Healthy Competition

It is now 5.5 months since I gave birth to my little Goober. She is healthy and happy and well, so it's time to shift some of my attention back to Mama! Mostly that means giving back to my hardworkin' baby-producin' bod. The physique is in need of some love - especially as Goober gets heavier and harder to lug around. I used to be able to devote countless hours to tracking exercise and eating with SparkPeople (love love love it!), but those days are gone. Instead I turn to my embarassingly competitive spirit for motivation to get this ol girl back into form.

Irrelevant Aside: The film The Competition came out the year I was born. Coincidence? I think not.

Step One: Thank you Grampa! My father has challenged me to a "walk-off". We both have pedometers now and track our daily steps. The contest is to see who can accumulate the most "10 000 steps" (sorry about the pdf) days in a month. With whooping my father (who is a walking nut by the way) as my fuel, I have managed to log some 15 000 step days, and bring my average up to 10 000 steps a day! This has been a great way to push my postpartum body to the next exertion level.

p.s. Dad. I've got hills + the weight of a carried baby or the pushing of a stroller to increase the intensity of my walks. Maybe you should start carrying Flo on your walks!

Step Two: Thank you Husband! Christopher has accepted my challenge to avoid treats for the month of July. Treats = any indulgent food item. My major downfalls are Mochas (decaf; not that it's any of your business), ice cream (specifically pricey Häagen-Dazs bars) and Coca-Cola (yes I AM aware it's toxic - toxically delicious!). Using Google's handy forms, we have begun a spreadsheet to track our treat intake through the month. It's like golf; the player with the fewest points wins. Since giving birth I have allowed myself treats as a reward for working so damn hard. Now that I'm feeling stronger and more confident as a mother, I don't need that crutch and I want to break this habit of indulging.

Like my volleyball shirt always says, "Go hard or go home!"

The Earth + Plastic

A clever man died this week. I heart "The Planet is Fine".

My Search for Dark Chocolate Continues...

Organic apples taste better than regular apples ergo... (or so I assumed)


Organics from President's Choice, European - 70%
1st taste: Bitter. Some kind of tang.
2nd taste: A bit waxy. Strange tang.

Green & Black's Organic - 70%
1st taste: Something tangy. Gritty texture
2nd taste: Texture is sticky or chewy. Not a great flavour.

Cocoa Camino, Bittersweet - 70%
1st taste: Strange but not bad. Definitely "bittersweet". Different texture from all others.
2nd taste: Not a bad flavour but too crumbly.


Following these with the Poulain makes me say, "That's how chocolate should taste!" Guess I prefer my chocolate with a little chemical aftertaste.

Delicious Darkness

A coffee and a piece of dark chocolate is my favourite way to end a meal. Dark chocolate is a sexy and satisfying treat. Unfortunately, I'm sick of the waxy "dark" chocolate available in the check-out line without having found a really great alternative. Lindt is too chalky for me. Some of the fair trade brands I've tried taste a bit sour. So I've decided to start keeping track of which ones I like, and which ones I don't. (I wish this were a wine list, but that'll have to wait until my boobs are my own again)

Note: This isn't a blind test, and it doesn't take into account cost; I might be influenced by the fact that Scharffen Berger has the classiest packaging and my favourite might change if it is also the most expensive.


Poulain - 76%
1st taste: Dark. Lovely cocoa flavour, but still smooth.
2nd taste: mm. What is that? Orange? Hm. Sweet but not too sweet. Creamy.

Scharffen Berger, Semisweet - 62%
1st taste: Tastes sweetened. Lovely smooth texture.
2nd taste: Good. Creamy. Tastes a little - oh! it is semi-sweet. I think I will try a different variety of this one - something more purely chocolate (there's vanilla flavour added).

Ghirardelli, Twilight Delight - 72%
1st taste: Woody. Nutty. Strange, but not bad.
2nd taste: Chalky. Not sweet enough. Don't love it.


Out of these three, I completely prefer the Poulain.

To be continued...

Tip: To keep fresh, wrap chocolate in foil and store in an airtight container.
Keep in a cool dark cupboard.

My New Favourite Saying - Thank you 30 Rock!

Tracy Jordan: Dr. Spaceman. When they check my DNA will it tell me what diseases I might get or help me to remember my ATM pin code?

