New to Ottawa

[OttawaMama2008]

HI there- just moved to Ottawa in April... am expecting our first in July and am looking to meet other mamas in the area to socialize with and get outside and enjoy what the city has to offer.

I am active and am trying to keep cool by swimming as much as possible with the heat!

Give me a shout!

[MaybeGracie]

Hello and welcome! I live in Ottawa as well. :) I'd love to meet other moms who live here.

[OttawaMama2008]

Thanks for the reply... if you are interested in meeting up sometime, I have been enjoying walking on the canal (also doing strollercise through Boomerang kids) swimming and exploring the city.
At 8 months pregnant, I am slowing down a bit- but I am trying to keep busy to keep active.
I also love to bake and do cooking with my husband- something tells me though that with the heat I may just be laying out in the backyard in a kiddie pool!!! What are your interests???
Ottawamama2008

[MaybeGracie]

I've done the strollercise once - I really should have kept up with it! With my son, I enjoy going for walks, swimming, and going to parks. I'm interested in checking out some of the wading pools and spalsh pads in Ottawa. I'm a big fan of libraries. Other than that, I'd love to explore the city, see what's out there.

[OttawaMama2008]

Well if you want to meet up for tea sometime- I would love too...maybe we could hit the saturday market?

Erin- ottawamama2008

[MamaDaednu]

I'm in for a meet up!

[Irish]

I would also love to meet up! I have 2 DD's (12 years and 17 months) and another on the way in October.

[OttawaMama2008]

Hello there all the Ottawa Mamas! I must have been side tracked lately and not been on this site for a week or so! I am due with my first on july 18th and have been trying to beat the heat with lots of swimming and resting in the afternoons with some AC!

I am still interested in meeting moms in the city- but as my due date approaches I am just on stand by... and also slowing down with my energy level.

I would like to be realistic and connect with moms sometime in Aug. when I have gotten the swing our things with our new son. A swim, or a day at the market, even lunch at a park would be great!

I hope to connect back soon... wish me luck!

Erin
Ottawamama2008

[momma-d]

First...best birthin' vibes to you Erin!

And...we're moving to Ottawa (first to Stittsvile with my ILs until we close on our house in Katimavik at the end of August) in a few weeks! I've got a 23 month old DD and we'd *totally* be up for a hang out!

I'll definitely check back on this thread to see what's up once we get into town...let's make this happen! It'd be so nice to meet other like-minded mommas :love

[OttawaMama2008]

So great to hear from all you other mamas out there. So I am officially over due (July 18th) and trying to walk/swim/eat spicy foods/ make lots of love.... and get this baby boy out!

I am so excited to meet other moms in the area and keep a great network of women and support.

We are under a bit of stress as we are desperately looking for a place to live for September. I guess we forgot that we would be in competition with students as well.... I am trying not to worry too much about it and believe that something will come about... but with my hormones raging- its easy to anxious. Looking for a place that will suite us for a few years to come.. and not break us money wise! We are even open to looking in Quebec- lots of places there too!

Okay- I will connect back with this thread after our son is born. Looking forward to meeting some (or all) of you in the upcoming months.


Erin

[sanguine_speed]

Erin, try not to get too anxious! More than half of first babies are more than a week "late". He'll get here soon!

[Qbear'smama]

Hi mamas,
I found out today we (myself, DH and DD) are moving to Ottawa in September, (got a job offer this afternoon) I am hoping I can meet some likeminded mamas my daughter and I can spend some fun time with. She is 2 years, 4 months and very sociable, like me! So if anyone has any recommended locales to meet some moms n tots, other resources you like, please let me know!
And Erin's baby boy must be here, yay!:bgbounce

[Jane456]

We moved to Ottawa last summer and went through much of the same thing... Here is a local Yahoo group for Ottawa AP moms - lots of good discussion and they do arrange playgroups from time to time. I've been working full time since we got here, so not able to do much. But hopefully come October when I start Mat leave again, I'll get to know all of you! :)

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Ottawa_AP_Playgroup/?yguid=316282233

[momma-d]

I joined that group and there's a playdate coming up on the 25th at Dovercourt...we'll be there! :love

Also...I was thinking of hosting a play-date sometime after we move into our new place and get settled in (maybe Septemberish?). Any takers? Our digs are in Kanata (Katimavik), so easy Queensway access...:wink
I'd love to have some like-minded mommas over for a hang.

[fridgeart]

We're in the west end too. I have a 3 year old DD and am due today! I'd love to meet more local mamas.

[star*mora]

thanks for posting the yahoo groups link!

anyone been to the koala mamas meetings at milkface?

am in west centretown. work evenings and weekends but am at home weekdays with my bub so am up for meeting up sometime!

