Why I love my Fisher Price Luv U Zoo!

When I set up our Graco swing for baby Benjamin’s arrival I forgot how big it was. It takes up a lot of space! And it’s noisy. I contemplated buying a little bouncer but my husband didn’t want to spend money when we had a perfectly good swing at home. Benjamin is now six weeks old. He hasn’t cared much for the swing. He has to have a soother in his mouth and be in a particular mood to not cry in the swing. I’m still figuring out what that ‘mood’ is. It’s hit and miss.

So when I found out that I would be getting a Fisher Price Luv U Zoo bouncer to test out, I was ecstatic. I prayed as I set it up that he would love it. My arms needed a break, as this baby loves to be held at ALL times!

First off, setting it up is a piece of cake. My husband usually puts together everything, but when it arrived at my door on a day that Benjamin was not a happy baby, I thought I’d give it a shot. My husband was at work and I couldn’t wait until the evening. Anything to get this baby to settle down! So I set it up and he calmed down immediately and actually fell asleep in it!

So after a few weeks of testing out this product, I’m happy to report that Benjamin loves his Fisher Price Luv U Zoo bouncer. He rarely cries when he’s in it and he actually tries to play with the hanging animals. He’s only 6 weeks old! Already trying to play! The bouncer soothes him, without needing a soother in his mouth like the swing we have. And it’s quiet. Even when the vibrator is on! What I love most about it is how light and compact it is. I can bring it all around the house. I even take it outside and have him play in his bouncer while his big sister plays outside. It will be perfect to bring along to momstown Winnipeg events!

The Luv U Zoo bouncer has given me that extra set of hands that every mom needs. I’ve been able to finally eat my food while it’s hot, bouncing him with my foot as I eat my meals. He’s also fallen asleep on the bouncer quite a few times when nothing else worked. 

It’s a great product that I highly recommend for expecting moms. And it would be a perfect baby shower gift. It’s only $54.99 at your local Toys R Us, Sears, Zellers or Loblaw.

Even better you can win it! Go to our contests page at momstown.ca to enter to win this Fisher Price Luv U Zoo bouncer.

Summer Fun in Winnipeg

Anyone who has every been to Winnipeg knows how harsh our winters can be. So when it starts to get the slightest bit warm outside, you'll see Winnipeg folks wandering around in shorts and sandles.

We also come out of hibernation and start enjoying the outdoors. I don't know about the rest of you, but I also notice my social calendar starts to get jam packed. I avoid going out in the winter and need a good kick in the butt to change that bad habit! So by the time summer comes I'm just itching to get out of the house. I know that momstown Winnipeg is going to change that for me and lots of Winnipeg moms. We'll have loads of events in the winter that will be too good to pass up!

I've got lots of fun events planned for the summer. One event you'll see happen a few times this summer is the famous Picasso's in the Park event. Picasso's in the Park is a momstown standard! We set up on the long picnic tables and bring out the beautiful coloured tempra (non-toxic paint) and  a million types of brushes, sponges and fun applicators. Kids come dresses in their play clothes 'cause the goal is to let your child go wild!!!

 

Another great event that I've got planned for momstown Winnipeg is the famous Car Wash Playdates! Kids come with their favourite car (aka: ride on toys) and they wash their cars! Moms enjoy some great conversation while soaking in the sun's rays while the little ones get soaked. Another event where a change of clothes is highly recommended.

I've even got plans for the wee little ones that love to eat everything they can get their hands on. Let's just say it involves pudding!

So stay tuned. We are working hard to get some great events and field trips planned this summer. momstown Winnipeg expects to have the website up and running and open for moms to sign up by June 20, 2011. I promise you'll have a fabulous tan by the time September roles around. Now if we can just find a way to un-invite the mosquitoes!

Some other great events and family spots to be sure to check out this summer right here in Winnipeg:

• The Teddy Bears' Picnic
• Kidsfest
• The Children's Museum (opening June 4!)
• The Zoo
• The Assiniboine Park's new Nature's Playground
• The Red River Ex

And last but not least, our Launch Party! We are planning a big party in August to celebrate our grand opening! Details are in the works! So stay tuned!

