Ruby has been more and more active and awake during the day lately, leaving me with fewer free minutes to write. She's sleeping now, so I wanted to take this opportunity to spread the word about a few recent discoveries...
The Easthampton Family Center* - I finally visited the EFC for a informal, parent-run play group and it was great! Very low key and relaxed.
The space is pretty cool - it's shared with Flywheel so there's a stage on one end, but otherwise it's an open space w/ toys and mats out where kids can play and have fun. Ruby and I hung out with some fellow baby folks on a baby mat, so it's definitely a place for all ages.
*Just a note - the Easthampton Family Center's new location is 43 Main St in the Old Town Hall, Easthampton, MA. Their website lists their old location - ignore that!
Mother Goose (and other activities) at the Lilly Library - This is just super cute. The Mother Goose series on Fridays has stories, movement and songs for young ages. We enjoyed it last Friday and it's made its way onto our regular calendar.
All-4-Kids Children's Consignment Sale - This is something I learned about when we were at the play group at the Easthampton Family Center. Look at that: socializing = sharing information and supporting your community!
Anyway, the sale is this weekend and I'm completely psyched about checking it out. You should, too!
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Midwives & Pediatricians in the Pioneer Valley
Today was Ruby's four month appointment. She's fantastic and healthy and was a super duper all star when getting her shots. And once again, I was so pleased with the care of everyone in her pediatrician's office.
Inspired by this, I figured I'd spread the word about the great medical care we've experienced having this baby.
I am, by no means, a baby or doctor expert. But I am a regular, normal person who gave birth to a beautiful girl four months ago at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton, MA.
She was delivered by two midwives from Cooley Dickinson Center for Midwifery Care. I love, love, love them, and it was an awesome birth.
We live in Easthampton, and so looked for a pediatrician in Easthampton. Not knowing anyone around here, I went onto the Masslive Parent to Parent Message Boards and asked for a recommendation. Although we liked her at first, that doctor ended up being a huge mistake (and unfortunately, we didn't realize it until after we'd had some very emotionally harrowing first few weeks of her care for our newborn), and so we looked for another pediatrician.
Northampton Pediatrics came highly recommended. But they weren't as close as we wanted.
Then I heard about Hampshire Pediatrics, in Easthampton. We switched to them when Ruby was about three weeks old, and haven't looked back. We see Dr. Jen and have seen Dr. Sue as well, and they are both just wonderful. Very thorough and supportive and low key and normal and great.
I'm sure there are plenty of other wonderful medical professionals in this area, but these are the ones we are very happy to have!
Inspired by this, I figured I'd spread the word about the great medical care we've experienced having this baby.
I am, by no means, a baby or doctor expert. But I am a regular, normal person who gave birth to a beautiful girl four months ago at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton, MA.
She was delivered by two midwives from Cooley Dickinson Center for Midwifery Care. I love, love, love them, and it was an awesome birth.
We live in Easthampton, and so looked for a pediatrician in Easthampton. Not knowing anyone around here, I went onto the Masslive Parent to Parent Message Boards and asked for a recommendation. Although we liked her at first, that doctor ended up being a huge mistake (and unfortunately, we didn't realize it until after we'd had some very emotionally harrowing first few weeks of her care for our newborn), and so we looked for another pediatrician.
Northampton Pediatrics came highly recommended. But they weren't as close as we wanted.
Then I heard about Hampshire Pediatrics, in Easthampton. We switched to them when Ruby was about three weeks old, and haven't looked back. We see Dr. Jen and have seen Dr. Sue as well, and they are both just wonderful. Very thorough and supportive and low key and normal and great.
I'm sure there are plenty of other wonderful medical professionals in this area, but these are the ones we are very happy to have!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Baby Music Classes in the Pioneer Valley
Whether it's been me singing to her, her father's ipod playing Czech heavy metal (he's from Prague, so that's not as random as it sounds), or the music of her Seahorse, Ruby has always seemed to enjoy music of all kinds.
Because of this, I've had my eye out for baby music classes in Northampton, Easthampton, Amherst or anywhere in the Pioneer Valley.
After a slow summer, I'm suddenly seeing baby music classes everywhere!
The Jones Library in Amherst will offer "Sing with Your Baby" on Tuesdays at 10:30am, beginning September 14 until November 16, 2010.
Although it's not (yet) posted on their site, I *heard* the Lilly Library in Florence also offers a baby music class, also on Tuesdays (at 11am I think), starting up again in September.
Finally, I see on Cradle's calendar that they will have Kindermusik classes on Saturdays, starting September 25th and running for 6 weeks. The classes are broken down by age, and are not free. Check out their site for details.
Ruby and I will definitely be checking these classes out, and I hope you and your little one will too!
And please let me know if you find out about any others!
Because of this, I've had my eye out for baby music classes in Northampton, Easthampton, Amherst or anywhere in the Pioneer Valley.
