Now I am not sure if Frankie’s love for music is because I started him in music classes at such a young age (well let’s be honest, I really joined the classes for myself to meet other mom’s and to get out of the house mid winter), but none-the-less my little guy loves nothing more than dancing to music (crumping to be exact – I think that is the only way to describe it) and I truly have Mark Weinstock to thank for that. We have been in Mark’s music class for the last year and a half and my son just adores him.

I came home from work one day and quietly made my way to the basement and there he was dancing to Mark’s cd, infact he was even singing to the music … yes singing! He learned some of the words and babbled his way through the rest of the song knowing the tune. I don’t think I have laughed harder in my entire life. No joke, I actually find myself singing the music at least once a week, I even caught myself singing it out loud

It seems to be a routine in this household to have a morning solo music class in our basement before I go to work .. just me, Frankie and his BFF tita J.

Listening to Mark’s CD, Frankie picked up his guitar and pretended to be Mark

For those of you who don’t know Mark, he is VERY talented and his music classes are a lot of fun! There are some music teachers that don’t adapt their music to the age group, but not Mark and I can say that from experience. One of my favorite things about him is that he brings interesting musical instruments from all around the world which really captures the kids attention.

At music class

GIVEAWAY: For all the parents that don’t know Mark’s music, or those who love Mark’s music or all the Moms-2-Be, Mark has generously donated two of his CDs ‘Songs for Dreamers’ to giveaway to two of my lucky readers!!!  The contest closes Thurstday August 2nd at 5:00pm and the winner will be announced that evening under this post and on the Babylish Advice Facebook page. Here’s how to enter:

1. ‘Like’ Babylish Advice on Facebook
2. Sign up for my Babylish Advice Giveaway newsletter on the home page
3. Email me at terri@babylishadvice.com to let me know you have done both steps

For more information on Mark and to preview his CD, check out his website http://www.songsfordreamers.com/

Happy singing
T.
xo

The months leading up to having our son, I had recieved quite a few emails from friends and friends of friends asking if anyone knew of a nanny looking for work. I actually wondered at one point if it was really that hard to find a nanny and then that got me very nervous.

A few months after having Frankie, my husband and I started talking about whether to send him to daycare or hire a caregiver and hiring a caregiver found to be the best option for us. The first question I asked myself was “where do I start”, talk about stress!!! Per usual I did my research and it seemed amongst a lot of my friends and family, there was a common theme … Wee Care Placement Agency. 

I immediately called Wee Care with my enormous list of questions and Robyn went through each one with me answering them all and then walked me through the process of sponsoring. She told me what to expect with timing and kept me posted along the way (I have to admit, I was emailing her all the time with the “are we there yet” question). All in all she found our family the most wonderful person that really couldnt be a better fit!!  The minute she met Frankie, it was if they had known eachother in a previous life, he instantly wanted to go to her and now when she leaves the room, he cries!

Daily, I thank my lucky stars for having JJ in our lives and I really do have Wee Care to thank for that.

I am not sure many people know about this, but Wee Care has a sister company called ‘In A Pinch’ which is a great company for backup childcare and babysitting services. For those new mom and dads out there, this is a great way to get a few moments to yourselves or enjoy a nice date night. 

Thank you to our friends at Wee Care, they have given me one of their AMAZING books/manuals to give away to one of my lucky readers. For those of you who have recently hired or are planning to hire a nanny (or even those of you who have someone that comes to you to babysit), this is a great giveaway for you! This book has whole section that you fill in detailed information about your child (ie. likes/dislikes with food, games, sleep and food schedule, allergies, best ways to soothe your child etc) and there are even tips on crafts to do (for those rainy days inside), songs to sing and cooking fun around the house. This really is a g reat “how to” tool for your new caregiver getting to know your child.

