How Does She Do It?

28 Sep

We want to hear how you do it, Moms!  Are you a mom in Edmonton, a career mom, a stay-at-home mom, an entrepreneur mom, something somewhere in between?  Contact us (hello@urbaninfant.ca) to be profiled!

Tell us about you, your children and where you live

Josline Hampson Stefanick, 2 children- Jackson and Sofie, Spruce Grove

Chiropractor, Mom, co-owner of Impact Vinyl Signs, and Director of Modern Mama Spruce Grove- adds up to about 24 hours/day 365 days per year! So yeah, I am full time!

Do you have help? (incl childcare, housework, personal assistant)

I do! My hubby is a WAHD (work-at-home-daddy) and I have AMAZING staff at my Clinic who love to make Modern Mama posters!

Best hobby?

Tweeting!

Extracurricular activities for you?

Tweeting!

Extracurricular activities for your babe/children?

We are play café junkies!

What does a typical family day look like to you (Saturday/Sunday)?

Sleep-in (all of us in our King size bed!), breakfast made by hubby, outside to play or to the play café, home for afternoon naps while hubby and I “work”, dinner (made by hubby), and then out for dessert!

Who cooks dinner?

My hubby, thank goodness!!

How does the grocery shopping get done, by whom, with the kids, and do you use coupons?

Grocery shopping is a family affair! But truthfully I only go so I can get a Starbucks on the way!

How often do you buy something for yourself?

Hubby has great taste so I let him buy me stuff! And he LOVES to spend money, so I get stuff oftenJ

Do you exercise and if so, how/when do you fit the time in to do that?

Nope (hiding head in shame)… but I’m thinking I may take it up!

Favourite movie?

The Notebook.

Favourite nookie song?

They don’t play songs in the bathroom or living room! (They joys of co-sleeping!)

Favourite beverage special coffee, cocktail?

Sangria!

Favourite pair of shoes?

Pink flats- I wore them at my wedding!

‘Cannot leave home without it’ item?

My Clarins lip gloss!

 

Thank you for sharing with all of us Josline!  Thanks for being an Urban Infant reader!

· Filed Under: How Does She Do It?

Urban Family Events: Sept 28th – Oct 4th

26 Sep

Cavalia: A Magical Encounter Between Human and Horse (Tuesday, September 11th – Sunday, October 14th at the Edmonton City Centre Airport) – This show celebrating horses is often called an “equestrian ballet” and features 49 horses and 39 artists. The show’s schedule has already been extended due to demand so be sure to get your tickets now!

Free Admission Day (Saturday, September 30th at Various Edmonton Locations) – Enjoy some of Edmonton’s favourite attractions for free! Be sure to check out the following free admission events:

Alberta Culture Days (Friday, September 28th – Sunday, September 30th at Various Locations) – Celebrate provincial pride, diverse cultures, art and heritage by taking part in a variety of events in various communities. Please follow the link to search for events in your community.

StArts Fest (Friday, September 28th – Sunday, September 30th in St. Albert) – While the festival runs for three days, the family-friendly activities run on Saturday. These activities include arts, crafts and scrapbooking.

Culture Days 2012 (Friday, September 28th – Sunday, September 30th at the Royal Alberta Museum) - Discover the world of birds through a variety ways including arts & crafts, storytelling, lectures, learning sessions and more.

Culture Days at Rutherford House (Friday, September 28th – Sunday, September 30th at the Royal Alberta Museum) - Visit the historic house and enjoy displays of visual arts, performing arts and live music.

Haunted Pumpkin Festival Grand Opening (Saturday, September 29th – Sunday, September 30th at Prairie Gardens & Adventure Farm) – Celebrate the Grand Opening of the Haunted Pumpkin Festival by taking part in fun activities such as navigating through the corn maze, visiting the haunted farm house, wagon rides, scarecrow making, visiting the petting zoo and more!

CIBC Run for the Cure (Sunday, September 30th at Churchill Square) –  Whether your are a participant or a supporter, join in the race to end breast cancer.

