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We are pleased to present, with our sponsor Salsa Babies, the “Oh, Funny Baby” Contest.

Tell us your funniest baby story, we know you’ve got them! Let us know what your little one has done to make you howl with laughter! Fill out the form below, and if your story is chosen you win a GREAT prize!

The winner will receive a FREE SESSION GIFT CERTIFICATE from Salsa Babies. (6 weeks valued at $72) Enter today at York Region Baby!

The Universal Child Care Benefit

We posted a little while back about The Universal Child Care Benefit . Just wanted to remind you that you should be receiving your cheque in the mail any day now! One suggestion is to put the $100 per child per month directly into an RESP for your family. This is "unexpected" money that will grow to help support your child(ren)'s education.

Fundraiser for a great little girl

A mother's intuition & stubbornness helped lead Margaret Abernethy find the cause of her third child's lethargy and difficultly eating.

Doctors dismissed Caitlin's behavior on a milk allergy and suggested soy milk as a solution.

However, at one particular visit to the hospital, because of Caitlin's weight loss, her mom refused to leave until the cause of Caitlin's medical problems was determined.

After a series of tests the diagnosis was..."cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder that causes the body to produce a faulty protein that leads to abnormally thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and can result in fatal lung infections."

This was over a decade ago, and now this brave 13 year old, who is a little small for her age, needs lots of medication, physiotherapy 4 times day, needs some help from her community.

In order to help clear her lungs of mucus, which leads to infections and hospitalization and to help Caitlin attend school (she missed 74 days last year) she needs a special vest that cost $18,000 and is not covered by OHIP.

So, her family and friends are raising money for her. Here are the details about the fundraiser... Caitlin's family will hold a barbecue and charity auction to raise money for the vest this Saturday July 29 from 1 - 4 p.m.

There are a wide range of prizes to bid on plus raffles, games and a waterslide. The fundraiser will be held at 146 Gormley Rd. West (Stouffville Road and Leslie Street). All are invited and all proceeds will go to the Caitlin Fund to buy the therapeutic vest. Cash donations also accepted at TD/Canada Trust account # 1984 623 8320. Also, if you can't make it and would like to help, you can send PayPal funds to York Region Baby and we will make sure that this special little girl receives the money. When sending funds please use Caitlin as subject.

Thanks to York Region.com for the tip. To read the article as published on York Region.com, click here.

Love, peace and Freecycle

Here's a great idea for all those who have things they no longer need... it's called Freecycle.

The Freecycle Network was started in May 2003 to promote waste reduction in Tucson's downtown and help save desert landscape from being taken over by landfills. The Network provides individuals and non-profits an electronic forum to "recycle" unwanted items. One person's trash can truly be another's treasure!

In the past 3 years Freecycle groups have started all over the world. There are various groups in the GTA including one for Newmarket and Aurora and Markham.

When you want to find a new home for something -- whether it's a chair, a fax machine, piano, or an old door -- you simply send an e-mail offering it to members of the local Freecycle group.

Or, maybe you're looking to acquire something yourself. Simply respond to a member's offer, and you just might get it. After that, it's up to the giver to decide who receives the gift and to set up a pickup time for passing on the treasure. ...

Think globally, recycle locally.

New Maternity Store Open for Business

We wanted to let you know about a great new store open for business!

Tummy Time is an online store created by a York Region mom.

Carrying clothes and accessories for cool moms-to-be Tummy Time has it all.

They've got hard to find products like the stylish & functional"Bubble and Squeak" diaper bags, and cool T's from "Due and Sprout", "Preggers and Proud" and much more.

Beat the Heat

What does one do when it's 45 degrees outside? Since we are in the middle of a very hot few days here are some places to go and things to do...

• head to the mall -- Upper Canada Mall has a playpark for little ones. The mall is open early and you can go before the stores open. We've been there as early as 8am. It's FREE -- well that is if you don't end up buying that shirt you just had to have!
• head to an indoor playground. We love Tiny Tots. It's normally $6.00, but if you sign up for our e-Newsletter we'll send you a coupon for $2.00 off. There is a comfy couch for mommy and lots to do for your little one.
• head to a Splash Pad. We found a great one in Aurora.
• head to a pool. We just got back from Gorham Pool in Newmarket. It was great. They have mom and tot time from 1:30 - 2:30 each day.

Let us know if you have any suggestions and we'll add them. Take it easy during this very hot weather. Drink lots of water, wear sunscreen and before you know it it will be January and we'll be complaining about snow!!

PS -- Don't forget to never leave a baby or child(or a pet) in a car. If you do see baby or child a car please call police at 1-866-876-5423.

Q & A with the Dictator's Mom

Next month look for a feature on one of Canada's most talked about authors, newspaper columnists and now, mommy-blogger Rebecca Eckler.

A few months ago Rebecca started her own blog about her adventures in mommyhood with her toddler (aka Nine Pound Dictator). And in those past few months, her blog has become the must-read blog all hip and fun mommies.

So, if you haven't already, during your little one's next nap, get a coffee, and get comfy! We recommend you start and the beginning and go from there.

And when you're done reading email us your questions for Rebecca.

Best question wins an amazing shirt by Tot Rocket donated by Urban Baby Runway. Check out the very funny & ultra hip baby shirts, from My Mom Is Blogging This, Born To Be Blogged and My Mom's Blog Is Better Than Your Mom's Blog.

When Life Gives You Lemons....

...make lemonade.

That's what 4 year old Isabel from Richmond Hill is doing! One of Isabel's little friends is battling Leukemia and to honour him she's setting up shop!

On Sunday, July 9 from 8:00 a.m.-noon please come out and support 4 year-old Isabel in her first-ever fundraiser! She will be serving lemonade and cookies that her and her mom have made and there will also be bottles of water for sale too.

There is a minimum charge of $1 for any item but people may also, of course, donate more if they wish. All of the proceeds from her lemonade stand will be going to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada.

People can find her stand at 189 Springhead Gardens, Unit 47 (the south side of Weldrick just west of Yonge).

If you can't make the lemonade stand -- but would like to donate. Please contact Kirsty at York Region Baby and she can tell you how to donate.

July Contest -- Latin Beat for Tiny Feet

Go to York Region Baby and enter our contest for July!

All you have to do is tell us your funniest story about your baby or pregnancy and you'll be entered to win a six week class at Salsa Babies in York Region!

Salsa Babies is a way dance your way back into shape with the best little partner of all - your baby! Salsa Babies is designed for all levels of fitness and dance experience. Classes in Aurora, Newmarket, Richmond Hill, Markham & more! Email Amy for more information.

Thanks to Salsa Babies for sponsoring this contest!