Labour Pains

It took me 8 months to realize I had it easy.

Into the hospital at 7pm, dilated 3cm. Out of the delivery room at 2:30am (3:30am with the time change) with a precious little girl in my arms.

Sure, to this day I complain about the epidural wearing off at around 8cm but in retrospect, I really had it easy (albeit painful).

Maybe it wasn't so much time that has made me realize my luck (thanks Hannah) but a slew of friends having babies. Emergency c-sections, 24+ hours in the delivery room, forceps...the list of delivery horror stories goes on and on.

We are currently waiting on news from a friend who was induced last night and after over 24 hours is now getting a c-section. Now, that's a strong fighter, a motivated mom-to-be. No, she didn't have a choice but can you imagine a man on the delivery table?

So I dedicate this post to all you moms out there. Whether you struggled in labour or laughed off the pain with an epidural, I salute you. No man could ever do what we have done. And even though labour memories may continue to haunt us...we'd do it all again cause the payoff is certainly worth the pain.

Latkes, Dreidels, Fun & More

A fellow mom is on the organizing committee of an upcoming Chanukah party for kids.

All proceeds benefit the Birthday Angels which provides underprivileged children in Israel with birthday party.

Hannah, Chris and I will be there...hope to see you too!

A Note from Maclaren

I just received the following press release from Maclaren's PR agency and thought I would share it with you.

For Immediate Release

Media Contacts:

Tricia Chan, Public Group LLC

T: 212.905.3260, tricia@public-group.com

Susan Gerson, Public Group LLC

T: 646.715.2676, susan@public-group.com

Maclaren Statement to Customers In Light of Recent Events

(South Norwalk, CT— November 16th, 2009) — At Maclaren safety is at the heart of what we do because of the consumers we serve. It is with the youngest consumers in mind that we design our products with the utmost care and engineering, not only to provide a smooth ride but a safe one.

We regret that children have been injured while using our product and we acknowledge that parents may be upset or even angry. That is of our deepest concern and makes us even more committed to serve you better.

As many of you know we have voluntarily recalled our strollers in the United States and are providing hinge cover kits to remedy the problem. We fully understand that the recall has not been perfect and that consumers have had some difficulty requesting the hinge cover kits. Over the past few days we have improved our system and it is now better suited to respond to the needs of our consumers.

While the recall is only in the US market we are providing kits to any of our customers no matter where they may live.

Parents expect a Maclaren stroller to be of the highest quality and safe for use. Our long record of safety is why we are one of the most trusted names with parents around the world. We are confident that the action we have taken will rebuild and maintain that trust. Ensuring safety is crucial to the long-standing relationship we have built with parents for more than 40 years.

Our commitment to parents is to provide the safest stroller on the market. There is simply nothing more important to Maclaren than the safety of a child.

# # #

Gifts to Grow

When Hannah was born I briefly toyed with the idea of using re-usable diapers. But because of what seemed like a huge start up cost and a rather stinky solution to global warming, I opted for disposable diapers.

In retrospect, we probably would have saved a lot of money with clothe diapers but at least Pampers has come up with a way to make the $38/box every few weeks a bit more palatable.

I just placed our first order for a Pampers Gifts to Grow free set of Sesame Street board books. At 100 points (shipping included) these books will make a nice edition to our library, even if they took about six months worth of diapers to redeem.

There are tons of other great rewards if you are able to wait it out while you collect 300+ points. Gifts change every so often but I have spotted some Melissa & Doug toys and other book sets.

So might as well take advantage of the few free things left in this world. With the holidays right around the corner, these rewards certainly are great last minute (free) gifts.

Rainy Morning Nap

Success!!! This morning, Hannah took her first nap in her crib since she was a newborn.

I have been working at it all week with up to an hour of crying per session but daddy seems to have the magic touch.

At this point, I will do whatever it takes to get her to sleep in her crib during the day. For a while I was nursing her to sleep in our bed just so I could get 30-40 minutes of my own during the day. And since the bucket car seat will shortly be on its way out, a sleepy transfer from car to home won't be so easy anymore.

So when daddy decided to stay with her (for all of 10 minutes) until she fell asleep I told him to go for it. Sure, the last thing we want to do is create those same associations we had to break at nighttime. But, for someone who has never spent a minute in her crib during the day I figure we need to ease her into it.

The number one thing I have learned as a parent (or at least as a parent to Hannah) is that nothing comes easy. You need to work at it. But once you get it, you realize it was worth the effort (and the 12 hours of nighttime sleep!)

From crawling to eating to standing, it really takes baby steps. And naps are certainly no different.

The downside? With all of these baby steps (8 months later) it seems that soon enough she won't be a baby anymore, but rather a toddler. How time flies...

Go with the Flow

Just in time for the weekend, check out my newest article for Sweetmama.

Baby Urban Outfitters

Flo Urbain is an amazing kids' furniture and toy store. It's worth the trek to St Lambert to stock up on modern nursery decor and wooden toys.

Sale Away

I'd like to think I have my ear to the ground when it comes to amazing sales. So I thought I'd share one of my most favourite of the year with you.

Note cards, photo albums, amazing wrapping paper, gift bags, bows and more are what you will find at the Pierre Belvedere warehouse sale. A great place to visit before the holidays, where you can stock up for the entire year: