urbanMamas Portland

Do you have some recommendations for obstetricians, birthing centers, or hospitals for a twin delivery?  An urbanMama emails:

It was almost a year ago when we started talking about our weekly grocery bill, finding ways to trim.  Now, with our local unemployment as one of the nation's highest and with many of our families in the throes of the recession, cutting costs is more important than ever.

With the economic downturn, I'm wondering how mamas and families are weighing shopping for healthy and sustainable food on a budget. I used to buy the organic milk, no question. However, our family often can't drink a half-gallon before it goes bad, and I haven't found organic milk in half-gallons. So now that I'm on a budget, I'm buying the quarts of local, hormone-free but non-organic milk. Same with eggs. The enviro side of me says go for the organic, but the thrifty side says the cage-free eggs are a good compromise. (Yes, backyard chickens are a good solution, and we're working on it, but that isn't for everyone.)

Do others have the same conflict? And if anyone has good leads where the two meet I'd love to hear. For example, I found the whole-wheat organic bread made at New Seasons is good stuff for $2.99 a loaf, cheaper than other organic breads and locally made. And if they happen to have some cooling in the back before they put it in bags, I can reuse the bag from the last loaf (if I remembered to bring it). You have to keep it in the freezer or it gets moldy fast.

Are you buying less organics due to the cost?  Are you finding organic products are increasingly available as affordable options?  Or, is the point moot because you find yourself shopping at discount supermarkets anyway, where organic goods are hard to find?  Are there economical ways to find healthful, minimally-processed food options?

urbanMamas are always generous with their honest perspectives and first-hand experiences.  An urbanMama is relocating to Portland, and their family is considering moving to West Linn and Lake Oswego.  Do you live in either of these cities?  Do you know other families there?  Please share!

When our first daughter was 2, my husband took on a 3-year fellowship in Atlanta.  We knew we would have the option of returning home after the first year or after the 2-year placement in another city.  So, we moved to Atlanta for the first year, then to Portland for the following two years.  Obviously, we haven't looked or gone back. 

We currently have friends contemplating a relocation to the SF Bay area for work, whereas they are currently unemployed here in Portland.  They have found that many public alternative schools are full for the next school year.  What to do?

We received an email from an urbanMama, who is facing a temporary relocation to LA and who also encountered lapsed deadlines for schools.  Does you have specific tips on schools/neighborhoods in LA?  Does you have general tips for maintaining the stability during a relocation?

Just found out a few weeks ago that we are moving from Portland to Los Angeles for a two year stint, while my husband goes to graduate school at the University of Southern California.  Is anyone "in the know" about the L.A. school system?  I'm scrambling, by way of internet and phone, to find a good kindergarten for my five year old son.  We've found a few schools that may be worth looking into, but deadlines have passed and we can't apply anyway, until we actually move there in July.  We're likely to live around USC, San Pedro, Lomita, Pasadena, or Culver City, but we're very open. 

So we're getting down to the wire, which is both exciting and nervewracking.  Exciting because this could actually happen - how cool would that be?  But it might not, which is a serious bummer. 

To make our very best effort to create a paid family leave insurance program in Oregon, we need all the help we can get in the next few weeks.  There are 5 key actions you can take  - will one (or two!!!) work for you? 

1. Email your state legislators and urge them to support paid family leave!  Children's First for Oregon created this simple e-mail action to make it as e-a-s-y as possible for us hassled and harried parents.  Simply click here and you're good to go.  Easy as pie but very important.
2. Join us in Salem on Wednesday, April 8th @ 2:30 PM for the bill's Senate committee hearing.  We need to pack the room to show our support.  It really matters  - and bringing the kids is an excellent idea.  We'll have ours there!  You can RSVP here, and if you want to coordinate rides, email Andrea at info@parentsforpaidleave.org. 
3. We need more businesses to speak up and support this bill.  Do you own one?  Do you know someone who does that you can ask?  You can watch and share this video of an Oregon mom and business owner (and urbanMama!) over on Activistas.
4. We need men to testify!  Mamas, mamas, everywhere.  The experts are women, the legislators are women, so we need a few good men!  Any dads out there who wished they had more leave, or who watched their partners struggle with too little?  Or who worked so many hours to cover their partner's lost income they never even saw the baby?  If that's you or someone you know, we want to hear from you - soon!  Get in touch with Parents for Paid Leave at: info@parentsforpaidleave.org.
5. Share a supportive quote that we can share with key legislators: why do you support paid family leave?  Send it to: quotes@parentsorpaidleave.org. 

We're close, but close isn't gonna cut it.  Your help couldn't be more important.

Friday

Better Living Show: The Energy Trust of Oregon is putting on this festival of all that is earth friendly for the home, garden, and family. It includes a pretty amazing program of constant kids activities, including hourly music times, story times, classes (make your own solar cooker, anyone?), and more. Not to mention plenty to interest adults, of course.  Admission is free, parking is $7 (but it is on the Max line).  Check website for detailed schedule of events.

Chicken Fest: This festival of poultry raising will display 20 different varieties and have a numerous workshops on raising healthy birds, including care, selection, and coop building. Friday includes a 30 minute chicken 101 class for kids 6 and up that includes a game and song. 3926 N. Vancouver. Visit website for additional details.