See you around the neighbourhood!

Wordless Wednesday - Nature's Playground

Did I Shower Today?

Motherhood is a little chaotic! With one baby you are a complete mess. With two you literally need more hours in a day.

When I had my first little girl, I was so beyond exhausted. Sleepless nights and exhaustion literally hurt my mind and body. I could not function and I was a complete mess. My hormones were crazy. The extreme bleeding that nobody warned me about freaked me out. The leaky boobs! Which again, nobody told me about. And I never clued in for about a month about wearing a bra at night with breast pads. Waking up to soaked shirts and wet sheets is no fun when you are running to feed a baby at 3 am. I can write a list about the tips I wish were really in the baby books. But that's a whole other post.

I now know that I had postpartum depression with my first. My trigger was extreme exhaustion. I never admitted it until after it passed. This time around I know what signs to look out for, and make sure that I get some sleep and some help the moment I feel any depression or extreme anxiety come on. I say extreme anxiety 'cause let's face it. With two kids (both in diapers) you will have anxiety. It's just part of the job description.

The one thing that I find harder this time around is 'me time.' With one baby, you can shower when they nap. Or nap when they nap. But now, if one is napping chances are the other is up. So every once in a while I have to ask myself, 'Did I shower today?' Yup, that's right. Showers don't happen every day. Sometimes sleep is a bit more important then feeling clean. And breakfast? Well I eat, but it is sometimes 11:00 am before I realize it's time for mama to eat. Again sleep, shower or breakfast.... what is more important that day. My husband takes the 5 am fussy baby time so I can get some sleep. So from 5:00 am to 7:30 am I sleep. So when he's out the door going to work, I am just getting up and I'm thrown the kids to deal with. Hence no shower and no breakfast for me. I may not look pretty, or have clean clothes on but I got some sleep. Whatever it takes to make sure I'm a happy mama!

So the saying "it takes a village to raise a child". Well let's just say I embrace it this time around. No more proving I can do this on my own. Evenings and weekends I make sure I get 'me time.' Or in motherhood terms I get to take a shower!

Wordless Wednesday - Why it's good to be home!

Clementine Art Give-A-Way - CLOSED

momstown Winnipeg is gearing up to launch this summer! We are beyond happy with the overwhelming, positive response we are getting! Moms are excited about a momstown.ca chapter coming here to Winnipeg.

While we work hard to set up shop and plan events for you and your kids, we wanted to thank you with a contest! Who doesn't love to win stuff! This is just one of the many contests that you'll see happening here at momstown Winnipeg. This contest is open to all residences of Canada. You don't have to be a member of momstown, but if you live in a city that is then you should be! It's a great way to get out there, meet other mom's, and your kids will have a blast playing with other kids.

Do your kids love crafts? My daughter does, and Clementine Art is a fabulous line of eco-friendly, non-toxic art supplies. My daughter loves to eat anything she shouldn't, like crayons and playdough. So Clementine Art is perfect for young children like her. Want to win this awesome prize pack of Clementine Art?

Prize pack includes Clementine Natural Crayons, Glue, Markers, Soy Rocks, Modeling Dough and Paints. Retail value is $75.00 cdn.

Here's How You Can Win:

We'll randomly select a winner using random.org. But look closely. You can get more then one point. The more points, the greater the chance of you winning! Here's how you can win:

• Sign up for our newsletter (2 points). Visit our website or blog to sign up.
• Be a fan of momstown Winnipeg on Facebook (1 point). 
• Post this contest on your Facebook page & invite your friends to follow us (1 point).
• Follow our blog, either with Google Friends Connect or Networked Blogs (1 point).
• Follow @momstownWpg on Twitter and tweet this contest (1 point). Let us know your twitter handle too so we can follow you back!

Then come back here and leave a comment below for each of the ways you're following us. Leave a separate comment for each entry! Be sure to leave your email address so we can get a hold of you if you win!

Contest closes midnight, Friday, May 13! Winner will be contacted by email and announced on our blog and facebook fan page! Good luck!

