I will forever be indebted to restaurant owners who realize that foodies are still foodies, even if they have kids. Stone Hearth Pizza Company is just such a place. They offer thin crust pizzas and gourmet salads incorporating organic, locally produced, sustainable ingredients. Imagine, you can both enjoy your meal and know that you are supporting family farming, protecting natural resources, and strengthening local economies.
Stone Hearth knows it’s located in family suburbs and operates in a very kid-friendly manner, while still retaining warm décor that leaves no doubt that you are not at Chuck E. Cheese.
Located in Belmont and Sudbury. Open Mondays 5 - 9pm, Tuesday - Thursday 11:30am - 9pm, Friday & Saturday 11:30 am - 10 pm, and Sunday 11:30 am - 9 pm.
I will forever be indebted to restaurant owners who realize that foodies are still foodies, even if they have kids. Stone Hearth Pizza Company is just such a place. They offer thin crust pizzas and gourmet salads incorporating organic, locally produced, sustainable ingredients. Imagine, you can both enjoy your meal and know that you are supporting family farming, protecting natural resources, and strengthening local economies.
Stone Hearth knows it’s located in family suburbs and operates in a very kid-friendly manner, while still retaining warm décor that leaves no doubt that you are not at Chuck E. Cheese.
Located in Belmont and Sudbury. Open Mondays 5 - 9pm, Tuesday - Thursday 11:30am - 9pm, Friday & Saturday 11:30 am - 10 pm, and Sunday 11:30 am - 9 pm.
You love your partner for offering massages, but often it’s tough to coax them to go for more than 5-10 minutes. How can you blame them? They didn’t take Massage Therapy Stamina 101 last fall.
For pre/postnatal massage services, I highly recommend someone near and dear to me: Jennifer Koh, LCMT. I have received both pre- and postnatal massage therapy from Jennifer; both approaches were relaxing and therapeutic. I’m just always sad when it is time to slide off the table and re-enter the real world.
Jennifer operates her practice out of The Healing Center, 259 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington. Give her a call (781-424-1060) or send her an email to book an appointment. Her regular hours are: Sunday (12-6pm) and Mondays & Tuesdays (6:30-9:00pm); other appointments may be available upon request. Fees are $70 for one hour, or $100 for 1½ hours.
Update (1/11/07): In addition to her practice at The Healing Center in Arlington, you now also can book appointments with Jennifer in downtown Boston at Boston Bodyworker.
More on the great high chair debate. Another mama friend who favors modern designs is thrilled with her Ikea Antilop High Chair. For a mere $18.99, this chair will sit inoffensively amidst your décor and is so inexpensive that you can pick up an extra one to leave out on the deck.
The Antilop measures 22 7/8 inches wide, 24 3/8 inches deep, and 35 3/8 high with a seat height of 21 5/8 inches. You also can purchase a matching high chair tray for $5.
Here’s to super sizing you’ll feel good about. James Diaz and Melanie Gerth’s series of jumbo books (shown: "My First Jumbo Book of Numbers") offers big, sturdy pages packed with colorful illustrations and lots of objects and colors to name. Babes will delight in the flaps, pull tabs, sliding pieces, pop ups, and wheels.
A steal at $9.95, you'll be eager to expand your jumbo books collection to include the letters, colors, shapes, things that go, and dinosaur books. I picked up my jumbo books at Maxima Gift Center (locations in Arlington and Waltham, replete with cool gifts for both babies and adults); the series also is available at Amazon.
Ah, how I took the Nursing Weight Loss Plan for granted. I was one of the lucky ones whose pregnancy weight fell off quickly, thanks to the voracious infant who nursed her way through the entire 2004 World Series, and otherwise was happiest being walked around and around the block in a sling.
Then a few months post-nursing, many baked goods, and three major clothing crises later I discovered that I had gained 15 pounds. My fabulous husband, who insisted he didn’t even notice the weight gain (perhaps it’s the myopia) suggested that there was one thing I should do and two things I could do. The “should” was to buy myself a pile of clothes that actually fit and made me feel good. The “could’s” were to join him in trying to cut down on the daily desserts, and/or find a fitness outlet.
