MamaTech

Having reviewed a number of baby monitors, I've come to the conclusion there are specific things new parents should look for when picking the one to buy, or one to add to their wish lists. 

1) Video, video, video. I can't stress enough how much it's worth the extra money to opt for a video monitor instead of an audio-only one. With audio, you'll be able to know when baby is crying and needs tending to. But how many new mothers flinch at every tiny whimper, sob, or noise? My guess is 100% of us. With a video monitor, you can simply light up the screen to check if a whimper was nothing or if baby is just crying in his sleep. What's more, there are so many other things today that new moms want to check on: did baby flip over on his tummy again? Did the soother fall out of his mouth? Is the room too hot? (Most video monitors also display useful information like the room temperature. Some even let you set temperature parameters, then alert you if it gets too hot or cold.) Some moms will just look every now and then to see that beautiful rise and fall of the chest. Video monitors might be double the price, but it'll be worth the investment.

2) Pan, tilt, and zoom functions. Even if you strategically mount the camera above the crib, where you can see most of inside, baby always finds a way to stretch or manipulate himself in the oddest positions. If the camera can pan and tilt, you're able to adjust the view so you always have a clear look at baby's face, or see if his leg is stuck in the crib frame. This also comes in handy to use the monitor later on, so your toddler can play in his room while you monitor him from the kitchen or laundry area. Or even to use the camera as a pet or nanny cam. 

3) Simplicity. While there are a ton of Wi-Fi-enabled baby monitors that let you use your smartphone or tablet as the monitor, I still prefer the basic monitor and camera set up. It's simple, can be operated right out of the box by even the most techno-phobic person. You plug in the monitor, plug in the camera, position it, and voila! At most, you'll need to figure out what function each buttons performs. By contrast, Wi-Fi cameras can be complicated to setup, hiccups can happen in the network, and you can end up pulling your hair out. That's the last thing new parents need.

4) Two-way communication. I found I didn't use this function much with my son when he was a baby, but the ability to sooth baby with your voice might come in handy for many. If baby is the type that will instantly fall asleep at the sound of your voice, you can press a button, and speak to baby from a speaker on the camera. And the function can double as an intercom for mommy and daddy, too.

5) Good picture quality. Don't be fooled by the cameras and monitors that promise "high definition." Some aren't very clear, don't have night modes, and create an awful blur effect when panning. Ask to see the image yourself. At least, you want to be able to clearly see if baby's eyes are open or closed, and determine movement. At best, you want a clear view that shows every detail. Colour is even better.

6) Good audio. While video is great, the audio component is still critical. That is what will get you up from a big sleep to tell you that baby is hungry, or cold, or hot, or needs his diaper changed, or just wants to cuddle. Ask to hear the speakers. Most baby monitors, however, have more than acceptable sound quality for the purpose they need to serve.

7) Battery life. If you're going to use the monitor for daytime naps as well, and if you have a relatively big home, you'll want a monitor that can function offer AC power and has decent battery life. That way you can go about handling your chores, and bring the monitor with you to keep a constant, watchful eye on the baby.

I heard about the Ontario Science Centre's temporary Sesame Street: the Body setup while doing research for an article, and instantly knew I had to take my son there. And we did that just this past weekend.

Set up in a dedicated area of the Centre, the exhibit is designed with various Sesame St-themed displays that teach about various parts of the human body, things like digestion, and proper eating habits. As soon as you walk in, you're welcomed by that green door we all know so well as the entrance to the fictional street.

The learning aspect,like the setup that lets you push and pull levers and turn wheels to simulate eating, then digestion, then, excuse the language, poop, is more suited to older kids. But my two-year-old quite liked the exhibits where he could jump to have Grover fly high and ding the bell, turn pedals with his hands to show how one can move his legs to ride a bicycle, and clap, wave, and hop.

Another cool area: a mock restaurant where parents can sit on stools and kids can shop, prepare and serve fake meals. There are rows and rows of fruits, vegetables, meats, and breads, and even a shopping display where kids can scan items, then learn about which foods are good for you and why. Use wooden block pieces to build a massive sandwich, or, for younger kids, learn to identify everything from bananas, to lettuce, tomatoes, and corn. 

If you are your kids watch Sesame Street, you know how how big a deal Elmo's World is. And there's a complete replica of his home in the exhibit, complete with crayon-drawn walls, fish tank, and TV. Seat on bean chair bags and watch Elmo on the TV. 

In a bathroom setup, kids learn to identify items like toothpaste and hair brushes by touching them to activate the sensors. 

While you won't find life-size characters walking around, you will find cardboard cutouts that are perfect for photo ops. 

Once you've spent as much time as you can in the exhibit (an hour is probably sufficient to cover the whole thing), head out to Kidspark, a dedicated area for kids age 8 and under. There are renovations going on now to make it bigger, but still plenty of activities for kids. From a small play place where young kids can jump, crawl, and read books, to a water tank where kids can go play fishing, and a human skeleton where kids can learn about bones in different parts of the body.

The International CES is the largest consumer technology trade show in North America. I've been going every year for the past decade. It's a massive show to cover (over 2 million square feet of exhibit space), though it's in a pretty flashy and fun spot: Las Vegas. 

