

Waiting for Milk

By Sandy on March 26, 2013 1:21 PM | 2 Comments

There are some really warm and fuzzy images of new moms with their babies at their breasts. Minutes after birth, she's smiling. And you can't hear it, but you know that baby is rhythmically sucking and swallowing milk. Of course he is -- because everything is perfect.In reality, the baby is likely falling asleep after every other swallow of colostrum and the mom is uncomfortably wearing what seems like the largest sanitary napkin ever created. She is in this weird state between itchiness and pain thanks to a large number of stiches "down there." She is torn because she needs... More »

"Is she sleeping through the night?"

By Sandy on March 19, 2013 11:23 AM | 2 Comments

You'll be surprised that once you have your baby how many people will ask you this question. It's a pretty ridiculous question as newborns rarely 'sleep through the night'.If your pediatrician is asking you this, she likely means about five hours of uninterrupted sleep, between midnight and five a.m. It's unlikely that you will experience five hours of uninterrupted sleep before your baby is three to six months, but what you need to remember is that every baby is different and that to some parents, sleeping through the night actually means eight to 12 hours of peaceful slumber. That's not... More »

My First Time Alone with my Newborn and my Toddler!

By Sandy on March 12, 2013 5:36 PM | 4 Comments

Alexandra was born Feb 12th and that day was filled with so much chaos! Firstly she was born vaginally without medical intervention. No drugs people. No drugs. And it was the best. I'll have to talk about that in another post.I had to stay in the hospital for two nights because of complications. Without getting into too much detail, my blood was clotting - on the inside - so my blood pressure was dropping. Anyway, you really don't want to know how they fixed that.I finally went home with my new baby. My in laws were visiting and I was... More »

Give us this day, my daily shower!

By Sandy on March 5, 2013 10:38 PM | 2 Comments

While I was pregnant with my son I started Oh Baby! Magazine and that's when my 'education' began. It seems like I was reading everything online (and off) about pregnancy and baby. One of the things I started to really hate was the concept that new moms don't have time to shower. This made me uneasy. While I realize that skipping a shower is not the end of the world and, let's face it, I do not really get THAT dirty, I still have always started my days with showers. The more I read about moms not having time to... More »

My Message to New Moms

By Sandy on February 26, 2013 8:53 AM | 5 Comments

After having two kids, two and a half years apart, I look back on the way things were when they were babies and I have regrets. I'm sure that all moms do.Surprisingly my regrets are not that I should have put my son to bed at 6:30 instead of 7:30 or that I should have started solids with peas and not butternut squash. I'm not regretting the odd bottle of formula that my babies consumed. It's not the three nights of sleeping with my croupy son that set off my co-sleeping arrangement. These are not the things that I'm regretting.Oddly... More »

Oh Baby! You're a Mommy!

By Sandy on February 12, 2013 3:00 PM | 111 Comments

Peter Rabbit for Your Little Bunny

By Jennifer on January 20, 2013 11:08 PM | 1 Comment

Almost 14 years ago, my husband and I started to decorate our very first baby's room. We didn't know whether said baby was a boy or a girl, but I had very strong feelings about the decor. I'd found a wallpaper border with Beatrix Potter illustrations, and the rest of the room fell into place around Peter Rabbit, Jeremy Fisher, Tom Kitten and Mrs.Tittlemouse. Originally published more than 100 years ago, the stories of Beatrix Potter and the accompanying illustrations have been part of many generations of childhood, and it seems appropriate that this year, Gap has introduced a limited... More »

Mom Entrepreneur: MommiesFirst

By Leslie on November 12, 2012 4:41 PM

A new Canadian business founded by a mom and for moms recently launched. MommiesFirst aims to make life for moms a little bit easier and a lot less stressful by sending monthly care packages to new and expectant moms filled with 4-5 "Must Have" products. We have tasked a MommiesFirst Council - comprised of moms, dads and baby experts - to help us identify the very best brands to fill our boxes. All of our care packages are stage specific - so they are timed to where a mom is in her pregnancy or the age of her baby, ensuring... More »

The stress of neonatal check ups

By Chantel on November 8, 2012 12:32 PM

As most of you are aware the twins, Thatcher and Tanner under went many obstacles while I was pregnant. They had twin to twin transfusion which thankfully didn't require surgery and I actually managed to keep them in my warm womb for 34 weeks.Being premature and going through what they did required some extra care though. They were in the neonatal intensive care unit for almost a month (short time actually compared to some) and have had to have special neonatal appointments to ensure their development has been for lack of better words "typical." These appointments were and still are... More »

Sweet Dreams & Flying Machines

By Leslie on October 23, 2012 6:02 PM | 1 Comment

Sweet Dreams & Flying Machines was founded during a 3am feeding, while battling baby brain, when a stroke of inspiration hit. An image of the safest, snuggliest and most functional baby sleepwear started to form.Sleep Sacs and Swaddles with personality to rally against the sea ofpastels and whites. What you're looking at now is the result of thatinspiration, and the most powerful tool there is: a mother's love.There are certain things that mums just know. They know how to kiss away a scraped knee, how to soothe after a bad dream and how to create the perfect milk to cereal ratio. They... More »

Continue reading Sweet Dreams & Flying Machines.

TODDLERS AND TEENAGERS - Is there really a difference?

By Chantel on July 6, 2012 10:18 PM | 2 Comments

So if having eight children were not difficult enough we have added some new issues to the household that have made it just that little bit more difficult!I am talking about the teenage years and the toddler years! Yes that's right. Lucky me gets a teenage daughter who wants me to drive her everywhere but not be seen. All is fine when we are in the "bus" driving around, but as soon as we reach the destination and she observes her friends, out she jumps before I can even come to a full stop! But that isn't all, oh no,... More »

A New Guide to Your Baby's First Year! Written by Doctors who are parents too!

By Sonya on July 16, 2012 11:06 AM

When I was pregnant the first time around I was working with a magazine publishing company. They showered me with very nice gifts and complemented me on the way I looked...I knew that the added 55 lbs on short, little me -- well, they were just being nice. I knew I was carrying a tank! And I craved pie-crust all the time..but that's another story.Anyway, one of the gifts I had received was a health book for pregnancy and baby. Actually, I had also received several hand-me-down advice books from my aunts, but the one I had received from my... More »

Baby Delivery through Cyberspace.

By Heather on May 30, 2012 9:47 AM | 1 Comment

Where do babies come from?Growing up we hear the stories of the stork and the cabbage patch but now that cyber space delivers more news then the stork we may need to consider adding a new tale. One year ago today news of my son was delivered to my inbox. Three photographs and a couple of lines about his medical information.Here is the picture that was attached My agency called shortly after to ask that I make a decision by the end of the day. Shaking I called my sister and her answer was the clarity I needed to move forward.... More »

Spoiled Rotten Little Baby

By Amanda on May 8, 2012 8:14 PM | 4 Comments

Brinley is headed for trouble and I'm letting her take me there with me.(Photo by Danielle Petkau of Soltura Photography.)At not-quite two years old, she has a firm will and a strong pair of lungs that see to it her opinions are heard, loudly and clearly. Our life is already such a zoo that I often give in to her shrieks ("Fine, have that third lollipop! Just be quiet!") and she knows how to work the situation to her advantage.Spoiled? Yes. Admitting the problem is the first step, right?Then there's the other side of the coin: she's my last baby. When... More »

My First Concussion - the klutzy mama!

By Chantel on April 25, 2012 12:47 AM | 12 Comments

As parents we constantly worry about our children. With 6 boys running around I have certainly worried about mine and have spent many days and nights in the Emergency room at our local hospital for various things such as concussions, stitches, asthma attacks, and other various illnesses. A few days ago however it was myself I should have been more concerned about!One would think that after training in a gym for almost forty hours a week in a high risk sport such a gymnastics during my youth I would have had a few bruises here and there - and I... More »

Passing on the Placenta

By Sara on March 26, 2012 8:21 AM | 17 Comments

I read over the weekend that January Jones is consuming her placenta in a dried pill form. Reread that please. I had a birth plan. It contained the following.1. Drugs if I ask for them2. My father is cutting the cord3. I want the baby on me right awayI added a fourth point soon after. It was during my prenatal class. The birth movie played - I loved it. I should be a doula because birthing fascinates me. I was starting at the screen, sharing the bliss of the new mom. Then the nurse walked over with a pan.... More »

Dorothy was on to something...

By Heather on March 13, 2012 11:22 PM

My next post after court...............My fellow adoptive single mom Stacey (wow that needs a short form) pointed out my red shoes for court. She also wore red shoes and she like Dorothy clicked her heels and wished for home. Only to find out she had the power all along. There may be something to this red shoe good luck charm. I had them on and like magic the great and powerful Oz granted my request. In reality, I just really lucked out on getting to see "the Wizard" himself who had the power and the inclination to waive the wait.So to everyone... More »

Is Breast Really Best?

By Jen on February 21, 2012 2:02 PM | 12 Comments

Farewell to an Old Friend

By Amreen on January 29, 2012 12:55 AM | 3 Comments

So many mornings of my life have entailed going into that room and scooping a delicious angelic bundle, swaddled meticulously, into my arms. Then, as they grew older, my days began with an active toddler holding the railing and yelling to get out. More »

Destiny

By Heather on December 29, 2011 7:18 PM | 4 Comments

As my family unpacked the Christmas boxes preparing to trim the tree, destiny revealed itself, wrapped in tissue.I unwrapped an ornament long forgotten. An ornament given to me by my grandmother when I was a little girl. My grandmother passed away thirty years ago and I don't have many mementos from her but this ornament had somehow appeared this year. The little girl is me and in her hands is a little bird..... why did it make my heart flutter?The name of my adoption blog "Bird in the nest... flying to Russia to find my baby bird" What I called my child... More »

Special Delivery!

By Heather on December 19, 2011 9:15 PM | 3 Comments

The Christmas Spirit came from Russia this morning. My sister and I started a diaper drive right before my second trip to donate much needed diapers to Roman's orphanage. We raised funds to help with the adoption expenses, a donation to the orphanage and to contribute to the diaper supply. Through some networking and some good luck Cat secured a contact at Huggies Russia and they agreed to donate and deliver the diapers on behalf of Roman. We hoped this would happen while I was in Russia so I could share the good news with everyone that had generously supported... More »

Privet Father Frost... Hi Santa!

By Heather on December 10, 2011 11:30 AM | 4 Comments

Roman meets Santa Claus, Mama was a mess. I wanted to crawl onto Santa's lap and tell him the story of how this little boy got to this moment. Roman walked right onto the little santa set and waved at the trains, felt the big velvet chair then wandered over to the guy with the beard. Santa was greeted in the same way that Roman treats every new person, a wave, a smile and a joyous heart, my boy is the spirit of Christmas. Last year he was only four months old at Christmas, recently moved to the orphange, too young... More »

First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes the baby in the baby carriage...

By Heather on December 5, 2011 8:46 AM | 5 Comments

That's what we sang in the school yard along with kissing tag. That's some really scary schooling in romance. So what happens when it happens out of sequence? For me there was love and then marriage but no baby in that union, the baby came years later. There are all kinds of alternatives to the sing song sequence but I think that there's something about it that is stuck in my consciousness. There isn't a kids song about love, divorce, love, break up then finding your baby in a baby carriage in a foreign country. That would a pretty complicated... More »

Festive Fotoshoot Follow Up

By Heather on December 1, 2011 11:57 AM | 6 Comments

We arrived at the shoot with a very large box of props. Assorted boots and hats, scarves and onesies, ornaments, candy canes and santa caps. We couldn't narrow down what we may need so we brought it all.I felt a little "Toddlers and Ti-era's" as my sister and I undressed him and assessorized him for the photo shoot. We tried furry hats and boots, santa hat with elf socks, winter scarf and barefeet, and then just in the buff. Roman was obviously feeling very comfortable because as soon as the diaper came off he promptly peed on the floor. I bet... More »

Ouch- That hurts more then the needle

By Heather on November 14, 2011 4:53 PM | 11 Comments

Right after I first posted an entry on my vaccination experience with Roman one of my closest friends posted on her Facebook page a link to a study which claims that there is 2-5 times more disease and disorders reported from vaccinated children then unvaccinated one's. Read the article here Here are some of the highlights...A German study released in September 2011 of about 8000 UNVACCINATED children, newborn to 19 years, show vaccinated children have at least 2 to 5 times more diseases and disorders than unvaccinated children.The independent study is self-funded and is not sponsored by a large "credible" non-profit... More »

Double Shot

By Heather on November 14, 2011 8:17 AM

Roman had his 15 month check in at the doctor last week. Roman has gained weight and inches that now put him into the 20-50th growth percentile depending on the chart. When he arrived he was in the 5th percentile and it is common for internationally adopted children to stay in this range so I am thrilled with his progress. We have seen several doctors since he's been home so I was prepared for all the measuring and inspection but I was unprepared for the needles. I am a serious wuss when it comes to having them myself so I... More »

My unconventional family bed

By Heather on November 10, 2011 11:47 AM | 2 Comments

We have a night time routine. Roman goes to bed around 8-8:30pm usually after a bath and always after a few rounds of going up and down the flight of stairs. He seems to need a little stair climbing before slumber, who am I to question it. I put on his lulaby music, rock him a bit, sing a few songs, then lay him in his crib. After I lay him down, Jack and I hang out in his room until he falls asleep. Jack often nestled under his crib and me on the chair. Once he is in dream... More »

Continue reading My unconventional family bed.