I can’t write enough about how much I love Eeboo. Their marvelous products are designed in a soft color palette that is easy on parental eyes and tons of fun for babes. What’s cooler than seeing your toddler say hello in 12 different languages while playing with the Friends Say Hello! Puzzle
? Multicultural education is a bargain at $7.95.
Possibly ranking #1 on the Worst Things Ever list is the experimental dentist. I had an out-of-country dentist not long enough ago who, I later discovered, performed a number of experimental procedures on me, including a freakish bridge procedure apparently not implemented in the United States as well as an experimental cavity filling procedure (also typically not used in the US). When I developed the hiccups during one visit he instructed me to hold my breath and then – without asking – jammed his fingers in my ears and wouldn’t let go until he finished counting to 10. I never knew that ears could feel so violated. At least he was wearing gloves.
Not surprising then was my aversion to finding a new dentist when I relocated back to Boston several years ago. Luckily, one of my mama pals turned me onto The Best Dentist Ever, Dr. Russell Forman. Dr. Forman is knowledgeable and friendly; he explains procedures before they happen, honestly prioritizes urgent and back burner dental work, and employs his small practice with kind, skilled hygienists and reception staff. Dr. Forman is so hands on with his practice that it’s even not unusual to find him booking an appointment at the reception desk himself.
Plus, did I mention that he keeps his fingers out of my ears?
Dr. Russell Forman, 875 Mass Ave, Ste 63, Cambridge. Tel: 617-868-5500
Too exhausted to think about having your babe’s next birthday party at home? Full Moon, the perennial top rated family-friendly restaurant in Cambridge, offers birthday party hosting services; choose from one of five themes: wild animals, trucks & engines, dinosaurs, under the sea, princess tea party. Full Moon provides the decorations, balloons, drinks, cake and ice cream, set-up, service, and clean up. Basically, all you need to do is show up.
Party slots are weekdays from 3 - 4:30pm and weekends from 3:15 - 4:45pm (the restaurant is closed during your party); size limit is 10-18 kids (plus parents). Cost is $15 per child, plus 18% gratuity and 5% MA sales tax. You also can pre-order food platters (fruit, cheese and crackers or hummus, pita and olives) for grown ups. Adult cake and drinks charged separately.
Regular service hours include lunch (11:30am - 2:30pm Monday – Friday), dinner (5 - 9pm every day), and brunch (9am – 2:30pm weekends).
One of my mama friends is a firm believer that high chairs are a waste of money and space and I think she very well may be right. We splurged on the beautiful Svan high chair for its’ sleek, compact design but the infant table was a nuisance to clean, we have a distinct Svan-shaped wear spot on the hardwood floor, and most alarmingly, the base sometimes isn't stable enough when our toddler is in rambunctious mode at the table. I’m just not keen on being cast alongside Britney Spears in the mama’ing domain.
So what’s the alternative? The Fisher-Price Healthy Care Booster Seat will only set you back $22.99 (compared to $270 for the Svan chair + cushion...ouch). Fab mama friend and I are thinking that so long as you have a low priority dining chair with a nice sturdy base, you can forego the high chair in favor of a booster seat. Plus, the booster packs up easily for travel or restaurant visits.
The Fisher-Price Healthy Care Booster Seat has a removable feeding tray, 3-point harness and 3 height adjustments and is available at Amazon for $22.99 and $24.99 at Babies R Us
A mama pal struck babysitting gold using Sittercity. Search for babysitters by zip code, view detailed profiles (including reviews, references, a personal statement, photos, contact information, and schedule availability), then interview your candidates. My mama pal interviewed five candidates (all fabulous) and happily was able to secure the most fabulous of the five.
Two sign up plans are offered. The annual plan is $7.99 per month + free registration and an included 2-year subscription to Parenting magazine. The monthly plan is $9.99 per month + a $39.99 registration fee.
Soon-to-be and new mamas in need of support will be interested in checking out the services of Birthing Gently. Established in 2002, Birthing Gently is a practice specializing in high-risk deliveries; their full range of services includes: labor and postpartum doulas, midwives, childbirth education (including hypnobirth), and lactation consultants). They serve families in Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire.
Birthing Gently also has developed the “Heart to Heart” Program, an online self-matching support service/support forum for expecting and new parents of children with medical conditions. Registration is required to ensure privacy, but access to the forum is free of charge.