Funny enough, one of the first things I thought of after hearing my son's due date was "I bet he'll be late and be a 'CES baby.'" Boy, did I ever have it right.

My son was due on December 30, 2011. He didn't arrive (after an induction, at that) until the morning of January 7, 2012. CES always take place during the second week in January. So needless to say, as long as I'm working in tech, I will be missing my son's birthday.

It's a really tough thing to deal with, watching that special day come and go and only being able to celebrate with your son before and after. Kid's birthday parties typically don't take place until a weekend anyway, which means I am always able to hold a big party for him, albeit soon after arriving home, with very little sleep, and having to make all of the preparations ahead of time. Oh yah, right smack dab in the middle of Christmas and New Year's. Fun times. 

All that aside, technology does make the distance a bit easier. I was able to chat with my son daily through FaceTime, got plenty of videos of him wolfing down a cupcake and singing Happy Birthday, and lots of still images of him having fun. It reminds you for what you're working so hard.

And dedicated areas to kids throughout CES illustrate just how big a part kids play today in technology. There was a MommyTech and Kids@Play section at CES this year, showcasing everything from electronic toys, to wearable devices for kids that track steps, high-tech scales for babies and school-aged kids

let,, headphones that limit volume levels for youngens, and tablets for kids. And while the smartphone-controlled cars, airplanes, and robots throughout the show were enjoyed mainly by grown men and women, they are for kids, too.

Being away for a full week was tough. But it was great to see all of the latest and greatest tech toys for both kids and adults.

Oh, and Happy Birthday, Patrick. let the Terrible Twos begin!

Stay tuned for some of my fav tech picks for kids from the show.

Being a tech journalist and someone who has a slight (OK, maybe not so slight) addiction to her smartphone, a portable backup battery charger is a must. All jokes aside, though, it's not just about how much I use my phone, but about how many battery-hogging tasks I accomplish with it. From daily e-mail and instant messaging access, to phone calls, Web surfing, and social networking updates, that alone could easily drain a phone's battery before the day is over. But then you add turn-by-turn navigation if I'm walking or driving somewhere, tethering if I'm using it to get my computer online from outside of the home (where there isn't free Wi-Fi), game play, banking, app downloads, Bluetooth...the list goes on. But nowadays, there's one more think to add to the list: my son playing with the phone.

Yes, even 15-20 minutes of play time on my device is enough to drain at least a few percentage points from the battery. And these days, every single percent before I reach the red zone of battery life is critical.

And that's why I love portable backup chargers. While I've always preferred battery cases, which incorporate built-in batteries that kick in as soon as the phone's battery gets close to zero, not all of them are as slim and sexy as one would like. My second preference would be device-specific chargers that plug directly into the phone's charging port (30-pin on an iPhone 4S or older, Lightning on an iPhone 5 or newer, or microUSB for other phones), and sit comfortably while you continue your important daily tasks. 

But the latest standalone devices are getting cooler and cooler, that it's kind of nice to throw one in your purse and go. The only downside: you have to bring along the charging cable with it. Still, models are now designed to look like a stick of lipstick, or even a credit card to slot into your wallet. So it's kind of cool to watch your friend's faces when you pull one out to charge up your phone while you continue chatting about the latest gossip over coffee or dinner. 

Here are two of my favs. But there are a ton of them out there from which to choose.

From the cool colours, to the clever design, I have no qualms about carrying one of these Powerocks Magicsticks in my bag to charge up my iPhone when it runs out of juice. 

A rite of passage with moms is the yearly pic of their kid with Santa. Last year, I went to the mall to get the standard, highly-overpriced pic of my son with Santa. At almost a year, he was slightly squirmy, but it helped that he was with his three cousins, so the photo was easy-peasy. 

This year, a free event at local venue called Y Not Play enticed me to visit, given not only the free play day, but the free pic with Santa, provided by the photo studio next door. Sweet!

It worked out both great, and not so great. I arrived early, took my number, then let my son enjoy the facilities while we waited for our turn. We were called within 10 minutes, and clearly, my boy had no interest in leaving behind the toy bongo drums, pool of plastic balls, and fun climbing toys to go take a photo with the weird big guy with the white beard. Needless to say, it was super cry city.

The photographer was gracious enough to suggest I let him play and settle down a bit, then try again when there was another opening.

Maybe 10-15 minutes later, we walked up again. He suggested rather than attempt to put my son down on Santa's lap, just to hold him and get into the pic myself. Sure, I'll take anything.

Alas, no. As soon as I tried to swoop in there, he focused on nothing but going back to play with all the cool stuff. I guess it would kind of be like taking me to a fine dining restaurant when I've yet to eat, complete with plates full of samples of fancy items, then forcing me to sit through a 20 minute presentation as the food stares back at me. Just give me the scrumptious goodies!

A total of 15 takes later (yes, FIFTEEN attempts; about 5 tries with 3 shots each time), and we finally got THE shot. And boy, was it worth it.

No standard kid sitting on Santa's lap, stone-faced or teary-eyed. My son decided to give Santa a high five, moments before giving mommy a look as to say "Are you happy now? Can I go play in peace!"

In an earlier blog entry, I covered my two favourite grocery shopping apps for the budget mom. Recently, updates have been released for both.