“Story Time!” – Tours For Tots (Wednesday, October 3rd at the Art Gallery of Alberta) - Bring your 3-5 year old and spend an hour enjoying storytelling.

If you’re still looking for things to do, check out some of our regular listings:

See a movie with your newborn/infant in a baby-friendly environment with the Stars & Strollers features (held in Edmonton on Wednesdays & Thursdays).

The City of Edmonton attractions offer many drop-in classes over the weekends. Be sure to check out the drop-in classes offered at:

As always, if you have a family-friendly event that should be featured on our Calendar, please send the details to kjristen@urbaninfant.ca

Image: Allan Henderson | Flickr. com

· Filed Under: Urban Family Event Listings

Nursery Design Tips

26 Sep

Baby’s on the way and you’re ready to tackle the nursery…but where do you start? Check out these tips for designing the most delightful nursery for your sweet baby.

Start with a Budget

This is key for the nursery where things add up quickly! This will also help you to decide what items you would like to splurge on and what items you want to save on. Take into account prices of paint, curtains, and wall decals – sometimes it’s the little details that put the budget over the top!

Use Multi-Functional Pieces

Not only will this help you with your budget, it will also help with your design as the baby grows. Try using a dresser as a change table, a rocker/glider that will suit the décor of your family room when you’re done, and a crib that converts into a bed.

Storage, Storage, and Storage

There’s no such thing as too much storage. You might be surprised with how much a little baby actually needs (or what people will buy for him or her). Look into shelves and baskets to hide all the diaper changing goodies as well as for organizing the closet in order to maximize the space that you have available. Again, additional shelves and bins in the closet will help to contain the clutter, toys, and supplies.

Blackout

Curtains, that is! Blackout curtains are lifesavers for helping baby sleep for nap time and in the summer time with those long daylight hours.

Go Neutral and Add Accents

When choosing the colour for your nursery, your best option is to go neutral, but don’t think just beige/brown/cream. There are plenty of neutral colours out there that you may not think are neutrals such as pale blues and greens that will work for boy or girl rooms. Soft colour tones in rooms help with calming and tranquility. Add the bold or gender specific colours in accents throughout the nursery, whether with pillows, bedding, curtains, or wall decals and art.

Design for You

As a parent you will be spending almost as much time in the nursery as your baby, so make sure that it is a place that you love and feel comfortable in. Nursery design does not have to be all “cutesy” and child orientated any more, it is now taking on a more subdued and sophisticated look.

 

Image & Article: Urban Chickadee

· Filed Under: Baby, Resource

Circumcision

25 Sep

Circumcision: [sur-kuhm-sizh-uhn] the surgical removal of the foreskin of males.

It’s the one word that is guaranteed to stir up conversation. It’s the one option that parents of a boy are faced with when their little guy makes his appearance. And it’s the one decision that is clear cut (no pun intended). Either boys have it done, or they don’t.

In Alberta, approximately 44 per cent of infant boys are circumcised – the highest rate in Canada. The arguments for and against circumcision abound though, and making a decision can be complicated.

Some research shows that circumcision reduces the risk of urinary tract infections and penile infections. It can reportedly also reduce the risk of getting some sexually transmitted diseases, including HPV and AIDS (HIV). Penile cancer and cervical cancer in partners may also be reduced.

Up to six per cent of boys will require a circumcision later in life, if it’s not done at infancy. Having it done when they’re older is much more expensive and difficult. On an older boy, a circumcision requires general anesthetic and is a riskier, more painful procedure.

Lots of parents are concerned about altering their little guy’s man-bits without him having a say in it, though. Causing pain or potential complications in an otherwise healthy baby boy is something hard to even think about.

Beyond that, circumcision can result in infections and hemorrhaging. If too much tissue is removed, erections can be painful later in life. Erectile curvature can result, and there may be numbness from the scarring.

Research or no research, deciding to circumcise or not to circumcise will be a tough decision for some families. Many families, though, will know exactly what they’re going to do because of religious beliefs or family tradition. As with most things when it comes to parenting, do what’s right for you and your family. And add circumcision to your list of spicy conversation-starters.

