Every parent can relate when it comes to bringing baby home for the first time.  There's the first time putting baby in the car seat, first car ride, sitting in the back seat with them, going home for the first time, and first sleep at home!

I think it's pretty universal that as first time parents, many of us have the same feelings of excitement as well as apprehension bringing baby home for the first time!

For myself, there was a little more drama with Little One being born at 28 weeks gestation.  There was the whole air ambulance trip, hospital bed rest, "spontaneous birth" (Yes! That's what was written in her chart after she canon-balled her way into the world!), 72 days in the NICU and a huge roller coaster ride of emotions.


After our life in the NICU, we got to take Little One home.  Then it sank in...Wow! We're bringing baby home!

I  have to say that I was really impressed to discover that Pampers makes diapers for even the tiniest babies.  The hospital we were at used Pampers Preemie/Size P for the preemies in the NICU.  Though the hospital provides preemie diapers for the preemies in the NICU, something I just learned and think parents should know is that parents need to bring diapers to the hospital with them.

Pampers Size P (for preemies) were the diapers we used when we brought Little One home.  I was so thankful to have diapers that fit my tiny baby!  Little One was 980 grams at birth and when we brought her home from the hospital, she was 5 lbs! Finding a diaper that fit such a small baby would be a challenge had we not had Pampers.  Even Hubby thought Pampers Size P fit Little One really well.  He really liked the fact that the yellow line turns blue when baby has wet the diaper. The indicator line was one of Hubby's favourite Pampers features.

It's no surprise that Pampers Swaddlers is the #1 Choice of Canadian parents and hospitals for newborn babies.


I remember when my brother and his wife had their twins and they used Pampers on their girls. It's a brand they trusted and preferred for fit and leakage protection.

Speaking of leakage protection, I was chatting with a friend recently and she said she loves that Pampers' 12 hour leakage protection helps her baby sleep through the night without waking up with a leaky diaper.  Yes, Pampers has Mom's back from birth to potty training with Cruisers and Easy Ups for baby at each stage.

Have you heard of Pampers Village (pampers.ca)?  It's a loyalty program that enables consumers to redeem rewards for every package of Pampers purchased, exclusive coupon offer, newsletters with parenting tips, and exclusive promotions.  Discover all the benefits you can get by joining over 500,000 Canadian parents!  I'm a member!  Despite the fact that Little One is now in Junior Kindergarten, I still enjoy  reading what's on pampers.ca. It's a great resource for new and experienced moms as baby moves through the stages. Plus, who knows if Little One will have a sibling in the future?

For new moms, getting a tailored newsletter for baby based on their stage is a great thing! I also like letting friends know about the exclusive rewards and coupons they can get from Pampers Rewards. Let's face it, moms (first time or veteran) can always use the support of a community and being able to share experiences with other moms.  This is what it's like on the Pampers Canada Facebook page! Chat about everything from bringing baby home for the first time, baby sleeping through the night, and more!

I was just talking about Pampers with my best friend yesterday and smiled when she said, "Pampers is like wrapping your baby's bottom in a cloud".  I love that!
Ready for some exciting news?  Summer is the season of new bumps and babies, and with the Royal baby on the way, Pampers Canada wants to share memories and tips from experienced moms with those preparing for their first big day!

As  an experienced a mom who has been there before, I'll be tweeting with @Pampers, @Gingermommy, @momvstheboys, and @myweeview on June 26th, giving some mom to mom support by sharing what new moms need to know about bringing their first baby home.

It's going to be a lot of fun! Who doesn't love talking about baby experiences?! Plus, the prizes are phenomenal!  Definitely things any new mom would love!

$1,500 in prizing with a Grand Prize worth almost $700! 

