The Essential Pregnancy Organizer: 40 weeks +

Every mom-to-be has so many things to keep track of! There are appointment dates, lists of things to do and buy, preparing for childbirth and baby, it can be very overwhelming.

Essential Organizers has come with a perfect solution: The Essential Pregnancy Organizer 40 weeks+.

This spiral bound, high quality book covers everything and has plenty of space for Moms to keep organized.

There are tabs so that each section is easy to find and it is a journal size so that it fits nicely into your purse.

The organizer includes: Detailed timeline and pregnancy calendar * Interview questions for obstetricians, midwives, pediatricians, nannies, and day care centers * Questions to formulate a birth plan * Prenatal check-up pages * Practical baby shopping list for parents * Gift tracker * Tips on saving time around the house Coach’s preparations and contact lists * Feeding and diapering records * Helpful resources *Pocket for paperwork or keepsakes * and much more.

The Essential Pregnancy Organizer would make a perfect gift for a Mom-to-be! What a relief it would be to be able to stay organized all in one place.

tot-to-go stylish baby sling

Babywearing is a big buzz word in the parenting scene these days. There are many different types of baby carriers and slings out there. tot-to-go stylish slings are definitely a great option! Celebrities like Courtney Thorne-Smith have thoroughly enjoyed their Tot-to-go slings and you can too.

Until August 31st, tot-to-go has a 40% off sale on some of their slings. You can't beat that price.

Tot-to-go slings are made with top quality fabric that washes beautifully. They are a comfortable fit and can be used for infants and toddlers.

The tot-to-go Spa Damask Baby Sling is the tot-to-go top selling sling online and at retail locations. I can definitely see why, as it is an eye catching pattern (robin egg blue and chocolate brown) and can be used for either a boy or a girl. There are also many other eye catching styles available.



As a York Region Parent reader, you can also receive an additional 15% off any purchase over $75.00 or more. Please use coupon code: yorkregion.

Back-to-School Hair

I took my daughter to get her hair cut at Beaner’s and it was a total package experience! Beaner’s is a great place for kids of all ages to get their haircut and have fun doing it. I didn’t have to worry about the hairdresser getting upset if my daughter squirmed in the chair or the fact that she was whooping it up in the play area they have available. It is a place where kids can feel at ease while getting a cut, something some kids find intimidating. There are tv’s set up to play their favourite cartoons while they sit and the caring and friendly staff make parents and kids feel very welcome and comfortable. Not only are do they cut children’s hair but they are a full service hair salon for adults as well. If time is tight you can get your hair done while the kids are playing a few feet away.

The prices are right with a package deal starting at $10.95. This includes shampoo, cut and braids for girls, and boys have their choice of coloured gel for a funky style finish. The adult cuts are the same price with a styling option of $4.00 and up. The services also include ear piercing, highlites and colour, themed birthday parties, dance recital up-dos and manicure and pedicures.
My daughter loved the pampering experience and loved the choice of which car to sit in while having her own little salon outing. I will definitely be taking her back to Beaners!

Pippalily Slings

With my first child (who is now 3 years old), I did not own a sling, in fact, I didn't even know of their existance. I did own another type of carrier and it was good, but only during certain situations and when her mood allowed it. It wasn't great for her when she was a newborn and once she got to be a few months old, it was no longer comfortable for me. Unfortunately, I discovered the wonderful invention of a sling much too late!

This time around, I'm very excited to be able to use a Pippalily Sling.



First of all, Pippalily Slings are handmade in Canada, which is something that has become more and more important to me when I consider making a purchase. They are quality made and are machine washable, which makes them practical for use with an infant, especially when they are a spit up baby like my daughter was!

Pippalily provides an online instructional video for parents who need to learn how to use a sling. The video is very informative and covers topics including getting the right fit, putting the sling on, and various carrying positions (infant pouch position, peek-a-boo position, front carry position and hip carry position). The video also covers safety notes with regards to using slings.

I think one of the features of the Pippalily Sling that makes it very appealing is the large variety of materials and colours. There are four collections:

Peony Collection:

Dragon Collection:

Cottons Collection:

Dragonfly Collection:


Pippalily slings are available online and at various baby boutiques across Canada and the United States.

Peanut Shell Nursing Cover

Along Came Baby is an online Baby Store Boutique based out of Markham, Ontario. They have a very user friendly and attractive website.

One of Along Came Baby's many amazing products for sale is the Peanut Shell Nursing Cover.



This wonderful 100% and therefore breathable nursing cover is a nursing Mom's dream come true. It has flexible boning in the neck in order to provide Mom with a view of her baby and to allow for greater air circulation.

I certainly wish that I had this type of a nursing cover when I nursed my first child. I remember feeling so hot when nursing in public and I really didn't care for the fact that I couldn't see what was going on under the cover. This is a wonderful invention so that the infants can look up at their Mom too. This nursing cover may just last a little longer in the nursing process. With my first child, she kept pulling off the cover so that she could see me!

Be sure to check out Along Came Baby next time you are looking for a gift or a unique and quality product for your baby.

Itzbeen

If only I had known about the Itzbeen with my first child. It would have made keeping track of changing, feeding and sleeping much easier and neater. We used notebooks, loose sheets of paper and the computer (that I would have boot up everytime I had something new to add) with my first child. None of these methods even begin to compare with the amazing invention of the Itzbeen.

The Itzbeen is a small portable device that runs on batteries in order to help new parents keep track of their babies needs. There is a handy clip on the back so that it can clip to you wherever you go and a backlight so that it can be used conveniently during the night. There are also different alarm options available and a nursing reminder to help a nursing Mom remember which side she last nursed on. A night light is conveniently built into the Itzbeen in order to help you guide your way during those night time feedings.

It is very obvious that this incredible tool was created by a Mom and Dad who knew exactly how to make life easier as a new parent.

The Itzbeen is a must have for all new parents and would make a very practical yet unique gift!

Check out their online store locator right now!

TickleTickle--Just Add Baby

TickleTickle.com is a Canadian business run by two Moms following their dreams together.

Their online store has everything from diaper bags for Dads to items for Moms, babies and children. They have all bases covered from books to bags to toys to cups and spoons.

The TickleTickle.com website is very user friendly, colourful and funky! Beware, because you could get caught up for quite a while checking out all of their awesome and unique merchandise.

They even offer free shipping on all Canadian orders of over $150.

We had the opportunity to take an in person look at the Babysitter Notepad and the Weekly Menu Pad. Although the Babysitter Pad certainly requires a good sense of humour, both organizers allow sufficient space for entering the required info and the menu pad is magnetic! What great organizing resources for parents!




Here's a great review of the Hooter Hider from Tickle Tickle:

As a new nursing mother I can not tell you how much I love my Hooter Hider. It gave me the confidence to feed my baby anytime, anywhere! Before I used the Hooter Hider, I did purchase an imitation that was made from what I think was a felt fabric, but it was so hot that nursing became frustrating!

Out of all the baby must-have The Hooter Hider is definitely in my top 10 things a new mom needs. They are stylish, practical and the perfect solution for privacy for a nursing mom.

Sex and The City: The Movie - Book from Harper Collins

I think I might have been the only Sex and The City fan who didn't see the movie last night! But, I did get a sneak peek at the divine book "Sex and The City: The Movie".

This beautiful book features mouth-watering bonus features not available anywhere else: behind-the-scenes stories from Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon, star and producer Sarah Jessica Parker, writer and director Michael Patrick King, as well as producers and other key cast and crew members.

What a lovely book for SATC fans. With over 300 pages about the movies plot, fashion and SATC's guide to NYC, "Sex and The City: The Movie" is the-must-have book for all you die hard fans.

The pages are filled with every out fit each lady wore, with the designer listed as well -- so you can find that gorgeous Norma Kamali bathing suit Miranda wore or what shoes Carrie is wearing!!

I'm glad I got a sneak peek of the book before I head out to the movies to watch my girls. But, warn you the book does give away the plot -- so if you don't want to know what happens then buy the book after you see the movie.