[MaybeGracie]

I'm in Ottawa south but can drive to a meetup pretty much anywhere in the city. I'm at home all day with my son and would love to get together with some other like-minded moms.

Haven't been to the Koala Mamas meetings at Milkface yet, but I've been meaning to. Anyone here go to them?

[MamaDaednu]

How's it going, mamas?


I'll bet your enjoying your babymoon, fridgeart.

[Katie063008]

The next Koala Mamas is Sept. 3 at 10or 1030, I can't remember. It's posted on the milkface website. I wanted to go, but my daughter has a dr appointment that afternoon and I'm afraid to make it too busy a day for her. We don't have a car, so everything takes a bit longer on the bus and one busy thing a day is about all I can handle lol. If any one wants to get together in Ottawa though, let me know. My daughter is still really young 7.5 weeks but soon will want play mates! I live in centretown/golden triangle area.

[OttawaMama2008]

Hello everyone- I am slowly getting back into the swing of things since my son Emil Reuben was born on July 25th. He is beautiful and growing so much in 4 weeks!!! Must be all the breastmilk! Everything went well, and my mom spent almost 3 weeks with us (she came in from BC) she is gone now and my husband and I are gearing up for our move- we found an amazing spot in Beachwood area and we are thrilled to be moving now! I thought that maybe we could arrange a meet up with babes in tow- possibly somewhere in town, I dont have a car... maybe we could all agree on a central location for everyone.

Looking forward to meeting you all... maybe mid month would work for most of us!!! This is such a great network to meet fellow mamas!

Take care- Erin :joy:

[MaybeGracie]

Congratulations, Erin! I'm so glad to hear things are going well with your new little boy.

I have a car and September's a pretty quiet month for me, so I'd definitely be up for meeting mid month with you guys!

[Megan73]

Hey Erin,
Congrats on your new son and new home.
My little one was born Aug. 2. I'd love to meet up with other mamas somewhere central next month. (I'm car-less too, but in Old Ottawa South.)
If we have mamas coming with older kids, there's a great playground at Brewer Park (with a water feature, bathrooms, picnic tables etc.) and the #7 bus stops right in front of it.

[fridgeart]

Another new baby here too-August 17th!
We're up for a September gtg too ;)

[mummy2zavin]

Wow there are quite a few of us. That is awesome. I am due October 24 with bebe #2 but I think it will be early like my 1st one. I would love to meet up with some other moms. I have been in Ottawa for 3 years now.

[OttawaMama2008]

Wow! I keep saying to my hubby how excited I am that I started this thread and to meet more moms in the city! We are in the midsts of boxes and baby stuff... moving this friday- and even though my apartment is in chaos, I can't wait to move!!!
We have only been in this apartment in centretown since may- and were told by our landlord that it was a quiet building... not so!!! Unfortunately, we are 1 out of 6 suites that DONT party all night on week nights! Yikes!
Luckily, we found a great, quiet apartment/suite in Beechwood that is so much more suited for our family. :joy:

Once we are settled, then I would love to meet you all, or at least some of you for some time at a park or a coffee somewhere. Throughout my 3rd trimester, I walked with a group called strollercise (through boomerang kids). It was a great way to meet moms (though I was the only preggy one!) but it was a great way to meet people as I was new to the city. I totally recommend it to anyone wanting to get back into shape, or just to get out and walk in the fresh air.
I am trying to get back into it now with my son, but with the move and everything... I have been slow going!

I wanted to also put out there that I love to bake and cook meals in the fall... so if anyone wants to join, it may be a fun afternoon activity for a group of mamas!:eat:

Take care everyone, and I will be looking forward to a september visit. Erin

[star*mora]

i'd be up for a september meet up if it can be during the day
i work evenings and weekends but am all day with the bub. i do have cousins coming in from ireland who will be first in toronto with my parents and then coming to ottawa so not sure of exactly when i will be playing tour guide

am in west centretown, have a car but love going for long walks so could walk for a meet up some time.

[momma-d]

I'd host a gtg! :D We're in Kanata (just moved in last weekend). We have a big yard with lots of trees and there's plenty of room to play!
Erin...where are you? There's a Boomerang Kids right near us (we're in Katimavik)...on Eagleson.

How fun! I'm looking forward to meeting more like-minded mommas here, too (just moved from the States).

We're going out of town the weekend of the 20th, but any other time in mid September would work...you'd all just have to be ok with our house the way it is (there'd probably still be boxes around :p )

[mommymia]

Hi everyone!

I also live in Ottawa (Barrhaven) and would love to meet some other new moms in the area. I have a 2 year old son (April 2006) and a little girl born on July 10th of this year. I have a car so am able to meet anywhere.

Hope to meet you all soon!