Whether new or experienced, mom always deserves to be pampered!
* Pantene Pro-V Daily Moisture Renewal Moisture Mask
* Pantene Pro-V Daily Moisture Renewal Moisture Mist
* Pantene Pro-V Daily Moisture Renewal Shampoo & Conditioner
* Pantene Pro-V Daily Moisture Renewal Silky Moisture Whip
* Venus & Olay razor and Satin Care with a Touch of Olay Shave Gel
* CoverGirl Blast Flipstick
* COVERGIRL LipPerfection
* Secret Outlast deodorant
* Vidal Sassoon Hair Colour coupon
* Olay Ultra Moisture Lotion
* Olay Total Effects Daily Anti-Aging UV Moisturizer Plus Touch of Foundation Cream
* Olay Total Effects 7-in-1 Anti-Aging Eye Cream Line and Dark Circle Minimizing Brush
* Olay Total Effects Refreshing Citrus Scrub
* Olay Total Effects Tone Correcting Night Moisturizer
* Olay Total Effects Tone Correcting Eye Treatment
* COVERGIRL Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Gloss (two shades)
* Febreze Candle

Pampers Swaddlers & Memories ($200) THREE WINNERS!
* Two boxes of Pampers diapers
* Pampers Wipes
* Kodak Play Sport video camera
* Ivory Snow Liquid Detergent
* Canada onesie (0-3 months)

Pampers Swaddlers ($80)  THREE WINNERS!
* Two small packs of Pampers diapers
* Pampers Wipes
* Ivory Snow Liquid Detergent
* Canada onesie (0-3 months)



Please join us on Wednesday, June 26th from 8pm-9pm EST.

Follow Host: @chancesmommy
Co-Hosts: @Gingermommy, @momvstheboys, @myweeview
Sponsor: @Pampers
Hashtag: #ILoveSwaddlers

All Canadian participants, excluding residents of Quebec are eligible to win.  
Please RSVP with your Twitter handle (Ex: @yourtwitterhandle) using the linky below:




 Disclosure - I am a P&Gmom. As part of my affiliation with this group I am hosting the #iloveswaddlers Twitter party and have been compensated for my services. The opinions on this blog and during the Twitter party are my own.

Bacon Seafood Chowder Poutine

I took part in (and completed) the #PGMom #MonthOfMom Photo Challenge. Here are some of our photos for the month.

May started off as a "typical" month on the farm, but ended with Little One being airlifted to the hospital. What a wild and crazy month it has been!

Link up your Wordless Wednesday posts here.  We'd love to check them out!

May is sort of bitter sweet for me. Especially this year.

In May of 2008, we discovered that we were pregnant with Little One. That was one of the happiest days of my life. It was also the 6 year anniversary of my Father-in-law's death.

May was always a happy time for me, because I got to spend Mother's Day with my grandmother and spoil her. She used to come visit us on the Island and I'd throw a big Mother's Day meal together with flowers for all the moms - My grandma, my mom, my mother-in-law, my aunt, and my sister-in-law. My my grandmother wasn't on the Island, I'd get to talk to her on the phone or go to Montreal for a Mother's Day brunch at my aunt's house to celebrate with my grandmother.

In May (end of April, actually) of last year, my then 3 year old daughter and I made the very long plane ride to the Philippines to be with my grandmother in her last days of life. She died in May.

Every time I catch the scent of Olay moisturizer (or any Olay product), I think of my grandmother. My grandmother swore by Olay products. It was her "brand".  To be honest, it makes me happy and nostalgic, yet deeply saddened at the same time. It probably sounds really crazy that a product or brand can bring back memories and have such a powerful effect on a person, but it does.

My grandmother was always so glamorous. Her hair was always perfectly in place, and she routinely applied her Olay moisturizer and her signature red lipstick.

This May marks the one year anniversary of her death. I'm still weepy. The funny thing is that every month, P&G sends me a package in the mail and recently, there have been a lot of Olay products included in those parcels!  It kind of makes me laugh, because it's almost as though my grandmother is reminding me that she's still around and living in our hearts and our memories.

I keep thinking of the fun times with my grandmother. She loved her Spa Days and getting her manicure and pedicure done!

Spa Days remind me of my grandmother. Being able to sit back, enjoy some pampering, and take care of yourself is so very important.

This is why it makes me happy to be able to give my readers a chance to enter a...

P&G Mother's Day Spa Giveaway!

