are you ready for the long weekend?

Make sure you're ready for the long weekend! We have lots of summer essentials in stock!

• SALUS PFDs - including the Bijoux baby life vest for infants 9-25lbs
• BABY BANZ - sun glasses, swim suits & hats with UV protection

Plus more!! Stop in on your way to the lake, paddling pool, or the neighbour's backyard!

Lots of Great Stuff

Fall merchandise is starting to arrive! Crazy to think that Fall is just around the corner - we've hardly had a summer! But, we have some great new arrivals! For Mom-to-Be: fantastic fashions from Olian Maternity. For Babies & Toddlers: Cool clothing by Appaman, including puffy vests and graphic long-sleeve tees! New stock will be arriving daily, so come check it out!

ps- word is that a box from MATT & NAT arrived today - can't wait to see all the new diaper bags and purses that we ordered back in March!!

we're looking for a sales associate

Our Sales Associate Robin will be going on Mat. Leave in September . . . so once again, we are looking to fill this position. Pass this on to anyone you think might be suitable & interested!

CRAVINGS MATERNITY & BABY BOUTIQUE is looking for a hard-working, outgoing, friendly and reliable SALES ASSOCIATE to work 3 days per week (including at least 2 Saturdays/ month).

Suitable & interested candidates should bring in their resumes to Rebecca at CRAVINGS - 8th & Preston.
Thanks!!

retired ROBEEZ 25% OFF

some of the new fall 2008 collection soft-soled shoes & TREDZ from ROBEEZ came in this week. in order to make room for these new styles, all the 2008 spring & summer styles (that haven't been carried over to next season) are 25% OFF. hurry in - at this price they won't last long!!

2 weeks already!

well today layla had her first doctors appointment. she has gained 2 oz since birth and everything looks great! i can't believe she is almost 2 weeks old already. somehow things seem easier this time around. don't get me wrong, i am exhausted...and my husband is still at home to help out with our 3 year old daughter, ryan. next week will be a true test for me (not to mention that we are also moving in to our new home next week...why do we do this to ourselves?). i am just far more relaxed with things, which i am extremely happy about!

i'm off to enjoy a few minutes of reading us weekly while my husband takes the girls for a walk!

j

some new products

Just thought I'd let you all know about a few new things at CRAVINGS!
- Contessa nursing bras - super sexy (and practical)
- Baby Banz UV swimsuits in 3 new adorable styles - diva camo, nordic camo & aqua
- Drip Sticks - popsicle/ice cream cone holder that keeps kids mess-free while enjoying a summer treat
R.

my new favorite thing

ever tried lily padz? i didn't know about them while i was nursing my first daughter, but had heard so many positive comments from customers in our store that i thought i would give them a try. i love them! i'm not sure how well they would have worked for me when my milk was coming in, but now that i am somewhat stabilized, they're working great! i love that they are re-usable and provide a seamless look. definitely my new favorite thing!

off to get some rest before the next feeding!

a good night's sleep

well, we had another good night last night. i'm always afraid to say that becuz the minute you say things are going well, it turns around! i'm feeling pretty good, but probably overdoing it a bit. we're moving in 2 1/2 weeks and there is so much to be done before that. guess i don't have to have all of my bathroom accessories before we move in, but us type A people can't leave anything until the end. i was out for 3 hours shopping when layla was 4 days old and i'm paying for it now. i need to learn to sit for awhile...something i have never mastered. but on the flip side, that's how cravings was born. my first daughter was 4 months old when becca and i started planning...so good things do come of my neuroticism!

we're off to get photos done today. better start getting ready to go now, it seems to take 3 hours to get out of the house now...my new reality!

j

another buying show

Well, I'm off to Regina first thing in the morning to buy our Baby & Mini MEXX for the Winter months. It's kind of depressing having to think about the cold winter months, when we've hardly had much of a summer. But, the upside is getting to check out all the hot new styles & colours in the baby fashion world! It's exciting to get a glimpse into the upcoming trends.
I'm flying down to Regina for the day courtesy of WestWind Aviation - they gave us a complementary return ticket in honour of our SABEX awards. It was so thoughtful & generous of them - I really appreciate it!
R.

another must-have

Went to the store (again) today...picked up a second Miracle Swaddling blanket. For those of you with a newborn or looking for the perfect gift, this is definitely a must-have! Also picked up our Peg Perego bouncy chair. Haven't set it up yet, but will let you know what I think.

www.miracleblanket.com

Layla is 4 days old today. I'm thinking the exhaustion is now setting in. A little more sleep would be great, but all in all everything is going well!

Off for another feed!

sunshine - where are you?!?!?!

What's up with our weather?!?!? This morning was beautiful - and now there's a storm warning in effect!! I'm hoping summer comes any day now - I need some Vitamin D!
R.

Our store re-organization continues! This afternoon I met our handyman Steve at Cravings and we moved a few things around and put up a new wall system for our bras & nursing tanks. We are trying to do whatever we can to maximize our space and make our store as customer-friendly as we can! We hope to have this project completed in the next few weeks - please bear with us as we move things around.
R.

well, night #1 wasn't so hot. i'm actually feeling pretty good considering i didn't get much sleep. little one has decided to fall asleep while i'm feeding her...i thought bigger babies were supposed to be more alert and feed better? i have high hopes for little layla. after all, during the latter part of my pregnancy, i was in complete agony. makes sense now that i know she was 9 lbs! so...i figure she owes me!! we will see about that!

i do have to tell you about my favorite purchase from the store. my monte luca glider chair is AMAZING!! i have seriously never sat in something so comfortable. i sold a tonne of them in the store, but now i could sell twice as many now that i've actually used it. A MUST HAVE! the great thing about this glider chair is that i will easily be able to use it in my home afterwards...no garage sale or consignment for this chair.

off to get ready for a bbq tonight. have to introduce my little pricess to our friends!

here's to a (hopefully) night of zzzzzz!

finally at home with babe!

just a quick note before i head off to bed to try and get some sleep...not sure what the first night at home will be like with our beautiful baby girl!

so far so good. things feel so familiar even though my oldest daughter is already 3.

look forward to keeping you updated!

good night!

