KIDSEmbrace Booster Car Seat - I can't wait for them!!

Check out these new carseat booster combos coming to the Canadian market soon! KIDSEmbrace makes items with your child's imagination and safety in mind. Some seat's also come with a cape which can be doubled as a blanket. 

Want to keep up to date about when these car seats will be sold through Canadian retailers be sure to like the KIDSEmbrace and Trillium Facebook pages! Until then these items are available for pre order through Trillium Sales for Canada! 

Time to pack for when baby comes?? Don't forget these items that are on the top of my list!

It is 12:34am. Today might possibly be baby day!! (Although you will be ready this a tad bit later) This being my third time around the hospital bag packing block I figured I would write about the 13 items that are a must for me to pack - and should be for you too!! 

Take home outfit for baby - As tradition we have bought each of our children a new take home outfit.

Toiletries - Tooth brush, tooth paste, 2 ply toilet paper, makeup, comb/brush, shampoo, whatever you need to make your hospital stay feel less hospital and more homey.

Medications - Anything you take, bring it! The hospital does not supply it. 

Hospital Panties -  Some hospitals only offer you 1-2 pairs (if any) and these things are a god send. You can purchase them here. 

Breast Pump - With Sophie my milk hadn't come in yet and I was looking to help that along. At one point though they were all being used. This time I am bringing my own. 

Money/credit cards - Parking, food, television rental, and other miscellaneous things.

Snacks - Most Maternity wards have a fridge for patients to use to store their food. With Carter all I really wanted was some fresh fruit and vegetables.

Pillows - Go to Walmart and grab yourself some $3 pillows. Beds in hospitals are so uncomfortable and it's nice to have a pillow or 2 to help make you more comfortable. And with the $3 price tag - I don't feel bad if they get yucky. 

Water bottle - Having surgery? Can't eat or drink 8 hrs before. Had an epidural = no more liquids. And ice chips don't do didly squat!! When you can you will want to chug some nice cold water.

Camera - Most people have cameras on their cell phones but when Sophie was born I learnt the hard way when I had my phone stolen 2 months later that it's not always a good idea to just use your cell phone.. All of her newborn pictures -GONE! 

Cell phone - To play Angry Birds...hello?! Just kidding. 

Chargers/ Batteries - Anything that will require charger, bring it. Needs batteries? Bring extra!

Reading material - I have charged my Kobo and loaded it with some new books. Bought the UK version of Cosmo (way better in my opinion)  Because I am going to have so much down time right?!?

Comfy going home clothes - Loose fitting pants and a nursing bra & t-shirt/ nursing tank. 

Also this is something that won't be packed in your hospital bag but its something that you definitely have to bring.. 

Carseat - Even if you don't drive, it is required in order to bring baby home. Check out One Tiny Suitcase here in Edmonton for carseat rentals.


Are there other things in your hospital bag that are a must have for you??? Please share! 

A guide to the cold & flu for the pregnant, nursing, and little ones - Easing your discomfort and babies too!

Cold and flu season. It's here whether we like it or not 
I have been sick while nursing Carter & Sophie and well just this past Friday Sophie came down with the flu. And for the last 4 weeks I haven't been able to shake of this nasty flu!!!

What do you do when that nasty sickness hits you or your little one? 
You're at a loss. You put it to your Facebook friends and groups. Take it to twitter. Post your sick face selfies on Instgram. #sickofbeingsick #goawaycold #makeitstop #iwanttofeelhealthyagain  #mybabyissick
"I am a breastfeeding mom - we are sick what can I do??" 
"I am pregnant and have a flu HEEEELLLPPP" 

So what can you do?? 

• Acetaminophen (also known as Tylenol)- I broke down with this pregnancy after a horrible experience with a migraine/sinus pain and took some. 
• Saline Nasal drops or spray
• Neti Pot 
• Throat lozenges - Check out this link to make your own soothing throat lozenges
• Drinking hot tea with honey, hot water with honey, or honey & lemon (it is suggested the honey be pasterized)
• Gargling with warm water & salt 
• Kids 0-9 All Natural Medicine (I have been using them for almost 5 years now, and they work very well) 
• Essential Oils. 

I recently had a chance to speak with Amanda from Young Living and asked her about which essential oils a pregnant/nursing mom could use as well as some that work well for children! 


For pregnant and nursing moms
Thieves oil for immune boosting is suggested along Eucalyptus or RC for congestions and respiratory infections. All can be used on the chest, back, or feet but must be mixed in with a carrier oil (olive oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil, etc) 
Peppermint has also worked well for pregnant moms having a hard time with nausea or indigestion. 

Children

With children oils can be used sparingly and must always be used with a carrier oil. For newborns lavender works great for calming a baby and for older babies oils such as Peace & Calming and cypress for coughs. 

Do you want to know more about what essential oils and natural remedies are safe from pregnancy to young children? 
You can enter below to win a copy of Gentle Babies! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DIY vanilla and berry yogurt. #diy #healthy #yummy #greekyogurt #delicious

We are a household that is forever trying to balance nutrition and taste. Yogurt is definitely on the top of that list. Faced with so many options and really way too many that contain more than the recommended daily weekly intake for sugar we have chosen to try a different route. 

We are flavouring our own!

What will you need? 

Plain Yogurt (We buy Greek to add that extra bit of protein) 

Vanilla Extract

Frozen berries (We use mixed berries) 

Steps 

First of all you will need to warm up the frozen berries. You can do this on a stove top or microwave. Regardless there will probably be excess juice from the berries. It is up to you if you want to strain the excess liquid or keep some or all of it. We use the juice 

Add a dash of vanilla extract to the berries. 

Put in the desired amount of yogurt and mix all 3 ingredients together.

And now its ready to enjoy! 

Both Carter and Sophie love to eat yogurt this way and don't mind that the berries are a little warm. If you or your family are not a fan of the berries being warm you can leave the berries in the fridge to thaw over night or warm them up and then let them cool for bit. If you aren't a fan of the "chunks of fruit" try pureeing them to create a smoother yogurt mixture. 

Regardless, this is a delicious and sweet way to enjoy yogurt without the added sugar. 

Want to be creative with other flavours? 

Check out my past blog for a variety of DIY extract flavours that you can use in the yogurt and in pretty much anywhere where flavour extracts can be used.

Try other yogurt combinations such as: 

Cocoa & Vanilla 

Lemon juice, grated lemon peel, and a little bit of honey

Puree banana, dash of cinnamon and some raisins

YUMM!!!!