Vancouver Island Baby Fair producer Shirley Broback is now a featured blogger over at Today's Parent online. In recognition of her 2009 SavvyMom Entrepreneur of the Year award, Shirley is now sharing the "ins and outs of balancing business and parenthood" with readers of Today's Parent in the blog "Musings From a Mom Entrepreneur."

In her latest post, Shirley tackles the politics of Valentines Day in kindergarten... should your kid be forced to give a valentine to every kid in the class, even if she doesn't like some of them? Should he only give one to one or two special friends? Do you support the idea of Valentines Day at all? Read Shirley's latest post, and be sure to leave a comment!

The Photo Contest is always one of the most popular features at the Vancouver Island Baby Fair, with hundreds of new parents lining up to have a professional portrait taken of their little one for just $10 - which goes 100% to a local charity. We're looking for a photographer who is up to the task to run the photo contest at our upcoming event in Nanaimo on June 5 & 6.

We'll be conducting interviews later this month in Nanaimo. If you're a photographer in the Nanaimo area, or know someone who might be interested, please contact us ASAP for details. To learn more about the photo contest, visit the photo contest page.

Earlier today we were proud to present a cheque for $2450 to the Foster Parent Support Services Society - money we fundraised at the last Vancouver Island Baby Fair in Victoria though the Photo Contest, stroller parking, and face painting.

In addition, we provided the FPSSS with booth space at the fair to promote their organization and put the call out for more foster families. We provided logo placement in our marketing materials, the opportunity to speak on our main stage to attendees at the fair and further exposure through our website & e-Newsletters. Supporting local community initiatives is a very important aspect of the Vancouver Island Baby Fair and to our family. Thank you to those who come to the fair and make it all possible!

Foster Parent Support Services Society is a non-profit organization that is committed to providing meaningful and accessible support, education, and networking services for the foster parents of the Vancouver Island Region, which will continually enhance their skills and abilities to deliver the best care possible to the children in their homes.

Do you have room for one more? If so, please contact them today to find out how you can make a difference in the life of a child!

Pictured: Shirley Broback (middle) presenting FPSSS Executive Director Margaret Howley (left) and Lisa Argue with a cheque.

Registration is now open for the next Vancouver Island Baby Fair in Nanaimo, June 5 & 6, 2010 and in Victoria, Sept. 25 & 26, 2010.

All applications received by Dec. 31, 2009 will receive a 10% Early Bird Discount.
For more information, including downloadable application forms and floor plans for both shows are available on the Vancouver Island Baby Fair Exhibitor's page.

We are doing a little preliminary research on postpartum depression resources on Vancouver Island and postpartum depression in general, and looking for women to share their ideas with us.
If you can, please share with us the following:
1) Did you have post partum depression? how did you know? For how long?
2) Did you get help? Why or why not?
3) Who referred you to help? Doc, midwife, public health nurse, friend?
4) What kind of help did you get? Counseling, meds, postpartum doula, group, etc...?
5) Might some of your postpartum depression have been prevented somewhat or entirely? If so, how?
6) What kind of resources helped & what type of resources do you wish existed?
7) Where have you received any info on postpartum depression? Public Health nurse, doctor, midwife, friends, websites?

If you are not from Vancouver Island and you know of some great postpartum depression resources, please share with us!

Please send responses privately by email and feel free to elaborate on these questions if you have more to share. Thank you!

Registration is now open for the next Vancouver Island Baby Fair in Nanaimo, June 5 & 6, 2010 and in Victoria, Sept. 25 & 26, 2010. Registration for exhibitors who took part in our last Nanaimo and Victoria events is open now, and general registration begins Dec. 10.

All applications received by Dec. 31, 2009 will receive a 10% Early Bird Discount.
For more information, including downloadable application forms and floor plans for both shows are available on the Vancouver Island Baby Fair Exhibitor's page.

We are so happy to announce the winners of this year's Vancouver Island Baby Fair Photo Contest that took place Sept. 26 & 27, 2009! Huge congratulations to the families of Joel and Turquoise!

Joel was just two months old when this adorable pic was snapped. He will appear on the cover of an issue of Island Parent Magazine in 2010, and become the poster child for the 2010 Baby Fair in Victoria. Joel's family also wins a Haba Bean Bag Chair "Bert" ($230 value) from Bellies in Bloom Maternity, and a 2 hour studio session with Rebecca Joy Studios, one 8x10 print, two 5x7 prints, and 30 custom holiday or birth announcement cards (Value: $400).

In the 2-6 year old category, 2-year-old Turquoise is the winner. Her family wins a Radio Flyer Wagon from Bubba Loo Children's Boutique, and a 2 hour studio session with Rebecca Joy Studios, one 8x10 print, two 5x7 prints, and 30 custom holiday or birth announcement cards (Value: $400).

Thank you to everyone who entered! Your $10 donation helped us raise more than $2400 for Foster Parents Support Services Society. The free 5x7 print of your photo shoot is available for pickup at Jamtots Baby & More Store until November 30.

Congratulations to Joel, Turquoise, and their families! The next Vancouver Island Baby Fair Photo Contest will be held in Nanaimo on June 5 & 6, 2010.