Which Checkout51, if you afford the app access to your location services, it will push you deals specific to your province. Which means if a brand only wants to offer a particular sale item in Ontario, or Nova Scotia, or British Columbia, you'll be able to enjoy that offer in your respective locale. Nice!

PCPlus recently added acceptance at Real Canadian Superstores, which means you can now flash your digital loyalty card at those store locations as well as Loblaws banner stores. Hopefully Zehrs is next.

I've made it clear through this blog and in other articles that I'm not the type of parent who's totally opposed to her child watching TV. I am an admitted TV lover, and I am happy to let my son immerse himself in a few shows a day. I've seen how much he can learn from them. And I'm always present while he's watching, making sure he's interacting with the show, not just sitting like a lump on a log watching. And that, most important, I'm interacting with him.

That said, in my channel surfing, I've come across a number of programs that I find complete, mindless chatter made only to captivate kids with strange talking animals, weird story lines, and moral lessons that, while great, are far too complex for a child under 2 to understand. Which means if he watches, he's just laughing at the talking bunny (or whatever) and hilarious antics, and not taking in anything of real value.

So what shows DO I let my son watch? First, these are all shows he actively requests, so I'm not forcing him to watch something he doesn't like. But they're also shows with what I deem to be real educational (or social) value.

Bubble Guppies: Yes, this team of underwater fish kids (guppies) attend school in each episode, where the teacher, Mr. Grouper (guess what kind of fish he is?) teaches them about something. Usually, the episode begins with one of the main characters encountering something interesting, like that he has a loose tooth. The teacher than walks the kids through the basics of, in this case, going to the dentist, and how to take care of your teeth. They sing songs to teach about whatever the topic is, and run through a 20-minute story that typically includes a mean creature that later turns out to be friendly. As the Guppies attempt to solve a problem within the episode, they'll seek the viewers' help, Dora-style, to do things like point out the right shaped puzzle piece, or explain what colour to mix with red in order to get pink. There's plenty of simple lessons, and chances for the kids to answer back in this show. And I'll admit: the songs are kind of catchy, too.

Super Why: Join Wyatt and his team of the Super Readers who go on adventures into StoryBook Land in order to learn how to solve a real-world problem. The show integrates real stories like the Prince and the Pauper and Little Red Riding Hood, and uses the Super Readers to help using things like alphabet power, spelling power, and the power to read. Which means lessons begin with letters, followed by sounding out a word, and then reading. In the end, the Readers return home with the answer to their original problem via super letters collected throughout the half-hour episode. And the '80s sitcom-like intro and ending are nice touches for mom and dad.

Sesame Street: It's good ol' faithful, but Sesame Street and its roster of popular characters, from Elmo, to Ernie, Big Bird, and Abby Cadabby, is still going strong after almost 45 years. From the word of the day, to the simple alphabet, spelling, and musical lessons, it's a staple in any parent's roster. As an hour-long program, it's typically one that some parents will limit kids, too. But you can easily play it in the background and find that your child will pay attention only when his favourite part comes on, like Abby's Flying Fairy School or Elmo's World. La, la, la, la!

The Wiggles: As the most musical of the shows (and yes, they all have a musical component), this group of four animated real-life entertainers (three guys and, for the first time this year, a girl) focus on unique tunes that kids can interact with. Each song has a specific action that goes with it, teaching kids how to play games like Simon Says, roar like a tiger, and follow simple instructions for body movements. Each episode also has learning components thrown in, like a letter of the alphabet and a food that it begins with. And some songs are focused on specific things, like buckling up when you get into the car, brushing your teeth, brushing your pet's hair, and wearing your glasses with pride. If you want a way for your child to watch TV, but still get up and get active, The Wiggles are a great option. And if they're playing in your city, the concert is a great opportunity for your child to get starstruck and have a blast. Just make sure you get floor seats.

Do you own a PVR?

A personal video recorder (PVR), otherwise known as a DVR (digital video recorder) in the U.S., is a great technology, period. But even better if you have kids. You can set favourite shows to record, and always have one, or a particular favourite one, at your fingertips. 

Every parent has at least one. That friend or family member who, every year, gets your child the loudest, most obnoxious toy that exists on store shelves. Often times, it's not on purpose. It looks cool, looks like something Little Bill will love. And the buyer is well-intentioned. He just doesn't have kids.

Yes, it's that friend who, until he has kids of his own, just doesn't understand the pain and suffering that such a toy can inflict upon mommy and daddy. I often joke when opening gifts like that at Christmas time that it's "another one for grandma's house."

Perhaps the best invention of late has been the volume level button on certain electronic toys, which reduces the blaring sound to a more manageable tone. But when it comes to drum sets, keyboards, and other gadgetry and instruments, sometimes there's only one level, and it's called L.O.U.D.

How can you best deal with it? First, trying sending out a wish list of items your child would really like to those you know will be buying him a gift. Perhaps joke slyly when the perpetrators are in sight about the loud toys your child has, and how headache-inducing they are. And, if all else fails, just exchange the toy later for something more pleasurable for all parties involved. Or, if Little Billy decides he wants to tear the box open right away and dig right in, invest in a good pair of ear plugs, and start plotting your revenge for when that friend has kids of his own.

If you're like me, and happily hand your smartphone or tablet off to your toddler for the occasional, supervised play, you're likely always on the hunt for apps that fit a particular bill. For me, the top criteria include free (or at least relatively cheap), educational, and minus annoying pop-up and footer ads, or constant upgrade links.

