Sandy's Blah, Blah, Blog

I started Oh Baby! Magazine with my husband during my first pregnancy. My love of writing and my obsession with magazines paired with my husband’s many skills have proven to be a great combination. I'm from Toronto - born and raised - and I've been married for eight years. Since the inception of Oh Baby! I've had two babies, Andreas and Alexandra . What a ride it's been! I’d like to share with you my struggles with trying to find this so-called – and I think unachievable - “balance” I keep reading about… Follow Sandy E on Twitter

I’ve had two babies and both were planned. I was actively trying to become pregnant both times. Both times I made the decision to not drink alcohol… just in case I was pregnant. Thankfully I was okay with this. I know a lot of people may struggle with the difficulties involved in giving up something that you love during pregnancy. At the risk of sounding judgey, giving up alcohol during pregnancy is just the beginning of things that you’re...

Roasted chicken might be intimidating for some, but I promise that once you realize how easy it is, you'll always want to roast your own chicken. I love this recipe because once you put it in the oven, you can pretty much forget about it (if you can ignore the smell) plus with the leftovers you can make sandwiches, wraps, or even use the chicken to top a salad! Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Start with your vegetables. I have used...

Do you have hundreds of vacation photographs from last year (or previous years) to go through? It's almost too much to bear, isn't it? I know how you feel! You love them all, but your hard drive space is limited. We have to cull back and figure out which ones are the keepers. Here are three tips to help you out: 1. Organize your photographs by date. Depending on which import program you use, you should be able to organize the photographs...

Expectant moms have nine long months to read books, attend prenatal classes, scour the Internet, and quiz their mommy friends in preparation for life with a new baby. Toronto-based family physician and women’s health expert, Dr. Vivien Brown, shares her top tips on what moms-to-be can do to make good choices: 1. Avoid unripened cheese, sushi and deli meat: Listeria is a bacterium that can cross the placenta causing stillbirth, miscarriage...

The Polaroid Kids Tablet 2 is pre-loaded with over 70 popular books and apps (over $100 value) to keep children occupied for hours. The tablet now comes equipped with the full versions of 25 top-rated books and apps from Disney, Marvel and Cartoon Network that feature some of the most beloved cartoon and comic book characters. Children can learn to read with the help of comic book superheroes Spiderman, Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk or play...

It’s not often that we choose one celebrity to showcase their maternity style. But when it comes to Gwen Stefani, it’s a no-brainer. From chic tunics and leggings, to statement jackets and heels, to glam red carpet gowns, the No Doubt frontwoman, 44, has been knocking our socks off with her outstanding ensembles. Let’s take a look at Gwen’s top 10 maternity looks – so far – while expecting her third son with husband Gavin...

It’s usually during the month of February when you start to feel those mid-winter blues; the kids start to go a little stir-crazy and you feel a case of cabin fever coming on fast. Well, I’m here to help you avoid the mid-winter blues and to embrace the remainder of winter – with your whole family. Take a Vacation: Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not talking about an expensive last-minute trip to Mexico (unless you want to go)! A simple...

My brother and I are very different from each other. I’m a city girl, he’s a country boy. I like to vacation at a beachside resort, he’s into wilderness camping. We were such opposites growing up and he frustrated me because, even though I loved him unconditionally, I didn’t always understand the person he was. The idea of my brother being a parent seemed so foreign to me. I knew that he wanted to have children, to raise a family but...

The Winter blahs are taking hold! The long cold dark days of winter seem never ending and this year we have had it all from rain to ice to snow to sleet and only a few short moments of sunshine. It can be hard to stay up beat and motivated and before long the winter blahs move in. Reduce daylight hours, lack of sunshine and staying indoors more can lead to disinterest in activities, increased appetite, and fatigue. Take back your mood and...

If you have a family, filing an income tax return is about more than just declaring what you owe – it’s an opportunity to take advantage of the many credits and benefits available to support your family finances. The deadline to file your personal income tax and benefit return is April 30, but why wait – especially if you’re expecting a refund or claiming benefits. File your return online as early as February 10, 2014 – and if...