Music FUNdamentals: Start your morning with some music (and coffee, of course).  Best for kids 5 and under, $2 suggested donation per child. Airplay Cafe (701 E. Burnside), 10:00 am

NE Moms Playgroup: You don't have to live in NE to join this group of moms that gets together to play and chat.  Bring a snack to share if you can.  Milagros Boutique (5433 NE 30th), 2:30-4:30 pm.

Family Dinner Concert: Listen to the "folk innovation" of Andy Simon and grab some dinner for you and the kids at the same time.  Couldn't be more simultaneously kid and parent friendly.  FREE. 5:30-7:00 pm.

Saturday

Puppet Show: Out of the Blue Puppetry will perform a free, kid friendly puppet show.  The Waypost (3120 N. Williams), 11:00 am.

Fairly Stupid Tales: This silly play will feature stories such as:  Goldilocks and the Three Elephants, Little Red Running Shorts, Sticky Cheese Man, Jacks Bean Problem and, of course, The True Story of the Three Little Pigs (as told by A. Wolf). North Portland Library (512 N. Killingsworth) 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm.

Lorna Miller's Little Kids' Jamboree: Join Lorna Miller as she entertains adults and kids with music, rhythm, and movement.  $5 per family. Mississippi Pizza (3552 N. Mississippi), 4:00 pm.

Toy Trains Concert: This lively band entertains kids and adults alike with covers from Dan Zanes, the Beatles, REM, and original music as well.  Reserve tickets at brown paper tickets if you want to be sure to have a seat.  $10 per family, Airplay Cafe (701 E. Burnside), 5:30 pm, doors at 4:30.

Earth Hour: Not an event exactly, (well, perhaps one of global proportions?) but of interest nonetheless. The World Wildlife Fund is asking individuals, businesses, governments and organizations around the world to turn off their lights and electronics (no computers!) for one hour – earth hour– to make a global statement of concern about climate change and to demonstrate commitment to finding solutions. Your house! 8:30-9:30 pm.

Sunday

BrickFest: If you've got a kid (or an adult) that loves legos, this is the place you want to be on Sunday....30,000 feet of Lego creations all for public viewing. $7/person, $25/family. Oregon Convention Center,11:00 am-4:00 pm.  

Family Sunday at Portland Art Museum:  Make paintings inspired by the exhibition La volupté du goût (from 1 to 3 p.m.), take family tours of the galleries (at 12:30 p.m.), and listen to stories (from 2:30 to 3 p.m.). Adults are $10, children 17 and under are free.

East Portland Community Center Indoor Park: Sounds like this new weekend play park is going strong. You could really wear out the little ones and hit the pool before hand. For kids birth to 5, $1 per child. 740 SE 106th (near Mall 205), 3:30-5:30 pm.

Blow Your House Down: The Rebuilding Center in Portland, OR will provide you with the tools, reclaimed house materials and all the instruction you’ll need to build your own bird house. Just come prepared to build a little house ready to withstand serious huffing and puffing. Holgate Library (7905 SE Holgate), 2:00-4:00 pm.

Thumbelina:In this Oregon Shadow Theatre production, Thumbelina journeys to discover her home in the land of the flower fairies. Through the seasons of the year, Thumbelina has adventures with frogs in a pond, flying beetles in a tree, a swallow in the woods, a mouse in a field and a mole in his underground home. Midland Library (805 SE 122nd) 2:30-3:15 pm.

The week is almost over, and I have had a variety of moments with the kids thus far: sweet times when I have had one-on-one time with each kid, very low-key times with an extended weekend trip out of town, furious time when I have to separate the kids because they've been irrititating the heck out of each other, and harried times when I've had to get work done right. now. which cannot happen when the kids are fighing, hungry, needy, or "bored".

How has your week been?  Do you have non-school aged kids so maybe the routine is normal?  Do you school-aged kids and have opted for full-day camps, so it feels like any other school week?  Do you have school-aged kids and tried to juggle work (either house- or out-of-home) with the kids at home, too?  Or, have you just declared it "spring break" for the entire family?  A time to refresh and time to rejuvinate?

How is your spring break going?

Sometimes I have a hard time believing that I came from my parents.  Could it be possible that our approaches could be so different?

We limit sugar in our family.  It just makes sense.  The sugar makes little people go bonkers until wee hours of the night.  We aren't a no-sugar household, just a moderated-sugar household.  When it comes to screen time, we use it on occassion, but not all the time.

When the grandparents whisk into town, it seems that the kids are always clutching a bag of gummis or a sucker.  It seems that there's always the background noise of "kung fu panda" or "nikelodeon".  We have had words with grandparents, asking them not to give the kids candy or plop them in front of a screen all day, but it lands on deaf ears.  It must be their age.

Do we just pretend we don't see our kids discolored tongues from the daily lollipops?  Do we pretend we can't see the unending glare of the TV screen?  How do you handle how grandparents handle your kids if it differs from your approach?