Here are a few of mine, and my son's favourites:

Baby Flash Cards: From E Flash Apps, this is a simple app that helps babies and toddles learn the alphabet, numbers, colours, and shapes, and expand their vocabulary. Open up the app, and there are several categories from which to choose, including the aforementioned, as well as things like food, animals, clothing, transportation, body parts, and more. Click on the one you want, and a large image of an item in that category will fill the screen, while the friendly female voice tells you what it is. Sometimes, there's also a sound effect, for things like rain or fire truck. Swipe to the left, and another item comes up. Under the food category, for example, you'll see apple, then avocado, then banana, bell pepper, bread, and so forth. Flip to vehicles, and you'll start with airplane (complete with sound effect), and end with yacht. You can get more images and words by upgrading, but I've found the hundreds of images in the free version of the app to be more than sufficient. There are footer ads in the app, which can get annoying. But the kids are typically so focused on the image in the middle of the screen, and swiping to see the next, that you'll often not even notice those pesky advertisements. As my son got older, I'd mute the sound, then watch as he'd flick the image and say the word himself, without help from the virtual lady. 

Elmo Calls: What kid doesn't love Elmo? In this app, which accesses the phone's camera, you'll emulate a FaceTime call. Click "Call Elmo" and your child will see his face in a small window at the bottom, left of the screen, and Elmo in the main screen as he picks up his phone to answer your "call." Then, he'll go through a number of activities with your little one, including playing peek-a-boo, or teaching different words or actions. My son really gets a kick out of finally getting calls that are for him on the phone, not listening in on mommy and daddy's calls. This app is $0.99.

BabyPlayFace: I used this app when my son was just about a year, helping to teach him about the different parts of one's face. The image of a virtual baby appears on screen. Touch his nose, and he'll scrunch it, while a female voice tells you what it is. Touch his mouth and he'll smile, with the same audible effect. The same goes for hair, ears, eyes, forehead, chin, and cheek. There are four ethnicities from which to choose. There's even an option to record your child as he presses the buttons, or points to the parts of the face as you press each one, then save it to your phone. Access to the face is free, and you can move on to the body, foot, and hand when ready for $0.99.

Fisher Price Laugh & Learn: This app is great in terms of repetition of letters, shapes, numbers, and colours for babies just learning, along with nursery rhymes. Even without the Guided Access feature activated on an iPhone (more on that later), the app prevents kids from swiping too quickly on the screen: try to press on the screen before a lesson is finished, and you'll just see a burst of white stars. In the alphabet section, you'll learn each letter, followed be a word that starts for that letter (e.g. "B" is followed by an image of a "book" while a woman and kid's voice keep you entertained and tell you what's on the screen. In the music section, kid's can bounce, clap, and sing along with the traditional Alphabet Song.

The "Flower:" At least this is what my son calls it. This isn't exactly an app, but rather a feature built into the iPhone. With the new iOS7, the icon to access your photo and video library is shaped like a multi-coloured flower. And sometimes kids just get a kick out of sifting through photos of themselves (come on, you know your phone is full of them!), and playing back videos of their antics. My son will often ask for my phone and request to look at the "Flower." How can one say no to that?

TIP: If you have an iPhone, do you know what Guided Access is? Guided Access is a way to lock your phone into a certain app so that if you have to leave the room for a moment, or turn your eyes away from what your child is up to, you don't have to worry that he'll accidentally call China or your boss, or purchase a $20 app upgrade. 

Go to Settings > General > Accessibility, and scroll down to Guided Access, under LEARNING. Set a four-digit passcode for deactivation, then slide the option into the "On" position. Now, just triple-click the home button while in any app to lock the phone into that app. If the child tries to hit the Home button to get out, nothing will happen. 

To deactivate Guided Access, triple-click again, and a pop-up will appear, asking for you four-digit passcode. Enter the code, and voila, your phone is back to normal.

When I researched and purchased a stroller for my son, it was such a hefty investment, that I almost viewed it as another vehicle purchase. This was the family "car" for our many, many walks out and about in the city. That being said, before long, the stroller was "tricked out," as the kids say, with gadgets and gizmos of all kinds. At least once a week, there was a mom or two that would come up to me and either comment on a gadget I had, or ask where I bought it. 

Here are two of the neatest stroller gadgets I used with my baby:

Brica Phone Pod: I'll admit that this isn't an ideal device, but it does the trick. As I went for walk after walk with my son through the streets of downtown Toronto, or in local shopping malls, I found that I'd often have my smartphone tucked into the back pocket of my jeans. I needed it far too often to leave it tucked away in my purse that sat in the undercarriage. I had to text the friend I was meeting up with to see where she was, answer calls from the hubby, and constantly snap yet another photo of my gorgeous bundle of joy.

I figured there had to be a better way to keep my phone accessible, but not have it add bulk to my butt, so I went searching for something that would hold my iPhone for me. The best option I came across was available from the maker of my stroller, Bugaboo. But it was pricey and, at the time, the company only made one that specifically fit an older model iPhone than the one I had.

