tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58839019985337341742012-01-25T19:47:19.716-05:00Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.comBlogger1031100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-38626487823081797802009-04-13T20:35:00.004-04:002009-04-13T20:51:00.456-04:00

Petra is turning one soon!I'm not going to say, "I can't believe it's been a year already", or "wow, she's so big now", or any of that but I will say this: I can't believe what a difference a year makes.I read the books, I had a baby sister, I had been a babysitter, I had friends who had babies and I thought I was ready but I wasn't even close to ready butI'm so glad for the experience.I'm so

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-81930080492661174582009-03-24T19:14:00.005-04:002009-03-24T19:22:41.393-04:00

Yesterday I was driving home, dancing to the music on the radio (because it's a great way to unwind at the end of the day) and I noticed a collection of about 20 people overhead waving at the passing cars and carrying flags. I remembered that some Canadian soldiers had died recently and realized they must be coming home.I couldn't stop thinking about them 'coming home' and how it wasn't the

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-45703363099507834972009-03-24T19:06:00.003-04:002009-03-24T19:09:18.241-04:00

I don't know if you'll find this good or gross but... my hairstylist suggested that I style my hair with mousse in the morning to get an extra day out of a washing. Since mousse has alcohol, it absorbs your hair oil and it won't look greasy. Great for a working mom.

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-3837688280334158912009-03-15T19:04:00.003-04:002009-03-15T19:12:54.050-04:00

I've always loosely planned our weekly meals and enjoyed the flexibility of grabbing groceries anytime or ordering as a back up plan. Now that I'm back at work grocery shopping time is very limited and since Petra is eating real food, I actually have to have real food ready for her. Since I've been back to work, I've created a new normal. During the week I rush out of the office to pick my

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-77221460862182861262009-03-12T22:24:00.003-04:002009-03-12T22:39:41.178-04:00

I'm the mom who went on maternity leave, started a blog, and then abandoned her blogger responsibilities and I apologize for that.About a month ago, I took a new position at a large telecommunications company. I finally started on Monday. The transition from mom-on-leave leading a life of leisure to a working mom has been interesting. I didn't want to write about it while I was experiencing it

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-24764417205110614952009-02-28T19:08:00.004-05:002009-02-28T19:10:56.343-05:00

My old boss at Ryerson posted this link on facebook. I couldn't believe what I was reading, but then thought about the world in general, and thought, "okay, I could see people being ridiculously ridiculous like this". What do you think about it?

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-61683577806692225332009-02-28T16:31:00.002-05:002009-02-28T16:39:31.374-05:00

I have a few trusted cooking resources. Three are cookbook and one is a website. I check these when I'm meal planning, party planning, recipe testing, and when I'm trying to decide what to bring to a potluck lunch.The cookbooks are: How to be a Domestic Goddess: Baking and the Art of Comfort Cooking - Nigella LawsonFriday Night Dinners - Bonnie SternThe Joy of Cooking - Irma S. RombauerAnd the

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-44424447440185162072009-02-21T17:11:00.004-05:002009-02-21T17:28:16.622-05:00

I know this subject is voraciously discussed in other places but I still want to add to the fodder.Petra started eating food just before she was six months old, since she took a keen interest in food and eating (she would literally chew her tongue when I was preparing dinner), we decided to give her bites of banana or avocado or whatever. Then when she was six months old, we started her on

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-42599068014609007732009-02-19T20:41:00.003-05:002009-02-19T20:51:09.833-05:00

I think the beta blockers are really working. Aside from the awful tummy aches they give me, that I'm hoping get better over time, they have made a real difference. My energy level is way up, I'm less irritable and I'm not constantly overheated. I'll go for a follow-up in the next few weeks and we'll see if my levels are up.

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-41452724878146756152009-02-08T22:19:00.003-05:002009-02-08T22:44:27.090-05:00

We're starting to think about where Petra will stay during the day when I go back to work in less than three months. I didn't sign up on a daycare waiting list while pregnant like I was supposed to. There are very few that take babies between the ages of 12 and 18 months and it's hard to get them to call you back, the demand for spots in this area is unreal. So our options are:1. Homecare. An 

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-90082367476146055872009-02-05T09:00:00.003-05:002009-02-05T09:39:13.444-05:00

If I say thyroid problem, Graves' disease, or Hashimotos, do you say huh? I did and still do.Aside from understanding that the thyroid is hormonal and controls the body's metabolism, I really didn't know anything else and I couldn't recognize the symptoms beyond weight gain or loss. At my physical last week my doctor asked how I was feeling, I mentioned my dramatic weight loss (70 pounds in nine

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-82735241562847230902009-01-31T21:13:00.003-05:002009-01-31T21:41:09.087-05:00

Sleep is like sex. You only want to talk about it when it's good or you aren't getting any. I don't want to seem like a complainer but I am just completely, utterly, absolutely exhausted. I still function like a regular human being for most of the day, aside from a desperate tug to nap between two and three every afternoon, but I'm in shambles by the end of the day and I dread night time.I just

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-34127700462415327322009-01-28T20:35:00.009-05:002009-01-29T12:21:10.672-05:00

This month's challenge is brought to us by Karen of Bake My Day and Zorra of 1x umruehren bitte aka Kochtopf. They have chosen Tuiles from The Chocolate Book by Angélique Schmeink and Nougatine and Chocolate Tuiles from Michel Roux.For our January challenge we were tasked to pair the tuiles with something light and fruity. At first, I thought I would use ice cream or some kind of pipped mousse

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-28696390678435284712009-01-26T20:39:00.003-05:002009-01-26T21:04:34.660-05:00

Here we are again, talking about vaccinations. Today I took Petra for her six month vax at nine months. She was absolutely, perfectly, mercifully fine afterwards. She didn't sleep for an extra spell, she didn't run a fever, she wasn't grumpy, it was business as usual in baby land. I felt like a dolt getting ready though. I couldn't remember if it was best to dress her in two pieces, in a onesie

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-88997076573661316152009-01-24T22:46:00.004-05:002009-01-25T08:33:59.045-05:00

Three weeks into our Friday Night Dinners Initiative, I'm calling it a success. We started with a proper friday night for the first one and we've been compromising ever since for friends, like us, with kids or for those who live further away. So while they aren't technically fridays, I'm sticking to the premise of Bonnie Stern's book and keeping the meals very simple.It's amazing how after a few

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-28388183859592315142009-01-21T21:47:00.005-05:002009-01-21T22:14:18.263-05:00

Granted it's off-colour to follow such a serious post with an utterly frivolous one but I'm doing it anyway. There are two nail polish colours that I use regularly at home, both are by Revlon. One is Vixen - a rich, dark, burgundy hue that makes me feel chic and hip when I wear it. The other is Sheer Blush which looks like a french manicure if you don't glop it on; it's simple and elegant and

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-34578394722387190592009-01-18T12:55:00.005-05:002009-01-18T13:12:39.591-05:00

In early December I talked about my possible need to find a new job but now the issue is even more pressing. A kind anonymous commenter broke it to me that I could in fact be laid off during my maternity leave. I was recently made aware that it's even worse to be laid off at the end of your maternity leave. A friend of mine was laid off upon her return to work after a full year of maternity leave

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-36751011450244945212009-01-15T08:59:00.003-05:002009-01-15T09:06:37.449-05:00

When the 649 jackpot is really high I like to buy a ticket. It's kind of silly that I buy a ticket when my chances are (even) lower than usual but it's something I like to do. Since I buy them so infrequently, I always think about what I would do with the money once the ticket is in my hand.Here's my plan: take care of family first then travel the world with my husband and daughter. Then I would

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-62242385179547765052009-01-13T17:30:00.003-05:002009-01-13T18:06:07.111-05:00

One thing I loved about maternity clothes were the elastic waistbands, I didn't realize how much I liked them until I had to use a zipper again once Petra was born. I've been progressively losing weight since then and now my pre-pregnancy jeans are so baggy that I don't have to undo them to take them off, if I take my belt off, they just fall off. They look sloppy and messy. I went shopping today

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-66691642555424402962009-01-11T10:27:00.003-05:002009-01-11T10:39:49.877-05:00

When you live in a semi, sharing a wall with one neighbour and driveway with another, what etiquette should you practice when shoveling?On one side I share a drive with my fabulous retired neighbours, Gabby and Ed. Since my car doesn't fit between the houses, we only use the drive to walk our recycling and garbage bins. Gaby and Ed have a private parking pad off the drive within their yard. On

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-27108663245993414142009-01-09T10:01:00.002-05:002009-01-09T10:16:17.647-05:00

I'm starting to rethink Petra's night feedings. When she was 6 months old, I started weaning her from feeding at night based on some advice from a sleep doula. At the time I was just cooked, my brain was mushy and I was a zombie during the day. She started to sleep through the night and I thought I had it made.We just got home from visiting my family in Edmonton and while we were there Petra was

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-6399302020476254182009-01-07T20:18:00.003-05:002009-01-07T21:38:27.280-05:00

Biting, pinching, hair pulling, and eye poking have all become part of our everyday lives. Petra's pretty good with hair pulling, if I say, "let go, let go, let goooo", she usually will. Her approach to eye poking is a little more subtle though. If you see her coming and you close your eyes, she'll gently flick your eyelashes around and start trying to gouge your eye ball out. It's actually

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-89081813244330255992009-01-04T13:42:00.003-05:002009-01-04T14:18:49.105-05:00

I haven't ever been big on New Year's Resolutions; I tend to make resolutions as the year goes, like finding a moms group (I found a great one), or making my daughter laugh every day (it's one of her favourite things to do), or committing to writing on my blog regularly. This year, in my Christmas stocking, was a copy of Bonnie Stern's Friday Night Dinners. The premise is that having Friday night

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-25207973928395209142009-01-03T11:44:00.001-05:002009-01-03T11:44:40.679-05:00

When Petra was first born, I felt like I didn't have time to floss my teeth let alone slap some mascara on. I can clearly remember the first post-baby time that I put mascara on, someone was coming over to meet her and I felt victorious. Since then I really haven't used it, I usually use moisturizer and that's all. Unless we're going to a wedding, I just don't bother.Now that Petra is older and

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-84686993016468335212009-01-01T14:45:00.002-05:002009-01-01T14:47:09.614-05:00

Petra is going to be starting on finger foods soon which means we'll need a tray for her when we're not eating at home. Any recommendations for booster seats? Or recommendations for first finger foods?