After a slow summer, I'm suddenly seeing baby music classes everywhere!
The Jones Library in Amherst will offer "Sing with Your Baby" on Tuesdays at 10:30am, beginning September 14 until November 16, 2010.
Although it's not (yet) posted on their site, I *heard* the Lilly Library in Florence also offers a baby music class, also on Tuesdays (at 11am I think), starting up again in September.
Finally, I see on Cradle's calendar that they will have Kindermusik classes on Saturdays, starting September 25th and running for 6 weeks. The classes are broken down by age, and are not free. Check out their site for details.
Ruby and I will definitely be checking these classes out, and I hope you and your little one will too!
And please let me know if you find out about any others!
Monday, August 16, 2010
Washing Cloth Diapers
Because my goal here is to simply create one space where you may find all kinds baby and parenting related things in the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, I often don't feel the need to write a bunch of wordy wordiness, but instead just direct you to a resource that you might find helpful.
Therefore, I'd like to share the best instructions I've come across for washing Cloth Diapers - on the Nicki's Diapers blog.
I've done A LOT of research on Cloth Diapers, so believe me, I really do feel these are easy to understand and very direct, which is great because washing cloth diapers is what I think scares people away from cloth diapering all together.
I hope this will help anyone who had any doubts or questions about washing cloth diapers!
Therefore, I'd like to share the best instructions I've come across for washing Cloth Diapers - on the Nicki's Diapers blog.
I've done A LOT of research on Cloth Diapers, so believe me, I really do feel these are easy to understand and very direct, which is great because washing cloth diapers is what I think scares people away from cloth diapering all together.
I hope this will help anyone who had any doubts or questions about washing cloth diapers!
Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child
A friend told me about the radio show "Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child," on 93.9 The River on Saturday mornings from 8am-10am. I love it! Ruby loves it! They play great music for kids and their adults!
And luckily, they have online audio archives for those of us who aren't up/active from 8-10am, and for those of you who aren't local.
Listen and enjoy!
And luckily, they have online audio archives for those of us who aren't up/active from 8-10am, and for those of you who aren't local.
Listen and enjoy!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Prenatal & Postnatal Yoga
Back when I was still pregnant, I wrote about prenatal yoga in this area. Since then, I've found several resources for both prenatal AND postnatal yoga here in the Pioneer Valley and wanted to share them.
The prenatal yoga classes I ended up going to were through Cooley Dickinson Hospital (at the Amherst location; there's one in Northampton as well). The classes were led by Arden and were gentle, relaxing and very informative about all things pregnancy and birth related, to boot. It was in one of those classes where I first felt my daughter move!
I feel it is quite difficult to find sufficient info on the internet for Cooley Dickinson classes, so this is kind of a rigmarole, but for Prenatal classes you can click here to view the calendar (then click on Prenatal Yoga - it will give some info & tell you to the number to call for registration).
Now that Ruby's here, I'm looking for us to go to yoga together. We haven't gone yet, but in my looking I've found a few likely candidates:
Yoga Sanctuary in Northampton offers pre and postnatal, baby-friendly classes. I know people who have been very pleased with the prenatal classes here.
Vega Yoga in Holyoke also offers an "Infant-friendly Yoga" class that doesn't seem to involve the baby, but the pre-crawler is welcomed there.
Cooley Dickinson Hospital offers Momma & Baby Yoga on Mondays and Wednesdays (again in Amherst and Northampton). This class is the only option I've found that includes the baby in the description: "Fun and therapeautic movement for baby" so it seems like a great option for us!
I'm sure there's more out there, but these can get you started!
The prenatal yoga classes I ended up going to were through Cooley Dickinson Hospital (at the Amherst location; there's one in Northampton as well). The classes were led by Arden and were gentle, relaxing and very informative about all things pregnancy and birth related, to boot. It was in one of those classes where I first felt my daughter move!
I feel it is quite difficult to find sufficient info on the internet for Cooley Dickinson classes, so this is kind of a rigmarole, but for Prenatal classes you can click here to view the calendar (then click on Prenatal Yoga - it will give some info & tell you to the number to call for registration).
Now that Ruby's here, I'm looking for us to go to yoga together. We haven't gone yet, but in my looking I've found a few likely candidates:
Yoga Sanctuary in Northampton offers pre and postnatal, baby-friendly classes. I know people who have been very pleased with the prenatal classes here.
Vega Yoga in Holyoke also offers an "Infant-friendly Yoga" class that doesn't seem to involve the baby, but the pre-crawler is welcomed there.
Cooley Dickinson Hospital offers Momma & Baby Yoga on Mondays and Wednesdays (again in Amherst and Northampton). This class is the only option I've found that includes the baby in the description: "Fun and therapeautic movement for baby" so it seems like a great option for us!
I'm sure there's more out there, but these can get you started!
