FEATURED MAIN STAGE PERFORMERS: SEPTEMBER 24 & 25, 2011:

The Kerplunks!

12:00pm and 2:00pm
The Kerplunks! are a 4-piece band who are all about music, fun and imagination - it's real music by real musicians, and kids love them! Their catchy tunes are guaranteed to get kids engaged, singing along, and joining in on the action. Their third album 'Number 3' earned them the Parents Choice Awards Gold Medal and their third Juno nomination in as many years.

This four-piece band has won many awards including the 2008 Western Canadian Music Award for Outstanding Children's Recording, and 2008 Canadian Folk Music Award for Children's Album of the Year, and was nominated for a Juno in 2009!

FEATURED MAIN STAGE SPEAKER: SEPTEMBER 24 & 25, 2011:

Ann Douglas

1:00pm and 3:00pm
Ann Douglas is the author of numerous books about pregnancy and parenting, including The Mother of All Pregnancy Books, The Mother of All Baby Books, The Mother of All Toddler Books, The Mother of All Parenting Books, and The Mother of All Pregnancy Organizers. Ann lives in Peterborough, Ontario, with her husband, Neil, and the youngest of their four children.

Saturday 1:00pm - Sensational Siblings: Preparing for new baby & encouraging healthy relationships
Learn how to help your first child to prepare for the arrival of the new baby, and what you can do to encourage healthy sibling relationships and minimize conflict between your children during the baby, toddler, and preschool years and beyond during this fun and interactive workshop. Come prepared to share your own experiences of being a sibling or watching other siblings in action during your own growing up years; and to discuss your worries and concerns about raising more than one child.

Saturday 3:00pm - The Truth About Newborns (So You Can Stress Less and Enjoy Parenting More)
Understanding a few basic facts about newborns will leave you feeling calmer and more confident about your abilities to embark on the ultimate adventure: becoming a parent. What are newborns really like? How long - and how often - do they sleep? Why do they need to eat so often? What are the most effective ways of soothing newborns when they start to cry? How often do they need to be changed - and how do their elimination patterns evolve during the early weeks after birth? What's behind such uniquely newborn behaviours as the startle response? You won't want to miss this fun yet informative session!

Sunday 1:00pm - This is Your Soon-to-Be Life: A Sneak Peak at Life After Baby (And What You Can Do to Ease the Transition)
How can such a tiny person change his or her parents' lives in such far-reaching ways? That's the question this presentation answers while arming you with the facts and insights you need to prepare yourself for the amazing adventure called parenthood. The focus of this presentation is on planning for the early days and weeks after your baby's arrival; and what you can do to make this time less stressful for your new family. Don't forget to bring your questions. You'll have plenty of time to chat with Ann after the presentation.

Sunday 3:00pm - The Couple Connection: Weathering the highs & lows of life after baby
You've fed and changed the baby, tossed in a load of laundry, and managed to feed yourself, too. Sounds like a successful day on Planet New Parent. But wait. Something seems to be missing. Oh yeah! Another day has gone by without having any sort of meaningful conversation with your baby's other parent (formerly known as the love of your life). This wasn't what you had in mind when you dreamed about having a baby. Find out how to stay connected with your partner after the birth of your baby or to re-establish that connection if you've fallen out of touch during this challenging time in your life as a couple.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 MAIN STAGE BIOS:

Tamara Vukusic and Erin Brule

11:30am - Re-Purpose for Playtime
For every parent who has ever heard the words, "I'm bored, there's nothing to play with" escape from the lips of their child, we have the answer! (well...we have 'an' answer!) You will leave this lively and interactive session with a mittful of ideas for entertaining your kids with things you already have around your home. The end result? Kids who can push the limits of conventional thinking and problem-solving. The bonus? You'll save your sanity AND some moula!

Tamara Vukusic and Erin Brule are co-owners of Spark Your Imagination Inc. which aims to encourage creativity in children and connect families. Spark founder, Tamara, is enjoying lassoing her decade plus of public relations and media writing experience to create imagination-inspiring tools for other families (with the help of her own 5 & 6 year-old boys). Erin (rookie mama still suffering from post-baby mommy brain) loves being able to combine her background in marketing with her experience with children behind the lens at Prairie Child Photography, and hopes Spark will help inspire kids and families to 'unplug.'

