Boo to you!

We're back!  Really, we are.  Our family returned Wednesday night from a lovely trip to Orlando.  Yes, the Happiest Place on Earth called our name and we came.  Pack up a couple grandparents, two sets of parents and two four year olds and you've got a party!  All we needed were matching outfits (more about that unfortunate situation later.)

I do think that we have got traveling with kids down to a science.  Each time we fly we add something else to the mix to make our trip even more successful.  This year we had new Sunshine Kids Radian car seats, a huge improvement over our previous seats.  Although a bit heavier than the others, the fact that they fold and have a shoulder strap for ease of transport makes all the difference.  We were able to easily walk down the aisle of the plane without having to lift the entire car seat above the airline seats as it is narrow enough to go down the aisle.  Stellar!  They installed quickly and easily using the airplane's lap belt (no extension required) and were ready to go.  The kids enjoyed the familiarity and comfort of their very own car seats and I enjoyed the fact that the tray table could be used as they don't sit as high as the others.  My daughter happily munched on her snack, watched seat back TV and I had a small nap.  What could be better?

Disney was even more fun this year as the kids really knew what was going on and were excited to see all their favorite characters.  Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party was a hit and we had an excellent location scouted out for both the parade and fireworks.  Another visit to the Hollywood Studios made for a great day despite the hotter than normal weather.  We carefully planned out our destinations and managed to fit everything we wanted in without any meltdowns.  Highlight of the day for the kids, lunch with the Little Einsteins.  Highlight for the adults, the hoards of families dressed in matching outfits.  Mom and daughter in Tinkerbell and Dad and son in matching golf ensembles.....If I posted the pictures you would agree but it wouldn't be nice!

Back into the swing of things we go, Halloween will be here before we know it.  Today is a beautiful fall day.  Get outside and enjoy it!

Bad Blogger

Yup, that's me.  I am a bad blogger.  I have not been on in so long and I apologize.  I will try harder from now on.  In my defense, we have been very busy.  We've just returned from a huge trade show in Vegas and have lots of neat new things for the store.

As always we get to the the new 2010 products, any changes to them as well as any new releases.  Some we can talk about and some we can't.  We have some neat gadgets coming, gorgeous new nursing covers, great JuJuBe Bags and so much more!  It's very exciting!

Our nursing collection is growing too.  In addition to expanded Bravado and Medela, we expect our first shipment of Nummies anytime now.  We hope to have something for everyone!  Tanks, fashion, lace, underwire......the list goes on.  You'll have to see for yourself!

A Surprise Visitor for Everyone!

Today we are fortunate to welcome a surprise visitor- Mr. Sun!  What a pleasant surprise to wake up this morning and let the dogs out in the sunlight!  I know the weather forecast was telling us today would be nice, but after this summer can you really trust them?

It is wonderful to see the kids out and about running in the park and playing in the splash pad.  Parents are happy to be out of the house.  It's win win for everyone.  

We've got a long weekend coming up, well long weekend for some people anyway.  I don't have any specific plans but I sure will try to do something outdoors if weather permits!

Summer Update

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer or at least what little we are getting of it!  On the bright side, the cooler temperatures are much more comfortable for our pregnant ladies and their swollen appendages.

New product continues to arrive in the store.  Petunia Picklebottom Bags are back, more JuJuBe has arrived, Bella Bands, Aiden and Anais and Bink Link to name a few.  We are starting to gear up for our trip to Las Vegas this September for the ABC Kids Show.  All the manufacturers in the industry will be there showcasing their latest and greatest.  We'll be on the look out for all kinds of new goodies!

Toys! Toys! Toys!

It looks like Santa's Workshop here!  We have just received a huge shipment of great toys from Melissa and Doug.  Super quality, fun and educational too, we have puzzles, blocks, stamps, stacking toys, slicing food, play tools, magnetic dress up and much, much more!  The mosiac tiles have already found their way home to my house where my daughter is so happy to have one of the jobs from montessori at her own home!  

We also received a shipment of Rockabye Baby CD's including the new More Beatles and Queen releases.  Very cool!

