Happy New Year!

See what's going on with Oakville Moms this month:

Contest:ENTER TO WIN: A Spa Baby tub, the European style baby tub, allows your baby to bathe in a natural upright position. Click here for more information.
Please note: Winner must respond within 7 days to accept prize otherwise another winner will be selected.

This month's Business Feature: Bella’s Corner Toy Store is a family based toy store in Woodstock, Ontario. As the parents of two young children, we were frustrated with the selection of toys at local department stores. more>>

This month's review:
Pookafun: The Noobee® is a wonderful educational toy that was first developed to be used by nursing moms when little fingers scratch, poke or pull. more>>

Special Promo of the month:
Hopedale Community Nursery School
Itsy Bitsy Yoga®
Nuevo Designs - custom photo cards and invitations
Charnwood School more>>

Happy Holidays from Oakville Moms

Oakville Moms would like to thank all of our members and sponsors for making this another successful year. We greatly appreciate all of your wonderful feedback. Stay tuned for some exciting new changes to our site next year.

All the best from Oakville Moms.
P.S. Oakville Moms will be on holidays starting December 20th to January 2nd.

Oakville Moms Review: Wee Piggies & Paws

We recently received my son's foot ornament from Wee Piggies & Paws. It is so beautiful. It shows all the details of his foot. It captured the moment as I know his foot won't be that size for long. It is certainly something sentimental and we will treasure it.

Wee Piggies & Paws also does LifeCast Statues of the whole family's hands. I saw a sample and it was truly a piece of art. Wee Piggies & Paws provides a product that is quite unique. This is a great Christmas gift for your family and loved ones.

For more information check out their site: www.weepiggies.com

Volunteers Needed! For the Halton Breastfeeding Connection

We believe in the value of breastfeeding. We are a group of volunteer women providing mother-to-mother telephone support.

Would you like to join our team of volunteers? Our volunteers need:

• A belief in the value of breastfeeding
• At least 4 months of breastfeeding experience and intent to breastfeed for at least 6 months.

We offer a 4-hour training session on a regular basis. Trainings are held in different locations throughout Halton. Snacks and lunch are provided and babies are welcome. Telephone calls are made from the comfort of your home. Ability to speak a second language is an asset.
To learn more or to register for the next training session, please call or email: Judith Conley, 905-825-6000 x2933 / Judith.conley@halton.ca

Santa Claus Parades around Halton

November 14, 2008 Downtown Oakville Tree Lighting Ceremony
Celebrate the lights, the magic, and the charm of downtown Oakville this Christmas as the businesses kick-off the holiday season with the lighting of the Towne Square Tree. Santa, Mrs. Claus and their elves will treat all to hot apple cider and holiday cheer. The fun begins at 7:00 p.m. in Towne Square with a Christmas Carol sing-along with Oakville's Mayor and the Salvation Army Band, followed by the lighting of the tree at 7:30 p.m.

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November 15, 2008 Oakville Santa Claus Parade
The Oakville Santa Claus Parade has been delighting families, residents and visitors for over 50 years. Come early and reserve your spot on the parade route as it winds its way through downtown Oakville at approximately 9:00a.m. Call (905) 815-5981 for more information.

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November 28 to December 21, 2008 Christmas in Downtown Oakville
Enjoy your holiday shopping in beautiful downtown Oakville, featuring over 450 fine shops, services and eateries "Christmas in Downtown Oakville” brings together the warmth and friendliness found in a downtown, featuring strolling carollers and festive horse drawn holiday wagon-rides with Santa, along historic Lakeshore Road every weekend. Truly an unforgettable holiday shopping experience.

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Christmas Parade in Milton - Sunday November 23, 2008 at 2:00pm
The parade will begin at Bronte and Barton Street with entries staged on Bronte Street from Derry Road. Click here for route.

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Mississauga Santa Claus Parade on Sunday, November 30, 2008
The parade will start at 12:50pm on Queen Street South at Britannia Road and travel south through the Village to disperse at various locations after the Church Street junction.