12:00pm - Children's Performers The Kerplunks

Colleen Bezeau

12:30pm - Cloth Diapering Basics
Are you considering cloth diapers but feeling reluctant or overwhelmed? Join Colleen as she busts common myths that may be holding you back. Learn about modern cloth options and just how easy it is to care for and launder your diapers - no wet pails! You'll leave armed with helpful tips (like how to handle #2 easily) that will set you up for success. Come and get the information that will help you make an informed choice for your family.

Colleen Bezeau is a local Victoria mom with a secret to share: she used disposable diapers until her son was well past one year! After finally pushing through her own hesitancy to try cloth diapers, she became extremely committed to providing the education and support to parents that she feels would have helped her choose cloth from Day 1. Baby Bellhop, a local on-line cloth diaper speciality store was thus born. Colleen loves playing trains, bike riding, and reading great picture books with her silly and active three-year-old son.

1:00pm - Author and parenting expert Ann Douglas

Stephanie Curran, R.TCM P.

1:30pm - Acupressure for Labour
Learn how acupressure to specific points on the body can help prepare your body for labour. A manual will be provided for easy reference and practice at home. Bring your labour support person, a friend or come learn for yourself!

Stephanie Curran has been in private practice in Victoria since 2000 and founded the Elements of Health Centre in 2006. She has devoted much of her Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practice to treating women's health issues, particularly in the field of reproductive health and pregnancy conditions.

2:00pm - Children's Performers The Kerplunks

Susan VanCadsand

2:30pm - Pilates for Pre & Post Natal Health
Looking for ways to ease labour and support natural birth? Want a head start on reclaiming your pre-pregnant body? Watch as Susan demonstrates how the fundamentals of effective breathing, strong core, powerful pelvic floor, and proper posture will do just that and see how Pilates can gently and effectively support a healthy body and mind during pregnancy - and beyond.

Susan VanCadsand, owner and director of Victoria Pilates Inc, was first introduced to Pilates while dancing with the NYC Ballet. She has developed a safe and successful regime incorporating her background as a Kinesiologist, and dedicates her time to supporting others in their pursuit of whole body health.

3:00pm - Author and parenting expert Ann Douglas

Eva Bild, CD (DONA)

3:30pm - Can Your Baby Teach You to Breastfeed?
Can your baby teach you how to breastfeed? Yes, but you have to give her time and space. She's very new and she's trying to figure it out too. If you create good conditions, your baby will be able to tap into his own breastfeeding reflexes and instincts and he will show you the way. Learn how to help your baby and help yourself to a good breastfeeding experience.

Eva Bild is a Certified Doula, Childbirth Educator and Breastfeeding Educator and the owner of the Mothering Touch Centre. She has been working with childbearing families since 1992.

Vanessa Martell, RMT

4:00pm - Infant Massage: The Benefits and How-To
You will learn how infant massage will help increase weight gain in preterm infants, sleep patterns, mother-baby bonding and more. As well, you will learn some basic techniques to massaging your baby to take home and use routinely. Find out what time of day is best and how to set up you and your baby's space for an infant massage.

Vanessa Martell RMT, Doula and mother of three practices at the Vancouver Island Naturopathic Clinic and Integrated Health. She completed her studies in Victoria at the West Coast College of Massage Therapy and has been in practice for over 6 years. Vanessa has treated numerous pregnant women and their babies. She offers specialized Pregnancy, Labour and Delivery, Postpartum and Infant massage.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 MAIN STAGE BIOS:

Westcoast Taekwon-Do

11:30am - Kids Martial Arts Demonstration
Check out what martial arts has to offer kids in this demonstration from Westcoast Taekwon-Do.

