by Elizabeth Nider
Being a fitness instructor for over 7 years, I was eager to get right back into fitness after my son was born in March 2007. One and a half weeks postpartum I decided to go for a run. Boy was that a mistake. I learned firsthand why The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) recommends that women wait 2-4 weeks after a vaginal delivery and 6 weeks after a caesarian before beginning an exercise routine. Childbirth is a beautiful time, but with it comes a much needed recovery, not to mention sleepless nights and feelings of loneliness and even desperation.
Jill Amery
Jill Amery is a mom of 2 small boys and the Publisher of UrbanMommies, a stylish digital lifestyle magazine filled with fitness, style, health, recipes and savvy mom advice to help you through pregnancy, birth, and raising your kids.
Get your lil’ rascal out of trouble and into an apron! This funky blue/brown apron embroidered with ‘I’m the Boss’ and a cool dinosaur motif on the front pocket is sure to keep your tyke mess-free while having fun in the kitchen. Great for arts and crafts plus gardening too! available at 
“When You Were Small” by Sara O’Leary, is the kind of tome that brings happy tears as soon as you look at the first page. With unbelievable illustrations by Julie Morstad, it tells the story of Henry wondering about his past. His Father weaves a highly imaginative, dear tale of the life of a boy who is actually tiny. This book not only assists with new concepts and vocabulary, but stimulates imagination and creativity, bringing attention to often overlooked items in daily life. Available in hardcover at Chapters/Indigo, 
So versatile. So healthy. So cool. MyPad Play ‘n Splat Tummytime Mat by Milklush. The myPad™ play n splat mat is a double sided, disinfectable, washable, wipeable, waterproof multipurpose splat mat perfectly sized for life on the go at 27”x27”. Roll it up and go!
There are times when an artist touches you and you never look at your life in the same way again. This is how I reacted to the line drawings by Lisa Golightly for Kiki & Polly. Check out the new 2009 calendars with art on each page, or for a special present, have a custom portrait done. Above print: Walking the Dog