Are you a Southpaw? Happy August 13th Day!

Journeys of The Zoo would like to wish all of our fellow southpaws a Happy International Left Handers Day! Didn't know that the day existed? Never heard of a Southpaw? Here are some fun left-handed facts...

The term southpaw is widely accepted to have it's origins in baseball. Ballparks are often designed so that the batter is facing east, in order that the afternoon or evening sun does not shine in his eyes. This means that left-handed pitchers are throwing from the south side.

Studies suggest that 10% of the world population is left-handed. Left-handedness is more than twice as common in males than females.

I Am Left Handed.

Research into left handed statistics has concluded that where both parents are left-handed, there is a higher chance (around 26%) that they will produce a left-handed child, than two right-hander's (9%).

In turn, the likelihood that Ed (right-handed) and I (left-handed) would create a left-hander is just below 19%. Max is left-handed.

Identical twins share handedness 80% of the time proving that handedness is not solely genetic.

Want to be an honourary leftie? Already are one? See how well you do with this quick quiz...

1. Besides Barack Obama, can you name a left-handed American President?
2. Which one of the Dionne Quintuplets was Left-handed?
3. True or False. Alexander the Great was left-handed.
4. Besides scissors, what's an item that they make specifically for lefties?
5. What makes scissors left or right-handed?
6. True or False. Left handers generally part their hair on the left.

If you know anyone that is Left-handed, be sure to shake their left hand when you wish them a...

"Happy International Left Handers Day"!

Besos, The Zoo

Second Peek Maternity & Undercover Mama Review

When my friend Sarah learned of my second pregnancy, she so graciously bestowed upon me a gift certificate to Second Peek Maternity Boutique.

Excited to get something new for this time around (I'm even more frugal than Sarah), I immediately went to check out their website. I was impressed by the wide range of products (over 20 categories), for pregnancy and beyond.

First, I perused the "Pre-Loved Maternity" clothes to see what was available. I was pleased to see that there was a good range of options in all sizes. Even better was that each item was photographed on a mannequin, which allowed me to see how the item would drape on a pregnant form. In addition to maternity clothing, the boutique carries a wide assortment of mom-invented gear (how cool is that?!) for babies, kids, and moms. All the prices were clearly marked and in CAN$.

After much difficult decision making, I decided on the "Undercover Mama Nursing Tank". I ordered a medium in a practical black (it came in Black, Brown and White). The site recommends ordering a size smaller than your normal size, which I did, and I'm happy to report that the medium fits!

I got out my stash of nursing bras to prove the theory that it will attach to any nursing bra. The tank has two methods with which to attach and I had no trouble hooking it up to the different styles of bras I have. It was a cinch! I suggest you do what I did and view a video of how to use the tank on Second Peek Maternity Boutique's website.

The package was sent expedited service and it only took a few days to arrive. Seeing as I was paying for shipping, I would have liked to see two shipping options; expedited and regular ground mail. For me, time is not of the essense as I'm not due for another six months.

I am so pleased to have this product because I don't relish the opportunity to have my belly hang out while nursing in public, especially in Ontario in February! For the many reasons that I am ready to have the baby (the excitement, an end to the nausea, the visits from family), I can now add nursing in public to that list. Thanks to Undercover Mama and Second Peek Maternity Boutique, I am...

Ready for Baby at Second Peek!

Rene is a regular Contributor at Journeys of The Zoo and received a copy of this product that enabled her to complete this unsolicited review.

  Besos, The Zoo

The Joys of Raising Multiples Guest Post at Creating Comfort.

NOTE: This post was originally written as a Guest Post for Creating Comfort.

Below is what I posted to my site and below that is the text that I Guest Posted. I am including both here in order to have a record of all The Zoo's writings.

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A big thanks to nobody all my followers for providing me with so much blog fodder for my "Raising Multiples" guest post today over at "Creating Comfort".

In case you didn't know, my short bio states "Canadian Mom to a litter..." and while I'm no Cat* I figure that having three kids at one time permits me the use of the term.

*Dictionary.com defines "litter" as: a number of young brought forth by a multiparous animal at one birth: a litter of six kittens.

So as not to confuse myself, allow me to set the scene for my guest post.

1. I had a set of frateral and identical twins at the same time. Two + Two = Triplets,
2. Fraternal twins can be hereditary, however, I do not know that part of my family history because I was adopted.
3. The cause of Identical twins is unknown, however being over the age of 35 increases your chances,
4. I found out early on. At eight weeks gestation, I went in for a midwife appointment and she sent me for an ultrasound. I just thought everyone was in maternity pants at six weeks!,
5. I had no morning sickness. Multiples does not equal more morning sickness,
6. I was HUGE! I measured full-term at 24 weeks gestation and went on to carry for another 6 weeks. In the end, I weighed 193 pounds (up from 125),
7. By the end, I couldn't walk. Unless waddling 10 feet counts.
8. I went into pre-term labour at 30 weeks, 3 days. Average gestation for Triplets is 32 weeks. They don't know why some woman carry longer than others. Height has nothing to do with it. Regardless, I'm of average height (5'5"),
9. It is possible to exclusively breastfeed a litter. I ended up pumping for 17 months.