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-34435862192181669312008-12-29T18:10:00.010-05:002008-12-29T18:50:35.644-05:00

At the mild coaxing of a fellow High Park stroller mom, Tina, I joined the Daring Bakers. It's a worldwide group of people with a keen interest in baking, their skill levels range from amateur enthusiast to professional. I'm definitely on the amateur enthusiast end. I haven't even been the biggest baking fan because I feel like baking takes too long and has too many steps most of the time. I

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-30183489152427821072008-12-24T01:16:00.004-05:002008-12-24T01:23:03.076-05:00

My mom generously offered to babysit for us while my husband and I went out for our first-date-since-baby tonight. If any of you mommas haven't been out as a couple without your baby, I highly recommend it. We met some great friends at the Keg for a delicious steak. It was a reunion and a celebration of their engagement and it was great. And, amazingly, we didn't spend the whole night talking

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-80435127385526766732008-12-20T21:18:00.002-05:002008-12-20T22:23:54.924-05:00

Someone once told me to wait until your baby is born before you reveal their name; if you tell people ahead of time, you're opening yourself up to needless scrutiny and potential in-law negotiating. Once the papers are filed, it's done. I always thought that people who didn't want to share their baby names had picked something wacky - like Apple. I realize that some people believe by keeping

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-43906754087979987662008-12-18T10:21:00.004-05:002008-12-18T11:42:50.107-05:00

The baby and I are at my parent's house for Christmas. Our first night here, I was on the phone with my husband and the doorbell rang. My mom answered the door and I could hear "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" being sung. I went to the door with the phone and my sister followed. On the porch there were 20 or so Junior High-aged girls signing. When they finished they told us they had one more and

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-1234413224945752642008-12-15T17:24:00.005-05:002008-12-15T17:54:41.073-05:00

After you have a baby, the last thing you want to think about is sex but eventually you do. Then you realize you have to think about birth control again because the Sixth Month Itch will strike and you probably don't really want another right away. I used to take the pill but when you're breastfeeding, it's a different story. Your options are more limited. If you want to take the pill, your only

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-17849528281071345972008-12-13T14:24:00.002-05:002008-12-13T14:45:57.321-05:00

Last night we, my stroller moms and I, had our first Ladies Night. I feel old just saying 'Ladies Night', I'd rather call it Hot Mommas Night but that's not right either. I'm open to suggestions if any of you have one. Calling it ladies night makes me feel like a cliche, a bunch of moms all dressed up and acting wild since they are free from their children. That's not quite what it was like but

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-26519049063732517232008-12-10T21:55:00.003-05:002008-12-10T22:18:01.643-05:00

If my parents have a favourite among my siblings, they're very good at hiding it. I've always thought we were favourites for different reasons, none of which make us better than another. I'm the striver. My sister who is just a year younger than me is beautiful, caring and the most thoughtful of us. My baby sister is... well... the baby which is always a shoe-in for favs. She's also very creative

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-2902371399748355702008-12-09T13:27:00.003-05:002008-12-09T13:50:26.612-05:00

One of the first things I learned in my high school beauty culture class was: never bring up religion or politics. Well I'm not here to cut your hair and I guess we've already covered politics so let's talk. This is probably the most important subject for parents to address. Especially today, and in Canada, with so many mixed marriages. What are your core values? How will you raise your children?

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-75462676885688365722008-12-07T11:09:00.003-05:002008-12-07T11:16:08.476-05:00

I just made my first flourless chocolate cake, famously named for its missing ingredient. It's very simple and absolutely delicious. Components are semi-sweet chocolate, eggs, and butter. It's baked in a water bath, which is the most intimidating baking technique I've ever used. The completed cake is firming in my fridge. I hope it's delicious because I'm taking it to friends for dinner tonight.

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-26580585155290275192008-12-04T19:58:00.004-05:002008-12-04T20:45:23.002-05:00

I can't help but feel a bit anxious about the economy. My employer announced last month they would be laying off 5% of the workforce. Since I'm on maternity leave, I'm technically protected, they are forced to keep a spot for my return. Here's where it gets sticky. I think they can lay me off the day I get back though. So now I need to look for a new job before I'm due to go back. Hedging my bets

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-41591263317757609192008-12-03T15:15:00.004-05:002008-12-03T16:41:14.387-05:00

My picks for top baby toys and gear for babies 6 months and younger.1. Sophie La Girafe by Vulli. Rubber teething giraffe. Perfect gift for babies 4 months and older. Give this gift with a stroller tether because Sophie is easily lost. 2. Winkel by Manhattan Toys. It's a teether that rattles and the loops are rally easy to grasp. Suitable for babies 3 months or older.3. Oeuf Bouncy Chair. Great

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-16460603420062174182008-12-02T17:02:00.003-05:002008-12-02T17:28:12.226-05:00

We are experiencing the most exciting time in Canadian politics ever. Last week the opposition parties reached an agreement to form a coalition government in a direct attempt to oust Prime Minister, Stephen Harper. The opposition parties are calling it democratic and saying the Prime Minister has lost the confidence of the house. While the government is saying the opposition is effectively giving

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-89334802267221076742008-11-30T09:41:00.004-05:002008-11-30T10:26:49.033-05:00