Always lots to rant and change, you know?  Here's what we've been ranting and plotting change about in March:

• Is there a strong case against breastfeeding?  Maybe you've already seen Hanna Rosin's article in The Atlantic entitled "The Case Against Breastfeeding"?  The author, a mother of three, tries to build an argument about there being only unproven benefits to breastfeeding.  

• Standardized testing: Love it or leave it?  Have your say.  There's nothing like the topic of standardized testing to get us Portlanders up in arms.  Oregon has run the gamut with testing in the past - remember those CIM and CAM tests, anyone? 

• OEC in Salem to make our products safer.  If you missed OEC's lobby day in Salem for the Children's Safe Products Act OF 2009, check out this quick video of the event.  I'm pretty glad they're working so hard to keep toxic chemicals off our shelves and out of our bodies.  You?

• Campaign for Safe Cosmetics issues toxic tub report.  So I'm not too happy that our bubble bath might contain formaldehyde and 1,4 dioxane.  Not happy at all.  I'm not surprised, either.  Neither chemical is good for you - in fact, both are probable carcinogens - and both can be easily removed from these products.

• Support paid family leave for all federal employees: Email your representatives today!  Thanks to Moms Rising for letting us know that this bill is back in action.  We were all excited back in 2008 when it passed the U.S. House of Representatives, but now it sounds truly possible. 

• And, last but not least, Parents for Paid Leave wants you to know that there will soon be a hearing in Salem on the proposed Oregon paid family leave insurance program.  We need to pack the hearing room!  Bring your kids!  Tell your friends! Carpool to Salem! The tentative date is Wednesday 4/3 @ 3 PM.  Ideal?  Of course not.  But neither is unpaid family leave.  Be there, mamas.  Your presence will speak volumes. 

It's time.

Today is the first day of the Portland Farmer's Market for the 2009 season, and chatting with other urbanMamas I discover that lots of you are expecting your first box of food from a CSA sometime in the next several weeks. And there are questions, mostly, what do I do with this? This weird knobby vegetable (if it's huge, it's celeriac; if it's tiny, it's a Jerusalem artichoke; both should be peeled and can be diced and used in soups or gratins); these four heads of cabbage (one for braising, one to chop and put in soups, two for kim chi, of course!); this enormous quantity of kale (rinse well, chop roughly, and put in a large cast iron or stainless steel pot, with several cloves of whacked garlic, a glug of oil or butter or bacon fat, and some salt, cook, stirring often, over medium heat until almost crispy, put in everything or serve alone).

But let me start over. I am here to help you with your quest to cook more vegetables (and the occasional fruit) and figure out what to do with what seems like way too much of something. Also, it would be good if your children ate some, too. Each week (or thereabouts) when I come home from the market I'll write a post about something that's in season and link to some recipes I love, and present a few for you. If you've just received a CSA box or a gardening neighbor's gift, or harvested a bumper crop, of some particular vegetable, leave a comment and I'll try to come up with some great (and easy) ideas. And hopefully I'll have a few sentences of gardening too.

This week, I'm getting a second round of peas planted outside, and a few kinds of onion seed; a bed of lettuce; and hopefully some carrots and potatoes, too. I'll start tomatoes, jalapenos, celery and artichokes inside -- this year I've promised myself I'll use a flourescent light to help them germinate, we'll see if it works out! What are you planting, harvesting, buying, and eating this week? I need to make some of the aforementioned kim chi, so I'll be picking up an extra cabbage or two at the farmer's market, a jar of jalapenos, some carrots, and some collard raab. I love that stuff.

NPR's Marketplace is looking to talk to Portland families:

For young families with kids the traditional narrative would be moving from the city to the suburbs for the good schools and space.  The question I’m posing is whether there’s a growing shift away from that as the suburban life proves too isolating, uneconomic (energy prices) and environmentally unsustainable? 

And do cities like Portland offer an alternative middle ground?  Not only drawing single urban hipsters but young families as well.  Ideally I would be looking for a family with children in the 3-6 year old range who have recently moved or are in the process of moving to Portland to pursue this dream.  I’d also be interested in hearing the story of a family who did move to the suburbs but is now moving back to the city after becoming disillusioned.

Details on Activistas.

TGIF mamas, hope you're prepared to brave the elements this weekend as you get out and about.

Friday

Ladybug Walk: A guided 60 minute walk around Cathedral Park (stroller use is possible) for preschoolers, no registration necessary, cool ladybug backpack provided! $3 per child. 10:00 am.

Eat to the Beat: Eat a healthy lunch (parents too!) while the little ones enjoy some original tunes and silly humor. Airplay Cafe (701 E. Burnside), 12:30-1:30 pm.

Story & a Stroll: Enjoy a short guided walk that involves education about raptors. Targets kids 3-6, rain or shine. Pre-registration required. Tryon Creek State Park, 1:00-2:00 pm.

Kidical Mass: A family friendly ride to City Hall for cocoa and treats to chat about why Safer Routes to School and bicycle boulevards are so very important - hopefully the Mayor and City Council will be listening! Three meet up locations: Downtown: North Park Blocks Playground, East Side: Sunnyside School Playground, Sellwood: Sellwood Pool (7th and Miller). Meet up at 5:30 pm, ride leaves at 6:00 pm.