Now that we have the basics out of the way, hop on over to Brooke's blog, Creating Comfort and see what I had to say about "Raising Multiples".

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Journeys of The Zoo thought that it would be fun if we shared all the nightmares joys that are Raising Multiples so that Brooke and her Family know what to look forward to in a few years.

I'll start out by saying that I don't know if it's harder or easier to raise muliples. This was and is my first and last pregnancy and

Triplets are all I Know.

1. Support helps! For the first two months I had full-time support from my parents and they continue to be regular visitors,
2. I'm thankful for pictures. I hardly remember the first 18 months. Breastfeeding, and dealing with the loss of Alexander kept me busy,
3. Life gets easier, I get busier. Before, I had to transport them everywhere, now, I have to keep them from transporting themselves off the top of furniture on opposite ends of the house,
4. Twice the amount of scheming creativity,
5. I do not have two of everything. Sometimes I wish I did,
6. They share everything. Except one item each,
7. Every night is a sleepover. They love to share a bed (and do almost every night),
8. They have their "own" language. I do not understand it,
9. They can relate to each other. Turning in circles until you fall down and then repeating for 20 minutes is h.i.l.a.r.i.o.u.s. to someone the same age,
10. They are each others best friends.
11. Twice the number of hugs and kisses.

Besos, The Zoo

Guest Post: The Knit Wit Shair Does Her Part for Cancer

Today, for a change of pace, I have Shari from "The Knit Wit Shair" guest posting.

Shari is a mother to three small boys aged 6, 4, and 2, a wife to a wonderfully handy husband, a knitter, and NASCAR fan. She owns The Knit Wit by Shair blog, and a craft business on the side. Her life is crazy busy, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Without further ado, here is a chapter of Shari's story.

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Recently my family has experienced something that no family should have to experience, but so many do.

My Mother was diagnosed with cancer.

After her surgery to remove the tumor, they told her that she would need to have chemo since there was a high risk that it had spread or would come back. It is very common with the type of cancer she has, so she was expecting it, but not fully prepared for the declaration.

The first thing she did was call me, her knitting daughter, and in tears told me she was at the doctor today, and she might need me to knit something. She was having a really dark moment and couldn't even say the word chemo.

At that moment, I jumped on the internet, and searched for chemo cap patterns. I asked on my Facebook Fan page, if anyone had any good patterns as well. That prompted a friend to say she was glad that I was going to make them and asked how much I would charge as her Mom was dealing with the same thing.

That's when a thought hit me.

I knew I could never make money from someone else's suffering, but I couldn't exactly offer my products for free. Hoping that only cancer patients requested the hats. So what I came up with is this.

My chemo caps are priced at $10 per hat, and the full price of each hat will be donated to The Canadian Cancer Society.

I am accepting donations of yarn, or knitting supplies so that I can make these hats at little or no cost, so I can continue to donate the entire purchase price to Cancer research. You most certainly do not need to be a cancer patient to use these hats, either.

Check out my current listings at my SHOP.

If you would like to read more by Shari, be sure to check out her Blog, and on Facebook.

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A big thanks to Shari for sharing such a personal journey with us. I am so impressed by her generous spirit and know that you will support her by sharing her initiative with others.

Let's Put an End to Cancer!

Besos, The Zoo

Thought Last Months Drivel was Bad? This Weeks is Worse!

If you thought last months Journeys of The Zoo drivel was bad, this week's is way worse. Get comfortable and

Bring on the Pepto!

1. I dolled out The Liebster Award to 11 Memorable and Outstanding Blogs,
2. Did you notice that I changed my banner and title layout? Do you like it? There's no charge to comment around here...
3. Max and Artemis have decided to use the washroom for most of their urinary requirements. They're waking up with almost dry diapers at night. We've managed to schedule a "first thing in the morning pee". Perhaps diapers are a thing of the past or have I spoken too soon...
4. I received this leather "Moustache Necklace" in the mail from Yummy Pocket (a Canadian Company). Note the cute little red heart hanging off the end.

   It came in a pretty red bag and recycled paper with green frogs. I like recycling. And the best part, the stamp wasn't stamped. Not that I'd reuse it because that probably isn't allowed...

   Check out her Yummy Pocket Etsy Shop as she has some really cool iPad covers. Hello Commodore 64. Do you think they "tried" to make it rhyme?
   
   

5. Emily from "The Crafty Bees" who designed my website and also kindly offered a giveaway right here at Journeys of The Zoo finished her design for the lucky winner, Ana and it's a beauty!
6. My kids always have to be colour coordinated right down to their hair clips. Yes, I'm one of those Mothers. They don't have to be coordinated with each other, although that would be sweet. If there happens to be a picture of one of them wearing stripes and plaid or blue and green, call the Fashion Police and/or the appliance repair man. We've either been kidnapped by individuals with no fashion sense or the washing machine is broken.
7. I found this website and it's totally Momtastic Canada. While the act of viewing physical words (not their meaning) can't convey a sense of feeling, if they could, you would be sensing that I feel so proud of this announcement, it's like I discovered the site myself! But I didn't.

Besos, The Zoo