The title of this post should totally be on SHIT MOMS SAY! Well ... okay, it should be on SHIT DADS SAY too. Last week, my hubby and I realized we'd been so caught up in kids, work, school (well, my school) and LIFE, we kinda forgot each other. Crazy... Continue reading

Tonight, the story gets worse. I was hoping to update my blog with good news after the past two posts. When I got back into my hacked email, I discovered my dear friend sent "me" 500 pounds (over $700 Canadian) in the U.K. The address that I listed before, that's... Continue reading

You may have read my recent experiences about getting a computer virus and getting 'hacked'. Since this past Wednesday - which was my last phone conversation with Bell Canada (in Canada) and Microsoft Canada (in the Philippines), I have been trying to get control back of my emails. This is... Continue reading

This is an important subject. This is my experience ... getting HACKED. And not just “hey, someone sent a link to check out a great way to work from home”. I really want people to hear my story – because I never thought something this terrible and this complex would... Continue reading

I saw this project online last year, but never got to try it with the boys...then, with Valentine's Day just around the corner, I thought it would be a great way to use up all the broken crayons around our house. @Greek_Momma had also recently written a post about reusing... Continue reading

By Keri, RN, BScN, IBCLC Have you heard of the Baby Friendly Initiative? You may not have heard of it here in Ontario - since only TWO acute care hospitals in our province have earned this accreditation. The 2 acute care BFI facilities in Ontario are Toronto East General Hospital and St. Joe's in Hamilton. There are some public health units who have achieved accreditation status as well. If you haven't heard of it or want to know more, please read on ... The Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) was created by the World Health Organization and UNICEF in response to an overwhelming BOTTLE feeding culture that they were seeing globally. They reinstated the importance of breastfeeding back in 1990, and BFI was one of the results. It is an international program and includes 10 steps to successful breastfeeding. The process... Continue reading

At Bella Vida we often encourage moms to do lots of skin to skin & also to babywear if that's something they wish to do. One of our very favourite topics that we've read & learned about in our childbirth education and continuing nursing studies is the description of the first 3 months after birth as the "fourth trimester" for both moms & babies. Lots of TLC, skin to skin, and babywearing is so great for new moms, dads and their babies. Our friend Natalie of Go Green Baby has offered us and our readers some great tips on Babywearing for the newborn period & beyond. We really appreciate her always sharing her expertise with us, and are so excited that she's offered to answer some FAQ's for us on the BVB blog! Why carry your baby? Babywearing is a... Continue reading

A new baby changes family dynamics, no matter how hard we try to keep things consistent. It’s an exciting journey for everyone in the family. When there are older children/siblings involved, a little more preparation can really help with a smooth transition. There have actually been many studies in the field of obstetrics, paediatrics, and psychology and child development on the importance of sibling preparation for a new baby. Results show a difference in sibling behaviour with preparation programs & anticipatory guidance, but what’s even more interesting; some studies even demonstrate a difference in mothers’ perceptions of how well they are able to cope with her exciting new life with 2 or more children! We know from current and previous research, that sibling preparation is beneficial, both for parents and older children AND that it works! Here are a few... Continue reading

Although summer is my FAVOURITE season by far -- I must admit I love autumn because of all the wonderful baking and cooking I do. There are quite a few recipes listed on my blog - and I often actually end up using the blog as a recipe book (the... Continue reading

Great news everyone! We are so excited to have a PHOTO contest for our Bella Vida Baby facebook community members! It's going to be a fun way to get to know each other, share favourite photos AND your entry can help you win a class of your choice at Bella Vida Baby! Here's what to do: Send your photo entries to contact@bellavidababy.ca Send any belly shots, breastfeeding pics, cute kid pics, or anything else that might pertain to Bella Vida Baby - prenatal, postpartum, breastfeeding and beyond. (One entry per person please) Be sure to include your name, a little about the photos and why you like it! To help your photo win, have your friends: 1) "Like" Bella Vida Baby on facebook 2) Then "Like" their favourite pictures 3) "Comment" on the photos they like best Here's what you... Continue reading