* Bonus -- win a copy of the "Sex and The City: The Movie" book, autographed by SJP* You can enter here*

Thank you to Harper Collins for our copy of this wonderful book. We are donating the copy to KC's Cancer Cushion Fund's 2nd annual Pub Night to help families with cancer and need a little financial help!

Clippo hair clips from Clippopotamus

I'm new to this whole little girl thing, with matching outfits, ribbons and bows! At first I wasn't sure about it but I am starting to have fun and accessorize my little one!

I am really excited to have found another amazing mom-run company located in the GTA that is doing great things. Clippo hair clips from Clippopotamus are super-cute hair clips for babies, toddlers and mommies alike.

Like their tagline says, " Like hippos in the wild, Clippos may look cute, but their bite is fierce" And they mean it. I used a teeny clip one my 6 month old and despite having pretty much peach-fizz still the clip stayed in! I can't tell you how many people commented on the cuteness of the clip while out last week.

We love the fact that there is a size and colour for every age and that Clippopotamus is now offering a range of other very stylish accessories.

With prices starting at just over a dollar... that's right a dollar(!) for something handmade Clippos are going to be big news in this wild maket of baby & kids products. They accept custom orders as well -- so if you need a special design just contact them and they'll get back to you fast!

Gorgeously Green

Green is the new black! Many us don't want to compromise fashion and style, but also want an eco-friendly and healthy lifestyle. While I've read many other books on green lifestyle, Gorgeously Green, by Sophie Uliano is the best one by far.

The best part about Gorgeously Green is that Sophie points out problems and gives you real world solutions and products that fix the problem! This is above and beyond any other book on the subject!

Case andGorgeously Green point; Sophie points out that the chemicals we are using to clean our house are in fact making us sick and then suggests eco-friendly alternatives to cleaning including brands and names so you can shop with ease. She also includes are recipes to create your own safe cleaning products!

You can still wear make-up and be eco-fabulous. Sophie suggests lines and products that are safe to wear! From foundations, to shampoo, to fair-trade shopping and everything in between


Sophie's book is genius! I mean, if you can get Julia Roberts (touted as a real eco-friendly star!) to write your forward then you must be doing something right. Whether you are Julia Roberts in Hollywood or Julia Smith in Richmond Hill or if you are a newbie in this whole 'green' world or an eco-holic this is a excellent book!

More resources to help you...

* Green Mom Finds

* Gorgeously Green

• Canadian Resource - Green Mom
  

• Campaign For Safe Cosmetics

• A must-visit site! Skin Deep - The Environmental Working Groups's Database
• Type is a product and you can see what chemicals are in it and on a scale of 1-10 of how harmful these chemicals are.(Check out the baby bath products or what about diaper cream)
• The EWG's Safety Guide To Children's Personal Care Products
  
  • Parent's buying guide
  • Printable PDF guide
  • Brand buying guide
  • Ingredients to avoid

Zosephine: THE Diaper Bag!

Finding the right diaper bag for you is essential as a new mom! Don't laugh but it's taken me nearly 3 years to actually find one! I have found the perfect diaper bag. There is no other one for me. This is it! I am in love...

As a busy mom with a newborn and a toddler I have a fair bit to carry for each little one and I also keep some essentials in the bag for me (imagine that!). Zosephine diaper bags based in Chapel Hill North Carolina are the perfect size to fit everything I need without looking like I am carrying the kitchen sink. It's small enough that I don't overload it with tonnes of things and big enough to carry what I need. (Size 14"x12"x5")

The very kind people at Zosephine sent me the St. Paul Diaper Bag to try out. For the past 2 weeks I've been using this very stylish diaper bag and my favourite things about the bag are

• There is a little pocket right when you open the flap for your cell phone. So now when mine rings I know where it is and I actually answer it!
• The strap! Mine is bright and cheery and making me think of spring, but what is best is that it is adjustable so I can wear over my shoulder or and a purse.
• The Inside of the bag is white nylon for easy cleaning, and even better the white lining makes it so easy to see what is in your bag!

I really can't say enough about Zosephine's diaper bags and how stylish and functional these bags are. They sum it up best when they say their bags are "Funky, but not granola; Modern but not sterile and definitely not cutesie pink!"