Everything Mom and Baby

Playtex Mommyville Reviewer Panel and we're contributing! #giveaway

2012-02-23T17:46:00.003-05:00

Playtex Mommyville has started something new! A review panel of Moms dishing on reviews, hot topics and series of our own mommyville insights.

Here are some of the fabulous Canadian bloggers that will be contributing
alongside Everything Mom and Baby:

Mommy Kat & Kids
Everything Up Close
Jabbering Jessi
Nolies Place
Amotherworld
and Registered Nurse for Playtex Mommyville, Cindy Zizek.

So I ask you, to come over and join our community. It's easy to sign up.
I'm excited to be a part of this community and look forward to chatting with you on Playtex Mommyville!

We're going to kick off our collaboration with a giveaway of one of my favorite dishes and coolster cup!

Enter {HERE} for a chance to win a Playtex Baby Plates and Coolster cup. Please read carefully.

* All you have to do is sign up to Playtex Mommyville

* Like Playtex on Facebook and if you're new to Everything Mom and Baby you can stay on top of things by liking us on Facebook too!

Open to Canada Only, ends March.1/12

Getting fit with FITMOM: Pre & Post Natal Fitness Programs

2012-02-23T13:56:00.001-05:00

I have been getting my butt handed to me by Andrea Page the fabulous FITMOM behind this company getting moms healthy during and after pregnancy.

Where I am at and feeling:

This blogging series on my experience with FITMOM is going to get serious. Measurements and photo's will be shared and I cannot make any excuses for any lack of progress as we track my weight loss. I want results and I want to share them with you.
I am nervous to share my photo's and measurements because mainly:

A) I come from a very critical family
B) I am posting myself right out there while I feel and look my worst(in my opinion. My husband loves me in any shape or form)
C) I am scared

I have always been thin, I was taking ballet classes at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet from the time I was a preschooler up to just starting my teens and then I got into Ukrainian dancing.
I moved to Toronto when was 18 and felt this sense of freedom. I ate what I wanted and never thought I'd have to worry. I was about a size 8 and now 34 and I am a size 16. I don't want to get any bigger because it's not comfortable for me. I don't think my body type is meant to be cared for this way and to carry the extra baggage. I am tired of hiding and just want to look good. I am not doing to please anyone but myself.

Before I had my son I was a 14. Granted I had a child but after birth I was a size 12 because I ate better, I walked to work and well...I didn't drink anymore. I lost weight while pregnant because I was healthier and made better decisions. We were always out and about, my husband is in the hospitality industry and dinner and drinks is what we did.

So here I am, 3 years post partum and feeling like a whale. I want to get fit and healthy so we can plan baby #2. And when I see a picture of myself. Photo's from the bust up please :)

So what has my first couple of weeks with FitMom have been about?

Well I never knew about ab separation also known as Diastasis Recti. In pregnant women, increased tension on the abdominal wall may lead to diastasis recti. Multiple births or repeated pregnancies increase the risk. Great! So I want to repair the damage before baby #2 comes along.

At FitMom you get checked for that and do exercises accordingly. The work outs are tailored to repair and prevent issues that can arise from postpartum.

I LOVE IT!

Don't get me wrong it is hard fat burning work outs and I feel like a Seal flapping around and losing my balance in some of the positions but I am working out hard twice a week in class and once a week doing the FIT MOM DVD. Today I did half an hour on the elliptical and I end Friday with the DVD.

The Classes:

The moms in the classes are wonderful, non judgmental and it's great to be able to bring your kids to class.
You can even baby wear as you exercise and it is encouraged. Don't worry about over heating, just take baby off and baby will be in their own designated area where we all can see still the child and coo as we sweat up a storm.

Andrea is fabulous with the kids as and we finish each class with a baby song or I should say Circle Time.

Getting the energy to run and be active is such a great feeling and I do encourage you to visit her site and find an instructor near you.
It's good to get the Chi flowing. It's good for your health and if you are planning on having more babies learn more here about getting your body ready for it!

So here are my measurements for Feb.23, 2012:
Height: 5'9 1/2"
Bust:46 Waist:43.5 (I still remember when it was 28!) Hips: 51.2 Thighs(R/L): 29.5/29 Arms(R/L) 14.5/14
Weight: No way am I ready to share that, LOL! But I will be honest in the pounds shed

What I look like now. This pic was taken after class so I am nice and sweaty for you.
Photo's are taken by Trina Turl Photography and Trina will be taking pics during my progress!

And yes you are getting a side shot of me because I am shy and not comfortable will full exposure.
I'm sorry I can't help it! It is very hard for me to post this picture. AHHHHHH!!!

So here I am. I hope you'll come along with me and enjoy my posts on FitMom, share with me your insecurities or your successes as I am with you and I hope you'll all give me words of encouragement because I need it!

Thank you for taking the time to read this and so it begins!

Fisher Price does it again! Fun with Thomas and Friends...#FisherPriceMom

2012-02-23T10:00:00.002-05:00

When the courier came with a box of goodies from my latest marketing campaign with Fisher Price I truly had no idea what to expect.

When I opened the box and saw Thomas I knew I would have one happy little 3 year old.

We play with Thomas a lot. We have DVD's to watch for our mid afternoon cuddles with a big bowl of popcorn and sing a long to their songs. My son loves to sing to Thomas.
But when he got this super cool Thomas and Friends Track Master, Colin and "The Party Surprise" I knew our days of watching movies would be replaced with a motorized Thomas!

We don't have a motorized track and honestly I didn't know too much about their new tracks as we always buy wood and do it the old fashioned way ;)

How captivated was Charlie? He was so into playing with Thomas and thank goodness we had batteries. I think as parenthood comes to us, batteries of all sizes are essential, LOL!

I will say, I enjoy watching him play. I'll get in there and be the crane but it is hilarious seeing Charlie say Thomas' words like "Cinders and Ashes" as he goes around the track or his latest is "Sizzling Fireboxes". I often think of them as Thomas' swear words. The best is when Charlie yells out "Bother!" when he purposefully knocks off the surprise boxes off of Thomas' trailer.

Moms, can you share your children's favorite Fisher Price toys? I guess you know we're all about Thomas and Friends ;)

Disclosure: I am a Fisher-Price Mom and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Consonant Skincare announces skin care swap! Feb.14-26/12

2012-02-21T18:05:00.001-05:00

Out with the old, in with the new and natural from

Consonant Skincare encourages consumers to swap old skin care products for 50% off select Consonant items!

Mama Ash's Experience with Consonant?

Finally a truly organic cream I am pleased to use! It is called Consonant Ultra Moisturizing Organic Face Cream for Dry Skin.
I have super dry skin ever since giving birth to my son 3 years ago. There are two types, one for normal, combination and oily skin and one for Dry Skin. It's packed with organic ingredients and my skin cannot help but smile and it's thanks shows me healthy skin and it's unscented. The Ultra Face cream soothed my redness thanks to the contents of Argan oil and Borage oil.

Are you aware of what the skin absorbs? Some of the ingredients found in your creams are not always beneficial and often have useless fillers in them that offer nothing for the skin. Organic cream if you can is the way to go and you have this unique opportunity to try it and save 50%!

The Ultra Moisturizing Organic Body Lotion is what I love to slather on my little guys skin. He's super sensitive and a lot of products cause his skin to itch. Baby have eczema?
Give this moisturizer a try. There's Cocoa Seed Butter, Olive seed oil (high in EFA's!) and Chamomile to soothe.

Got Dry Lips? Being organic I also thoroughly enjoy licking my lips and I can rest at ease with their Organic Ultra Moisturizing Lip Conditioner.
Sweet Almond oil is the main ingredient and it so rich but not overly greasy at all! I love that it has Beeswax as well. Highly recommended you try the lip gloss.

So why not bring in the old and try Consonant?
Consonant Skincare has launched its second annual Skincare Swap taking place from Tuesday, February 14 until Sunday, February 26 at its flagship store (2479 Yonge St.), as well as at select retail locations.

As a result of the vast response generated by last year’s Hand Cream Swap, Consonant Skincare is inviting people to bring in their old face wash, face cream or eye cream (used or unused) to trade in for a 50 per cent discount on the equivalent Consonant Skincare product (limit one per person).

