momstown Winnipeg One Great Year

Have a Happy New Years Winnipeg Moms! Thank you for one great year!

A Boring Mama

I'd like to think that I was a pretty fun mom with my daughter. I had her signed up in activities since she was 6 weeks old, and went to lots of playdates and events with my momstown Burlington mamas. But this last stretch of pregnancy has got me tired. We had a big move back home to Winnipeg. So lots of my attention went to packing boxes. Bella enjoyed attempting to tape boxes while I packed but I'm sure a playdate would have been much more fun. And now with this pregnancy, I'm getting more and more tired as the weeks go by. I'm at that heavy whale stage! And I feel like I'm now this boring mom.

Fun me took my daughter to the park! Snow, snow melt away.

One of our many play dates!

Is this the beginning? I know the heavy stage will pass once baby is born. But then will come late night feedings and the exhaustion of running after two kids. Will this 'boring mom' stage continue? I sit and watch her play. I sometimes lay on the couch watching her play. And her new line has now been "mommy tired, mommy sleepy." Walks are non existent right now.... waiting for the snow to melt but am I just making excuses for myself? Playdates have drastically been reduced, as well as visits to drop in centers. I don't even take her to the malls for a walk right now. And I love to shop. This was our thing to do on those rainy days! The thought of carrying her and lugging the stroller all by myself sounds exhausting enough. And grocery shopping! I can't lift her in and out of the carts any more. So now I send my dear husband to the store with a list or wait for him to come with us. My daughter must be going insane! I know I am!

Fun mom took Bella for walks in the park.

Fun mom did crafts with Bella on a daily basis. Between 9 and 10 was craft time. 

I did sign her up for her first gymnastics class next month. But with baby due any day, I know it will be daddy joining her in class for the first while. I'm a little sad that it won't be me sharing that experience with her. I'm nervous that my attention will focus on this new little boy and I'll unintentionally ignore my baby girl. So moms of 2 (or more), what's the secret? How can I make sure she won't get ignored and how can I work on being that fun mom again?

Here's to hoping this boring mom stage will disappear along with the snow. I know that momstown.ca was a great kick in the butt to get out there and socialize when I was feeling down. So I can't wait to start up momstown Winnipeg and get out there and meet other moms. It's the kick in the butt I need!

My Growing Family

Welcome to momstown Winnipeg! I'm excited to start this new venture and bring to Winnipeg a fantastic resource that was truly a life saver for this mama. I'm not only growing my family with a new bundle of joy expected to arrive any day, but I'm growing my family with other moms and their families across Winnipeg!

When my husband was transferred to Toronto for work, I was mixed with emotions. Our daughter was only six months old and we were going to be leaving behind all the family support. But I was excited in some ways because there was so much to see and do in the 'Big City'! When we were looking for a house, we stumbled upon Burlington. It was a beautiful town far enough away from the hustle and bustle of Toronto, was right on the lake, had a small town feeling but with the big city amenities. It was perfect. But I was bored and lonely. I didn't know anyone, and I was at home alone with my daughter while my husband worked long hours. So I Googled 'mom groups' and stumbled upon momstown!

I quickly joined with my two week free trial and tried to make it out to as many events as I could. I was hooked! I met so many wonderful moms and my daughter made so many friends. Our schedule was jam packed and I didn't have to spend a fortune. In the year and a half that I lived in Burlington I met so many wonderful moms, made great connections with other mompreneurs through momstown and learned so much more about motherhood and the challenges that we all go through. Not to mention all the great craft ideas and activities that were introduced to me.

But with baby #2 on the way, and the crazy commute my husband had, we decided it was time to move back home. I was so excited at first. See all my family and friends again! This is great. But the closer moving day came, the sadder I got. I couldn't figure out why at first. This was a decision we both made and I was so sure it was the right decision. But then it hit me. I was sad to leave all these wonderful friends I made. And I was having so much fun there! Winnipeg is a great city but I remember being so bored when I was on maternity leave. I went to a few activities in Winnipeg, but it cost a fortune! None of my friends we're off work, so who was I going to hang out with during the days?

The more I thought about it, the more I realized that Winnipeg just needed a momstown. A place were neighbourhood moms can connect. I'm doing this not only for my own sanity, but for the hundreds of other moms out there that just want to get out there and meet other moms, and get out of their house with their kiddies without spending a fortune. Whether you're a stay-at-home mom, on maternity leave or work full-time, there will be activities throughout the week, during evenings and weekends. Not to mention the message board! Need advice on how to handle going back to work, or where to find daycare? Post it on the board. Want to sell your crib, or need to borrow a play pen for the weekend? Post it on the board! You would be surprised how many moms out there would love to help you out! After all, they've been there too.

These are just some of the great things that you'll see when you join momstown. So stay tuned as I get ready to launch momstown in Winnipeg. Our website is in the works, and I'm busy planning some great events while trying to juggle becoming a mother of two! Check back often as I will announce in the coming months some great projects, and details of our launch party. Hope to see you there!

Looking forward to meeting you!

Your Winnipeg momstown mama!
Ester