********************************************

Making the Cut

  • Expect to pay $100 to $200. Alberta Health does not cover it.
  • Many family doctors, pediatricians, obstetricians, surgeons and urologists do it.
  • Change his diaper as soon as it’s dirty; it will reduce the chance of infection.
  • Consult the doctor to help your baby boy with pain management.

As-Is

  • Clean normally at diaper changes; use soap and water at bath time.
  • Do not try to retract the foreskin.
  • As he becomes more independent, teach him proper hygiene.

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By: Kerri Leland

Image: m_bartosch | FreeDigitalPhotos.net

· Filed Under: Baby, Resource

Hiring a Nanny

24 Sep

In today’s society, finding quality childcare is important to so many families – no matter where you live.  This advice comes from Candi Wingate’s experience as a nanny, placement coordinator, Nanny Agency owner and owner of Nannies4hire.com and Care4hire.com.  Finding a nanny/babysitter can be a little overwhelming. But figuring out where to look and what to look for when finding a nanny/babysitter doesn’t have to be difficult.  Having a checklist of what to do and what not to do will help you in your search. Finding a nanny/babysitter online is actually very safe and reliable.  Here are some tips about how to successfully find a nanny/babysitter.

Know what you are looking for when searching for a nanny/babysitter.  When finding a nanny/babysitter, give yourself ample time to conduct your search. Settling for someone you’re not sure about can leave you uneasy about your child’s care in your absence.

Will you need a live-in or live-out? A live-in nanny is someone who lives inside your home.  You will need to provide him/her with a private bedroom and either a shared or private bath.  A live-in nanny does have their specified hours they work and will have down time.  A live-out nanny is someone who comes to your home on the specified hours you have agreed upon; but does not live in the home.

What hours will you need someone?  A nanny/babysitter can work full-time, part-time, temporary, summer, 24 hour duty, etc.  A full-time nanny can work anywhere from 30+ hours per week.  A part-time nanny can work anywhere from 5-30 hours per week.  Some families who hire part-time nannies will need someone 2-3 full days per week; while the next family may need someone for before/after school care every day of the week.  Summer nannies generally work 2-3 months during the summer and temporary nannies are hired for on-call situations from 1 day to a few weeks at a time.  Many nannies will make a year commitment if that’s what the family wishes.  Remember to specify the specific hours/days of the week you will need upfront.

What will be their responsibilities/duties?  A nanny/babysitters responsibilities can include; but are not limited to: childcare, light housekeeping, grocery shopping, meal preparation, errands, carpooling, laundry and anything that has to do with your children.

Know where to look for a nanny/babysitter.

A Nanny Agency is one way to find a pre-screened nanny.  This will save time but can charge you several thousands of dollars in fees.

An online site such at Nannies4hire.com and/or Care4hire.com is another option.  The databases are designed to easily assist families in finding a quality nanny/babysitter for their specific needs and requirements.  A free preview of available nannies/babysitters is accessible on the site.  This will save families thousands of dollars.

Do your homework when it comes to finding a nanny/babysitter.  Start with interviewing nannies over the phone.  If things go well; then move to doing a personal interview.  Meet at a local coffee shop and if you would like to move to the next step with this nanny, then introduce your children.  Check References.  The more childcare references, the better.  Know the questions to ask.

    1. Ask what experience your nanny/babysitter has had and whether she/he has any experience with a child in the same age group as yours.
    2. Ask for references that include past nanny/babysitting jobs that an applicant has had.
    3. Find out your nanny/babysitter’s schedule and availability, making sure it coincides with your needs.
    4. Find out if your nanny/babysitter has had any CPR training and is familiar with what to do in case of an emergency involving your child.
    5. Ask what type of philosophy your nanny/babysitter has in taking care of children.

Now that you have found the nanny/babysitter you like; don’t forget to check their background such as driving and criminal histories.

The current nanny/babysitting pay rate can encompass a wide range. How much you pay your nanny/babysitter can vary widely depending on where you live, how much experience the nanny/babysitter has, how many children she’ll/he’ll be watching, and what her/his duties will be. Nanny/Babysitting rates can be anywhere from $5 to $20. Here are some considerations that affect the nanny/babysitting pay rate.

In general, mother’s helpers who aren’t fully responsible for the care of your children, but are there to assist you, get paid less.

Younger aged nannies/babysitters tend to have a lower pay rate as well.

Major metropolitan areas tend to command the highest pay rate.

The pay rate may be higher in cases where a nanny/babysitter has more years of experience, is caring for more than one of your children, and has specialized training such as CPR certification or early childhood education.

Nannies/Babysitters who have a greater degree of responsibility and have been a past nanny/babysitter, can command higher rates as well.

If you’re wondering what the going rate is for nannying/babysitting, check with friends and neighbors, other parents, and parenting boards for the current going nannying/babysitting pay rate.

If you’re preparing to hire a nanny, putting together a childcare contract will ensure both parties are clear about everything from job duties to wages.  If you’re not sure what you should put in your childcare contract with your nanny, check this basic list to make sure you have all the important items covered:

  • Spell out the hours you expect your nanny to work.
  • Include the benefits, if any.  These items can include paid vacation days, health insurance, sick days, etc.
  • Include job duties down to specific items.
  • Include the specific wages and when you expect to pay them.  For instance, if your nanny can expect payment on the 1st and 15th of each month, note it in the childcare contract.
  • Include verbiage about every special situation you can think of.  For instance, if you expect your nanny to drive your child to and from preschool, note whether you’ll be covering gas expenses and how much, etc.

For more helpful tips; visit www.nannies4hire.com and www.care4hire.com.

 

Image: Scott & Elaine van der Chijs | Flickr.com

· Filed Under: Baby, Parenthood, Pre-schooler, Resource, Toddler

How Does She Do It?

21 Sep

We want to hear how you do it, Moms!  Are you a mom in Edmonton, a career mom, a stay-at-home mom, an entrepreneur mom, something somewhere in between?  Contact us (hello@urbaninfant.ca) to be profiled!

 

 

Tell us about you, your children and where you live

I’m a mom of two girls (a 3 year old and 10 month old) living in a tiny cottage west of Stony Plain with my hubby, our two dogs and our two businesses. I guess we have two of everything right now! I am a baby clothing and accessories designer (www.gollygeebaby.com) and a blogger (www.thediymommy.com).  I also co-produce a baby show in Edmonton (www.weestock.ca).

Do you have help? (incl childcare, housework, personal assistant)

My mom lives close by and helps watch the kids at least once per week. I wish I had a housekeeper (and did for a couple of weeks as a gift from a friend), but now I simply keep my housekeeping on the backburner. My house is not disgusting, but it’s not ever clean either (and I really don’t mind)!

Best hobby?

I’m a crafter I love to sew, knit, crochet and bake. I’m also a computer geek and was a graphic and web designer in my previous (pre-child) life.

Extracurricular activities for you?

I consider my business as my “extracurricular”. I don’t really have time for any activities at present, but I do like to learn things so I try to squeeze in non-fiction reading whenever I can.

Extracurricular activities for your babe/children?

My oldest is in Playschool and she’ll go back into dance classes soon. She just loves to sing and dance!

What does a typical family day look like to you (Saturday/Sunday)?

We really enjoy spending time outside on our acreage. Right now we’re building a new house on our acreage, so that’s what we fill any spare time we have with!

Who cooks dinner?

I do! One time my hubby cooked macaroni & cheese for dinner from the box, and that was pretty wonderful.

How does the grocery shopping get done, by whom, with the kids, and do you use coupons?

I do the shopping. I’ve only just recently been brave enough to do it with both girls in tow – they’re pretty good if I use a bakery cookie and watching the crab & lobster tanks as incentive to behave. I rarely use coupons. They have to be hanging from a shelf, right in my face, or emailed to me. I’m a very avid sales shopper, though!

How often do you buy something for yourself?

I really love clothing, so I probably by myself something new about once a week or two.

Do you exercise and if so, how/when do you fit the time in to do that?

I’ll take the odd Zumba class, and during the summer a local trainer put on this wonderful workout class she held in a local park where the kids could play while we worked. It was a fantastic idea! I really need to put more effort into my fitness, though.

Favourite movie?

It’s probably something horribly cheesy and musical like The Sound of Music.

Favourite nookie song?

The sound of silence is enough nookie music for me (with one babe in our room and another sensitive one in a room directly beside ours).

Favourite beverage special coffee, cocktail?

I adore most coffees, but especially love a caramel machiatto… with whip.

Favourite pair of shoes?

Oh, I love them all! My current favourites are probably these little teal ones with bows on the toes. If there’s a bow on a shoe or boot, I’ll probably buy it.

‘Cannot leave home without it’ item?

My phone. I’m so addicted to the thing! It’s a fabulous tool for a mom on the go – I can Facebook, Tweet, post a blog, check my schedule, text, take pictures, respond to business emails, and nurture my latest Pinterest addiction with it.

 

Thank you for sharing with all of us Christina!  Thanks for being an Urban Infant reader!

· Filed Under: How Does She Do It?

Urban Family Events: Sept 21st – 27th

19 Sep

Cavalia: A Magical Encounter Between Human and Horse (Tuesday, September 11th – Sunday, October 14th at the Edmonton City Centre Airport) – This show celebrating horses is often called an “equestrian ballet” and features 49 horses and 39 artists. The show’s schedule has already been extended due to demand so be sure to get your tickets now!

Fall-0-Ween Harvest Fest (Saturday, September 22nd – Sunday, September 23rd from 11am-5pm at Prairie Gardens & Adventure Farm) – Take part in fun activities such as panning for gems, harvest-themed crafts and other interactive activities. Enjoy visiting the live animals, puppet shows, live music and more!

Harvest Festival (Saturday, September 22nd from 9:30am-2:30pm in Spruce Grove) – Fun, family-friendly activities include a potato sack race, egg whipping, a hay ride and many delicious things to eat.

Little Monster’s Swap Meet (Saturday, September 22nd from 11am-3pm in Spruce Grove)- This is a hugely popular (and huge in general – spanning two indoor soccer fields) sale for fabulous new and gently used children’s and baby items. Be sure to get there early as there are usually line-ups!

Downtown Fall Festival (Saturday, September 22nd from 10am-4pm in Fort Saskatchewan) – Enjoy a pancake breakfast (starts at 8am) and other Bake Sale treats, live music, a Great Pumpkin Race and more!

Toopy And Binoo and the Marshmallow Moon (Sunday, September 23rd at various times) – Your little ones will love seeing this live performance featuring the beloved book and television characters, Toopy and Binoo.

WEM Playtime Presents : An Adventure Under the Sea (Tuesday, September 24th at West Edmonton Mall) – Join Ariel The Little Mermaid for some under-the-sea fun including games and songs.

“3D Art” – Tours For Tots (Wednesday, September 26th at the Art Gallery of Alberta) - Bring your 3-5 year old and spend an hour creating your own 3 dimensional art after exploring other examples throughout the gallery.

Free Admission to the AGA (last Thursday of every month from 6pm-9pm) – Take advantage of the free admission nights each month to introduce or re-introduce your family to all that the Art Gallery of Alberta has to offer!

If you’re still looking for things to do, check out some of our regular listings:

See a movie with your newborn/infant in a baby-friendly environment with the Stars & Strollers features (held in Edmonton on Wednesdays & Thursdays).

The City of Edmonton attractions offer many drop-in classes over the weekends. Be sure to check out the drop-in classes offered at:

As always, if you have a family-friendly event that should be featured on our Calendar, please send the details to kjristen@urbaninfant.ca

Times, locations and details are subject to change. Please ensure that you confirm details with event organizers/websites prior to attending.

