I am loving this t-shirt from local mom Melanie, who runs Squishy Fish.

It’s made from chemical-free, unbleached, organic cotton, and is the softest t-shirt in our drawer. I have a feeling it will only get softer the more we wash it.

There are six clever and sweet designs to choose from, that I think represent the wonderful world of babies and toddlers as they develop: explore, shine, grow, dream, imagine and squishy fish.

Mel, located in Courtice, started the company because she wanted something hip and meaningful that wasn’t kitties and duckies for her daughter. I think she’s done that! Her onesies and t-shirts are created with nickel-free snaps, and are manufactured by businesses using fair-trade practices only — all good news for an eco-mommy like me.

Check her out at www.squishyfish.ca.

Join the Squishy Fish mailing list for future updates on new products and promotions and a chance to win a Squishy Fish t-shirt of your choice.

I hope all of you have noticed the growing sponsors on the left sidebar.

I am a small town, community girl at heart. Although a decade ago I physically ached to bust out of my hamlet and catapult into j-skool at Ryerson, I knew after less than five years of living downtown Toronto that Big City living wasn’t for me. I knew after five weeks at the Toronto Star that a Big City reporter job was not for me.

And so — having picked up a fiance along the way — we moved back to Durham. In that full-circle way of life, I landed my first Big Kid Job at the very first newspaper I ever worked for (at the tender age of 15).

And so began settling back into the community feeling I felt missing from downtown. That closeness has only intensified after moving to north Durham — now with a baby — back to the stomping grounds of my youth. We are planting roots here.

So you have no idea how awesome it is to have these wonderful local businesses on the site. To have other people value and validate what is so important to me, and what I strive to achieve with this site, is incredibly rewarding and fulfilling. And what better way to showcase Durham Region and the network of businesses that support it than share them with you?

I have purposely chosen not to go with a ad network. There is more money that route, but little if any control over content. There are restrictions on what you can say about your ads and advertisers (nothing, mostly), even where they can go on the site itself. I have no interest in that, and it defeats the purpose of what I am trying to create here.

Please take some time to visit them when you have a chance. A big fat thanks to all of you (and my endlessly patient and supportive sister) for the immeasurable help in reaching this point.

Anyone who has a baby knows hard it is to keep socks on the adorable feeties. I’ve struggled with this since the day Lucy was born. Actually, it wasn’t that much of a problem when she was a newborn, because she usually got poop on her socks at least three times a day and they were rarely on long enough to stay put.

I’ve had great success with Carter’s cuffed socks when Lucy was an infant, but haven’t been able to find them in toddler size around here. My girl is already a size 7 foot, but still has chubby baby legs, so we have issues with cuffed socks that fit her feet, but not her calves.

Our local supermarket is now carrying Joe Fresh Style  clothes, and I found The Dream Sock this week. They’re simple, light-weight cotton, stretchy, with just enough elastic around the top to hold onto Lucy’s legs without cutting off circulation. And they stay put. And they come in adorable colours (pinks, purples, creams, browns) and patterns (stripes and polka dots). AND they’re a great price: $6 for a pack of three pairs. We’re now proud owners of six pairs.

The other Joe clothes are sweet, too: Check out the stylish tops and sleepwear. And how can you not love all of these?! My mom picked up Lucy this adorable vest (with hot pink lining!), leggings and matching top.

I never thought I’d be telling people to go to the grocery store to buy pants, but here you go. Happy squeezing of fruits and clothes shopping!