From Baby Bird Blog to Baby Boy Reality

By Heather on November 9, 2011 8:40 PM | 9 Comments

When I began my adoption adventure to Russia I started my blog "Searching for my Bird in the Nest". I wrote it to share my journey to mamahood through international adoption. My parents have always called my sister and and I their birdies so I have kept the family tradition with the quest to find our newest addition to the family. Now, a few years later the blog title I created from my imagination is a reality and this Halloween the baby bird I dreamed of literally appeared. I have read and reflected, journalled and discussed for years the... More »

Ooooh Baby!

By Jennifer on August 30, 2011 2:36 AM | 2 Comments

Live Clean has long been one of my favourite Canadian eco-friendly beauty lines, and they've done it again.Two years ago they launched Live Clean Baby, and it became an instant hit, not only with mothers from coast to coast, but also with beauty editors who extolled the virtues of the product for all skin.Brand new in stores now you'll find four products in the Live Clean Baby Soothing Relief Collection; using the soothing powers of oatmeal and chamomiles, the products use a palm and coconut derived base that is both natural and renewable.Live Clean Baby Soothing Relief Wash, Lotion, Diaper... More »

Your baby isn't walking yet? The milestone competition.

By Chantel on August 22, 2011 8:00 PM | 13 Comments

All you need to do is listen in on a group of mothers and I can guarantee you they will be talking about the color of baby poop. When they are done competing over whose baby has the greenest most explosive diaper, the conversation will turn into yet another competition of whose baby slept the least, which will then move onto whose slept the most. Then the real competition begins on everything from whose baby is rolling over, sitting, crawling, starting to eat solids, pulling up, talking and talking in five different languages - okay maybe not the five... More »

Weekend Roundup - The Stork Edition!

By Sara on July 11, 2011 8:11 PM | 4 Comments

Well it was baby central in Hollywood this weekend! Victoria Beckham and Kate Hudson both delivered their babies. And I ask you this - is there another hospital in LA other than Cedars Sinai?? It's the only one you ever hear about! I'm picturing Kate and Victoria cruising the halls with Matt Bellamy and David Beckham meeting at the ice cube machine giving each other high fives.Kate hasn't announced a name yet but the bouncing Baby Beckham is Harper Seven. Hmmm. I love it but I'm trying to figure it out. They generally name their kids after where they were... More »

Crybaby

By Amanda on July 5, 2011 11:32 AM | 25 Comments

Do you remember a few months back when I was pleading with you all for advice about how to get our baby to sleep through the night? I was so weary, getting up eight times a night, and I thought I was going to dissolve into a puddle of sleep-deprived woe. I kept on hoping things would naturally get better. "Surely she'll figure it out by the time she's six months old," I'd reason, as I stumbled to her nursery for the sixth time that night. Then the six month mark would pass and I'd cling to the hope that... More »

My Day With Baby. Is it time for another?

By Jen on June 16, 2011 12:32 AM | 11 Comments

I have known since I had my second child that I was done. No more babies for me. I no longer had that feeling, that ache. I was content and my family felt complete. Occasionally I would wonder but no sooner had the thought entered my mind then it would leave again. And with my big step into my 40's this year, I knew for sure.But obviously others still have doubts. This week my sister was visiting from the UK with her 5 1/2 month old son and one day, while she spent her time in meetings, I got to... More »

What's In A Name?

By Sarah on March 14, 2011 2:26 PM | 22 Comments

Confession:I have about 8 names picked out for a baby girl that doesn't seem to be in my future. Boy names...not so much. In fact, I hadn't even give a single thought to a boy's name until the ultrasound technician said it was DEFINITELY a boy. Like, no mistaking it.So the husband and I have been desperately searching for a male first and middle name that we can agree on. We used our favourite first and middle names for our first son (duh) and the struggle is alive and well to find something for this son whose birth is fast... More »

How Can I Love Two?

By Sarah on February 22, 2011 3:35 PM | 22 Comments

The Boy and I. For almost 2 years it has been the two of us, and I'm starting to feel really emotional about the idea of having to share my love for The Boy with another. Sounds silly, doesn't it?We planned to have Baby #2. We wanted them to be closer in age so that they could be playmates and (I hope) best buddies. But The Boy has also been my best buddy and I'm really scared that having another baby this quickly is going to ruin that. I'm not sure how having a crying newborn in the house will... More »

I thought we should finger paint

By Sarah on January 26, 2011 8:34 PM | 5 Comments

I thought it would be fun for The Boy to experiment with some finger painting. OK, no, that's not quite the truth. I was feeling sick as dog, home alone for multiple days with The Boy, and too tired to keep playing cars and lego. So I threw him in the bathtub, gave him a canvas and some finger paints and let him have at it. You know what? It was messy. Duh. But it was messy fun. It was the best 40 minutes ( READ THAT AGAIN MOMS OF REALLY ACTIVE TODDLERS!!! He was in there for FOURTY MINUTES... More »

So I'm Having A...

By Sarah on January 18, 2011 7:30 PM | 14 Comments

Baby! LOL:) Couldn't resist!No, seriously, we went for our 18 week gender telling ultrasound last week. Unfortunately, New Baby is a squirmy worm and was completely uncooperative with the ultrasound technician. Therefore, I'm heading back for a second try at the detailed heart portion of the ultrasound next week.Fortunately, New Baby was completely cooperative in one particular area. So ladies and gentlemen, we're having a..... Yup, a second boy and a little brother for The Boy!! We are beyond thrilled:) It's exciting to think about what our New Baby will be like in comparison to The Boy- will they look... More »

Molarization

By Amanda on January 13, 2011 11:37 AM | 10 Comments

My two year-old is teething. Badly.She's pushing three molars through and it's been a nightmare! Her sleep has been disrupted so we've been dealing with two to three night wakings (on top of my getting up with a little baby who is hungry at four o'clock in the morning), horrendous tantrums, and a generally grumpy disposition (hers, mainly, but then mine takes a turn for the worse too; I can only be pushed so far). All of our girls have been lousy teethers: very sensitive to the change in their little mouths and they let the whole world know they're none... More »

Raising a Reader

By Sarah on January 10, 2011 8:48 PM | 7 Comments

This weekend, while I was washing up some dishes, my house got very quiet. Sounds good, but in my limited experience, unless The Boy is napping, silence is never golden. I peeked my head around the corner and saw this:My Boy...Sitting on the couch (with ZERO prompting from me)...Reading book after book to his friend Woody from Toy Story.I have read ridiculous amounts of jargon about how to "raise a reader" but the best way I have found, thus far, is to read to your kid and have books available for him to read whenever he's interested. Simple, but it... More »

Things I Learned This Christmas...

By Sarah on December 30, 2010 7:59 PM | 4 Comments

We spent Christmas at my parents. It was a lot of family time...lol. But it was great family time, especially for The Boy! He learned so much over the few days we were there and got to experience a real, snow-covered Christmas. He made sure he taught us some lessons though... Dad's make better seats then the actual couch Breakfast is better eaten a) at your own table where your mother can't bother you b) in pjsc) as fast as you can shovel it in because there is serious playing to do, people!!!Child labour is totally ok, especially if it... More »

"I Help"

By Sarah on December 16, 2010 9:36 AM | 4 Comments

Other then the new bedtime stalling, we have another new phenomenon at our house. "I HELP". My son says this for everything- everything!!! It doesn't matter what I'm doing, he wants to help me. I'm not upset, not in the least, because I'm pretty sure this won't last for long. The issue is more that he doesn't do much actual helping. I try to sweep and he "helps" by taking the broom and playing hockey. I make the beds and he "helps" by making a fort our of the sheets, thereby undoing all of my bed making. I make pancakes... More »

Kind of Like Twitter, But With More Characters and Less Forethought

By Amanda on December 3, 2010 3:36 PM | 5 Comments

Who's up for some random thoughts and updates on my life?Anyone?Well, I'm dishing them out anyways....1. Breastfeeding is weird. My boobs make FOOD. That's like having the kids say, "Mom, I want a hamburger," and then my going to the back room, tweaking on my nipples for a half-hour and having a quarter-pounder ooze out of them and onto a plate. 2. I think there is a saturation point when it comes to fatigue. I am as tired as one can possibly get and there's no difference between getting three hours of sleep at night versus five hours, so I may... More »

Recipe for Relaxation

By Amreen on November 22, 2010 7:35 PM | 4 Comments

But how? I keep telling myself I'll try and get out and take some time for myself. But it's increasingly apparent that I need to find some peace in my own home. I've been trying to implement some relaxation into my daily routine at home, even if it's just for a few serene moments. Here's what I've been up to: More »

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Parenting alone: Tales from the trenches.

By Emily on June 1, 2013 10:44 PM | 9 Comments

You know how mad we get when dads are like, "oh, I'm babysitting my kids today," because what they are actually doing is parenting? I think I am one of those dads. Because I feel like if I was parenting, I would demonstrate at least some degree of competence. Let's just call this babysitting?Spouse has been away on a fishing trip since Thursday night, and he will be back tomorrow evening. I wanted the toddler to like me, so yesterday I took him to Dairy Queen and we had ice cream for dinner. Things were off to a promising start.I think... More »

I still can't believe it isn't Friday.

By Emily on May 31, 2013 12:29 AM | 6 Comments

Cheesy, yes. But totally appropriate. And I'm about to go into three days of parenting a toddler all on my own.What are some sedatives that I can use on both of us?I don't know what's going to become of us.... More »

Lost friend.

By Emily on May 30, 2013 12:37 AM | 4 Comments

He takes him everywhere.Squishy Lion was a gift from a friend of mine to the toddler when he was born. She wrote a book - two books, actually - and had returned from her most recent tour with a knit yellow lion who, as it turned out, was soft enough that a newborn's feeble hand could grasp it. And though he had a million plush toys he might have chosen from, he has barely regarded them because not one of them compares to icky old Squishy Lion.When Squishy Lion was new, his face was bright and glorious, sunny yellow and... More »

potty training is BS

By Alanna on May 28, 2013 10:03 PM | 3 Comments

The last two weeks have been utter chaos in our house. L'il E is making the transition from diapers to underwear and it's been an experience. The books make it all sound so romantic, but potty training or potty "learning" is total BS. I'm not diggin' it!Now I know some kids pick it up right away with little problems and I'm sure the books have some merit, but I'm so fed up right now that I'm feeling rather skeptical.So without further ado here are 8 things you can expect when you cross to the other side - the scary (and... More »

Bubbles

By Emily on May 25, 2013 3:03 PM | No Comments

When he gets home with his father at the end of his day, the toddler wanders in, regards me briefly, strips off most of his clothing, and then toddles over to the bookshelf by the window in our living room, points, demands "buhbubs," and then sits down. He intends to behold the wonder of bubbles, so basically "get your ass over here, mom."My mother-in-law had sent home the world's most perfect bubbles - a bottle of sturdy, unpoppable bubbles from Gymboree. Unfortunately - devastatingly - we ran out recently, and the only Gymboree I know of is a forty minute... More »

homemade bubbles

By Alanna on May 19, 2013 9:43 PM | 1 Comment

My L'il E loves bubbles. In fact, he could just blow bubbles all day long and be quite happy. If only I would allow him to blow bubbles in the house - then I would be the best mom ever. It's not even June and we've already blasted through about four large containers of the sudsy stuff. So, this morning I took to Google to find a homemade bubble solution. If I keep buying bubbles at this rate we'll be broke!If you have a little bubble crazy kid like me, give this bubble recipe a try. It's a super easy and... More »

Um ...

