Onya Baby Carriers

There's a new baby carrier on the market and it is fabulous! It's called Onya Baby.
What baby carrier can also be used a safe alternative to high chairs(when none around!) when dining out or out and about and you need to sit.  Onya Baby can be worn front, back and conveniently attach to a chair. There's two versions: The Cruiser(cotton) and The Outback (water resistant)

This is one of the features that sets this carrier apart from the others. I've used it( I lost the picture, sorry and my son who will 3 soon was less than compliant! So here's Teddy) and it's easy to set up.  If you have a Tot Seat or My Little Seat it's the same principal and it's tucked in ever so conspicuously in the front of the carrier that you just unzip and pull out.

 It's fantastic that it has this feature so you don't need to tote those little carry on seats.  Onya Baby has already thought it, it's really great. It does have a high body, so if you're little one has a long torso or/and you have a tall toddler like I do, this offers a great back support for your child.  Probably one of the longest in soft structured carriers on the market.


I have the OutBack Onya.  Another neat feature that also sets this apart from other carriers is it's material.  It's a air mesh lining, water-resistant, rip-stop nylon exterior.  The air-mesh lining makes it perfect for hot weather or hiking the trails. Parent and child will stay cooler with the air-mesh lining, which wicks away moisture leaving you both comfortable.  Perfect for Toronto's humid summers to hiking in Sambino Canyon in Arizona.  This is fabulous, if anything spills it wipes right off.


Why I love it? Well take a look.

Well besides what's said above my first impression was how well it is made, the waist band is wide which I like, especially for back carry.  It has a very secure impression when you are wearing it.  It is brand new so it's a little stiff which is great so I can work it in.  Like a new pair of jeans. I like to wear my SSC(soft structured carriers) on my waist.  This carrier fits up to 45inches around the waist. I'm a size 16 and just made it, there was a little room left.
It is comfortable to use/wear. Thinner, petite parents can benefit from a cross back(where the straps can criss cross and buckle in) as my friend who also tried this out is petite and liked it, her daughter liked it as well and she didn't want out!
So here are some of the things I like about my Onya Baby Outback:

I like the padded buckle on the side where you snap the carrier in.

Love the little pocket!

Love the size of the hood, and how I can adjust the snaps for a great fit

I love the height of the carrier for my toddler, plus how his posture is in this!

Love the buckles and the actual ease of adjusting & the elastic loop at the end to make it even easier as I can just tug for that perfect fit.

" A stand-out by design, Onya Baby carriers are loaded with useful features, including two zippered pockets, a tuck-away sleep hood, toy loops, a d-ring for your key clip, a high body for support and backwards/sideways lean-control for an older baby, and an elastic loop to roll the carrier up when not in use. The defining feature of Onya Baby carriers is the integrated chair harness that enables the parent to convert nearly any adult chair into a seat for their baby. Onya Baby carriers are designed for use with babies who are 15 pounds and 3 months or older, to a maximum weight of 45 pounds." ~ Onya Baby

We have a winner and thank goodness for random.org!

Winner is...............MUMMY KIM

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 126 Powered by RANDOM.ORG

An email has been sent and winner has 48hrs to claim the prize. If no contact is made another draw will take place.
Sad you didn't win? Well there are more giveaways on Onya Baby's Facebook page and you can buy one too. Support independent businesses! Thank you to all who entered.

Babywearing Clothing ~ Lilies of the Valley, based in Toronto

Can I get a high five for coming across this fabulous line? With cooler weather making it's appearance, baby wearing families need something like this and I just have to share this fabulous find as it's designed and made in Canada. She does ship worldwide and this is a nice alternative to the carrier pouches like the Peekaru. Baby is closer to you rather than being on top of your coat which what I love about her baby wearing line.

Tati from Lilies of the Valley brings you this line that she has designed and created herself. Her designs are beautiful and pictured above you have a maternity coat, regular coat post baby and a baby wearing coat.  3 coats in 1! Soft and warm fleece wrap around jacket is perfect for Front or Hip carry position babywearing.  Want a coat that does back carry and front carry?
See it {here}.

Visiting her site is a must as she has created beautiful items for baby as well such as baby clothes for sun protection.  If you're going away this Christmas and New Year consider them.  You can see how beautiful they are {here}.