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Sunday December 7th, 2008 - 2 p.m.
Christmas Parade in Burlington
Santa Claus is coming to Town. The parade starts at Burlington Mall and marches along Guelph Line to New Street, travels west along New to James Street, then north on Brant Street. The parade route finishes at Brant Street and Caroline.

This Month's Review: Tail Wags

It's always a struggle to get a child to put on their helmet. Tail Wags has come up with a creative and safe way to make helmet wearing more fun for kids (and adults too!). Canadian made by a mom of 2, Tail Wags helmet covers are great for wearing while bike riding, skating, skiing, tobogganing etc. There are over 35 designs and colours to choose from. If you are having problems with your little one to wear a helmet, why not consider Tail Wags and see which animal characters he/she loves best. It's a great holiday gift idea!

For more information check out their site: www.tail-wags.com

Contaminated Halloween candy from Costco

Warning: Contaminated Halloween candy from Costco

With Halloween fast approaching comes a warning to parents and kids regarding Sherwood brand Pirate's Gold milk chocolate coins imported from China.The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is warning the public not to eat, distribute or sell the candy.It is sold across Canada by Costco and may also have been sold in bulk packages or as individual pieces at various dollar and bulk stores.The chocolate contains melamine which is the same chemical responsible for killing several babies in China, and sickening thousands more.

Free Jack O' Lantern and Pumpkin Carving Patterns

Here is a site where you can get some Free Jack O' Lantern and Pumpkin Carving Patterns:

http://www.fabulousliving.com/index.php?option=com_resource&controller=article&category_id=273&article=21465

Sophie's Walk Toronto

On October 4th, Oakville Moms participated in Sophie's Walk. My nephew passed away at birth almost 4 years ago due to undiagnosed Vasa Previa.

This year there was a total of 7 VP babies represented. We walked in Honour Of 3 VP miracles, little Ava B., Ava J. and Mika. We also walked in Memory Of Matthew, Katarina, Jacob and Sophie. Sadly and tragically our list of VP angles continues to grow. The awareness raised through this fund raiser and word of mouth is helping to make a difference. Clearly our job is not done and we need to continue to spread the word in an effort to save some of those 130 babies that are affected by Vasa Previa each year in Canada.

Risk Factors, Testing, and IVPF Management Recommendations for Vasa Previa:http://IVPF.org/education/recommendations.htm

Medical Resources http://IVPF.org/resources/resources.htm

Sophie's Walk for Vasa Previahttp://SophiesWalk.org/walk

Help us research vasa previa by filling in the IVPF research questionnaire: http://IVPF.org/education/questions.htm

In Memory of Matthew: http://www.ourangelmatthew.com

Email problems

Hello,
In case anyone has been sending emails the last few days, please resend it as there has been some email technical problems.

Thanks,
Oakville Moms

This month's review

Oakville Moms Review:
What a delight it was to receive my peg rack and all the way from New Brunswick. It's truly a beautiful piece of art. It's a great decorative accent to any room and it also gives you the functionality to hang coats, hats, umbrella, keys etc. Choose from nine different colours and 6 animal tile designs. Shaker Peg Racks comes in single tile/peg rack and three tile/peg rack. Since I've had my peg rack in my foyer, it's the first thing everyone notices. My toddler can reach and hang his own sweater and hat (a nice way to keep our foyer tidy!).

To learn more about Parsnip Designs products, check out their http://www.parsnipdesigns.com/

Maple Leaf Plant Closure Extended As More Products Added To Recall

Check out these links to get the latest info:

http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_26151.aspx
http://www.mapleleaf.ca

On vacation this week

Hello,

Just catching up with all the emails from this week. Was on vacation. Will try to respond as soon as I can!

Enjoy this great weather!

This month's review

Oakville Moms Review:
The Pippalily Sling is easy to use and comfortable for mom and baby. The fabric is beautiful and soft. I've been using it with my baby son and it's great to be able to have my hands free and yet having my baby secured beside me. It also gives me a chance to bond further with my son and giving him a break from the stroller.