By Emily on May 16, 2013 10:55 PM | 5 Comments

I was really hoping to just have a bath in the tub by myself.... More »

Things that motherhood is.

By Emily on May 10, 2013 10:58 PM | 4 Comments

I just pulled a piece of linty grilled cheese out from under the sofa. There is banana stuck to everything. At least Spouse found the queen and Raided those ants dead. We didn't used to live like this.Motherhood has been, for me, an exercise in waiving expectations, of shrugging off the shrug-offable, of not sweating the small stuff. I have never been a micro-manager; big picture-wise, I assume everything will be okay. For me, motherhood has not been a learning experience as much as it has been a process of refinement; I was already awesome, but now I am awesome... More »

Toddler 101

By Emily on May 15, 2013 8:30 PM | 3 Comments

I am the exact same person I was before I had a baby, except fatter and as a result of pregnancy hormones there are now three whiskers on my chin for which I keep tweezers in my purse. Motherhood is not where the lessons were, for me. Toddlerhood on the other hand ... there are a lot of things to be learned from toddlers. Below, I have helpfully compiled a list of my top ten toddler takeaways. Every day I learn something new - and sometimes terrible - but these are the most consistent lessons.Top 10 Toddler Lessons1. If you don't... More »

This Mother's Day, do not buy me flowers.

By Emily on May 3, 2013 1:57 AM | 4 Comments

The cat will eat the flowers and then she will have diarrhea and that is not special for anyone. And please, no candy or chocolate - I will just eat them. No presents - I have so much stuff. I have more perfume than I will ever be able to use, and I know we can't afford jewelry. A card would be nice. I like a thoughtful card that I can refer to when you people are driving me to drink or run away. But you know what I really (really) want for Mother's Day? I want to get away from my family.I... More »

Into the garden.

By Emily on April 29, 2013 8:07 PM | 2 Comments

We live in an apartment but community gardens are abundant in this city, and so this year we must confront the grim reality of gardening with our small boy. When you Google "toddlers gardening," you get all kinds of cutesy suggestions from people with screen names like "mummykins" - such un-doable things! And all of them so twee!And I read these things and think that I could teach my small person to participate and be productive, and then he just wants to rub dirt in his eyes and eat rocks. This is not good for morale - I don't like... More »

West coast, baby.

By Emily on April 21, 2013 8:23 PM | 1 Comment

It's almost beach season on the west coast! Please don't tell me how much rent is in your city because I need to believe it's worth what I pay to live here.... More »

We get wild.

By Emily on April 20, 2013 8:46 PM | 2 Comments

My parents are watching the toddler for the night because we're going out for dinner, and they picked him up this afternoon to take him away which gave us a long stretch of freedom before we had to be where we needed to go.My first order of business was a long, solitary shower. The kind where no one is desperately trying to get in on the other side of the locked door. The kind where the water was hot when I got into the tub. The kind that involved the full extent of personal grooming.And then Spouse and I got... More »

no such thing as balance

By Alanna on April 18, 2013 9:23 PM | 5 Comments

This is how I feel most days.Last week a friend asked me how I do it all and I laughed it off as I usually do. I get that question a lot and never give a real answer, because I don't really have one. In fact, I really don't know how I manage to keep it all together most of the time, I just do. From the outside looking in you may think I have the infamous balance everyone is seeking, but I don't. In fact, I think balance is a load of horse poop. There is no such thing as... More »

You can be brave.

By Emily on April 16, 2013 1:22 AM | 10 Comments

Dear Toddler,You are so small. You are so little. And even though one of those online growth calculators assured me you will be six feet and six inches tall when you are grown, you will always be small, because the world is so big.There is a lot that you might learn to be afraid of. When I was little, we were warned about helping strangers find lost puppies in the woods, about razor blades in our Halloween candy, and acid rain. We were told to stay together, to have a buddy and to look both ways. There have always been scary... More »

Toddlers have terrible timing. Can I come stay with you?

By Emily on April 13, 2013 1:38 PM | 4 Comments

It was my birthday yesterday (30! I made it!), and Spouse threw me a fabulous karaoke dance party and got a babysitter and so we stayed out too late having the best time as if we were young and unencumbered again for a few brief, magical hours. This morning, the toddler got up uncharacteristically early (translation: at dawn) and has spent the entire morning whining and wailing about injustices of varying degrees.So, basically, I guess ... toddler for sale? He comes with stuff. I'll throw in a cat too if you are willing to take them both immediately. I'm running away... More »

Head first.

By Emily on April 4, 2013 8:27 PM | 3 Comments

It seems that anything worth doing is worth doing head-first. Is this a boy thing? Is it a personality trait? Is this reckless abandon something I could stand to learn to incorporate into my own life? Am I fated to spend the next eighteen years standing at the foot of the metaphorical slide, wondering how I am going to catch this bullet of a kid at the bottom?I am a careful person, and though I am neither graceful nor athletic, I have never broken a bone or had to heal from any serious injury. I am keenly aware of my... More »

Mom is sick, so it's Lord of the Flies until the antibiotics kick in.

By Emily on April 1, 2013 3:46 PM | 18 Comments

For over a week now, my throat has been constricted and achy, my mouth has been sticky, and my body has swung between too hot and too cold. For four nights I didn't sleep. If in general I am "THAT mom" then when I am sick, I am ... a disgrace. On Friday, my toddler only ate Cheerios. Well, he ate, like, half a Family Size box of them. But still. While I loathe the idea of gender roles and traditional family dynamics, there are some things that noticeably slip when I am incapacitated. The food suffers - Spouse... More »

Decisions decisions

By Chantel on March 26, 2013 11:37 PM | 3 Comments

So I have a big decision to make. To put the twins in Nursery / pre-school or not? My oldest went to Toronto French school and started in the pre-k program. My oldest son went to pre-school and continued in that setting for JK and SK, second oldest boy was in pre-school, as were Ryley and Zachary for one year prior to JK. Arielle didn't attend because she had too much anxiety.Now there is Thatcher and Tanner who are 26months. Yes their speech is a bit behind but it is quickly picking up. Now I know this is going to... More »

My First Time Alone with my Newborn and my Toddler!

By Sandy on March 12, 2013 5:36 PM | 4 Comments

Or Get Off the Pot

By Amanda on February 28, 2013 12:11 PM | 3 Comments

I am trying, rather unsuccessfully, to potty train my two and half year-old.I have done this before, with two ornery toddlers, so one would think I'd be a seasoned professional, but no. I have been sopping up misguided puddles of pee from the carpet, watching my girl refuse to go #2 on the potty then dumping a hot load in her diaper as soon as I strap one one, and it's making me tired. Add to the mix a puppy who is also crapping on my floor and I feel as though my life is one, big feces-stained joke.Whatever. It... More »

clothes confetti and fire starters!

By Chantel on February 23, 2013 10:06 PM | 1 Comment

Each time the twins hit a milestone I was estatic, they were after all premature and I was warned they may have developmental delays and take a bit longer to hit certain milestones. Tanner being the smaller of the two did take longer and had us very concerned a few times....WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?I have determined that Thatcher and Tanner - otherwise known as TIK & TAK are destined to become one or perhaps all of the following:Olympic GymnastsSecret Ninja'sPerformers in Cirque De SoleilA teachers nightmareIt all started when Tanner started to climb (and shortly there after jump I'm positive)... More »

Party babies in the crib tonight......

By Chantel on January 22, 2013 11:56 PM | 6 Comments

The twins Thatcher and Tanner haven't even turned 2 yet, however, they have taken control over this house! The other night I took Marie to training. She finished late that night so we didn't get home until almost 10pm. I expected the twins to be in bed sleeping like the little angels that they are. Ummm yeah, like what was I thinking?Apparently after I left they never even slept. Tanner (the smaller one no less!) kept getting out of his crib. he would then go over to Thatchers crib and take all sorts of things from around the bedroom and throw... More »

Baby's on the loose!

By Chantel on November 28, 2012 10:10 AM | 1 Comment

Well despite everything Thatcher and Tanner are totally thriving! We have hit a few milestones that although they are exciting they are also a bit scary!The other night Joshua called me on my cell phone in a panic because apparently he and the siblings he was watching heard noised coming from upstairs and then the radio in my room started blasting. They of course paniced and thought there was a "bad" guy in the house but where in for a shock when a few minutes later Thatcher came down the stairs deciding to join everyone! YES HE CLIMBED OUT OF HIS... More »

Tales from Auntie Cat... in charge of a toddler, a terrier and a townhouse.. oh my

By Heather on October 29, 2012 10:59 PM | 1 Comment

I'm guest blogging for Heather, as super Auntie Cat, or Ca-ca to Roman and will be at home alone with the toddler and terrier for four nights Ahhh! I'll get help from family and friends and have been living with them for a year, but this is my first time playing mommy to the two of them. It's hard to believe that only a year and a couple of months ago I was a single girl living in a loft on her own. When Heather got the call to Russia, I joined her on the journey to Roman and my life has... More »

Mama cook egg.

By Heather on October 12, 2012 9:48 AM | 1 Comment

What would his first three words be? What three words would he string together in the pillars of a sentance. Ok I know I was a bit spoiled with Roman's first word being "Mama"and his second being "I love" but come on, he totally set me up for "I love you" or "I love Mama" being the natural progression. lol So it really serves me right that my sons first three words were... "Mama cook egg" followed by a little nudge in the direction of the kitchen. Next came "Mama stop talking". Both made me laugh and for me... More »

Sweet 'n' Sour

By Amanda on October 10, 2012 2:59 PM | 4 Comments

The day Brinley turned two, she also turned sour.The formerly dreamy baby was gone and in her stead came a shrieking, hair-pulling, defiant little turd. She's still totally cute, but she is TROUBLE.Don't get me wrong, there are still many moments of sweetness, but she has thrown off my parenting equilibrium. I used to be able to count on her being the good, easy one. But, no more! She has also stopped napping.Hold me.Anyways, it'll all be OK. Because this is the last time I have to endure an iron-willed toddler.I love vasectomies. ... More »

What's your vision?

By Heather on October 6, 2012 11:11 AM | 2 Comments

It all began with scrapbooking many moons ago. Any of you remember "crop nights" and "scrap chats"? I would go to all night scrapbook sessions that had me cropping and producing layouts till the wee hours. This was prior to the digital age when making memories was recorded old school. When the scrapbook era ended and everyone went onto their computers my scrapbook supplies went into the closet. There they stayed until a new calling.... the vision board. I first heard of the concept about five years ago on an Arts retreat in Ottawa Valley. Everything about that weekend had lasting power but the vision board workshop was... More »

No More Tears....

By Heather on September 25, 2012 9:14 AM | 3 Comments

Today was the day They said it would happen, they said just be patient, hold on and trust that the day would arrive and today it did. Drama free day care drop off. No trauma, no tears, no clinging, wailing, sweating, or snotting. It started like most weekday mornings. Wake up, immediate need for water bottle, clothing hunt ending in too short pants and usually stained top (note to self, go shopping or request new round of hand me downs) oatmeal breakfast with some making into mouth but most onto tray as sensory art, the sock and shoe hunt, Mama trying to... More »

Goodnight Irene. My Adoption Agency is closing it's doors

By Heather on September 18, 2012 9:12 PM

Roman and Anastashia.. Word is out that my adoption agency is no longer accepting new clients. Irina, the Director is retiring and her Administrative Assistant is moving on to a new agency that works in Kazakhastan. Adoption Horizons has been facilitating adoptions since 1995 and has help make over 700 families. I can only speak from personal experience and the experiences shared by my fellow adoptive parents. For us it would seem that the encounters would be the birthing equivilant of a contraction. The experience could be sharp and meant that the baby was on it's way. She is very direct, very knowledgable, compentent and no nonsence and also the woman at... More »

Then and Now.. his eyes tell the story

By Heather on September 12, 2012 10:38 PM | 4 Comments

We just celebrated one year home this week. I went back and looked at the photos from the day we got off the plane from Moscow and I have to say that even though I lived it the transformation still amazes me. This is Roman the day we arrived home. Exhausted from the travel and a little out of sorts from the massive transition. At 13 months old he was just 19 pounds, his little being dealing with an eight hour time change, almost two full days of travel and all the changes in his surrondings. Resilient and stong inside but... More »

Outrageous Potty training faux pas #2

By Chantel on September 7, 2012 10:04 AM | 5 Comments

Okay so many of you read my post about the dad who pulled out the potty in the middle of a Timmies parking lot and agreed that this really isn't the best way to teach your child how to use the toilet.Well this morning I read about something even worse! I know, I know, how could anything be worse than that? Well let me assure you once you read this article and watch the video (if you dare) you will be even more shocked and completely outraged!We all try to teach of children proper table manners but obviously this mother... More »

Potty Training Faux Pas!