Dr. Spaceman: Absolutely. Science is whatever we want it to be.

Change is Good

When I began this blog, I had no expectation that I would still be posting two years later. It started as a way for me to digitally archive things of interest and to get down thoughts I felt worthy of recording. In the "real world", I would have written and glued things in a journal. At the time I was taking History of the English Language so phonetic spelling interested me; punching up "journal" with graphics made it more appealing.

The blog has evolved, but not strayed from "the collection of a generalist." I remain a generalist and this blog is still a repository for stuffs that cross my path. I have however lost my connection with phonemes so it seems time for a shift.

Notice. Announcement. Information or intelligence. To take notice of. To mark. To comment on. To review. Notice boards. The word is derived from Latin words meaning "known" and "awareness". On the prairies (and elsewhere I'm sure), a friendly way to greet someone is "What do you know?" Basically, I'm archiving what I know and I want to share it with you.

Gift Ideas for New Mothers

Cleanliness is Decadence
The only time I have consistently taken for myself since my daughter was born is in the shower. No. Not a bath. No loofahs or bubbles are present. A short, hot, steamy shower. So, to pamper a new mother, I would turn her shower into a transcendent experience. Super plush towels and a sensual massaging shower head at the high end. Delicious smelling soaps and shampoos (some relaxing and some revitalizing) at the low end. Ahhh.



















Find Me Somebody to...
As you may gather, no new mother has time for anything except her baby. Offer to take something off her hands and you bring her great peace. Whether it's your time or a professional's, help with cooking and cleaning is extremely valuable. I recently met a woman whose sister gifted her 2 free months of diaper service - great idea! I also like the idea of in-home massage or hair services.

The List I Would Have Liked as a New Mother - Part II

Trial and error baby;
at least I only have to do this for the first time once!
Three months of learning later,
I will augment my post on items for new parents.



















8. Change Pad - I should have had this from the start, but I was bound and determined to minimize the stuff we accumulated. Unfortunately, a stack of blankets on a hard wood surface is not enough; I finally got this when Maggie started to slam her heels into the table. One of these big fat change pads is the way to go. I haven't bothered with the covers - just throw a receiving blanket down so she doesn't lay on cold vinyl. And I recommend cutting off the useless strap so you aren't tempted to trust it with your baby's safety.

















9. Diaper Wipes - Save hundreds of dollars and baby's sensitive bottom; skip the store-bought wipes. Use baby wash cloths or serge the edges of 6"x 6" squares of flannel/cotton/terry to make your own. If (like me) you aren't crafty and you don't know someone who is, check out Hankettes (pictured above) or do a search on Etsy and you'll find a variety of cloth wipes to choose from. Some people use a homemade solution with the wipes, but I just use warm water. I'm sure this is the reason Maggie hasn't suffered from diaper rash.

Aside: For convenience I use bought wipes while on the road. I've found the most gentle product to be Seventh Generation Wipes (as compared to Huggies Natural Care and TenderCare Flushable Wipes).




















10. Baby Monitor - Though we live in an 800 sqft apartment, this thing keeps me sane. I can go about my business without feeling compelled to check her breathing every 10 minutes. We bought the First Years Ultra Range Monitor because it was affordable, compact and 2.4 GHz (less interference with our phone and wireless network). It did disable the wireless while we were visiting a friend, but luckily ours remains unharmed. The constant static is a minor irritant, but I assume all monitors produce some amount of white noise. I love that both units run on batteries and I love more that the batteries charge whenever the units are plugged in (why don't more electronics operate this way??). Most importantly, I can hear Maggie fart - it's a very trustworthy monitoring device.



















11. Born Free Glass Bottle - Plastic + warmed liquid + babies = sketchy, so we're happy to go with glass. We found that Maggie latches to this nipple almost like she would to a real breast - potentially minimizing the dreaded nipple confusion.























12. Soothers - I was adamant that Maggie would not need a soother and now I'm so grateful that she takes them (it was a lifesaver when we flew home to Manitoba last month - no ear difficulties at all). I've prevented at least a few clogged milk ducts by sticking a soother in Maggie's mouth instead of letting her suck on my nipple until the break of dawn.

Caveat: Our soothers have BPA in the handles, so I'm going to try Natursutten's natural rubber soothers. Will post Maggie's verdict.



















