Houston Baby Magazine Fall 2019

fall/winter 2019 | Vol. 18 | Issue 2 a product of

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NOW WHAT? help your preschooler START SMART nursery trends FOREST FRIENDS tracking your CHILD’S DEVELOPMENT potty training TIPS & TRICKS

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houston baby magazine

2 fall/winter 2019

We’re Going Quarterly!

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Starting in 2020, get more of the resources you’ve come to love and trust. Houston Baby Magazine features articles, tips and product information for parents of children from birth through preschool. Pick us up at one of our many convenient locations.

SPRING March 2020

SUMMER June 2020

A PRODUCT OF HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE

FALL

September 2020

WINTER December 2020

contents 12

8

features|in this issue

on the cover Photos: Yvette Michelle Portraits

6 8 10 12 14 16 40 42 50

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16 42

50

departments

5

editor's note

18

child care directory

20

stages of motherhood

26

naming baby

Tips to manage opinionated feedback

Newborn care 101

Preparing for life with a new baby

delivered...now what?

What does it all mean?

help your preschooler start smart Promoting well developed children

10 things only a mom potty training her kid would do Tips on potty training survival

breastfeeding basics

10 tips you need to know before giving birth

just for dad

Apps to help dad get a handle on the joys of parenthood

Mom.Me

Myra Johnson

nursery trends

32

Baby finds

44

father knows best

46

book bites

What to expect the first 24 hours postpartum

tracking your child's development

Expecting, New & Preschool Moms Dish their Tips

30

connor stands for awareness Coping with loss after a stillbirth

FALL/WINTER 2019

Add a little whimsy to your nursery with woodland creatures

Products for nursery, baby, and new parents 50 things all kids should try

Nursery books we love

on the go with baby

48

Activities for babies and toddlers

Want parenting advice on the daily? Sign up for our e-newsletter the (Family Feed) for exclusive giveaways, parenting advice, product reviews & more. Sign up at houstonfamilymagazine.com

publisher's note

I

’ve always known I wanted to be a mom. As far back as I can remember, I recall having conversations with my mom about how I wanted one child. (This makes sense since I was an only child until my sister came along when I was 17!) I wanted a boy, probably because I didn’t have any brothers! I knew they would be intelligent, filled with life, love sports & animals!

Fast forward to my teens and high school. I could always be found taking care of my friends. I was the ‘mom’ of the group, always, and I loved that role. Again, I felt sure that I would become a great mom.

Then, I started getting sick.

It started when I was only 11, but we didn’t identify the problem until I was about 16. Every month, when I got my period, I was in pain.

Not normal monthly pain, but kept in my bed for days because I couldn’t move kind of pain with heating pads and lots of Tylenol. We identified my problem was severe Endometriosis when I was discussing it with an older girlfriend who had just been diagnosed and she referred me to her doctor to confirm.

My first surgery happened at the age of 19. A simple laparoscopy that was supposed to alleviate the problem. It did for about six months. Then the pain returned. We did this same surgery three times, to no avail. By the time I was 22, I was in for major surgery, having my left tube and ovary completely removed. I wound up in ICU and was out of commission for about eight weeks. It was looking likely that I would never have kids.

At 22, I was eternally optimistic. I figured I still

had my right tube and ovary, there was still a chance. Three surgeries later, that chance was gone. By age of 27, I had a complete hysterectomy and my chances for bearing a child were gone. Needless to say I was devastated. Not only could I not have kids, but I was going through menopause at 27! Not exactly what I had planned!

However, fast forward a few years and I met my husband who happened to be the father of an adorable 7-year-old girl.

We all fell in love immediately and next thing I knew, I had a child in my life! While I did not bear her, I could not have loved her more. It was then that I started to understand that you do not have to bear a child to be a mom.

Fast forward about 9 more years and I adopted my son.

He was adopted through a private agency here in Houston as a newborn. I really wanted to experience everything. I was there to cut the cord and witness his first breath. I have been there for every stage since and it has been beautiful, exhausting, exhilarating,

maddening and everything in between. It has the been the easiest and the hardest thing I have ever done. And, I wouldn’t change a thing!

I share my story for several reasons. One, to tell you that you are embarking on the best journey ever and I couldn’t be happier for you! Two, to share that families come in all shapes, sizes & combinations.

Even if you did not birth the kids in your life, it doesn’t diminish the love you will feel for them and them for you!

Third, that even when your body betrays you and doesn’t perform the way you hoped it would, don’t lose hope.

There are beautiful adventures waiting around the corner. Just stay strong & have a little faith.

I hope you enjoy this issue! Look forward to seeing Houston BABY twice as often!

Next issue will be out in March 2020!

Regards,

Kimberly Davis Guerra

publisher/editor

Kimberly Davis Guerra kim@houstonfamilymagazine.com

online editor Latesa Guerra

calendar editor

Chantal Lemieux calendar@houstonfamilymagazine.com

creative director

Casey Johnson casey@houstonfamilymagazine.com

event director

Tamara Zaman tamara@houstonfamilymagazine.com

contributing authors Monica Clark Shannon Dean Sandra Gordon Dr. Tamisha Jones Cheryl Maguire Mike McDonnell Christa Melnyk Hines

contributing photographers

Heart & Lens Photography Jenna Duncan Photography LP Photography MISO Fotography Yvette Michelle Portraits

advertising sales Beverly Davis Mary Sue Kent Tish Petty

production

Gayle Wheeler-LeSueur, Graphic Designer

printing

Midway Press, Ltd Dallas, TX

contact us:

1334 Brittmoore Rd, Box 140 Houston, TX 77043 (P) 713.266.1885, (F) 713.266.1915 www.HoustonFamilyMagazine.com

Kim's Children: Bodhi, LaTesa & Son in Law Chris

Houston Baby is published bi-annually by Houston Family Magazine, LLC. Houston Baby is distributed free of charge, one copy per reader. Only Houston Family authorized distributors may deliver or pick up the magazines. We reserve the right to edit, reject or comment editorially on all submitted material. We cannot be responsible for the return of any submitted material. Houston Baby is ©2019 by Houston Family Magazine, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without express permission is prohibited.

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F E AT U R E | FA M I LY L I F E

CONNOR STANDS FOR AWARENESS

coping with loss after a stillbirth

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hat has your baby brought to your life?

My baby boy, Connor Nathaniel has brought awareness into mine.

You see, my son, Connor was stillborn on May 24, 2019.

He was 39 weeks. What is a stillbirth? If you don’t know, I’m so happy that you have not had to experience this, but those of us that are acutely aware of it, we know that a stillbirth is a baby whose heart stopped beating between 20-40 weeks. We know the gut-wrenching sound of silence when a doppler is on your swollen belly and a doctor

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written by Monica Clark says, “Sorry, but we can’t find your baby’s heartbeat.

We are not sure why this has happened, but we need you to go home get your bags ready and come back to deliver your child”. In the time it took my husband and I to drive home and back to the hospital, we learned that 1 in 160 pregnancies end in stillbirths in the United States.

The most common cases that lead to stillbirths are umbilical cord related (meaning the cord has somehow wrapped around the baby’s neck, or there is a knot in the cord).

For uncommon cases which are approximately 50% there is no explanation, we learned

that there are 24 countries with lower stillbirth rates, and that 154 countries are reducing their stillbirth rates more rapidly than the United States.

I can continue my article with more statistics, but I will leave you to your Googling powers; Surprisingly you will find that stillbirths are more common than our “society” cares to acknowledge (more common than SIDS and congenital anomalies combined).

AWARENESSS. Let’s get back to Connor and what he has taught me aside from the devastating way in which he left this world to become an angel. Connor has also brought awareness

to Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC), which is abnormal clumps of thickened blood (clots) from inside blood vessels; these abnormal clots use up the blood’s clotting factors, which can lead to massive bleeding in other places. Because Connor had potentially been deceased in my body for two to three days, I had developed DIC which caused me to lose 65% of my blood due to a tear in the posterior part of my cervix that lead to four blood transfusions.

There are fewer than 20,000 cases per year in the U.S. AWARENESS. The team of doctors and nurses that were there for

Connor’s birth have also given me hope. Through extremely difficult conditions pre, during, and post-birth, my uterus is healthy, with no scar tissue or abnormal side effects. My uterus carries the possibility of a new pregnancy. Which is amazing as I have found that I thoroughly enjoy and love being pregnant. Our dream of growing our family is still intact.