By Chantel on September 4, 2012 10:01 AM | 9 Comments

I was making my fifth trip through Timmies today when I saw something strange. I turned my head back for a double take just to be sure my eyes were not playing tricks - they were not.There sitting in the middle of a Tim Horton parking lot was a child about 3 years of age sitting on a potty, pants down, for the world to see - well at least those driving through the drive thru, with who I assumed was his father standing there beside him van door open.WTH? Correct me if I am wrong but since when does... More »

Do you coupon?

By Heather on August 28, 2012 10:57 AM

Now that the decision to stick with day care is made (insert huge sigh of relief) It's time for me to move onto the more practical consequences of going with full time daycare. The first biggie I am looking to tackle is how to work it into my budget. The only way to do that is to slash my non-fixed spending by about 50%. I thought about radical ideas like selling my car and driving a clunker but then I put my banker hat on I can see that the ROI is poor and the stress factor high. So it's... More »

Exhausted and elated- My return to Russia

By Heather on August 26, 2012 9:23 AM

One year ago today I arrived in Russia after two days of travel. It's a ten hour flight to Moscow if you go direct which I would do on the way home but this time it was Toronto-Frankfurt (6 hr layover) -Moscow (overnight) then finally Volgograd (another 2 hours flight) This is a relatively easy trek in International adoption. My friend travelled an additional 7 hour flight across Russia then another 3 hours by car into very rural Russia. To make things more complex there is an 8 hour time difference so day becomes night and night becomes day. It's feels like entering another world. Exhausted and elated, ready... More »

Sealed with a kiss.. day care transition begins (again)

By Heather on August 21, 2012 2:18 PM

This day care decision has honestly been one of the most stressful decisions of my life. Right up there with job changes, moving, men and even moving men has been less confusing and jaw clenching the making (and sticking) with this decision. It's part intuition, part logistics, part gut instinct and part head logic. It involves many parties and several that I am closely related to all with points of view. My gut was knotted in indecision and changing it's preferences on a daily basis so last week I consciously chose to post-pone the decision for a week. In that week, I made pro and con lists, talked to more wise Mama's, squeezed... More »

Do you hit your toddler?

By Chantel on August 18, 2012 10:37 AM | 3 Comments

When I opened my email this morning I saw an update on a website I sometimes visit - Circle of Moms. The article was about how to deal with toddlers who hit. Thatcher and Tanner have just turned 19 months (17.5 months corrected) and are no exception to this common toddler behaviour. They often hit each other, their siblings or myself, so I was quite eager to read the article in hopes of discovering ideas that perhaps I hadn't thought of.Well was I in for a surprise. One of the suggestions listed was to actually hit the toddler back! There... More »

PS. Adoptive Parents hear a lot of lovely compliments too.

By Heather on August 16, 2012 3:00 PM | 1 Comment

After my last post sharing some of the annoying comments we receive as Adoptive Moms, I felt a little bit negative for sharing what I think is interesting, and can be educating, but also one sided and uninspiring So I had an idea for a follow up post to let some sunlight in. I went back to the group and asked "What's the nicest comment you've received regarding your adoption? We've all had comments that have warmed our hearts, nutured our dreams, gave us strength to move forward and celebrated our choice. Please share yours. Here's a sample of their responses I... More »

Roman turns TWO!

By Heather on August 12, 2012 10:20 PM | 1 Comment

Roman's first birthday was held at his Baby Home in Russia. I was awaiting the call from Russia to go back for Court and bring him home. The Care givers generously had a little party for him and gave him the gifts I left and read him the birthday card I wrote. I was so grateful and so heart broken. Since that day we've looked forward to celebrating Roman's second birthday at home. Celebrate we did! A perfectly magical summer backyard birthday party at Nana and Papa's.. Bubbles, Elmo cake, goodies galore, friends and family showering my birthday boy with gifts, balloons, love and... More »

Choosing Indecision

By Heather on August 12, 2012 10:06 PM | 1 Comment

For now I am investigating a few more options and delaying a decision for a few more days. What I know is that I am not ready to commit to any day care option yet. I think the right solution is right around the corner and a few more days of seeking will give me the clarity I need to move forward. I am a leaper by nature but on this decision I need my head and heart to allign to move forward and while my head is swimming with facts, and my heart pulled, my instinct is telling... More »

Today is D-Day. Deciding which way to go

By Heather on August 10, 2012 10:12 AM | 2 Comments

Today is the last day I could abort the daycare option, it`s decision day. I have weighed the pro's and con's, have evaluated with my head and my heart. I have asked for advice and listened to the wisdom of experienced mom's. I have chatted with fellow adoptive moms and heard their experiences. I've heard happy stories of day care success and horror stories of day care nightmares. I've referred to parenting books and websites on the subject. We had a family meeting and my Mom who is a retired elelmentary teacher weighed in. My sister and I have hung... More »

Going to day care will be just like he is back at the Orphange.........

By Heather on August 6, 2012 11:24 PM | 5 Comments

Roman is starting day care transition tomorrow and I am feeling more then a little anxiety. I know all parents feel anxiety when making this transition and that it's a normal part of the process but something deep down was keeping me up at night. I realize now what a part of it is. When a brother of a friend said to me that day care will be an easy transition for Roman because it'll just feel like he's back at the orphange and he's used to that. The words were like a dagger to my heart and put words... More »

Huggies Little Movers Diapers and Huggies Overnites Diapers

By Kath on July 30, 2012 6:35 PM | 7 Comments

Day Care Dilemma

By Heather on July 23, 2012 2:15 PM | 10 Comments

Somehow the stars have once again alligned. I got the magic call from not one but two of the places he is on waitlists for that they both have a spot for Roman. How to choose? Both are located very close to home and both are registed and received high rating from the Ministry of Children Services. They both have the same teacher- child ratio and all staff are ECE's. Both have about the same outdoor play facilities and programming. Both have alot of documentation around communicating about the child's learning. The cost is about the same and they both have room... More »

I'm allowed to lavish him with love... my Social Worker said so

By Heather on July 18, 2012 2:49 PM | 1 Comment

When you decide to adopt a child you go through the process with a Social Worker who is also an Adoption Practiciner. He/she prepares all your paperwork required by the Ministry, your home study, helps you understand your options and gives you advice on parenting. You also take a five day required course to qualify as an adoptive prospective parent. The Social Worker is an expert on child development, attachment and successful transitions for children into their forever family homes. She told me that my only job when Roman came home was to create attachment. Everything else would not matter if attachment was unsuccessful. If... More »

Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to work I go....

By Heather on July 18, 2012 11:06 AM | 1 Comment

It had to happen sooner or later. People keep asking me with very concerned faces "How are you doing?" The truth is I am doing just fine. I mean don't get me wrong, given the option I would happily stay home with Roman indefinately. I have been a happy single stay at home Mom for the better part of the year but I knew that this next phase was coming. I am so grateful to my fantastic employer and EI for allowing me nine months away from work with most of my paycheque that its hard to harbour resentment. Plus I... More »

The remedy to biting was only a kiss away.

By Heather on June 27, 2012 12:00 PM | 3 Comments

I have biter on my hands. I'm not entirely surprised, in my experience most males have that primal urge but this time it was my little monkey and my responsibility. The first incident was more of a nibble so I thought it might be a sign of affection. Then I thought he may be trying to copy me since I do sometimes pretend his arm is a cob of corn and do a little nibble-like playing. The next time though was a definite bite with marks left on my arm. I responded with a firm no and unhappy... More »

"Your husband must be so handsome"

By Heather on June 23, 2012 2:13 PM | 9 Comments

I keep thinking I should keep a log of silly, stupid, sweet but bewidering comments that have been said to me regarding Roman. When you are an adoptive parent you are required to go to adoption school as part of the process. In class, the knowledable instructor warns you to expect some odd comments and questions from family and friends regarding your pathway to parenthood. Some will be innocent and well intented such as the popular "He/she looks just like you, they almost could be yours" or "You'd never know, he/se looks like they could be yours" or something similar. For some reason... More »

Dear Readers, I can't look you in the eye...

By Heather on June 21, 2012 2:02 PM | 4 Comments

To my dear reader(s) My name is Heather and I am a deliquent blogger I've been sulking and hiding from my cyberspace for a few months I've had writers block coupled with creeping levels of self doubt My inner Debbie Downer and Wendy Whiner have hijacked my creative juices I tell myself no one's going to care that I've disappeared but the truth is that I care I loved sharing our story and the adventures continue without documentation that doesn't feel good so I am going... More »

Don't give him your last bite of yogurt and other advice.....

By Heather on May 16, 2012 6:00 PM | 1 Comment

While hanging out with Anastasia and Roman I was surprised to see how quicky toddler gender roles emerge. Anastasia is just over two and Roman just under two so she is a little older which may account for some of her desire to be a care giver but I sense that it's partly because she is a little girl. I remember my mom telling me that she was taking Womyn's Courses in University when I was a little and very purposefully gave me the opportunity to choose either trucks or barbies. The only thing I used trucks for was to... More »

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What Are These?

By Tracey on May 31, 2013 10:45 AM | 12 Comments

I was in the pharmacy with Ava Scarlett the other day, walking up and down a few aisles, throwing bits and bobs into my basket, when I suddenly noticed she wasn't behind me. I started to backtrack. "Lovie, where are you?""I'm here," she said, and I tracked her voice to the aisle I'd just left. She was stock-still, staring at a product on the shelf. With her arm outstretched, she pointed and asked, "Mummy, what are these?"I looked. And then I closed my eyes for a moment.GULP.I knew it was the heart-shape that must have caught her attention - lately,... More »

All's Whale That Ends Whale

By Amanda on May 29, 2013 12:50 PM | 3 Comments

This winter I borrowed a copy of "Free Willy" from the library, thinking my two older girls would like it. They were basically unimpressed by it, but Brinley, our little two year-old nugget, became OBSESSED with it. She would ask to watch it thrice daily, she would jump up and down with joy whenever she saw that orca breeching in the water, and her fascination with whales has continued to this day.Kids are weird, man.First we have Karenna's passion for all things horses, and now Brin's affinity for whales. It's pretty cute, actually. She has killer whale bath toys, a... More »

Let Me Ask You a Question. Or 500.

By Sara on May 28, 2013 11:58 AM | 3 Comments

Let me ask you a question. How many questions a day do you think a four year old asks??Well I googled it. Generally the answers ranged from 425 to 500. Ummm. Is that before 7am? Honestly. My life is a series of questions now. Each question starts with 'Mommy. Did you know' or 'Mommy, Can I ask you a question?' Every thing out of his mouth starts with Mommy. Am I complaining? Sort of. I'm thankful that he's inquisitive. I'm blessed that I have a little person who calls me Mommy. But I'd be a flat out liar if I... More »

Open Letter to Lice

By Tracey on May 9, 2013 12:30 PM | 10 Comments

Dear lice,I'm normally a very tolerant person to all most creatures great and small, but I can tell you I'm not alone in hating you and wanting you out of my life. I'd wager (and win!) that even pro-life vegan tree-huggers all want you to die as badly as I do. Even Tibetan monks. (They shave their heads to avoid you, I'm certain.) Because you suck. Literally. You parasidic, reprehensible creatures... I want you all to die.Not only do you make me feel dirty and weird with your very presence, but the added workload of extra laundry, vacuuming, and the endless... More »

Confessions of a Five Year Old - Part II

By Tracey on May 1, 2013 1:00 PM | 2 Comments

(continued from yesterday's post... still at the mall.)She: Mummy? I need to tell you something else. It's kinda bad. *looks at me with solemn brown eyes and then smirks*Me: *looks to the heavens* Oh my lord, child, what is it?She: Well... the other day? When I was at Jed's house for dinner? Well... I ate with my mouth open.At first she looks SO guilty, but this expression quickly morphs into smiling. I bite my lip. This is the kinda bad thing she has to tell me? Oh. My. Days.Me: *leans in with mock shock* Ava Scarlett!!? *clutches pearls*She: *slightly pained* I knoooow!... More »

Confessions of a Five Year Old - Part I

By Tracey on April 30, 2013 4:00 PM | 4 Comments

This is a scene from a mall...She: Mummy, I need to tell you something. *picks up napkin and wipes pizza sauce from her mouth*Me: *takes deep breath* Yeeeessss? *feels stroke coming on*She: Well... *sheepish* I don't really like apple juice anymore.I swear to god, these kids...Me: *relieved* Oh. Well, why not?She: *cocks head* Well, I used to like it, you know, back when I was a little kid, but now that I'm a big girl, well... I just don't like it anymore. Because it's for babies.This baby of mine is currently the ripe old age of five, so I feel... More »

Sucks To Be Two

By Amanda on April 17, 2013 7:02 PM | 4 Comments

The day Brinley turned two years old, her will emerged. And it was a strong one, that will. No surprise there, it seems to be how we breed them. Two is such a wonderful, yet hard age. She is SO cute and her vocabulary and level of understanding grow everyday, so fast I can barely keep up. But then there's the tantrums, the potty-training gone awry, the middle of the night wakings and the frustration she feels from not being able to do everything her older sisters can.Perhaps it's the fact that she is our last baby, but I haven't been... More »

Kids Make No Logical Sense!

