Our friends at OUAC - Newmarket let us know that the December 2009 Customer Appreciation Cards Are Now At The Store!!!

Pick your card up at the store and get 20% Off all new and gently used items ALL MONTH LONG
Use the card as many times as you want during the month of December 2009. Great for holiday gifts and larger purchases.
THIS EVENT ONLY HAPPENS ONCE SO DON”T MISS IT!!! GET YOUR CARD TODAY WHILE SUPPLIES LAST

Also they have extended their hours for your convenience. Join their facebook page!

New Extended Hours
Monday - Friday 9:30AM - 8:00PM
Saturday 9:30AM - 6:00PM
Sunday 12:00Noon - 5:00PM

Conscious Family Series

Parenting with Purpose, Presence and Peace
Level One Seminar:Pre-conception to One Year Old

The Conscious Family Series is for those who want to do their best each day to love, cherish and
respect their children, and who want to learn and grow from their roles. We believe that in order to
accomplish these tasks, parenting must be a conscious endeavour, meaning that we are willing to
examine ourselves, our background, beliefs, motivations, behaviours, and how these aspects affect the
way we parent. Let’s find the positives in the way we were parented, recognize the lessons we learned
and empower ourselves to trust our own intuition and emerge as the parents we want to be.
Decisions made prior to conception, during pregnancy and in baby’s first year of life provide the
foundation for the creation of a conscious family. After attending this series, you will be inspired to take
initiative to choose the style of caring for yourself and your infant that resonates with you and you’ll be
connected to the tangible tools and resources to support you on your journey.

The Conscious Family Series speakers, Denise Martin, Nicole Meltzer, Clare Sullivan, Christine Marrin
and Meredith Deasley, all experts in their fields and mothers, whose children range in age from infant
to teen, will be covering the following topics:
☯ Optimizing the health of the body, mind and spirit of mom and dad from pre-conception
throughout pregnancy, through cleansing, emotional release and nutrition
☯ Understanding childbirth as a rite of passage, your birth team, pain coping options, setting the
environment for welcoming your baby, the birth plan trap and the consciousness of infants
☯ And once baby has arrived…. Making the transition and finding balance; Baby B’s: bonding,
breastfeeding, baby wearing, bedding close, baby’s communication; healthcare concerns such as
postpartum depression, nutrition for parents and child, vaccinations, common childhood ailments;
soothing techniques including CALMS and infant massage; and green living strategies including
baby and cleaning products and air & water purification. And so much more…..

Date: Saturday, November 21, 2009 in celebration of International Children’s Day
Location: Matrix Repatterning Centre - 33 Victoria Street, Aurora
(just East of Yonge St. & South of Wellington St.)
Schedule: 9:10 am Registration
9:30 am - 12:00 pm Seminars
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm A light lunch will be provided
1:00 pm - 3:30 pm Seminars
Cost: $100 per couple
$75 per individual
Babes in arms welcome

To enrol: Email Nicole Meltzer at clientcare@balancedbodymindspirit.com
The following speakers are pleased to be
sharing their wisdom with you at the
Conscious Family Series:
Denise Martin, CD (DONA), CLE (CAPPA), LLLC Leader, Certified Breastfeeding
Councillor, Postnatal Doula, Certified Childbirth Educator and Reiki Master;
www.4theloveofthefamily.com
Denise has found tremendous inspiration in witnessing and supporting hundreds of women and
their families during the passage of birth and their postnatal period. She is active in the
community as a La Leche League Leader and doula by facilitating lectures and discussions on
topics of prenatal health, breastfeeding, parenting and more throughout York Region and the
GTA. Her skills and approach are guided by compassion, knowledge and training in many
supportive modalities of care.
Nicole Meltzer, RMT, CHt, Reiki Master and Co-founder of Balanced Body Mind
Spirit; www.balancedbodymindspirit.com
Through her specialization in fertility issues & prenatal care as a Registered Massage Therapist,
Hypnotherapist and Reiki Master, Nicole helps parents conceive and achieve balance while on
their journey into parenthood. Nicole was awarded the 2009 Readers’ Choice Award for top
Massage Therapist in Richmond Hill; has appeared on Daytime York Region; and has been
interviewed by and written articles for various magazines and websites including Reiki News
Magazine, Vitality Magazine and YorkRegionParent.com.