Come on in and check it out!

Busy, busy!

After a busy weekend away from the store we have returned and there is so much going on!  Stock galore!  Bummis have arrived with more of the BumGenius 3.0 jewel tones and the new organics with snaps!  Bio-soft liners are back in stock too!  Skip Hop Swipes wipes cases are here too, a perfect accessory, especially for those summer ice cream outings!

Many of our moms have been getting together and touring Riverside Park Tuesday mornings, a welcome chance to get together for adult conversation and a little exercise!  The new City of Cambridge Activities Guide is out today chock full of summer events to choose from.

For those of you who haven't already, don't forget to check out the Mummylicious Club at 91.5 The Beat, sponsored by yours truly, Offspring Baby!

Lots going on...

Okay, so it has been a while.  I have to make more of an effort o stay on top of things.  I will try to be a better blogger in the future.

There's been lots going on here at Offspring.  We have received or will be receiving shipments from BOB, Ju Ju Be, Skip Hop, Uppa Baby, Bugaboo, Mobile Mommy, Ergo, Matter Company, and more.  It's almost been crazy around here.  The nicer weather has brought more customers out and about, popping in to say hi and it's been great to see everyone.

We're gearing up for our second birthday this July.  Watch for a big party in Central Park, activities, music and more.  Offspring loves a good party!

Focus on What's Important

I hope everyone had a nice weekend.  Saturday's weather was nice for the most part until Mother Nature snapped and let loose!  Almost without warning the wind picked up and the rain came down, like she was holding it in and just couldn't take it anymore!  I can relate as I am sure most moms can too.  Even Mother Nature can't hold it together all the time.

I just finished reading a great book entitled "I was a really good mom before I had kids" by Trisha Ashworth and Amy Nobile.  It's an easy read, lots of fun and I learned a couple things.  The authours, both moms themselves, recognize how hard it is to be a mom and how sometimes, we make it harder on ourselves than it needs to be.  Whether we like it or not, there is a lot of competition among mothers.  I don't think anyone sets out to be competitive, usually it's friendly conversation amongst friends and other parents, but then the comparisons start. Well Bobby is walking so shouldn't Sophie be walking too?  So and so is already taking piano lessons... is my child missing out?  Am I denying her the chance to become the next Mozart?  Take a deep breath, relax.  Give your child a hug, that's all they really want.  They could care less about whether you bake cookies for their class or buy them.  Realistically speaking most have to be pre-packaged anyway due to allergies!  

Some of the time it is hard to focus on what's really important.  We have too much on the go and just don't take the time to slow down and see what we really need.  Edit your to do list, prioritize what's left, involve your spouse in helping you and schedule some time for yourself.  Whatever you don't get done you can worry about later, it will still be there!  If it never gets done, who cares!  Likely no one will know but you!

Take it easy!

Back in the spring of things!

First off, I want to apologize for not blogging for so long! I think I had a case of the blahs. Luckily the weather has turned consistently better and I will try and stay on top of it.

Yesterday was Earth Day. It was nice to see everyone outside, groups of school children out picking up trash and even adults who would otherwise be holed up in their offices out and about. Major grocery stores introduced a new policy of charging 5 cents per plastic bag that they hope will encourage customers to bring reusable bags with them when they shop. Many of our customers often bring their own bags with them into the store, there are some cute ones that compactly fit into even the smallest of handbags.

Cloth diapering continues to grow in popularity. There are many choices and options available from traditional pre-folds to all in one one size fits everyone. It is certainly a more economical route than disposable diapers and much more earth friendly. If you're curious about cloth diapering options, stop by and check them out.

Klean Kanteens are back in stock too, lots of sizes and colours to choose from. Eliminate plastic bottles, just refill your KK at home!

With the nice weather upon us, leave your car and go for a walk. We have many carriers to choose from, there is one for everyone! Babywearing is a great way to bond with your child and a great workout too!

That's all for now! Enjoy the beautiful weather on it's way to us!