There's no doubt that pregnancy changes your body forever. Your belly grows exponentially (resulting in stretch marks for 90% of us) and while stretch marks fade, the rumble strips are around for good. Besides the scars, basically everything downstairs changes too. You will just never feel the same again but, to me, a baby is worth it. I started thinking about this today because I can finally see

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-39578799560246344702008-11-28T16:07:00.003-05:002008-11-28T16:25:57.013-05:00

I love that word: Personality. I like the way DJs on the radio take on that word to describe their work. 'I'm a radio personality' or 'I'm a TV personality'. I've noticed some of them call themselves Attitudes now. What a great way to describe yourself! It's as if when they turn on their mic, their alter-ego emerges. Beyoncé has just released a new CD called "I am... Sasha Fierce" which is in

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-53774997098292040022008-11-27T13:08:00.004-05:002008-11-28T16:27:22.308-05:00

Are any of you planning to travel for the holidays? We're going to Edmonton to visit my family for three weeks! I love Christmas, it's the time of year when everyone gets together, even my dad takes a break. 

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-35185228478361500682008-11-25T18:28:00.003-05:002008-11-25T18:42:28.679-05:00

I want to write this down so I don't forget. I just shared the most beautiful moment with my daughter. I was trying to stretch her evening out because I'm getting a little sick of waking up at 6am and I want her to go to bed later but I'm failing miserably. I was trying to find engaging games to play to distract her at all costs. One of her favourite games is face tickling so I laid her in my lap

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-43045936465974398812008-11-24T13:07:00.004-05:002008-11-24T13:19:24.681-05:00

This is from the Environmental Working Group. A question they hear a lot from parents is: "If you could recommend one thing we should all do to improve the environmental health of our families, what would it be?". In response to that question, they compiled this high priority list. Choose better body care products.Go organic and eat fresh foods.Avoid fire retardants.Pick plastics carefully.Filter

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-85448003984808413152008-11-22T14:11:00.004-05:002008-11-22T14:40:58.000-05:00

In my first year at the University of Alberta, I took an introductory Sociology class. As a first project, to weed out the lazy students, the prof asked us to break a social norm and then write about it. Once we had turned in our papers he invited some of us to talk about what we did. Some toilet papered dorms, others picked their nose in church, or held the hand of someone of the same gender and

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-57003396629574993172008-11-21T11:22:00.002-05:002008-11-21T11:26:34.873-05:00

I'm very excited about Blogger's new 'reactions' function. You can now vote whether you agree or disagree with a post with one easy click! The options are a bit limited but it'll do for now. 

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-76550909631143010142008-11-21T08:11:00.000-05:002008-11-21T11:22:22.047-05:00

I grew up in a small town where all my friends lived in bungalows. As we got older, and bigger, our parents upgraded their homes. Some bought bigger, some bought new, and some renovated their bungalows. Those who bought new houses got self-cleaning ovens. I didn't have a clue what that meant but I knew they liked it.  As a former apartment dweller, and messy cook, I've seen (and cleaned) some

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-27876314470088116432008-11-19T18:52:00.003-05:002008-11-19T19:23:37.718-05:00

Is it still safe for kids to walk to school alone? That was CityOnline's lunch hour survey today. I didn't catch the results of the phone poll but judging by what people were saying on the phone, the opinion is overwhelmingly NO. Many people called in saying kids could be snatched at any time, that streets are not as safe as they were 10 years ago, and that there are hundreds of pedophiles in the

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-72398706838811552542008-11-18T17:56:00.005-05:002008-11-18T18:48:37.148-05:00

One of my favourite profs posted this article on facebook. It's about the consequences of a school system (our school system) that rewards students for effort rather than achievement. The article focuses on the kind of student that is being turned over to Universities.Those raised on the self-esteem philosophy are broadly known as Generation-Y, here's a Wall Street Journal article that summarizes

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-67044815793986231642008-11-18T13:21:00.002-05:002008-11-18T14:29:59.668-05:00

I've officially been welcomed to the world of blogging, I was tagged by my colleague Shannon. Although I haven't met Shannon in person, I know that if she lived on my street, I would want to be her friend. Here are the rules:Link to the person who tagged you.Post the rules on your blog.Share six (6) non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.Tag at least 3 people at the end of your post

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-30394146130134050292008-11-17T16:20:00.005-05:002008-11-17T17:02:56.072-05:00

Most people have heard of freecycle. The website was created to help people unload their quality second-hand items to someone willing to take it. Their goal is to keep good stuff out of the landfill by connecting "sellers" and "buyers". A yahoo group is the foundation of the site, so essentially, you're sending an email to a distribution list and hopefully one of their subscribers wants your item

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-68953918996497449702008-11-16T16:20:00.003-05:002008-11-16T16:33:21.245-05:00

When you hear the word brunch what do you think of? home fries, eggs, coffee, friends, Sunday mornings? Those are some of the things I think of. Breakfast is my favourite meal of the day, always has been. If I could, I would eat eggs, toast, hashbrowns and pancakes or waffles every morning- oh and sausage too. Someone says 'brunch' and I say 'when and where?'. For me it's more than the food

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-21429300606528474872008-11-14T20:21:00.005-05:002008-11-14T21:25:27.491-05:00