Clare Sullivan, BSc, ND, Naturopathic Doctor at Align Health Centre, Reiki
Practitioner (Level I); www.alignyourhealth.ca
Clare was drawn to study naturopathic medicine because of its philosophy which blends new
scientific knowledge with past healing traditions; a combination that provides a balanced
approach to health and well being. Clare’s practice focuses on family medicine where she strives
to empower her patients on their journey towards wellness. She has a special interest in
pediatrics, which focuses on couples hoping to become pregnant, pregnant women, new mothers
and children from birth to 19 years of age. She is an active member of both the Canadian and
Ontario Associations of Naturopathic Doctors.

Christine Marrin, BA, B Ed, FSL Specialist, Reiki Practitioner (Level I), Teacher,
Green Living Expert and Parenting Coach; 905-836-6877
Christine taught for 8 years for the York Region District School Board where her first priority was
to create an environment that allowed children to reach their full potential. This occurs when
children are valued, honoured, and cherished. When her own children were born, she dove into
motherhood with zeal, researching environmentally friendly products for her home. With her
children as her spiritual teachers, Christine continues to delight in sharing each conscious
moment with her family as they journey along their sacred paths.

Meredith Deasley, BA, RHN, RNCP, Reiki Practitioner (Level II) and owner of The
Resourceful Mother; www.theresourcefulmother.com
After spending a decade in the corporate world, Meredith gave birth to two daughters, who
reacted adversely to multiple foods and sent their mother on an entirely different path. As a
result, Meredith has specialized in pediatric nutrition for the past decade, and teaches pediatric
nutrition at The Canadian School of Natural Nutrition. Having studied the impact of food on
children’s health so thoroughly, she has recently authored a book, which is awaiting publication.
Meredith has appeared on the “Body, Mind and Spirit” television show and written articles for
various health magazines.

Parenting is one of the hardest jobs in life, yet so often we are told it should come “naturally”. We believe parenting can also be the most rewarding and exciting job in life. There are tools, skills and insights to learn and explore! Whether you are looking to brush up some of your own skills or feel like you are at the end of your rope with your kids, we will provide a safe and encouraging environment to learn. We hope you can join us next week at one of our classes that are just beginning! Parenting Network has been helping families for over 20 years!  There are classes throughout the GTA.

Please Visit our website at www.parentingnetwork.ca

You don’t have to give up dining out, and you don’t have to skip a date night if the babysitter cancels. There are ways to teach children how to behave appropriately in a restaurant so that it is a fun evening out for everyone in the family.

Children can be both excited and bored when at a restaurant. They can find it difficult to sit in one place for the length of time necessary to order, wait, eat, and pay for the meal. This problem is one that improves with age, development and practice. With a good game plan, you can help your children learn how to behave appropriately in a restaurant so that you can all enjoy the experience.

Pick the right restaurant.
Choose a restaurant based on its level of child-friendliness. What’s important? The availability of a children’s menu that includes food your kids will actually eat. The absence of a long wait for a table. Booster seats or high chairs. Private booths or eating nooks as opposed to one large open room. And a noisier, family-friendly atmosphere is always a plus. (Save the hushed candlelit ambience for adult-only nights out.)

Teach restaurant manners at home.
If you are casual about mealtime manners at home, don’t expect your children to miraculously develop table manners because you happen to be sitting in a restaurant. Practice good manners at home for every meal, and your children will be prepared when you eat out.

Have longer sit-down meals at home.
Typically, at home we call our children to the table when all the food is ready, and then excuse them as soon as they are finished eating. If you want to practice for restaurant visits it’s a good idea to have them come to the table a few minutes earlier. Then sit and chat for a bit after you are finished with the meal. Make it fun by telling stories or jokes or talking about upcoming plans. Not only will this be great practice for eating out, it’s a wonderful family-bonding ritual to introduce into your home.

Dine out at your regular meal time.
When possible, stick close to your daily routine. Plan to dine at a reasonable time, before the kids become famished and tired. If you must go out later than your usual time, then provide your children with a snack at the normal time, and allow them to have a smaller meal at the restaurant, or to eat half the meal and bring the rest home.