13. Formula - Our ideals came shattering down around us the morning Chris ran to the all-night pharmacy to buy a pack of Similac for our raging and hungry baby girl. She's been happily on the boob for months now; the formula was just a temporary (but incredibly necessary) supplement. I wish we'd had at least one "just in case" can in the house, and I wish we'd trusted the doctor who said, "formula isn't poison." I've truly learned my lesson: always, always, always have a back-up.

Strawberries are in Season!

Gramma's Strawberry Muffins

We couldn't get enough of these when we were back in Manitoba so I can't wait to make my first batch - thanks for the recipe Mom!

4 medium eggs, beaten
3 cups of all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups of fresh strawberries rinsed, hulled and sliced
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups of chopped walnuts
1 cup of oil
1 T. cinnamon
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt

Preheat to 400 degrees F.
Combine flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.
In another bowl, combine the eggs, strawberries and the vegetable oil.
Mix the contents of the two bowls. Gently fold in the nuts.
Fill the muffin tins and bake for 20 minutes.
ENJOY!

I haven't enjoyed muffins as much as these. I cut the sugar in half as it called for 2 cups and they are good!!!!!!!!!!!
Love you lots, Mom

Reading Lipstick Labels

I much prefer the digital storage of information to the accumulation of magazines, sticky notes and random sheets of paper. It allows me to forgo an organizational system in favour of heavy use of the "search" tool. Of course, if I had a filing system or notice board for such things, this would live there...

Here is a list of ingredients to avoid in your cosmetics, courtesy of David Suzuki's Queen of Green.

• formaldehyde (farmalin or methyl aldehyde; found in imidazolindinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin and quarternium-15)
• cocamide diethanolamine (cocamide, diethanolamine, DEA)
• coal tar
• parabens (methyl, ethyl, butyl and propyl paraben)
• phthalates (dibutyl phthalate (DBP), fragrance)
• sodium lauryl sulfate and/or sodium laureth sulfate (SLS, SLES)
• Ethylenediamine (EDTA)
• proplylene glycol
• toluene
• talc
• petroleum (petrolatum, DEA, MEA, TEA)
• phenylendiamine (PPD, P-diaminobenzene)
• triclosan

Based on the Guide to Less Toxic Products, I plan to check out Aubrey Organics, Burt's Bees, Ecco Bella, Jason, Weleda and Druide for my moisturizer and lip gloss - because let's face it, that's all I've got time for these days!

Maggie G's Product Testing: Teether

I started teething before I had the coordination to hold an object in my mouth, so relief came mostly from Mom or Dad's finger, and a chilled soother or socksicle.

Now that I've gained a little hand-eye control however, Sophie le Giraffe is my best friend. I could chew her head off, I love her so much. Those water-filled drugstore teethers completely miss the mark. Nor do I care for the taste of wooden teethers; they are much too heavy for my little hands at any rate. I do enjoy rubbing my gums on a Raz-Berry teether at times, but something inexplicable draws me to Sophie.

I love her independence (she can stand unassisted). I dig her sound and she's gorgeous. I can't look at her without smiling.

Sophie, je t'aime.

Update: And now I'm 6 months old. I'm much stronger and my tastes are more complex. I'm into chewing on the cold drugstore teethers and my wooden toys now that I can properly hold them in my mouth. I've also recently fallen in love with my Super Yummy Teether - it smells like chocolate!

Mother Beautiful

"Beauty is truth, truth beauty." John Keats






























It's Mother's Day. Let us celebrate motherhood in its entirety.

Thai-riffic Slow Cooker Chicken

I am constantly scouting for easy and delicious dinner ideas and nothing is easier than throwing a wack of ingredients in the slow cooker. I adapted this recipe from that posted by Much More Than a Mom on Rookie Moms. She used chicken breasts. I think I may do so next time because my sauce was very greasy (thighs are higher in fat) and I'd love to freeze half for another time (I've never frozen meat on the bone before - can it be done??).

10-12 skinless chicken thighs (place in cooker)
Mix together:
1 small jar Salsa
Juice from 2 limes
1/2 cup peanut butter
2 Tablespoons soy sauce
4 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
Mix sauce into chicken.
Cook on low for 6 hours. Serve over rice and sprinkle with peanuts. Yum!

Meme this!