The Toy Strap has come in so handy as my son would always throw his teether or toy whenever he was in his carseat. The Toy Strap keeps his toy in one place and no need to worry about it falling on the floor.

Be sure to check out these products and video instructions at www.pippalily.com.

Get a FREE Interactive Potty Training DVD

I just received the free Interactive Potty Training DVD and it's great. Be sure to check out Huggies Pull-Ups to order your copy.

This month's review

Oakville Moms review: Since I've been using Teach My Toddler with my son, I have been impressed with how my son is learning. In a short amount of time he has learned to identify the colours and most of the shapes covered in Teach My Toddler. He loves to open the tote himself and he tells me which part he wants to do. Teach My Toddler is a great learning tool for your little one as it has many components that helps to reinforce each topic, from puzzles, flashcards, posters and books. It's well designed, visually stimulating and easy to follow. Teach My Toddler is a tool that your little one will enjoy and learn at the same time.

Where to get it: http://www.teach-my.com

Baby On Board and Shhh Baby Sleeping winners ...

Thanks to everyone that sent in their comments. Here are the winners:

My mom picks up both of my kids and takes them to preschool. I would really like to have one for her car. It would be great to show other drivers that little ones are in the car.
Pat. B.

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I had put a sign on my doorbell but it never seems to stay on very long. The wind and the rain doesn’t help. It always seems to fly away. Your sign would be perfect. I need this badly so my little one can sleep throughout her naptime! Thanks.
Norma M.

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I recently had my car seat inspected and I was told the baby on board sign I have is a projectile. Now you are offering this and its just what I needed. I will be so glad when the sign is up and it won’t fall off.
Lisa R.

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Hi,
I definitely need the "shhhh baby sleeping" sign because not only has my baby been awoken several Saturday and Sunday afternoons during her nap time because of Jehovah's Witness or Cancer Society solicitors, I even made my own sign on a yellow stick-it that says "Do NOT ring bell" and placed it in the centre of the front door at eye-level, and one solicitor admitted that she only saw it immediately AFTER she had rung the bell...and of course, my baby woke up and I couldn't put her down. I'm hopeful though that your sign may work better! Please help me keep my baby asleep during the afternoon!!!
Julie C.

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I saw someone the other day driving with the same baby on board sign and I caught the website address. Now are you selling them. This is just what I was looking for. Please can I have one.
Frances R.

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I need the “baby sleeping” sign because my husband works from home a lot…and when Canada Post or a courier comes to deliver a package, they always ring the bell…..even if I put masking tape over the bell button. And we have a dog……so, just someone approaching the front porch gets her attention. The next thing I know, there’s commotion at the door, and barking, and door bell ringing, and everyone is now wide awake. And, the fact that we are going to have another baby in the house this summer (addition to the current baby we have now)….there will be 2 sleepy heads in the house that need their beauty rest.
Larysa S.

Wishing you all a

Happy Mother's Day!

Special Announcement

Oakville Moms is proud to announce the launch of our own products: Baby On Board and Shhh Baby Sleeping signs.

We are giving away 3 of each. Tell us why you need one and the best responses will win one! We will post the responses on our Blog. To find out more about these products, click here.

This month's review: Ah Goo Baby

Oakville Moms review: The first thing I noticed with the Ah Goo Baby Plush Pad®, which makes it stand out, is the memory foam cushion. It has a very soft feel for your baby's bottom. It's a high quality portable changing station. Beautiful selection of fabrics. It's machine washable and water-repellent. How many times have you been out in public and had to use the change table in the restroom and noticed how hard and uncomfortable it is? Ah Goo Baby Plush Pad® is the answer to your baby's comfort out on the go. Since I've been using Ah Goo Baby Plush Pad®, it's the portable changing station that I don't leave home without.

Where to get it:Canadian online retailer: http://www.goneshopping.ca/
Shop Direct at http://www.ahgoobaby.com/ for 10% off
Enter Promo: VIP123