I came across the Brica Phone Pod at Sears, which was a mere $15. While it's large and clunky, and doesn't sit as firmly on the Bugaboo's thick handle as I'd like, it did the trick, securing my phone to the stroller so I could see when a notification or call came in. I could also operate it hands-free, typing away while waiting for the light to change, or waiting in line at the store.

The Pod expands in width to fit virtually any phone with or without a case, then twists to lock onto the stroller's handlebar. You need to pull the two side pieces apart, though. And while it fights tightly around the device, it makes it difficult to take the device out if you need to (to answer a voice call, for example.) With the Bugaboo model, the portion that wraps around the phone could actually click out, then clip back on, if you needed to take a call, or remove the phone for whatever reason.

The Pod rotates, so the phone can be placed in vertical or horizontal position. The latter might be f you're going for a brisk walk to work off those extra few pounds and want to watch a video or the news to make the time pass quickly. Bottom line: this device isn't great in terms of design, but it'll do for the task at hand, and for a minimal price. 

Stroller Fan: When I bought mine, these such fans weren't as widespread as they are today (the image below was taken from the Toys R Us Website.) But these small battery-operated, child-safe fans are great for those sweltering hot and humid summer days we sometimes get here in Canada.

Clip it to the side of the stroller so it faces baby, then flick it on to give him some much needed fresh air while walking about in Niagara Falls or The Ex, or if you find yourself in a hot place without air conditioning. (In my case, that one critical instance was during my nieces' school concert when the AC was not working in the school's auditorium, and it happened to be a 35+ degree humid day.) In most cases, the neck of the fan can be bent to be positioned just right.

The fans should be placed far enough away so the cold air isn't going right in to baby's face, and beyond baby's reach. But they're typically made of plastic anyway, and can't hurt baby, even if he managed to squeeze his tiny finger inside. It will more likely startle than harm him.

I bought mine on a whim, thinking it might come in handy one day. And found it far more useful than I ever could have imagined. (It also happened to be an especially hot summer that year.)

The one I used was not the one depicted in the photo below; I purchased mine at BB Buggy (www.bbbuggy.com) in Yorkville for about $18. Funny enough, when I returned to that store with a friend a few weeks later who wanted to grab one as well, the owner told me they were all sold out. Clearly, other moms got wind of the idea as well.

Whether you're pinching your pennies or not, every mom likes a good deal. And when it comes to grocery shopping, which we all do at least a few times per month, great deals are welcome.

The first thing I do when entering any grocery store is scan the wall of coupons as you walk in for anything relevant. But I have better tools than that in my arsenal: apps! 

My two favourite shopping apps are Checkout51 and PCPlus. The latter can only be used at Loblaws stores, but the former is a fun option to double dip on deals.

Checkout51: Based on Toronto, ON, this company has an interesting concept. Each week, about 10-12 new deals are listed that offer cash back if you purchase certain products. It might be $1 back when you buy Kellogg's Froot Loops, or something specific from a specific retailer. But the majority of the deals are brand-specific, which means you will get the cash back regardless of where you buy it. After your grocery trip, open the app, snap a photo of your receipt, upload it, then check off all relevant promos that apply. Once verified, the cash back amount will be logged in the app. Once you reach $20 cash back, you can request a cheque and the company will mail one out to you. The great thing is that because the discounts are applied after purchase, they can be combined with other offers. So if Checkout51, for example, is offering $1 off potato chips, and your local store already has those chips on sale for $1 off, you get $2 off. Sweet! 

Of course you need to consider the downside, which is the data the company can collect on you based on those shopping receipts you upload. Not only can they see where you shop, how often, and what you buy, but they can also determine certain things from that information. (E.g. Weekly buys of TV dinners probably means a single person, whereas diapers and wipes on the list is a safe bet there's a baby in the house.) 

Lately, there have been other interesting offers, such as the chance to win $500 for any grocery trip over $60 (only one per week), and $2 cash back when you pay with VISA.

This app is great because you don't need to remember to do anything when you're in the store. But once you get home, sit down, relax, pop open the app and grab your receipt, and you're good to go. I have received two cheques since using the app, and have opted to put the funds in my son's bank account. While $20 every few months isn't a big deal, that can add up over a few years. 

PC Plus: As an extension to the PC Financial program already existent, this loyalty program is available to any customers, not just those with PC credit cards. You can use the regular ol' plastic card, but I love the app, which lets you keep track of points and offers, has a scannable version of the card when you hold your phone horizontally, and even has a grocery list maker. So how does it work?

Each week, you'll get a list of specific offers tailored to you based on your shopping habits. This will afford points based on the purchase of certain items, like 200 points for every dollar spent on grapes, or 1,000 points when you buy Maple Leaf bacon. In store, you'll also see signs that indicate points accumulation on certain items, typically of Loblaws' own PC house brand, but also for others.

Every 1,000 points equals $1 off. Once you reach 20,000 points, you're eligible to receive $20 off a purchase, or you can keep accumulating until you wish to redeem.

The thing I love about this program and app is that you can open it up and browse the offers as you shop. And because the list is based on your habits, it often includes items you'd be buying anyway. Though I will admit I've been enticed to buy one brand over another because it has points attached to it that week.

Points can add up pretty quickly. I've already managed to save hundreds on groceries, with another $50 worth waiting to be redeemed in my account now.