Mama’ing is incredibly complex. Multiply the mamas times two and a host of new logistical and emotional issues emerge. Vanessa Jones of The Boston Globe reports (May 29, 2006) on a volume that was culled and edited by Harlyn Aizley of Roslindale. This collection of 18 essays (including pieces from five Boston area mamas) is titled “Confessions of the Other Mother: Nonbiological Lesbian Moms Tell All!” and gives voice and description to the challenges faced by nonbiological lesbian moms.
“Confessions” is available on Amazon (regular retail $16, currently on sale for $11.20).
I am a huge fan of Melissa & Doug wooden toys, and was thrilled to find “My First Shapes Book." This wooden puzzle book not only has lots of great objects to help babes with their vocabulary and shape matching skills, but puzzle pieces are magnetic. We have had the book for several months and we still have all 32 pieces!
I found my copy at TJMaxx, but you also can order a copy at Amazon for $14.99.
As a mama, it’s all about multi-tasking. So when you next hit a crisis inspired by a closet full of pre-mama clothing that no longer fits, head to Second Time Around. This boutique offers new and resale clothing – a place where you can sell your pre-mama clothes and boost up your wardrobe all in one stop. A mama friend can’t say enough good things about this shop’s chic collection and tech savvy approach (you can track the status of consignment pieces through your online account).
Check out Second Time Around’s website or contact one of their many area locations (3 Boston stores, Cambridge, Newton, Wellesley, Needham, Portsmouth, NH) for consignment details; however my mama pal did pass along the general rules that consignment pieces should be: 1) in season; 2) from within the last two years; and 3) from a fairly popular store/designer (although they rarely take anything from the Gap).
The underground parking rates at Boston Common Garage are well worth the fun of Frog Pond and Frog Pond Park. In the winter Frog Pond is a famous skating rink; in the summer, the pond is a place for kids to cool off. The Frog Pond spray pool and wading program is open daily from 11 am to 6 pm (free of charge) until Labor Day. Call 617-635-2120 for updated information.
Before or after dipping in the pond, check out the awesome Frog Pond Park two steps away. This terrific playground has lots of cool structures to explore, including what my yummy niece called the “frog potty” (frog sculpture holding a life preserver).
Cotton diapers have obvious benefits: they save trees, lessen landfills, and cut taxpayers’ costs. But it’s tough to face the rigorous routine required to launder cloth diapers at home. It’s one thing to deal with a big baby blowout in the moment, it’s another thing to deal with it again at the laundry machine.
Enter Changing Habits diaper service operated out of Deerfield, MA. The owner, Donna Grybko, is a bit of a kooky koala bear but boy, is she committed to cloth diapers. She even arrived on our doorstep with the first delivery to give us a cloth diaper demo. We loved the service and it was reliable and efficient on all counts.
Changing Habits travels many miles to serve towns in Western Massachusetts and Middlesex County. Check the website for town listings then call to confirm that they can service your address.
Interested in a different kind of fitness activity? A mama pal in search of higher ground recommends Volo Farm in Westford. Riding instruction is offered to riders of all levels; beginners start in private lessons and move up to small group lessons once they have mastered simple control of their horse. Individual lessons can be purchased for $49 each. Packages are available for monthly sessions.
One of my fabulous mama friends recently passed along the dish on Let’s Dish, a super fun, stress-free way to get dinner on the table. In just two hours, create a fleet of freezer-ready meals, or order meals online for pickup. Choose between 8- or 12- dish packages (each dish serves 6 people) at an in-store session, or split a package with a friend. Confirm current pricing with Let's Dish, but at the time of this writing, the 8-dish in-store package was $160 ($3.33 per serving); the 12-dish package $200 ($2.78 per serving).
Looking for a novel mama's night out or baby shower idea? You also can host a private party fee-free. Each guest (including the host) select and pays for her/his own dishes; if more than 12 guests attend, each guest receives an extra party dish free.
You can find Let’s Dish in Burlington (82 Mall Road, behind the mall, next to Starbucks) and Newton/Needham (238 Highland Avenue, on Newton side of the 128 intersection). An Arlington location (1398 Mass. Ave, next to Panera Bread in Arlington Heights) is forthcoming.