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Saturday, November 29, 2008

Christophe has gone mobile

It's official our son is mobile, he can crawl, cruise, crawl to an object and pull himself to standing and don't forget the scariest situation of them all crawl to him push toy pull himself up and take off. This is quit an accomplishment for him as he had been cruising since mid october (7 1/2 months) but did not show any interest in crawling. Were we ever happy when he decided to to pull himself forward on all 4; however now that he has mastered this new skill along with his other mobility skills life is a bit hectic and scary.

First we had to baby proof; I moved all our household items that were dangerous to upper shelves, we bolted all our tall bookcases to the wall (thank you dad for helping out with this); we bought gates and various baby proofing hardware. However I don't think we went overboard, I want Christophe to learn and understand the house; to know that if he collides with things it might hurt (trust me, we moved everything that could seriously injure him). I did not want to create a padded house for him.

The gates we ordered from Safety Super Store. We selected the Safeway gate by Kidco for a few reasons, good safety ratings, stylish and most important in our case it fit our extra narrow doorways. We ended up installing 2 of them one at the bottom of the stairs leading to the second floor and the other at the top of the basement stairs. I was concerned that our cats would not be able get pass the gates, all of them except for Cain have seemed to have figured it out. Able does not even slow down she just walks through the gate like it's not there.

I also read up on baby safety on the internet one article that I came across that I particularly liked was "How to accident-proof your kids" on the CNN website.

To celebrate Christophe new found freedom here is a little video of him cruising with the wall:

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Breastfeeding Rally at Queen’s Park, Toronto

Breastfeeding Rally at Queen’s Park, Toronto

Wednesday, December 3rd

Dr. Jack Newman, the Toronto doctor known around the world as a leader in breastfeeding education and support, needs your help. The Newman Breastfeeding Clinic and Institute sees more than 2500 mothers and babies each year, but is on the verge of closing its doors unless it receives more funding. The NBCI is requesting donations, but until the government recognizes the importance of institutional breastfeeding support, the clinic will always be in danger.

Supporters of the NBCI are asked to come to Queen’s Park on Wednesday, December 3rd at 10 am for a quiet nurse-in. Demonstrators will be advocating for the provincial government to recognize the importance of breastfeeding and to commit to funding breastfeeding clinics like Dr. Newman’s. The rally is supported by the New Democratic Party, and NDP health critic France Gélinas will be holding a press conference at 10 am. At 10.30 am, question period will take place in parliament, and Gélinas will use the opportunity to call for a provincial breastfeeding strategy and encourage the government to support hospitals going baby friendly.

The objective is to hold a nurse-in in the viewing gallery of Queen’s Park during question period. IMPORTANT: formal protests are not allowed within the building, so it is asked that no one bring signs, placards or banners. The hope is to fill the viewing gallery which will require a huge turn out, so please spread the word. This is an opportunity to change the status of breastfeeding policy in Ontario for years to come.

If you wish to attend please RSVP to Helen or Dani by December 1st. Spaces in the viewing gallery are limited and the NDP are asking anyone wishing to participate to add their names to the list of guests as they will have to go to the security desk to give their names in order to get in.

What: Breastfeeding Rally and Nurse-in

Where: Queen’s Park, Toronto

When: 10 am, Wed. December 3rd

RSVP to:

dani@naturalmothering.ca
or
helen@naturalmothering.ca

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Wordless Wednesday

Santa Clause

This morning we did a time honored tradition and wrote our letter to Santa. We took a more eco-friendly route and sent an email. If you want to email santa just go to the Canada Post website.

This is what Christophe wrote:

Santa Clause,

Z
mm nmk,uxw uiiyh 66x3g6 hhhhh kcxcc is w c mr re ec w km kmsss dcnjg

yyhnynynvf

hjnbbhbhggvbhnjhhgbbnbbbnk

x

xddxhhhhhhhhhmnhhggvefsbbbj

.


(Translation: I am 9 month and been very good. This is my first Christmas. I promise not to eat the decorations. I want for Christmas a wooden shape sorter. I will be at my auntie Cathy house on Christmas Eve. Love Chritophe.)

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Hiding in a tent

In one of my baby developmental books it mentioned that some babies like playing underneath tents. So a month or so ago I built a tent using blankets for Christophe. I think we played underneath all day, that is also were we took our nap with mama. Seeing this picture reminded me that I should do this again with him.

