What to consider when designing your Baby's Nursery

One of the biggest decisions that needs to be made when you find out you’re pregnant is “what do we need for the baby’s room?”  Here is a list to get you started.

Theme – Decide what “theme” you are going to go with.  The most popular theme that works for both boys and girls is a jungle theme but you don’t necessarily need to have a character theme.  The most important thing about a nursery is to make it welcoming.  Whether you go pink for girls, blue for boys or with a gender neutral colour, you want to make it inviting to your little one.

Paint – Once you have a colour scheme picked out, it’s time to shop for paint.  Try to look for paints that have low or zero VOC’s.   Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) is an additive that is added to paints, coloured markers, gasoline, cleaning supplies and even some cosmetics.  They emit gases and can sometimes do so even after the paint is dry.  There is no telling how much exposure is needed to cause serious harm but I say it is better to be safe than sorry.  Exposure to VOC’s has been linked to many serious conditions including headaches, irritation to nose, throat & ears and even cancer.

Crib – The baby obviously needs a place to sleep.  Are you going to use the same crib for possible future children?  If not, why not choose one that is a 3-in-1.  It turns into a toddler bed and then a double bed.   

Mattress – make sure the mattress fits snug in the crib.  Most are a standard size so it should be an easy purchase.

Mattress pad – this will save you a lot of headaches for this inevitable accidents hat can and most likely will happen.  Since there is no real way to wash a mattress keep it protected with a mattress pad.

Baby monitor – great for peace of mind.  Do your research to decide what you want in a baby monitor.  Do you want one just to hear when the baby wakes, there is the Angel Care monitor which keeps track of sound and movement or video monitors.

Dresser – You’re sure to get an abundance of clothes for the new baby.  Look for a dresser that you can continue its use as the baby gets older.  You can also find dressers that come with a change pad so you won’t need to purchase a change table.

These are the necessities of getting your nursery prepared for your bundle of joy.  Everything else are extras to make it their own. 

Some other suggestions are:

Photos/pictures
Shelves/bookshelf
Mobile
Rocker
Books
Toys
Closet organizer

Whatever you decide to go with, have fun planning it.  There is no need to make it a stressful occasion.  Your baby will love it as much as you do.


This Blog was written by Angela Hickman - mother of 2, momstown Milton member and blogger - Mommy TimeOut.

My Perfect Valentine's Day

We hear it all of the time. We are not perfect. A truth that is poignant yet certainly not despairing. As Valentine's is fast approaching, I'd like to invite you all to take a walk on Love Avenue. Whether you think Valentine's is a holiday worthy of reverence or nothing more than a commercial fabrication, I welcome you to take a beautiful leap of faith, even if only for just a moment. Fly high with me and soar on Cupid's wings.  Let's embrace and celebrate our imperfections on Valentine's Day with childlike purity and fascination.

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If you were to envision the perfect Valentine's day, what would it look like to you? I thought about such a day and an eclectic mix of feelings of both amusement and bemusement overtook me. Never having been one to do sit-ups first thing in the morning (you know...to get the heart rate going and all that), I would relish a group hug from my husband and two daughters while lounging blissfully in a fluffy robe. We would open our Valentine cards together and giggle at the messages.

Then I would indulge guilt-free in the pleasure of a warm, luxurious soak in the tub using the bath salts given to me by my children as a gift one year (yes, still haven't used them despite the frequent reminders from my considerate girls to do so!)  And while, I'm continuing my journey down Valentine's dreamland road, a nice hot cup of coffee would be lovely to accompany my soak or perhaps even a glass of "sparkling orange juice" - you know, the mommy-only kind!