Image: andrechinn | Flickr.com

· Filed Under: Urban Family Event Listings

See-Through Shower Curtains and Panty-Popsicles

19 Sep

As soon as you start to show, friends, family and strangers have advice and warnings for you. Whether it’s about your pregnancy, labour and delivery, or how to deal with baby after he or she’s born, women like to share opinions on all of it.

As a mom-to-be or new mom, making sense of all this information can feel overwhelming. Without pretending to be an expert of any kind, aside from being a mom/stepmom to five growing kids and an unofficial aunty to many others, these are my five best tips for post-baby survival:

  1. Broken Lady-Bits after Delivery. I didn’t have an episiotomy or tearing, but I did deliver naturally and had an extremely bruised under-carriage. Lesson learned? Prior to going into labour, drizzle water along the length of your maxi-pads and throw them in the freezer. Yes, you can sit on an ice pack or frozen peas, but I’m telling you, it was fabulous turning a maxi pad into a panty-popsicle. I changed it throughout the day to soothe the tenderness and swelling. Fabulous!
  2. Don’t be a Hero. Adjusting to your new role as Mom is challenging, but it doesn’t have to be as difficult as we sometimes make it. Ask for help, and if someone offers it, accept it! When your baby naps, try and nap, too. When friends or family come to visit, let them pick up milk on the way and let them hold baby so you can fold some laundry. Don’t be a hero; you have throw-up in your hair…just graciously thank them and say “yes”.
  3. Need a Shower in a Bad Way, But it’s Just You and Baby Home All Day. Swap your fancy fabric shower curtain for the less fancy, plastic, see-through one. Put baby in the swing, car seat, or bouncy chair for a nap and bring her in the bathroom with you. The running water is good white noise which will hopefully keep baby asleep. If she does wake up, she can see you, and you can see her. You don’t have to worry that she is wailing in her crib, waiting for you to come and get her.
  4. Which Boob do you Choose? Breast feeding was an amazing experience for me, although my challenges with mastitis, cracked nipples, and leaking through my clothes in public weren’t always fun, it was so worth it. I found it really frustrating to remember which breast I fed from the last time, though. I’m one of those large-breasted women, so I could usually squeeze each mommy-bag and know which one I should choose. One day, a friend pointed out that I always had a hair elastic on my wrist, so why didn’t I just put it on the wrist that I last fed from, so I would know which boob was due next? Brilliant!
  5. Sex After Baby (The Parable of WHOA for Not Listening to the Doctor’s Orders) Depending on the couple, six weeks can sound like a long time (or way too soon) to think about having sex after delivering. As per above, you have spit-up in your hair, you don’t shower often, your breasts are food sources, and your lady-bits are broken…not really a recipe for romance. A few weeks after delivering my son, I was feeling pretty good. I got a couple of showers in that week, even shaved my legs! Our baby was sleeping better and I was inspired to feel like a woman again. One thing led to another, and we were both suddenly very interested in each other. He brought up the “six-week advice”. I said something like, “I know my body and I feel great!” He didn’t need more convincing than that. Skipping all the interesting stuff, we got to the moment of truth and it was…okay. I wasn’t in pain, but something was weird. I felt nothing. It was like dropping a penny in a well. I look at him and asked, “Can you feel anything?” “I can feel a little…” he said. And that ended that experiment. Gone was my pride, self-esteem, and confidence that all of my pieces would pull back together eventually. Thankfully they did, but it took much longer for me to be brave enough to try again. I should have just followed the doctor’s orders in the first place!

The one thing I tell my impregnated peers is: Just trust your instincts. As a parent, you will do anything to protect and nurture your child. Have faith in yourself as Mom or Dad. Read all you can, listen to what people have to say, but figure out who you are as a parent. What’s best for your child is in you, you just have to trust and listen to it.

But seriously…the panty-popsicle is the bomb, trust ME!

By: Wendy Mueller

Image: winnond | FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 

· Filed Under: Motherhood, Resource

Motherhood Musings

18 Sep

In our first issue, Giselle recounted her first six days of motherhood in her raw, no-holds barred way. She’s back, now with a full-fledged toddler and an arsenal of stories to tell. Sit back and enjoy as Giselle offers a peek inside her life with husband Neil, and little guy Quinn.