I can't believe how busy it is with babies right now! At least 3 new mommas stopped in to Cravings on their way home from the hospital today! A gal whose mother works on labour & delivery told me that 44 babies were born yesterday!?!?! No wonder Jordana had to wait to get a room!

Jordana and baby Layla are now settling in at home - I'm sure the nurses were happy to see her go . . . so they could give her bed to someone else!!

The baby is here . . . all nine pounds of her!
Jordana had a little (well, not so little) girl early this morning - Layla Dylan. Mom and baby are both doing great!

More great stuff at CRAVINGS:

Sweet Pea Glass Bottles with Neoprene "Pea Pod" Sleeve - 5oz. & 10oz. bottles and sleeves now available!

This was one of the first days in a long time that I wasn't at the store - even to stop by! Word is, that the highly anticipated KLEEN KANTEENS have arrived!!!

• The reusable, lightweight, and risk free stainless steel Klean Kanteen® was introduced in 2004 to encourage better health, hydration, and environmental responsibility.
• Better Health: Klean Kanteens are made from #304 stainless steel, the material of choice in the food processing, dairy, and brewery industries. Stainless steel is easy to clean, durable, inert, sanitary, toxin-free, and non-leaching.
• Hydration: It’s vital for life.
• Environmental Responsibility: Klean Kanteens are the stainless steel alternative to plastics. Plastics in landfills and oceans are one of the most alarming of today’s environmental stories.
• The Klean Kanteen has won over thousands of people concerned with making healthy choices for their bodies and natural environment. Join them in their efforts and try a Klean Kanteen. Stainless steel Klean Kanteens outlast their plastic counterparts and drinking water from a stainless steel Klean Kanteen tastes clean and odor free, unlike drinking from plastic which often makes water smell and taste undesirable.

Meredith, Lindsay & Robin were busy today at the store rearranging everything. Come check out the new and improved layout - it looks great! Thanks girls!

Still a work-in-progress though - hopefully we'll have everything re-organized soon!

The Ehrenberg showhome in Stonebridge that featured a CRAVINGS nursery has been sold. So, we have an antique black crib and matching designer chest (from College Woodwork) available immediately - both pieces for $1250! Let us know if you are interested - I think these will go quickly!!

Another busy day at CRAVINGS!!
- a huge order arrived from Peg Perego (strollers, carseats & highchairs)!
- Pella LeDrew, from the Saskatchewan Prevention Institute, came to check out and take photos of the 3 new BRITAX carseats.
- lots of customers loving the air conditioning (and all the great stuff at the store, of course).
- a tonne of telephone calls
- but . . . NO BABY yet!

Today I spent the afternoon at MD AMBULANCE on Melville St. (near Stonebridge) at a carseat clinic. These monthly clinics, which are now by appointment only, are a great way to have your carseat checked by a certified carseat technician. The purpose of these free clinics is not simply an easy way to have your carseat installed by someone else, but intended to teach parents and caregivers how to properly use and install their restraint systems and safely secure their children in their vehicles.

I am happy to report that the majority of carseats I checked were being used for infants and children of the appropriate age and weight, and within the recommended time period (carseats do expire - most between 6 & 8 years from the manufacture date). Most of the parents and caregivers that I met with today had done a fairly good job of installing their carseats themselves and were very receptive to the suggestions we made.

It is amazing how every combination of carseat and vehicle is different. Because of this, the very best thing you can do when installing a child's restraint system is to refer to both your vehicle's instruction manual and the carseat's instruction manual.

TRANSPORT CANADA
http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/childsafety/menu.htm

SASKATCHEWAN PREVENTION INSTITUTE
http://www.preventioninstitute.sk.ca/home/Program_Areas/Childhood_Injury_Prevention/Child_Passenger_Safety/

SGI (including list of upcoming carseat clinics)
http://www.sgi.sk.ca/sgi_pub/road_safety/child_restraints.htm

SAFE KIDS CANADA
http://www.sickkids.ca/SKCForParents/section.asp?s=Safety+Information+by+Topic&sID=10774&ss=Child+Passenger+Safety&ssID=11330

last week we got our very first shipment of the new TSIP (true side impact protection) carseats from BRITAX. they are selling very well already!

a few people this week have been torn between the MARATHON carseat and the new BOULEVARD carseat. both are designed to be used rear-facing for infants 5-30lbs and forward-facing for toddlers 20-65lbs (at least 1 year old & can pull themselves to standing). and of course, both are fantastic, nice looking and SAFE seats. BUT . . . for only $30 more, the Boulevard offers the TSIP and you can adjust the strap height without having to unthread the straps (a great feature, especially for our weather when your child may grow or shrink depending on the weather). the downside of the new BOULEVARD is that it doesn't come in the adorable cowmooflage, ashley floral or crocodile prints.

come and check them out for yourself!!