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I would sit in the tub until the warm water became lukewarm and then once changed back into fluffy robe-wear, I would then practically float down the stairs as I followed the trail of the delicate sweet smelling waffles coming through my kitchen. There I would find my husband and daughters cheering as they caught a glimpse of me making my way over. "Did you have a nice bath?" they'd inquire with cherub-like sweetness. "Yes, it was lovely!", I'd murmur. And without, even the sound of a whisper, a plate of waffles with strawberries arranged in a heart shape would appear magically before me. Another cup of coffee and a little bit more of that, erm, "sparkling orange juice" would then follow. After all, Vitamin C has so many benefits...growth and repair of body tissues and is one of many antioxidants!

Breakfast done, I'd make Valentine's crafts with my girls and tease my husband about how lovely this bracelet or that necklace would complement his eyes...

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After lunch, we'd take a trek outside and go tobogganing (well maybe I'd watch my girls go up and down the hills and squeal with each downward slide) and then pick up cupcakes before heading home to make hot chocolate.  Once the bits of chocolate had melted to create our sweet drink, we'd snack on our cupcakes and sip our hot chocolate in front of the fireplace.



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With the Valentine's sugar rush flowing through us, we'd burn off some energy with a dance party and maybe try to teach the girls the lyrics to the Love Boat song to get a sing-a-long going...Or, on second thought, maybe not.

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Best of all about this Valentine's day, I'd forget the cares, the stresses that accumulate from everyday life and just delight in the fun fancies of the moment. I know that my daughters are growing up and will soon think it's "uncool" to hang with mom. And while hubby and I sometimes joke about the "unromantic" atmosphere of our kiddie-house, we wouldn't have it any other way, as for us, it's perfect.

Would love to hear about your Valentine's day walk down Love Avenue...

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Written by Liz Marques Kogan, momstown Milton member and mother of two. You can check out her blog at orchidaforever.blogspot.ca 

How to Keep the Romance Alive on a Budget

My husband sent me this email the other day with the subject line, “Be My Valentine?”:

 

Can you arrange a babysitter for next Thu / Fri or Sat?  I'd like to take you out on a Valentines date…whatever night works best for you and/or our babysitter.

I smiled when I saw the sweet note.  My immediate next thought was of our budget that we started February 1.  I panicked… we didn’t budget for this!  We have $51 left in our “meals out” category!  We can’t go over budget in our first month of really trying!  I wrote this note back:

I love the idea, but we just can’t do it this month… babysitter plus dinner would put us way over our budget.  How about a romantic dinner at home?

 

That evening we laughed about the email exchange.  We agreed that we had to stick to budget and decided to have a nice dinner once the girls are in bed.   A couple hours later, hubby asks “Where’s that teddy I bought you for Valentine’s Day the year we found out we were having Zoe?”  I, in mommy mode and engrossed in a show on Netflix (yes, cable had to go in our new budget!) replied: “Hmm, probably in one of the girl’s rooms or in the basement”. 

 He was not referring to a teddy bear, he was talking about this:

 

Valentine’s Day 2009 we were in full on baby making mode.  I received roses at work, we went out for an expensive dinner without a single thought of budget, I wore a dress I bought just for the occasion, we exchanged gifts and likely thought that we couldn’t love each other more than we did at that time.  When we found out in early March that we were expecting our first child, I’m sure we didn’t think of the impact to our Valentine’s traditions.  

Our first daughter arrived in early November and we were amazed not only at how the love in our hearts swelled for this perfect little person, but how our love for one another grew as well.   Again we felt that same heart swell when we welcomed our second daughter 20 months later.

Fast forward to Valentine’s Day 2013.  We have two amazing girls and hearts full of love.  As I sit at my computer in the kitchen our walls are decorated with dollar store hearts, my table littered with various red and pink crafts.  We will be baking cupcakes and using lots of special sprinkles, and making sure to call the girls’ grandparents who are all miles away on the East coast.   