AWARENESS. Connor also brought to light that I had picked the right doctor for me. A doctor that would know how to deal with all my rare prognosis, a special human being that has shown me the power of empathy, who has answered every text, call, has attended my son’s vigil, and has gone the extra miles to show the upmost respect for her profession and patient care. AWARENESS. Connor brought to my attention that there are tests that could have been performed such as MTHFR and a complete blood analysis panel that would have shown that I have MTHFR mutation (A1298C) and protein S deficiencies (which could have led to my underdeveloped placenta). There are doctors for women like me, who are categorized as “high risk”, called maternal fetal specialists.

If you have had women in your family with abnormal or lifethreatening pregnancies, ask for additional help and tests. It exists. AWARENESS. Connor has also brought awareness to the love between my husband and me. For how my husband has moved heaven and earth, put aside his own grieving process to ensure my physical, emotional and mental well-being. To know that through adversity, I have a once-in-a-lifetime type of love.

AWARENESS. Connor has also awakened my desire to grow in my spirituality. I have begun a more intimate journey with God. To understand that God is not part of my unfair circumstances, that His plan is perfect when I surrender and trust in Him – He has been preparing me for this

heartbreak by placing me in the right family, introducing the right people and establishing relationships strong enough to help me by giving them the right words and counsel. I cannot heal alone.

AWARENESS. I am thankful and aware of how lucky I am to have been pregnant in this era. In an era that doesn’t ask you to tuck away your baby’s story just because he didn’t live. That we have found power in numbers through support groups, the church, and companies with employee assistance programs.

Thankful that I am a woman in a generation with improved communication methods like social media to enact and at times demand change and tolerance. To give a voice to the less than 1% of women who have walked in my shoes.

AWARENESS. We often shy or hide away from unpleasant topics. Voices are silenced or not heard loud enough when it comes to infertility, pregnancy, birth, and infant death. We are in a society that looks at pregnancy through rose colored glasses.

I am asking you to take them off. Bring AWARENESS to topics that are unpleasant so that we can be better prepared and take more realistic precautions. Do kick-counts, take your prenatal vitamins, know your family’s history when it comes to potential issues that may arise during and after pregnancy such as pre-eclampsia, placental abruptions, post-partum, etc.

Be an advocate with me so that this doesn’t happen to you, your sister, sister-in-law, daughter, granddaughter, friend, colleague, neighbor, or any woman that reads this article. Bring Connor’s story to your AWARENESS. Break the silence and bring to light these issues by becoming a voice for AWARENESS. I am thankful to be here to tell my story and so very, very proud to be Connor’s mother.

AWARENESS.

Childcare you can trust like family For more information: 1-800-333-6056 culturalcare.com

A PHOTOGRAPHY Family & lifestyle photography www.brandydykes.com

@BRANDYDYKES fall/winter 2019

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F E AT U R E | FA M I LY L I F E

naming baby

Tips to Manage Opinionated Feedback

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ith the debate that erupts around naming babies, expectant parents may wonder: How much should popular trends and other’s opinions influence our decision? And, how should we manage negative feedback for the name we choose?

Laura Wattenberg, author of The Baby Name Wizard, says parents should consider their objectives when choosing a name. You might select a name to honor a friend or family member or simply because it sings to your heart,

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written by Christa Melnyk Hines regardless of current trends.

“On the the other hand, if you see a name as a child’s calling card that will represent her to the broader world, you have to be willing to step outside of your personal taste and try to see it from other perspectives,” Wattenberg suggests.

How will the name you bequeath impact your child down the road?

“It wouldn’t be fair to your child to choose a name that all of his future friends and family absolutely loathe,” Wattenberg says.

Although you rely on your friends and family for

their honesty, advice and perspective, you get to make the final decision and you may not be able to please everyone.

you would ask that everyone be supportive. Anything less would never be good for any child to eventually feel.”

KEEP YOUR COOL.

CONSIDER CONCESSIONS.

If you hear negative feedback, stay calm and avoid getting defensive.

“Explain the history, the meaning to you, the love you have for a certain name,” says Sharon O’Neill, a marriage and family psychotherapist and author of A Short Guide to a Happy Marriage. “Then nicely explain that you understand that others may not see it as you do, but that

Sue LeBreton says she made the mistake of sharing the girl’s name that she and her husband were considering with her mother-in-law. “I loved the name Charlotte,” she said. But her mother-inlaw clearly did not.

The couple chose a different girl’s name on the list, naming their daughter Abigail instead.

“What amuses me is that today Charlotte is one of my

daughter’s favorite names for dolls!” LeBreton says.

DISCUSS CONFLICTING CULTURAL BELIEFS. Clashing cultural traditions can also fuel conflict when it comes to naming a baby. Madonna Chien says that her husband wanted to name their son after his father.

“My mother disapproved because per Chinese tradition, it’s considered insulting to name your child after a family member. However, we explained to my mother that my Chinese father-in-law understood the intent and was okay with it,” she says.

SUGGEST NICKNAMES. Try appeasing a disappointed family member by offering an olive branch in the form of a nickname. “Grandparents or an aunt or other family members may have a nickname that they use in their special relationship with your child,” O’Neill says.

GIVE IT TIME. Stacy Weiland also met resistance from her mother when she decided on her son’s name, which is Andrew.

“My mother wanted me to name him after my grandmother and grandfather.

But I didn’t like them very much so I didn’t want to name my child after them. My mother wouldn’t refer to my son by his name for about a month,” Weiland says.

Weiland gave her mother time to come around to her son’s name and advises other parents to do the same.

“This is your child. You are going through a lot of big changes and sleepless nights.

No one has a right to demand a particular name and give you more stress,” she says.

POLITELY IGNORE. What do you do about strangers who disparage your child’s name?

Lisa Cash Hanson and her husband chose the name

Matilda for their daughter because they felt it was unique. “It was something in my heart that she would be named Matilda and it stuck,” says Hanson, who is an author, business coach and founder of MompreneurMogul.com.

She was surprised when her daughter’s name didn’t ring well with others. Friends, family and even strangers, made faces and said, “that’s too old fashioned” or “she is going to get picked on in school” and worse, “that name is ugly.”

“We’re seeing an epidemic of bad baby-name manners,” Wattenberg says.

“As names become more diverse and creative, there’s simply less agreement on what makes a good name.

If someone is flat-out rude, chilly politeness and a change of subject is the best move.”

HELLO...MY NAME IS____.

Many parents say the best strategy they’ve found to manage feedback is to say nothing at all or plead indecision and announce the baby’s name after the birth.

At that point, the focus will be on your adorable baby, and her name may seem less up for debate.

Freelance writer Christa Melnyk Hines is the mom of two boys, with perfectly suited names as far as she’s concerned. She is the author of Confidently Connected: A Mom’s Guide to a Satisfying Social Life.

What names are you considerng for your little one and why?

Join the discussion on Facebook.

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F E AT U R E | FA M I LY L I F E

Newborn Care 101

written by Christa Melnyk Hines | photo by LP Photography

T

ransitioning to life with a newborn can be as gratifying as it is overwhelming. Read on for time-tested tricks and expert tips that will help your baby-and you!-thrive during the first few weeks postpartum.

EXPECT A LEARNING CURVE. No, it’s not just you. New parenthood is rife with uncertainty.

“As the mother of a newborn, I know from recent experience that every little thing can be challenging - from burping to changing diapers to breastfeeding and even trimming tiny nails, no matter if it’s your first or third child,” says family medicine physician Jenna Eschol, MD. houston baby magazine

10 fall/winter 2019

GATHER INFORMATION WISELY. In the midst of a perplexing dilemma, what parent hasn’t turned to Google or an online parent support group for quick answers? But, proceed with caution.

“If it doesn’t seem like that online advice really fits your baby, maybe it really doesn’t.

Talk to your pediatrician or at least a trusted relative who has seen the baby and knows the situation a little better than generic online advice,” says pediatrician Dr. Elizabeth Simpson.

MAKE IT A DATE. Don’t skip your newborn’s well-baby checkups. Your baby’s physician will asses their

overall health and ensure they are gaining weight. A newborn should have regained their birth weight by around 10 to 14 days of age.

Your baby’s appointment is also a good time for you to ask questions and raise any concerns.

