Suezanne Law, owner of Sympawtico Dog Training, is now offering a very exciting new training program to prepare your pets for your new baby. The program, Dogs & Storks, offers positive, practical and fun solutions for new and expecting families. It will help to clear up myths, emphasize realistic expectations and set your family and your dogs up for success before baby arrives! 

The program was created by a woman named Jennifer Shryock in North Carolina, and Suezanne is very excited to announce her acceptance as a Dogs & Storks presenter.  So far,  she’s the only presenter in our area — the whole Midwest, actually.  This is a terrific program for helping dogs keep their loving homes, even with the excitement and stress that new babies can bring.

For more information on Dogs & Storks, please visit http://www.dogsandstorks.com/

The BabyBumps.net team had a fantastic time this weekend at the Just Between Friends Consignment Sale in Overland Park. We were able to tell a lot of expectant families about our site and some of the businesses who have joined up for our launch. We also made some wonderful contacts with additional baby businesses in the area who are excited about joining us over the next few weeks!

Between visitors, we also had a great time browsing the racks and making purchases from the many consignors who participated in the sale. The clothes were adorable, the kids loved the toys and the prices were fantastic!

We would HIGHLY recommend that you attend or consign at their next sale!
Shawnee, KS 
Kansas Speedway
400 Speedway Boulevard, Garage C
March 28-29th

Be sure to get there early to get the very best deals! And don’t forget to tell all your friends!

CLICK HERE to print a FREE admission ticket! 
For more information visit the Shawnee Just Between Friends Event website at http://shawnee.jbfsale.com/

We hope to see you there!!!

I heard the expression, “There is one beautiful baby in the world and every mother has it,” but I really did have it. That is until things began to be not-so-perfect and, long story short, my “number one son” ended up with a diagnosis of autism. There began the life I didn’t bargained for!

My parenting philosophy changed entirely when we got our autism diagnosis. I always imagined myself as a mother who would push for my “number one son’s” individualism; supporting any direction his nature takes him. Now, I work hard to make him just like every other kid. He has things like Transformers, Pokeman and Sponge Bob shoved down his throat in hopes that it will help him connect with his peers. When we walk through ‘Toys R Us,’ I watch what other six-year-old boys are begging their mothers for. When they drop to the ground in a temper tantrum, I step over their kicking feet to reach for that very item for “number one son.” If that is what typical six-year-old boys desperately want, then that is what my boy shall have.

Four years of undergraduate study, a two year Master’s degree, three years of Law School and a year of Law Articles - I imagined these credentials would land me a hot job on Bay Street. Picture me: swanky suit, power lunches, lipstick dabbled to perfection, BlackBerry reminding me, minute by minute, of how important I am. Just look at me in those Manolo Blahnik heels, cute and clever, heading into court!

Reality check: I just had my fifth baby and my eldest, who recently turned seven, has autism. My lifestyle standards went through a slight adjustment. Now my measure of a successful day is if I get through it without smelling like baby pee or toddler puke.The vision of Manolo Blahniks has transformed into the reality of fuzzy bunny slippers.

It did not take me long to realize that a legal career does not particularly accommodate women with small children, especially children with special needs. This is not to say that I don’t use my fine tuned legal skills on a daily basis, the definitions have just altered. “Advocacy” now involves being an expert on School Board policy. I know what rights the Education Act provides. I write to Members of Parliament, I protest in the rain,on the front lawn of Queens Park, for autism funding. And let me tell you, my skills in “negotiation” are constantly put to the test in my daily life with five children!

There’s a fantastic poem* that compares having a child to planning a trip to Italy. You and all your friends are going there so you buy all the gear for your trip, learn some Italian and plan to check out the Coliseum. Everyone is going to the same place and seeing the same things. Then you have a child with a disability. You didn’t land in Italy with all your friends. You are in Holland. You have to learn a different language, become part of a different culture and meet different people. But once you get used to Holland, you see that there are tulips, windmills and Rembrandts. It’s not where you wanted to go, but you are there and it’s not so bad.

When we have kids, there are no guarantees. I am not on Bay Street, but in Holland. “Number one son” brought us to Holland and it is a place we now love because we are there with him. It’s not as glamorous as Rome, but we wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

*”Welcome to Holland” by Emily Pearl Kingsley

Julie Cole, LL.B, M.A. is one of the founding mompreneurs of Mabel’s Labels and the mother of five children

Personable Pets Dog Training presents Bringing Home Baby! This workshop is for anyone that will be introducing a new baby to their resident dog. This includes expecting parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and even adoptive parents - anyone whose dog will come into contact with the new baby.

This is NOT a dog training class. During the workshop we will discuss what participants should do to prepare their dogs, and themselves, for change in the household routine.
Not sure this workshop is for you?
- Are you concerned with your dog’s behavior around strangers or children?
- Is he out of control? Does he jump, pull on the leash or steal items?
- Is he easily stressed during a storm or noisy event? When kids are running?
- Does he guard or protect his food, bed or toys?

If you answered YES to any of these questions - then this workshop is for you. The Bring Home Baby Workshop is April 15th at Fox Hall in Louisburg, Kansas. The cost is only $10 per participant. Additional information, including on-line registration, is available at PersonablePets.com

 This weekend, the BabyBumps.net team will be attending the Just Between Friends Overland Park Spring Sales Event! This is a HUGE children’s and maternity consignment sales event! By attending, you can shop smart and support local Kansas City charities in the process. It’s easy and fun!

Line up Friday morning to shop the thousands of gently used brand name items, including: clothing, cribs, strollers, books, movies, toys, maternity, outdoor equipment, swings and infant essentials. Sunday there is a 1/2 price sale on most items. You will be amazed at the treasures you will find. It’s an event that you won’t want to miss!

Hours: Friday 9am-6pm, Saturday 9am-6pm & Sunday (1/2 price sale) 9am-1pm



CLICK HERE TO PRINT THIS COUPON (PDF)

Click here to visit the JBF Sale website for more information!

Hope to see you there!!!