Review your restaurant rules before you go.
Be very specific and leave no stone unturned. A sample list of “restaurant rules” might be: Sit in your seat. Use a quiet inside voice. Use your silverware, not your fingers. Have nice conversation, no bickering. If you don’t like something, keep your comments to yourself and fill up on something else. If you have to use the restroom, ask me privately and I’ll take you.

Ask for an immediate appetizer.
Many restaurants automatically bring bread or chips to the table as soon as you are seated. If this isn’t the case, ask for something to be brought out for the kids. This will ward off hunger and provide something to do before the meals arrive.

Prevent boredom.
Bring along a few simple toys like a deck of cards, plastic animals, or small quiet toys that can keep the kids occupied while they wait.

Don’t imagine that eating out with kids is the same as dining without them.
When you take children to a restaurant the focus is not the cuisine or the atmosphere. It’s all about controlling the excitement and boredom, teaching your children formal manners, and having quality family time.

Don’t stay too long after eating.
Keep your post-meal conversation short. The longer you stay, the more likely your children will run out of patience and act up. Ask for to-go boxes and the check at the same time you order your food.  This way, if you have to leave because of a tired or whiny child, you can make a fast get away

Don’t make the kids eat what they don’t like.
Stick with familiar foods when possible. If the grilled cheese sandwich your child ordered turns out to be Swiss cheese on sourdough allow your child to eat the French fries and pack up the sandwich to go. A restaurant is not the place to battle over new and unfamiliar foods.