TINY RENEGADES. Newborns don’t understand schedules. Plan to sleep when your baby sleeps.

“Babies are little rebels.

They don’t follow rules,” Simpson says. “Babies are the schedulers and the parents are the people that get scheduled.”

HUNGRY? Just as babies don’t care about clocks when it comes to sleep, they also eat on demand,anywhere between eight and 12 times in a 24hour period.

“Babies eat a lot during their first weeks thanks, in part, to their tiny tummy size, and the rapid physical and mental growth they experience in the first couple months of life,” Eschol says.

If you’re breastfeeding, how do you know if your baby is eating enough?

“If your baby seems happy and your pediatrician has assured you that weight gain is commensurate with the age, and enough dirty diapers are being produced (eight to 12 a day), then your baby is probably getting plenty to eat,” Eschol says.

If you participate in a breastfeeding support group at an area hospital, lactation consultants usually conduct weigh-ins too.

DRY SKIN. Because a baby’s skin is sensitive and thin, they are more susceptible to dry, chapped skin. Avoid long baths. Bathe your infant in lukewarm water only two or three times a week using fragrance-free hypoallergenic soaps.

“And no bubble baths!”

Eschol says.

POWER BONDING. For a newborn, nothing is as comforting as their mom’s or dad’s arms.

“Babies have been held for the last nine months so they don’t understand having to lay in their own crib. They like to be held whenever they are awake,” Simpson says.

In addition to skin-to-skin contact, talk and sing to your baby, and show her storybooks with high contrast colors like red, black and white.

SLEEP SAFE. While you should cradle your baby as much as possible, don’t fall asleep while holding him.

“The number one thing that causes sudden infant death (SIDS) is unsafe sleep practices,” Simpson warns.

Place your infant on his back in his bassinet near your bed at night. Do not use fluffy blankets, pillows, stuffed animals or crib bumpers.

BABY TEARS. Babies often cry when they’re hungry, tired or if they have a dirty diaper. Other times they seem to cry for no apparent reason.

“Colic isn’t caused by pain,” Eschol says. She suggests the following “triedand-true” tips for a colicky baby: • Try a pacifier • Hold your baby while rocking in a rocking chair or glider • Place your baby in a mechanical swing • Softly talk or sing or play soothing lullabies at a low volume • Cuddle your baby or try carrying them in a sling or baby carrier • Take them for a stroller or car ride • Give your baby a warm bath Sometimes tears can signal a health issue. Call your doctor if your baby seems sick, has difficulty breathing or isn’t feeding.

If you find yourself becoming increasingly frustrated with your crying baby and no one is around to help, take a time out.

“Lay the baby safely on

their back in their crib and hop in the shower for a sec to get out of earshot or use headphones to get out of earshot for a short period of time and give yourself a little break,” Simpson says.

FIND SUPPORT. Without taking time for self-care, attending to your baby’s needs can become exceptionally challenging and overwhelming.

“A good support system is essential for all moms and can include friends, families, counselors or support groups,” says Kelli Knapp, a board certified women’s health nurse practitioner.

Sleep deprivation can exacerbate depression and anxiety. Sleep while your partner, a relative or a friend watches the baby. Or hire a nanny, baby nurse or postpartum doula. Taking breaks away from your baby, like a shower or a walk outside are also beneficial.

“Even finding 10 to 15 minutes for yourself each day can improve your outlook,” Knapp says.

Know that postpartum mood disorders are common and curable. Contact your healthcare provider if you are struggling.

“A mom who admits she needs help is an amazingly strong woman and mom,” Knapp says. “Women who experience disorders during pregnancy or after a baby often feel like they are failing as a mom. A mom who reaches out for help is giving her child a huge gift, and they are already making a big step to the road to recovery.”

Christa Melnyk Hines is an internationally published freelance journalist who frequently covers pregnancy and postpartum issues. She is the author of Confidently Connected: A Mom’s Guide to a Satisfying Social Life.

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delivered... now what?

What to expect the first 24 hours postpartum written by Christa Melnyk Hines photo by Heart & Lens Photography

If you’re on the homestretch of your pregnancy, you’re probably anxiously awaiting the moment when you finally get to hold your newborn in your arms. But what should you expect in the whirlwind of minutes and hours following the much-anticipated arrival of your baby?

THE FIRST FIVE MINUTES. During the first minute of life, healthcare providers will conduct an Apgar exam to evaluate your baby’s heart rate, respiratory rate, muscle tone, cry, reflexes and skin color. The screening will be repeated at five minutes after birth.

“The Apgar system helps us know if a baby is adapting to this huge transition from in-utero to life on the outside,” says ob/gyn Erin McNulty, MD. A normal Apgar score ranges between 7 and 10. A score of 4 to 6 may mean that the baby requires oxygen and additional monitoring. Scores 3 and below demand emergency medical intervention.

Soon after delivery, babies receive Erythromycin eye ointment to prevent rare, but serious eye infections that can be passed from mom to baby houston baby magazine

12 fall/winter 2019

during delivery. Newborns also receive Vitamin K, a vitamin that helps with blood clotting.

Because they don’t produce enough of the vitamin on their own just yet, lack of the supplement puts infants at risk for anemia, excessive jaundice, or damage to internal organs, including the brain.

Meanwhile, if you’ve had a vaginal delivery, your ob/gyn team will oversee the delivery of the placenta and repair any tears to the perineum.

Many hospitals also try to ensure mom and baby get skin-to-skin bonding time in the first few minutes postdelivery, even if only for a few minutes in the operating room following a c-section.

THE FIRST HOUR. If you require a c-section, you’ll spend the first hour postpartum in the operating room where

the OB team will suture the uterus and the abdominal skin before transferring you to the recovery room.

Your baby will be most alert during the hour following delivery. You may be pleasantly surprised at how your newborn turns toward your voice and instinctively reaches to nurse.

“If you place a baby skin-to-skin on mom’s belly or chest, even right after delivery, the baby can usually get itself up to the breast to nurse,” says Lisa Cavin-Wainscott, APRN, clinical nurse specialist.

The first feeding will stimulate breast milk production and help the uterus contract, which can prevent excessive bleeding.

Don’t expect you or your baby to get the hang of breastfeeding right away.

“Be patient. It takes timepotentially four to six weeks-

for mom and baby to get comfortable,” Cavin-Wainscott says.

Your breastmilk won’t come in for another 48 to 72 hours, but don’t worry. The colostrum that your breasts produce is usually enough for your newborn.

After the first feeding, you and your baby will be tired and ready to sleep. Newborns typically sleep anywhere from 16 to 20 hours per day and may be need to be woken up for a feeding.

“Many new moms are surprised at just how often a newborn needs to eat,” Dr. McNulty says. “Their stomachs are the size of a pea so they are full quickly, but need to eat quickly too.”

Baby will also pass her first stool called meconium, which will be sticky and dark green or black in color.

A Few E ssentials For Your Hospital Stay • Toiletries • Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing (including maternity clothes) • Warm socks • Nursing bra or tank top • Hospital admission forms

FIRST FOUR TO 12 HOURS. These days, most hospitals keep babies with their mothers rather than moving them to a nursery. The time together promotes motherbaby bonding, relaxation and healing. You’ll begin to learn your baby’s cries and recognize feeding cues like hand sucking.

While some hospitals will bathe the baby soon after delivery, others wait until four to 12 hours after birth.

“The baby has a special coating on their skin that actually acts as a moisturizer so we don’t want to give the bath too soon,” says Dawn Cox, MSN, RNC-OB. A bath immediately postpartum can also stress a newborn because they get cold easily, Cox adds.

You may also notice your baby sneezing, but that doesn’t mean she’s sick.

“Baby may be ‘spitty’ for several hours after birth as they get rid of blood and other fluids that may have been swallowed during the delivery process,” Cavin-Wainscott says.

You may experience physical pain from the delivery and mixed emotions.

“During the first day following delivery, the hormones your body made during pregnancy start to come crashing down and mood swings and changes are the norm,” Dr. McNulty says.

UP TO 24 HOURS. Your pediatrician or family care physician will conduct a complete physical assessment of your newborn, including blood type, bilirubin level,

• Insurance card, driver’s license, social security card • Phone and phone charger • Car seat • Stocked diaper bag and going home outfit for baby

screening for rare genetic disorders, and a hearing screen.