By Sara on April 11, 2013 9:10 AM | 6 Comments

The other morning, Will asked for a picture that he drew at Jamie's house. Let me back up. Will's new favourite activity is drawing. Without exaggeration, every day at school, there are 20 new masterpieces in his cubby. Anything remotely looking like Scooby Doo or referencing the Scoob is saved...everything else I secretly chuck into the recycling bin. I mean how the hell can he remember them all? My mistake. We went to leave, Will was in tears and his pants were falling off... so I said,'Dude how can you not remember to do up your pants, but you can... More »

Here Comes The Groom and....

By Sara on March 27, 2013 2:50 PM | 3 Comments

There is a whole lot of marriage talk among the K-room set at the daycare lately. It's almost as if they are following the U.S. debate on marriage equality.Not a day goes by without Will giving me the rundown on who is going to marry who and who got mad because so and so said they wouldn't marry so and so. I love it because it's fresh. It's not tainted yet by what their parents may feel or what they read in the news. They aren't being influenced by nasty divorces or people who oppose same-sex marriage. They just wanna... More »

Okay, Cupid.

By Tracey on March 22, 2013 2:15 PM

The other night, this wee bit of conversation had me howling with laughter...She: You have loved mummy for a long time, right?He: Yes! A long time.She: Did it happen when that, um... you know, that baby? With the wings? It shot you in the back with a love arrow, right?Me: *laughing my guts out* Ava Scarlett! That baby is a cherub called Cupid... and it doesn't shoot you in the back. Wow!She: *smiling* Oh. It shoots you in the neck? *eyebrows high*Me: Oh my god, girl. *laughing* He: No, the arrow hits you in the heart. *taps chest* That's the spot. She:... More »

Negotiating With Terrorists.

By Tracey on March 19, 2013 1:00 PM | 2 Comments

It is 11:20 AM, and candy is Ava Scarlett's favourite food group.She: Can I have something to eat, please?Me: Yes, darling! What would you like?She: Can I have some Swedish Berries?Me: Um... okay.She: Can I have ten?Me: You can have six.She: *pleading face* Ten?Me: *mouths silently* Six.She: *brow furrows* Not ten?Me: *firmly* NOT ten. Six.She: *cocks head* How about seven?Me: *cocks eyebrow* How about five?She: *defeated* Okay, I'll have six.Aaaaand, scene.Sometimes she treats me like it's my first day on this job. Like I'm new here, or something. Pfft... please.I guess she's learning from her brother, who is also a little... More »

It Ain't the Pox!!!

By Sara on March 15, 2013 1:01 PM | 3 Comments

Remember this commercial???'Mommy, you're so pretty but what is that gross, revolting flap of skin hanging off your neck?" The commercial came out when I first had Will and I remember finding it totally hilarious that a kid would:a. notice that you have nice hair or b. notice a skin tag on your neck.Yeah - who is NOT laughing now? Me.I come from a 'mole'y stock. They've never really bugged me before. I have a lot of moles. Big deal. I see them as a road map on my body frankly and I've never been self conscious about them. I get... More »

The Littlest Hotdog.

By Tracey on March 12, 2013 12:15 PM | 6 Comments

One rather nice thing about family-break times, like the one we had just last week, is how I get the chance to really see my children anew. It doesn't matter if we stay home, though I do tend to view them differently when they're back-dropped by a different scene, or within different walls. I too, am running ambling at a different pace, so I actually hear more of their chatter. It's as if my senses have awakened to them, and I notice how they've grown and changed. They're taller. Their language has matured, too. I get a better sense of... More »

Look what I made mommy! oh yeah it's all about the arts and crap....

By Chantel on March 9, 2013 11:40 PM | 2 Comments

When my oldest two were younger and had just started school I remember how excited I was whenever they brought home any kind of art work. Full of pride, I would hang it on the fridge or kitchen wall convincing myself that they were going to be famous artists one day.Then I had more children.All children seem to like arts and crafts, and if you are like myself and have more than one child under the age of 10 this can become a very messy affair. Seriously, if anyone can point out the moron who invented finger painting, please do.... More »

The Replacements!!!!

By Sara on March 3, 2013 8:40 PM | 5 Comments

A special delivery arrived tonight. Back in May, I wrote about Will's security blanket(s) and whether or not I should wean him off of them. I listened to you guys and my sister who questioned why the hell I would want to. And you're right. They are his 'thing'. Why would I ever take that comfort from him?BUT. After close to five years of nearly constant use, these white fluffy blankies were grey, smelled funky and weren't too soft. I took a shot and googled and there they were! So I ordered three new ones. Three beautiful, fresh smelling, soft... More »

glue sniffing and stealing hubcaps

By Nancy on February 28, 2013 10:10 AM | 2 Comments

My kids like to watch movies from when they were littleSo last week the 3 of us watched some really old ones. It was fun and shocking and tender and embarrassing.It was weird to see us as again as a family of four. It was tender to see some married moments that were good. It was embarrassing to see how rigid I was as a parent - and thankfully I have loosened up (quite) a bit.One particular scene had us celebrating youngest daughter's 1st b day. Her older sister had not finished her dinner and I wouldn't let her have birthday... More »

Walking in your sleep!

By Sara on February 27, 2013 2:33 PM | 5 Comments

There's a disturbing trend happening around our house lately. (Well, actually there are a few but I'll get to those later). This one happens in the middle of the night. And the frequency is growing.Last week, I was awoken at 2am by the shrill sounds of Justin Bieber singing 'Baby'. The song was courtesy of Will's toothbrush. Why? (I know - bigger question is why do we have a Justin Bieber toothbrush!). Well because Will was sleepwalking. He went right into the bathroom and started brushing away. I jumped out of bed to check out who I thought was a... More »

The Way They Play - Part VIII

By Tracey on February 22, 2013 2:00 PM | 2 Comments

The other day, I overheard Madame in the tv room, playing by herself. I could hear what sounded like figurines dropping on the floor, over and over again, followed by her little voice, softly uttering, "Click!" Over and over again.I finally had to see what she was up to... Me: Um... what is all this?She: They're going on a trip.Me: I see that! Where is everybody going?She: They're driving to Australia. But don't worry, they all have seatbelts on.Me: *nodding* Nice. Alright then!Gee, I hope they make it...... More »

On White Couches and Boarding School for Madame.

By Tracey on February 6, 2013 1:00 PM | 17 Comments

We've had a couch in our kitchen ever since we renovated ten years ago. The one before the one we have now was a loveseat from Ikea my husband still had from his first apartment, back during his university days - probably already ten years old itself by that time. It had a horribly dated navy/green/red Tex-Mex pattern all over it that killed your eyes to look at, so I bought a bolt of sage-y green cotton something-something fabric, and had it sewn into a slip cover.After a million washings, it was time to let the whole faded thing go,... More »

The Birthday Linger

By Tracey on January 30, 2013 4:30 PM | 11 Comments

Our little Madame turned five about a week ago, and I haven't felt terribly rushed about writing a birthday post about it all, since we're good at s t r e t c h i n g things out. We don't just celebrate the day, but around these parts, we're big on savouring the all the birthday time, slurping it up, and licking it all off our fingers, like the last of the frosting on cupcakes baked in festive paper liners, and using the party napkins for everything we eat all week long...We took the little skinheads bowling again, which was... More »

Nearly Five.

By Tracey on January 15, 2013 12:15 PM | 3 Comments

She keeps punctuating many of our conversations with, "I'm going to be five soon, you know..." As if it was a threat. It's been this way for months.And on the days when I'm really taking in our conversations (unlike the one when I'm just smiling and nodding, yes my darling) I notice how much she's changed. I hear it in her little voice, becoming a bit less, well, wee. She is growing.Her explanations on all things (complete with hand gestures and head-tilts) make me laugh. She recites short poems that she learns at school to me, and they always end... More »

Shadiness: The Christmas Babies

By Tracey on January 9, 2013 1:00 PM | 20 Comments

Around the holidays when my mother came to visit, we got busy making a little bed for the dolls Ava Scarlett was to receive for Christmas. My mother gave her one doll, and Santa brought her the other.I ordered a bunch of stuff online and had it all shipped directly to the cottage, where we planned to spend our time. So, when we arrived on Christmas Eve, I became the greatest wrap-star you've ever seen (Kanye wrap these gifts, yo?) and put paper, bows, and tags on everything in a few hours, after the children went to sleep. Both dolls were with... More »

Booting The Boots!

By Sara on December 3, 2012 1:51 PM | 1 Comment

They say that as you age, you revert back to babyhood. I can see this. I was pretty hands on looking after my grandmother from her 90th to 103rd year and there are a ton of similarities with Will and the Moomster. Aside from the obvious inabilities to control their bowels, there is the picky eating, the cranky when tired, the always thinking they're right and the not listening. (Okay my grandmother was deaf...and Will is just male but still!)But the one that came blazing through for me this weekend? The hell that is buying footwear. HELL I tell you.... More »

Baring It All

By Sara on November 19, 2012 12:30 PM | 9 Comments

I'm curious on your opinion on something.Nudity. In front of your kids. At what point is it unacceptable? I'm super comfortable naked, Frankly, I wish we lived like cavepeople and never wore clothes. It would be cheaper and okay, slightly cold in the winter but then we'd all better understand shrinkage. No? Kidding aside, I want Will to be really comfortable with nudity as well. It's a hangup that doesn't need to be had. Everyone has the same bits so what is the big deal.Will is four and a half. We still take baths together. I've been criticized for this.... More »

Milestones

By Sara on November 5, 2012 9:26 AM | 5 Comments

It's amazing how some milestones hit us more than others. Maybe I'm feeling a bit emotional because our toilet training days seem to be over. (and by emotional I mean over the effing MOON!). We're almost a week accident free and yes, thanks, I know I likely just jinxed it.Yesterday, we passed another milestone. His car seat is officially garbage. Tossed out in all it crumb-filled glory. And for some bizarre reason, it really got me.I think because this is where we started...One little, tiny baby the size of 20 quarter pounders. He was so small that he had to... More »

My Middle

By Amanda on October 30, 2012 3:52 PM | 2 Comments

Oh, this girl. She is growing into such a beautiful little person. And believe me, it took a lot of tantrums and gnashing of teeth to get to this point. She was such an angry toddler and it was a constant battle of wills to keep her from freaking out a dozen times a day. She is still a firecracker, but the energy is better directed now. She dreams of horses, she is a kind friend, she is articulate beyond belief, she is thoughtful and smart and determined and she is just aglow with all she's learning in her Junior... More »

Prepping For Sandy!

By Sara on October 29, 2012 1:54 PM | 3 Comments

Man do I love a good storm. Seriously. Okay I have friends who have been evacuated from their homes in the States ...so that's a bit much. But bring on some non-hurricane rain and wind and I'm all over it.I'm trying to figure out if Will is the same. He has a fascinating trait with storms though. When he was in utero, he hardly ever moved. I never had that, 'come here, come here, the baby is kicking.' Just like his soccer coach will attest, the boy is a bit lazy. But when there was a storm, that kid flipped... More »

You Gotta Have Friends...But a BFF??