Mommy Monday

Our first Mommy Monday was a great success.  Mommies and their babes got together and met some new friends and ran into some old ones.  Such a nice mix of ladies, already they are planning their own walking group.  Way to go!

It's hard adjusting to life as a parent.  No longer do you come and go as you please.  You're at the whim of a little person who may not even know what they want- frustrating!  It's so much easier to deal with when you have someone to share your frustration (and happiness) with who understands exactly what's going on.  They may not have the answers, but you can debate about sweet potatoes over cereal, green beans over yellow, pacifier or not, and so on.  Mom friends are a great resource, not just for information but for your sanity too!  

I hope all the mommies do get together on their own.  Join a program together or just head out for a walk in the nice weather.  We're looking forward to our next Mommy Monday, maybe it will become a monthly occurrence.  Let us know your thoughts or if you'd like to join us!  Pictures are posted on our Offspring Baby Facebook group.  Enjoy! 

Spring Cleaning

The warm sun seems to be encouraging people to shed layers and leave their homes.  It's wonderful to hear the chirping of birds and happiness of children's laughter outside again.  

We continue to receive new stock.  West Coast Baby is back again, lots of colours and styles to choose from.  Nappy Rash from Matter is back and we've got great pacifier holders on their way to us!  

Now is a good time to take a quick look at your stroller and give it a wipe down with a damp cloth to remove any salt that may have built up over the winter.  Check your owner's manual to see what type of lubricant is recommended and give the wheels a little squirt to keep things running smoothly after the winter.  Even our strollers can use a little TLC!

Sunshine and Mommy Mondays

The bright sun shining today is making me feel much happier, I know the
temperature will drop tonight but this weekend is supposed to be beautiful! I can't wait! The warm weather makes it so much easier to go outside, fewer layers and much less cold and slippery. Now it's just the muck to contend with!

New products continue to roll in as we gear up for spring. We're going to try something new as well. We've noticed that many of our customers are home throughout the day with their new babies so we're planning an opportunity for our new mommies to get to know one another. Maybe have a play date or at least someone to talk to who is going through the same experience. The first Mommy Monday will be Monday March 23rd at the store from 3 to 5 pm. If you're a new mommy and want to meet others, feel free to drop by! Just give us a call 519-653-2927 and let us know you're coming.....I believe munchies are in order!

As Wubzy said " Ask for a little help!"

This morning as my daughter was watching her Saturday morning toons on Treehouse TV, Wow Wow Wubzy! had a very fitting message..... when you need something, don't do it on your own, "Ask for a little help!"  And so, here we are....

As you know, Offspring Baby is a family owned and operated business born out of necessity right here in Cambridge.  As we grow to meet the needs of our customers, we are looking at extending our family too.  We're looking for a part time staff member who cares as much about customer satisfaction as we do.  Willing to go that extra mile for our customers and stay on top of the ever changing and growing baby and toddler market, our ideal staff member is courteous, knowledgeable and flexible.  Previous sales experience an asset, but not necessary.

Please send your resume by email to info@offspringbaby.com or drop it off in person at the store.  Thanks for helping!

Spring is in the Air

I know it is not here to stay but it is 18 degrees Celsius outside right now! It has been great to have the door open all day to let in some fresh air and once again hear the sounds of people emerging from their houses that swallowed them whole for the winter months. 

Thinking of Spring, there are many new products in the store that people may find helpful now that we can think about being out and about again. 

Dwink is one of those simple yet ingenious mom inventions that make you wonder why none of us thought it before now. Founder, Yvonne Huang, puts it simply enough, "I invented the dwink box because I was tired of telling my kids, 'careful, don't squeeze it, don't squeeze it!' With handles to hold onto and an opening that will hold almost every type of juice box, it won't solve all of life's problems but you have to start somewhere!

Baby Safe Feeder is a great way to introduce solids to your little one without having to worry about them being a choking hazard. Just put your favorite fresh fruits into the mesh bag and attach the ring. Use frozen fruit when your little one is cutting teeth and you have an instant teether.