What else is fabulous is another style for her baby wearing coat, it's also a nursing coat, you can see it {here}. You can do front and back carry with it.

Do you do have anything for keeping you and baby/toddler warm for a back carry? Well, check this out!  She has thought of everything!


Anyways, as fellow babywearing families, I hope you find this a much as a Must Have as I do and you can find Lilies of the Valley on Facebook here, let her know you found her through this blog post :) She also has patterns for sale if you'd like to make your own, check this out {here}

Happy Babywearing, keep warm and shop {here}

Rockin' Baby Sling

Nice, roomy pocket

I can't believe I'm only experiencing sling wearing now!  Just like wrapping I am a little too late but savoring our baby carrying days.  I am a hardcore soft structured carrying mama and I have a new found love for slings!
Slinging is fabulous for toddler carrying. If your little one is done with the stroller and wants to walk, walk, walk, keep a sling handy as they fit nicely in your bag and when your gets tired. Pop him/her in the sling and enjoy piece and quiet as they drift off and you can still go on about your day.
These slings are strong and safe for baby. I love, love, love them and the "tail" is long enough to nurse discreetly as it makes for a great nursing cover.
I also love the big pocket!

What is lovely about Rockin' Baby?
Rockin Baby Sling is a fantastic US based company that originated in 2002 and everything is sourced, created and made in Richmond,Virginia.  Quality control is quite important to this fab team.
Their slings are reversible and made with 5 yards of fabric. They also have also started making slings and pouches out of 100% organic cotton sateen and poplin, using low impact dyes, in their own exclusive Rockin’ Baby prints.    Their fabrics are made of natural fibers, breathable and of high-quality. They are all pre-washed in natural salt water to set the colors, prevent shrinkage, and soften the fabric.   Sewing is done here by hard-working and well-paid moms and dads. Read more here.

"The Rockin’ Baby Sling and Pouch have also been independently strength tested. The sling has been pull tested up to weights of 1100 pounds before the seams gave way, and the pouch to 460 pounds before the zippers began opening. The rings we use for the Rockin’ Baby Slings are also tested by the manufacturer. Click here to see their ring testing information. " ~ Rockin Baby Sling website

Something else that is fabulous about this company is their Mother to Mother campaign.  For every sling that is purchased one is donated to a midwifery clinic to moms in need in Haiti.  Their effort in Haiti, will enable women to carry their babies to gather fresh water and food, while paying attention to their babies and breastfeed on demand.  Their attachment could be the difference between life and death.  BUY {HERE}

Moms in Haiti with their Rockin' Baby Slings!

What do I love? Will besides the design, ease and comfort, take a look. I especially love the pocket with the zipper as you can see stitched into the sling over my shoulder, same cherry blossom print!

1) Promotes convenience, closeness to my son and bonding

2) Play. We just spun around! Happy Baby, Happy Mommy. Baby's cry less when carried.

3) Best way to soothe, put to sleep & cuddle

4) Hands Free and making sure DS doesn't fall asleep as he was about to pictured above!

So what do you think? Do you want one? Slings are so convenient and can be tucked in your bag for any "emergency".  Emergency like if your baby/tot needs to be picked up during a tantrum, soothed when ill/teething and for security, whether at the airport, on a busy street or waiting for the subway.

The slings max weight is 40pds! We're close to that and my tot will be 3yrs old next week! One Size Fits All!


Canadians, Buy yours here! Free Shipping on all Pre-Orders. Order by Oct.14!
Shop {here}

 {WIN IT: A Rockin' Baby Sling of your own}

Here are some links you'll need:

Visit Rockin Baby Sling for question #1, {here}
Like Rockin Baby Sling on Facebook for question #2, {here}

 Like Everything Mom and Baby for #3, {here}

For #4 copy and paste this Tweet: " @RockinBabySling #giveaway on @MamaAsh77 blog!
Win a fab sling, open to US/CAN   http://goo.gl/fb/Eu7My #babywearing "

For #5, subscribe to my blog {here}.