Enough about me walking down memory lane! Mother's Day has always been a time for us to pamper the mothers in our lives (including my grandmother)! What better way to do so than with a Spa Day? Here's what one lucky Life on Manitoulin reader will win:

P&G is providing a Mother’s Day Spa bundle valued at $95*. The bundle includes:  

• Febreze Vanilla & Moonlight Candle
• Pantene Repair & Protect Conditioner 
• Pantene Repair & Protect Shampoo 
• Pantene Overnight Miracle Repair Serum 
• Pantene Stylers Hairspray Flexible Hold
•  COVERGIRL Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Gloss Grapevine 
• COVERGIRL LashBlast Clump Crusher Mascara 
• Olay Massaging Bar Soap 
• One Free Clairol Hair Colour Coupon 
• COVERGIRL LipPerfection Jumbo Gloss Balm 

I use all of the above products and am thrilled to be able to give this Mother's Day Spa package to one of my readers! Good luck!

TO ENTER:

Simply fill out the Rafflecopter form. Open to residents of Canada. Ends May 13, 2013 at 12AM EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

P&G has created a fun 30-Day Photo Challenge inspired by the little things we do, and the products we use, that brighten each day.

Are you up for the 30-Day Photo Challenge?

Itchy, scratchy, bumpy skin.  That's what my poor Little One has to deal with whenever her skin gets irritated by certain detergents or fragrances.  She has extremely sensitive skin.  Just like her Dad.  Well, at first glance, you wouldn't be able to tell that about my husband, the farmer.  His hands are super tough and  seem resistant to the elements. The truth is, he has sensitive skin when it comes to laundry detergent and fabric softeners. Both he and our four year old daughter react adversely to certain products, so I have to make sure to buy the gentlest of products. Otherwise they break out in hives.

As a PGMom, I was able to try out Tide Free & Gentle Liquid Detergent, Ultra Downy Free & Sensitive Liquid Softener, and Bounce Free & Sensitive Dryer Sheets.

P&G wants to ensure you can care for your fabrics and enjoy clean, soft and static free clothes and towels, even if your skin is sensitive to scents and dyes. Tide, Downy and Bounce have joined forces to provide a laundry regimen that’s gentle enough for sensitive skin.  


1. Wash: Tide Free & Gentle Liquid Detergent has been specially designed for sensitive skin. It’s made with no dyes or perfumes and is dermatologist tested to provide your fabrics with a great clean that’s gentle on your skin. 

2. Soften: Experience all the softness of Downy, free from dyes, perfumes, and worries. Ultra Downy Free & Sensitive Liquid Softener is the leading “free” fabric softener that’s also 100 per cent dermatologist tested so you can focus on enjoying fabrics that are wonderfully soft with less static and fewer wrinkles. 

3. Protect: Use Bounce Free & Sensitive Dryer Sheets and enjoy the softness and static protection of regular dryer sheets without perfumes or dyes. It’s like sensitive skin’s BFF.                         

So far so good! Hubby and Little One have not had any reactions to any of the products and this makes Mama very, very happy!

Speaking of laundry regimens, I've got a question.  Most of you already know that laundry is one of my least favourite household chores. Well, I don't mind the actual laundry part, but not the folding and putting away clothes part. That is a chore and something I find tedious. 
My question is: What is your laundry regimen? 

Do you actually wash, soften, and protect? How many of you use laundry softeners? I remember my Mom being the perfectionist that she is, always had a laundry regimen. Me? Throw in dirty laundry, add detergent, run cycle, and either hang clothes out to dry on the clothesline or in toss in dryer (I have the Bounce Dryer Bar). 

Though I hate folding and putting away laundry, I do have one little quirk. I'm obsessed with folding underwear a specific way. This is what my poor husband has to live with...



Okay, back to laundry and sensitive skin.

Would you like to WIN a Sensitive Skin Laundry Care bundle (valued at $25*)?

Yes? Okay. Simply fill out the Rafflecopter form below for your chance to win! 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Are you dreaming about lazing on a tropical beach, listening to the waves crash on the shore? It's Winter in Canada, folks! Many of us love the outdoors and activities that Winter brings, right? Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, skating, hockey, sledding, snow fort building, snow angel making, and snow ball fights! Right?