12:00pm - Children's Performers The Kerplunks

Dr. Alexis Blanks, ND

12:30pm - Essential Breastfeeding Information Every Mother Should Have Before She Gives Birth
Life with a newborn is an exciting and occasionally overwhelming experience. Breastfeeding is an amazing part of this journey and, believe it or not, there is a lot to know about this simple act! Those first few hours and weeks together are critical for establishing both your milk supply and your breastfeeding relationship with your baby. Dr. Blanks will provide you with key information that will help you to make informed decisions about breastfeeding.

Dr. Alexis Blanks is a naturopathic doctor practicing at Cook Street Village Health Centre. She has a strong interest in women's and children's health and is a trained breastfeeding counsellor.

1:00pm - Author and parenting expert Ann Douglas

Dr. Natasha Montroy, ND

1:30pm - Postpartum Depression - Prevention and Natural Treatment
Are you or someone you know struggling with Postpartum anxiety or depression? You are not alone: 1 in 3 women will suffer from postpartum depression. Learn how to identify signs and symptoms. You will be provided with numerous community resources, preventative strategies and both naturopathic and mainstream treatment options. Nutritional, botanical, Chinese medicine, homeopathic, pharmaceutical and counselling therapeutic options will be discussed.

Dr. Natasha Montroy, ND is a Naturopathic Physician and the Clinical Director of the Vancouver Island Naturopathic Clinic Inc.

2:00pm - Children's Performers The Kerplunks

Dr. Nazima Sangha & Dr. Judith LeRoy

2:30pm - Vision & Eye Health for Babies, Toddlers & Beyond
More than 80% of learning occurs through vision, yet this complex sense has numerous opportunities to develop abnormally. This presentation will inform parents on expectations for visual development and signs that indicate a vision or eye-health anomaly. It will cover common genetic eye-conditions, acuity development and eye diseases in babies/toddlers.

Dr. Nazima Sangha and Dr. Judith LeRoy are Doctors of Optometry who enjoy volunteering on international eye care missions. Dr. Sangha is currently the provincial organizer for Special Olympics vision screenings for athletes with special needs. Dr. Sangha and her partner Dr. LeRoy own Family Eyecare Centre in Victoria, a practice that focusses on eye care for all ages.

3:00pm - Author and parenting expert Ann Douglas

Saturday, September 24, 2011

11:00 Baby Races

For crawlers aged 5-11 mo.

11:30 Tamara Vukusic & Erin Brule

Re-Purpose for Playtime

12:00 The Kerplunks

Juno-nominated children's performers

12:30 Colleen Bezeau

Cloth Diapering Basics

1:00 Ann Douglas

Sensational Siblings

1:30 Stephanie Curran, R.TCM P.

Acupressure for Labour

2:00 The Kerplunks

Juno-nominated children's performers

2:30 Susan VanCadsand

Pilates for Pre and Postnatal Health

3:00 Ann Douglas

The Truth About Newborns

3:30 Eva Bild, CD (DONA)

Can Your Baby Teach You to Breastfeed?

4:00 Vanessa Martell, RMT

Infant Massage

Sunday, September 25, 2011

11:00 Baby Races

For crawlers aged 5-11 mo.

11:30 Westcoast Taekwon-Do

Kids Martial Arts Demonstration

12:00 The Kerplunks

Juno-nominated children's performers

12:30 Dr. Alexis Blanks, ND

Essential Breastfeeding Info Before You Give Birth

1:00 Ann Douglas

A Sneak Peek at Life After Baby

1:30 Dr. Natasha Montroy, ND

Postpartum Depression: Prevention and Natural Treatment

2:00 The Kerplunks

Juno-nominated children's performers

2:30 Dr. Nazima Sangha & Dr. Judith LeRoy

Vision & Eye Health for Babies, Toddlers & Beyond

3:00 Ann Douglas

The Couple Connection

Our Emcees:

Saturday, Sept. 24
10:30pm-1:00pm
Stephen Andrew from CTV News

Sunday, Sept. 25
10:30am-1:00pm
Dave Dickson from CFAX 1070

Sunday, Sept. 25
1:00pm-3:00pm
Erin Glazier from CTV News