During the first few months of my maternity leave, I heard a few of my friends with older babies say they 'really wanted another' or 'didn't want a big age difference between their children'. I didn't think much of it at the time. Then I got my period back.Now my mind/body is playing a sick trick on me. Suddenly I'm thinking about how great being pregnant would be or how great it would be for

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-70109659509732592242008-11-12T17:41:00.002-05:002008-11-12T18:03:28.626-05:00

No, I'm not in the market for a dog. And no, I'm not a huge fan of dogs. But today I saw a beautiful Great Dane in the park. The dog was so stunning that I stopped the owner to ask a few questions about him. She said a Great Dane is exactly like a man - they just like to lie around. Of course you have a to run/walk a dane once or twice a day since they were bred to chase but you don't need to

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-12191053123102578562008-11-10T16:52:00.001-05:002008-11-10T17:12:18.931-05:00

When was the last time you sprouted beans? Mine was in junior high school for science class. Recently, I got a solids introduction calendar from the Vaughan Medical Centre, their list includes mung bean sprouts for 6 month olds. I happen to have mung beans in my house thanks to my mom's pre/postpartum visit so I called her to find out how to sprout these mung beans for Petra. It's pretty simple,

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-88765252294893889442008-11-09T09:08:00.000-05:002008-11-10T19:07:25.784-05:00

The work that what Jamie is doing in the UK to improve food and nutrition is admirable and makes me wish we had our own Jamie in Canada. His latest effort, Jamie's Ministry of Food, has caught the attention of government officials in the UK and he was recently invited to speak to the House about what he thinks the government should do to improve nutritional programs nationally. The 'Ministry of

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-13853627565819159002008-11-08T18:36:00.000-05:002008-11-08T19:13:33.283-05:00

I just got a new stroller! It's the Phil&Ted's Sport. I bought it at Macklem's in Roncesvalles. Phild&Ted's motto is: One buggy, 2 kids, 4 positions, loads of years. We'd be getting ahead of ourselves with the 2 kids part so we haven't bought the second seat yet. I'm glad I could rely on hand-me-downs until now so I didn't have to buy something until I was sure what I wanted. This one is ideal

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-51117458907279786372008-11-08T07:21:00.000-05:002008-11-08T17:11:51.455-05:00

Things seems to be going well. We're now 5 nights in and she is sleeping until 5 or 6 am... still working on that last stretch to get her to sleep until 7. My body is much happier with more sleep. I've been able to get a lot more done each day. I can't say I've noticed a big change in Petra, she was really touchy yesterday evening after 5pm. She still likes to be held most of the time that we're

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-38282866438845760322008-11-06T08:19:00.000-05:002008-11-06T09:36:51.363-05:00

I think Doulas are really special people. They will drop everything to spend 12 or more hours coaching you through labour and delivery. They will come to your house to cook, clean, and provide breastfeeding advice once your baby is born. Some even stay in your home for a few sleepless nights to correct your child's sleep problems.Petra has been a terrible sleeper for the last couple months. She

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-40094624537181902202008-11-04T07:53:00.000-05:002008-11-04T07:55:49.960-05:00

If you're in line at the supermarket with a fussy baby, and without a toy, grab a Smarties box. It makes a great rattle.

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-12337097814930549852008-11-01T15:07:00.000-04:002008-11-01T15:11:54.963-04:00

Petra's first meal was supposed to be today but it really turned into just another taste. She wasn't really into it. She would take a little in her mouth, work it around and sometimes spit it out. Funny baby.

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-15454287985821748052008-11-01T15:03:00.000-04:002008-11-06T09:41:22.979-05:00

We had a lot of fun yesterday. I took Petra to a local photographer's studio who was hosting a food drive. For a donation to the food bank, you got a free 5x7 photo of your child in the "pumpkin patch". It was really cute and I'm hoping we can make it an annual tradition. I can't get over how cool my neighbourhood is sometimes.

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-57829579833656771782008-10-30T09:22:00.001-04:002008-10-30T09:33:03.137-04:00

It's amazing that in the middle of the night, you really can't think clearly. Usually when Petra wakes in the night I hobble into her room, grab her from her crib, and feed her. Last night she woke up early and when I tried to feed her she was screaming her head off and it was really hard to settle her. She woke again around 2 or 3 am, and again, it was hard to soothe her and she didn't eat. She

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-68112371107885240342008-10-28T20:21:00.000-04:002008-10-28T20:42:52.333-04:00

I remember last time Petra had her shots we didn't know how to get the Band-aids off without hurting her. I remember that I was determined to ask them not to put the Band-aids on next time, but then I forgot. Tonight, I had to get her Band-aids off again. I soaked her in the tub and pulled them off in the water. She didn't seem to notice them coming off but her skin still flared up a little.

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-68488827486133017962008-10-28T09:58:00.000-04:002008-10-28T10:52:02.916-04:00

We had Petra's 6 month appointment yesterday. The doctor says my little 18 pounder is ready for "real" food. So I got the usual rice cereal talk and they (I see a resident and a physician) cited the importance of iron fortification in commercial cereal. I decided to politely nod as I listened to their advice and now I will do as I please, and tell them about it after. While I know that doctors

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-73253511651462865402008-10-24T15:08:00.001-04:002008-10-24T15:25:05.762-04:00

As a new mom, I really don't have the stomach to watch a movie about a child that goes missing but if I did, I'd go see Changeling. Here's the cbcnews.ca review of the film. Angelina Jolie is getting great reviews for her performance in the film and it's worth seeing anything John Malkovich is in. 