[Qbear'smama]

Congrats to all the new mommies!! We (myself, husband and daughter) are moving to the area (Gatineau) this weekend; I will be working in Ottawa. My little girl is two years old (April 2006) and we would looooove to meet up with everyone later in September. I have a car and can meet anywhere, if it's on a map, I can find it. I am dying to get settled and have some fun with the little ones!! :thumb

[OttawaMama2008]

hey mamas!!!

Emil is snuggled in my arms right now so I'm typing with one hand! so great to see all the mamas who want to meet up. can I suggest for the first visit to meet somewhere in ottawa? then maybe for future visits at one of the moms' home (who kindly offered!)
being on transit can be a bit much traveling out of the city- maybe once we get to know each other we could arrange a carpool...

how does friday the 26th sound to folks? as i get to know the city, i don't know all the parks yet...any suggestions??? we could all bring a small snack to share and hang out and chat. if the weather is not good, we could meet at a good coffee shop (something other than SB)

we have a few weeks to brainstorm.... i will check back in a few days.
who's in???

erin:wink

[mommymia]

Count me in! The 26th sounds great!

I like Megan's suggestion of Brewer Park. I'll probably only bring the baby this time, but it does have a great playground for those with older kids.

[Megan73]

The 26th is good for me, too. Name the time and place!
(BTW, if it does rain, we could meet at Bridgehead – there's one two blocks from the park at Bank and Grove.)

[MaybeGracie]

The 26th works for me too. Count me in! I have a car so I'm pretty flexible on where we meet. Brewer Park sounds good to me.

[Qbear'smama]

I'd be in for the 26th, but I work in the daytime and so could only be there if it's in the late afternoon. If you're all wanting to meet in the day, I could always make the next one...let me know.

[momma-d]

We'd come! Brewer Park is nice :thumb

What time's everyone thinking? I can pretty much do whenever, since I'm not WOH...

Off to mark the calendar...

[star*mora]

i might be able to do the 26th too, it's about an hour's walk for brewer park, maybe an 8 minute drive for me and the bub.

i like bridgehead too, and also the new umi cafe (okay different area, but good vibes!)

am not sure what time i am working in the evening yet, but might actually work!

hope so.

[fridgeart]

I can make the 26th too. If it's in the morning, it'll be just me and my newborn (E has preschool til 11.30). If it's in the afternoon, we can all make it ;)

I'll be at Brewer tomorrow morning too, til about 11.30ish, as an aside (unless it's crappy out).

[OttawaMama2008]

hey everyone...

just as I was reading everyone's reply, I realized that my son and I have a doctors appointment that day at 1:30pm.... (which we have been so grateful just to get a doctor here!!!)

is there anyway that people would be open to meeting on THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 25th???? if not, I will have to miss the first visit and catch the next one around....


:shy

Erin and Emil

[Megan73]

The 25th is fine with me – as is any day that week except Wed. when I have a mom and baby yoga class.
What time?
I hope other folks can make it!

[MaybeGracie]

Thursday the 25th is fine with me! :)

[momma-d]

We can do the 25th as well...we're flexible.

I'd be up for any time during the day, really...just name the time:D

[sanguine_speed]

I'd like to say 'hi' here, but I cannot do playdates these days. DD1 gets out of school at is picked up at 2:30, dd2 gets out at 10:30 and ds naps before 10:30 and after lunch. So, it's just not possible for the next year or two :eyesroll.

But have a great time and I will definitely host at my place when we move next summer!

[proudmamanow]

oh I'd like to come if I can--I am home with dd1 (3) and dd2 (5.5 months) right now. But we're in Aylmer and have only sporadic vehicle access. Still I'll try to make it, we love Brewer Park and used to go there often when we lived in Sandy Hill.

[joeys_mom]

I'd like to meet up with you all too. Where is Brewer Park? What day and time have you all settled on?

Thanks

[star*mora]

I'd like to meet up with you all too. Where is Brewer Park? What day and time have you all settled on?

Thanks

Brewer park is the south-central part of the city - bronson and sunnyside basically - across from carleton university.

i don't know if anything's been settled but thurs morning is fine for me, and friday too.

we're in west centretown so it's about an hour's walk but i hate being in a car when it's supposed to be a beautiful day!

so we'll either have the wagon and the sling or mei tai, or the jogging stroller and the sling or mei tai so the bub can start his nap on the walk home.

i nurse callum around 730-8ish but am good to go after that.

