The Nursery

Setting up your nursery can be a lot of fun for everyone. But I have come across a few things that might help with the set up.
If you want to paint the room keep in mind it is a place where your baby should be relaxed and able to sleep. Too much stimulation in their room and they won’t be able to. Keep the walls and curtains soft flat colours.
When choosing a change table, try and get one with a padded over, side rails, and shelves. Covering the change table with a towel is a great idea (especially in the first few months, guaranteed bubs will 'go to the toilet' whenever you take their nappy off), towels are easy to wash and you generally already have quite a few of them. Stocking the change table is always fun as well but you might end up rearranging it once you have changed bubs a lot. Sections in the change table to hold all your lotions and potions are always handy. In terms of what lotions and potions to have it is really up to you but generally nappy rash cream (not baby powder, especially for girls, as it can get inside and just sits there and can create problems) and your wipes are the main ones. You may also like a moisturiser and/or baby oils. Don’t forget to have a large section for nappies ie. the shelf and maybe keep a change of clothes handy just in case the ones they are wearing get soiled while changing.
A toy chest can defiantly be kept in the room but again, try and keep it simple, and closed when bubs is sleeping.
A lot of baby monitors these days come with night lights, video monitors and exciting things but as long as it does the job for what you want it doesn’t matter on the brand. As long as your comfortable what difference does it make? We have a simple one with a night light and 2 handsets (one for our room and another to have anywhere else which can be worked on batteries, handy if you go outside).
Your baby will sleep a lot (hopefully) so make sure your get a cot which is safe with small gaps between the rails. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) can be very scary but reducing the risk is key. There are a few guidelines for safe sleeping you should try and follow. The below information is from the SIDS website so for more information check out the website.
- From birth sleep your baby on its back
- Keep the cot clear; don’t have toys, bumpers, pillows or doonas
- Avoid exposing the baby to tobacco smoke
- Keep the baby is a safe sleeping environment for the first 6-12 months next to your bed, either in the cot or a bassinet.
- Your baby should sleep with its feet close to the end of the cot (as pictured) this will avoid your baby wriggling under its blankets
There is a brochure you can download called Keeping Your Baby Safe which is designed to help make sure your child's nursery is a safe place.

Gluten Free Pancakes

I havnt tried these but I found the recipe on the lifestylefood website and they just look delicious!

Ingredients

• ½ cup buckwheat flour
• ½ cup rice flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tbs white sugar
• 1 egg, separated
• 1 cup gluten-free soy milk
• pinch of salt
• 1 tbs oil

Method

1. Sift the flours and baking powder into a bowl. Add the salt and sugar and make a well in the middle. Pour the egg yolk, milk and oil in and whisk well until just combined.
2. Whisk the egg white until peaks form and gently fold into the batter. Let the batter rest for 20 minutes.
3. Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium heat and spray with oil. Drop tablespoons of the batter onto the pan. Cook the pancakes until bubbles appear on the top side and then flip it over. Cook for another minute or so until golden.
4. Serve immediately with your choice of topping

Of course I'm sure you can subtitute ingredients ie. the gluten free soy milk to full cream or lite milk.

Celebrate Mooroolbark Festival

This festival is an annual community event in March.
This year the festival kicks off on Friday March 25th 7.30pm with a Talent Quest at the Mooroolbark Community Hall, tickets are $5 which includes a supper. Wanting to perform? Contact Jacqui Walker.

On Saturday March 26th, entry to the festival is free, there are stage acts, performers, competitions, rides and fun activities such as an animal farm which is also free! There is a market, information stalls, food and drinks, and local produce for sale. If your after more information and the program, visit the website.

Grab your picnic rug and make a day of it!

Moonlight Cinema

This is one of my favorite relaxing night outs with a group of my friends and with some great movies coming up in the program it's a win win situation!
Melbourne's Moonlight Cinema is located in the Royal Botanic Gardens, on Birdwood Avenue in Melbourne.
Pack a picnic (including alcohol) or purchase food/drink there, hire a bean bag or bring cushions, blankets and rugs, you can even bring the dog. What more could you want?

Click my links above for more info.

The Library

My new best friend is the library. I know that might sound sad but I think it is the central hub for the community. The library generally holds information sessions and family events to get people involved in the community. Check out your library events calendar to find out more.
My local libraries hold events such as:
Computer Help
Beginners Internet Training
Multicultural Interaction Group
Chinese Friendship Group
Auslan Toddler Storytime
Bright Star for Babies 4-6mths
This is just to name a few. Many of the events are free or really cheap! For more information on the Eastern Regional Libraries events, go to the website.

And dont forget the lilbrary is a great source for ideas to entertain the kids while learning. Of course there are books but you can also borrow magazines, DVD's and CD's for both parents and kids. You can also borrow books/magazines/DVD's/CD's from other library branches just by placing holds on them and it gets brought to your local library.
You may also find your library will have local magazines (Mine has the Melbourne Child) and papers as well as pamphlets - generally just inside the door.
Dont forget about the library - its free!