Saturday

Trail, Trolley, Tram, and Train Family Walk: Led by Metro Councilman David Bragdon, this 3.9 mile walk will hit a variety of our local transportation options. Leaves from the Oregon Zoo Max stop. 10:00 am.

Oregon Historical Society Family Day: Up to two kids get in free with a paying adult.  Activities include a basketry demonstration and creating your own basket design.  Younger children will enjoy hearing the story of Coyote in Love, exploring objects in the exhibits; and making a craft. 10:00 am-5:00 pm.

Oaks Amusement Park: The park is open for the season and celebrating the kick off of the season and spring break. Free admission, fee for rides. Saturday and Sunday Noon-5:00 pm.

Symphony Storytime: The Oregon Symphony is on the road for interactive, musical storytimes. Enjoy music, hands-on crafts and fun for all ages North Portland Library (512 N. Killingsworth), 11:00 am-12:00 pm.

Title Wave Anniversary Sale: Support the great services of the Multnomah County Library and get some seriously cheap books in the process. Title Wave Book Store (216 NE Knott), 9:00 am-5:00 pm.

Sunday

Portland Art Museum Free Family Day: An excellent opportunity for families to visit PAM at a terrific price--FREE!  Visitors will celebrate Madame de Pompadour as they play with paint, enjoy music and dance, dress in period costumes, savor French pastries, and hear tales inspired by French art. 12:00 pm-5:00pm.

East Portland Community Center Indoor Park: The great folks at Portland Parks and Rec have heard the request and they are giving the weekend indoor playpark a try. For kids birth to 5, $1 per child. 740 SE 106th (near Mall 205), (503) 823-3450. 3:30-5:30 pm.

Family Concert: Catch Gabriel Salo doing singalong songs and original tunes for the whole family. $5/person, $10/family. Airplay Cafe (701 E. Burnside), 5:00 pm.

If you can't make the national Farm to Cafeteria conference this weekend in Portland (drats) but are interested in the topic, you can learn what's going on and weigh in on OPB's Think Out Loud today, Friday 3/20 from 9 to 10 AM.  The title of the show is Local Lunch, and here's how they describe the issue:

Grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup may not seem like the advance guard of a revolution, but that's exactly what Representative Brian Clem (D-Salem) is hoping for. Along with Rep. Tina Kotek, he's sponsoring House Bill 2800, which would provide up to $19 million in state money for schools that spend some of their federal dollars on Oregon food. What's Oregon food? Anything that was "produced, packaged, packed or processed" in the state. This is where the grilled cheese sandwiches come in.

Portland Public Schools is one of two districts taking part in a Kaiser Permanente-funded pilot program to see what happens when schools are given seven extra cents per meal to spend on local lunches. PPS chose to concentrate those pennies into monthly "local lunches" (grilled Tillamook Cheese sandwiches and Pacific Natural Foods' tomato soup were on offer this week). Gervais Schools decided to spread their grant money around more broadly. According to a recent report, the grant money triggered more in-state spending from the schools' existing coffers: grants of about $66,000 dollars turned into more than $225,000 spent on local products. What's more, argues Clem and other Farm to School supporters, that money in turn will itself have a multiplying effect as it makes its way around the state. The result, they say, will be healthier students, healthier farms, and a healthier economy.

If you can't listen this morning @ 9, you can always catch the rebroadcast tonight.  And of course you can join the conversation online, too - they regularly raise questions on the show that were posted online.

PS - They had another relevant show earlier this week on what books, plays, and other media are appropriate for school, and which are being censored right here in Oregon.  Check it out.

I'm wondering if anyone has worked with or knows of Renee Beninger CNM at Laurelhurst Women's Clinic at Providence Medical Center.  I am pregnant with my first child, and I like how her practice works, but I can't find any information on her or the Laurelhurst Medical Clinic in the urbanMama comments. Unlike OHSU, PMCC, and Legacy where I'd rotate through the on-staff midwives and take whoever is on duty when I go into labor, she would work with me throughout my pregnancy and catch the baby. I like the idea of having an on-going relationship with my midwife and know that she will be there when I'm in labor, so this appeals to me.  Because of my insurance, though, I need to work with a CNM in a hospital. Any insights?

There were some unfortunate stories covered in the news this past winter that made my husband start pontificating about the benefits of owning a gun.  He grew up with a father that hunts regularly, he and his brother learned about appropriate gun use and safety, and there was never any incident with having guns in his house.  I, on the other hand, did not grow up around guns and am fearful that having a gun in the house is just asking for trouble. 

We have a piece of property that is pretty remote and sometimes I don't like to go there because I feel a little vulnerable, I suppose my husband hopes that a gun would make me feel safer. But we would never keep it anywhere we could get to it quickly if need be (and really, what are the chances of needing to?) and children are just too curious about things that are off limits (not to even mention their friends).  So mamas, do you have guns in your home? How have you talked to your children (and others that come into your home, if necessary) about gun safety when they have reached the appropriate age?

We have a 2.5 yo son, and we are expecting another baby in a few weeks.  Our son is gentle and sweet and sensitive. I can see his concern with my expanding belly, and what that means for him.  I would appreciate some advice on how to help our son prepare for his new little sister.  Especially, we are looking for resources that will help provide reassurance.