Labor and delivery nurses, lactation consultants and other healthcare providers, will continue to provide you with support. A financial counselor, social worker and WIC nutrition consultant may also visit to provide resources that you might need before heading home.

Of course, friends and family will be anxious to drop in too.

“I hear many new parents who wish they had slowed down and enjoyed more bonding time with their baby, rather than allowing family members and friends to visit right away,” Dr. McNulty says.

If you’d prefer to wait to see visitors, ask them to visit after the first 24 hours or ask your nurses to advocate for you.

“We are glad to step in and support the patient however we can. We just need to know ahead of time what you would like,” Cox says.

Guests should refrain from visiting if they are sick since babies don’t have welldeveloped immune systems and are more susceptible to infection. Be aware that different hospitals have different security measures in place to ensure the privacy and safety of their patients. If possible, advise your friends ahead of time of your hospital’s visitor policies.

Freelance journalist Christa Melnyk Hines and her husband are the parents of two sons.

She is the author of Confidently Connected: A Mom’s Guide to a Satisfying Social Life.

SATURDAY

FEBRUARY 22 10am - 12pm

FREE ADMISSION

to this family-friendly event.

Meet with over 20 preschools from the greater NW Houston Area.

Bring the kids and let them experience the excitement of preschool for themselves.

Location: Cypress Christian School 11123 Cypress N. Houston Rd. Houston, TX 77065 sponsored by:

For more information, please contact Angie Ramirez at (281) 469-7745 fall/winter 2019

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tracking your child’s development WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?

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written by Dr. Tamisha Jones, Legacy Community Health Medical Director of Pediatrics

rom the moment your baby is born, you are closely watching him or her for every possible milestone.

Is my son the right weight for his age? Why is my daughter’s head so big? Many parents can’t help but compare their little one’s growth and progress to other kids their age.

Like adults, babies and children come in different shapes and sizes and hit developmental milestones according to their individual internal timetables.

Pediatricians use growth charts to answer many parents’ questions about whether their child’s development is on track, but what does it all mean? We have answers.

HOW ARE GROWTH CHARTS USED? Starting with a baby’s first checkup, pediatric measurements and percentiles are used to determine whether children are growing appropriately over time.

Pediatricians and other healthcare providers can identify health issues that often directly relate to the growth of a child. In some instances, abnormal weight houston baby magazine

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gain or loss may be the first and most obvious sign of a problem.

Your child is measured and weighed at every checkup, which means at birth, after 3 to 5 days, 2 weeks and at months 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 24 and 30. Then every year after that. Doctors are looking for signs of consistency.

WHICH GROWTH CHARTS DOES MY CHILD’S DOCTOR USE? There are two types of growth charts that are used in the United States. The first one was developed by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and uses measurements from a subset of US children to create the growth curves. The first CDC growth charts were created in 1977 and were last updated in 2000 to include a larger, more diverse group of children, as well as the growth charts for Body Mass Index (BMI).

The second version came from World Health Organization (WHO) and utilizes a sampling of children in optimal living conditions from 6 countries, including the US. Unlike the CDC charts, the WHO charts

include a larger number of infants who are breastfed. In the US, doctors use the WHO charts for children 0-2 years old and the CDC charts for children two and up.

WHY ARE PEDIATRIC MEASUREMENTS AND PERCENTILES HELPFUL? Pediatric measurements and percentiles show how a child is growing relative to other healthy children of the same age.

At each medical visit, your child’s height, weight, and possibly head size will be measured. These measurements will be placed on a graph to determine each associated percentile.

For example, if your child’s height measures in the 85th percentile, it means that out of 100 children his age, he is taller than 85 of them. As your doctor, I would say he’s probably one of the tallest kids in his class.

It’s also important to look at percentiles together. If your child is in the 95th percentile for both height and weight, it may be appropriate. However, if your child

LP

photography

is in the 5th percentile for height and 95th percentile for weight, then this is likely an issue of concern. In fact, using height and weight together, your healthcare provider can calculate BMI to determine if your child is overweight or obese.

WHEN SHOULD PARENTS WORRY ABOUT THE NUMBERS? Parents, along with pediatricians, should monitor their children percentiles at each wellness visit. The percentiles for height and weight by themselves are difficult to interpret, but patterns over time can help us identify when issues arise. BMI helps us diagnose children who are underweight, or more commonly overweight and obese.

A BMI between the 85th percentile and the 95th percentile is considered overweight, and a BMI greater than the 95th percentile is considered obese.

A BMI less than the 5th percentile is considered underweight. More important than the label, however, is the risk for disease that is associated with having a BMI outside the healthy range.

A BMI greater than the 85th percentile increases the risk for diabetes, heart disease, elevated blood pressure and cholesterol.

While it’s important to have an understanding of what pediatric measurements mean, what’s more important is that you have a relationship with a trusted healthcare provider who will take the time to get to know you and your child – and who you can talk to about any concerns or questions you have about your child’s growth and development.

TRY US OUT! Fall Classes Start Soon

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BELLAIRE................................713-668-7777 COPPERFIELD........................281-859-3939 CYPRESS................................281-861-4626 FRIENDSWOOD.....................281-482-4242 KATY........................................281-347-1400 MEMORIAL............................281-558-9500 PEARLAND.............................713-340-0042 SPRING...................................281-370-3031 SUGAR LAND........................281-277-5470 THE HEIGHTS........................713-861-8200 THE WOODLANDS...............936-321-2828 Parent/Child Classes • Pre-K Gymnastics Grade School Gymnastics • Dance • Karate Sports Skills • Awesome Birthday Bashes Parents’ Survival Nights • Camps

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Dr. Tamisha Jones is the Medical Director of Pediatrics at Legacy Community Health. She practices at the Legacy Fifth Ward Lyons location.

Read more parenting tips and advice on baby health online at houstonfamilymagaine.com

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F E AT U R E | FA M I LY E D U C AT I O N limiting. To enhance a child’s creativity and confidence, guide her instead. “While you’re playing with your child, narrate what your child is doing, ask questions about why she’s doing what she’s doing and what comes next, as in: “Now, you’re giving baby a bath. What’s baby going to do after her bath?” Sungar says. Letting your child run the show gives her a sense of control, which helps develop her thinking skills and solve problems on her own. If she has a tough time getting the baby undressed, for example, don’t do it for her. “It’s critical to let kids explore, learn from their experiences and fix problems as they happen,” Sungar says.

GIVE EXPLICIT FEEDBACK.

help your preschooler start smart

Y

written by Sandra Gordon

ou’ve picked up your child from her 2s, 3s or 4s program, with the rest of the day or the weekend ahead of you. Now what? It’s a common dilemma.

“So many parents would ask me, ‘What do I do with my child when we get home?’” says Elissa Sungar, a former preschool teacher and the cocreator of www.ifnotyouwho. org, a free Website that guides parents through short and fun daily activities to help them make sure their child is ready

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for kindergarten.

It turns out there’s a lot you can do to help your child keep learning all day long and it doesn’t involve workbooks or writing letters over and over.

Instead, it’s about playing and interacting with him to develop the cognitive, physical, language and motor skills he’ll need to be prepared for the “big school.”

Kindergarten readiness is vital for a child’s long-term academic success. Consider: It’s estimated that of the millions of children who enter

kindergarten each year, half are behind their peers socially and academically, which increases the risk of failure in school. Of the half who aren’t prepared, up to 40 percent won’t finish high school. “So much brain development occurs before age 6. You want your child ready for kindergarten and you want your child’s classmates to be ready so they can challenge your child,” Sungar says. “We need everybody on board.”

Parents play a major role in the process and the subtle shifts in how you interact with your child can make a big difference. Here are three things you can do now to help your preschooler become a capable learner.

LET YOUR CHILD TAKE THE LEAD. When playing with your child, it’s tempting to take over, as in: “Now it’s time to dress the doll. Now it’s time to give the baby a bath.” “Many adults think play should be a certain way,” Sungar says. But that’s

Throughout your child’s day, give specific praise and targeted negative feedback.

Instead of saying, “good job,” for example, when your child shows you a picture he painted, you might say, “I like how you used the blue and the red paint. Those colors mix well together.” Similarly, if your child decides to stand up on a chair, instead of saying, “sit down,” say, “Please sit on your bottom. When you stand, you can fall off the chair and get hurt.” Get the idea?