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-3784529217518844182008-10-23T20:22:00.000-04:002008-10-24T15:25:38.830-04:00

I hit the 400 today with a friend to visit Vaughn Mills Mall. At first I was disappointed because it seemed like there were fewer outlet stores than the last time I was there but then we hit paydirt. There are some really great outlets still in the mall. I found shoes for my husband which is no small feat and something for Christmas. I'll be back in 5-6 months when I'm getting ready to back to

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-18348353874342522132008-10-19T11:19:00.000-04:002008-10-24T15:26:13.480-04:00

After 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding, I got my period back. And while it's a healthy sign that my body is getting back to normal, it wasn't exactly what I was hoping for. I thought I would be able to dodge it until we introduce solids but, as my mom would say, "it is what it is".Since I'm visiting my parents I had to raid my sister's stash of tampons and pads. I know most women generally

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-18987802008536539882008-10-12T23:36:00.000-04:002008-10-12T23:54:45.877-04:00

A new report is being issued by the American Association of Pediatricians doubling the daily recommended dose of vitamin D. Click here to read the story published on nytimes.com. The new recommendation is 400 units per day. That's equivalent to the Canadian Paediatric Society's current recommendation. CPS also recommends doubling to 800 units between the months of October and April if you live as

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-46478832185721851802008-10-12T19:31:00.000-04:002008-10-12T21:27:13.321-04:00

I'm feeling compelled to talk about the Epidural. I didn't have one because, frankly, I was terrified of the negative things I'd heard about them. Things like; prolonged labour, escalating interventions, possible (although highly unlikely) paralysis, a (gasp) catheter, not to mention having a ridiculously long needle put in my back while I sit still through contractions.I just finished reading

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-41332948865464678942008-10-11T14:24:00.000-04:002008-10-12T21:00:32.409-04:00

Happy Breastfeeding Week!I just participated in the Worldwide Breastfeeding Challenge at West Edmonton Mall (we're in Edmonton for the long weekend). There were a lot of women/kids/dads there. I think we managed to get 30-35 in total. It was funny because Petra wasn't hungry and she was very distracted so I had to keep raising my hand (to be counted) and then drop it again. Here's the Edmonton

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-49326067891966744352008-10-09T10:51:00.000-04:002008-10-12T21:01:03.370-04:00

We're leaving for Edmonton in half an hour. This will be Petra's second plane ride... last time was not great. Since the return trip was much better than the ride out, I'm hoping she'll be calm for this one. Here are my tips for traveling with a baby:1. Pack as lightly as possible. If you're visiting family you can probably borrow items on the other side (thank you Lindsay). If not, you can rent

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-89765460758393453512008-10-06T09:39:00.000-04:002008-10-12T21:01:33.758-04:00

Christmas is less than 3 months away. For the mom on your list: The Maternal Is Political. Mostly American contributors but Ann Douglas (The Mother of All Pregnancy Books) is among them.The Synopsis from Powell's Books: Each contributor tackles complex issues facing mothers and society today. Whether it's a mother teaching her children to live ecologically responsible lives, a mother struggling

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-11278553561649343602008-10-05T10:44:00.000-04:002008-10-12T21:02:20.843-04:00

One show I like to catch is Wylde on Health on CP24. The host Bryce Wylde is a Homeopathic doctor. The show format is a call-in talk show with an expert guest each episode. Today he suggested a website, Environmental Working Group. Here's their blurb: "at EWG, our team of scientists, engineers, policy experts, lawyers and computer programmers pores over government data, legal documents,

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-39502406217316273462008-10-05T10:09:00.000-04:002008-10-12T21:24:29.763-04:00

Hair loss is one of the things many women face postpartum. Even though I knew it was common, I was still shocked when it happened to me. It's both upsetting and messy. I had to keep checking my daughter's hands for strands of my hair to make sure she didn't put them in her mouth, I had to clean my brush and drain 3 times more often than usual, and I was constantly pulling hair from the shoulders

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-10555461659922143412008-10-03T11:47:00.000-04:002008-10-12T21:03:08.630-04:00

Best cloth diaper ever! Bum Genius - All in One - One Size - Organic. It became "available" in Canada in May but only stores that ordered a whack of them at that time actually stock them.I have 2 and LOVE them. They are just as easy to use as a disposable (no stuffing). I actually prefer them to disposables because you don't have garbage to take out and you don't have to run out to the store to

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-51313190036262094272008-10-01T22:25:00.001-04:002008-10-12T21:03:54.018-04:00

After the Newman Clinic coverage last week and again this week, I went to check out their website. It's got great reference materials covering a broad range of breastfeeding topics including: clogged ducts, finding support, skin to skin contact and starting solids. There are also video tutorials. Click here to check it out. What caught my eye today was 'Finding a Breastfeeding Support Person'.