Even as a child, I refused to forward chain letters. I spat in the face of superstition and broke chain after chain after chain. I continue the trend with their virtual cousins; refusing to send on emails that promise to make me rich or save the life of some one-legged dog in Alabama. Do I sound righteous? I feel it. These letters are viruses, fashioned by liars and perpetuated by well-meaning innocents.

Howevaaaaaah... When my good friend Sarah sends me a euphemism (I mean a "meme") that claims to be in the interest of literacy, I say chain me in!

















These are the parameters:
1) Pick up the nearest book.
2) Open to page 123.
3) Locate the fifth sentence.
4) Post the next three sentences on your blog and in so doing…
5) Tag five people, and acknowledge who tagged me.

1) The nearest book was Pigs by Robert Munsch (Maggie thinks it's hilarious when I yell, "Hey you dumb pigs!"). I don't think it goes past page 12, and most of those are illustrations. I walked a few feet to find Calculating God by Robert J. Sawyer. Christopher recommended it based on my criteria 1. fun and 2. fictitious. I want to jog my imagination; to be transported to places that don't exist. Yes, Toronto does exist, but this is Toronto + alien! Though I don't generally read sci-fi, I love reading Canadian and I believe in Cylons, so I thought I'd give it a shot. I'm only 17 pages in, but it's mostly amusing thus far.

2) I opened the book to page 123 exactly. EXACTLY. Creepy or coincidental? Both.

3) I wondered if God was happy with the way his game was going.
"And now," said T'kna, through the translator, "reciprocity of interrogatives."
His turn to ask a question.

Wow. Anti-climactic. I don't know what I was expecting. I just feel disappointed that this exercise didn't reveal something meaningful about me or my connection to Sarah or Calculating God. What's the payoff? Do I win a $50 gift certificate to Applebee's??

No More Little Boxes

Well, according to the New York Post, one of my beloved television shows is undergoing drastic changes before it's return on June 16th.

The most difficult change to bear? The nixing of the show's theme song. I apologize for being so stale but I must (avert your eyes if you are sensitive to cliché) - if it ain't broke! I regaled The Sopranos for maintaining its original opener throughout its run. I truly enjoyed watching it as a piece of each episode and still find myself humming "got yourself a gun...."

I adored the song about suburbia written by Malvina Reynolds in 1962. I'll miss Conrad and Heylia too, but most of all, I'll miss the little boxes made of ticky-tacky.

89% of all litter is McDonald's trash

Well....maybe.

Worthless Clever Invention #1

Socksicle: Baby sock. Wet and chilled. Relief for teething babes. Easy for small hands to hold. Won't soak front of baby's shirt. Fits parent's finger for cooling counterpressure.

Darn. A quick search demonstrated that the socksicle has already been patented by Michael Hogye. So much for that.

as we fall asleep

in the dark

nose to nose

like Inuit throat singers

your chubby body wraps tightly round my arm

your delicate hands rest lovingly on my wrist

tiny puffs of your sweet milky breath hit my face like kisses

and i think to myself

this is it

this is where i belong

teeth - who needs em!

I think teeth are highly overrated and I would like to opt out of this whole teething process........who do I talk to about that?

Spring. Maggie. Maggie. Spring.

Stay-at-Home-School.2

Today, Maggie learned to stand up (with some assistance) and she learned how to kick water out of the bath to make Mommy laugh.


















Today, Mommy learned that babies are like crows - they like shiny objects. And she learned that homemade mobiles are just as good as store-bought; hurray for shiny paper, fishing line and metal fastener things.

So Many Strollers...Update

Does it say something about how fickle I am that one small change can completely alter my opinion of a product?
Nah. It's my consumer right. ; )
















No storage? No more.

You may have noted that Ryan from Bumbleride commented on my So Many Strollers... post. He offered to replace the basket I was so disheartened by. I was impressed that he found me and dumbfounded by his offer! Generally, I (ridiculously) accept that going with a smaller brand gives me no recourse, so I pretty much deserve any defective gear purchased. Not so, says this stylish young company from San Diego!

The verdict you ask?

I love my Bumbleride Flyer! This new basket fits wonderfully - no rubbing of the wheels here. Hurray! It's almost midnight and Maggie is asleep, but I'd be happy to wake her up and go for a walk right now. Yes I'm particular. It bothers me when I find a product that's just about perfect, but not quite. However, this lovely stroller now meets each of my demands and we shall live happily ever after.