“Most women have a bin of rejected products under their sink that promise to soothe, plump or hydrate their skin, and fail to deliver,” said Bill Baker, owner of Consonant Skincare.“This repeated let-down can make buying skin care frustrating, not to mention extremely costly. We want to encourage people to try healthier skin care as part of a general healthy way of living, and to prove that natural skin care actually works.”

All of Consonant Skincare’s products are free of toxic chemicals and carcinogens. In encouraging consumers to try their products, they hope to convince people that they don't have to give up anything to use healthier and more natural products. They can achieve results that are just as good, if not better, than the traditional, synthetic brands they’ve been using for years.

About Consonant Skincare:
Located at 2479 Yonge St. in Toronto, all of Consonant Skincare’s 100-per-cent natural products are created and produced in Canada, and are made with the highest possible concentration of organic botanical ingredients. They are formulated to work in harmony with the body’s natural chemistry to improve the health of skin over time, rather than just covering up irritating symptoms. Skin appears firmer, healthier and younger without the use of synthetic ingredients such as parabens, sulphates, petroleum ingredients, phthalates and silicone. The Organic Firming Eye Cream, a customer favourite, was recently selected by Chatelaine magazine as a 2011 Star Product for being the best Canadian beauty product. Store hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

If you go and swap I hope you'll tell me what you swapped and what you got!

Kowalli Baby Carrier Covers-Pre-Order Special from Everything Mom and Baby Shop

2012-02-21T10:45:00.000-05:00

Well why not have a SALE before they come in?

Just in time for Spring, babywearing can be warm and cozy without having to put on a big, heavy coat with Kowalli Baby Carrier Covers.

Kowalli features:

The fabric is weather-treated Polartec fleece that repels rain and snow.
It works with baby in any position (facing in or out), front or back, or hip carry.
Lies toga-style so baby can see out
One size fits most.
Can be used with any SSC(Soft Structured Carrier), sling, or wrap. Made in USA.
Works as a nursing cover

I like that I can wear a lighter coat and pull the cover over or step in and pull it up, cinch and go. If I was still breast feeding I can easily use the Kowalli as a cover and nurse discreetly by opening my coat and lift my nursing top. Something that can't easily done in another product where baby has to poke their head through.

Kowalli's are coming to Everything Mom and Baby Shop in a couple of weeks and EM&B is running a pre-order special for Canadian orders. Sorry, US but you can order directly through Kowalli.

Canadian orders, Kowalli's are on special $69.99 (and ships for free) til Sunday, Feb.26/12 and then they go up to $79.99.

PRE-ORDER {HERE} and get the hottest Spring Baby Carrier Cover accessory that Ontario has ever seen! EM&B is their first retailer in Ontario and as you know EM&B sets the trend ;)
These are also very daddy friendly! You might need to buy two!

Family Day Giveaway from Dress Me Up Organic!

2012-02-20T10:33:00.006-05:00

We have something really nice to giveaway as we take a day off to celebrate

Family Day.

Teething Bonbons

$15.95
Such a unique a brilliant teether this is made of 100% organic cotton and stuffed with Canadian wool.
1. Dip the ends in water.

2. Leave the centre stuffing dry.

3. Toss in the freezer ‘till needed.

So what we have for a giveaway is not only a teething bon bon but a teething bon bon leash to keep the bonbon from hitting the floor!

Organic Teething Bonbon Leash
$12.95

They have created a leash that can be attached to your little one's shirt and be threaded through the tag on the Teething Bonbon® to ensure that it doesn't fall on the floor.
The leash can also be used to secure your favorite soother or other toys.
Each Organic Teething Bonbon^® Leash is handmade one at a time in our Canadian, west coast studio from custom printed 100% organic cotton sateen. The metal soother clip is certified lead free.

So what we have for you is a fun giveaway! Are you ready for a scavenger hunt?

One lucky winner will win a Teething Bon Bon and leash!

Visit Dress Me Up Organic and find the EM&B Logo!

How to Enter, please read carefully

1. You will find my logo strategically placed in 10 of Dress Me Up product line. You must find them all.

2. Enter your contact info and your urls/entry to this {FORM}

3. Like Dress Me Up on {Facebook}

4. Tweet the giveaway! Click on the little heart below where it says Share this Post or share it another way if you are not on Twitter.

5. Open to US and Canada

6. Contest ends 12pm EST, Tuesday Feb.21/12

7. Have fun and good luck!

8. Just comment below what else you like from Dress Me Up Organic.

Staycation Toronto style and enter to win a $500 Stayation from Kinder Canada! #kindermom

2012-02-14T09:54:00.001-05:00

Do you normally go away for March break? We never do, LOL! Actually we never really go anywhere sadly. Maybe back home to Winnipeg to see family or up North in Ontario to see family as well.
Mostly because we can't afford to jet set. With Charlie in our lives that means one extra plane fair and Toronto is such a great city sometimes it's nice to pretend you are the tourist in your own city.

Go ahead and explore your surroundings.
Some great things to do around Toronto that one may by pass:

1) Visit The Distillery District. I actually used to work in a spa there, it is a Victoria era area of Toronto that is really well preserved. I will say thought the spa I worked in was haunted.
It is a pedestrian-only set amidst fabulous heritage architecture that has the largest collection of Victorian Industrial Architecture. No franchise's there from what I remember but really hip, chic boutiques, art galleries, condo living and wonderful restaurants.

2) Right around the corner you have more of Toronto history by visiting St.Lawrence Market.
One of the worlds greatest markets and great food for the whole family!
208 years later St.Lawrence Market is thriving in downtown Toronto.
The North Market is primarily known for its Saturday Farmers' Market, since1803 producers of Southern Ontario bring their seasonal produce to market in the city.
Sundays is the day to explore Antiques.
3) Yorkville. Bloor St is the Rhodeo Drive of Beverly Hills.
Here you'll see fashionista's, lady's and men with little dogs in their Louis Vuitton's bustling by some of the most fabulous boutiques in the world. You might even see a celebrity or two.
It's fun to people watch, window shop, lunch, and to visit such fashion houses. I love Yorkville, mind you I frequent the Winners there :P

4) Royal Ontario Museum(ROM)
The ROM is a must-see Toronto attraction.
Discount admission on ROM Friday Nights starts at 4:30 pm. The ROM remains free to students attending a Canadian post-secondary institution every Tuesday. Also on Wednesday after 5pm is free admission FOR ALL!
Saturday Morning Club for kids offers fun-filled, educational adventures in the ROM's fascinating galleries and learning labs. If you are planning a family visit, find tons of fun and inspiring drop-in programs at ROMkids weekends or bunk down for the night at our popular ROM Sleepovers.
Check out and get your kids signed up March Break Camp!

So this are just a few suggestions of things to do for a Staycation in Toronto. What about your town?
What does your city have to offer where you can be a tourist?

What does Kinder Surprise got to do with this you ask?

Check out the KINDER® Canada Facebook page for a peek at the 2012 toy collection, great conversation, and exclusive monthly contests through the My Kinder Moments application – this February they’re giving away $500 towards the ultimate staycation!!!!

I am so happy to be selected as a Kinder Mom, this will be a fun campaign again!
What I love especially about Kinder Surprise:

Both capsules & toys are made with new (non-recycled) material
Capsules & toys ARE recyclable
Capsules & toys are free of PVC and of phthalates
Capsules are free of BPA

Disclosure: I’m part of the Kinder® Mom program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Lady and the Tramp ~ Win a BluRay Combo Pack!

2012-02-09T14:53:00.000-05:00

Fall in love all over again!

A wonderful classic has just come out in time for Valentines! This will be our movie of the month to enjoy and for Charlie to watch this classic Disney film. This will his first time watching Lady and the Tramp and I'm saving it for Valentines as we're going to have a nice little theme on the 14th.
Friends will come over and we'll make heart shaped Sables(French butter cookies) with pink icing and watch Lady and the Tramp.

Wanna come over? What is your favorite part in Lady and The Tramp?
Feel free to comment below, I bet Disney Canada would love to know.
Having a Siamese cross at home, I look forward to singing along "We are Siamese if you please". Charlie will love it!