I can make music.AVI

Every day this child amazes me...

Monday, November 24, 2008

Blacklisting GoodLife Fitness

After I left Exchange Solutions, GoodLife acquired Bally's, where I had a membership.  I took a few months to explore the available options.  There were several clubs near the new office, including a GoodLife, and also GoodLife was opening a new location near my home.  Given that none of the work options were terribly convenient, and the location near my home wasn't open, I cancelled my membership

Several months later, our credit card expired and GoodLife started to call to complain that they weren't being paid, so I reiterated my cancellation, which they say they hadn't received notification of.  They then cancelled my membership but continued to request payment for previous months.

I brought it up with their customer service department.  Either they could honor my original cancellation and walk away with several months of 'fees already paid but not used' and the potential to have a future customer relationship with me, or they could get their extra couple months of fees from me at the cost of all of my future interest in GoodLife fitness.  I assumed that any reasonable business would rather keep a customer relationship than pick a fight with someone who might well have a much higher long-term profit potential for them.

I assumed wrong.  GoodLife would rather have a couple months fees than retain a decent customer relationship with me.  They explicitly chose to take the payment rather than maintain a relationship, even when phrased in those terms.

So, fair enough -- GoodLife, when you open your location near my home, I won't join.  When I find new employment, if you're the nearest fitness club, I still won't join.  I'm not willing to enter into contract deal with someone who's clearly not willing to operate in good faith.

Just thought I'd pass on my negative vibes to the internet, and those of you who might consider them in the future.

I have to say, I think the entire fitness industry is doing a fine job of pissing off its customer base.  There are very few fitness clubs that seem to operate an ethical business model.  Do you know one?

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Wordless Wednesday


What would your family do if your were hospitalised

After receiving an email from one of my fellow mommy friends informing me that another mom that attends of ours groups had been admitted to the hospital for a stroke it got me thinking.

Before going any further with this post I want to mention that the mom is doing fine and is in recovery with her family to her side.

What would I do if I were admitted to the hospital? Does Geoff know my wishes? Would he be strong enough to advocate for my right to breast-feed? Would he push and push with the nurses and doctors so Christophe could stay in my room overnight? I don't know and this is a discussion we will have tonight.

Does your spouse know what to do if the unthinkable happened? They say mommies are always there and never out of commission even when they are sick but at last we mommies are just humans also...

To all our fellow mommies that are battling with there health my thoughts are with you.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Controversial Motrin Moms Commercial

There is all this talk on blogs, twitter and just about anywheres else where people can voice their opinions about this add, so I looked it up to watch it; since by the time I heard about it Motrin had already pulled it. I am glad they did since this add gives you a false idea of baby wearing. If you are correctly wearing your baby it does not hurt, ever. I still wear my son at 20lbs regularly, now I don't wear him all day like I used to but that is not because it hurst it's because I get to tired from caring and extra 20lbs around and Motrin is not going to give me more energy.

I think Motrin was pretty stupid to think they could get away with this commercial and launching it on a friday was suicidal it gave moms the whole weekend to get work-up about it.

What's your thoughts on this?

Friday, November 14, 2008

mama turn

So I have now been sick for 2 days, I am feeling a lot better; however Wednesday night I had a fever of 39.1. Papa is now starting to feel ill.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Tasty Tuesday

When we first started looking at high chairs for Christophe we decided from the get go we wanted something that did not look like a big hunk of plastic. After lots of research and consideration we selected the Trip Trap from Stokke. A big shout out and a thank you to my coworkers at KML for getting us the chair - we love it. I have to admit at the begining we found the straps frustrating and anoying but have since then found out that it was because Christphe has 2 sleep deprived parents that were not using the chair correctly, since we have figured out how to use the chair - IT ONLY TOOK US 2 MONTHS - we love it.

On of the best parts about this chair is it grows with your child from a baby high chair; to a toddler chair; to a child's chair; to an adult chair. We hope to have many years of use out of this chair.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Laura Bourque Arsenault AKA memere

At the age of 94 my grandmother has recently published another book "La Vie a travers ma poesie". I felt compelled to blog about this because first of all I am extremely proud of her but furthermore she is probably the person I look up to the most on this planet. She is an amazing women that has always lived by her own rules; she was a feminist before one knew what the word meant. She has always shown unconditional love to her family and respect to everyone that cross her path. These days if you goggle my memere's name some of the items you will find are: An interview with Radio-Canada; An article in l'etoile; A poem written for her; to name a few.

