momstown gets Lost!

momstown Central Alberta moms hit the Lacombe Corn Maze, and it was a beautiful fall day, even though the sun hid behind the clouds on us.

As we ventured into the maze, it was a long line of moms strollers and kids trying to make our way through!! Corn Mazes are one of this momstown mama's favorite things about fall!!

The Lacombe Corn Maze has lots of other things to do besides the maze! This was a favorite of my daughter, as we had a hard time getting off!!

And of course, there is the barrel train to end a great outing!!

Breakfast Pajama Party with Kellogg's

momstown Central Alberta stayed in their pajamas all morning and enjoyed a breakfast with their kids, because it never happens that we forgo getting dressed right?

We had lots of moms and their kids show up in the pajamas!

Jodie P was the lucky winner of the Kellogg's Prize pack. Her kids are super excited with all the cereal that now fills their cupboard!

Here is the momstown Central Alberta papa enjoying breakfast with our daughter!


Some of the moms getting their breakfast.


Some of the kids in their pajamas after their breakfast playing

All of our participants were lucky enough to take home $25 dollars worth of Kellogg's coupons, and the kids got stickers, and we all were able to have a healthy breakfast, got to try our some cereals that we might not have otherwise, as well as learn all about options for breakfast, how Kellogg's breakfast cereals compare nutritionally to other breakfast options.

We love our Cereal!

At the Zoo Theme and Craft party

I hosted my first momstown Central Alberta craft party, and it went well!
The kids played - of course!

I had two crafts for the kids to do (1)Finger painting which I know is always a hit and this great craft Spiralling Snakes, from the momstown arts and crafts blog.

We topped it off with a Reading of THE UNDERPANTS ZOO by Brian Sendelbach which is our Scholastic book of the Month, and Mandy was the lucky winner from our event draw, who took home her own copy of this great book.

See you at October's party where our theme is Scarecrows

Back to School Pajama Party with Kellogg's... Have you RSVP'd yet?

momstown Central Alberta is having a pajama party! Are you on the guest list? There is a great gift basket to be won by one lucky momstown Central Alberta Mom, as well as the first 30 moms in attendance will walk away with a goody bag with over $25 worth of coupons from Kellogg's!

momstown Central Alberta will also be giving away a year's membership to all moms who change their facebook profile picture to their favourite Kellogg's cereal, and come back to this blog post to make a comment telling me that they did! I will make the draw on Tuesday, so even if you cannot make the breakfast (but I really think you should) you can win! An extra entry into our draw is available if you go onto twitter and tweet your favourite Kellogg's cereal and add the hashtag #luvurcereal

So why are we having this breakfast? It is all about making the morning rush easier on us moms, and learning about what healthy options are available, as well as to dispel a few misconceptions about what constitutes a healthy breakfast. And of course, all the while having a great event with our kids, and spending the morning in our pajamas, because that never happens right? (wink)

So I hope to see lots of momstown Central Alberta Moms on Monday at our breakfast!

So how do you attend this event? It is open to all momstown Central Alberta members, and if you are not a member, become one! Click here to sign up for our free trial membership and come see what momstown is all about.

Just for the record, this momstown mama's favourite is Special K - because my mom always told us we were special K's when we were growing up! (and well I am still am!)

Discovery WildLife Park to celebrate this months theme of At the Zoo!

The momstown Central Alberta moms ventured to Innisfail to spend a very windy morning at Discovery Wildlife Park, all to celebrate this months theme of AT THE ZOO.

This momstown mom ventured out with her 2 youngest, including baby, and we lasted about 90 minutes! We saw lots of bears, the tigers, jaguar, black panther, some very cute squirrels and an Alligator, to name a few of the animals.

Ciara did great on her first zoo trip, and only cried a couple of times (smile).
Here are a few of the pics I managed to take in between feedings.

Loving Family Dollhouse by Fisher Price

Our family was lucky enough to be chosen to test out the Loving Family Dollhouse by Fisher Price! www.FisherPricePlay.ca

When the box arrived, my girls could wait to see what was inside, wanting me to open the box immediately. Then they saw what was inside! Word to the wise, do not have little eyes and hands around when you are ready to assemble the dollhouse, as they can hardly stand the anticipation, and really start to play as soon as you take everything out of the box, regardless if all the pieces are in the right spots yet...