So, besides the quality of their product, two things have made me a Bumblerider. 1. I'm a sucker for good customer service - I received the new basket within 10 days of my post! 2. I love a company that demands excellence - they realized something didn't work, and they fixed it. Sold.

p.s. The other comment on that post referred to the "bumpy ride" on rough sidewalks. This is true of a newbie or a lighter baby, but now that Maggie's got a few more weeks and a little extra chunk under her belt (oo she'd look cute in a belt), we're enjoying smooth sailing.

Stay-at-Home-School.1

Today, Maggie learned that cats are soft.


















Mommy learned that buying $5 shampoo is quite acceptable. Thank you Real Simple magazine!

Almost Haystacks

If (like me) you never have dried shredded coconut in the house (re: "Almost Haystacks"), but you love super easy cookies; this recipe's for you. Since giving birth to Maggie, it is the only sweet treat I have time to make. Another benefit to these cookies is that oatmeal and peanut butter make them more satisfying than regular ol' chocolate chip AND I can pat myself on the back for getting some fibre and protein! (Yes. Drowned in sugar as they may be.)

No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter
2 cups packed brown sugar
1/2 cup milk
4 tablespoons cocoa
1/2 cup peanut butter
3-3 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
2 teaspoons vanilla

Directions:

1. Add the first four ingredients into a pot.
2. Bring to a rolling boil and hold for 1 minute.
3. Remove from heat.
4. Stir in next 3 ingredients & drop by tablespoons on greased sheet.
5. Let cool until set.

I keep them in the freezer because hey, now it's a frozen treat!

Original recipe courtesy Jenny White on Recipezaar.

Graffitiscape

Shannon Craig paints the places I know in a way that I have never known them, but in some way, they become more recognizable.

mom move #14

wearing the peanut
by the dryer in my socks
skating for my life

So Many Strollers...

What I wanted? A reversible stroller, compact enough to manoeuvre through grocery stores and stash in a 2 bedroom condo. A sturdy stroller that would allow peanut to lie flat, provide a comfortable ride on bumpy sidewalks, and carry a decent sized bag of groceries.

What I bought? A Bumbleride Flyer.

Pros:

Reversible - I wouldn't enjoy a walk if I couldn't see lil peanut and she couldn't see me - she's still too lil. This was a crucial feature for me, which narrowed the availability - not many affordable strollers are reversible.

Affordable-ish - I can't believe I'm saying that, but compared to the SUV of strollers (Bugaboo Chameleon), the Flyer is affordable. The higher quality of the Flyer ($429) is worth the $100 more than the popular Peg Perego Pliko P3 ($339) which feels flimsy and cheap. Though, it must be said that even the Bugaboo ($1000) feels weak. For that kind of cash, I want a friggin tank!

Manoeuverable - Takes corners like a slinky (Car & Driver won't be hiring me anytime soon).


Cons:

Size - Not as compact as I would like, but only umbrella strollers are as compact as I would like. I'll probably survive whatever guilt I have about clogging store aisles.

Comfort - As with so many strollers, I cannot walk with my natural stride without kicking the rear wheels. I'm not terribly tall (5'6") so I imagine it would drive a taller user to distraction (my husband pushes it with one hand and walks to the side). Fortunately, this is only the case when the handle is in the baby-faces-mommy position, but it's definitely a drawback to the product.

Storage - I will follow-up on this after some investigation. Thus far, the storage basket seems useless as it drags/rubs the wheels - disappointing. Maybe it's improperly positioned?


The stroller market is inflated (as all baby items are) so consider buying secondhand; I saved $200. Also, consider delaying this purchase and using a carrier until baby can hold her head up. Strollers without the ability to accommodate a newborn tend to be less expensive and more compact.

Final thought - If you've got the cash, buy the model that will best facilitate you and baby getting out and about. It's very important that you're mobile, so if you need a Bugaboo to feel comfortable out-of-doors, buy the darn thing!

p.s. Maggie loves the print on the inside of the canopy - she giggles and coos at it constantly!

Pacino & De Niro

Boy have they got my number.