Don’t stay if you’re not having fun.
If a child’s behavior gets out of hand, take her to the restroom or out to the car for a break so that she can calm down. If she continues to misbehave, don’t be afraid to ask for doggie bags and leave the restaurant. But don’t give up! Review your expectations and try again.

~~~~
Excerpted with permission by McGraw-Hill Publishing from The No-Cry Discipline Solution (McGraw-Hill 2007) by Elizabeth Pantley http://www.pantley.com/elizabeth

Congratulations to the Newmarket La Leche League for completing a lovely calendar.

Their mission is to help mothers worldwide to breastfeed through mother-to-mother support,

encouragement, information, and education, and to promote a better understanding of breastfeeding as an important element in the healthy development of the baby and mother.

This calendar will help new moms in our area with the support.  To purchase for only $15 please email Denise.

HUGE CHILDREN’S CLOTHING, TOY AND EQUIPMENT SALE
Saturday  September 26th, 2009
11:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.
The Aurora Child Care Centre
185 Industrial Parkway North, Aurora

Looking for clothing, toys or equipment for your children? Bring a friend and look over our selection of gently used articles at exceptional prices.
*CASH ONLY*

Our friends at the La Leche League let us know that they have produced a calendar that will be avaiable soon. They are $15 and avaiable in October. A nice way to support the local La Leche League group who offers advice & support for breastfeeding mothers and families. To order email Denise or check out their Facebook page.

Its early one crisp spring morning, they are proudly riding their tricycles around the court, their cheeks rosy from the chill in the air. The sunlight dances across the roof tops and a large robin proudly sings as she roost on the peak of a nearby home. Seeing this, I smile to myself as I remember not feeling the simple joy found in early spring and as those seasons passed into years my moments of joy seeming to be less and less frequent. You may ask why, and I will simply reply, the stork missed my house. My name is Christine Stewart and this is my story.

We were married early summer 2000 and one year later decided that it was time to expand our family to include a child with ten tiny toes, instead of the one we already had with four paws.  We planned on two children, three years apart, at the time this seemed like a logical plan. Looking back I wonder if this was simply my naivety or ignorance. Taking for granted my fertility, was never something I gave not one thought towards.  Issues with my monthly cycle were something I soon found medication for; I really thought it was normal.

After six months we started to worry, but were told that we were not considered to have fertility issues until we have been trying to conceive for over one year. We knew that as we crept towards our second wedding anniversary that our quest to have a family may be a far greater challenge than we ever thought.  We were finally referred to a nearby fertility doctor who asked questions my husband quite proudly answered while I was obviously mortified. This questioning became routine as we went for the first round of countless tests, fertility monitoring and basal body temperature monitoring.  Weekly doctor appointments and higher doses of drugs each month became a part of our regular routine.

The side effects of the medication put me in a menopausal state, weight gain, hot flashes, panic attacks, sudden thirst, teenager style acne break outs and the mood swings. These not so little mood swing were a part of my life I choose to completely deny. I am still denying the fact that I often threw shoes at my husband, locked him out of the house in a snowstorm and him refused to accompany him to pre arranged engagements on a regular basis. I didn’t want to see pregnant women; pretend I was happy for them when in fact I would choke back the tears as I congratulated the beaming couple, wishing it was us.  I didn’t want to cringe when the conversation moved to who was expecting and when would we finally decide to have a family.

As the years passed, hope clearly diminishing the strain on our marriage and my body started to become evident. I had exploratory surgery, for the purposes of diagnosis. IV in my hand and wearing a less than flattering gown my husband kissed me wished me luck and whispered “keep your eye on the prize”, a phrase we often used to get us though some of our more challenging days. I had four different procedures during that one surgery; I was terrified as up to this point I had never been in a hospital for more than stitches.

Waking up, still not making much sense to anyone but myself , asking anyone if they knew  when was I going to be a Mom. I never got the answer I wanted, just more drugs that I knew I was not able to handle, by this time my size eight body had ballooned to a size twelve and I was tired and no longer able to focus on the “prize”. As part of my job I was now running workshops at a local agency for pregnant teens and teen Mother’s. I was starting to think that this life was a little unfair and a whole lot cruel.

We contacted another clinic and after waiting for eighteen months we took our very large file to our first meeting with Dr “V”. His office was unbelievably intimidating, a massive gleaming dark wood desk and pictures of golf legends hung on every available inch of the walls and I did neglect to mention the fact that he was more than a little bit handsome, and he had to examine me. Normally this would have freaked me out beyond belief, but at this point so many people had seen my girlie parts that I had to be careful not to undress in the dentist office! Dr V ran only a few more tests, a DNA fragmentation on my husband and a follicle count and a hysterosalpingogram (HSG ); a procedure where dye goes through the ovaries into the uterus to determine blockages, it was painful but we had our eyes planted firmly on the prize.

A week later back in Dr V’s office, he informed us that he would skip IUI (intra uterine insemination) and go directly to IVF ( invetro fertilization ). He closed our file told us “fasten your seatbelt guys, I’m in the driver’s seat now”, we had one week to make our decision and begin treatment. Stunned, we made it to the parking lot before I burst into tears. This was the last option and for us, the only option, not to mention a very costly one. We decided to think about it, by the time I had my seatbelt on and the car barely started I knew that all roads lead us to this very day.

We met with our nurse, learned how to give me the daily luperon and puregon injections. We picked up the needles, viles, progesterone, the sharps disposal container and the schedule for daily blood tests and ultrasounds.  The next month was a complete blur, scheduling life around medication times and my complete fear of giving myself needles. I had 13 healthy eggs retrieved, six were IVF ( single egg placed in a petri dish with several “washed” sperm ) and seven were ICSI ( needle goes into the egg and one sperm is injected directly into the egg ). We were sent home with more injectables and  progesterone and received updates from our nurse on the progress of our out of body conception. All of our ICSI failed to make it to blastocyst stage, but three of our IVF made it and I was inseminated with two embryos on Labour Day 2004. Labour day, it must have been a good omen. Ten full days of hell we waited for the results of one blood test, years of tears and heartache depending on one phone call.

We are back in the house, they are covered with blankets snuggled up on the couch munching on a mid morning snack, blissfully unaware of the miracle they both are.  I am too aware of the piles of laundry that await me but decide it can wait, the stork may have lost his way but ever since we found him lots of things wait because my life is so lovingly consumed by the prize.

Christine Stewart is the owner and facilitator of Sprouts www.sproutsforkids.com, a company which offers mobile play programs and classes such as baby sign language.  She is a also a support group counsellor for the Infertility Association Of Canada, and a proud Mom to Meghan and Lucas.