The ability to store a grocery list in the app is great, but there really needs to be work done to make this app function more reliably. I've often stored lists and been unable to access them, or had them wiped out, or items return after I'd already deleted them. In the end, I have gone back to traditional pen and paper, or the Notes app in my iPhone. 

But the points portion of this app is a great way to save money on items you already buy. Now if only Loblaws would it extend the program to its other grocery brands...

It's perhaps one of the most contentious issues you'll come across as a mother. Should I let my kid play with my iPhone, iPad, or other gadget? Should I let him watch TV?

I've come across moms who sit on both extremes of the fence in my short travels thus far as a mother. Some feel that any type of technology is the devil, will lead their children to misbehave, lack intelligence and basic social skills. Then there are others who will plop their children in front of the TV any chance they get, throw an iPhone in front of a kid's face while out at a restaurant to keep him from acting up, and even buy a toddler his own accessories for smartphones and tablets (Fisher Price has a long line of Apptivity toys and accessories for the Apple devices.)

My household is a tech-filled one to begin with. Given that my husband works in the industry as well, we have a full home theatre system in the living room and bedroom (just ours, not my son's), two iPads, two iPhones, digital cameras, Apple TV, both major gaming console systems, Blu-ray players, the list goes on. And with the nature of my job, gadgets and gizmos are coming in and out of the house constantly. So even if I wanted to keep my son away from technology, I just couldn't.

But I'll freely admit that I don't want to. I truly feel that while relying on technology to parent your child is wrong, exposing him to it is not only not harmful, but immensely rewarding.

My son can operate an iPhone and iPad like a pro. He will click on the small flower icon to open up the photo album, swipe through images, and press the little triangle to play videos. He'll press the button to go back to the home screen, find the folder with his apps (all educational, like alphabet and word learning, or nursery rhymes), choose the one he wants, and play.

This isn't because I shove the device in my kid's face whenever he kicks up a stink. It's because every day, I, or his grandparents (who babysit him) will give him about 20 minutes of play time.

My son isn't even 2 yet, and has an incredible vocabulary, can count to 10 flawlessly, sometimes to 20 with a few mistakes, knows the entire alphabet, can identify every basic shape, and simple concepts like push/pull, up/down, empty/full, and so on. And while both his parents and grandparents spend plenty of time working with him on these skills, he learns a lot of it from this technology.

This brings me to another type of technology that some parents frown upon: TV. I'll admit it: I myself am a TV junkie. I love to escape in a good (or cheesy) TV program. And so does my son. He has 4 shows he loves, all of which have some sort of educational value: Sesame Street, Super Why, Bubble Guppies, and The Wiggles. Every morning, he'll watch a program while having his milk, then another while mommy has her shower. Before his nap, he'll wind down with another show. 

The important thing to note here is that technology isn't replacing social interaction, regular play, and one-on-one time. My son loves to sit down with one of his favourite books just as much as he loves to sit down with my iPhone. And I'm always there when he's playing with the iPhone, nor do I rely on it to "keep him quiet" at the dinner table when we're out at a restaurant, or to stop a tantrum. In fact, it's quite the opposite. If he has a tantrum because I won't give him my phone, that's a sign that phone time isn't going to happen today at all. 

The world we live has technology at its centre. And it's only going to become more prominent moving forward. So getting kids involved in and familiar with technology is going to be beneficial in the long run. So many schools are already adopting things like tablets to aid in learning. 

As a mom, the one thing you have with you 24/7, along with your baby, is likely your cell phone. In many cases, it's likely an iPhone or Android device. 

While phones can be distractions, I actually found that my iPhone came in tremendously handy when my son was a wee baby. Here are some of my favourite mom apps:

Babycentre: Make sure you join this awesome community of moms, selecting the group based on the month your child was born. You can then converse with other moms in the area with similar-aged babies, share your stories, worries, questions, and comments. Even when you have plenty of friends and family around you, it's great to have an impartial source to turn to if you want to know if there's something wrong with the colour of your baby's poop, if you should put two layers or three before heading out for a walk on a cold winter day, or if you're feeding your baby too much. It's also a nice way to kill time while breastfeeding to sift through all of the commentary on the site. But keep in mind that it can get addictive, and can make you go crazy as you compare your child's development to that of others of the same age.

Baby Feeding: There are a number of apps that include timers for keeping track of breastfeeding, including when and how long the last feeding was, which side baby last fed from, if he had a bottle, and, if you wish to go even further, when you changed his diaper, what was there, when he took his nap, and when he woke up. It's a great way to keep digitally organized, and have all of the needed information at your fingertips for the next doctor's visit.

Meetup: I came across this app a few months before I was about to head back to work, and wished I had known about it sooner. It's a great way to join number of groups with like-minded moms, moms in your area, or just moms looking for gals to hang out with for a night away from baby. The app is a great way to browse through upcoming events in your groups, RSVP, check in once you arrive, and rate and comment on recent events. I'd highly recommend both this service and the app. 

Words With Friends: As mentioned in my first post, in the early months, breastfeeding can often take an hour, even longer. And while one can simply sit and bask in the glory of staring at your baby's adorable face as he suckles away, when it's 3 a.m. and you're working on 10 minutes of sleep all week, it takes everything in you just to stay away yourself. I found playing games like Words With Friends was a great way to keep myself from dozing off, passing the time quickly, and keeping me engaged with the adult community. If I was getting out for nights on the town, at least I could communicate with friends over a good game of Scrabble!