I See Differently in These Shoes

Though I don't believe the Bible is anymore than a collection of well-written fables, I will agree that important lessons can be found in many works of literature. And so I refer to "Judge not...".

I admit that I did my share of judging in pre-Maggie days. I had a lot of ideas about how to and how not to raise children "correctly." I read a lot of books by so-called experts and stocked up on the latest theories of successful child-rearing. What I should have been doing is mastering the art of compromise.

Truth is, you do what you have to do. Truth is (as the doctor said) "formula isn't poison", and sure "breast is best", but if the only way that little one is going to get the sustenance she needs is through the silicone nipple of a bottle - bottle it is!

So, I will keep my judgments to myself, because the only expert on your baby is you.

Stinky Pampers - and it ain't the poop!

While lil peanut is between size small and medium of the gDiapers (listen to me justifying myself), we are compromising our enviro ethics and using disposables for a few weeks. Now I'm not a fan of disposable diapers to begin with, but I was extra disappointed by the Pampers package we bought recently. Since Pampers does not accommodate Mac users (the submit button on their email form is dead in Firefox and Safari), I will post my letter here.

Good morning. Yesterday we purchased a package of Pampers diapers because the grocery store was out of Huggies. The obnoxious scent on the diapers is nowhere advertised on the package. My husband and daughter and I have been sneezing since we began using them. In general, I prefer scent-free products - especially for baby - so I would have appreciated some indication of the scented nature of the diapers. The odour is so unpleasant that I am choosing to discard the package and waste precious funds by purchasing a replacement package of Huggies. Very disappointed in this inferior product and the lack of disclosure on the bag. Caitlin Spencer

The List I Would Have Liked as a New Mother

The baby industry would have you believe you need a whole whack of gear to be a successful parent. Surprise surprise - you don't! However, what I have learned in the last 10 weeks with my newborn is that options are crucial. So here are my top buys for new parents (this is by no means a list of "essentials" - food, water and shelter are essentials; all else is luxury).















1. Ergo Carrier - the best carrier for outdoor activities. I walk taller when I wear it. I can also breastfeed while she's in it. Need the infant insert for a newborn (yes it's worth buying even though it doesn't look like much). Whenever you're ready to leave the house with baby (about 2-3 weeks for us), you'll benefit from this purchase. Almost impossible to find secondhand. About $125 + $30 for the insert.

Caveat: The waist strap must do up around my hips (not adjustable) so I cannot sit when wearing the Ergo (or I risk waking her). Of course, this makes her weight less stressful on my back so I'll take it.



















2. The Pea Pod Cuddly Wrap - fantastic versatile carrier for snuggling them indoors or out. Great for when Maggie's fussy or for walks or to keep her happy while I do chores around the house - hands free carrying! Simply a long piece of stretchy fabric (intimidating at first glance but very easy to use) so it's best to buy secondhand (I have no sewing skills, but that's another option here). About $60 or $30 used.

Caveat: It's somewhat of a production to put the wrap on, and because I haven't determined how to feed her while wearing it, I have to be pretty sure she isn't hungry, or I waste a good 10 minutes making her cranky while I put it on and take it off. However, that's why I can trust she is secured, so again, "I'll take it."

Note: Though they are easier to use, I don't like the sling style carriers for newborns. Maggie seemed uncomfortably squished and I didn't trust that her airway was clear.










3. gDiapers - Awesome. No stinky diapers hanging around the house - plus they're super cute! Good for your conscience, but harsh on the bank account. I'm planning to make microfleece inserts for use during the day, so I can save a bit of cash. About $30 for a starter kit and I recommend having 6 pants to alternate between (ie. 3 starter kits).

Note: Huggies were necessary in the first chaotic weeks and we are using them now as Maggie transitions into the larger size gpants.















4. Bouncy Chair - crucial for a few minutes of parental reprieve: run to the bathroom, give your arms a rest or grab yourself a snack. Secondhand is best because the least expensive version purchased new is $60 before tax. Most are in obnoxious colour schemes with ridiculous doohickeys and thingamabobs on them, but the Baby Bjorn Baby Sitter 1-2-3 is simple and non-intrusive in our small space. This is an excellent registry item because that chair is $140 new.