As fun as all of the above are, we all know that unforgiving Winter conditions (Brrr! Freezing temperatures, windchill, and yikes...harshness on our hair with dryness of air from furnace or electric heaters!!!) all make our skin dry and itchy, and make our hair frizzy and uncooperative. Tell me you love the way you get static from removing your tuque?

To conquer the cold, P&G would like to share the following:


The Issue: Kinky, curly, wavy and unruly frizz

The Cause: Some hair types, like curly and coarse tresses, are just naturally prone to frizz, but more often than not, frizz is a sign of damaged hair. The combination of outdoor air and indoor heating can do a number on your strands, causing frizz, fly-aways and dryness.

The Solution: Moisture. Start by using a shampoo and conditioner designed to fight frizz.  Don’t be afraid to skip washing daily - it’s unnecessary and hard on hair.  Try to air-dry your hair when possible to help reduce split ends from heat damage.  And always use heat-protecting products before heat-styling to help protect your hair from high temperatures and unnecessary breakage.

Product to try: Herbal Essences None of your Frizzness Shampoo and Conditioner’s serum-infused formula moisturizes hair with the right amount of conditioning ingredients for lusciously soft and shiny hair.  $4.49* each


The Issue: Delicate hair

The Cause: Blow-drying and heat-styling tools can contribute to more breakage during the winter. Blistery snowy weather also tends to wet and freeze hair in the cold leading to additional breakage.

The Solution: To help avoid winter breakage, it’s important to get regular trims every eight weeks. Split ends split upwards, so the less one trims, the more breakage they will experience. It’s also important to practise a good at-home daily hair routine in between cuts to avoid breakage and keep hair moisturized. Protect hair against damage from the cold outdoors and styling heat by applying a moisturizing mist that’s designed for daily use.

Product to try: Pantene Pro-V Daily Moisture Renewal Moisture Mist strengthens dry fragile hair against damage and preps it for styling.  Try the Pantene Daily Moisture Renewal line (Shampoo, Conditioner and Silky Moisture Whip) for added damage control. $5.99* each


Conquer the cold with a great giveaway from P&G!


One lucky reader will be able to conquer the cold with the seven products below valued at $44!

• Olay Body Ultra Moisture Lotion 
• Pantene Pro-V Daily Moisture Renewal Moisture Mist 
• Pantene Pro-V Daily Moisture Renewal Shampoo 
• Pantene Pro-V Daily Moisture Renewal Conditioner 
• Pantene Pro-V Daily Moisture Renewal Silky Moisture Whip  
• Herbal Essences None of your Frizzness Shampoo 
• Herbal Essences None of your Frizzness Conditioner

Simply enter the Rafflecopter form below. Open to residents of Canada. Ends March 12, 2013.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

By entering the following contest you are accepting that if you win your contact information will be shared with a P&G PR agency for the purpose of mailing your prize.  
This giveaway may appear on other blogs as part of the  #PGmom program, however, to be fair, you can only win once per giveaway.  If your name is chosen more than once, another winner will be selected.

I remember what it was like when Little One was a newborn.  Though she spent the first 72 days of life in the NICU at Mount Sinai, bringing baby home was an amazing yet eye opening experience.

I remember just wanting to hold her and stare at her all the time. Of course, with having a new baby at home comes the mountains and mountains of laundry and the diaper changes! The diapers! Who knew that babies go through that many diapers?!

One of the things I love about being a #PGMom is that I get to share the luv with friends, family, and readers.  I am able to share great products, savings, and so much more. This post in particular warms my heart.

A bunch of PGMoms were given opportunity to participate in the Pampers Ding Dong Diaper Ditch Movement. Our mission was to surprise an unsuspecting family with a wonderful baby package (valued at $85) that consisted of:

• Pampers Swaddlers diapers - Number one choice of hospitals. The nurses in the NICU used Pampers on the babies when Little One was in the hospital. Love that Pampers have diapers for preemies too! Soft, comfortable and wraps baby in comfort and security.
• Pampers Sensitive wipes - Gently cleans baby's delicate skin. Clinically proven mild. Dermatologist tested. Perfume and alcohol free.
• Ivory Snow Liquid Detergent - Gentle on baby's sensitive skin yet designed to clean tough messes from baby's clothing.
• a copy of "Caring for Kids: The Complete Guide to Children's Health"
• a Canada onesie (with bib and tuque)

I have tons of friends with babies, but wanted to share this special baby package with someone I had been thinking about for the past while. I hadn't seen her in ages, and now she has another little one!

