Double The Fun

I'm Brianne and I am a local TV producer and videographer in York Region. My job enables me to share stories and experiences with my viewers. At the age of 32 I am now writing a new chapter of my own...I'm a first time expectant mommy of not only one but two bundles of joy! The journey hasn't been an easy one. It's included a devastating miscarriage, infertility fears, followed by the unexpected yet amazing news that my husband and I will be welcoming twins in the spring. I started writing my blogs as a way to share my experiences, the good and the bad, as well as a way to help other moms and dads out there that might be going through something similar.

I've had to plan a few events in my lifetime. Our wedding, bridal showers, baby showers and the girls baptism. Planning a first birthday party is definitely up there as one of the most daunting of the tasks. Where do you even begin when planning a party for two one-year olds who, let's be honest, won't even remember it? So the party's for the babies right? Well technically yes. People gather to celebrate them and watch them play and coo...

Your child hops off the school bus, you walk him inside, and he immediately races in front of the TV to play video games. It may be easier at times to let him enjoy his PlayStation so you can get other tasks done, but the monumental long-term benefits of reading to and with your child are critical. Reading with your children daily is a major way to build a strong connection with them, it also develops their creativity and intelligence. All...

Tip #1: When it comes to your child’s car seat, safety is always first, so be sure not to use any harsh chemical cleaning products, soaps or scrubs. Tip #2: Avoid disassembling the seat itself and do not wash any straps or detachable devices in the washing machine (this can cause deterioration, and potentially damage your car seat). A damp cloth may be used on the straps. Tip #3: Mix two cups of warm water with one teaspoon of enzyme...

Your 12-month old toddler is playing alongside another child of the same age. Suddenly, she aggressively grabs a toy from the other child. Why did she do this? This is not her normal behaviour! Normal Behaviour Aggression in toddlers is normal. It's often driven by impulse — not by the urge to hurt someone. Toddlers tend to fight over possessions; they know that they want something and they want it now! They can also learn to use...

I’ve always have received compliments on how well behaved my kids are, but now, apparently, M is topping the charts on the smart scale too. We had our first parent-teacher interview this past week and my tiny little JK is doing work at an SK level and is reading at a grade one level. I don’t care what anyone says, this deserves a pat on the back! Yes, I mean my own! We constantly read and do activities with her, allowing her to open her mind...

What are stretch marks? Stretch marks are parallel lines on the skin that appear as slightly indented streaks. Stretch marks often start looking red or pink in colour, and then change to a silver or white glossy colour. Stretch marks occur most commonly on the belly, but can also appear on the thighs and breasts. Stretch marks can begin to appear during the fourth month of your pregnancy. Between 75% and 95% of women develop stretch...

A common topic we often address with our patients is traveling during pregnancy. The best time to travel is probably around the middle of your pregnancy, between 14-28 weeks. Most of the common obstetrical emergencies tend to happen in the first or third trimester. If you are planning to take a road trip by car, make frequent stops, stretch your legs, and always wear a seat belt. When traveling by plane, book an aisle seat so you can get up...

During my maternity leave I was fortunate to be surrounded by some wonderful ladies. It turned out we had a bit of a baby boom in our group of friends. Ten of us ended up being off on mat leave together with our babies being born within a few months of each other. One of the mommies started up an organized group where we could post questions and arrange get togethers. We even started buying mommy group birthday presents for all of the little...

How much activity a pregnant woman can and cannot do depends on many things such as how healthy she was before getting pregnant, how physically active she was, whether she has any medical problems that require limited activity, and whether she has any complications with her existing pregnancy. Although pregnant women should remain active during pregnancy, it is not the time to begin a strenuous exercise regimen for the first time, such as...

“My Baby Virtual Fair”, the virtual exhibition for the family in Canada, returns for its second edition and will take place between March 12 and 14, 2014 at www.mybabyvirtualfair.com. Following its huge success in 2013, this free and unmissable event for Canadian parents and parents-to-be, is back this year with more exhibitors, more conferences, more contests and exclusive rebates. The virtual exhibition, a practical and convincing...

Eating out with kids is a task that’s often easier said than done. Trust me, with seven kids of my own, I’ve dined-out with children more than the average Joe, and from those experiences I’ve learned what works – and what doesn’t. Here are my tricks and tips for a successful restaurant outing with kids. Quiet Distraction: Bring along a quiet distraction for children to enjoy if the restaurant doesn’t happen to provide crayons or a...

There's no getting around it: social media is now an integral part of our lives. We tweet, post and even read celebrity mom blogs. This trend means much more than finding new ways to entertain ourselves, though. For parents, it also means learning how to use sites like Facebook and Twitter responsibly. Social media is about sharing. Parents are likely to post many photos and updates about their young children for friends and family members to...