About a year ago, we started talking about one mama's dilemma about choosing a neighborhood and whether she ought to consider moving to an "established" school district.  We have recently received an email from an urbanMama who wants to continue the conversation: 

I know I have plenty of time, my son won't be going to kindergarten until Fall 2010 but I've started to research schools in Portland because we're finally shopping for a house.  Yay!  Everyone seems to be pointing me in the direction of the westside or magnet/transfer option schools. Do I have to move to a suburb or apply for the risky transfer option in order to get into a good school?  I love the close proximity of everything in NE and SE but I don't want to trade my son's education for a cool, hip neighborhood.  But on the other hand, I'm not sure if I could handle living in the SW suburbs.  What are your experiences with schools in the inner city versus those of you living in SW Portland and beyond?

With one of us urbanMamas recently having another new babe (at Providence's St. V's) and with another one of us urbanMamas expecting again, deliveries are in the forefront of our minds.  We all know that first-hand experience can be oh-so helpful when making some choices, so an urbanMama is wondering if you have thoughts to share on Providence's St. Vincent's Hospital and/or Legacy's Good Samaritan.  Have you delivered there?  Have positive or negative feedback to share?

We've lived in Portland for just a couple of years now. When we first moved here, based on the wonderful reviews from others on this site, I chose Dr. Jenna Murray as my new OBGYN. I've only seen Dr. Murray for a couple of annuals so far but have been very happy with her. Now we are considering a second child and I am re-evaluating my OBGYN and affiliated hospital choice as we have since moved close to Providence St. Vincents and the offices of Women's Healthcare Associates. A friend gave me a glowing recommendation for one of the new docs there (Dr. Garvie-Loveland), and I know there are a few other highly recommended doctors in the practice. So, while I feel like I've gotten a good sense of the doctor issue, I'm now wondering about the hospital choice. Am I better off switching to St. Vincents and WHA due to the convenience factor or is there a good reason to stick with Dr. Murray and Legacy Good Sam? Any feedback anyone could offer on one hospital versus the other in terms of how nice the hospitals are, quality of care, rooms, etc.? FWIW, this second child would either be a VBAC or another c-section.

Here in Oregon, Activistas are working hard to build awareness and support around the paid family leave bill that our state legislators are considering right now.  How dreamy would that be?  Paid family leave?

Anyway, I write in the context of today's world.  I am expecting, and I am working on a plan to tell my office the "news".  Being a small nonprofit organization, our employee manual has very little to say on the subject of family leave.  It's basically your standard FMLA stuff, which is fine and dandy, but there may be some room for negotiation.  My organization has shown me in the past that they're willing to support me and my family to retain me.  With my first two pregnancies, I was ineligible for FMLA because I hadn't been in my job for the requisite 12 months/1250 hours.

Let's just say that it didn't matter whether the leave was paid or unpaid (obviously, this is SO hypothetical).  Let's just say that we were just gathering other mamas' and papas' perspectives on how much time they did and didn't take off to be with their newly born and adopted babies.  How much is enough?  Did you take enough time?  Would you have taken more?  Would you have taken less?  Would you aim for a year?  Would you opt to take less to maintain your career?  Would you take more to maximize your time with the new baby?  If you had your druthers, how much maternity/paternity leave would you take?

Better late than never,  eh? If you haven't already got your weekend planned and need a little inspiration to get out of the house, check out a few of the fun happenings below.

Saturday

Parents for Paid Leave Event: Learn about this important grassroots paid family leave campaign, hear how the proposed program would work, and.... get a free professional digital pic of you & the kids. A hearing on the bill is anticipated in Salem in a few weeks, so now is definitely the time to jump in and send your legislator a postcard - they'll have some for you to sign. SE Uplift (3534 SE Main) 9:30-11:00 am.

East Portland Community Center Pool Grand Opening: Free swim, games, crafts, and free cake and lemonade to celebrate this brand new pool and its really cool slides.  12:00-5:00 pm.

Symphony Storytime: The Oregon Symphony is on the road for interactive, musical storytimes. Enjoy music, hands-on crafts and fun for all ages. North Portland Library (512 N. Killingsworth), 1:00-2:00 pm.

Safety Saturday at the Belmont Firehouse: Learn valuable safety lessons and fire department history by exploring the old Belmont Firehouse. Hands on activities include sliding down a fire pole! (Plus this is just blocks away from Sunnyside playground, Laughing Planet, and Saint Cupcake). Belmont Historic Firehouse (900 SE 35th), 10:00 am-3:00 pm.

Cowboy & Octopus:  Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith’s book “Cowboy & Octopus” pairs an unlikely duo. Create a hero all your own by building an eight-legged friend from recycled materials with the lovely folks from SCRAP. Albina Library (3605 N.E. 15th Ave), 2:00-4:00 pm.

Blow Your House Down: The Rebuilding Center in Portland, OR will provide you with the tools, reclaimed house materials and all the instruction you’ll need to build your own bird house. Just come prepared to build a little house ready to withstand serious huffing and puffing. Belmont Library (1038 SE 39th Avenue), 3:00-5:00 pm. 