Here is a snippet from her book:

"Une mere est une personne
Qui est a l'ecoute
Donne des petites attentions
Jour apres jour.
Aime sans retour et
S'efface
Pour laisser ses enfants vivre leur propre vie."
Laura Bourque Arsenault 11 mai 1994

These are words every mother should live by.

Christophe already has his copy of her book autographed by her that he will be able to read once he is older as a way to know her. Hopefully he will find it amusing seeing pictures of himself and his mother published in a book.

Je t'aime memere.

Saturday, November 8, 2008

He was so small


7 weeks old...

36.8

I think we may be in the clear now....

Also Christophe now has 3 teeth.

still going down

37.8

Mama's weight in

I am not one to talk about my weight but I felt compelled to I am so happy. See for those of you who do not know me I have struggled with my weight all my life. Not only have I shed all my baby pounds but I am officially 15lbs lighter then I was the day I got pregnant. I guess becoming a mother is the best weight loss regime I have ever had.

Mange pas les feuilles

Christophe's new fall toys are the leaves... he can play with them for hours without being board and gets upset when I pick him up.

going down

37.9

Friday, November 7, 2008

fever

38.1

I'm sick

Christophe's temperature reads 37.7 his first fever....

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Day in the life of...

This morning we spent at home playing with some toys while mama clean a bit. One of Christophe new favorite games is to play with a muffin pan and his blocks; you can place one block per muffin cup he enjoys taking them out and attempting to put them back. When it was time for nap I let him seep in my arms while I watched some TV.

After nap Christophe had some orange for lunch while I ate pasta; then we got ready to go out. 1st stop the drop in at Roden School by our house. We got there just in time for gym; Christophe had a blast playing with all the ride on toys and watching the older kids. I just love the drop in centers it is such a great way to entertain him and he always naps to perfectly afterwards.

Our 2nd stop was Monarch Park were we played in the leafs for about an hour and then sat down and nursed. The park is so beautiful at this time of the year; there is just something special out sitting on a park bench under a tree nursing your baby while leafs are falling all around you.


On our way to the subway we passed a kitty that ran right up to us and put his paws up on Christophe stroller this amused Christophe for 10 minutes or so until I told him we needed to continue.

Then we walked up to the Subway where we boarded a bus so we could go to Fresh From the Farm. Christophe fell asleep somewhere between us getting on the bus and us arriving at Fresh From the Farm. After I was done my shopping I stopped at this great little Fish and Chip place for some chips and walked to a nearby park to sit down and enjoy them.

Then back off to the house were we made turnip soup for supper and to my astonishment Christophe actually liked it and it about 10 spoonfuls, miracles to happen.

On our way home we stopped at the Greenwood TTC Yard to look at the trains pass. The TTC drivers are so great they honked and waved at Christophe as they drove by.

Nurse-in Nov. 7 in Newmarket

Below is an email I received from INFACT:

Breastfeeding Rights Rally in Newmarket, ON
Mother was asked to breastfeed in the change room
Violation of Human Rights


Friday Nov 7th, The Aquacentre Pool at
2:30-3:30pm
1215 Stellar Dr., Newmarket, Ontario L3Y 7B8
Phone: 905 895 2782, Fax: 905 853 4229,
email: info@aquacentrenewmarket.com and ellie@trinityrehab.com

I was breastfeeding my daughter on the steps of the swimming pool when Ms. Ellie Karkouti, the owner of the facility, came to speak with me. Ms. Karkouti said they had one complain and that I could not breastfeed my daughter in the swimming pool. She said if I wanted to breastfeed I would have use the changeroom. I tried to say that based on the law I had the right to breastfeed in public places but Ms. Karkouti said that she was the owner and I could only breastfeed in the changeroom. After that I stopped breastfeeding. Ms. Ellie Karkouti left. I stayed in the swimming pool.

It was the first time I have suffered discrimination in my life! I wanted to cry so bad. I tried to pretend this has never happened. My daughter kept asking to nurse and I denied her while we were in the pool. My heart was broken. I did not know what to do. I was completely sad, lost and numb.