BabyHawk Mei Tai Carriers are the newest addition to our ever growing carrier/sling collection and are currently on their way to us from California to us! Custom designed for the style conscious parent these asian inspired carriers are sure to meet both your need for free hands and fashion. 

Friends Forever

After a delightful break from winter (no vacation, just some sympathy from Mother Nature),  the white stuff is back again.  The reports aren't calling for too much and we're officially past the middle of February so I'd say the end is near.

The most popular European is back too, Sophie is back in stock and this time she brought her friends; Chan, Pie and Gnon.  At first I really didn't know what to make of Sophie having friends, but they are quite cute!  Made from the same non toxic rubber as Sophie herself, these cute little mushroom characters are a lovely size for little hands and they do have the cutest expressions!  I don't know which will become Spohie's BFF, but I'm sure your small person will discover a favorite soon enough!

Winter Blues...

It has been one rough Canadian winter. I know, we live in Canada so it really isn't something that we should complain about - but we do! This winter has been very hard though. A lot of snow, more then we have had at least in the past couple of years and cold. Not just cold but freezing! All that being said that hasn't been the hardest part of winter for me this year. For me it has been the lack of sunshine. These past couple of weeks have seen a very limited amount of sun. So imagine my joy to wake up yesterday, just about at the end of my rope, and see the sun. It gave me that little extra push I needed to keep smiling. To see the sunshine again this morning has been just fantastic. Winter blues...what winter blues?!

I can now start thinking about Spring. Yes, all of our dependable groundhog friends have said that we can expect 6 more weeks of winter but with at least a little sunshine along the way I might just make it to Spring with my sanity still intact. 

There are great new things coming into the store just in time to prepare us to get outside once again. If you choose to stroll into spring the new 2009 Uppa Vista strollers should be here any minute and there is always the reliable B.O.B Revolution to get you out walking or maybe even running! If you would like to sling into spring we have a great selection and variety for you to come in and try. Some of our favorites include Mobile Mommy, Cuddly Wrap and ErgoBaby. 

Whatever way you choose, it will be great to get outside again without 17 layers!

One of the greatest things about the store is getting to know our customers and following them through pregnancy, infancy, toddlerhood and beyond.  We continue to get excited each and every time a baby is born, it truly is a miracle!

Not nearly as exciting as a real baby, the arrival of new products always puts a smile on our faces. We now have stock of the Adiri Breast Bottle, a truly innovative feeding system.  Completely free of BPA and phthalates, the soft natural breast-like material reduces nipple confusion.  No, it's not real enough to keep a teenage boy occupied, but it is the ultimate baby bottle.  Available in three flows, this is a must try for any nursing mother who wishes to introduce a bottle.  

New stock has arrived from Generation Baby, a local London based business.  Grocery cart covers that actually work (and can be used on a restaurant high chair), Crumb Catcher and Long Sleeved bibs are here too.  More bath toys are here from the ever funky Boon line.  The Frog Pod now has a friend, the Bug Pod, shaped like a cute ladybug.  

Stop by and see what's new and check out our clearance section too!

Welcome to 2009 (in so many ways)...

We've been busy here in the store with all sorts of new products.  Peg Perego has introduced new colours and fabrics for 2009 and they are snappy!  They are offering funky brights like Cedro and Papaia, refined classics like Black Tie and Corralo and carried over a couple like Moka and Paloma.  We've got stock of all colours in strollers, high chairs, bouncers and car seats.  Peg Perego has also announced that the Skate Elite will not be released this year, but held back until 2010.  The original Skate is available in a variety of funky fabrics in stock too!

We've got some new styles of carriers from Ergo and PeaPod in addition to our regular selection.  It's hard to imagine that spring will be here in a couple of months but it's also much easier to wear your baby than push a stroller through the snow and crap!

New swim diapers by Swimmi and Monkey Doodlez  are in stock for your indoor swim lessons, and a great selection of wet bags too, not just for diapers but wet towels and swimsuits too!

Check out our facebook page, we're running a contest and if you post a pic of your Offspring you will be entered in a draw for a gift certificate....Cool!