Well Disney Canada and EM&B are teaming up to give one lucky family in Canada a combo prize pack of your very own.

Experience the magic! Read along with the characters from the film with this storybook and CD!

To Enter simply fill out this form and enter here!
Please note this Giveaway is open to Canadians only, excluding Quebec(sorry!)

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Foxielicious Giveaway from Beco Baby Carrier

2012-02-01T14:49:00.012-05:00

It's time to get foxie at the EM&B blog and Beco has just the thing for you!

We're both the feeling the love for February and what better way to show you the love than with a foxilicious Foxie Black Gemini Giveaway!

It's sleek, elegant and functional! Speaking of sleek and functional...which one would you prefer?

Is it me or does baby seem to be in a better position in the Beco Gemini(pictured left), now I will say that Beco's inner panels(towards the crotch) are closed inwards, this is for forward facing. When they are folded out knee's sit higher that baby's hip which is always optimal and best for baby.
Baby should be high enough to kiss. I do love the little bonnet baby is wearing in the Baby Bjorn but baby seems to be sitting pretty low. Sorry Baby Bjorn. I know you have 40yrs of being in the babywearing industry.
* please know, these are my opinions and are not influenced in any way. Pictures are shown for visual carrier comparisons.

Here are some product details on the Beco Gemini:

Sleek and Elegant:
A little bit of print goes a long way and is a burst of fun compared to plain tone on tone carriers.
The Foxie Black from Beco is calling for the Mama fashionista in you.
* The body is 13" wide x 18.5" tall with head rest up, 14" tall with headrest folded
* Shoulder straps 23" (can be adjusted up to 22" LONGER for a total of 45")
* Waist belt 28"(size 0) can be adjusted up to 57"
* Weight capacity of the carrier: 7-35 lbs (3.5-16kg)
* Weight of the carrier: 1.5 lbs

{ GIVEAWAY IS NOW OVER!} ANDREA SCOTT is the WINNER

~~Now I want one lucky blog subscriber to win a Foxie Black Gemini Carrier as pictured above so you can see for yourself what a great brand Beco.~~

To Enter:

1) {mandatory} Finish the sentence: " I think the Beco Baby Carrier is........

2) {mandatory}Like our sponsor Beco Baby Carrier on Facebook

3) {optional} Like EM&B(if you truly do) on Facebook

4) {optional}Subscribe to my blog so you don't miss any of our giveaways {here}

5) {mandatory} Enter your name/email address {here} to complete your entry.

6) {optional} FOLLOW my blog ;) Click at the top right side where you see all those fabulous people following my blog

7) {optional} Click on Share this post, where the pink little heart is. You can tweet once a day too, add the #babywearing hashtag to it.

* You only need to comment here on the blog with question #1.

Everything else you can check mark off on the question #5 entry form.*

GOOD LUCK!
ends Feb.14/12

Cannellini & Artichoke Dip with Kashi Crackers & Pita Chips

2012-01-30T11:11:00.005-05:00

One word. YUM!

I love making fresh dips myself and I love this one that I have to share with you. I got the recipe out of this book, Small Plates. Yep, I have a foody blog too where I review cook books!

I love dips, they are so easy to make and you can use fresh ingredients and know what's going inside as you can add or delete. They are great for snacking, great for entertaining and even in sandwiches.

I made Cannellini & Artichoke Dip and here's there recipe. It's super easy, great for kids (if serving infants, don't use salt!)

400g cannellini beans (I prefer Eden Organics as their cans are BPA free)
4 artichokes hearts marinated in olive oil
2 tblsp of fresh, flat leaf parsley
1 fat glove of garlic (I would use half!)
grated zest and freshly squeezed juice from 1/2 lemon
sea salt and black pepper

To make the dip put all ingredients in a bowl of a food processor and whiz until just smooth.

Since I had received a bunch of crackers to check out from Kashi, all of them tasted so good with this!

Healthy snacking is the way to go as I am part of FitMom!
We all need to make healthier choices so whole grains here I come.

This was Kashilicious!

A chat with Andrea from FITMOM on Abdominal Separation: Enter to win FITMOMS PostNatal DVD Workout

2012-01-26T13:43:00.000-05:00

I have been having the utmost, brilliant time working out with FitMom. What is so fabulous about FitMom besides the great lady behind FitMom?

You can work out with your infant.toddler.preschooler. You can even wear baby!

I have been in a rut and had no idea FitMom even existed. I needed to have Charlie with me and options were limited. With no family to babysit and not wanting to bother friends I found myself getting a tad fuller lets say ;)

I first came across FitMom at the BabyTime Show in Toronto while checking out Cosy Baby Happy Mom carriers, a brand that FitMom endorses and that moms use while working out. From what I hear CBHM is coming out with an exclusive carrier just for FitMom!

CBHM and I had been twittering and told me her carriers will be there at the FitMom booth and I guess I should thank Erin for introducing me to Andrea of FitMom. Erin thank you!!!

I had never heard of FitMom and being an avid toddlerwearer I had to see what this exciting exercise class that incorporates babywearing is all about!

I've attended 3 classes so far and it is amazing, classes are twice a week and I have a postnatal DVD to use as well. It's hard, it pushes your limits and gets your body working to repair those post partum muscles.

Especially the abdominals. Something I did not know about was how they stay stretched out and my caregiver never checked them when I went in for my postpartum check up. This is something to think about especially if you plan on getting pregnant again. Core support is so vital!

I asked Andrea of FitMom to contribute to this post. I care about my health and I care about all my mama's here. So please give this a read and below we will have a giveaway for FitMom Post Natal DVD. Stay tuned we have lots more to come with EM&B and FitMom. I am going to tranform my body through FitMom and share it with you.

Pregnancy and Postpartum - Restore Your Core
by Andrea Page

Are you concerned about abdominal separation? Do you know how to address it? Do you know what it is? Why did my caregiver not check for this?
During pregnancy, most woman separate down the middle of their rectus abdominus (the six pack) a small amount or more. A small amount of separation is normal but pregnant women should take a preventative approach to prevent further separation that can lead to complete separation.
At Fitmom, we recommend having your abdominals checked by a trained expert or caregiver one time in the first trimester, twice in the second, and three times in the third. By doing so, you and a trained expert can decide how to approach abdominals throughout pregnancy.
Postpartum women should have their abdominals checked to assess the remaining separation to determine how to best rehabilitate or close the opening. In some cases referral to a physiotherapist is necessary.

Stay tuned for Andreas next post on the MUST DOS and DO NOT exercises during pregnancy and beyond to stabilize your core and protect it from severe separation and rebuilding a stable core in the postpartum phase.

Enter to Win FitMoms Post Natal DVDFinally a postnatal workout that really works. North Americas premiere pre and postnatal fitness specialist whips beginners up to athletes into shape with guaranteed success!

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A review on Cottonkind Diapers ~ Enter to win!

2012-01-24T13:30:00.000-05:00

Eco friendly, affordable cloth diapers made in Canada.

Follow Cottonkind on {Twitter}
Friend Cottonkind on {Facebook} Check out their basics on cloth diapering link!

I had these diapers reviewed by Mandy. A loyal and wonderful fan, friend, shopper and follower of Everything Mom and Baby.

Theses are Mandy's words on her review of Cottonkinds, Fitted Diaper and Cover.

The fitted diaper had the most adorable "wise owls" print it was very retro. According to the CottonKind website, the fitted diapers are made with 5 layers of cotton flannel and have a matching doubler with an additional 4 layers. A total of 9 layers in the wet zone. They are made with a higher rise in the back area to keep in "poo-spolsions" and adjust with a hook and loop closure that also contains laundry tabs to help eliminate the tangling of diapers. I personally found the laundry tabs to be slightly smaller in size and therefore they would not keep closed/secured in the wash. As a daytime diaper, they worked well. The absorbancy was fine when changing every 2-3 hours. While using them overnight, they didn't contain well. My little one sleeps through the nights and therefore is a super soaker because of that. The 9 layers of flannel were saturated in the morning.