Only after a few hours, I believe I started to think clearly again.

I informed the group of families registered for this swim time at The Aquacentre about the terrible episode. The leader of this activity, Carol-Anne Brockington, sent an email to The Aquacentre asking for an apology. Their feedback was "At no point did we discriminate against the act of breastfeeding." They did not offer any apology.

After several emails of support from mothers ready to fight for the right to breastfeed, we have decided to organize a Breastfeeding Rights Rally, a peaceful nurse-in for Friday, November 7th in The Aquacentre at 2:30pm.

Please inform as many people as you can about this discrimination episode and the nurse-in. Feel free to use this email. Also, everybody is welcome to the peaceful nurse-in, you do not have to breastfeed to participate! All support is welcome! If you are unable to attend the nurse-in personally please feel free to email, phone or fax the facility to voice your concerns over this incident and show your support of breastfeeding rights – anywhere, anytime!

Unfortunately, the Aquacentre in Newmarket is a private facility that charges to use the pool. For this reason, to be able to participate in the Breastfeeding Rights Rally it is required that you pay the fee of $5.25 per swimmer. I wish it was not necessary to pay but the law requests it. We also welcome supporters that would like to be outside with signs. Please bring your own sign! Supporters that will be outside do not need to pay any fee.

If you are interested then please email Carol-Anne Brockington off list ASAP at thebirthden@yahoo.ca. If you do not get a reply within 24 hours then please send another. Please do not contact the facility.

Thank you!

Cinira Longuinho

Toy Thursdays

North Star Toys has been making non-toxic wooden toys since 1979 they are a family run business and are based out of Questa New Mexico. All there toys are very well priced and they are an eco-friendly company. Some of the key points that make them eco-friendly are very interesting such as:
  • Their saw dust is used to supplement compost and for chickens
  • The wood-scraps are donated to schools for art projects and are used for kindling
  • Only use local hard woods
  • They only use solar and wind energy
Some of our favorite picks from there catalogue are:


Little Rollie Vehicle Set at $45.00 USD. At less then $6.00 per wooden vehicle this is a steal we will definitely be ordering this one for Christophe when he is a little older.

Busy Boat at $16.00. We were thinking of ordering this one for Christophe at Christmast or for his 1 year birthday. The boat floats in water so this is a great non-toxic bath toy.

Baby's first Toy at $9.00. I find this one very elegant and simple.

Credits:
Images from North Star Toys website

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Politics

I don't usually talk politics but this week an important part of history was made the 1st african american president was elected in the United States. I wanted to mention this in our blog so that when we look back at this in years from now and Christophe can see how important this year was for our neighbors to the South. I hope for our neighbors and the world that with this new president will come positive change.

Congradulations to everyone that got out and voted; regardless of who you voted for voting is a our right and to ensure it stays that way we must exercise it.

CONGRATULATION TO OBAMA WE HOPE YOU ACHIVE GREATNESS...

Wordless Wednesday

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Hockey Fan


Neither Geoff or I are huge hockey fans however pepere is a die hard fan of the habs. In this picture Christophe is sporting his new habs outfit that pepere got for him during his visit. I have to admit he is pretty cute even covered in habs logos but I may be bias.

1st Halloween

Hello from Christophe

jnnnnnmk v67 m78 m89h
ZZZZZZZMB N GFZZZZZZZ MZ
?_>
?Z
ZI
ZZZZZZZZZZZZ/ZZKKK KNMBB

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Unsafe Food Additives

MSG: "Children whose protective blood-brain barrier is not yet fully developed are especially susceptible to the effects of MSG. That's because MSG contains glutamic acid, a neurotransmitter, and the unregulated amounts to which kids may be exposed can have the effect of literally excitting brain cells to death. (Brain cells remember do not regenerate)"

How to avoid MSG:
  1. Check labels to see if food contains MSG
  2. Check labels to see if they contain hydrolyzed proteins, glutamic acid (these both contain MSG)
  3. Inquire if foods contain MSG when eating out. Big culprits of this are deli counters and chinese food.
  4. Avoid foods containing hydrolyzed corn gluten and hydrolyzed wheat protein as these may contain hidden MSG
  5. Avoid the sweetener neotame as it has a similar effect on the body then MSG.
Source: Chemical Free Kids

Want help remembering what chemicals to avoid check out my quick guide to chemical additives.