Happy Easter!

Last year, Hannah was still very "blob"-like when Easter rolled around. This year, she's mobile, eating solids and happily accepts Easter gifts.

This morning we had an "egg hunt"...which turned into us bringing her items (mostly toys - and one of her running shoes) where the Easter Bunny hid 6 plastic eggs filled with toddler snacks. Every time she "found" an egg, she wanted to stop and eat the snack. This may make for long hunts in the future!

The Bite

It's never a good thing when the daycare calls.

Just before the end of my work day on Monday, my cell phone lit up with the name of Hannah's daycare. She had been bitten. She was OK, but she cried. It happened during snack time. The Biter was sitting next to Hannah. Now, the Biter will never sit near Hannah again.

Toronto Public Library launches new #ReadyForReading guide

When Hannah was born I dusted off all my favourite childhood books in preparation of them starting their second life - belonging to my child. To be honest, some of said books were still proudly on my bookshelf (notably The Monster at the End of This Book by Jon Stone, my favourite book of all time) but hadn't been read aloud in ages.

When Hannah was a few weeks old I started reading to her, and reading books daily has become a part of our routine ever since.

But how do you teach a child to read? And how do you make reading fun?

The Toronto Public Library is launching their first ever Ready for Reading Resource Guide - Let’s Get Ready for Reading: A fun and easy guide to becoming readers. This fun and interactive publication was developed by the library, with the support of the Toronto Public Library Foundation and an anonymous donor, to provide parents and caregivers with an early literacy learning resource to assist children in developing the skills needed to become a reader.

Mabel's Labels Limited Edition Camp Combo Packs

Children will soon be counting down the days until they're dropped off at camp!

Help the summer campers in your life stay organized this camp season with Mabel's Labels. The Limited Edition Camp Combo Packs are UV resistant, waterproof labels and tags designed especially for everything that goes to summer camp. Identify clothes, footwear, toiletries, swim gear, backpacks and more with this seasonal essential. Best of all, save $2 and receive a free gift (while supplies last) when you purchase before 4/30.

Happy Camping!

Disclosure: I am a Mabel's Labels affiliate.

© 2013 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.

Laundry Products for Sensitive Skin (Review & Giveaway) #PGmom

It didn't ACTUALLY happen this way, but I swear when my Mom found out I was pregnant, the first thing she did was run out and buy a bottle of Ivory Snow. OK. Maybe she didn't buy it, but she definitely started watching for sales so she could purchase it closer to the birth of her first grandchild.

Hannah's clothes have been washed in Ivory Snow since the day she was born. Ivory Snow is definitely a part of that "baby" smell everyone loves to breathe in when receiving baby cuddles. (Even I fall victim to the scent and totally sniff her clothing as I am folding it.)

But Hannah is officially a toddler now, and washing her clothes separately from ours was starting to become a chore (especially with various wardrobe changes that come with daycare - painting, water stations, attempting to eat anything and everything that accompanies a tomato sauce...).

Which is why I'm happy I can now wash all of our clothes together with laundry products for sensitive skin!

Fisher-Price #MillionMoments of Joy

Becoming a parent embodies a multitude of emotions. It's really one of those situations where you can never truly understand until you are in the midst of parenting a child yourself. Oh, and your child parenting you.

The first 14 months of my daughter's life have passed in a blur, and now that she's in daycare our moments together are more precious than ever before (regardless if said moments are good...or bad!).

Fisher-Price has launched a new contest that celebrates the Million Moments of Joy that come along with parenting. You can upload a photo, video or story for a chance to win some pretty amazing prizes. (I don't know how we would have survived the first few months of Hannah's life without the Ocean Wonders™ Aquarium (part of the prize pack), Chris still uses it to distract her when he's cutting her nails!)

One of my Moments of Joy: Here's Hannah with her Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn™ Smart Screen Laptop. When she got her own computer, I was OVERjoyed that she stopped banging on my MacBook and used hers...most of the time. It was also neat to see her interact with the toy - her knowing that rolling the mouse cued the music made me so proud.