Fitted Diapers Features: $18

5 layers of super soft, absorbent 100% cotton flannel
Snug fitting elastic legs and back to prevent leaks and blowouts
Laundry tabs keep velcro closed during washing
Each Diaper comes with a matching doubler for 4 extra layers of absorbancy
Generous velcro tabs adjust to fit as baby grows
Higher back rise keeps explosions contained
Requires a waterproof Cover
See our Cloth Diaper Basics page for care instructions and more
Choose from 3 sizes: Size 1 (up to 15 lbs), Size 2 (15 – 25 lbs), Size 3 (25 lbs+)

Diaper Cover
While she was wearing the fitted diaper, we used the cottonkind cover in "bubblegum". I really liked this cover! It fit very well and had the generous rise in the back. I prefer the higher rise diapers for more coverage, but that is just my personal opinion. The cover also has the velcro closures that the fitted diaper has. I really like this for grandparents or daddies that are inclined to put snap diapers on incorrectly. The laundry tabs were again, slightly smaller than normal and therefore caused some issues in the washing process. The cover was easily wipe able so that I could reuse it over again with a fresh diaper. I also used the cover with prefolds and flats and it worked wonderfully!
Cover Features: $15

Made of 2 layers of waterproof PUL (polyurethane laminate) fabric. PUL is the most popular fabric for cloth diaper covers because of its softness and ability to stop leaks in their tracks
Fits perfectly over our Diapers for the complete cloth diapering package
Snug fitting elastic legs and back to prevent leaks and blowouts
Laundry tabs keep velcro closed during washing
Generous velcro tabs adjust to fit as baby grows
Higher back rise keeps explosions contained
Covers dry in about 10 minutes in the dryer. Less drying time keeps covers in excellent condition for longer
See our Cloth Diaper Basics page for care instructions and more
Choose from 3 sizes: Size 1 (up to 15 lbs), Size 2 (15 – 25 lbs), Size 3 (25 lbs+)

After many uses and laundering, the diapers have essentially held up quite well. The stitching is quite strong and the workmanship is very well done. Although they diapers are not the first ones we reach for, they have remained in our daytime rotation. The cover has been used many times during the day and night, without issue. I hope to use it again in the future on more little ones!

~ Mandy

Disclosure: Cottonkinds provided Everything Mom and Baby with samples for the purpose of this review.

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Fun idea's to do when it's too chilly outside!

2012-01-18T11:20:00.003-05:00

Brrrr..baby it's cold outside!

You're home, you look around at think what to do? Well you could put the TV on, you could pop in little one's favorite movie that you've seen for the umpteenth time....give them the iPad to play with...
Well if you do the app thing you have to check out Fisher Prices free apps for the iPad and iPhone.
We did this yesterday and just download some fabulous books from Laugh and Learn and my son has a kick playing with it. Best part....it's F-R-E-E! When you go to iTune just type in Fisher Price or click {here}. I had no idea such apps existed. Win!

But we're also good about turning everything off and having some fun, one on one time.

Some of the things we enjoy doing together is baking and cooking. My little chef loves to stand the stool and stir the pot(no pun intended) You know a great book for those kids that love to help and love to be in the kitchen is Cook School by Amy Grant. It has more than 50 fun and easy recipes to suit your child's age and ability.
See what we made {here}

We love to be creative, it's a nice stimulation so we love arts and crafts.

But what's a super cool book to get is Paper Toy Monsters.
I love books and I love getting idea's from books for fun things to do.
All you need is this fantastic book and glue!
The monsters pop out, you fold and glue. Plus you get 10 blank templates so you can design your own paper toy monsters.
With this fun book you can make 50 paper toy. I bet you have a little boy that would like this.

Why not embrace winter?

Get outside! So tobogganing! Make snow angels! Make Snowmen! Be a kid again yourself!

What you could also do is have your friends kids over to have a snow ball fight, build igloo's and give those moms a break and when the next cold freeze comes, switch it up so you send the kids to their place and you can have a nice quiet afternoon at home...or the spa!

Or.......make puppets and have a puppet show! If you wanna switch it up a bit when the moms come back to pick the kids up put on a Puppet Show for them. Have the kids make fun paper puppets or materials that can be found around your home like socks and gloves.
I got loads of idea's from this awesome book, 10-Minute Puppets.

And if you get some time yourself like swapping as suggested above or when it's nap time, check out Craft Mama!
49 fun, easy no sew craft ideas that aren't expensive and that is easy.
Or just put your feet up, blog, facebook, catch up on emails, sleep whatever!

Need more ideas? Check our Fisher Prices' Play and Learn Family Activities!

Winter only comes once a year, I hope you liked some of my idea's. What's yours? Post below on the comment section of this post :)

Disclosure: I am a Fisher-Price Mom and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

The Bonne Femme CookBook ~ Simple, Spendid Food That French Women Cook Every Day

2012-01-17T14:46:00.001-05:00

Looking for fresh, fabulous food to cook? This book is for you! Intimidated to cook like the French?
Please don't be. It is not as hard nor intimidating as I thought it was when I first started cooking French Cuisine. I love cooking French and it is my preferred and favorite way to cook.
I am all about using butter and cream but it's not all about the richness that one associates with French cuisine.

I have made so many recipes from this book and one recipe that I want to share with you is Ratatouille.
A gorgeous medley of vegetables in this Provencal dish.
I chose Ratatouille because it is something you can make for the whole family including your infant who is starting solids. Just don't add salt if you want to share with your infant. Salt is not recommend in baby's food as it is too hard for their little kidneys to process.
Packed with fresh tasty vegetables it is also friendly on our waist lines. As a mom I know some of struggle with baby weight and eating more vegetables is a nice way to help shed pounds.

I have eaten Ratatouille with eggs in the morning, last night after Charlie went to bed I pulled my left overs out and had them with pita chips.
When I made my first batch I thought how lovely this would be to serve as an appetizer or cheese platter.
I pictured olives, Lappi Cheese, feta, crackers, nuts, some nice thin slices of german cured meats...... Mmmm...
Or just get a fabulous baguette and serve it as first course or side dish.

Okay here's the recipe:
6 tbsp of Olive Oil
2 Medium thinly sliced onions
2 Red Bell peppers, cored and cut into 1-inch chunks
4 cloves of garlic, minced
Salt & pepper to taste
5 Medium-size tomatoes (about 1 pound) cored, seeded and chopped
1 Bouquet Garni (fresh Herbs de Provence) or teaspoon of the dried herbs, crushed
* use a kitchen string to tie together 3 sprigs of fresh thyme, 1 sprig of fresh rosemary, and 1 sprig of fresh Sage (or tie these herbs in a piece of cheese cloth)
2 Small Eggplants cut into 1-inch cubes
2 Medium Sized Zucchini's cut int 2 1/2 or 1/2 inch strips

1. In a Dutch Oven heat 2 tbsp of the oil over medium-low heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally until tender and starting to turn golden, 15-20 minutes. Add the bell peppers, garlic, salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally until the peppers soften a bit, about 10 minutes.
Add the tomatoes and bouquet garni(I just used Herbs de Provence and sprinkled it in). Increase the heat to medium-low and cook stirring occasionally.

2. Meanwhile heat 3 tbsp of oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the eggplant and cook, stirring, for 8 minutes. Add the zucchini and remaining 1 tbsp on oil. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the eggplant and zucchini are crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

3. Add the eggplant and zucchini mixture to the tomato mixture and simmer gently until the liquid is reduced to a tablespoon or two, 5-10 minutes. Check the seasoning, adding more salt and pepper if needed. Remove and discard the bouquet garni.

4. Serve warm or at room temperature. Or chill overnight and bring to room temperature to serve.

Get your own copy of this cook book {here}
Visit Chez Bonne Femme on the internet {here}

Main description

250 recipes that focus on simple, fresh ingredients prepared well.

Wini Moranville draws on years of traveling to and living in France and serves up a hip, user-friendly volume that brings a wealth of up-to-date French recipes and time-saving techniques seamlessly into the American kitchen. Two main-dish chapters, "Saute, Deglaze, and Serve" and "Roast, Stew, or Braise," show readers how to turn out robust and delicious entrees in a genuine French style with ease. Soups that range from light to substantial; salads, both simple and complex; and, of course, desserts round out the picture. In her recipes, wine suggestions, tips and shortcuts, and sidebars brimming with local color, Moranville gives French cooking an accessible and casual spin.