OPEN TO US/CANADA: ENDS Oct.10/11, 11:59pm EST

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

What a fabulous giveaway and what a fabulous line of slings!
You can pre-order your own sling and Canadian families you will get free shipping.
Preorder by Oct.14 so I can get them in by next week! Shop {here}

Now for the winner....................MYFAMLUVSTOYS

Please respond within 48 hrs to claim this, check your spam/junk filter

Winner was selected via random.org

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 11 Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Toopy and Binoo and the Marshmallow Moon: Review

How old was your child when you took them to their first show? Mine will be 3 years old next week!  You know what, if you have a toddler/preschooler that loves Toopy and Binoo, go!
I saw baby's, toddlers, preschoolers and school age kids. Parents, grand parents and friends were all at last night shows.
It was packed!  Another thing, they had Toopy and Binoo merchandise. From what I hear, this stuff is hard to come by.  As I was standing line a lady told me she paid $100 for this last year at Christmas and $35 later I decided okay, I'm getting one. Also this was Charlies first live theater event:

Do you think your child is too young to go to a show like this? They aren't. In fact this is probably the only time fellow patrons will understand when your child starts jumping up and down, kicking seats, holding onto seats and screaming and cheering because their kid is doing it also!

It was so much fun to go and I took a fellow Everything Mom and Baby blog fan/customer and now friend to the show and she said it made her night when she saw our kids faces light up when Toopy and Binoo appeared first on stage.
With a 15 min intermission, the show lasted 1 1/2 hrs. Perfect!  Here are some photo's from last nights show.

As we first arrived, the ooo's and ahhhh's

Mama Ash and Master C

Toopy finds his perfect song!

To find a show near you, visit Koba Entertainment for all show details and upcoming shows as well!

Greater Toronto Area families, enter here for our newest giveaway from Koba Entertainment:

The Backyardigans: Quest for the Extra Ordinary Aliens
{HERE} ends Sept.30/11

Cook Books for you & the kids!

I love to cook from scratch as some of you may already now and Charlie always likes to see what I am doing and he loves to help.  So when I had the chance to review some fabulous cookbooks this was one of them.

Cook School by Amanda Grant

This has fantastic easy to prepare and make recipes.  In a cooking rut and want something fun to do with your kids this book is for you.  Or if you have a little future chef in your home, this makes a special treat as it would make a wonderful first cook book for your culinary protege.
The book is done is 3 categories:
Each skill is presented at the stage when a child’s development, self-confidence and sense of independence are ready, with recipes grouped into three age groups: 3–5 years, 5–7 years and 7–11 years.

What we made: From age group 3-5 yrs, pg. 34, TASTY BREAD TARTS
 Ingredients

6 slices of multi grain bread
3 free range eggs with 4 tbsp on milk
handful of fresh mint leaves or other herbs you like
2 handfuls of fresh peas or corn kernels
Small handful of Parmesan cheese.

Side note: It can anything  you want. I actually used green onion, bacon and cheese for our Tasty Bread Tarts

Preheat oven at 375F.

Butter the muffin tin, press each bread circle in the buttered pan holes. Bake for 5 min.

Place your peas and mint in the "bread tarts"

Next crack the eggs and add milk, beat and slowly pour mixture into the bread tarts. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese before placing them in the oven and cook for 12 minutes.

Don't these look yummy? Great snacks, I might even prepare these for my sons 3 yr old birthday party!

Bon Appetit!

This book has more than 50 fun and easy recipes to suit your child's and ability.  Buy it {here}

Another book I love.  Vegetarian Cooking for Kids by Laura Washburn

I have been using this cook book all week!  We're not vegetarian but I do want my son to eat healthy and this is a great book. Again, lots of great ideas.  We've made chickpea bites, fruit and seed bars and potato and sweet red peppers squares just to name a few!

potato and sweet red peppers squares

Why not try try a bowl of Noodles with Sesame Peanut Sauce or  Cornmeal and Sweetcorn Fritters? The fun recipes featured in Kids’ Favourites means veggie kids don’t have to miss out – treat them and their friends to Mushroom Barley Burgers with all the trimmings or Bean and Vegetable Tacos.

Finally, Family Feasts is full of great dishes the whole family will love, such as Mac ’n’ Cheese with Spinach and Vegetable Chili with Pumpkin.

Buy it {here}

How about winning one of these books?  Or both! Closed

We have both books up for grabs. We are going to give ONE copy of Cook School and Vegetarian for Kids!

Simply tell us here what is your favorite cook book from this selection on Thomas Allen & Sons!
Click here for Food & Drink.