What to Do with Kids Artwork

My favourite thing about Hannah in daycare is the huge smile I receive when I pick her up. Sometimes, she can't stop hugging me. Other days she'll sing "Mama" over and over again. On a few occasions, we've even cuddled in the car before she'll let me go up front to drive us home without tears.

I've also mentioned I like the little reports the daycare gives us, but a few weeks ago something amazing was waiting for me in her cubby (well, anything is amazing compared to what I usually get- soiled clothing). Alas, the truly amazing items? ARTWORK.

Vidal Sassoon Pro Series (Review & Giveaway) #PGmom

A while back I wrote a post about things I no longer cared about - hair, make-up, bathing. It was pretty gross, but as a Mom on mat leave, I wasn't alone (and I felt in good company with all the comments that post received).

Now that I'm back at work, my time is even more limited. But now I'm out in public every day, and quite frankly, do not want to be the "stinky kid in the class" a la Big Daddy's Julian. So I shower - every day. And I put make-up on - every day. But one thing that still needs help is my hair.

I haven't gotten a cut in FIVE months. We have so little time, it seems, I resorted to giving Hannah bangs myself. (And I did a lot better of a job than my Mom ever did - and she'll say this to you too...I'm just thankful "feather" bangs are in.)

However, other than my roots, you'd never know I have been to a salon in almost half a year. And that's thanks to Vidal Sassoon's new Pro Series line, which debuted in stores last month, bringing salon genius to my home because I clearly can't get to a salon.

ToddlerTrunk - Sell, Buy and Trade Kids Stuff

This past weekend, we cleaned our apartment. And I mean, REALLY cleaned our apartment. We unpacked our last boxes and re-arranged some furniture. Everything seems more tidy and more manageable, and I just feel less stressed.

One area that still needs a little work is Hannah's toy mountain which, while trying to be maintained in one area of our living room, erupts in a fashion that leads into our dining room and dangerously close to our kitchen.

ToddlerTrunk was created to address this specific issue. ToddlerTrunk provides a way to buy and sell gently used children’s items, but it is targeted to moms and dads, so everyone on the site is looking to buy or sell children’s stuff. The items are organized by type, gender, and age, making it easy to find the toys, clothes, or furniture you need. Much better than throwing these items in the garbage, harming the planet. Plus, you can exchange things you are looking for, since we all know children's needs and wants are constantly evolving.

Netflix entertains on March Break (Giveaway)

This time next week, because of March Break, parents will be looking for ways to keep their children entertained, whether it’s in the comfort of their own family room, or for the duration of a long car or plane ride. 

Luckily, Netflix has it covered. With a wide variety of content for children up to the age of 12 available in the Just for Kids section, the following shows and films are just an example of the content that will help keep kids (and kids at heart) happy over the break:

Disney On Ice #RockinEverAfter (Coupon Code)

March Break is swiftly upon us. How are you going to keep your kids busy when school's out and it's cold outside?

Hannah may only be in daycare (and therefore doesn't get a March Break), but that doesn't mean I'm not excited to attend March Break activities with her!

We are going to her very first, full-lenth ice skating show - Disney On Ice Rockin' Ever After, LIVE in Toronto from March 13-17, 2013 at the Rogers Centre. My cousin is so in love with Disney, she took a whole weekend off work so she can come to Toronto (from a city two hours away) just so she can join us!

Mabel's Labels Amazing Birthday Sale!

Mabel's Labels is turning ten and in celebration they're offering 40 per cent off their most popular products! 

Shop great labels such as Tag Mates, Sticky Labels, and more! The Sticky Labels are super durable and dishwasher/microwave safe. You'll be amazed at what you can label. The Tag Mates are laundry safe, peel and stick clothing labels that require no ironing or sewing. Simply apply to clothing care tags. 

Hurry, don't miss your chance to shop this great deal because this offer is only valid Sunday, 3/3 at 5pm EST through Tuesday, 3/5 at 10pm EST. 

Happy Labeling! 

Disclosure: I am a Mabel's Labels affiliate.

© 2013 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.

Happily Ever After: A Benefit Concert Featuring the Music of Disney!

Now that it's March, March Break is officially on our doorstep. If you're spending any (or all) of the break in the GTA you should check out this great event!