Our date nights these days are usually spent at home in the happy quiet that exists when the girls are fast asleep. This is our new romance.  This Valentine’s Day, once bath and bedtime are over, we will be grilling a couple of steaks and sharing a nice bottle of wine.  Our meal will likely be followed by a couple of messy cupcakes with more icing and sprinkles than we would prefer, but we’ll enjoy every bite. The evening won’t be flashy and it won’t be expensive, but it will be romantic in our own way.  We will try to avoid talking about the girls, but we’ll forgive ourselves when the conversation inevitably strays there.  Our family is the biggest love in our lives now and that is just fine with us.  Who knows, maybe I will even pull out the teddy… and I’m not talking about a teddy bear.

 

This blog was written by Paula Porter - mom of 2 and a momstown Milton member

 

 

 

 

Twas the Night Before Valentine's Day..

T'was the night before Valentines day and all through the house; nothing was different from the nights before. I lay in bed and try not to worry about what didn't get done that day.

Then early the next morning, while trying to sleep I felt I had something to dread! "Sleep in honey, I am up with the kids and can handle breakfast too." So I just stay in bed. How lucky for me!

 

Over I roll and begin to close my eyes. But what should I hear but the banging and clanging of many pots and pans. Oh my dear, what will I find?! I creep down the stairs, not wanting to look but with a gasp of shock and a pleasant surprise to my eyes;

I find 2 smiling kids and a happy hubby too. Crispy bacon, scrambled eggs and warm buttery pancakes await.

 

We all sit down and enjoy the meal they worked so hard to create. " I love you Mommy" whispers my sweet angel girl into my ear as her syrup covered fingers run through my hair. Sweet egg kisses with a little mix of drool are planted with care from my little chubby boy. A hug and kiss from my dear hubby reminds I have nothing to dread. All the noise and mess come straight from their hearts.

 

 

 

While I savour this moment, I soon realize that we should never be apart. I silently vow to make everyday count. I will do everything I can to always fill their hearts with the love that can only come from me. Especially today! A day full of fun and a bunch of giggles too, make this day just fly. Tired and sleepy when it's time to head up stairs. We tuck our sweet babies into bed, get some more kisses and cuddles, and I realize how lucky I am to be me!!!!

 

 

Did hubby and I get some time alone to celebrate how much we love each other? Maybe a fancy dinner, a night away or an expensive gift? NO!

But the love that we share is a gift that we receive and celebrate each time a little blond haired girl whispers "I love you Mommy and Daddy" and her baby brother reaches up for a hug.

This Blog was written by Mandy McQuay - mother of 2 and a  momstown Milton member.

momstown Milton: Weekend Family Discovery Trip to Terra Milton Winter Farmers Market!

After being hit with a big dose of winter snow on February 8, 2013, the momstown Milton family made the welcome trek to TERRA Milton Greenhouse on February 10, 2013 for the exciting Grand Opening of the TERRA Winter Farmers Market. The Winter Farmers Market will run every Sunday until March 24, 2013 from the hours of 10:00am to 3:00pm. TERRA decided to introduce the concept of the indoor market to Milton due to the overwhelming success from the Burlington Market. 

Truly, it couldn't have been a better day in Milton for this Grand Opening. The sun was shining brightly and even before the momstown Milton group was inside the TERRA Milton Greenhouse building, our senses were rocked by the food trucks tempting us with their delicious wares. Gorilla Cheese, anyone? Exploring and more importantly savouring the yummy delights was an expedition in and of itself! 
 

We then made our way, strollers and all, into the expansive greenhouse space. As we're still in the throes of winter, our eyes and minds were teased by the gorgeous patio sets on display, making us dream of the warmer backyard-friendly weather to come. 

Feeling cozy and warm in the shelter of the indoor market, we admired the beautiful and bright colours radiating from the plants and flowers. 

 

Of course, with all of the admiring and walking around, we were certainly ready for nibbling so we made a few food stops: 

Kettle Corn Boss - mountain of golden deliciousness awaited us and we got to sample caramel and sweet and salty popcorn flavours. Yum! 