  • When I stubbed my toe with him in my arms, I whispered, “sh*t!”. I don’t know why I whispered it. Then Quinn also repeated it in the same whisper. I tried really hard not to laugh, but he laughed enough for both of us.
  • The time he came to me with his hands covered in sticky brown stuff. We all know what it was. Why did he put his hands down his pants? Why did he touch his own poop? Why did he put it in his mouth? That is the question.
  • The other day I had to use the public washroom. It was one of those days I didn’t bring the straight jacket (the stroller), so I had no where to put him while I went pee. This washroom had one of those lever handles that is really easy for kids to reach. He ran to the door and opened it while I was mid pee, as I cried, “NOOOOO!!!!!”, while scooching across the stall with my pants down around my ankles.  This child gives me small daily heart attacks.
  • With the plague of mosquitoes we seem to be having this year, no matter what I do, my child looks like one big mosquito bite. The other day someone asked me what was wrong with him, as I explained it wasn’t a contagious disease. Yeah, Lady. Run for the hills. It’s mosquito-osis.
  • I hope I didn’t poison the poor child, when after two months of using mosquito spray, I finally noticed it says right on the bottle in bold letters, “Do not use on children under the age of 12.” Oopsies!
  • When he fell down a couple of stairs holding his juice I felt so bad for the little guy, when an hour later, a shiner appeared. Nice going Dad. It all happened on YOUR watch. And it’s especially lovely when people look at you funny and wonder if you are beating your child. RELAX people. He actually DID fall down the stairs. It was also nice when the kid playing next to him at the library also had a black eye. Isn’t that sweet? Two little boys in jeans, t-shirts and black eyes. I am sure it is the first of many.
  • My son has the sudden strength of three grown men when I attempt to pull out yet another sliver. Is it boys, or just my son who seems to get at least two per day?
  • Another fiasco created on Neil’s watch. Quinn sneaking into the running shower with all his clothes still on, while Daddy leaves him alone for 2 1/2 seconds. Apparently someone doesn’t need to run the shower for one whole minute for it to be warm enough.
  • I’ve finally had to just come to terms that it’s summer and there will always be sand in his diaper, in his socks and in his bed, and on occasion we might not have killed all the mosquitoes that got in the house and woke him up in the night.
  • The time he got outside in his brand new outfit, ready to go to a party, and thought it would be a good idea to jump around in deep, muddy puddles, and then of course sit down in them. Nice child. Nice. No concept of the work he has created for me.
  • The time I showed him how to spit when he got sand and other such things in his mouth, is also the time he later tried it in the house and spit on the floor. Hmmm, I’ll have to teach him that we only spit when we’re outside.
  • I seriously need to make a spreadsheet of all the things that end up in his mouth and up his nose. He sneezed the other day and a piece of plastic came out his nose. Ok, dude! Not everything you pick up can go in your mouth! It’s like an automatic reflex! Hmm, what’s this? A rock, a bug, sand, poop? Let’s just see what that tastes like? If only I could get inside that little head of his and know what he’s thinking.
  • Yesterday I let him use the front step as his canvas. Blue, yellow, green and red splashes of paint cover my front step, aaaannnnd a little on the front door and a bit on the house, but still. It was fun until he put the blue paint in his mouth. Doesn’t taste as good as it looks does it buddy. To watch him stop mid brushstroke, look up at me and say “artist” made it all worth it.
  • I am that mom who calls out to the other moms at the playground, “somebody pooped over here.” There’s nothing worse than seeing the moist streak left behind on the slide from the last kid and then my kid takes a dive face first thereafter.
  • The inside of my Jeep looks like a sandbox. The outside hasn’t been washed in who knows how long. Whatever, it’s summer. I’ll just wait until the fall to clean it. Last time I went to the carwash, the loud sprayer scared him and he cried the whole time. Hope that doesn’t create some weird phobia later on in life.
  • Probably the grossest thing he’s done lately, even more gross than digging poop out of his own diaper and putting it in his mouth was the time he stuck his hand in a public toilet and then licked his fingers. That one did it for me as I nearly passed out in horror. I don’t seem to have any grey hairs yet, but I am sure one day I’ll wake up with a head full of them. Each with an event attached to it, starting with the letter, “Q”, for Quinn.