Draw Something: See above.

Cry Translator: It's more fun than anything else, but we've all been there. You're at your wit's end, and baby just won't stop wailing. You've fed him, changed his diaper, put on more clothes, taken off clothes, cuddled him, sung to him...exhausted all options. Hold the phone up to baby while he cries, and it'll decipher the reason, whether it's that he's cold, hot, hungry, tired, etc. 

Some moms are more paranoid than others. But the majority of first-time moms tend to watch their babies like a hawk, running into the room several times a night just to confirm he's still breathing, or to ensure that little cry you thought you might have just heard doesn't mean baby is in trouble.

The answer? A video monitor is one of the best investments you can make. It's fabulous for peace-of-mind: instead of having to get out of bed and creep into baby's room several times a night, just hit a wake up button on the monitor to check on baby, then resume your slumber. (That if you're getting any sleep at all, of course.) 

There are several ways to keep an eye on baby nowadays, from the standard Webcam and mobile app, to dedicated monitors. Yes, that's right moms. You can get a fairly affordable miniature camera from a company like D-Link, set it up in baby's room, download an app, and check on him whenever you need via your smartphone.

I, however, found that the dedicated baby monitor afforded certain benefits that made them worth the purchase.

My choice was the Motorola MBP36, which sells for about $250. It's a hefty investment, but one of those items you can put on the baby registry list and hope a group of folks team up to buy for you.

Here's my full review of that model, available at http://www.wifihifi.ca/LatestNewsHeadline/Review:MotorolaMBP36VideoMonitor.html: 

Hands-on Review: Motorola MBP36 Video Monitor

After discovering I was pregnant in the summer of 2011, I immediately went about making preparations for the arrival of our new bundle of joy. Working in the technology industry, that naturally included looking at what cool gadgetry might help with baby-to-be.

One of the must-have items for any baby shower list is a video monitor. I came across the Motorola MBP36, which combines a portable camera with a wireless LCD monitor, and it looked like it would perfectly fit the bill.

The camera operates via AC power, and can be placed atop a flat surface, or mounted on the wall (or side of the crib.) The monitor boasts a 3.5” colour LCD that can show real-time video at up to 25 frames-per-second. It operates via AC power or internal rechargeable battery. Reminiscent of a portable Nintendo DS gaming system in size and shape, the monitor is easily transportable as you move from room-to-room. There’s an antenna for optimal reception and a kickstand so it can stand upright on any flat surface, like a night stand or coffee table. The camera and monitor communicate with one another over the 2.4 GHz wireless spectrum, and boast a range of up to 1,000 feet.

Set up

In my setup, the receiver was kept in the master bedroom or living room of a 1,300 square-foot condo and communicated with the camera in the baby’s room at the opposite end of the residence.

Before finding its permanent home above baby’s crib, the camera was first placed atop a dresser in the master bedroom, facing down into a bassinet at the foot of the bed. It turned out to be the perfect height for pointing directly at baby; especially since the camera pans and tilts to adjust to your ideal view. Once baby moved over to his own room and crib, we mounted the camera on the wall, right above the crib and facing directly down onto baby.

Setup was simple right out of the box: mount and power up the camera, power up the monitor, and watch. The pan, tilt, and zoom functions are controlled via four directional buttons on the left side of the monitor. This means that not only can I view baby remotely, but I can also zoom around and check out the room from the comfort of the living room couch or my bed. There’s also an AV out feature for viewing baby on your TV, though I never found use for such a feature.

Navigate through menu items by pressing a button on the right side, and use the up/down, left/right directional arrows to scroll through options. Press the “OK” button on the right to select the desired function. All operation is limited to these few buttons, making use simple to understand; no manuals needed.

Features

In addition to providing a full colour (or night vision) clear look at baby, the unit’s screen displays handy information like signal strength, battery life, and, especially useful, the temperature in the room (in Celsius or Farenheit) to ensure it’s not too hot or cold. If you have more than one camera connected to a monitor (up to four can be connected), you can also scan each camera’s view. You’ll also see a little moon icon if you’re viewing the camera in night vision mode when the lights are off for baby to enjoy his slumber. The view in night mode, which I used the majority of the time to keep tabs on baby at night, is clear enough to discern even when baby’s eyes are open, or what expression is on his face. (Though you’ll note the dreaded white-eye effect.) Brightness levels can also be adjusted to one’s liking. There are 1x and 2x zoom options.

There’s an intercom-like mic button for speaking through the camera, to calm baby if he’s crying (hearing mama’s voice can be soothing, even if she’s not physically in the room); or for someone in the room to speak to you via the monitor’s speakers. It came in handy when I’d just come out of the shower, for example, and needed a few minutes before I could tend to baby, but wanted to soothe him with my voice telling him I’m on the way shortly. There’s also a lullaby feature that will play one of five preprogrammed polyphonic tunes through the camera’s speaker to tide baby over until someone can tend to him. Unfortunately, the music also plays through the monitor’s speakers, and there’s no way to quiet it. Which means if you want baby to sleep through a lullaby, you’ll have to learn to do the same. (Alternatively, you can just turn the volume down on the monitor, though this means you won’t be able to hear baby loudly if he cries out either.)