The dollhouse is very easy to put together, and the assembly only took a couple of minutes, even with the impatient little ones "helping" to get the job done.

My girls love the grand house, the dolls, and especially the twin babies it comes with. The house comes with 2 high chairs & trays, a mom and a dad, table and two chairs. These few pieces have been more than enough to entertain my girls for the past 2 weeks we have had it. In fact, since our new baby has arrived, we have had lots of visitors to our house, and all the kids are instantly drawn to the house, and they all want to play! We have had little people entranced by this toy from 15 months to 8 years, boys and girls! Needless to say this is a toy that will not quickly outgrown in any household. Our 18 month old will sit still for over 45 minutes playing, and I know that when a toy can do that at this age, it is a keeper! They love to imitate real life, putting the babies in their chairs, using cloth napkins to make beds for nap time, and sometimes it the parents that get to spend some time in the high chairs!

Here are some more pictures of the kids playing with the Dollhouse! I know that the additional pieces to the set will be on our girls Christmas wish list!






Want to know what else is awesome? You could win the Loving Family Dollhouse for your house!
Click here to enter! Good Luck!

September Winners

Winning came early in September at momstown Central Alberta!

Lisa N is our winner of the family pack of Tickets to see the Backyardigans!
Becky from Uppy Mama is our vendor winner of a social media campaign.
Kristie M has won a 6 month membership to momstown Central Alberta!

Congratulations to our winners!
New Contest for October will be announced at the end of the month!

Love Your Cereal Pajama Party Invite!!

Decisions on Bottles Formula Soothers all in 5 minutes!

Earlier this week, we made a return visit to the hospital as baby Ciara needed to spend some time "under the lights" to help her jaundice. Her numbers were too high to be ignored, and to veer on the safe side, off we went for an overnight stay.

Needless to say this was the hardest on me, hormonal post partum mom!
The day started out pretty great for day 3 of Ciara's life, the public health nurses made a home visit, and this is where they noticed just how yellow Ciara was looking. I have never had a jaundiced baby, so this is all new to me. The nurses also were concerned about her heart rate, and this scared me as well. They made a call to the prenatal clinic we had attended, and baby and I were sent off to the clinic to be looked at. Once there, our wait was about 45 minutes to be told we needed to head straight to the hospital. Once there, we were looked after by the pediatrician, who then booked us in the for the night. This all took about 6 hours!!

Once admitted and into our shared room, I had some big decisions to make. These are decisions that I haven't been pressed for in the past. Right off the nurses asked if I wanted to pump and have baby bottle fed... I have never offered a bottle to my baby this early! Then the nurses wanted to "top her up" with formula so that she would settle down, another thing this mom has never done, my babies have been breastfed exclusively for 6 months minimum! Then they take Ciara away to be settled and assessed, and when she comes back she has a soother!! I haven't offered a soother to my babies in the past, and that wasn't the plan with baby Ciara either!

This was just about too much for this mama to handle. Thankfully, the nurses and I had a chat about what I wanted, and all is well... but talk about stress!!

What decisions have you felt pressured to make about your baby? Have other "experts" weighed in on your decisions?

Here is a great post about what mom needs after her baby is born.

momstown Baby has arrived!

On Sunday September 4th, our daughter Ciara arrived! 7 pounds, 15 ounces, 20 inches long with tonnes of black hair!
We are now a family of 3 girls, and we are thrilled!
momstown papa Paul is thrilled that his life is destined to be surrounded by pink forever!!

Baby's coming! Dad's Perspective

Saturday 3^th of September

Tanya called me just as I had completed my sale to an elderly lady. It was three forty five in the afternoon. My mood immediately changed to haste and conclusion. My client just had to deal with it. In fact it excited her world as well in her little eyes far behind some overlarge practical glasses. Tanya’s waters had broken and I was to return home to take her to hospital. The baby was on its way.

I climbed into my vehicle casting my transaction papers aside onto the passenger seat. Everything was done quick and the SUV was soon hurtling down the QEII; Bowden to Red Deer. My mind was buzzing with excitement, anxiety. Was it all going to be OK? We are not ‘spring chickens’ and we want the baby to be 100%. Would it just magically arrive as proposed; today??? How does it all work that it all just happens today? Mom opens her legs and the baby pops out and it starts crying? Ha ha.