Today's pregnant woman needs a place where connecting with her baby, other families, her partner & herself is supported. She needs access to experts who can answer questions. Most importantly, she needs support & encouragement to acknowledge the inner wisdom her body provides to birth her baby in the way that's best for HER - based on HER decisions, thoughts and feelings about birth. The journey to parenthood is a time filled with excitement and wonder. Choosing a childbirth class is an important decision so that moms and dads-to-be can make decisions that are informed, and based on evidence. It's important for families and mother-to-be to know what to expect, but more more importantly, they need to know how to advocate for themselves as a family. Here are some great tips adapted from a recent Science & Sensibility Blog post:... Continue reading

Written by: Keri-Ann Berga, RN, BScN, IBCLC Have you thought about whether you will put your baby skin-to-skin immediately after birth? It may be something you want to talk to your healthcare provider about... Part of our mission at Bella Vida Baby is to provide evidence-based information so women and their families can make informed choices during their pregnancy, birth and beyond. As a lactation consultant, I've seen the benefits of skin-to-skin, or Kangaroo care in my own clinical nursing practice. As an educator, I do my very best to communicate these benefits to both nurses & new families. It really is amazing what one small intervention can do to help facilitate bonding & breastfeeding! Photo credit: Stanford Newborn Nursery I figured that a blog post on the benefits might be helpful - as you read this post, you'll find... Continue reading

Can I get a wha what? So I am quite excited to have Outnumbered up a running again. I miss blogging....I miss thinking about the things I'd like to write about...so here I am!! It's been quite a year! Last year this time I was getting ready to go into... Continue reading

A few weeks ago we got a memo from the school. There was an upcoming variety show audition. A few days went by and as I sifted through papers for recycling, I asked my oldest if he was interested in auditioning. "Why, what would I do?" Me: "I don't know,... Continue reading

This is a post from last April that I found ... when I was watching American Idol (briefly between the hockey games of course) I thought of this and went back into the archives to re-post it! April 6, 2010 I am actually watching American Idol tonight. It's probably the... Continue reading

Sweet! It's naptime for the little ones and I have a few minutes of downtime! : ) I've been wanting to blog all week, but haven't had the time! Here goes...perhaps in 10 minutes or less. I've become quite an avid yogi lately...I am still pretty much a newbie for... Continue reading

I haven't slept through the night in over 4 years. So you wanna know the worst part of this? My 4 year old hasn't slept through the night either. He's a snorer. He's never slept well & has been a noisy sleeper for as long as I can remember. He... Continue reading

Today was the official first full day away from the boys (when I say boys, that includes my cutie patootie hubby)... I am missing them, but I am truly enjoying my time here at the conference. I'm with a lovely bunch of people and the people I drove here with... Continue reading

So, I feel like I've finally found true contentment in my old age ; ) I have tried to chase happiness constantly. Do more, achieve more, be smarter, be better! I tried to make things happen....NOW. I don't know if you have read my other blog posts on this site,... Continue reading

Hola!!! Woot, woot, woooohooo woot!We got back from an AMAAAAZING vacay! We were in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic and it was the best-trip-ever. The entire fam went - yep all 3 kiddies and mom & pop. Our friends got married on a beautiful Wednesday afternoon on the beach. The resort... Continue reading

Happy Family Day to my Canadian friends! Being a mom is definitely rewarding...but do you ever have those days when nothing seems to go right, even if they are small, annoying things? Don't get me wrong, it's been wonderful to be home more, and working (outside the home) less but... Continue reading

Is anyone else finding winter really LONG this year? Excruciatingly LONG? I am SO done with winter. I've done my duties pulling the sled around the neighbourhood endlessly, shovelled the driveway multiple times, and put on mittens, boots, hats, snow pants a million times by now - and I don't... Continue reading

I recently had the opportunity to review a Canadian made product called WEAN GREEN. I am ALL for using glassware for food storage and freezing - the amount of chemicals, such as BPA that are actually found in our bodies is a little frightening. These products were designed by a... Continue reading

You may have read my previous post last year on the idea that it "takes a village to raise a child"... the truth is, sometimes we need a little help and feedback while doing the tough and rewarding job of being a parent. If you're anything like me, you sometimes... Continue reading

I am in the mood for FALL! Anyone with me? Summer is my favourite season, but fall is a close second. I wanted to make chili last week after our apple picking, chip truck lunching, village market shopping day. I was in the mood for fall and felt like making... Continue reading