*Contest open to all residents living in Canada.


WINNER:
Congratulations to Jennifer Hoogerdijk McLatry. You are the lucky winner of our Clementine Art give a way!

Thank You to everyone who participated! We will have many more contests in the future so stay tuned!

A Mother's Love

Mother's Day is tomorrow. Today I am reflecting on what a wonderful, strong and caring mother I have. She has always been there for me, supporting me in all my decisions, and guiding me in the right direction. I stumbled upon this poem that reminded me of my mother and thought I'd share with you. I'm sure many of you can relate to this poem. Now that I'm a mother too, I now 'get' just how special we daughter's must mean to our mothers. 

A Mother's Love
There are times when only a Mother's love
Can understand our tears,
Can soothe our disappoints
And calm all of our fears.
There are times when only a Mother's love
Can share the joy we feel
When something we've dreamed about
Quite suddenly is real.
There are times when only a Mother's faith
Can help us on life's way
And inspire in us the confidence
We need from day to day.
For a Mother's heart and a Mother's faith
And a Mother's steadfast love
Were fashioned by the Angels
And sent from God above.
Author Unknown 

My mom with me, my sisters, my nieces and nephew.

My mom playing with her granddaughters.

 

Proud Grandma with her latest grandchild, my son Benjamin.

What does your mom mean to you? Feel free to share with us! Or share with us your favourite poem!

Happy Mother's Day to you and your mothers!

What Do You Really Want For Mother's Day?

Mother's Day is coming soon. My husband mentioned to me today that he had to go to the mall with my daughter some time tomorrow to run an 'errand'. Yes, he remembered! But does he know what I really want for Mother's Day. What I really want is not in the mall.

You can't buy what most mom's really want. Don't get me wrong. We'll be happy with a bought gift. We'll be even happier with a made gift. What's more thoughtful then a gift made with love! Check out momstown's Art's and Craft's blog for some ideas. You may want to casually leave the 10 Homemade Mother's Day Gift's blog page open on the computer for daddy to see!

Egg Carton Flower

I do want to spend Mother's Day with my children. But I also would love to have some 'alone' time. When you are a stay-at-home mom with a newborn, personal space is non-existent. A break for me is having someone watch the kids while I clean the bedroom or get groceries. Oh 'alone' time. How I miss you some times. It's not uncommon for my daughter, the baby and my dog to climb on my lap at the same time. Although I love the feeling of being so loved and wanted, I do miss being alone sometimes. And there is actually one gift that would be on the top of my list this year. Sleep! I have a 3 week old baby at home, so sleep is a luxury now a days. I know that this isn't very possible with the hungry baby boy I have at home. But even 4 hours! How I'd love a good 4 hour stretch! Here's to hoping my baby boy gives me the greatest gift of all this year!

So mama's, what is on the top of your wish list this year? Perfume, flowers, brunch, being alone, being together, home made gifts? What will make your Mother's Day perfect?

momstown Facebook Fan Party!

It's a party! Join us tonight for another one of momstown's great Facebook Fan Party's!

This interactive party on momstown.ca's facebook fan page is not only about winning great prizes, but to join in on some great conversation. Connect with other like minded mom's and maybe you'll learn about some great new products from companies that are sponsoring this event! Even better, maybe you'll win one of these great prizes!

This party goes fast. Questions will be posted and you have to answer the questions in order to have your name entered to win that prize. Remember to refresh your page frequently to see the current posts and questions.

Who can attend: Everyone! You don't have to be a momstown member.
When: 8:30 pm - 10:00 pm (EST time)
Where: momstown.ca's Facebook Fan Page

If you're interested in learning more about momstown and what it's all about, check out their website to see if they have a chapter in your area! If you're in the Winnipeg area, stay tuned! I'll have momstown Winnipeg up and running this summer! Sign up for our newsletter here on our blog and we'll keep you posted as we work hard to plan some great events for us moms and our kiddies!

Got a product geared to moms, babies or young kids? If you're interested in sponsoring the next momstown Facebook Party, contact Christy at christy.lawson@momstown.ca

Hope to see you tonight at the party!