Read more about this cook book {here}

We are giving one copy of The Bonne Femme Cook Book to one cooking EM&B FAN!
*Canadian entries only as per the publisher, click on read more for the Rafflecopter to download.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

2 years ago my life changed with a little recipe...... Happy 2nd Birthday EM&B

2012-01-12T17:31:00.011-05:00

2 years ago I had a little dude just over the age of 1 years. I've never read a blog or knew too much about them. The only time I thought of it or learned about blogs was in the movie Julie & Julia. I love Julia Child, I love French cooking, wine and baking.

I was a part of local mom groups and I always got complimented on the accessories and things I had for my son as well comments on the food I made for him. Most of the moms were at a loss on making baby/toddler food and I didn't understand why they were struggling.
I mean it's just puree's and some chunkier foods. It's not challenging to steam and puree so I gave them recipes and resources that I used.

I was inspired to share recipes like weelicious (she creates all those fabulous recipes, I had this recipe from somewhere else and I can't remember where I got it!) after she asked: "What did you make for lunch" on her Facebook page.
So I posted what I made on her Facebook page and there were a lot of responses from moms wanting that recipe. So with that instead of messaging everyone I went to different sites like Blogger, TypePad, Wordpress etc and decided to go with Blogger and started a blog!

It all happened by flook so I created my blog, Everything Mom and Baby and this was the recipe....Chicken and Apple Fingers

So then my posts became a mix of skin care postpartum, my skin has never been so dry! Surely I wasn't the only one to be sucked dry even after a year of having dear son.
I am an esthetician and aromatherapist so I shared my breast feeding massage method and oils to increase or decrease milk flow. I tied all of them in to the posts before I even knew about reviewing and hosting giveaways. Wait, I forgot to mention I am a product junkie. Big time! So I wrote about my favorite products and pissed off a couple of brands I am sure....

As my blog grew companies started to contact me and I was getting lovely products to review I also declined a lot of media events and products that weren't a fit for me or what I am all about which is:
organic, cloth diapers, baby carriers, skin care, natural health/medicine, food etc.....

I am ever thankful to blogging and weelicious for posting that question one day. I am so thankful for the products I've been introduced to so and I can share them with you and give to you!

It's very fulfilling to be able to share all the wonderful products I come across. 10 years ago no one would be able to access the information I share and information from all the other wonderful bloggers out there.
I've absorbed and learned that I've never thought possible via the web. I learned all of this on my own and am flattered when new moms want to become bloggers and ask me for me advice!
I've met fabulous bloggers and made new friends. I vow to comment more your blogs!

I created an online business within the year of my blog(please check it out!) that I am still learning step by step. I love recommending products and helping parents shop for their new baby. It's a passion of mine as there are so many lines I want to write about tell you about.

Thank you for being a part of Everything Mom and Baby and for following, subscribing, tweeting and liking me on Facebook. I am growing because of you dear moms, dads, friends, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents. All of you!

What would a birthday blog post be without a goodie bag?

Well I have some of my favorite companies participating in this post that I've blogged about and some of my favorite WAHM's businesses. Here are just a few of my favorite reviews from 2011 and new favorites for 2012!

All giveaways are open to Canada and USA!

{ GIVEAWAY IS OVER }

One of my passions is baby wearing or I should say toddler wearing. A remarkable company that I do hold in high regard is Boba. The family behind the brand are wonderful, the creators articles on baby wearing are beautiful and I've seen the growth of their carriers over the 2 years.
Boba is generously going to sponsor a carrier for one lucky fan of Everything Mom and Baby!
Read my review {here}.

The Giveaway!

A Boba Baby Carrier

Links you need to know:
Boba's Website
Boba on Facebook
(let them know you entered here on the blog or say Hi!)

~ Enter my boba giveaway {here}! ~

One of my favorites for 2012 baby wearing!
Spring is around the corner and with that fabulous carrier of yours you and baby still need to be cozy. A Kowalli Carrier Cover is what you'll need!
Kowalli has been a favorite of mine that I had the honour to review because from one mother to another, it's nice to support fellow moms in business and Alizah is the fabulous mom behind this brand. All carrier covers are made in beautiful Rhode Island, USA. Quality and material are fantastic! I love my Kowalli! It is such a fabulous baby carrier cover. The cover repels snow, rain and wind (a Toronto winter!). It's made of weather treated fleece so no need to worry about tears and rips. It is a high quality cover.
Use Kowalli in the Fall, Winter and Spring! It fits over your coat, you can unzip your coat and pop baby on the breast if hungry. Makes for discreet baby/toddler wearing nursing as well!

The Giveaway!
A Kowalli Cover of your own!
Links you need to know:
Kowalli's Website
Kowalli on Facebook
Let Kowalli know how you found them on Facebook!

~ Enter my Kowalli Giveaway {here}~

Mama has a carrier what about the toddler in your life? As you know I am a huge fan of Natural Mother Productions. See our current giveaway here for her carriers.
Well Michelle Dunn is graciously sponsoring a Dolly Tai for EM&B Birthday Bash Giveaway!

Natural Mother Productions is based in Ontario and all products are hand made by Michelle Dunn. Carry your baby the natural way!

The Giveaway: A Dolly Tai

Links to know:

NMP Website
NMP on Facebook
Let NMP know you entered!

Enter the NMP Dolly Tai Giveaway {here}

Have you sweetened your laundry? The Laundry Tarts are making a name for themselves everywhere and especially in the cloth diaper community. Again, one of the things I love about blogging are the new friends I have made and it would not be right to not include The Laundry Tarts. Jess and I have connected on line and is one of the geniuses behind the company. We've had many giggles on Facebook. Jess, if you're reading this we have to get together! Jess and her business partner Tanja have brought dessert inspired laundry detergent that is loaded with all the good stuff! No yucky synthetic chemicals! You can read my review from 2010 {here}!

The Giveaway!

The Laundry Tarts are generously giveaway a 10 sample pack of their detergent along with their coveted Sweet Spot Stain Remover.

Links to know:

The Laundry Tarts Website
The Laundry Tarts on Facebook
Let them know I sent you!

~ Enter The Laundry Tarts Giveaway {here} ~

OM by Miquette....This is a new favorite for 2012. I foresee a collection of OM's that I want and will pass them on to my grandchildren once my collection is complete. My Chara OM arrived today. They are beyond cute. Hand made by a talented woman and mother named Miquette. Her family inspires her, she has a love to create all things natural and beautiful and it comes through in her OM's.

What is an OM?

"OMs are peaceful little creatures with big dreams and even bigger hearts. They are collected and treasured by happy people around the globe, but many people don’t know where they come from or why they’re here. Until now…
OMs are the products of wishes." Read more here.....

Magical indeed, made with good intent and love. Miquette the lady behind these is such a beautiful person that it's amazing how you can sense one's energy via internet and emails. Twitter brought us together which is how I came to find out about OM. It's funny how things touch us and what a product can mean to someone.
These are really special gifts and something to think about for 2012.

It fits in my hand perfectly, I feel the love and make my wish.
Each OM comes nicely packaged and with a little card. My beloved Chara is very fitting for me as it stated:

Chara is a caring, nurturing soul…

A Mother and a symbol of the first, beautiful connection we make in life.

She holds her baby OM and knows that someday he’ll grow up to walk beside her on the journey.

Until then, he is peaceful in the arms that were made to hold him, warm in a blanket of love.

Chara and her baby OM celebrate family and motherhood… and all true connections of the soul.

The Giveaway: A $25 Gift Voucher to OM by Miquette
Links to know for the giveaway:
OM by Miquette Website
OM Facebook page
Let her know I sent you!

~ Enter OM giveaway {here} ~

Another favorite item I've reviewed is a product called Healing Hazel.
Who knew the magical properties of hazelwood. The Natives in Quebec did.
I know Hazelwood nuts are delicious as I love Nutella, LOL! But therapeutic jewellery from the wood of the tree?!
YES! I've had many readers vouch on the effectiveness with their teething babies.

