Help Baby Parker

Our friends at DreamKids let us know about a wonderful little baby named Parker from Ajax. He has a with a very rare genetic disease that has left him without an immune system. The only treatment available to him is in Milan, so there are fund-raising efforts going on to raise money to help his parents with the cost of the travel, accommodations, treatment, etc. Please check out DreamKids blog for more information on how you can help!

Cool Mom Picks

Wanted to let you know about a great site that will help you keep up on all the latest and greatest for baby and you! Last week they wrote about Imagine Baby and our bestselling-can't-keep-them-in-stock Bee's Knees Crawling Pants. Thanks to Cool Mom Picks!

Looking for a mom to share her story...

We are looking for a mom who would like to share her pregnancy and birthing story with us.

If you would like to write for us, please email Kirsty. Read this month's pregnancy and birthing story!

Sick Kids Foundation Lottery

SickKids Foundation is quickly approaching its Lottery Early Bird
Deadline of midnight, June 1st, which offers ticket buyers the chance to win an early bird prize of cash and cars. Grand prizes include three prizes of one million dollars and more car choices than any other lottery. Odds of winning are one in seven and because the proceeds fund breakthrough research, you win just by playing.

"By purchasing a Lottery ticket, you support critical research at SickKids; research that makes a difference in the lives of children across the province and worldwide," says Paula Roberts, Vice-President, Strategic Communications, SickKids Foundation. "Funds from the lottery go toward cutting edge facilities, the latest equipment and helping ensure that SickKids can continue to attract leading scientists and doctors from around the world.

Tickets for the SickKids Lottery cost $100 each or $250 for a bundle of three and are available by calling toll-free 1-877-232-KIDS (5437) or in person at SickKids. The phone lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a
week. Ticket order forms and a full list of prizes are also available at www.SickKidsLottery.com. Tickets must be purchased by midnight June 1, 2006 to be eligible for the Early Bird Prize.

May is International Doula Month

Thanks to Denise Martin, a doula from York Region who let us know that May is International Doula Month.

First Question, we know, we know! What is a Doula? "A doula who accompanies a woman in labor mothers the mother, taking care of her emotional needs throughout childbirth. A doula also provides support and suggestions for partners that can enhance their experiences of birth. A postpartum doula continues that valuable emotional support and guidance, helping a family make a smooth transition into new family dynamics."

Denise sent us this great quote about the role of a doula...

" Support is unconditional. It is listening.... not judging, not telling your own story. Support is not offering advice... it is offering a handkerchief, a touch, a hug...caring. We are here to help women discover what they are feeling... not to make the feelings go away. We are here to help a woman identify her options... not to tell her which options to choose. We are here to discuss steps with a woman... not to take the steps for her. We are here to help a woman discover her own strength... not to rescue her and leave her still vulnerable. We are here to help a woman discover she can help herself... not to take that responsibility for her. We are here to help a woman learn to choose... not to make it unnecessary for her to make difficult choices. ~Anonymous~

For more information see, York Region Baby, Canadian Doulas,

Amazingly Cute-Cool-Hip Gift Baskets

Over the past week we added some very cool gift baskets. These baskets are unique & funky! Show up to a shower with these baskets and you'll be the hit of the baby shower!!

Starting at $45.99, we've got a basket for every baby, including twins!! Most of the baskets also come with a gift for the new mom, which is always such a nice surprise!! Our favourites, include, "The Drama Queen", which is a hilarious basket filled with treats that are practical, fun and creative. As well, as "The Monkey Business", a baby gift basket that includes gifts to wear, to pamper, and to play with!

Baskets take approx 1 week to ship. You can find more at www.yorkregionbaby.com!

No Sleep, New Baby and Forms, forms and more forms!

I was amazed out the amount of paperwork when Liam was born last year. As a new mom negotiating the government paperwork jungle I was sleep deprived and up to my eyes in forms to fill out. Hiring an Admin Assistant was a thought that crossed my mind !! ... So when Tricia and I were talking about what to add to the site, she researched all the forms from Passports to the Child Tax Benefit and we know have a page on the site where you can find information and links to all you need. As a tip for Passports (you should see Liam's picture! too cute!) make sure you follow the picture requirements to the letter -- or you'll have to have them retaken...Which I learnt from experience.
You can find the link under "Welcome Baby" and then paperwork at York Region Baby.