By Sara on October 23, 2012 10:31 AM | 5 Comments

I have two favourite times of the day. The first happens usually around 6:10 when the bean lying next to me starts to shift around, poke me in the legs to make sure I'm there, and then he smiles and comes out with his first nugget of the day:Mom. Uncle John in the coolest dude.Mom. You said you were going to spell salamander last night and you didn't.Mom. Is it the weekend?My other fave time? When I get him from daycare and he starts to regale me with the stories of his day. What he had for lunch. Who did... More »

Right Now

By Tracey on September 30, 2012 8:30 PM | 5 Comments

I came back from a baby shower this afternoon, which is always a lovely affair, and becoming more rare an occurrence these days, given the general age of my friends and I. But it's a wonderful thing - welcoming a new baby, that is. In this case: twins.And as I return home, musing about the stage in my life that is gone... the anticipation of a huge change in the life - a shift that can never be unshifted again, but that becomes your new normal... the newness of infants... I'm glad it's not me. Really, I'm done having babies,... More »

Are You Going To Die?

By Sara on September 6, 2012 1:31 PM | 7 Comments

"Are you going to die?" This from my four-year old, almost asleep in his car seat, last night.On the weekend, he started asking me questions about my mom. I explained that she got very sick and that the doctors couldn't help her, and so unfortunately, she died. I'm not going to candy coat it. But obviously, he's not just forgotten it.My heart breaks. You shouldn't have to be four and ask that question. I shouldn't have to feel like I'm lying my ass off when I say, 'Don't worry honey. Mommy isn't going anywhere for a very long time.' I... More »

The Way They Play - Part VII

By Tracey on August 31, 2012 5:00 PM

The TV room turns from comfortable viewing room with books and toys into a pit of mass destruction in a nanosecond, with the small child in the house. She can trash a room like nobody's business, yo.As I have a walk through, picking up toys, dressing naked dolls, and re-shelving strewn books, I often find her little critters amongst the stack. But, it's the way she's got them situated that always make my curious.Me: Um... what happened to this one?She: Oh, her? She's in time-out.Me: I see that. How come?She: She's in time-out because she was antagonizing her brother.Me: Really?... More »

The Way They Play - Part VI

By Tracey on August 29, 2012 10:00 AM | 4 Comments

I went downstairs to get some laundry sorted out the other day... I couldn't have been gone more than 15 minutes. When I got back upstairs, I found this:Me: Um... what the hell is all this, then?She: They're stepping stones.Me: *incredulously* They are?!She: Yes. I need them so I won't get burned by the lava.Me: What lava?She: From the avalanche.Me: Do you mean, volcano?She: No. The avalanche made all the lava fall off the mountain.Me: Well, lava comes out of volcanoes. It spews. *makes spewing motion with hands* It shoots up out the top, and the molten rock from inside... More »

How Do I Get My Kid To Stop.....

By Sara on August 23, 2012 1:29 PM | 11 Comments

a. Biting his fingernails. There are so many of my habits that I hoped Will would not pick up on. You know. Things like re-watching the same movies over and over again (fail); eating entire bags of chips in one sitting (fail); and drinking too much at high school dances (tbd). The other one was the nervous picking of the fingers. Unfortunately, he's started with nail biting. And now that there is nothing left to bite, he's picking. If you could see how damaged my nail beds are from twenty plus years of this, you'd see why I'm so anxious... More »

Will's Not So Secret Obsession!

By Sara on August 15, 2012 12:57 PM | 1 Comment

Did you know that there is a Cars 4? It's on Disney Blue Ray. It's about planes.Next time I go to the Disney store with Auntie, I'm going to get all the guys from Alice in Wonderland. It's a Disney movie mom.Who is your favourite.....muppet, princess, bad guy from Toy Story, Penguin from Madagascar.Did you used to live there when Scotty was a baby? Did you have movies there?When Christmas comes, I'm going to ask Santa for all the Disney movies I don't have. Mom, what Disney movies are those? Are they on Blue-Ray? Are they Pixar?I'd like to welcome... More »

The Most Relaxing Birthday Party Ever?

By Sara on July 31, 2012 10:26 AM | 10 Comments

Here's the thing. I'm not a fan of birthday parties. I think they can get out of hand and you drop a crap load of money on renting a place, on food, on loot bags, on presents, on decorations....on...you get the picture. And I'm not really sure how much your kids remember them.The one party I remember, and I think I only do because I have a picture of it, was a party where we all made hats. Yup. Construction paper, stickers, crayons and hats. Toss in a cake and done - Bob's your uncle.Will was pretty excited about his... More »

You ARE The Best Thing......

By Sara on July 23, 2012 9:25 PM | 6 Comments

Four years ago today I got put on bedrest. Will, just like he's shown now, had a mind of his own. The kid had stopped growing. So they ordered me to bed to see if he'd pack on the pounds. Ah, if I'd only known how heavenly it was going to be maybe I wouldn't have bitched about it so much. What I would PAY for a week of bedrest right now!After six days, it wasn't working. It was time to get him out and get him growing on the outside. This Sunday will be four years. FOUR YEARS. Where... More »

Creating Birthday Monsters

By Tracey on July 23, 2012 11:30 AM | 13 Comments

About a week ago, Oliver got busy calculating how many days it will be until he turns eight-and-a-half. Then of course, his sister started to pipe up about when her half-birthday was. It was on Saturday.Mid-way through the evening, she asked me where her cake was.Me: You want a cake?She: *breathes* Ohyesplease! Chocolate. With sprinkles.Me: Well, I don't have one now, but can make one tomorrow, okay?She: *shiny bright eyes* Yes!!And so, late Sunday morning while she was busily playing with her friends outside, I did pretty much what I did for Oliver's half-birthday last year - I opened a... More »

Help Me To Not Lose My SH*T!!!!

By Sara on July 19, 2012 12:57 PM | 9 Comments

Okay. So this is me. Seriously. I love being a mother but the one thing I had serious concerns about before I committed to this venture was my patience level. Or lack thereof. There are a few things that try my patience more than most. Care to offer some insights into how to handle these without losing my sh*t? (Besides telling me to call the Wambulance or up my prozac level).A. The 'You're Wrong'. Before you read this dialogue - please keep in mind, my child is THREE. Almost FOUR. He is not SIXTEEN.W - Mommy? What is your least... More »

That Time I Packed My Kid's Lunch In a Wine Bag.

By Tracey on July 18, 2012 3:15 PM | 10 Comments

I got this email a few days ago from Madame's camp people, saying they were making a trip to the pool, hats, sunscreen, blah, blah, blabbity-blah, and could you please send a brown bag lunch with nothing to be reheated... no containers... basically, they want to throw everything away at the end and just come back with the children.I get it - this makes life easier for everyone. For everyone except ME.When Oliver started kindergarten three years ago, we learned his school has a low-waste programme for lunches and whatnot. This is a good thing. They encourage you to send reusable... More »

Getting Around Town

By Tracey on July 13, 2012 1:30 PM | 6 Comments

Madame's half-day camp is miles and miles and miles away from our house.(Okay, it's maybe one-and-a-half kilometres, and about a 15 minute walk, and much longer with a pokey four-year-old in tow.)Now that the stroller is completely out of our lives, we're really left to being on foot when we go places. Or with the children on bicycles, and me walking running alongside them, which isn't the worst, but at 11:30 AM, the sun burns pretty damn hot, and the sidewalks radiate an intense kind of heat in the city...A few weeks ago, I struck genius inside my wee head:... More »

Look who's 5! And you're invited to the party!

By Sonya on July 12, 2012 10:00 AM

Are you ready to party? Throughout the month of August, MOMSTOWN will be hosting birthday events in 17 communities across Canada! That's a lot of partying! Our friends at MOMSTOWN invite YOU and your family to join in the birthday fun! FREE activities are planned across the country at each location and will include entertainers, crafts, loot bags, prizes, toy demonstrations, snacks, birthday cake and sooooo much more!Your kiddies will have a chance to meet a character from Kids' CBC like Super Why, Mamma Yamma or Scholastic's loveable Clifford the Big Red Dog. The events are open to the public!So, bring the family and your... More »

My Little Horse-Lover

By Amanda on July 4, 2012 4:17 PM | 4 Comments

I have this little girl who is obsessed with horses. Her blooming interest in all things equine began last year and has only been intensifying. (She has told us that when she grows up she is going to to be a cowgirl and live with a horse in a barn on our orchard.) I think it's a wonderful passion and I'd love to foster it in her, but I am a little scared it's going to cost us thousands of dollars. Riding lessons, someday boarding and feeding a horse, all the equipment and time that goes into it...not exactly a budget-friendly... More »

Adios!

By Sara on June 27, 2012 9:30 AM | 3 Comments

We're off! The road trip begins at 3pm today - after I've gone over my 'to bring' list a 1,000 times. To me though there are only three essentials. Passports, dvd player and headphones. All week I've been prepping Will at how cool it is to wear headphones. In my dreams we sail happily down the highways - Will watching Disney movies and me singing along to the Avett Brothers. In reality? Who knows...I'll let you know once we hit NY.The last big road trip we did was to Sutton, Quebec (Will's namesake) for my grandmother's memorial service. Check out... More »

Teach The Children Well

By Sara on June 26, 2012 8:46 AM | 8 Comments

All of this business with the kids in Greece, NY bullying the bus driver and Tracey's post about sass and manners etc was so thought provoking. I've been really focused on manners with Will since day one. There isn't much that I loathe as much as a rude kid. Be honest. It drives you mental doesn't it? One of Will's teachers told me that he had incredible manners and my heart burst with pride - more so than at anything else he's accomplished.A couple of instances have come up in the last few days though and I'm a bit stumped... More »

G Is For Grungy

By Tracey on June 21, 2012 2:30 PM | 6 Comments

Have I mentioned before how much I love white linens and things? Well, I do. Many people will argue that white shows dirt too readily, to which I say: I prefer dirt I can see.That said, when it comes to dirt and small people, I might be in over my head. We bought a white loveseat for the kitchen last summer, and I'm still making peace with the fact that it's just going to look kinda grubby a lot of the time. Yes, it has a slipcover, but I can't I'm not gonna wash it every week. Or even every month.... More »

The Way They Play - Part V

By Tracey on June 13, 2012 2:30 PM | 6 Comments

This child loves mud.No. She loooooooves mud, holy balls.We head outside each day, and as soon as I've turned by back for a second, she's walking towards me with a plastic container filled with dirt and water, and she's busily stirring it with a little spoon. Or a stick. Or with her fingers.It is the inkiest, blackest, muddiest mud you've ever seen, and it is her favourite thing in the world to play with these days.Sometimes she adds grass or leaves or wood chips from the park for texture - that all depends on what she's making, of course. Sometimes... More »

Tell Me, What's YOUR Favourite Colour?

By Tracey on June 1, 2012 2:00 PM | 6 Comments

Yesterday I sat on the couch with Ava Scarlett flipping through picture books with her, when Favourite Colour came on. She like this song a lot, the hip little girl does. So does her mum. (There's no real video to watch... just ear candy.)Me: *sidelong glance* What's your favourite colour, miss?She: *without missing a beat* Pink. And yellow.Me: Yellow, too? Hmmmm!She: And orange.Me: Yes.She: And green. And greenish-blue.Me: Ummm...She: Oh, and puuuuurple. *eyes roll upwards* I just love purple. And blue. Like, light blue.Me: Wait...She: And navy blue.Me: Hey!She: And red. I just looooove red... *swoons*Me: Ava Scarlett!! *put hand... More »

Mirror, Mirror

By Amanda on May 31, 2012 5:05 PM | 6 Comments

Oh, Karenna. There is no one like this girl.No one as quirky, no one as hot-tempered, no one as imaginative, no one as silly, no one as hilarious. To know her is to love her. Here's to my middle child, the icing in the sisterly Oreo. ... More »

Dining Al Fresco and Talking

By Tracey on May 29, 2012 3:45 PM

Today she said, "Hey mummy, do you think we can eat on the balcony outside? It's such a beautiful day, you know. Is that unusual?"She drops new words in and out of her sentences these days, not always sure they fit. Me: What do you mean?She: Hmm?Me: What do you mean by, is that unusual. Is what unusual?She: I mean, is it unusual if we sit outside?Me: Well, we haven't sat out here together in a long time. I suppose that makes it a bit unusual. As in not the usual thing we do. But, now that the weather is better,... More »

Lessons From Pooh! (The Winnie Kind)

By Sara on May 28, 2012 8:51 PM | 7 Comments

We're coming up on Father's Day. I just got through Mother's Day and on we go to the next 'holiday'. I anticipate Father's Day getting more and more challenging as the years go on. I'm mentally preparing for the questions. 'Scotty has a dad, why don't I have a dad?' or 'Where is my dad?'. I want to have an answer ready for when he's a surly teenager and yells at me in a hormonal rage - 'Why did you do this to me?!?'. (I'm guessing my answer will depend on the moment - either 'because I wanted you sooo... More »

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If Only...