Pies and Such - Pies, brownies, date squares and so much fun. Fantastic desserts or even as a special snack. 

Sweet Potato Johnny - so much choice! From baked goods to frozen foods (such as lasagna!) that you can pop in the oven at home to enjoy. We just loved the sweet potato muffins. 

Lovin Oven Bakery & Confections - as an afternoon/after school snack, we picked up a pizza roll. Kids will sure be smiling as they dig into this savoury treat! 

The Cheese Guys - savoury sampling of Frère Jacques and Boerenkaas (Dutch for farmers cheese--Boer means farmer and kaas means cheese).

 

Leslie from The Wandering Localvore

The lure of sweet smelling soaps and creams propelled us to walk on over to Perfectly Natural and try out the Fruit Smoothies moisturizer - our winter bitten hands sure appreciated the soothing of the light cream.
 

We then headed over to Walter's Aquatic Adventure to marvel at the beauty of the underwater and reptilian worlds. We got friendly with a fire red bearded dragon. We were warned that this lizard has great little claws and so, don't let them roam around your house as they will climb the curtains! The little ones sure had a good laugh imagining a lizard on the loose! 

We then bonded with yet another little creature: a leopard gecko named Goosebumps. Goosebumps was going through the process of changing his skin and this is actually quite stressful on the gecko's body. We learned that his current (white colour) will eventually change (similar to the way we peel during a sunburn) to the colour of Spike. 
 



Goosebumps the Gecko

Spike the Gecko

The beauty of the flowing water fountains and gorgeous fish had us positively captivated! 
 

The momstown Milton families truly had a marvellous morning at the TERRA Milton Winter Farmers Market and can't wait to go back for yet another fun learning adventure! 

 

momstown Milton would be very excited to see YOU at our next event!

Register here for your FREE 6 week trial.

 

Written by Liz Marques Kogan, a momstown Milton member and mother of 2 girls. You can check out her blog at orchidaforever.blogspot.ca 

momstown Milton kids Jr. Chef program - learning to cook chicken quesadilas and salsa

What a great time the kids had this week learning to cook at our momstown Milton Junior Chef program! Our salsa and chicken quesadilla creations were a huge hit. Not only did the kids enjoy eating the food they made with their own hands, the moms were reminded of an easy, nutritious and tasty meal option.

 

We started on the salsa. We learned about two kinds of salsa - salsa fresca, made with fresh tomatoes, and salsa roja - salsa made with cooked tomatoes. We were making salsa roja and our recipe called for fire roasted canned tomatoes.

The children took turns emptying the cans into a food processor. Next we added two green chiles (also the canned version). We took turns measuring out the next ingredients: 1/4 tsp of dried oregano, 1 tsp of salt, 1 clove of crushed garlic, 2 tsp red wine vinegar, 1 tbsp olive oil. After blending in the food processor, we stirred in 2 chopped green onions and 1/4c of chopped fresh cilantro. Our easy and delicious salsa was ready for eating, and we got to work right away with some yummy chips. The salsa was a hit!

While the kids munched on chips and salsa, we got started on our quesadillas. Heating up the tortillas is a job for an adult. We added approx 1/2 tsp of oil to each of our pans (we used one non stick pan, and one cast iron pan). We placed a large flour tortilla in each pan and heated it for 10 seconds per side, flipping to avoid the tortilla getting too browned. The tortillas were removed and placed on plates so that our Junior Chefs could add shredded cheese and diced cooked chicken. The tortilla went back into the hot pan and was folded over and flattened with a spatula. The quesadillas were flipped several times to ensure even melting of the cheese, and even browning of the tortillas. Once they were cut, we were sampling our delicious quesadillas, topped with sour cream and our salsa roja. Several of the chefs and several moms asked for seconds! Success!

Quesadillas are a quick and versatile meal option for our little ones. Tortillas can be kept frozen so that they are always on hand, and defrosted in a matter of minutes. Similar to the idea of a personal pizza, it is a meal option that can be tailored to individual tastes - great for picky eaters!

