Healthy Meals in minutes

Obviously, it's important to keep eating healthy after you give birth, especially if you are breastfeeding.
It can be hard to prepare healthy meals when you have no time because of the little one.
The good news is that if you buy prepared produce like sliced mushrooms and cleaned spinach, it can save you tones of prep time for your meals.

Here's a picture of a 5 min stir fry I made one night using kale, mushroom, onion, pepper and zucchini!
I popped some salmon in the oven and boiled water for couscous. Not a complicated meal, but it's still balanced and took no time!

Looking for more moms?

Because of my work, I was able to find many Ottawa Mommy Groups and Networks that offer great information and activities for moms in Ottawa. Some things are free, others you need to pay for a membership. I highly encourage you to look up these business and find one that is right for you!

1. https://www.ottawavalleymoms.com
2. http://ottawa.momstown.ca
3. http://www.lifewithababy.com
4. https://www.kidsinthecapital.ca/tag/ottawa
5. http://ottawamommyclub.ca

What I find amazing is that all these groups have the same start up story... "I was a lonely mom on maternity leave with no one I could talk to or stay busy with". I am also a part of a "home made" mommy group that seems to be growing everyday, how exciting! It's really important to stay connected with other moms who are going through the same thing as you. It makes you feel like you belong and a great way to make new friends too.

Let me know if you know of other resources, I can add them to the list!

~C

Our wheels

As I mentioned before, Little V and I ride the City Select, from Baby Jogger (~$550). It was a toss up between this and the Vista (~$725), which is a bit more expensive. We put this on our Babies R Us Registry and ask for our friends to buy gift cards to help us purchase it.

We love it! It's a sturdy and smooth ride, and offers many options and combinations! I also like that you can have 2 seats to it, the basket below is very large and it's quite easy to open and fold. Right now, I am using the frame with the car seat (Image #10). To use the car seat, you need to purchase the retrofitted bar (according the the type of car seat you have, mine is the Graco Snugride 35), which costs about $75.

Because there is no space to put your drink, I just purchased this tray on Amazon.ca ! I can't wait to use it. I'll let you know if it does the trick. After reading reviews, apparently the Baby Jogger specific trays are not strong enough to hold the beverages and are quite expensive (~$50). This Skip Hop Grab & Go Stroller Organizer costs around $25. I love that you can put 2 drinks and that the little iPhone case zips right off!

Now I'm ready for Strollercize!

~C

Movies for mommies!

If you feel like you need to go out and treat yourself to a movie, but can't find a sitter, Movies for mommies is a really great experience!
Go to their site to find out how they lower the volume, increase the lighting and offer baby friendly services and freebies.

Mark your calendars! On March 21, they are offering a 2 for 1 discount! They will be playing PARENTAL GUIDANCE. So bring a friend/mommy to join you :)

See you there!
~C

RAINBOW CINEMA ST. LAURENT CENTRE St. Laurent Shopping Centre, 1200 St. Laurent Blvd, Ottawa, Ontario Tel: (613) 688-0685 SCREENINGS:  Every Thursday 1:00PM, Doors open 12:30PM TICKETS:  Adults $8.00. No charge for infants (0-12 months). PARKING: Free parking at Shopping Mall

Baby Carriers: The Manduca

I found the Manduca for way cheaper online after trying it on a the Extraordinary Baby Shop. This carrier can be worn in the front, back or on the hip. It can be extended (see zipper in the pic) and also has a mini insert to accommodate small baby bums and legs. It has clips to adjust all the place and is a good fit for a smaller or larger person. The straps can also be worn like a back pack or criss crossed.
Only the best for Little V!

I am waiting to get it in the mail... hopefully by this Friday!
I will comment on it and do a quick review when I use it.

I bought it to do a workout class with Fitmom and Baby! This class is run by Susan McDonald.
I'll talk more about that when I start the class.

Looking forward to becoming a "Yummy mummy" as they say!
~C

Strollersizin'

So today marks 5 weeks! And I must say I feel good. Other than the no sleep of course, but we are working on that :)

I met a friend at Strollercize today, it is run by Jules Hilliker at the Boomerang Kids on Bank street just north of Sunnyside. It's free, it's a great work out and a wonderful way to meet other moms and babies :)

Today we walked 4.9 Km in less than one hour. Not bad! Imagine me running that one day? We'll see. No promises.

I highly recommend you get out though, when you are good to go that is!
~C

P.S. It was muddy out there... which is a clear sign of SPRING!! Yay!

F.Y.I. Little V rides in the City Select from Baby Jogger. He loves it so far :) Glides really nicely and folds out/in with a breeze! It is a bit wide, and we often bump the large rear wheels... we will get used to this  very soon! Perfect for bike paths as it's still a bit rugged!