Rules: Contest is open to Canadian residents only, 1 entry per household, 18+yrs old. Ends Sept.30/11. 11:59 pm. Please leave a way to for me to contact you or email me at everythingmomandbaby at hotmail dot ca and leave your entry # and name.

________________________________________________________________________________________

Winner of this fabulous set is...........#14, LYDIA

Winner has been emailed and has 48 hrs to respond to claim the prize.
Another draw will be done if I don't hear back.

These are gorgeous books and I hope you'll support your local book store and get them!

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 14 Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Have you played today? #KinderMom

With the back-to-school season in full swing we want to know how you make time for your kids to have fun and play, everyday.   KINDER® believes in this philosophy whole-heartedly, and continues to strive to create moments of joy for families across Canada.

Well today is a rainy day today in Toronto,ON.  To stay in or not to stay in that is the question. 

I say "get out and play! Splash in the puddles with your child(ren)"

Stamping away

That's what we just did!  I also ran errands before the splashing began and my wee one said he had to go pee pee. When you are out and about and going through potty (btw: Kinder Surprises for prizes was our success in potty training) and underwear training I frantically panicked and wondered where can I find a washroom?  I found a washroom for him to go and because I was so happy for him telling me, after a high five and cheer I sneaked in a Kinder Surprise into his pocket as I gave him a hug.

When we got home after splashing I said "what's in your pocket?" he reached in and with an "oooo and ahhh" and as she pulled it out he said "Kinder Egg!" and I must say this is my favorite Kinder Surprise, it was a STAMP!  I think Kinder Egg will always bring a smile to my face as it will bring back these little memories.

So I want to know what do you do to make time for play?

Do you have a race to in the morning to see which child gets ready the quickest or brush their teeth the first?
 

Do you have your little one help out in the kitchen? Or play peek a boo?

How about colouring with them? Or reading a story?

Or do you join in the splashing of the puddles on a rainy day? Make play -doh?

There is a great promotion right now on KinderSurprise Canada Facebook.

• 10 Lucky community members are going to win a KINDER® gift basket full of goodies worth $200!
• This is just the first of many exciting promotions and contests being offered on our Facebook page, be sure to check in often to stay up to speed on the latest and greatest.

Have a great day everybody and I look forward to hearing what you DO for making time to play!

 

Disclosure: I’m part of the KINDER® Mom program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

 

 1st post: Relaunch of Kinder Surprise, I'm a KinderMom, read it here

HASBRO CANADA AND TOYS“R”US TEAM UP TO DONATE TO STARLIGHT CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION

If your racecar has sped away from your MONOPOLY board or you’re embarrassed about the sorry state of your SORRY! game, then Hasbro’s Great Games Trade-In Event is the perfect solution to revive your board games and your FAMILY GAME NIGHT experience.

This fall, Hasbro Canada Corporation has teamed up with Toys“R”Us locations across Canada to help families responsibly dispose of their old, worn-out games. Toys“R”Us is offering exceptional savings to replace these old games with new refreshed editions of Hasbro games, to bring an extra dose of fun to all FAMILY GAME NIGHT gatherings.   At the same time, consumers will also be contributing to a great cause!

 Toys“R”Us will be hosting The Great Games Trade-In Event from September 9th through September 29th at all Toys”R”Us locations across Canada.  Consumers will save $5.00 off any Hasbro game over $9.67 when they trade in any old board game.  

 In addition to these savings, Hasbro Canada Corporation will donate one (1) Board Game per unit

exchanged at Toys“R”Us locations nationwide between September 9th and September 29th , to the
Starlight Children’s Foundation. The games that Hasbro Canada Corporation will donate to Starlight for the promotion will be decided on by Hasbro Canada Corporation based on net exchanges during the promotion and shall be capped at 2000 units. Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada in turn will donate these games to lift the spirits of seriously ill children across Canada.

“Hasbro and Toys“R”Us are thrilled to be donating to the Starlight Children’s Foundation who are as
committed as we are to making children smile” said Greg Ferguson, Senior Brand Manager of Games & Puzzles for Hasbro Canada. “These children and their families have been through so much, we are
honoured to help provide them with some much needed joy and fun.”

For more information please visit www.toysrus.ca