I love the look of Healing Hazel brand compared to other hazelwood lines. I like the feel of quality and the look of the Hazelwood used in this line. They are slightly larger/wider and have now incorporated Amber, their newest addition to their necklaces.
It's used for treating teething, eczema and other skin disorders and conditions.

It's alkaline properties is where all the magic happens.

The Giveaway: A Hazelwood necklace of your choice
Links to know:
Healing Hazel Website
Healing Hazel on Facebook
Let them know I sent you :)

~ Enter the Healing Hazel Giveaway {here} ~

Zin Frames is a new find for Everything Mom and Baby. With a love for photography and design I am in love with the vintage inspired picture frames from new Canadian business Zin Frames.
I can't wait to get some gorgeous photography done by Diana Nazareth(check out our 1000 Fan giveaway) and have our picture's beautifully displayed in Zin Frames.
With their new launch of their website, Zin Frames has a fabulous giveaway for our EM&B Birthday Bash! With a great selection of colours you can choose from have fun browsing all the different design options.

The Giveaway: a 8 x 10 frame (you pick the design and colour!)

Links to know:
Zin Frames Website
Zin Frames on Facebook, let them know how you heard about them since they are brand new!

Enter the Zin Frames Giveaway {here}

MiaBebe.
I love supporting WAHM's mom so when I received an email from this lovely fan of my blog I was more than happy to have her participate in my EM&B Birthday Bash giveaway and have her share her love for handmade.
Lynda is a busy mom of two girls and has a passion for making baby clothes.

The Giveaway: A onesie and beanie

Links to know:
MiaBebe Website

Enter the MiaBebe Giveaway {here}

A new line for Everything Mom and Baby to discover is Pearl and Daisy Natural Soap Company.

Snuggle Bunny is what we love for 2012!

I recently had the pleasure to review this line...well I benefited by the soothing aroma of Lavender and Chamomile as my son received a lovely massage after his bath. We used the soap and it gave a lovely lather and moisturizing bath for my sons sensitive skin.

I love the Snuggle Bunny Massage Oil. Apricot oil is the carrier oil and infused with Lavender and Chamomile. It provided a great slip for the massage and the benefits of Apricot Oil are that it provides relief for dry, itchy eczemic skin. The lipid levels of the oil are similar to the skins natural oils. My son has dry. itchy skin so this is a another must have for Everything Mom and Baby.

The Snuggle Bunny Balm is a great product to have handy and to keep in your diaper bag. Great for preventing nappy rash I love it to soothe and hydrate my dry elbows and sons cheeks before the cold air slaps us in the face.

The Giveaway: Snuggle Bunny Gift Set (pictured above)

Links to know:
Pearl & Daisy Natural Soap Company

Pearl & Daisy on Facebook
Let them know I sent you!

~ Enter the Pear & Daisy Giveaway {here} ~

Oh how I love honeydumplings! It is such a gorgeous line. All of the material are harvested and made in Canada as well as the products. What we have for you is their swaddle blankets.

Baby will be snugly warm in their organic swaddle blankets. They have a great stretch to them and is designed with a unique fold down swaddle corner.
You can read my reviews on the line {here}. It is my favorite line to give at baby showers.

100% organic cotton pointelle with natural bamboo swaddle corner. Handmade in Canada. Love, love, love and so luxurious! You have to check out their buckwheat collection.

The Giveaway: Organic Swaddle Blanket
Links to know:
honeydumplings website

honeydumplings on Facebook
Let them know I sent you!

Enter the honeydumplings giveaway {here}

So this is my Everything Mom and Baby Birthday Giveaway! Good luck in your entries and thank you for being a fan of my blog! Welcome new fans!

{ Check out the Current Giveaways on the right side panel here and enter some more fabulous giveaways!}

I do want to hear from you! How can I make my blog better? What else would you like to see on my blog in the future?
Do you have any favorite blog posts or reviews I've done? Tell me!

Has my blog helped you in product purchases in any way? Tell me!

Thank you to my fabulous sponsors and fans for a great 2 years! I look forward to many more!
Please share this post, tweet the giveaways and suggest my page to your friends and family.

Click on the little heart below where it says "Share this post"

Blessed Be! Many Thanks!

Natural Mother Productions ~ Made in Canada Baby Carriers

2012-01-09T19:06:00.003-05:00

I'm going to tell you something right off the bat. I love my custom made toddler buckle carrier by Natural Mother Productions as much as my Manduca carrier. Yes. I said it. It is really comfortable. Really comfortable.

I was jumping with glee when I got this as I have never had a carrier made exclusively for me and made in Canada. The attention to detail Michelle puts into the carriers are amazing. No loose threads hanging off, each seam is made straight and with love.
It is a high quality carrier at first glance when I held it and inspected I knew I had something good. The padding in the upper back offers support and can be folded down for even more support. Dear son is in the optimal sitting position and he loves this carrier as much as I do as he makes sure I have our NMP.
"NMP, momma..bring it" too cute for words and when we're out and about "Momma, hold a me".

I know my baby carrying days are numbered, thank god for toddler/preschooler carriers. If you think I am nuts to carry my son then you have never baby worn, sorry if that sounds bold.
I get lots of looks when people see me toddlerwearing so my bold statement is not directed to you as you know what it means to babywear. That's why you're here!
There is nothing more to complete the connection you have with your child when your child is on you. I feel something is missing when I am not carrying my son and when he is close to me, feeling those sweet breaths on me when he's asleep I feel complete. It's like a hug.

It is the carrier that I reach for first because:

Size(from the waist belt it's length it's 20inches) it is high to offer the support of my 3 yr old, yup when my tot is tired of walking I still carry him. My arms are saved! He's super comfortable and falls asleep within minutes.
It fits around my wait comfortably and extends to out 45 inches
The straps are squishy soft, I love it! Awesome padding.
Width of body across, 16 inches.
It is the only carrier I can criss cross on the back and feel comfortable for my frame. I am 5'9"-5'10" and busty so it is really comfortable for me and nice to have the extra support for criss crossing.
The only con and it is easily resolved is it needs a chest strap and Michelle Dunn the fabulous creator of her carriers can send one out to you or specify you want one in your order which I didn't do or think of so I guess it's not really con :)
My kid was too big for the hoody! LOL! However it is the only carrier I have that has built in UV protection, the white material sewn on the hood...that's the UV protector!

Here is my photo gallery of us out and about in our NMP carrier.


Passed out within 20 minutes!

LOVE

Natural Mother Production is going to generously sponsor a giveaway for one lucky EM&B fan!

When you like her on Facebook let her know how you came across her page.

Natural Mother Productions also does wrap conversions... a MUST HAVE as well a MUST SEE.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Dick & Jane Cloth Diapers ~ Made in Canada

2012-01-07T13:30:00.007-05:00

I stumbled upon a fabulous site while looking for Canadian made cloth diapers and I am pleased to bring to you an up and coming cloth diapering company called Dick & Jane Cloth Diapers.

What caught my eye was her unique and different varieties of materials which I love. My weakness is textiles and they are so refreshing to look at compared to the usual PUL that cloth diapers are made of.
Because her diapers are natural fibres, there is a hidden inside layer of PUL so the beautiful material that she makes her diapers with stay nice and dry.
They fit from 8-35+pds.

Nice right? Well the inside is even better!

The Inserts:

Snap-in soakers are included the 2 soakers are serged together and an additional bamboo fleece booster soaker is included for extra absorbency when needed.

The Fit: It's a generous fit thanks to the stretchy elastics used. I love the fit! Great for chunky baby thighs and even skinny legs and long torso. The snaps are high quality and the diaper has washed well; I've tossed them in the wash and it comes out perfect every time, no loose threads or fraying.

You do have to prep the diaper between 4-6 times.

The diaper has front snap-closure with crossover snaps for a trim fit. Snap-down rise to adjust size.

So how did they hold up over night? My reviewer sung it's praises. No leaking from her 9 month old daughter and she loved the wide elastic and snap closures; no fumbling or snaps coming undone or apart. When you stretch for the fit the elastic feels super stretchy and comfortable.

Her baby was nice and dry and this was her fist time using a cloth diaper with suedecloth inner liner and she loved it. No rash, no irritation just a happy baby with no night time leaking. She would buy more and loved that she can fold the extra booster in half for extra absorbency, love the trim fit and no red marks around her daughters thighs. My reviewer could not find any cons in this diaper.