Were we ready for all of it? We knew the hospital backwards, where to park and which ward to arrive to. Tanya had a bag packed and the nappies were waiting. The crib was prepared at home. We had chosen green and yellow sleepers to start with as we did not know the sex of the child. Was it to be a girl or a boy? Did we care?

Not really. We had six to eight boys and girls names to work with. When the baby arrived I felt that we would fight over the details. Our two daughters were off to stay with Tanya’s sister. Chloe was jumping around with excitement, hyper, chatting away uncontrollably. Charlotte was apprehensive, clapping away in spasms and singing but when it came time to separate she put on a nervous whine. She did not really want to go with Auntie. She wanted to be with her Mom. She was “Mommies little darling!” Why should anything change? Why should it? She was really content with things, but there again there were some strange comments and actions in the house; and then there was Mom’s tummy?

If it was a girl it was going to be fine. We already had two. If it was a boy there was a question that I still had not satisfactorily answered. Do we circumcise? I am old school. My family is all circumcised (all my friends from boarding school). They will not change (circumcision in Africa is being promoted on huge billboards as it lowers HIV infection by 60% - AIDS being a huge problem in Africa still –)… but here in Canada it is being phased out. Why cut something if it ain’t broke?

Our 4th Birthday Bash Winners

Sorry for the delay!
Drum Roll Please.....
Ashley C has have won the Pink Coupe Car from Little Tikes!
Kristin F have won the Shaklee Basket from Tania's Shaklee Business!
Rachelle T has won the kids Tupperware set from Brandi's Tuppererware Business! Boy or Girl?
Angie H has won the Pampered Chef pan from Carole's Pampered Chef Business!
Leane Y has won the Green Works gift set from Green Works!
Janeth L has won the Life Choices Cooler Lunch bag from Life Choices Foods!
Kim T has won a $25 Loblaws gift certificate from Loblaws!
Bradley W has won a Thermomaster Spatula and coupon Pack from Maple Leaf foods!
Robin R has won foundation from Smashbox cosmetics!
Sarah M has won a huge Tupperware set from Brandi's Tupperware Business!
Donna M-F has won the little pet shop set from Hasboro!
Michelle C has wn the mug & CD from Kindermusic Korner!
Robin D has won a gift certificate from Green Bottoms!
Aimee M has won girls size one shirt or a boys size 5 from Heidi's Peekaboo Beans
Leslie L has won our Scholastic books for the Month of August!

(This was the post I was writing when my water broke Lucky huh!?!)

Things people say to you when you are pregnant

When I am sporting a 'bump' people seem to lose their inhibitions, and just start talking to me. I am sure this must be the case for any pregnant lady who dares to be out and about, visibly pregnant. This is my third go-round, so I am pretty used to the standard questions and conversation topics.

Mostly it is just an easy conversation starter, and comments are genial in nature, I usually am told I "will be busy" when they see me with my 18 month old. Sometimes I am asked if this will be my last, or if I know what I am having. All questions that are easy to field, even if they are verging on a bit of the very personal side.

But today, wow, I was dumbfounded. Truly.

I was in a department store, asked for some help, and the saleslady seemed it necessary to tell me, and I quote "Oh my you are as big as a house!". I just stared at her, thinking I can't believe she just said that to me!! Saying nothing, as really what could I say.... then she starts laughing, and proceeds to tell me that she thinks it is important for people to know what other people are ACTUALLY thinking.

Ummmmm REALLY? She thought it was important that I know that she thinks I am "THE SIZE OF A HOUSE"!! (enter rant here! wink)

So tell me, what is the oddest, rudest or most personal question a perfect stranger or even a close relative has asked you when you were pregnant?

Check out the momstown moments blog with this post about another perfect stranger who feels the need to share their thoughts and opinions....

momstown Central Alberta August Winners!

The Winner of our monthly Contest was Michelle L! She won a fall session with Miss Val from Kindermusik Korner!

Lisa and Jamie were the lucky recipients of a free movie for our moms night out at the movies at the Galaxy Theatre in Red Deer.

Michelle L and Alissa K were the lucky winners of a $25 Gift Certificate from Cities Gastro Pub from our sponsors for moms night out.

The list of Door Prize winners from our biethday bash will be announced very soon!!

September's monthly contest is a family pack of tickets to see the Backyardigans on September 17th at the Memorial Centre in Red Deer! Contest entry will be posted shortly!