When I was on Facebook with her this past week, something our conversation made me feel I had to perform a random act of kindness and she was the person I wanted to make smile. I guess that wasn't really random then. It seems a tad predetermined/premeditated!

On a blustery Friday afternoon, I drove to the family's home and propped the box by their front door! Sadly, I was too excited about the Drop Off that I didn't have the foresight to wrap up the baby package in a pretty basket and with a pretty bow! Check out the little video I made with my BlackBerry Z10's Story Maker
app!

No video of the surprised mom, as she was...ummm...nursing her sweet baby! So thrilled to be able to spread the warmth and joy.

Thankful to have been given the opportunity to surprise a special family.

Well.ca wants to help new parents too by ensuring mom and dad don't have to go past their doorstep for a refill on Pampers. Subscribe to Pampers on well.ca before April 15th and get a 15% discount and up to 500 Gifts to Grow points on select Pampers purchases. You also get 50 bonus Welcome points when you sign up!  

Disclosure - As part of the PGMom program, I received the above products for an in-person giveaway. As a member of the PGMom program, I receive perks and products for review and am given the opportunity to share with readers via giveaways. Though affiliated with P&G, all the thoughts and opinions on this blog are honest and my own.

I don't believe in kissing and telling, but I have to say that I'm not a fan of facial hair. Not on Hubby or on anyone. I'm  just not a fan of facial hair, period!

My husband prefers to grow a goatee and a moustache, especially in the Winter. He tells me that being a farmer, having facial hair keeps him warm and protects him from the elements when working outdoors in the freezing cold.

Perhaps there is some truth to this, but I'm still not a fan.  I have really sensitive skin and really do not like the scratchy, abrasive facial hair. Even Little One displays her displeasure when being scratched by Daddy's goatee when he kisses her.

Ladies, is it just me or do you also prefer a clean-shaven man? Which is sexier? Smooth, soft skin or a goatee, beard, or moustache?

Check this out:

With signs pointing to the decline of kissing in Canada, the ever- increasing number of men sporting stubble and facial hair styles could be part of cause. Gillette asks, is stubble killing the kiss? 

Gillette surveyed Canadian women and had a similar response from east to the west—women (80%) like their man with a smooth or clean shaven face.  When Canadian women think of clean shaven men, a vision of a smooth, good looking and kissable gentleman comes to mind.  Of course, we can’t deny that 60 per cent of women like the look of light stubble or a five o’clock shadow, describing this man as sexy and rugged above all else. While women may like the look of a sexy, rugged man with stubble, overall, 75 per cent said they prefer to kiss a guy who is smooth or clean shaven.  

Not only do women claim to have long, lingering kisses most often when kissing a smooth/clean shaven man, four in ten also claim that they would kiss a clean shaven man more often. Less than 10 per cent who make the same claim about men with facial hair.   

KISS & TELL: It’s official, stubble is killing the Canadian kiss!  When surveyed, 72 per cent of women reveal that kissing a guy with facial hair has irritated or scraped their face.  Overall, half of women claim to have used a facial cream or  lotion on irritated skin, tried to cover it up with makeup (23%) and some even added an accessory to hide the irritation (5%). In addition, almost one in four women have actually avoided kissing a guy romantically because he had facial hair.   

To help avoid this kissing issue, P&G wants to arm your man with the proper tools to get rid of that scratchy, abrasive facial hair.

As a P&G Mom, I received a bundle for Hubs. Can I tell you that I gave it to him as part of his Valentine's present? Totally not kidding!

Hubby was really impressed with the Fusion ProGlide Razor. The funny thing is that I wasn't anticipating his reaction at all. He was excited about the bundle!
One lucky reader will receive a Gillette Kiss bundle, including the Gillette Fusion ProGlide Silver Touch razor and Gillette Fusion ProGlide Sensitive Shave Gel valued at $22*.