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-39943716532034484402008-10-01T20:17:00.000-04:002008-10-01T20:56:21.311-04:00

Normally 'Black Tie Welcome' on a wedding invitation would get me totally jazzed. Pick out an outfit, jewelry, purse, shoes - fun! But a breastfeeding, postpartum mom?? Ha! I had two weddings to go to last year while I was pregnant, both in the first trimester. Dressing for those was only a bit of challenge because of widening hips and a thickening waist but not even close to the nearly

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-91530619880960644272008-09-30T08:24:00.001-04:002008-10-12T21:04:20.802-04:00

I signed up for a rec basketball league. It's Monday nights at 9pm for an hour. Even though I'm in terrible shape, it feels great to get in a run at least once a week. Hopefully as the season goes on, I'll get my wind back and actually be able to play well. And my baby has mercifully returned to just 2 wake-ups at night. 

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-10610697459800895062008-09-29T12:29:00.000-04:002008-10-12T21:04:43.639-04:00

While it's amazing what your body can get used to, your body can never adjust to continuous sleep deprivation, and I'm starting to feel the effects. For the last 3 weeks, my 5 month-old has been waking up 3 or more times at night. Some nights she wakes up so much that I'm not sure whether she needs to eat or not because I'm so confused. She also spends an hour each night just babbling. It's crazy

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-14748560293042965492008-09-26T07:52:00.000-04:002008-10-12T21:05:25.977-04:00

I know we're spoiled in BWV with diaper-eez for diaper changes and nursing stops while shopping. Chapters has a washroom too but it's not well-maintained. For mall shopping, Yorkdale has the best nursing facility (the one across from Holt's), Dufferin Mall family washroom is second, and Sherway (near door 3) is third - although it's often too busy. These are the places I shop when it's too hot to

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-20900879377447933962008-09-25T09:34:00.001-04:002008-09-25T09:47:47.103-04:00

Have you heard of kijiji.ca? It's an online classified, available in most Canadian cities. Over the last year, we've bought all kinds of things on kijiji - our leather armchair, our side tables, the Baby Bjorn, and the Bumbo. We get a lot of baby loaner items, otherwise we'd be using kijiji even more. A friend of mine has her house listed there too. 

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-88471228105547777022008-09-23T22:16:00.000-04:002008-10-12T21:05:49.139-04:00

Check out this post on the Junction Parents blog. It points to a Toronto Star article about Dr. Jack Newman's Breastfeeding Clinic and their financial woes. As a society we still have a lot of work to do before breastfeeding is as natural as it should be. Clinics like Dr. Newman's help hundreds of women every month to solve breastfeeding issues, to learn more about breastfeeding and to pass that

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-21284823112204860492008-09-22T09:19:00.001-04:002008-09-22T09:30:35.669-04:00

I just heard about this Ottawa store while watching CityLine. It's called Wall Juice, think wall decals and tattoos. Click here to check it out. I love it because you can design your own too. CityLine showed a faux mantel, a stenciled tattoo on a drywall box in the shape of a mantel. Hard to imagine if you haven't seen it but Wall Juice will be adding it to their website. It was inspired by a

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-87815457760937329542008-09-21T09:48:00.000-04:002008-10-12T21:06:53.543-04:00

I didn't grow up with a school milk program so I haven't ever given it much thought. I heard from a girlfriend that her daughter's school lunch program offers regular and chocolate milk in their milk program. They also sent home a leaflet explaining that chocolate is really not such a terrible choice.I think it's ridiculous that chocolate milk is offered at school. When I was growing up,

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-53744692282883049632008-09-19T17:16:00.000-04:002008-09-19T17:50:20.417-04:00

Like many people in Toronto, I park on the street. My driveway is too narrow for my car to pass and the addition at the back of our house means that only a very small car could actually get into the garage. In July, my car was keyed from head to toe while parked on the street. At the beginning I was really upset. I felt sick thinking of how much it would cost to fix, arrange for a rental, and get

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-49358780319221949132008-09-18T19:03:00.000-04:002008-09-18T19:32:06.678-04:00

Are moms groups really for moms or for babies? Today I joined my friend's moms group for tea in the afternoon. They are a really nice group of women - laid back, conversationalists, open minded, just fun to be around and I really enjoy spending time with them. I don't get together with them too frequently either so they stay novel. When I got home I was thinking about how I always have such a

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-54952261762105454202008-09-15T15:50:00.000-04:002008-09-15T16:06:50.068-04:00

if your four month-old daughter napped for over 3 hours one day? Would you take a nap? Have a bubble bath? Watch a DVD? Here's what I did today when Petra slept for over 3 hours:1. Watched a Law and Order rerun,2. Vacuumed the house (even the baseboards), 3. Wiped down the kitchen, 4. Checked that she was still breathing,5. Updated my blog.

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-24128415911584513802008-09-14T15:58:00.001-04:002008-09-21T21:20:57.425-04:00

Not a new idea but if you are a cloth diapering momma, hang your stained diapers in sunlight to get rid of the stains (even old ones). I like to throw them in the dryer for a few minutes after they've dried in the sun just to soften them up.For all other stains, use Oxi Clean. Soak stained clothes in water and one scoop of Oxi Clean for 24 hours. Voila! Stain gone. I buy the mega box at Costco.

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-46475352631572659832008-09-11T21:03:00.000-04:002008-09-21T21:24:18.863-04:00

My cousin recommended this book after reading my blog: The Consumer's Guide To Effective Environmental Choices: Practical Advice From The Union Of Concerned Scientists. The book is full of in-depth analysis of consumer impact on the environment. It offers practical solutions for regular families looking to reduce their impact. The most important thing I learned in this book: don't sweat the small

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-60543021983632805852008-09-11T20:31:00.000-04:002008-09-11T20:51:30.393-04:00

After an ill-fated year down at the Harbourfront, the Ukrainian festival is back on Bloor. The festival runs this weekend on Bloor St. West between Runnymede and Jane. There will be a children's midway, a main stage, and street vendors. The parade starts at 11am Saturday from High Park.