Giving your child pointed criticism and advice is more valuable than vague remarks because it gives your child direction and helps build his vocabulary. The more words, the better. “The actual number of words kids hear each day is crucial to their long-term development,” Sungar says.

Save one-word negative feedback, such as “No!” or “Don’t!” for safety issues, such as when your child runs out into the street or tries to touch a hot pan. It’s more effective if they hear “No!” or “Don’t” less often.

ALLOW FREE PLAY. Each day, give your child the space to do her own thing.

“Preschoolers need at least

four hours per week—up to a roughly half an hour each day--of unstructured play time other than preschool,” says Sungar. Down time allows children to think creatively and gives them a mental breather.

“It’s exhausting to have very little unstructured, self-directed time and kids need more than adults do,” says pediatrician David J. Schonfeld, M.D. Without downtime, kids can feel overwhelmed by the increased pressure to succeed at school, which can start as early as preschool. Overscheduled kids may not know what to do or how to play by themselves.

If that’s the case, give your child options, such as “Would you like to draw or play with

blocks?” Then, go do what you need to do and check back in with your child occasionally.

Keep the TV turned off as well as your smart phone or tablet computer. Even if your child’s favorite app is “educational,” your child isn’t learning through a physical experience when she’s using a screen.

“Preschoolers learn a lot with their bodies and need to try something, fail at it and then try something new,” Sungar says.

“When they’re just using their thumbs or index finger on a touch screen, they’re not using the muscles in their hands, for example, which are crucial for holding a pencil, using scissors and throwing a ball.”

THREE THINGS TO DO WITH PRESCHOOLERS

Each of these activities helps develop your child’s cognitive and fine motor skills. But your child will just know he’s having fun.

WHEN YOU NEED A TIME OUT: FILL UP THE BATH TUB. Preschoolers love to splash around in water as well as pour it, strain and transfer it from one object to another. So plop your child in the tub along with items from your kitchen, such as plastic cups, a turkey baster or a strainer or just give them a sponge. Squeezing a sponge or turkey baster and transferring water from one cup to another enhances fine motor development. Stay in the bathroom with your child, but feel free to sit back and watch the supervised fun unfurl. Another idea: Fill ice cube trays with water and add one drop of food coloring to each cube. Let the cubes freeze overnight. Then pop one or two ice cubes into your child’s bath water and watch her have a blast mixing the colors. Another fun tub-time activity: Add a drop of food coloring to little plastic bowls filled with shaving cream and give your child a paint brush or let her explore it with her hands on the side of the tub.

WHEN YOU’RE MAKING DINNER: HAVE YOUR CHILD MAKE TINFOIL LETTERS. Ask your child to squeeze a sheet of tinfoil into a skinny tube then see what she can do with it. Can she make a circle? A triangle? A letter, like a b? Be sure to show her what a circle looks like if she doesn’t know or point to letter examples on food labels.

WHEN YOU’RE WAITING ANYWHERE: HAVE YOUR CHILD GO ON A LETTER HUNT. Bring along a magazine and have your child circle letters, numbers, animals or people with a marker.

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S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G | C H I L D C A R E D I R E C T O RY

child care directory

ROSEHILL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL & PRESCHOOL Our youngest students are introduced to phonics and reading through developmentally appropriate instruction. Daily activities include cutting and pasting, counting numbers and reciting the alphabet. We also spend time each day reading Bible stories together during circle time, in addition to learning a new Bible verse each week.

www.rcseagles.org 281.351.8114 Tomball, TX

ST. LUKE’S AFTER SCHOOL CARE & SUMMER CAMP Providing childcare for over 55 years, St. Luke’s ASC & Summer Camp are trusted, licensed, quality care programs for children in grades K-8. Visit our website for more information!

www.stlukesafterschool.org www.stlukesallday.org 713.402.5075 Houston, TX

THE KIPLING SCHOOL The Kipling School Early Childhood Program facilitates the whole child. Our program focuses on the cognitive, emotional, social, and physical growth of children from age two months through four years old.

COLLABORATIVE FOR CHILDREN

EPIPHANY LUTHERAN SCHOOL

Our programs connect families to early learning opportunities, build highly skilled early childhood educators to improve outcomes for children, and advocate for birth-to-five policies that close the achievement gap. We know that early learning is the key to long-term success not just for Houston’s children but for our entire community.

“Epiphany is a wonderful, loving school with great diversity but few classroom distractions. This kind of staff and community is hard to come by.” - Parent Serving 18 months – 8th grade

www.collabforchildren.org 713.600.1100 Houston, TX

www.epiphanylutheranschool.org 713.896.1843 Houston, TX

FAITH WEST SCHOOL

CULTURAL CARE, INC.

Faith West Academy is a private elementary and secondary school with enrollment of more than 400 students in preschool through twelfth grade.

Cultural Care Au Pair is the largest au pair program in the country, with more than 30 years of experience empowering successful cultural exchanges with American host families and au pairs from more than 25 different countries.

www.faithwest.org 281.391.5433 Houston, TX

www.culturalcare.com 800.333.6056

FOUNDATIONS ACADEMY PRESCHOOL AT TOWN LAKE

DUCHESNE ACADEMY OF THE SACRED HEART Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart is Houston’s only school for girls Pre-K3 - 12th grade. Your daughter will expand her intellect, faith, conscience and sense of self within our dynamic sisterhood.

www.duchesne.org 713.468.8211 Houston, TX houston baby magazine

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www.thekiplingschool.com 713.861.6743 Houston, TX

UPBRING SCHOOL OF DISCOVERY AND LEADERSHIP We are a nonprofit, Christian preschool in Houston, Texas serving children between the ages of 6 weeks and 6 years old. Classrooms have intentional focus on values, building relationships, creative innovation and leadership skills.

www.upbring.org/usdldh 832.301.3100 Houston, TX

YORKSHIRE ACADEMY

We strive to teach the whole child using a wellrounded and balanced curriculum that not only focuses on academics but also fosters each student’s emotional and social well-being, character attributes, physical and health awareness, critical thinking, problem solving, and fundamental life skills.

Since 1984, Yorkshire’s primary goal is to create an environment in which children can develop to their fullest potential at their own individual rate. Students range in age from 18 mos-Grade 5.

Yorkshire is thrilled to have been named ‘Houston’s 1st Ocean Guardian School’. Yorkshire’s after-school enrichment program offers classes as diverse as engineering, tennis, chess, piano, Tae Kwon Do and dozens more. Yorkshire invites you to visit to see for yourself why its tagline, “A Little School Making a Big Impact” rings so true.

www.cypress.foundations-academy.com 281.758.3535 Cypress, TX

www.YorkshireAcademy.com 281.531.6088 Houston, TX

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T H E S TA G E S O F M O T H E R H O O D

Pregnant mommy

rachel suliburk

photos by

by Yvette Yvette Michelle Michelle Portraits Portraits photos

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W

e LOVE talking to expecting mamas. It is such a magical time in a family’s life!

Although families come in all sizes, shapes & colors, one thing is universal – the miracle of creating a life is utterly mind-blowing! So many emotions churning through a mama’s body, so many transformations, so much to prepare for! It can be a little overwhelming, so we want to illustrate you are not alone.

You can do this!

This issue, we talk to an experienced expecting mom to be. Not only has she done this once before, she happens to be a nurse. We thought she might have some keen insights to share with our readers. Meet Rachel Suliburk.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I’m a native Texan, born and raised in Beaumont, Texas. I love being from a small town, but so happy we planted our roots in Houston. Houston has many of the perks of living in a small town (besides traffic!) and the benefits of living in a major metropolitan area (jobs, great schools).

Nursing is a second career for me, if I’m completely honest, in high school I never thought I would become a nurse. Originally, I was a hairdresser who started volunteering my time at the Texas ChiIdren’s beauty salon.

Through that experience I found my calling for nursing.

How long have you lived in Houston?

Being a small town girl, I couldn’t wait to get to the big city! I came to Houston 14 years ago.

Tell us a little bit about your family. This is baby #2, correct?

Growing up, I always had this idea of what my own family would be like, kind of like my own, with a lot of girls!

Ironically, it’s ended up just the opposite! I’m currently

expecting our second son who is due right after the new year.

I have learned so much about boys since having my first child three years ago and most of that learning has occurred while chasing after him! Boys are fast!