5. Medela Swing Breast Pump & Born Free Bottles - because we all need breaks! (even just to bathe while someone else feeds baby). Pumps help prevent mastitis and can be used to increase your milk supply as well. This pump is small, comfortable and works as well as the hospital rental I used in the first week. Don't buy secondhand because there is a chance (albeit minimal) you could pass disease on to your infant. About $220 for the pump. p.s. Born Free bottles come with great nipples!















6. My Brest Friend - a ridiculously named breastfeeding support. The other pillows don't fit as snugly around the middle and baby slips off. This keeps her in position and saves my back/neck/shoulders. Believe me, for the amount you feed your baby, this pillow is worth the $70 investment! I didn't buy it until Maggie was 9 weeks but I can imagine it would have been
useful from about 4-5 weeks on (depending on the size of your little one).



















7. Sure Comfort Newborn-to-Toddler Tub - I tried a regular rubbermaid container because I don't like buying unifunctional items like baby tubs, but she grew out of it so quickly and was never very comfortable in it. I also thought I would take her in the bath with me, but newborns are just so fragile (as are new mothers) and so slippery when wet that I've chickened out and appreciate the help this tub offers. It fits well in the kitchen sink so I don't hurt my back bending over, and baby is so secure that we're both happier at bath time. Maggie loves baths in this thing and it's only $20!




Next time: Top Purchases to Avoid Making

sliding into motherhood

simplify simplify simplify is my new creed.

what does that look like you ask? that looks like small caps and one-handed typing and two-line email replies. that looks like pizza and sushi and all things finger food. it looks like 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner. it looks like carmex as makeup and deodorant as shower (no it ain't pretty). no more cuticle creams or hand lotions or body washes or face cleansers - one bar of soap and one bottle of moisturizer can do it all.

babies are complex - nothing else needs to be.

my lil peanut

Unlikely as Pairing Chocolate and Garlic

And just as delicious.
















Rock legend Robert Plant and bluegrass queen Alison Krauss come together in the hypnotizing album Raising Sand. The tone of the whole is mellow without being sleepy, but each song feels special. The pair take us through sultry, delightful, moving, haunting, rock-and-roll, sweet . . . Their range is dynamic and they keep us interested from song 1 to song 13.

But don't take my word for it!

Mantra

Though I already have my theme for the year ("Enjoy the Ride" - a forgiving motto to set the tone for my first year as a mama), I love love love this mantra found at Natural Family Living Blog:

Use it Up
Wear it Out
Make it Do
Or Do Without

This old school motto is a wonderful counter to our obsession with consumption and our misplaced feelings of entitlement. Try it - it works! I found a cozy bathrobe on sale last weekend and although I own a perfectly good one, I found myself justifying the purchase: "It's a new colour" ... "It's a slightly more luxurious material" ... "I've had this one for 10 years!"

When I recalled "Make it Do or Do Without" it conjured images of my grandmother's "tupperware" - a 1970s becel container that she used over and over until finally it cracked a few years back. So, while I continue to have a working solution, it just does not make sense to indulge in something new. Instead I'll use up what I've got and look forward to the day that my bathrobe wears out.

Product of ______

For many different reasons, more people are choosing to buy Canadian food products. Some do it because food that has traveled less retains more flavour, some do it because safety regulations in Canada are different from other countries, some do it to support Canadian food growers and others do it to cut down on the environmental impact of food transport. There are lots of reasons to seek out the "Product of Canada" label in the grocery store.

Recently, Wendy Mesley of CBC's Marketplace did some research into "Product of Canada" food labeling. Unhappily, she found that such labels do not guarantee the food is from our country (I know!). The only legal obligation of this claim is that 51% percent of the food's production costs are spent in Canada - in some cases, that is covered by packaging alone. Mesley found that President's Choice minced garlic (labeled "Product of Canada") is grown in Mexico or California, and the milk ingredients in No Name ice cream are imported from New Zealand, Europe or the U.S. Fish does not follow the 51% rule. Instead, the "country of origin" claimed by fish products is simply wherever the product has undergone its "last substantial transformation". Highliner's Canadian labeled fish is shipped frozen from Vietnam, Indonesia, Russia and China and battered in Canada.















But Captain Highliner looks so trustworthy!

The moral of this story?
"The more processed a food is, the more obscure its origins become, because of the 51% rule. If you buy fresh vegetables and meats instead of TV dinners you'll have an easier time figuring out where it all came from."