I love this print as it reminds me of the folk art we had in my home of my German heritage

Who is behind this wonderful line?

Annie Allen is originally from British Columbia and now resides in Kitchener,Ontario where she makes every single one of these beautiful diapers. With a passion for hand made and cloth diapers it only seemed natural that she would create her own fluff for her children.

Get your credit cards out and shop {here}
UPDATE: Get free shipping within Canada & US with code: MOMANDBABY

Enter to win here! I am doing this via Google Docs because I am having issues loading Facebook pages on to the Raffle. This is nice, quick and easy too.

Visit these links when entering:

* Which diaper would you pick if you won? Visit site {here} MANDATORY

* Like Dick&Jane Cloth Diapers on Facebook, let her know how you heard her line {here}

* New to Everything Mom and Baby? Like us on Facebook too! {here}
* You can tweet daily! " Win gorgeous #clothdiapers from Dick&Jane Cloth diapers on @MamaAsh77 blog. Enter here: http://t.co/YXDENOC1

* Share this post. Click on the little heart and share on whatever social network you are a part of!

{GIVEAWAY IS NOW OVER}

Winner is Crystal Stewart!

Winner was selected via Random.Org
and has 48 hrs to claim this prize

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Mom's Family Calendar - Get one!

2012-01-03T15:40:00.001-05:00

So is being more organized a part of your News Year Resolution? Well, then this is for you and your busy family.

I present to you dear busy Mother, the Jack of all trades Mom, the Schedule Master Mother Extraordinaire the Sandra Boynton Moms Calendar.

There's just the 3 of us, so here is my sad attempt of a busy schedule using a marker that didn't write so well so I got annoyed and came up with this, you get the idea!

What I really, really, really like from my new 2012 Moms Calendar....

Stickers! It has great stickers to mark important dates. 500 of them!
The grids run vertically, with five columns across the top (one for each family member) and the days of the month running down the left-hand side
A pocket on the last where I can store the stickers or um.....bills!
a write-on, wipe-off magnetic phone list to hang on the fridge

Here's what my busy January Month looks like now, ha ha!

Since I don't have enough space since we only have Charlie(we've been TTC for 3 months...sigh) I've added the star sticker for his #1's (for standing up) and the rock stars for his #2's...because , well... we're all moms here so we can speak quite openly about bowel movements our kids make, it's remarkable how once you become a mother this happens. But I'll share my little issue that recently got resolved.
DS was scared to go #2, it freaked him out and grossed him out. Well, he loves stickers and like over night(might have been a flook and he got over the fear) but he has gotten over it because he loves the rock star sticker and we praise the heck out it and him as he is our little rock star.

But this is just my example as to what you can use this calendar for as there's room for each family member(if you're a family of 5). Of course hockey practice, birthday reminders, band rehearsals, art, dance classes everything your family does can all be added and used with the stickers from this classic story teller and keep you in check!

But as a family of 3 and with a great calendar like this sometimes you have to come up with other ways to make use of things when there's empty spaces that need filling up.

Get it {here}

1st 2012 Product we love: Blanket 212 Evolution fron 7 A.M. Enfant

2012-01-02T19:10:00.007-05:00

If there is one stroller accessory you will ever need it is the hip, stylish Blanket 212 Evolution from
7 A.M Enfant.

I was most impressed with the quality of the product, how cleverly it is made to fit from infancy all the way up to Preschool! It grows with you and it will last you along the years. If you are creating a Baby Shower Registry it retails for $199, find a store near you and order. Trust me, you will love it as much as I do and I wish I had known of this efficient stroller cover sooner.

I have never gotten so much attention walking down the street these days. I thought okay, I got my sexy back, I am sure people were wondering "who is that hot mom?". Umm...No. LOL!
Everyone is checking out how cute, warm and cozy my son is in his 7 A.M Enfant.
I swear 90% of the time people stop me and ask:

* where did I get it?

* how much?

* and I want to be one (coming from strangers with no kids!) Yes it is that luxurious.


Here's how we roll!

Some things you should know about the Blanket 212 Evolution:

It is especially designed to offer protection in extreme weather conditions
With it's heat retention insulation, fleece lining and ergonomic hood it can replace having suit up baby, toddler or preschooler in a snow suit.
This can be used from car to stroller
The cover itself has length and width extensions and a convertible hood!
Fits with most strollers and car seats

What Everything Mom and Baby loved:

Quality, function, material and feeling good knowing my son was warm in the cold brisk air
We also loved that the slits were long so the strollers straps go in nice and easy. You don't have to remove the shoulder straps from the waist belt and then put it back on. I have struggled with this in the past but not with 7 A.M. Enfant. The slits are big enough for the shoulder straps and waist straps to fit together (5 point harness)
Around the hood (interior between the lining) there is an elastic and button so you can cinch up and make the hood fit a bit snuggier and the same goes for the shoulders!
Fleece lined, large pocket in the front
Double zippers and the snaps and velcro closures.
Anti slip back panel! Absolutely brilliant.
There are NO CONS! I could not find anything wrong with this product :)

And what would a review be with out a giveaway to kick in the New Year? Thank you 7 A.M. Enfant for providing me with a sample and for sponsoring this fabulous giveaway!

Here's what you have to do to enter, click on Read More or the actual blog title to get the raffle and let 7 A.M Enfant know how you heard about them on Facebook!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Kobo Touch ~ Great gift for new moms & any avid reader

2011-12-25T18:53:00.001-05:00

The Kobo has been an amazing gift to give this Christmas and here's why you should consider one.

My husband has been an avid book reader his whole life and has never been receptive to the idea of an e-reader. However the new Kobo Touch seems to have changed all that. Now he is anxious to explore e-books.

When I showed it to him, and he finally saw it in person, he was knocked out by how small and portable it was. He loves to have a book in his hands, and he takes them with him wherever he goes. The problem always is that the books can be large and awkward, and it can become banged up if it's in his bag. The Kobo is a perfect size and weight, and he can store many books at once, so he's never having to carry more than one book!

Our living room has a wall of books and to be honest when it comes to moving packing those books can be a pain. He finally got rid of hundreds of books on our last move, and it still didn't seem to make a dent. I'm not going to lie to you, I like to read, but he is voracious! He would be happy if we went out and sat together and read. I'm a woman for heaven's sake, I'm verbal! Anyway, enough about my husband's quirks, we don't have all day.

The convenience of Kobo Touch is he reads numerous books at one time and he can easily switch between books rather than carrying one. He commutes via TTC(Toronto's public transportation) so his life is made easier with one handy little e-reader. It certainly helps that the prices for ebooks seem substantially less than actual books. Even my husband can understand that! This will make both our lives that much easier. Everyone can relate to that!

I do however think this is a brilliant gift for a mom to be or the new mom who loves to read. Have you tried reading a book while breast feeding, bottle feeding or while baby is sleeping in your arms? Reading is not so easy. What is great about e-readers is you need one hand to tap the page and voila...reading just got a touch easier. The battery level is fantastic and can last a month(well 10,000 page turns) before having to give a charge, it also has built in Wi-Fi. See more {here}

Switching to e-reading is something we are new too because of our love for books, we still enjoy going to Indigo and Chapters and looking through books. A good book is a good book whether you have an appreciation for literature in paper back or electronically. We are no longer e-reader snobs.

Kobo Touch is remarkable.
Indigo has free shipping on orders over $25. This would be an amazing baby shower gift and it's still the Christmas season(we also celebrate Ukrainian Christmas, Jan.7) so...that last minute gift you need...well here you go!

Everything Mom and Baby's Year End Contest

2011-12-20T21:36:00.012-05:00

Toronto-based lifestyle family photographer, Diana Nazareth, works mainly on-location to create images that are often described as natural, modern, candid and real. Her latest venture is weddings, a natural extension of her affinity for all things family, love and connections that matter.
She is also a proud member of National Association of Professional Child Photographer (NAPCP), a member of the HELPING HEARTS photography team and the official photographer for Children's Art Theatre School (CATS DRAMA).