Getting good at leaving the house

I don't care how old your new born is.... GET OUT OF YOUR HOUSE ASAP!
It can get so boring and depressing to stay at home all day. Um, no wonder women get post partum depression. Go out and get some fresh air, it's so good for your body, mind and spirit!

Yes, people will stop you "He is so cute, can I see?" ( Yes you can, BUT DON'T TOUCH!!!).
Yes, people will judge you "He is too young to be out" (This isn't the year 1815, times- they are a changing!)

The best feeling of all is the little voice inside your head that is saying "You go girl, you just had a baby 10 days ago and look at you pretending to be an expert mom and all!" haha

My words of encouragement to all new moms, is please... just go outside! You won't regret it!

Oh right! The whole point of this post was to say that I am getting pretty good at leaving the house! You have to have your stuff packed, the baby strapped in the car seat and of course, don't forget to look presentable :)
I went to Metro with Little V all by myself today. It was a very successful trip! Thanks V


~C

A funny story called my birth plan

If you have a minute and feel like peeing yourself (because you have no more bladder control). I encourage you to read my copy edited birthplan... In hindsight!

~C

Breast massage ever!

NOT a typo, the best present you can give to yourself while you are learning to breastfeed is a breast massage. Especially if you have blocked ducts. I felt like a million bucks after I had this done.

I was getting massaged regularly during my pregnancy at "Anna Belanger", the most renown women's massage clinic in Ottawa! They specialize in prenatal massage, baby massage and general women's health massage. I feel like it should be a mandatory service for all pregnant women. Words can not explain the rejuvenating feeling it brings!

The staff there are lovely, the atmosphere is peaceful and the location is great!

~C

My top 5 "Don't Need" must haves

So, every mom has a list of stuff they hope to receive as gifts, but because stores like Baby's R Us don't cary the cute/original/organic baby apparel, it's hard to know without a registry!

Here are my top 10 items:
- Leather bib (I found mine at 3 little monkeys)
- Sock Monkey
- Beatrix Potter Royal Doulton Plate set (found a set at Costco for an awesome deal!)
- Anything in Muslin... Cotton blanket and changing station mattress cover (bought at Fab Baby Gear)
- Manduca Baby Carrier (Found at the Extraordinary Baby Shoppe and Milkface)

What are your Don't Need Must Haves? I would love to know!
~C

Side Bar- Finding the time

Here are 3 reasons why I have time to blog:

1. I'm pumping (hands free! Thanks to my lactation consultant who fashioned me a makeshift bra with a tensor bandage)
2. Little V is sleeping
3. Little V is with Papa or other said family member

St-Laurent Mall

Recently Joe Fresh opened at St-Laurent Mall, which is super exciting!
Great clothes, good fabrics, great style and good price.

I went on the grand opening day and let me tell you... STROLLER TRAFFIC JAM!
They did not account for all the moms that will be shopping that day. The isles were a bit tight and barely fit a stroller. They may reevaluate their situation ;)

The staff at Second Cup were very helpful when I asked for a glass of hot water to warm up a bottle. Their seating area is also nice to take a break.

Take note that elevators are next to Pandora... a bit hard to find if you ask me!

Recommend Baby washrooms upstairs near the food court. Newly renovated and very comfortable :)

Baby Stores to visit:
Joe Fresh
Gymboree
Children's Place
Mexx Kids
GAP kids/baby
Souris Mini
Toys R Us/ Baby's R Us
Sears
The Bay

F.Y.I. Little V rides in the City Select from Baby Jogger. He loves it so far :) Glides really nicely and folds out/in with a breeze! It is a bit wide, and we often bump the large rear wheels... we will get used to this  very soon!

Ok- baby's crying! Gotta go!

~C

I know... not more mommy and baby stuff

Guilty... when you are on mat leave, that's your life 100% of the day, so why not cherish it!

I decided not to change my "About me" because having a baby shouldn't change who you are, it's just you with a whole new appendage. You need to learn how to care for it, clean it, feed it and love it unconditionally. Some things are easy (like loving it, cuddling it and kissing it), other things aren't!

"How does she have the time to do this?" Truth is I don't. Little V (a.k.a Victor) is sleeping in his swing right now. When you have a brain that runs on overdrive, you need to fulfill its every dying wish. I must explore every idea that I come up with, in case I hit jackpot and become super successful from it! That's an entrepreneurs mantra.

Because, like you other moms, time is precious... so this blog will contain short posts of places and things that I will be encountering with Little V while I am on maternity leave. Inspired by my sisters blog, I will talk about baby/stroller friendly places and activities available in Ottawa. If you have content you would like to share, please do!

Lets do this!
~ C