[OttawaMama2008]

hey all you mamas- thank you to those who were open to meeting on the thursday 25th instead of the friday 26th....

if folks are still into getting together at brewer park, why dont we say to meet between 11:45am-noon. I have never been there so I dont know if there is a playground or picnic benches etc. but i am sure if there are moms walking around aimlessly with slings and babes and wagons, we will find one another.

my son has been having a rough go with bf feeding just lately. he is 9weeks on friday and in the last week or two he has been choking on the milk and throwing up tons. It breaks my heart to see his little lips blistered... I know that my latch has gone wrong somewhere, so we are in touch with a public health nurse and a LC. we are hoping someone will be able to come over tomorrow. if for some reason we cant get anyone till thursday, i may have to miss the get together... :(
I dont want him to have any problems with his bf when he is needing comfort the most after his 2 month shots on friday--

so I hope to meet some or all of you on thursday at brewer park. i hope that time works well with you all.... if it doesnt- is there a better time that day?

I will check into the thread before thursday.

take care everyone...
Erin and Emil:2bfbaby:

[Megan73]

I'll be there! There are covered picnic tables at Brewer where we could meet.
I hope to see you there, Erin.
(And good luck with the LC. I've struggled with BF my little guy, who has painful reflux, so I know how tough it is to see your little one suffering.)

[star*mora]

good luck with the lactation consultant

took 2.5mths for callum to latch - thankfully the pump worked out til then - bf can be really a tough go!

thurs or fri morning are fine for me, but am not free in the afternoon. work fri afternoon/eve and thurs aft the window guys are coming (gotta love old houses and their needs!)

if we can meet earlier, i am there

[OttawaMama2008]

would folks rather we meet around 10am?

[fridgeart]

I can't be there til 12ish...so please let me know if you'll be leaving around then! Normally we're available in the mornings, just not this week ;)
I'll be there with a blonde 3 year old girl and a newborn boy (no carnation in my lapel though) ;)

[MaybeGracie]

I'm good at either 10 or 12 tomorrow. 12-ish might be better, but either way's okay, just let me know and I'll see you guys there.

[OttawaMama2008]

HI everyone... it is hard to pick a time that works for everyone- we will have to have a few visits so that everyone is able to meet up :joy:

It seems that morning is better for some after early afternoon is better for others.

How about we just say this visit will be 10am at Brewer Park- I hope that is okay with folks!

Hopefully there will be some of you that can make it. Emil and I will be there, I will most likely have him in my snuggly. And since I haven't been to the park I will be walking around looking for you all, after I get off the bus.

okay, looking forward to meeting up.

Take care, Erin and Emil:thumb

[MaybeGracie]

Great!! I'll see you guys tomorrow at 10am. I've never been to Brewer Park either. We'll drive and park there so I'll be walking around with my little boy with the crazy blonde hair that makes everyone think he's a girl despite his very "boyish" clothes (lol). Maybe I'll hang around the covered picnic tables that Megan mentioned?

[star*mora]

sounds good. i always wear a cloth head band/scarf (i know lazy
see you all around 10am

callum is not into the mei tai this week so we are going to have our red jogging stroller and my organic cloth sling (off white colour).

i think the walk is about an hour from somerset and booth so i may be a few min early/late depending on my guess-timate

arlene

[star*mora]

cynthia erin and megan - it was great to meet you and the bubs!
callum crashed on the walk home so i have a chance to post a note

hope to do it again soon, erin enjoy your eve in the market with your husband

[Qbear'smama]

What a great day you chose to meet, weather-wise. I'm sad I couldn't come (work, sigh!) I hope that I can meet you guys on the weekend sometime, meeting other moms would be so great...so far we're loving Ottawa/Gatineau and my little one is adjusting well but it's hard when you don't know anyone.

[OttawaMama2008]

hello everyone...
Arlene, Cynthia and Megan it was great to meet you! It would be great if we could do another meet up in the next week or two, at Brewer Park or another location.... and maybe at a different time that would be flexible for others to make it and meet.

The weather was great, and hopefully it holds out and we can bring our babes out into the beautiful fall air. Before it gets :cold:

If those who could not make it have a suggestion of where and when, I am game!!!
Had my son's two month appointment with his shots:(

He did well though and I am close by him all weekend to give him extra love:love

hope you all have a wonderful weekend, I will be checking back to see if another play date will take shape.

Take care everyone
Erin

[momma-d]

Hey All! Sorry I missed this last hangout...I had something come up with my SIL in the morning on Thurs., so we'll have to make it to the next one :D
It's cool that we're starting to get together!

[OttawaMama2008]

Hi everyone- I just sent out a bunch of pm to those mamas who had shown interest in meeting up and didn't make the last get together at brewer park last time. Thinking maybe sometime later in the month after Thanksgiving.

Hope everyone is well and enjoying this amazing weather!!!

Take care,
Erin and Emil (11 weeks!):joy:

[star*mora]

erin
i started a new thread - the next meet up is going to be tomorrow at the butterfly show
one sec i'll attach it

[star*mora]

here it is
http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=976357