By Amanda on May 30, 2013 8:12 PM | 5 Comments

We got the dreaded letter from the school this week, the one that warns about a child in my daughter's classroom having been hit with a case of headlice.Gah.I wish that the above were mandatory for kids: vintage swim caps! Wear them all day long to keep the lice away! So Spring 2013. Anyone with me?... More »

Doing For Yourself

By Tracey on May 15, 2013 10:45 AM | No Comments

This kid's favourite sport is soccer. He loves watching it, playing FIFA video games, and spends hours kicking a ball around with his cronies in front of our house, for as many hours as I'll let him. And these many, many hours of practice have garnered him some pretty excellent footwork... and he's gentle about it - he's not likely to push his way to the ball, but he'll neatly steal it from between your ankles with quick little jabs of his nimble feet.Case in point: As we watched the Toronto Maple Leafs let their excellent lead slip away during... More »

Day of the Momma

By Amanda on May 12, 2013 9:53 PM | 4 Comments

Mother's Day: was mine perfect? No way. There were still bums to wipe, lunches to pack for the next day, temper tantrums to endure and sibling fights to break up. But there was also Eggs Benedict on a sunny patio. And homemade gifts. And a nap. And the three beautiful girls who have made me a momma. Perfectly imperfect, always. Story of my life. Choosing to focus on the Eggs Benny rather than the Pull-up blow-out. Happy Mother's Day to all the strong, loving, gorgeous mommas I know (including my own)!... More »

Not Just a Phase.

By Sonya on May 6, 2013 4:45 PM | No Comments

You know what to do when your child falls off his bike and scrapes his knee. You know what to do when she gets a splinter. But how many of us recognize the early warning signs of mental illness?It's Children's Mental Health Awareness Week (May 5 to 11) and it's a reminder for us to pay special attention to our kids. We're all so, so very busy with work, school work, afterschool programs, and keeping up our homes. But so often we assume that if the kids don't say anything and no notes have come home from the teachers, then... More »

Standing Alone

By Tracey on April 30, 2013 9:30 AM | 6 Comments

Yesterday, NBA player Jason Collins told the world he is gay. He wrote this terrific piece for Sports Illustrated, describing his process. We don't follow much in the way of sports around here, and basketball is no exception - I didn't know this guy's name before yesterday, but I'm pleased for him. I'm glad he feels free now, and I hope his life and career go smoothly forevermore.This morning on the radio, the announcers discussed this latest news item as my son ate his breakfast. He put his fork down while he chewed on it all.He: Mummy? The guy they're talking about...... More »

What Privacy Expectations Should Kids Have?

By Sara on April 24, 2013 2:29 PM | 5 Comments

Did you keep a diary? I did throughout high school. Years later, when my mom was dying, she said that she had a box with a bunch of my old crap in it. I think she found it when we were moving some time and it had just moved with her - from house to house - over the years.We sat down and opened the box and the memories and howling laughter came. There were flags from holes at random Toronto golf courses that a then-boyfriend had ripped off for me as a token of? Hell if I know. There... More »

What makes you beautiful with One Direction

By Sonya on April 24, 2013 10:05 AM | 1 Comment

After last weekend's brunch in a room full of munchkins "performing" this karaoke tune over and over again, and that only moms can really appreciate, you can't help but hum along for a few days after!You're probably wondering why I would spend a sunny Sunday afternoon listening to kids rock out their inner vocal skills? Ask Traci Melchor, on-air TV reporter, about her daughter's performance that left her beaming! "I didn't even know she knew all the words to these songs!" she exclaimed while wiping away tears. Besides being fed an incredible assortment of yummy food at the urban hip... More »

Spring Sorting

By Tracey on April 10, 2013 1:15 PM | 11 Comments

Spring hasn't completely sprung around these parts just yet (and I heard someone say we're to expect 15 - 20 centimetres of snow on Friday... I will try not to weep, but I can make no promises.) I may not be able to put those snowpants away just yet, but the itch to get the spring sorting and purging underway has been too strong to ignore lately.One particular area driving me mental is the TV room, where the kids spend the better part of their indoor playtime. The amount of stuff we can accumulate is kind of astounding. From Christmas... More »

Who is Will's Daddy?

By Sara on April 2, 2013 12:28 PM | 12 Comments

Have we all recovered from yesterday's post yet? My siblings may still be attached to oxygen masks as we speak. How could I resist?What isn't an April Fools joke? Will is almost five. People said to pay attention because it goes by in a flash and instead of wanting to punch them, maybe I should have listened. It's shocking.The boy is surrounded by friends. He has collected a ton in his five years. He/we are totally fortunate on that front. As he gets older, so do his friends, some of whom are pushing the ripe old ages of seven and... More »

'Rithmetic

By Kath on March 27, 2013 9:21 PM | 6 Comments

As a teacher I often get asked questions from my layperson friends about their children's school lives, and honestly, I'm happy to help out when I can. And perhaps it's not that surprising, but the two most common themes I get consulted about are:ReadingMathTimes change and schools change, but the three Rs are still the going concern for parents, it seems (or at least two of them are, anyway. I do find it interesting that I almost never get asked about writing, despite the fact that the argument can be made that learning how to communicate clearly and effectively using... More »

Daughter of The King

By Amanda on March 16, 2013 8:34 PM | 2 Comments

Raising girls is hard. They are bombarded by unrealistic expectations about how they're supposed to look, to act, to be, and it's a never-ending challenge to help them navigate the waters of their personal identities. One of the things we have always tried to ingrain in our girls is that their beauty and their value is not determined by how other people view them, but is part of who they have been designed by God to be. They are loved, they are special, they are valued beyond measure both by us and by God.Last week the girls' club at our church... More »

FotoFriday - Frigid Forecast

By Christine on March 15, 2013 10:30 AM | 2 Comments

I can't believe the difference between last March Break:and this March Break:Stupid winter...Stupid cold...I was patient with the cold weather and it really didn't bother me up until about 3 days ago. I'm so done with this winter.Anyone else?... More »

The Friendship Show

By Amanda on March 6, 2013 2:27 PM | 1 Comment

There has been a huge Anti-Bullying movement sweeping the nation and it's obviously in response to the painful experiences so many kids and teens have been enduring. We talk about bullying, for sure, as it's become part of the dialogue our children are learning about in school, and I think it's worthwhile. More than that, though, we try to teach our kids how to be a good friend. Not just how to deal with bullies, but the basic skills required to be a kind person. I have been a long-time fan of The Mother Company, a company whose goal is "Helping... More »

Continue reading The Friendship Show.

MARCH BREAK and CHILDREN

By Chantel on March 4, 2013 11:41 AM | 2 Comments

I just realized that March break starts next week - well in my case this Friday because apparently the school board decided my children should stay home that day.Although the March Break is only a week, as opposed to summer break, there is still a lot of planning and preparation I need to do, and seeing as I only have about four days I really must get my ass in gear and get moving!Here are some things I need to do and get done before Friday:Clean out the basement play room (again) so that they can make it a... More »

my favourite thing of the week- Fraser's vision and being on top of the world

By Nancy on March 3, 2013 2:37 PM | 4 Comments

Fraser's brother's artwork- on top of the world art studio for childrenSometimes(almost always) I wish I had an eight year old boyOther times I wish I was an eight year old boy.I am not kidding one bit.I got a call from my good pal Fraser, Thursday night about 9 pm. "Nancy, I want to talk to you about my vision.I want to do the earth on a canvas, and then do a sculpture of myself on it - like I am on top of the world.We will use loads of colour and make it somewhat abstract"Fraser, 8 years old, comes... More »

A special sneak peek at Disney Infinity!

By Sonya on March 1, 2013 12:33 PM

Get ready gamers...you're about to discover DISNEY INFINITY. At a recent media preview UrbanMoms was invited to get first-hand look at the most ambitious video game ever from Disney Interactive.As the name says, this game has infinite ways to play. Although I hate to sound cliche, but this game will be fun for kids young and old!Step right onto the set of your favourite Disney animation world like Pirates of the Caribbean, Monster's Inc, Cars, and The Incredibles and customize your play with the PLAYSETS or play with your toys in the virtual TOY BOX. At first glance, immediate reactions will... More »

What to Do: March Break in Toronto

By Sonya on March 4, 2013 1:24 PM | 2 Comments

Yay! It's almost time for March Break! If you're in Toronto, or planning a visit, here are some arts events worth checking out!Comic Book Heroes Series at the TIFF Bell LightboxMarch 9 to 24Celebrate those figures heroic enough to fight crime and injustice wherever it may be, and do it while wearing colourful spandex tights! This family-focused March Break matinee series looks at some of the best comic book adaptations in cinema history, as well some screen superheroes who live beyond the pages. Films include Superman (1978), Dick Tracy (1990), Adventures of TinTin (2011), Megamind (2010) Monsters vs Aliens (2009),... More »

Wondering what to do this Family Day? (Toronto edition)

By Sonya on February 11, 2013 7:02 AM | 4 Comments

What are your plans for this Family Day weekend? Skiiing? Staying in the city perhaps? Here are some great events worth checking out in Toronto! CARNIVAL at the Royal Ontario Museum February 16, 17 and 18In celebration of Black History Month join in the festivities and participate in Carnival themed activities. Make some noise in the drumming workshops lead by musicians, create your own Carnival headpiece, listen to storytellers or go on a scavenger hunt to learn about the stories and history of Carnival. Official website: www.rom.on.caULTIMATE DINOSAURS at the Royal Ontario MuseumExhibition ends March 17This is like no other dinosaur exhibit you've ever seen.... More »

My son is Color what?

By Chantel on February 8, 2013 10:25 PM | 7 Comments

I had the strangest thing happen the other day. A few weeks ago I signed a form giving some private company that comes into the school permission to test Ryleys (grade 1) and Zacharys (grade 2) hearing and vision. Now understand that this isn't free, it costs $15 but when you have as many children as I do, really $15 is nothing compared to the headache of setting up appointments, having to cart the babies to appointments that are not for them and just finding the time - way much easier to have it done at the school as far... More »

Lost your children?

By Chantel on February 5, 2013 12:50 PM | 12 Comments

And no I am not talking about losing them on purpose! (although some days you might wish you could....). I was listening to the radio and they were talking about the Octo mum who called the police the other day because she was convinced that the school bus hadn't dropped off one of her boys. She called the police in a panic, and they showed up - only to find the boy in his bed sleeping. LOST & FOUND!I had to laugh because it's happened to me. Now given that I have eight childre, the real shocker is that I... More »

A Burr in the Foot is worth two?? Oh whatever.

By Sara on January 30, 2013 8:45 PM | 3 Comments

Aloha from Florida! I say aloha because we're on Anna Maria Island, which Will and I agree is exactly like Hawaii. Not that he's ever been there but from what he's read? Regardless. I've been and it reminds me of it. Little beach houses everywhere. No high rise, chain hotels. No big box stores. It's adorable. We've had two days of brilliant sunshine and Will is proving once again to be an incredible traveller. The flight down was amazing. He's playing well by himself and sleeping like a log. So far, he's pet a shark and a stingray. Oh yes. I... More »

See You On The Beach!!!

By Sara on January 25, 2013 8:59 AM | 2 Comments

We're on vacation!!!I have to laugh. Will woke up this morning and said, 'Mom, I can't wait to be on vacation! I can't wait to go to Florida!!'Okay kid. Exactly what do you need a vacation from? Playing all day? Having someone cook your meals for you? Someone wiping your butt? I think he gets excited for vacation because he gets to watch movies on the plane. I already scoped it out and it's Hotel Transylvania. He's pumped. We really have been blessed to have taken some sweet vacations in his short time on the planet. We've gone on some... More »

First Step To The Oscar Podium????

By Sara on January 16, 2013 5:05 PM | 9 Comments

Will and I tried out for a commercial today - well, a print ad for a toy. It was pretty cool. I'll admit, many things I try get labeled as, 'well, even if it's ridiculous, it'll give me something to write about.' They told us to come dressed for how we would play together at home. I opted against it - no one really needs to see me in my jammies, braless and sporting my glasses. I don't think the others got the message either because his competition had on funky motorcycle boots and patent leather shoes!I learned a few... More »

The Tooth Fairy Fail: AKA Confessions

By Tracey on January 15, 2013 3:45 PM | 8 Comments

The day after Christmas, while we were at the cottage, Oliver's wiggly tooth fell out while he was brushing his teeth, and I remember being glad it didn't fall into the drain, lost forever. He put it under his pillow straight away, and I know he checked on it a few times that day, just to be sure it was still there.In the morning when he wandered out of his bedroom, with his little molar in his palm, wondering why the tooth fairy hadn't come. Craaaaaaap! I had to try really hard not to look as guilty as I suddenly felt. I... More »

Dinos and Mario and Monster Trucks Oh MY!