Animal Tea Party: Join Jo Alexis Bronstein and Arlie Conner as they perform songs from their new CD Animal Tea Party, with other musical guests joining in the fun. The Monkey & The Rat (131 NW 2nd Avenue), $10/family, 5:00-6:00 pm.

Sunday

19th Annual NE Neighborhood St. Paddy's Day Parade: Celebrate St. Patrick's Day by dressing in green and parading around with friends and neighbors for a 1.2 mile loop around the Irvington neighborhood. Fernwood Elementary (33rd and Hancock), 11:00 am (sharp!).

Parent/Toddler Creative Movement Class: Get your body moving as your little one (14 months-3) explores movement through imagination. Free. Lululemon Athletica (1231 NW Couch), 11:00 am-noon.

Professor Banjo:. A Portland favorite when it comes to old-time music, Paul Silveria performs for children as the banjo-slinging "Professor Banjo" entertaining children with sing-a-longs and dancing games accompanied by lively old-time music that parents can enjoy, too! Airplay Cafe (701 E. Burnside) $5 per person, $10 per family. 5:00 pm.

Congratulations are in order. Last night at 10:19 p.m. -- less than 3 hours after she emailed to say she was headed to the hospital -- Hau and Joe welcomed baby Hendrik Hagedorn, 7 lbs 15 ozs, 20.5 inches. We're thrilled for them and I can't help but ask myself: what am I going to knit for the baby? A third boy deserves something special; for Monroe, my third little boy, it was a wild, swirly blanket of many colors. Richness is required, don't you think?

Which reminds me. Last Thursday in the Oregonian's In Portland section, I read a little story about a Catholic knitting group in Sullivan's Gulch. "Christ Child Society has met since 1964 at the Calaroga Terrace retirement home on Northeast Second Avenue to sew, knit and crochet clothes and bedding and package them with other items in layettes. But with membership declining from as many as 300 to 80 this year and the limited mobility of some members -- several were in their 90s -- the group decided it couldn't continue and held its final meeting last month," it went on. I was struck with a sudden, utter sadness and thought, couldn't we do it?

Last night, urbanMama Suzame gave me a ride home from an event we had both serendipitously been invited to attend, and mentioned the story, and how she and her husband had thought of me. It's fate, I said, and this morning I called Donna Kipp, from Multnomah County Health Department's Early Childhood Services, who had distributed the layettes to low income mothers, offering our services.

First-timer or third, low-income or middlin', every baby deserves some handmade items prepared with love. Do you have a little extra handmade love to go around? Would you like to get together occasionally to knit (and crochet and sew) it forward? If you're interested, say so; and if you can't wait to get started, meet me at Twisted next Thursday (March 19) around 11 a.m. I love the thought of being spiritual but non-denominational. What do you think?

We all know how helpful it is to hear first-hand experiences.  An urbanMama recently emailed:

My family recently moved to Lake Oswego and the closest hospital is Legacy Meridian Park in Tualatin.  Have you given birth there?  I would love to know:

1. how you liked the hospital and staff?

2. if you had/have a doctor that you absolutely love - name?

3. do they have a post delivery "mom's group"?

We've talked about MD vs. ND and we've also collected some great suggestions for Naturopaths for Kids.  An urbanMama recently emailed requesting more recommendations for naturopaths:

I’ve struggled with a diminished libido since going on the pill when I first married my husband 13 years ago.  After a lot of couples counseling to help decompress what became a horrible situation in our marriage, I felt pretty confident that my decreased sex drive has been related to hormones.  I saw a naturopath a few years ago for help with this issue, but stopped seeing her after getting pregnant.  I’m still struggling with a range of hormone challenges (PMS being one), and would like to get back to a naturopath again.  I’m wondering if any urban mamas out there have recommendations for Portland area naturopaths who specialize in female hormones?  I would prefer someone in NE Portland, but am willing to go pretty much anywhere in the Portland area to get some help with this issue.  Thanks!

We are a two-child household and both of our kids have shared a room since the little one moved out of our bed at around 8 or 9 months of age.  It wasn't an easy transition, necessarily, with one child sleeping before the other, then with frequent middle-of-the-night awakenings.  Still, we love that they share a room, even if we do have a third room we could've used for another kid's room.  The sweetness of hearing the two (now aged 5 and 8) chat before going to bed or after just waking up is precious, as is the lessons of learning to get along in a pretty small living space.  An urbanMama wants to hear about your experiences in transitioning two siblings to sleep together:

I was wondering if I could ask for advice from the urbanMamas community about moving my 4 year old daughter and 2 year old son in to the same room, possibly into the same queen sized bed that my daughter has slept in since she was born.  I was thinking about adding a twin bed to the room, so they could sleep together (since they are big snugglers) or apart depending on their mood.  Plus a parent could sleep comfortably with them during the transition.  Right now my 4 year old daughter is in her room, and I’m with her (trying to night-wean my son) and my husband is in our king sized bed with our 2 year old son.  So we’ve started a transition of some sort, but are at a stand still about the next step.
 