We would love to have you join us for our Jr. Chef Program next month. A fun way for kiddies to learn measurements and practice mixing and chopping! 

Register here for your 6 week FREE trial.

Momstown Milton moms learn how to cook quick and easy meals

momstown Milton mamas had the perfect Moms Night Out as they headed over to Mary-Anne Scarturchio-Selwa's home to learn how to cook 3 quick and easy meals AKA a power cooking session! And the best part? We even got to sit down and eat a hot and tasty meal and oh yeah, we chatted and had lots of good laughs too!

We did 3 recipes in 1 hour - estimated $45 ingredient cost - a win-win for time and money.  

MAIN INGREDIENTS FOR MAKE-AHEAD GROUND BEEF

3 medium onions

3 lb ground meat of choice - e.g. beef (lean, medium); ground turkey; ground chicken

3 garlic cloves (Mary-Anne stressed that it must be fresh peeled garlic and even provided us with a peeling demonstration. But some of us in the Culinary Chicks peanut gallery muttered that minced garlic or roasted garlic puree could be used as well - shh - don't tell our chef!)

Chef's Tip: Mary-Anne used a hand chopper to chop up the onions and garlic together - efficient time saver!

SAUCY BEEF CHILI 

In the blink of an eye, we mixed the ground meat, onion and garlic, chili beans in sauce, diced tomatoes, water, tomato paste and chili seasoning mix.

Since this was one of our "make-ahead" meals, we then transferred our cooled mixture into a labelled (name of recipe; date prepared and use by date) in a large resealable plastic bag.

Chef's Tip: Always ensure foods are completely cooled before freezing them. When it's time for defrosting, remove from freezer and defrost in the refrigerator or microwave on the defrost setting.

Once defrosted, combine ingredients in skillet and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Spoon chili into bowls and top with desired toppings: cheddar cheese, sliced green onions or sour cream.

BARBECUE BEEF SLOPPY JOES 

Mamas took turns measuring out ketchup, barbecue rub, and cider vinegar. We then mixed it up with the ground meat, onion and garlic.    

Since this was one another of our "make-ahead" meals, we then transferred our cooled mixture into a labelled (name of recipe; date prepared and use by date) in a large resealable plastic bag.

EASY BEEF STROGANOFF 

Mary-Anne set egg noodles to boil as they were going to be mixed to the stroganoff mixture for Culinary Chicks dinner.

Chef's Tip: When cooking noodles, add salt only (no oils) to the water which has come to a rolling boil. The salt is your opportunity to flavour the pasta. And we learned a neat trick: putting a wooden spoon over your boiling pot will prevent it from boiling over.

Mamas took turns measuring out sliced mushrooms (yes, we used canned), cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, water, ground paprika, salt, and coarsely ground pepper. We then mixed it up with the ground meat, onion and garlic. And off to the stove it went!

The stroganoff was our Culinary Chicks dinner so we watched in anxious anticipation - our eyes admiring the deliciousness in the pot. As the kitchen was infused with the luscious smells, we practically stood with forks in hand waiting for the cooking process to be complete.


MANGIA CULINARY CHICKS!

We each spooned ourselves a bowl of stroganoff and we set to eating. Even after preparing 3 meals, we had plenty of time to chat and just enjoy.

The 2 make-ahead dishes were drawn as prizes and Rachel and Mandy were our lucky winners! 






Are you a mama who could use a Moms Night Out? Next month the Culinary Chicks will be cooking it up Asian Style, come and see what it’s all about. Tight on Time? This quick skillet dish will become a family favourite: ASIAN Pork and Noodle Skillet. Easy and delicious!

Register here for your FREE 6 week trial.

Written by Liz Marques Kogan. A momstown Milton member and mother of 2 girls. You can check out her blog at www.orchidaforever.blogspot.ca