Here’s how to enter:
1. ‘like’ the Babylish Advice Page on Facebook
2. signup for my newsletter found on www.babylishadvice.com
3. email me at terri@babylishadvice.com to let me know you have done both

Contest closes Sunday February 19th at 5:00pm and the winner will be announced on my Babylish Advice Facebook page and on this post. Good luck

For more information on:
Wee Care Placement Agency, visit http://www.weecareplacement.ca/ 
In a Pinch: http://www.inapinch.ca/

Freel free to email me with any questions you might have
T.
xo

As you know I love finding the newest, latest greatest and here it is! Candy Cocktails – yup, the name says it all. We all go to weddings, bridal showers, birthday parties, corporate events, bar and bat mitzvahs, fundraisers and charity events and come on lets face it, we (well I at the least) all head straight to the candy bar to satisfy that sweet tooth we all, if not most of us, have.

Here is a new company that creatively satisfies that sweet tooth in a drink format. Instead of scooping up your candy at a candy bar, order your ready made Candy Cocktail from the bar. It’s one of those companies that you wish you instantly had an event to order the product for.

Drinks are fully customized to compliment your decor or theme, check out their drink menu online at http://www.candycocktails.ca/

In the spirit of Valentine’s day, our friends at Candy Cocktails are generously giving away a half dozen Valentine’s day themeed candy beverages to help you celebrate the special day. Keep them all for yourself or give some to your friends to spread the LOVE. Here’s how to enter:

1. ‘like’ Babylish Advice Page on Facebook
2. ‘like’ CandyCocktails.ca Page on Facebook
3. Sign up for the Babylish Advice newsletter on http://www.babylishadvice.com/ (along the right side)
4. Email me at tkrajden@gmail.com to let me know you have done all three
*all are welcome to enter the contest

Contest closes Friday February 10th at 12:00pm and will recieve the prize by February 13th. The winner will be selected through random.org and will be announced on the Babylish Advice Facebook page. Good luck!!!!

This really is ”the” fun to eat drink
Bon Appetite
T.
xo

Talk about fun … this was by far one of the most fun moments for both my husband and I and Frankie. I kept seeing pictures all over Facebook of these amazing cake smash photo sessions and inquired about the photographer. Once I only heard great things, I immediately booked my photo session for Frankie’s first birthday (obviously knowing me, I booked this months before his birthday). After spending weeks trying to figure out what he was going to wear (I can’t believe I am actually admitting that), the day finally arrived!

Hope is so sweet, she is offering my readers a special deal:
On location Cake Smash $100 session fee + $30 cake + $100 for 2 digital images = Regularly $230. For Babylish Readers $130
In Studio Cake Smash $50 session fee + $30 cake + $100 for 2 digital image = Regularly $180. For Babylish Readers $80

Here are a bunch of the pictures of the cake smash (it was hard to choose just one)

                                                        Happy 1st birthday to your little ones
                                                                              T.
                                                                              xo

I dont know about you, but I love when I get something OTHER than bills in the mail. That is why I absolutely loved the idea of sending everyone an invitaion to Frankie’s first birthday, old school style .. by mail! Without a thought, I called Lauren Silverberg from Six Apples.

I had absolutely zero idea what I wanted them to look like, so I just told her that the theme was Halloween and to do whatever she wanted. I can’t begin to explain how AMAZING they looked!!! I wish I could have taken some credit for the design, but I had no part of it. Without any exaggeration, I think almost every person who replied to the party had asked where I bought the invitations (I guess they thought I bought them at a store), but nope, I can proudly say they are a Frankie K. original design by Lauren.

She designs cards for all occassions: party invites (children or adult), shower invites, thank you cards (she did mine), birth announcements and engagement/wedding invitations just to name a few.

The picture below is of his invitaion… it’s hard to see because of the lighting, but the background is a half moon (just a side note: there are two spots on the invite that look like they have been coloured in, well that’s because I just coloured them prior to posting this pic)

For those who are starting new business ventures or want to rebrand, the other half of Lauren’s business is developing branding; that is logo’s and websites along with print like pamphlets and business cards. I have seen Lauren’s work and her creativity is incredible. Check it out for yourself, her website is http://www.sixapples.com/.

Lauren is beyond talented, I absolutely HIGHLY recommend using her!!!

T.
xo