Neither are great sleepers, but I think we could all adjust to it....maybe.  I’d at least like to try it.  Getting them to fall asleep would be the tricky part, esp. if they are so tired they are trying to hit/kick each other or don’t want to share the parent or bed.  Right now, we stay with them individually until they fall asleep (too traumatic for all involved to do otherwise).  We do have 3 bedrooms, but I hate to give up the computer room that also lets them watch the occasional dvd, an area for them to color, I can call about bills late at night or grocery shop on-line, plus it is the only room in the house with decent daylight where we can hang out.  My husband wants to move them each into their own room, but I feel like my sanity is at stake, since the computer room is crucial to my connections outside of the house, late at night when everyone else is asleep.  Has anyone else been in a similar situation?  Did you decide to have siblings share a room?  Did you decide to give them each their own?  Any advice would be most welcome! 

A few emails have come to us with some goings on over at Portland Parks and Recreation, and we thought it would be a great time to highlight:

Learn about Couch Park Play Area Improvements:  Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) is holding a public meeting to provide information about the proposed safety and ADA accessibility improvements planned for the play area at Couch Park. Please join us to hear about these proposed improvements, how they will help make the play area better for all users, and the timing of the improvements.  Meeting is on Thursday March 12, from 7-8pm, at the Metropolitan Learning Center School Auditorium (2033 NW Glisan).

A community center being planned for Washington Monroe High School:  The Buckman neighborhood in SE Portland is slated to develop 4.7 acres of the former Washington Monroe High School into a Community Center.  Portland Parks & Recreation is recruiting community members to consider key questions such as, "What are the community’s needs?", "Who will be using the facility?" and "What are the activities and programs it needs to provide?"  To be a part of this initial planning process, go to the project website here or download the interest form.

Support the new WEEKEND Indoor Playparks:  We received an email from an urbanMama who has brought weekend indoor playparks to PP&R!  "I returned to work when my daughter was two and quickly realized that there are not enough indoor weekend activities for toddlers. I talked to the folks over at Portland Park and Recreation and they’ve graciously agreed to start a Sunday indoor play park for ages birth – 5 years at the East Portland Community Center, every Sunday from 3:30 to 5:30 pm ($1 per child).  The center is located at 740 SE 106th avenue (very close to Mall 205) and the phone number is 503-823-3450.  I hope that some of you working parents will take advantage of this program – they will keep the weekend park going as long as there is a demand."

Seems like a lot of things need fixing these days (what's new?), so we've been busy trying to fix them.  Jump in if you, too, think something needs fixing.  Here are but a few to choose from:

• Paid family leave in Oregon: A chance to learn & act.  Parents for Paid Leave is hosting two family-friendly, casual events this coming weekend.  We'll watch a short documentary about Portland parents working for paid leave, call and write our legislators, and get free professional pics of you & the kids for our grassroots postcard campaign.

• Stand up for safe children's products in Salem - Thursday, 3.12 noon to 1.  We've written a lot about phthalates and BPA and the risks they pose.  We've been angered by their use in products intended for babies and kids.  We've lamented the serious and irreversible health effects associated with these toxins.  And now is our time to TAKE ACTION! 

• NW milk bank in the works: Get involved!  This is great.  Way back in 2007 we talked about milk banks and thought what a great opportunity it would be for a Portland mamapreneur.  And good news!  There's one in the works, thanks to a dedicated group of local moms.

• Industrial pollution doesn't have to start in the womb.  The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is working hard to pass the Kid-Safe Chemicals Act in Congress. Kid-Safe would overhaul the outdated and ineffective Toxic Substances Control Act that we've talked about here before.

• Moms Rising says:  Tell your state legislators to support paid family leave now!  If you're a member of Moms Rising then you already saw this. We're thrilled that they sent an email to their Oregon members urging us to email our state legislators to support paid family leave NOW!

The exciting thing about all this is there's a lot happening to improve the public policies that affect family life in the U.S.  And the more of us that are involved, the more improvement we're likely to see.  No time like the present!

We define ourselves in different ways, and we can be drawn to other mamas who may be like us in one way or another.  When we gravitate to other like mamas, do we then alienate and exclude others?  Do we find ourselves on the outside of a circle, do we struggle to find ways in?  How can we approach a group of mamas who already have such strong bonds and intimacy?  An urbanMama recently emailed about her experiences with mama circles and wanted to hear about yours:

I'm hoping to ask a question about dealing with the "other mother" cliques.  I have three children, two of whom are school aged.  For both of their classes, I feel like I'm back in junior high when it comes to interacting with other mothers.  There are sub-groups, parties they talk about, inside jokes, etc.  Unlike other adult relationships, I have to see these folks all of the time.  I certainly have some friends among them, but considering I'm an introvert, it can certainly be overwhelming.  I'd love to have some strategies before my third enters school.  Any thoughts?

The weekend is here mamas and none too soon.  I'm especially thankful for our great library system this weekend as they've put together some great activities with kids in mind (see below). 

Friday

Eat to the Beat: If you dare take your kids out in public right before nap time, this is the place to do it.  A great chance to wear them down for a good sleep as they bop to the beat and you both much some lunch. Airplay Cafe, 12:30-1:30 pm.