MOMMA & BABY YOGA CLASS
We haven't taken it yet, but when searching for a Mama & Baby Yoga class in the Pioneer Valley, this sounds like a great one! Ruby and I definitely plan to take it soon.
I wanted to share this information, but couldn't find it online, so this is copy & pasted from the email info I get:
MOMMA & BABY YOGA CLASS
On-Going class
Bring your baby! From 6 – 7 weeks old up to experienced crawlers welcome.
Get back in shape, have fun with your baby, and connect with other parents.
• Center through breathing and awareness
• Reduce stress
• Get relief from aches and pains due to nursing and poor posture
• Recondition abdominals and pelvic floor
• Recover from rigors of childbirth
• Fun and therapeutic movement for baby
• Stay strong and centered through demands of childrearing
You can linger an additional 15 minutes at the end of class. In that time, we are happy to do poses with you that you might have missed because you were busy with your baby.
Om Shanti – Arden and Corinne
*************************************************************
PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
Special Note: PLEASE PRE-REGISTER BY THE SATURDAY BEFORE YOU WOULD LIKE TO START YOUR 1ST CLASS
When you pre-register, leave your phone number and the dates (one or all) you are planning to attend. We reserve the right to cancel class if there are (4) four or less students pre-registered.
If you can’t make class for an unexpected reason,
please call or email your teacher the day before to let her know
COST: $13 each class OR $44 for four classes. Financial Aid is available.
Bring mat, baby blanket, toys and whatever else you feel is necessary.
Classes are offered every month continuously. The schedule below is a sample of dates.
Mondays in Northampton
at Cooley Dickinson Hospital
10:15 – 11:30
AUGUST 9 in Childbirth Conf. Room
AUGUST 2 & 16 in Conf. Room B
No Class Aug 23, 30 & Sept 6
Pre-register CALL or EMAIL: ARDEN
yoga@rcn.com
585-8990
Park at the main entrance and please use free valet.
Classes in Conference Room B
Take the stork elevator to lowest floor.
Walk straight ahead.
Class in Childbirth Conference Room
Take the stork elevator to the top floor (1)
Directly across from the elevator.
Wednesdays in Amherst
170 University Drive, CDH outpatient building across from CVS and Big Y.
10:30 – 11:45
AUGUST 4, 11, 18 & 25
Pre-register
CALL or EMAIL: CORINNE mailto:shraddha@galaxy-usa.net
253-4817
Meets in the Community Room
on the top floor.
If using front entrance, walk upstairs.
If using back entrance, take elevator to top floor and go to the opposite end of building
from Hampshire OB/GYN)
I wanted to share this information, but couldn't find it online, so this is copy & pasted from the email info I get:
MOMMA & BABY YOGA CLASS
On-Going class
Bring your baby! From 6 – 7 weeks old up to experienced crawlers welcome.
Get back in shape, have fun with your baby, and connect with other parents.
• Center through breathing and awareness
• Reduce stress
• Get relief from aches and pains due to nursing and poor posture
• Recondition abdominals and pelvic floor
• Recover from rigors of childbirth
• Fun and therapeutic movement for baby
• Stay strong and centered through demands of childrearing
You can linger an additional 15 minutes at the end of class. In that time, we are happy to do poses with you that you might have missed because you were busy with your baby.
Om Shanti – Arden and Corinne
*************************************************************
PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
Special Note: PLEASE PRE-REGISTER BY THE SATURDAY BEFORE YOU WOULD LIKE TO START YOUR 1ST CLASS
When you pre-register, leave your phone number and the dates (one or all) you are planning to attend. We reserve the right to cancel class if there are (4) four or less students pre-registered.
If you can’t make class for an unexpected reason,
please call or email your teacher the day before to let her know
COST: $13 each class OR $44 for four classes. Financial Aid is available.
Bring mat, baby blanket, toys and whatever else you feel is necessary.
Classes are offered every month continuously. The schedule below is a sample of dates.
Mondays in Northampton
at Cooley Dickinson Hospital
10:15 – 11:30
AUGUST 9 in Childbirth Conf. Room
AUGUST 2 & 16 in Conf. Room B
No Class Aug 23, 30 & Sept 6
Pre-register CALL or EMAIL: ARDEN
yoga@rcn.com
585-8990
Park at the main entrance and please use free valet.
Classes in Conference Room B
Take the stork elevator to lowest floor.
Walk straight ahead.
Class in Childbirth Conference Room
Take the stork elevator to the top floor (1)
Directly across from the elevator.
Wednesdays in Amherst
170 University Drive, CDH outpatient building across from CVS and Big Y.
10:30 – 11:45
AUGUST 4, 11, 18 & 25
Pre-register
CALL or EMAIL: CORINNE mailto:shraddha@galaxy-usa.net
253-4817
Meets in the Community Room
on the top floor.
If using front entrance, walk upstairs.
If using back entrance, take elevator to top floor and go to the opposite end of building
from Hampshire OB/GYN)
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