For your first baby, I know everything is kind of scary & exciting because you have no clue what you are in for. Now that you know more, what are you most excited about?

There is no steeper learning curve than that of a new parent! All the books in the world cannot prepare you for the reality of parenthood!

However, now that I have earned my own experience as a mother I’m most excited to see the bond between my older son and his new brother, and the growth of love in our family.

What is the one thing that has surprised/shocked you that you find yourself worrying about?

I worry way too much about what my kid eats! I need to relax! His current diet consists of meat, cheese and fruit and I’m already worrying about his cholesterol! He’s a healthy weight and has met all of his milestones but I still worry even though I know he’s FINE. As a healthcare professional you see so much. What is one piece of advice you would give to a new mom?

It doesn’t matter how or when your child is born.

C-section, natural, in the car on the way to the hospital, at 30 weeks or 41 weeks, once you hold your baby in your arms, you will go through the exact same experience over and over for them. I feel like a mother’s first birth is so scary and unpredictable, but at the end of the day the reward is worth the wait.

Juggling a career & family is difficult for anyone, but you seem to do it with such grace. What is your secret?

I feel like self-care is extremely important. As a nurse and a mother, it’s very hard for me

to care for others when I’ve been putting myself on the back burner. You can’t care for others if you are barely hanging on. If you need to wake up and run 3 miles every day, or get your nails done every week to have your groove, do it! It’s not selfish, it’s about being healthy physically and mentally.

What are your 5 fave products for yourself or the kids that you can’t live without?

Thermo flask water bottles for the whole family. They keep your water cold all day and are a fair price point.

Dial ANTIBACTERIAL soap!

Especially during flu season!

Not all soaps kill the bacteria and viruses we need them, too, especially with germy kids! (I love my luxury soaps, but not for the whole family, the nurse in me knows better!)

CozyPhone headphones for kids are a game changer! They actually stay on no matter how big or small your kid’s head is and they do not allow the

volume to get too high.

Shout wipes... they are in every bag, vehicle, etc. because a spill will always happen at the most inconvenient time and place.

Revlon one step air dryer is a game changer!! I’ve tried EVERY beauty tool and this one is fool proof. It’s a blowout tool for everyone. Pro tip, it works best if your hair is not completely wet.

Where is your favorite place to go with the kids?

We love the Hermann Park Train Station. You can ride the train, feed the ducks and have a picnic.

What is the one piece of advice you would like to offer your children?

Don’t forget to love yourself.

Self-love is powerful.

Thank you Rachel for your words of wisdom. We wish you and your bundles of joy all the best!

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with my husband, our dog Rosie and now our newborn twins Jack & Lily.

T H E S TA G E S O F M O T H E R H O O D

new mommy

jessie dugan photos by Linzy Pelt | LP Photography

J

essie, a new mommy to twins (one boy & one girl) dishes what it’s like to be a new mom to multiples, how family is everything and how parenthood has changed her life.

Tell us a little about yourself…

I’m a native Houstonian. I grew up on the west side of town and went to Stratford High School. After graduating with a degree in Studio Art at Southwestern University, I moved to NYC. I went to

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Parsons School of Design for grad school and specialized in Accessory Design. I worked as a handbag, jewelry, and runway accessories designer, most notably for Henri Bendel and Tory Burch. I met my husband in NYC (a native Brooklyn boy) and in 2015, we got married and moved back to Houston.

During this time, I started creating custom jewelry that was sold at Houston fashion designer David Peck’s atelier.

In 2017, I officially launched my jewelry collection online under my name JESSIE DUGAN. I currently live in the Heights

What were your thoughts when you found out you were having twins?

I found out I was pregnant with twins at the first ultrasound. I’ll never forget the moment when a second embryo showed up on the screen! I was totally shocked… twins do not run in my family and we didn’t use any in vitro methods. I kept asking the nurse if she was sure! My husband and I spent the whole car ride home nervously laughing.

What has been the biggest surprise about being a firsttime mom?

It’s a very surreal yet wonderful experience. I still can’t believe I had those two babies inside of me and then all of a sudden, they were out! It’s mind-blowing! Also, the love I have for them is more than I ever imagined.

They say, “it takes a village,” who is your village of support?

I’m so lucky to have my whole family here in Houston – grandparents, greatgrandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and siblings. Everyone has been over, taking shifts, helping to cook meals, clean, feed and change the babies.

Also, I have the best husband in the world! He is incredibly proactive. His company gave him 4 weeks off to help with the babies, which was such a blessing. He cared for me while I was recovering from a C-section, went and visited our one twin Jack in the NICU for 2 weeks and helped me change and feed Lily at home.

He is a great dad and I’m so proud of him. We also hired a night nurse which has been the greatest gift I’ve ever received.

Being able to have a few nights of sleep makes all the difference in the world.

What were your pregnancy cravings?

Strawberries and mint chocolate chip ice cream!

Did you have any issues with your pregnancy?

My pregnancy was relatively drama-free for a twin pregnancy. My doctor recommended a scheduled C-section at 37 weeks because twin pregnancies rarely go to term. I was so glad to be scheduled for 37 weeks… that last week felt like a whole month… I was pretty miserable by the end and had to hold up my tummy to walk around.

What’s your daily routine look like with the twins?

They are feeding every three hours during the day and we are now trying to push their feedings a little longer at night (the night nurse is helping us with this!). I’m breastfeeding and pumping like a maniac... it’s pretty intense right now! I try to get out for a walk with the babies or a trip to HEB every day to help with the C-section healing process. During their naps, I try to get jewelry design work done. My desk is in a nook upstairs right by their nursery,

so I can hear them when they are stirring awake! I think it will be a while before I get back to working on my business full time, but I’m trying to allow myself time to find the new normal. It’s a process!

What were your “must-have” baby products?

Burts Bees Burp Cloths, Dr. Browns Glass Baby Bottles, Joovy 2 Changing Table/ Playard (we set it up downstairs so we have a changing table downstairs and upstairs… very necessary!), Aden and Anais Muslin Swaddle Blankets, the Willow Breast Pump and an endless supply of short sleeve bodysuits (I’ve got hot and sweaty babies and they do NOT like long-sleeve onesies or pants), and lots of Aquaphor.

Lessons learned as a new mommy…

My favorite lessons learned so far is #1: it’s important to take it day by day and #2: accept as much help as you can from friends and family. Our boy twin Jack was in the NICU for two weeks. It was an incredibly difficult experience but was made easier by celebrating his daily milestones and accepting

help from our family and friends. Now that both babies are home, we say yes to any and all help. Delegating is the ONLY way to get through it.

Where do you go for advice or do you have any favorite resources?

I go to Instagram often, especially for advice on pelvic floor exercises and posture strengthening (favorite accounts include @ ourfitfamilylife, @thebump, @ twinversity). Also, we read the “Moms On Call” book like it’s the Bible.

Buying double of everything has to be stressful, any preplanning advice for other moms getting ready to experience the same thing?

We got two mini cribs to save on space in the nursery… they are still plenty big. We also got two rocking glider chairs in the nursery so they both can be rocked simultaneously for bedtime and for nighttime feedings. The uppababy Vista stroller is great because it’s stacked so it fits through doors.

Also, you can easily clip in both the car seats and bassinets (the bassinets are great for walks

and we unclip and use them in the living room for naps).

Although it’s important to have double the baby gear, it’s more important to ask for help and try and schedule as many helpers as possible!

What has been the best part of motherhood so far?

Nothing is better than snuggling up with the babies and kissing their little heads.

Also, being able to spend time with the extended family, especially their grandparents, is a blessing. We are all having a great time together.

Anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

Hiring a night nurse is the best money ever spent… do it for however long you can! Also, accept all the help from your friends and family. And don’t forget to enjoy yourself, babies are hilariously awesome!

Thanks so much for allowing us the opportunity to interview you Jessie. Best of luck with the new little ones!

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T H E S TA G E S O F M O T H E R H O O D

pre-school mommy

cristina cortez

C

photos by Linzy Pelt | LP Photography ristina and her husband, Fabio, are the proud parents of three-year-old Camilla. Like many moms of young children, Cristina strives to juggle work, parenting, and time with her husband while also finding a little time for herself. As parents, Cristina and Fabio also decided it was important for them to raise their daughter in a tri-lingual household. Here, Cristina speaks about their decision, its impact on their day-to-day lives, and other aspects of parenting a preschooler.