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-14082632075251447732008-09-10T09:44:00.000-04:002008-09-10T09:54:41.812-04:00

I just signed up for a Mom and Baby Aquafit class called Diaper Fit (page 87 of the Toronto Fun Guide). It's Fridays 1:30-2pm at Mary McCormick Pool. The first class is October 3rd and it runs for 9 weeks. There are 6 spots left!

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-45789829172845164142008-09-10T08:43:00.000-04:002008-09-10T09:39:35.011-04:00

This one comes from a friend of a friend. It can be hard to get babies to spend time on their tummy when they're first learning to hold their head up. Here's a way to stretch out the time. 1. Take your breastfeeding pillow and put it on the floor. 2. Place your alert baby inside the horseshoe face down so the baby is angled head up, belly on the cushion and feet on the floor. 3. Put toys in front

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-60697105639782960762008-09-09T09:23:00.000-04:002008-10-12T21:08:05.656-04:00

This morning on BT there was a nutritionist talking about baby's first foods. Of course I had to leave the room to take care of my daughter and missed the segment but it got me thinking about first foods again. Petra will be 6 months at the end of October so it's been on my mind lately. The Canadian Paediatric Society has a comprehensive guide for feeding baby in the first year. I've often heard

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-27319395130992160282008-09-07T10:04:00.000-04:002008-09-07T10:11:59.873-04:00

My daughter nurses 2-4 times per night. That means many leaky nighttime diapers. I haven't been able to find waterproof sheets very easily so I only own one. My trick for preventing midnight insanity is this. I put the waterproof sheet on the crib mattress first, then I layer a small, inexpensive, cloth changepad down, and then a top sheet. That way, if the diaper leaks at night, I change her

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-91353858462790485052008-09-06T17:31:00.000-04:002008-10-12T21:09:16.298-04:00

We walked up to Dundas West today to check out the Junction Arts Fest. We hit the Bosnia Restaurant, Bosna Burek and Cevap, on our way. Potato Burek (potato pie) is my favourite thing to eat there but they don't always make it so we call ahead - the owner makes it on request. I was glad we took the long way because I usually shortcut down St. John's to get to the Junction. I finally found Reba's!

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-90748266717382126322008-09-05T18:01:00.000-04:002008-10-12T21:09:45.168-04:00

I've been looking for moms in my area for a while (although not very hard). I'm lucky to have 2 great girlfriends who are off at the same time and we manage to fill our time successfully. I still wanted to reach out to other moms in my area mainly so that my morning walks are less lonely but also to network. I find that the "groups" in my area are rather scattered. Some of the moms are part of a

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-68136593445584150552008-09-03T17:47:00.000-04:002008-10-12T21:10:12.285-04:00

So it's impossible to get "green" coffee in Canada. There are no local growers, due to climate, beans have to travel great distances to reach us. Since I love coffee and can't live without it, I do the best I can. I buy fair trade, locally roasted beans. My roastery is the Coffee Tree in Bloor West Village. I have another coffee issue though. When I found out I was pregnant I switched to decaf.

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-30070916854078280762008-09-01T13:19:00.000-04:002008-09-01T14:00:54.503-04:00

This week the Kawartha Eco Growers, my produce co-op, told us that in 1960 most of Toronto's food came from within 350 kilometres of the city, or almost entirely from its foodshed. Today, however, at least 60% of the fresh produce consumed in Toronto is imported from the United States, and a third of it arrives in Ontario's own growing season.My family isn't perfect. We buy produce from KEG every

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-113429403593791742008-08-29T09:41:00.000-04:002008-10-12T21:10:44.435-04:00

UPDATE: The story was actually from the Edmonton Journal - here is a link to an Ottawa Citizen story that is similar.My mom pointed out a story to me from MORE Magazine about a woman who was horrified to find out her 1 year-old son had Rickets. Rickets is a softening of the bones potentially leading to fracture or deformity (from Wikipedia). Vitamin D is needed in the body to absorb and retain

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-56469847643454690662008-08-28T09:08:00.000-04:002008-10-12T21:11:00.064-04:00

I have to say that I find it ridiculous that blogger (google) thinks breastfeeding is a spelling error. How do we petition google's dictionary? Funny, google is also a spelling error if you make it possessive. Dictionary.com spells it with a hyphen. Breast-feeding. Meh. I will continue to blatantly misspell my new favourite word. Breastfeeding is cool. You'll find out just how cool I think it is,

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883901998533734174.post-146780745626567072008-08-27T15:23:00.000-04:002008-08-27T15:40:51.222-04:00

...about the produce in my fridge? I do. But at the risk of an incredibly boring post, I'll keep it short. Since I was on maternity leave, I decided to join a food cooperative for the summer/fall. A collective of farmers from the Kawarthas produce food for the program. They all use organic processes although some are not certified organic. Every Tuesday I pick up a box of freshly picked produce,

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420614186828545988noreply@blogger.com2