To enter, simply fill out the Rafflecopter form below. For more information on the smooth vs stubble debate visit www.kissandtellus.ca. By entering the following contest you are accepting that if you win your contact information will be shared with a PR agency for the purpose of mailing your prize. This giveaway may appear on other blogs as part of the  #PGmom program, however, to be fair, you can only win once per giveaway.  If your name is chosen more than once, another winner will be selected.
 a Rafflecopter giveaway



Disclosure - I am a PGMom and receive product and other perks for my participation in the program. All the thoughts and opinions expressed on this blog are honest and my own.
 
*Pricing is at the sole discretion of the retailer

My grandmother was the epitome of "classic beauty". She was poised, always dressed well and always had her hair and make-up done just perfectly.



Thought I've been an Olay user for what seems like forever and prefer to stick to my favourite products, I am always excited to see the new products Olay comes out with. Because I am getting older, and age is starting to show, I am very selective when it comes to what I put on my face.

I always used to joke that Asians always look younger than we actually are (I still get carded when buying wine at the LCBO!), I do see the signs of aging in my skin. I'm also worried that my years of sun worshiping have caused my skin to age prematurely.  I love spending time outdoors, especially in the Summertime. Even with wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunscreen, I think it's still not enough to stop the damage from the sun. I've always had blemish-free skin. It seems I now have freckles!

It’s never too early or too late to start taking care of your skin and defending against the seven signs of aging with a high-quality facial regime like Olay Total Effects. 

Olay Total Effects Daily Anti-Aging UV Moisturizer Plus Touch of Foundation Cream provides seven anti-aging benefits including line appearance minimization, nourishing moisturization, subtle appearance firming, brightening, gentle exfoliation, pore appearance refinement and anti-oxidants. It helps renew, restore and protect from UV rays for aging skin with the added benefit of a sheer foundation for immediate tone improvement.  

I love this product! The Anti-Aging UV Moisturizer Plus Touch of Foundation Cream is my new must have product! It helps nourish my skin and makes it look amazing! If I'm in a rush, I just apply this, some lip gloss and a bit of eye make-up, and I'm good to go!

Olay Total Effects 7-in-1 Anti-Aging Eye Cream Line and Dark Circle Minimizing Brush helps to instantly reduce the appearance of darkness under the eye all in one sweep of a brush. It contains a daily under-eye moisturizer that hydrates to firm skin’s appearance and minimizes the look of fine lines and a hint of tint instantly reduces the appearance of dark circles.  

 The Olay Total Effects 7-in-1 Anti-Aging Eye Cream Line and Dark Circle Minimizing Brush really does make a noticeable difference. Love the brush too!

Olay Total Effects Refreshing Citrus Scrub offers an invigorating scrub that cleanses your skin without over-drying. Formulated with oil-absorbing beads, it gently exfoliates and cleanses thoroughly while the citrus- kissed formula refreshed your skin. 

One word: Citrus! I'm a huge lover of citrus scented anything! Helps that this scrub is gentle on my sensitive skin.

Olay Total Effects Tone Correcting Night Moisturizer provides deep hydration and helps fight signs of aging with a vitamin-rich complex designed to smooth away the appearance of discolouration and age spots as you sleep. 

Anything that helps fight the signs of aging while I sleep sounds good to me! I'm extremely worried about age spots. I have one or two right now and they really bug me.

Olay Total Effects Tone Correcting Eye Treatment treats the sensitive and delicate skin under the eye that needs to be treated with TLC. This treatment diminishes the look of under-eye darkness and helps to fight seven signs of aging. 

What Mom doesn't suffer from lack of sleep? I don't know about you, but I have a bit of darkness under the eyes every now and then. I love the Olay Total Effects Tone Correcting Eye Treatment.

How would you like to achieve beautiful, healthier looking skin with the five Olay Total Effects products outlined above? 

To enter, simply fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Giveaway open to residents of Canada. Ends February 9th! Olay prize valued at over $140

a Rafflecopter giveaway  

Disclosure- I am a #PGmom. Although I am affiliated with P&G, all the thoughts and opinions expressed on this blog are honest and my own.