Why did you decide to raise Camilla in a tri-lingual household?

I am of Mexican descent and Fabio is Italian. We have families in both countries and feel that connecting with others through language is very exciting, and we want to pass that down to Camilla so she can fully appreciate her cultural heritage, communicate with family, and have a better understanding of her roots.

Is there any advice you can share about the method you follow to enforce language development?

We decided that the best approach would be that I primarily speak Spanish to Camilla while Fabio speaks only Italian. She learns English at school and through her dayto-day activities.

Reading has been essential. We go to the library at least once a week.

Reading exposes us to words and phrases that we would not generally use in our daily interactions.

Technology and access to information have played a

key role. We are able to find Spanish and Italian versions of many popular English books, songs, and games, which have been instrumental in exposing and teaching Camilla Spanish and Italian in a fun and natural way.

Activities are a must, and luckily for us, Houston is a very diverse city full of multicultural music, art, and food. We enjoy attending many events throughout the year.

Travel has also been important. With creative resourcefulness, we are teaching her to appreciate our world’s diverse customs and cultures, and we marvel at her confidence in speaking to others while having fun.

When you are altogether which language do you speak outside the home?

Fabio and I speak to each other primarily in English.

Despite us speaking to each other or others in English, we stick to our commitment of speaking to Camilla in either Spanish or Italian.

What did you consider when choosing that first classroom?

Camilla started a Mother’s Day Out program at 1 year old, so finding a school where the teachers were warm and caring was our priority. Diversity was also key. Houston is a diverse city, and we think that it is important that Camilla be in a school that is representative of the great city that we live in.

How do you balance work and family?

I only work on the days that Camilla is in school. I also made a conscious decision not to add my work email to my phone, and by doing so, I’ve

avoided the undue stress of checking my phone every time it alerts me of a new email.

How do you find time for yourself?

We are members of a gym with a child service that has been a life saver! I am able to work out a few times a week with extra time to catch up with friends, read a book, have an undisturbed meal, and/or go to the restroom in peace, whatever I can fit into a 2- hour window.

What is your bedtime routine?

Our evenings together begin at home with reading, yoga, gardening, or a dance party.

Afterward, I give Camilla the option to help me with dinner or to play on her own. I have found that by giving her the option, the remainder of the evening tends to go a lot smoother. After Camilla is cleaned up, she gets to pick out a book. After one or two stories, we say our prayers and turn out the lights and cuddle until she falls fast asleep.

Do you have any “mom hacks” or tips to share with others?

• Cook in bulk and freeze it.

My frozen stash of meals and healthy snacks always come in handy.

• Get out of the house!

Houston is full of fun educational and free events so take full advantage.

• A mom group is a must, no one understands what you’re going through more than another mom.

• If you are considering introducing multiple languages to your child(ren) don’t let the fear of speech delay or the thought of confusion stop you, they will be fine, just focus on making it fun and natural.

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mom•me

H

FM had the honor to sit down with a powerhouse in the Houston business community, Myra Johnson. Myra is the Director of Business Development at Ephesus Investments, LLC, a community relations firm. For the past 10 years, she has led the business development, marketing, sales, community relations, branding, and PR efforts of various companies and non-profits, receiving local and national recognition for successful business and philanthropic initiatives. As if that weren’t enough to keep her busy, she is also the proud mom to a beautiful 15-yearold daughter, Gabrielle, and a precocious toddler, Isaac, who will be celebrating his second birthday very soon.

On a gorgeous fall morning, HFM sat down with Myra to find out how she balances keeping her cool, running her empire, and raising her amazing kiddos.

Myra, thank you for letting us have a glimpse into your world. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your family?

I am a small-town girl that loves hot yoga, salsa dancing, and dessert. My grandfather pastored a church in the hills of Kentucky for 40 years. It was postcard perfect - white, with a tall steeple and a red door, surrounded by white picket fences that contained beautiful horses. We were all inspired by his leadership, and so we have lots of missionaries and speakers and educators in the family. We were taught to believe that there is no such

Myra Johnson

interview by Kimberly Davis Guerra | photos by Jenna Duncan Photography thing as a stranger, to always go above and beyond, and to try to add value to others’ lives. These foundational principles have served me well in business.

You went to school at the University of Kentucky (go Wildcats!). What brought you to Houston?

Cell phones! After graduation I accepted a leadership role with T-Mobile, which taught me a ton about sales, marketing, business operations, and HR. I was recruited by the Houston team, which was a top 10 market for the company. Did not know a soul when I moved here, and now cannot imagine living anywhere else.

What do you love most about raising a family here?

On any given day, we are gifted with infinite opportunities to learn about the world. We could meet a German, El Salvadorian, someone from Ukraine, Budapest, or Italy. My experience growing up in Kentucky was quite the opposite. Houston provides access to people, food, art, music, and theater from around the globe. It’s remarkable to see how, due to this exposure, Gabby and Isaac have an innate comfort with, excitement, and appreciation for variety in all of its forms.

An added plus is the high probability of being able to wear flip-flops on Christmas Day. I remember enduring ice storms growing up that cut off my entire town’s electricity, forcing us to huddle and hide from the zombies that might come eat us!

There is quite a big age gap between your two children, how has your parenting style changed over the years?

Everything was so new and scary with my first. I had pregnancy and delivery complications and experienced a lot of stress, fear, and worry.

That, along with comparison and the desire to receive approval from others, drove my parenting style to be a bit strict and overprotective.

Also, I wasted money on expensive baby things that at the end of the day didn’t really matter. Looking back, I put a lot of unnecessary pressure on myself and my first that may have caused me to miss out on enjoying more of “the moment.” Well, that and sleep deprivation!

Now that I know what to expect and what to watch out for, with baby Isaac, I am a little more patient. I listen and observe more. I encourage adventure and exploration. In addition, over the years, I have gained a better sense of who I am and the type of life I want to live, so I confidently stand by my parenting decisions and am aware that they need to be driven by my values, character, and long term goals.

There is a large generational divide between Gabby and Isaac. I am learning how important it is to tailor my approach to each child, learn and grow with the times, and adapt to remain relevant in order to create an environment that will result in my message being received.

I constantly have to do this to stay connected to Gabby and Isaac. Two completely different parenting styles are required.

Finally, the age gap is a parenting moment in and of

itself. Gabrielle sees the daily sacrifice required to raise her brother. This has been an eye opener for her. She witnessed the impact having a child has on a body and one’s personal and professional life. This has lent itself to many heart to heart mommy-daughter talks where I get to share lessons I have learned about life and love.

Do you find it is completely different raising a girl from a boy?

You hear this all the time, and I would agree. Even at a young age with Gabby, I was focused on building her selfconfidence and self-worth. My goal has always been to help her to recognize her unique beauty and skill set, identify what career she might want to pursue, and surround her with positive people. She was quite responsive to this style and had a curiosity for these topics.

Isaac is just active and wants to knock everything over! I kind of want to keep him on one of those baby leashes around the house, but even that would be impossible.

He is super strong-willed in comparison to Gabby, and he knows how to pull my heart strings. After he breaks a house rule, he will tilt his head to the side, bat his eyelashes, caress my face, and say, “It’s okay I’m so sorry, Mommy - okay.”

Okay with a period behind it, not a question mark. Then he hugs me. With boys, the charm starts early! Your heart just melts into a puddle, and you are so tempted to offer a hall pass. I now understand why some (not all) goodlooking men grow up lacking empathy for the impact of their decisions, or are selfcentered or attention-hungry. fall/winter 2019

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No family member or friend intends to nurture these traits, but it is so easy to accidentally do so out of pure love and infatuation. No matter what, I try to remind myself quite frequently that I am raising adults - not children. So I think about what kind of man and woman I am grooming them to become through my feedback, what I expose them to, the boundaries I set, and the example of my life.

What is your favorite thing about raising a teenager?

What is your biggest concern?

Seeing her leave the house wearing my clothes, shoes, and jewelry (without my permission, I might add). She keeps me current on fashion trends, music, sayings, and apps. More importantly, I really enjoy watching the evolution of her personality and her fight for autonomy, identity, and direction. It reminds me that this battle isn’t a single match, it is more of a lifelong journey.

My biggest concern is that I do not know what the world will be like when she is an adult, so I wonder if I am adequately preparing her. We all need to be pushed and challenged to achieve, but with teenagers, you always wonder how involved you should be. Some things they need to learn on their own. For me, I want to teach her how to swim with the sharks, know when to get out of the water, and how to fish!