Giselle Denis is a professional artist, as well as the mother to her son Quinn who is 2 years old. A collection of her work can be seen at the Wildflower Grill Restaurant. She paints whimsical scenes of flowers, forests and landscapes in bright, bold colors. Samples of her work can be found on her website www.giselledenis.com. She also has a Motherhood Musings blog @http://giselledenis.wordpress.com/

Image: photostock | FreeDigitalPhotos.net

· Filed Under: Motherhood, Resource, Toddler

Buckle-Up, Baby: Car Seat Safety for Little Ones

17 Sep

Your little one has finally arrived, but if you’re hoping to get beyond walking distance from your house – let alone leave the hospital – you’re going to need to figure out how to properly select, install, and use a car seat.

When choosing baby’s car seat, you’ll be looking for one that is rear-facing. This will be good until the baby is at least one year and a minimum of 10 kilograms (22 pounds). As soon as your baby turns one and is at least 10 kilograms, he or she can technically move to a forward-facing seat. It is important to note, however, that keeping your child in the appropriate category of seat for as long as possible is going to keep your child as safe as possible. This means that an infant should stay rear-facing until he or she outgrows the weight and/or height limits of the car seat…usually well past the first year. If you keep your little one rear-facing for as long as the seat allows, he or she is up to 500 per cent safer than a forward-facing toddler. That’s huge!

Before installing the car seat, make sure you’ve read the instructions that came with it, along with your vehicle owner’s manual. Both contain important information.

Now you’re ready to secure the car seat. If your vehicle has a Universal Anchorage System (UAS), figure out where they are, using your vehicle owner’s manual, and follow the directions. If you are using the seat belt to secure the car seat, make sure the seat belt is through the rear-facing belt path and that the seat belt is tight. Test the belt to make sure it is locked in place and won’t slip. Ultimately, you want the seat to move less than one inch in any direction.

Finally, it’s time to buckle baby up and hit the road. Make sure that the shoulder harness is threaded through the correct slot (refer to the seat’s instruction manual). The chest clip should be at baby’s armpit level, the shoulder harness should not slip off of baby’s shoulders, you should only be able to fit one finger between the harness and baby’s collar bone, and the shoulder harness should stay snug when you pull on it.

Think that once your baby isn’t a baby anymore, you’ll be done with car seats? Not so fast. Although booster seats are not law in Alberta, they are recommended for children ages four through nine, and up to 80 pounds. As well, children should not sit in the front seat until their at least 12 years old.

Properly installing and using a car seat can improve your little one’s chances of staying safe on the road by up to 75 per cent. Take the time to do it properly…your cargo is precious!

For more information on car seat safety, call Health Link Alberta at 1-866-408-LINK, or visit www.albertaseatbelts.ca.

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Six Child Car Seat Safety Tips:

  • Don’t rush to move a child from one stage to the next.
  • By law, children must be buckled up in a children’s car seat appropriate to their size and weight.
  • The safest place for children 12 and under is the back seat of your car, in the right restraint.
  • Never leave a baby unattended in his or her infant car seat when in or outside of your vehicle. Many seats can tip over easily when your baby moves.
  • Be careful about accessories. Items not provided by the car seat manufacturer such as liners, trays and comfort straps may interfere with the safety of the seat. Check the manufacturer’s instructions before adding accessories.
  • Replace the seat. You should replace the seat if it is past its expiry date, has been in a collision, is worn or no longer meets the specifications of the child’s size.

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By Kerri Leland

Image: kdshutterman | FreeDigitalPhotos.net

· Filed Under: Baby, Resource, Safety
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