Another handy feature: an alarm can be set to go off (through the monitor only, of course) at 2-hour, 4-hour, or 6-hour intervals for feeding baby on a schedule.

The screen stays on for a minute or two before going into sleep mode, so as not to drain the battery, but audio remains on. If you hear baby crying, just tap any button on the unit to light up the screen and check on what he’s doing.  Then press again to turn the screen off. Adding to the effects are five LED lights across the top of the unit that illuminate in sync with sounds, like the baby’s cries. (Red, of course, indicating that he’s making noises; a series of red lights noting that his cries are getting louder and longer.)

The camera is small and unobtrusive enough not to get in the way, and the round head easily moves around to scan an entire room. This makes it unlikely that you’d even need a second or third camera for one room, though one might come in handy if you wish to keep tabs on baby in other rooms of the house, like in his playpen, or, when he gets older, outside in the backyard, perhaps.

The only real issue I had with this system was the monitor’s battery life. While it was easy to bring it with me to keep tabs on baby during short daytime naps, it seemed even when I charged the unit up overnight, I never had enough juice to last through one full long sleep session without the unit beeping that the battery was about to die. If you plan on buying this system, make sure there’s a power source nearby where you’re likely to be using it.

Conclusion

There are plenty of high-tech baby monitor systems on the market today. But for the price and ease of setup, the Motorola MPB36 will suffice for most parents. Perhaps the only highly desired high-tech feature lacking is the ability to tap into the camera via the Web, through a mobile device or computer; or even by an app. I would love to be able to supplement the 3.5” monitor with my iPhone, for example, or for my husband to be able to keep tabs on the baby while he’s at work using his computer or iPad.

But as a simple video monitor solution for a newborn, toddler, or even to keep tabs on unruly pets, this monitor is an ideal option.

It currently sells for sub-$250.

It has been a long time coming, but I'd like to welcome you all to my very first blog entry. As the name implies, I'll be covering technology and kids here, including how technology plays into the process of motherhood, from pregnancy to beyond, look at some of the latest tech for babies, moms, and kids, and provide my musings on related topics. Before I begin, a little bit about me...

I have been a technology journalist for the last 12 years and counting, working my way up to the position of Editor at a technology trade magazine for Canada in my hometown of Toronto, ON. Currently, I am part of a new venture, also in tech and also serving the trade, called WiFi HiFi. You can check us out at www.wifihifi.ca. 

But almost two years ago, I became a mom for the first time. My son, now quickly approaching what has scarily become known as the "terrible twos" began to teach me just how strong the tie between technology and children/motherhood is before he even let out his first cry on this earth.

Backing up to before I was even pregnant. I attended a Toys R Us vendor fair, thinking I might find something that would fit with the magazine. Certainly judging from the amount of batteries I'd seen mothers buy, toys certainly were electronic in nature, which therefore meant they were technology. 

I was blown away by how many technology items I came across at the show: from the gaming consoles and kid's-centric games like Just Dance; to the Leapfrog and V-Tech tablets for kids, the latest Tickle Me Elmo...the list goes on. My recent trip to the Mattel pop-up store at the base of the CN Tower further reinforced this, with digital toys, iPad integration, and augmented reality games of all kinds.

But when I got pregnant, I truly understood how technology really is entrenched in our daily lives, literally from birth, and in fact even before. 

As I was comprising my baby shower registry, I noted two of my top-desired items: an electronic baby swing, and a video monitor. 

Of course being a tech-savvy person in general, and with more than a decade's worth of experience and knowledge in tech under my belt, I wasn't going to settle for anything less than the highest-tech gear out there. I ended up with two baby swings, both of which not only swung back and forth (and one even up and down), but had various lullabies and tunes pre-programmed, built-in speakers, and inputs for connecting an iPod or other music player for your own baby playlist. 

I opted for a baby video monitor with a wall-mountable camera that could pan and tilt, and a receiver unit that could act as an intercom, shows the room's current temperature, and has a built-in alarm function (for waking mom at feeding time, for example.)

Check back soon for my reviews of those three devices.

But even after my son was born, I saw how tech played into my daily life. Words With Friends, Babycentre.ca, and draw Something apps became my best friends during the wee morning breastfeeding sessions. My stroller walks just weren't the same until I got that iPhone mount for the handlebar so I had somewhere to put my phone while my purse was safely stowed away in the under-carriage basket. And while many made fun of the battery-operated, attachable kid's fan I got for the warm summer months, no one was laughing when my son was the only cool one in a sweltering auditorium during my nieces' summer concert.

It was about that time when the idea for this blog started to brew. Before I bought any of these items, I searched and searched and searched online for reviews, specs, and details on all of the products. With some of them, like the video monitor, I was able to decipher whether they'd meet my needs based on the product's specifications. Others, I realized by the sheer amount of comments I received while walking the streets or busy aisles of a shopping mall, that most other mothers didn't even realize existed.

This blog is so I can share my knowledge with other mothers out there, looking for advice on what technology products they should get for their kids; what technology is available; how a certain product works, whether it's worth the money, and so on.

As my son gets older, I continue to discover new technologies that suit him, and me, beyond the infant years. It's an exciting time as a mother, a tech expert, and a woman beginning a new adventure.