Blow Your House Down: The Rebuilding Center in Portland will provide you with the tools, reclaimed house materials and all the instruction you’ll need to build your own bird house. Just come prepared to build a little house ready to withstand serious huffing and puffing. Hollywood Library (4040 NE Tillamook), 1:00-3:00 pm.

Buckman Art Show & Sell: This benefit for Buckman Elementary School cannot be beat.  In addition to the tons of professional art for sale (at relatively affordable prices), they really know how to put together an entertainment line up (marimba, jazz, bluegrass, kids chorus!)and a fun time for kids and parents alike. Buckman Elementary (320 SE 16th Avenue), Friday, 5:00-9:00 pm ($5 admission), Saturday 10:00 am-5:00 pm.

Free First Friday at Portland Children's Museum: The new Baby Garden is open and the Bob the Builder exhibit has been extended. 5:00-8:00 pm.

Saturday

Making Something Out of Nothing: Learn about other cultures with Yurtfolk. Sing stories through songs inspired from children's books such as "Hey Little Ant", "Joseph Had a Little Overcoat" and "Horace and Morris join the chorus (but what about Dolores?)" Hear lore about knocking on the door of a yurt (that’s a traditional Mongolian home) and why you should walk clockwise once you’re inside. Albina Library (3605 NE 15th Ave), 11:00-11:45 am.  Also Blemont Library 3:00-3:45 pm.

Horton Hatches an Egg: Tears of Joy Theatre brings to life an array of tabletop puppets with vivacious voice and movement. Meet a never-to-be-forgotten Horton, the irascible Mazie and other wonderful characters in this Dr. Seuss favorite. Northwest Library (2300 NW Thurman), 3:00-4:00 pm.

Outdoor Summer Camp Fair: Portland outdoor camp providers in one location (think Tryon Creek, Community Cycling Center, etc), plus the rock wall will be open to kids. REI (1045 NW Johnson), 10:00-2:00 pm.

Captain Bogg & Salty Band: Eat a lime, argh! Join the roughest swaggerin' scallywaggs that ever sailed the seven seas, this is the buccaneer rock band for pirates of all ages! $6 under age 13, $9 age 14 and over. Curious Comedy Theater (5225 NE MLK Blvd),11:00-12:00  and 1:00-2:00

Sunday:

Old Time Family Music Show: Old-time music for a rollicking good time for the whole family. $5 per person/$15 per family in advance, $20 at the door. Airplay Cafe, 5:00 pm.

Milk & Cereal Tasting: Breakfast for lunch, anyone? New Seasons Market, all stores. Saturday and Sunday, 11:00 am-5:00 pm.

Last night when I was reading through Chapter 5 of "The Borrowers", I was interrupted several times.  "Mama," says the little one, raising her hand but waiting before she speaks.  When I reach the end of the paragraph, I look at her.  She says: "You know what I did today with Aidan?"  I say, "Maybe we can talk about that when we're done with the chapter."  After a few more sentences, again it's "Mama!  Mama!"  I read to the end of the paragraph and again look at her.  She asks "Where did the borrowers get that chair?"  We stop and talk about how the chair is an empty spool of thread, but her older sister is growing anxious, wanting for me to read on and on.

It's tough for me to read to two different children at different ages and different attention spans.  But, this is our storytime, and it's not going to change.  I personally don't like stopping so often to talk about the day or talk about the setting (although I suppose I shouldn't mind the latter).  I like to dig into the book and read right through.

One of our daughters has always been inquisitive at story time, whether it be a chapter book or picture book.  Always asking tangential questions about the characters, their mamas, papas, brothers, and sisters.  Our other daughter enjoys just listening and silently visualizing the words.

I have long wondered: do you stop while you read?  To really examine and discuss the pictures?  To talk about what it may be like to be that character?  To talk through feelings about the story?  Or, do you read straight through and leave the discussion to the end (of the book or the chapter)?

Most of us urbanMamas face the battle of the pile on a regular basis.  To that end, we'd like to help an urbanMama narrow her search on a new washing machine.  Can you lend your experience?

We have had a Sears "Kenmore" front loader for the past four years. Last week it stopped working.  The cost for repairs is enough that we are looking to buy a new machine. It has to be a front loader to fit in the spot in our laundry room.  I am not going back to Sears.  I have been burned one to many times buying through them.  I need a machine that can handle diapers, carpenter's clothes and all the clothes a newborn can spit up on.  What do you mamas have?  What do you like/dislike about your machines?

Last night, a domestic squabble ensued in our household, involving raised voices, angry tones, and some swear words for emphasis.  One of us was hanging laundry, the other was handling kitchen duties.  The kids were nearby, and quickly came to our assistance at the thought that it may help diffuse the situation.

When I was a child, I heard some pretty terrible verbal jousts between my parents.  Many times, it brought me to tears myself.  Sometimes, even, it brought me to my knees in prayer, hoping that they would soon work it out and return to their playful, loving selves.

Arguments are a reality.  How and whether we expose the kids to these tense moments could be a different story.  I'm curious: do you fight in front of the kids?  Are you careful and certain to only discourse in private?  If the kids have caught you in the crossfire, how have they reacted?  Have you discussed and explained the arguments with them?