Diana serves Toronto and surrounding areas including North, York, Scarborough, Mississauga, Etobicoke, Markham, Oakville, Brampton, Richmond Hill, London, Milton, Whitby, Hamilton and Newmarket and ladies do I have something for you! See her beautiful photography {here}, and she is not only beautiful on the outside but inside as well. A truly genuine soul who is amazing at what she does and she offering.....

a Family Photo Session and Exclusive Digital Collection (all session photo's!): valued at $1075.00

Get your friends and family over to Diana Nazareth Photography to like her page, we need to know who referred them to her page. So ask them to leave a comment. Then add your comment to Everything Mom and Baby's Blog post as to who you referred. This can lead to numerous points! So the more people you get to Like the more entries you get!

*Once that person has liked her page and commented your entry will only count then so we can verify.

~ It's simple to enter ~
(* mandatory)

* For a chance to win simply "Like" Diana Nazareth Photography on {Facebook} that is all that is required!

If you're new to Everything Mom and Baby you can like me on {Facebook} too!

* Leave a comment on this post saying that you liked her page. mandatory

{Diana Nazareth Photography has to reach 1000 likes before the drawing can take place}

To increase your chance of winning, share the news on twitter or your Facebook page(you can click on the heart below where it says share this post) and then leave a comment here (my blog post) telling us you did so. Your name can be entered up to 3 times.

The winner will be selected randomly on January 1, 2012.

A few details ~

1. Winner must reside in Toronto or anywhere in the GTA, and including Markham, Newmarket, Oshawa, Pickering, Brampton, Richmond Hill, Whitby, London, Hamilton, Milton and Burlington.

2. Winner must agree to book their Family Photo Session date by March 31, 2012. Session date must occur by November 30, 2012. No exceptions.

3. Session covers up to 5 family members only. Each additional member is charged an additional fee of $25. Winner agrees to pay for shipping cost of Digital Collection (estimated at $25).

4. Giveaway has no cash value and can not be combined with any other promotion or offers. No transfers permitted.

5. Winner must agree to sign a model release form allowing photographer Diana Nazareth and Everything Mom and Baby to feature winner’s session images on their respective websites and blogs.

If I get her to 1000 Likes I get a Family Photo Session too so please Like!

GOOD LUCK!

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

2011-12-20T14:41:00.004-05:00

Whatever your faith, may you find joy and happiness this Christmas Season as we celebrate the Winter Solstice and one another.

Turn the volume up on your computer to listen.

This ecard personalized with Smilebox

Hexbug by Nano ~ Micro Robotic Creatures

2011-12-19T11:24:00.005-05:00

Okay these are super cool from HexBug. To be honest when I got this to review I didn't think I would think much of it but I do! I love them. The scatter around, my son gets excited when we pull this out and we all play with them...as a family.

I must say it again, these are super cool. I highly recommend them.
I gave a Nano bug to my son, I was thinking okay maybe this will help us get over our fear of bugs which I had passed on to him as we were up North this passed Summer. It has helped :) but they are more of a fun toy to get your preschoolers into early robotics.

This Nano bug moves like a real bug, it flips over and zips around like a beetle. These robotic bugs run for about $5. These make great little gifts and stocking stuffers for the 3+. If you see these, get one. You'll get hooked and get the whole collection which is what we are now into, LOL! You can become a collector online. There are so many ramps to use as well such as a Glow in the Dark Habitat, The Nano Starter Kit is pretty fun too and only $12!

The Hexbug Nano Bridge Battle Habitat Set
The Nano's(bugs) move all over the place and go in circles sometimes. My son was talking to it asking "Do you like going in circles, little bug?" then I pulled this out and the look of amazement swept across his face. We put some more Nano's in it and watched them move around...let the swarming begin! Nano owners would place their bugs on either side of the elevated
arena where they must scurry over an orange bridge, through one-way gates and meet in the center battle platform. HEXBUG Nanos nudge and knock their competitor out of the battle arena
until only one bug is left standing and reigned champion.

The Hexbug Spiral Starter Set (only $20!) and the Elevation Habitat is our favorite.

Like the name suggests it's a nice starter set and the price is right if you are looking for a little extra something to give this Christmas Season. I would recommend to all my friends as it is a fun toy and the bugs are really neat.

HEXBUG was designed to give children a positive experience with robotics at a young age. Their Everyone is drawn to the HEXBUG intelligent bug-like attributes and eye-catching packaging. Some of the products are so animated, they have fooled my cat dogs and my husbands friends have fun playing with this as well.

I think I'll have to get the Hexbug Spider next....I wonder if that will help get over my fear of those 8 legged creatures! You can buy online and I have seen these at Toys R Us.

{Share this post(click below where you see the little heart) and pass along if you know some one looking for something cool, fun and affordable this Holiday/Christmas Season.}

Recipe of the Day: Cheese-Puff Crowns a la Julia Child

2011-12-17T15:48:00.000-05:00

Oh my god I am in love with these buns!!!!!!!!
They sort of remind me of the buns you get at Red Lobster but these are better..... because these are so easy to make and made by you. If you're looking for appetizers to make this Christmas or buns to have with dinner make a few batches. I love Julia Child and this is my first Julia Child recipe. How do I not have her cookbooks?! I'll add it to my Christmas list for hubby!

I got this recipe from my mother. It's out of a April.4/27, 1992 First Magazine

All I did was follow the super easy instructions.

In a nutshell, preheat oven to 425F. Makes 8-9 buns.

Boil water, butter and salt, remove from heat and throw in a cup of flour. It will look like clumpy at first but will smooth out quickly and look like mashed potatoes.

Transfer to a bowl and while still warm, make a well in the middle, add 1 cup of beaten eggs, about 4. Add the eggs at a 1/4 cup at time (my consistency was perfect at just about a half cup of beaten eggs rather than the cup recommended) It's like a puff pastry formed into a ball and with swiss cheese in the end. So once the egg is added the dough should hold its shape when scooped up on a spoon. That's why it's important to add a 1/4 cup at a time, you don't want it too loose or you'll have to start all over. I used an electric beater when adding the egg.

Beat in 1 cup of the cheese ( I just stirred it in) and form a ring by dropping mounds of the dough in a circle (pictured below) *make sure the pan is lightly buttered and floured.

Cook at 425F for 20 minutes than reduce to 400F for another 20 minutes ( I baked mine for about 50min)

It's crisp outside and moist and savory within. DIVINE!

Ingredients:

1 cup of water
3oz of butter
1 tsp of salt
1 cup of flour
1 cup of lightly beaten eggs(about 5, I was good with 4)
1 cup + 2 tbsp of Swiss cheese.

Win Donny from Monster Factory

2011-12-16T12:34:00.000-05:00

Kyle Mini Monster

Need a last minute gift idea? Cute stocking stuffer's needed? Monster Factory just brought back the mini's priced at $12.95 and these mini's make a cute little gift. I'd like another :)

I first came across the Monster Factory at the One of a Kind Christmas Show. I fell in love with the look, quality, loved that it is a local company made by talented artisans and well....my son could not get enough of them as we were about to leave.
From the corner of his eye he saw the Monster Factory and immediately ran towards the booth.

He saw a whole bunch but we he liked most was Donny.
Donny is part of the Buddy and Friends and we are need of another "companion" for Donny so we are debating which one to get next? I might need your help with choosing!

Donny

This is Donny, he is so cute and goofy looking, he is my son's favorite.

"Donny is ever the opportunist, Donny always has a get rich quick scheme in the works."

Monster Factory is based in Toronto, ON where their studio is located on 471 Richmond Street West, Suite 102. I love supporting local businesses.

All Monsters are made on the premises.
The Monster Factory "is a character toy brand run by Adam Dunn, Rhya Tamasauskas, and Bliss Man. Together they design and create engaging monster characters who live in a strangely familiar world. Combining their backgrounds in film, art, and fashion, the creators have developed a strong sense of collaboration that affects every aspect of their process from storytelling to product design. Their efforts have produced countless monster characters who, despite their appearances, are just like you and me."

With Christmas around the corner take advantage of their Colin Sale and visit their website to see what they are all about.

Monster Factory would like to give you a Donny of your own ( I bought mine!) so ONE lucky subscriber is in for a treat!

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