Reminder: Mother's Day Contest

Don't forget to nominate a mom or mom-to-be for some R & R at Cocoa Spa in Newmarket. Just tell us why tat special lady wants to spend a day at the spa.

Thanks to the very nice person who nominated ME! :) unfortunately, I can't win, but the thought was greatly appreciated -- but don't worry about me, as I try to get to Cocoa Spa as much as possible for massages, manicures and more!!

Contest closes on Sunday, Mother's Day! Enter at www.yorkregionbaby.com

"Your Baby Can Read"

I was watching City TV news this week and there was an interesting story by Cynthia Mulligan called "Your Baby Can Read". She came across a family that had children that could read at the age of 12 months. They actually showed home videos as proof of them reading. The family credited Dr. Robert Titzer's program with helping to teach their children to read. You can check out his website at www.yourbabycanread.com. He has Early Learning Stimulation Tips on his website as well as his products.

Dr. Robert Titzer will be at the Baby Time and Parenting show this weekend. For more information you can go to the website at www.babytime.ca/.
~Have a good weekend! Tricia

Note: York Region Baby does not necessarily endorse this program. It was an interesting story that we thought was interesting to share.

Great Resources

We've come across some great resources in our search to bring you all the information that you need to bring up baby in our area and beyond. Here's a list of some of our finds --let us know if you have any other great resources -- the more the merrier!

• Markham Baby -- online resource site for Medela Breastpumps to purchase, Markham area Breastpump Rentals and new parent and baby resources! This is a great one!
• babytoronto.com is your key to unlocking all there is to discover about your baby and experience in your city. Or should we say everything there is to experience about your baby and discover in your city?
• Life with Kids - This online guide for moms and dads west of Toronto.
• Help We've got Kids - Great online guide that goes past the baby stages, with events and printed book.
• Resource Guide for Parents - Published by Prenatal Plus Parenting Centre in Newmarket this guide is online and handy in print format and covers York Region services, and more.

Happy surfing - Kirsty

Mother's Day

Just over a week until Mother's Day. It will be my second Mother's Day as a mom, and the second without my mom. It's a bittersweet day for me, as I share it with my little guy, but also remember the sudden loss of my mom a year-and-a-half ago.

Now that I'm a mom, I don't think until you become a mom you truly understand what your mom went through -- through pregnancy, birth, the first smile, first tooth, sleepless nights and all the other things that only moms know about. I also don't think that you know how much your mom loves you until you become a mom. Why don't you when your done reading this ...Tell your mom you love her;-- give her a call, stop by and say hi, email her, or send her flowers, (enter her into our Mother's Day Contest!).
~kirsty

More Safety Tips: Windows

Just got a press release from Safe Kids Canada about summer safety and specifically windows, please have a read.

Safe Kids Canada reminds parents to install window safety devices to protect children from injury

With the arrival of warmer weather, Safe KidsCanada is reminding parents to install safety devices to prevent young children from falling out of windows in their home. In previous summers,Canadian children have been seriously injured and have sometimes died falling out of windows. Many of these children were reported to be two to three years old, a common age for this kind of incident."A window screen will not prevent your child from falling out of a windows it can easily give way to the weight of a small child," says Allison Hewitt, executive director of Safe Kids Canada, the national injury prevention program of The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). "Check your windows and make sure to install the proper safety devices that will protect your child from injury."

To prevent injuries from occurring to young children, Safe Kids Canada
recommends parents:

- Install a device to stop the window from opening more than 10
centimetres (4 inches).

A child cannot fall through this small a space. A wide variety of
devices are available. Simple measures could include using screws in
the window frame to prevent the window from opening more than 10
centimetres.

- Install a window guard.
A window guard forms a barrier in front of an open window. Window
guards are sold at hardware and specialty stores and some department
stores.

- Keep windows locked if you are not able to use window safety devices.

- Make sure to move furniture away from windows, as well as balcony
railings, to prevent young children from climbing up and falling.

Only a few cities in Canada have local by-laws that require landlords to
install window safety devices on all windows in multi-unit dwellings. Safe
Kids Canada encourages provinces and territories to consider regulations to
increase window safety. For more information on child safety, parents can call-1-888-SAFE-TIPS (723-3847) or visit www.safekidscanada.ca.

Smart Love

It looks like the Ontario Government has launched an awareness campaign promoting car seat safety. There are commercials on TV as well as a new website http://www.ontario.ca/smartlove . They have information on how to choose the right car seat for your child, tips for installing car seats and frequently asked questions. Check it out!
~Tricia