By Sara on January 9, 2013 8:17 AM | 8 Comments

I wanted a boy. I've told you this before. It's no secret. I always considered myself a tomboy and thought what the hell would I do if I had a girl? The day I found out Will was a boy was a happier day for me than when I found out I was pregnant. Seriously. That's when I cried tears of joy (well, I cried harder when I found out he was only a singleton). My only fear having a boy as a single woman was who was going to teach him to pee standing up. The rest - noooo... More »

New Year, New Pics!

By Tracey on January 8, 2013 7:45 PM | 9 Comments

On the first day of the New Year, while my hard-working husband was on the roof shovelling off the 45 centimetres that fell in the days prior, I was inside, still warm in my jammies, and opted instead to take pictures of our kids. (As if helping him was an option. Me? Roof?! SNOW??! Bwaaaahahahahahaaaa...)I'm not a great photographer - and by that I mean, I'm not skilled with all the inner and outer workings of a camera - I just point it at the thing at I want to capture, and hope for the best. I've found I hate... More »

JK Musical?

By Sara on January 3, 2013 11:19 AM | 6 Comments

I've been pretty relaxed on scheduling Will for things. We've done some swimming lessons (repeating Level 1 for the fourth time this spring) and a few soccer classes. Last summer we did nothing. I really don't want to be the over scheduling type of parent. I want him to be a kid.But a few months ago, I saw a sign for acting classes for kids. I looked up the program and it turns out it's an hour and a half for 4-6 year-olds. They spend half an hour on dance, singing and acting each. It's play based and has run... More »

Do you have bedwetters?

By Chantel on January 2, 2013 8:18 PM | 5 Comments

One of my children (I won't give his name because my children do read my posts from time to time) is a chronic bedwetter and has shown no signs of stopping.At first I thought it was due to anxiety as it really escalated when he started school, and from then on it just continued. At first he didn't mind because he was still young and so wearing pull ups wasn't all that bad. But as he got older it became more difficult. He is very sociable and was always being invited over to friends houses for sleepovers and such. Whwn... More »

Making a Gingerbread House

By Amreen on December 11, 2012 11:33 PM | 1 Comment

Tis' the season of shortbread and gingerbread houses. I don't know about you, but my biggest challenge with making the house is getting it to actually stick together! My friend Russell made this video to help out parents at our school in preparation for a fundraiser. I thought I'd pass it along as a valuable holiday resource. Happy baking and decorating!... More »

Who's responsible?

By Sonya on December 4, 2012 2:36 PM | 2 Comments

It really it home yesterday. About a block away from a school, a pedestrian was struck just when it was dismissal time. One block away from one of the busiest elementary schools in Toronto. The school is in the middle of the neighbourhood and not on a major road. But it happened. Again. The circumstances that lead to this fatal and tragic accident are currently being investigated but it happens all too often. We all see the cars who roll through the intersections and everyone is in a hurry. We all think that it's "them" not "us". THEY should be paying... More »

words for wednesday- the end of the world

By Nancy on November 21, 2012 8:31 AM

Little wise artist says to me this week"Nancy, did you notice that many people think the world is going to end in December?""I have heard similar things many times, Fraser, and I think it is cuckoo. How about you?"" I wouldn't do anything like give my stuff to charity because the world would end unless I went in to a time travel machine and looked in the future and saw that there was nothing there and then came back and then I would"Seriously, everything this little guy says - and he says a lot, in fact he talks non stop... More »

The Magical Season Begins

By Sonya on November 13, 2012 10:43 PM | 2 Comments

I could just smell the chestnuts roasting from the street vendors. I remember every year heading down to the old Simpson's department store on Queen Street (now the Bay) with my parents or my class to see the magical Christmas windows when I was little. The mechanical moving parts. The bright lights and the stories. I just loved this little annual tradition of pressing our little noses on the windows and steaming them up with our breathes. Then heading indoors for a big bowl of noodles or congee. My family also loved attending the annual Eaton's Santa Claus Parade that seem... More »

Little Pitchers and The Art of Swearing.

By Tracey on November 13, 2012 11:00 AM | 11 Comments

On the long ride home from the cottage, we cued up the iPad on shuffle-play, and just let the tunes hit us. We have all kinds of music on it, and since we've never really cowed to the children's musical tastes, we're gleefully free of Itsy Bitsy Spider-type songs, and anything by The Wiggles. It's good for them, anyhow - a varied musical education is important, dammit. The downside is most of the music is... um... decidedly grown-up.I hear the soulful, raspy crooning of Lauren Hill, and think, "The Fugees... wicked!! I didn't even know this album was on here..." and my... More »

The Softness of Skin

By Tracey on November 13, 2012 9:45 AM | 20 Comments

I hold her hands while sitting gingerly on the side of her bed. I'm wary of crushing her as I lean over to kiss her on both cheeks. She smells the same. Her eyes are the bluest they've ever been.We chat quietly... she'd like some decorations around the windows for Christmas. Blue and white. Silver. Snowflakes, maybe.I smile and say, "Are you sure you don't want a big string of coloured lights? Or how about a giant blow-up bonhomme with a massive carrot nose, that sings Jingle Bells?" She looks at me, horrified. I sway from side to side, making jazz hands,... More »

French Immersion: The Pros and Cons

By Amreen on November 12, 2012 2:02 PM | 4 Comments

In the summer, I took my kids to a French bakery for their favourite croissant and pain au chocolate. My son ordered in French, and the girl at cash was charmed. This is his fifth year in French Immersion at a Toronto public school, and his language skills are increasingly strong. I am pleased about that, but I also have other concerns.I was a French Immersion student years ago in New Brunswick. Our program of study, however, started in Grade 7. As a result, we already had a good foundation in the English language. Our English writing, spelling and grammar... More »

Anticipating the holiday wish list.

By Sonya on November 19, 2012 1:21 PM

I already know what my kids want for Christmas this year... even before they did. At a recent media event, the latest Nintendo Wii U console was introduced and has arrived just in time for the holidays! This is exactly what my kids want. I just knew it. Yesterday, at the Santa Claus Parade, my older son spotted the events trailer for the Wii U. And I could see his mind racing...and the inevitable "COOL!!!!" This was the official launch day and could there be any better spot than at the parade attended by thousands?More than 30 games have also been launched... More »

I Know You Put the Money Under My Pillow, Mom.

By Amanda on November 1, 2012 11:21 PM | 3 Comments

My six year-old doesn't believe in the Tooth Fairy. Is that bad?She also thinks Santa is a load of bull and the Easter Bunny is a crock.When she started to express ideas about the possibility of these mythical creatures being imaginary, we didn't try to convince her otherwise. Sometimes I feel badly, that we're robbed her of some magical element of childhood belief, but most of the time I feel OK about it.When did your kids stop believing in the Tooth Fairy, Santa Clause and the Easter Bunny? ... More »

How We Halloween'd.

By Tracey on November 1, 2012 11:30 AM | 7 Comments

Raise your hands if your house is in a mad-scramble around 4:30 PM on Halloween night? Holy crap, it feels insane. Over here, I had one child begging to put her costume on and sit in the make-up chair from three o'clock, and the other one, halfway sullen about the idea of having to get dressed up. Again.Madame got to wear her costume, replete with makeup, four separate times this holiday, due to birthday party shenanigans, a fund raiser party, the costume parade at school (of course) and then Halloween night itself. She wanted to be made up EVERY day... More »

Raise Your Hands for Girls!

By Sonya on October 31, 2012 5:56 AM

Who thinks every girl should have the right to an education? Yes! Every hand in the room went up when I recently attended a day of workshops designed for girls between grades 3 to 6. Over 250 girls and their teachers from various schools were invited to take part in the one day event held in Toronto on International Day of the Girl (October 11) and hosted by Plan Canada and Dove Self Esteem Fund Canada.Plan Canada's BECAUSE I AM A GIRL campaign empowers and educates girls about equality and self-esteem. In the conference room full of typical chatty girls, it... More »

Are Teacher's Actions re Bill 115 Disrespectful?

By Jen on October 23, 2012 5:00 PM | 5 Comments

This is a guest post written anonymously by an UrbanMoms reader and educator.Last Friday, I took my two sons to the TDSB Cross Country Fun Meet at Earl Bales Park. As a parent at one of the many TDSB schools where teachers have chosen to boycott all activities outside of the delivery of curriculum, we were invited to participate in this fun, one-day event. The results of which would not be recorded or counted toward city records or finals. Seventy students from our school made the trek to the park with their parents to run the course and experience the... More »

No Penguin For You!

By Sara on October 16, 2012 11:12 AM | 12 Comments

Now that Will is a seasoned school veteran...you know, two months into JK, I'm starting to get into this whole school thang - and I love it.I'm on the Board at his daycare; I've gone in to meet with his kindergarten teacher; and I'm looking forward to getting involved with his school. I was a joiner in school, so I'm fairly certain this will continue as a parent.BUT. I have a little, little complaint so far...and before the end of the day, I need to know I'm doing the right thing. It's magazine fundraiser time. You know it because I... More »

What is your school doing?

By Chantel on October 9, 2012 11:33 AM | 2 Comments

Well the start of the school year has brought about some interesting and frustrating issues regarding teachers and their roles / responsibilities.We are all aware of the teachers whole work to rule issue and for the most part we get it - at least I do. However there are some issues that are so frustrating - not just to us the parents, but to the children as well.I have children in three different schools. Elementary, Middle and High school and each school has acted and behaved differently.My daughters high school has been affected on a minor scale. She is still... More »

THE HOARDER

By Chantel on October 4, 2012 11:28 AM | 8 Comments

I remember years ago sitting in the waiting area of our Doctors office. Another parent who was also waiting saw my son holding some Pokemon cards and made a comment about how her son also liked Pokemon and collected the cards as well. At that time I couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy because unlike my son's obsession I was pretty sure her son didn't have over 2000 cards, begged for more on a daily basis, and insist on having everything and anything that had to do with Pokemon - and if not presented with such, would have... More »

Game On! Talking hockey with the TOEWS family!

By Sonya on November 4, 2012 6:28 AM | 1 Comment

So there doesn't appear to be a hockey season but for many families the dream, and the fun, continues through their kids. I know you! Yes, the moms and dads who get up early (how many times each week???) and bundle up the kids to get to the arenas. I applaud your dedication for the love of the game! Everyone knows it's Canada's game. And as a girl born and raise here, I can assure you that as a teen, I've had many hockey crushes. As a matter of fact, I was with my dental hygenist the other morning and... More »

FotoFriday: Bunhead

By Christine on September 28, 2012 10:10 AM | 6 Comments

"Within the past week a child in your child's class has been found to have Pediculosis (head lice). It is advisable that you continue to inspect your child's hair daily."This is how I will be sending Eva to school until further notice.Two out of my three kids came home with that notice yesterday.Have you received the "head lice" notice from school yet?Have I made you itchy yet?... More »

Clueless

By Jason on September 25, 2012 2:34 PM | 4 Comments

I am officially usurped by my eldest son's homework. Sure I feel like an idiot when sitting down and going over his grade five math sheets and not really coming up with a comprehensive explanation to his mental road block. I mean I get the answer, but to me the questions being asked are so vague, so verging on incoherence, that my literal nature wants to type in the correct way to ask the question to make the answer easier to find. I mean its math, the interpretations of actual raw data should not be that difficult to seek. You... More »

The Girls.

By Tracey on September 25, 2012 9:45 AM | 2 Comments

Our little neck of the 'hood is chock-full-o-kids. There are often six or seven of them milling about at one time, but at weekends, their numbers easily swell to fifteen or so. Their ages range from twelve down to two... it's pretty awesome, really, how they all play together, and how the older ones keep an eye on the younger ones, teach them how to jump rope, and patiently eat their mud pies and grass salads.I've been noticing a shift, since the summer though... between the girls and the boys, I mean. Now that Oliver and his cronies are bigger,... More »

On Having Stuff.

By Tracey on September 21, 2012 2:45 PM

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