This is my 1,001 post on Parent Club (it deserves a cookie in celebration n’est pas?).

So here are some Parent Club fun facts (pay attention – this might be on a trivial pursuit card one day!)

The original Parent Club logo (2007) had a lighthouse on it.  A beacon to families everywhere perhaps?  No, the theme of the site had lighthouses and that is where the logo inspiration began.

Parent Club was named “Parent Club” because I thought that parenthood had all the aspects of a book club without the books.  Adults gathering (virtually) sharing, drinking, eating, traveling, ranting, reviewing, and many other verbs.   Thus, the idea of a book club morphed into Parent Club.

Want to know what Parent Club is about?  I wrote this post all about that.

And amongst the posts in that 1,o00 these are two favourites…

Mourning A Baby is my most personal (and I still cry when I read it).

5 Things To Take To A Blogging Conference (a solid go-to list)

1) Comfortable jeans - With so many jean brands in the marketplace finding your “perfect” fit is simpler.  Choose a higher rise and avoid the low rise jeans.  Think comfort and ease.  You need to be able to move around with your little one in hand.  My favourite style jean is a boot cut dark denim jean.  Easy to dress up or down.

2) Scarves – Adding printed and colourful scarves into your wardrobe is an easy way to dress up even your most boring jeans and t-shirt. With so many fun ways to tie your long scarves it can instantly change your look.

3) Cardigan – Owning a figure flattering cardigan is a must have in every mom’s wardrobe. Choose a neutral colour like black, beige, cream, or grey to allow for maximum versatility. A long hip grazing cardigan is my top pick as it helps elongate your silhouette.

4) Fitted blazer - For any mom on the go owning a tailored blazer is a must. The perfect item to explore the layering trend, your blazer can not only dress up your dark denim jeans but would work with a flowy skirt or even a maxi dress. While the neutral tones are always the best with the spring season upon us choose a colour the suits your skin tone and you will notice an instant pop to all of your basics.

5) Great bag – There are so many different styles and fabrics as a busy mom I would suggest an oversized bag. You want to choose something that you can easily get into with lots of great side compartments for all the important items you need to carry. Black would be a great neutral and leather is always your best option. Look for a textured leather that way and scratches that may happen can easily be hidden.

I know I said 5 items but all of your clothing choices are irrelevant without a proper fitting bra. Your foundation garments are critical to the look of your clothing so take the time and have yourself fitted by an expert, it will make all of the difference.

Erin Nadler from Better Styled Inc has been a featured expert on Canada AM and in Chatelaine (to name but two of her many media fashion expert apprearances.  Check out her site for more fashion tips)  Tweet with her @betterstyled

The great debate:  Breast Vs Bottle feeding.  A heated topic.  In my personal opinion, our role as parents is to feed our children and how one goes about doing that should be their own choice…without judgement.

I’ll be transparent here.  I breastfed.  And I bottle fed.

The best breastfeeding advice I received:  Keep at it (from a fellow Mom).

The best formula feeding advice I received:  all formulas must comply with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s formula standards (from a pharmacist).

Be informed of your choices.  Visit breast feeding clinics, read articles (I like Dr. Jack Newman ), learn about finger-feeding, research formula companies, and talk with medical professionals, doulas, midwives, family and friends.

Sometimes the feeding choice is out of our hands – not enough milk, baby self-weans, medical issues not allowing for breastfeeding (chemo and such) not to mention adoption or failure to thrive.

Perhaps it’s time to take breast Vs formula off the hot topic ticket.  Can we agree with feeding baby is best (however which way you, personally, chose to do so).

If we need to judge…let’s judge how advertisers pitch to parents…

because should a baby this young be holding an Oreo?

Is it right to have to wait 5 months for a baby to see a specialist?  (fine, it is non-emergency but still).  5 months?!

Today was DS’s ENT (that’s Ear, Nose and Throat for those of you playing along) specialist appointment.  Ear infections and babies =  a pain in the neck (forgive the body humour).  So needless to say, this appointment was in RED on my calendar.

8:30 am appointment.  Perfect.  Ignore the small print on the referral which says “plan for 2 hours at the office” – certainly at 8:30am the specialist won’t be running late.  Certainly n’est pas?!

8:30am I am there with DS (DS is for Dear Son for those of you not in-the-know of internet slang *waves hi to Dad*).  I am there with DS and FIVE OTHER PEOPLE.  I, casually and with a great big hey-we’re-all-in-this-together-sort-of-way voice say “We couldn’t possibly all be here for an 8:30 appointment could we?!” 

1 head nod.  1 ”No I’m at 8:45” the others just buried in their phones (probably tweeting about the number of people in the waiting room).

So my stealth math skills figured…2 patients scheduled every 15 minutes.  The doctor didn’t start seeing patients until 9 (already a 1/2 hour behind).

I get time is money.  But health care should be human.

5 months should have been a long enough wait.  Yes Canadian health care is free but you seem to get what you pay for sometimes.