What is your favorite thing about raising a toddler? What is your biggest concern?

Cuddles and cuteness!

Toddlers overall are just adorable - their little faces and little clothes! They take risks and are so open to learning.

They will do whatever it takes just to see what happens.

I have so many epiphanies by watching him make discoveries, and as he does, I see that he trusts me with his entire world. He comes to me to celebrate, to make something better or make something go away. It is a big order to fill, but the closeness houston baby magazine

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and connection you develop with your toddler is surreal.

As a business owner, you also have quite a lot on your plate. What do you find to be the biggest challenges in raising a family and running a business?

Being the engine that makes everything run. As a mother, so many people and so many things depend on you. Your “things to do” list often leaves

you feeling overwhelmed and sometimes downright sorry for yourself because it just never ends…it grows. So you have to pace yourself, pick your battles, be flexible with your time (especially with a little one), and remember that for you, at this point and time in life, it is not a sprint, it is a marathon.

You are a big advocate of philanthropy and collaboration. What is the

passion behind your projects?

Blame it on my upbringing, but I believe we all have something to give – whether it’s wisdom, advice, talent, time, money, or sometimes just the courtesy of opening a door or smiling.

Everything you do has a ripple effect. So when you enhance the lives of those around you, you are improving the area in which you live, and more importantly, impacting generations to come. If we

A FEW PARENTING HACKS I’D LIKE TO SHARE: JUICE UP YOUR COFFEE!

It’s hard for me to find time to get my nutrients in, so I add turmeric powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg to my coffee. At other times I’ll add wheatgrass powder, chia seeds, carrot juice, and a vanilla protein shake instead of creamer. It sounds gross, but the right blend is kind of yummy, saves time, and makes sure your body gets what it needs first thing in the morning!

HEALING OINTMENTS ARE AMAZING!

Aquaphor Healing Ointment and Boudreaux’s Butt Paste are divine. They are absolute life savers and are seriously powerful agents to prevent and treat diaper rash.

INVEST IN A GOOD CHEST RUB

Maty’s All Natural Baby Chest Rub with Eucalyptus, Lavender, and Chamomile is remarkably effective in calming baby Isaac down. It smells amazing and is petroleum- and menthol-free.

HAVE YOU HEARD OF THE 4 FINGERTIP TEMPLE METHOD? A friend’s grandmother recently taught it to me, and it works!

If your little one is having a hard time relaxing or getting to sleep, place four fingertips vertically on the center of your kiddo’s forehead and stroke down the tip of the nose and back up to the center of the forehead to the hair line. Then change directions, and place your fingertips vertically and brush from the center of the forehead all the way to the side of the face in front of the ear. Repeat these motions with a “shoo” sound. This soothing tactic really helps place your child at ease and also works well with a custom “night-night” song or the tried and true lullaby. (If you have long fingernails, this method may not be for you!)

TEETHING SURVIVAL TIP!

If teething is getting the best of your mini-me, try frozen peas or Pedialyte pops! These are a godsend in my household!

could only remove labels and pre-determined judgments and give each person and each situation a pure chance, we could accomplish so much more together. And this is also true in business. When organizations from different industries collaborate and work alongside each other for a common goal, crosspollination happens, networks expand, ideas bloom, and revenue potential grows. So

many organizations want more money or more exposure, but they also want to stay in their comfort zone and do things the way they always have. Progress just doesn’t work like that. So I gain great joy in trailblazing new connections, campaigns, and revenue streams for my clients. It is definitely not easy work, but the transformations are incredible to see.

I find it takes a village to raise a family, especially in today’s fast-paced world. Do you agree? Who is in your village?

For a long time, I tried to do everything on my own. And while this may be a reality for all of us during specific times of life, perhaps due to the circumstances we were born into, a failed relationship, relocation, or death of a loved one - connection and communication leads to balance and a well-rounded life.

So, if you don’t automatically inherit a village, I encourage you to open up, reach out, and build it, keeping one thing in mind: whether comprised of relatives or friends, the composition and contribution of your village fluctuates - it changes based on your values, goals, and personal and professional growth.

My precious “GGP” (aka my great-grandpa) is certainly the chief of my village. He, along with my stepdad, came into my life only seven years ago, and they are a reliable, consistent source of wisdom and strength - I can’t imagine life without them. My mom is a strong woman who has dedicated her life to serving the community - and that is an inspiration. My mentor Gordon Quan has taught me more than I could ever imagine, and there are two or three other friends near and dear to my heart that allow me to vent, cry, celebrate. They accept me exactly as I am.

You mentioned that we all have a story. We all have faced obstacles and overcome them while on our journeys. What advice would you give to those moms out there trying to do their best?

For me, going from one child to two after so many years of quiet, routine, and a bit of freedom demanded major adjustments to my mindset and schedule. Tripping over toys, hearing the screeching sound of a temper tantrum, enduring my teenager’s mood swings while I act as her personal Uber driver due to her schedule being almost as hectic as mine, paired with client expectations

and my own to stay in shape, have a clean kitchen, achieve more professionally, and oh, wait - have a personal life? - is enough to make me lose it on a weekly basis.

I quickly learned earlier this year that I just cannot run properly unless I invest time each day to “fill up” and get emotionally and mentally grounded. So I would suggest identifying what you need to do for yourself in order to remain full, strong, and positive.

Through trial and error, I realized that I am far more focused, productive, and resilient when my day begins with coffee, songs of gratitude, silent reflection, prayer, and affirmations. So who has time for this, right? I don’t always wake up before the kids do because I am actually really tired. So oftentimes, I have to get breakfast going, line up some educational videos for Isaac (thank goodness for Little Baby Bum), and then grab my coffee and step away for a moment. I listen to an Australian band called Hillsong.

Their music has completely transformed my life. A lyric from one of their hit songs, “Seasons,” is my saving grace on most days: “Oh how nature acquaints us with the nature of patience…” I remind myself that no matter what is going on, good or bad, happy or sad, healthy or sick - this is a season. So I must do what is necessary to carry on.

A few poster-size sticky notes are on the wall I see when I first wake up, so I can set my focus before I interact with the world. Before I go to bed, I see them again. So if negative thoughts, worry, fear, doubt, or distractions arise, I read those messages out loud and set my intention again before I catch some zzz’s.

And above all else: each day, I work to acknowledge my worth. On most days as a mom, no one gives you a gold star - although you deserve one. I remind myself that my contributions, my effort, and my work, while not complete, have resulted in progress, and that is worth celebrating. fall/winter 2019

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F E AT U R E | N U R S E RY T R E N D S

NURSERY TRENDS woodland creatures photos by Linzy Pelt | LP Photography

I

f you thought picking out baby names was hard, try deciding on your nursery theme. There are so many ideas and options out there that even the most organized of mammas can get overwhelmed. However, we can give you some ideas to help you narrow down your abundance of choices!

We caught up with new mom, Jessi Dugan who was kind enough to give us a peek at her newly born twin’s adorable “Woodland Animal” themed nusery. houston baby magazine

30 fall/winter 2019

With subtle colors pulled straight from nature and an abundance of cute woodland creatures, this nursery theme is gender neutral and full of fairy tale whimsy. Mom and baby are sure to spend plenty of time bonding in this calming and delightful space.

We have pulled together a product guide to help you create this warm and inviting nusery in your own home.

Best of luck in your nursery decorating journey.

OH, Deer! Wallpaper

Give the sweetest critters from the forest a home on your wall, alongside beautiful pastel flowers and lush green leaves. Available in blue background also.

150”W x 108”H $469 • anewall.com

Emerson Mini Crib & Mattress Set A beautiful crib that’s perfectly suited for small spaces. $699 • potterybarnkids.com

Birch Shelf

With an element of forested fantasy, this woodsy, birchinspired shelf is finished in a pretty white wash. $169 • potterybarnkids.com

Stackable Wooden Toy Bins

Organize your little one’s room with the Large Stackable Wood Bin from Pillowfort™. The natural wood grain finish gives it a natural, earthy look that can easily mix in with any decor style. $20 • target.com

Fox Decorative Throw Pillows

Give them their favorite woodland creature in a pillow to snuggle up with when they sleep. It’s knitted from the softest materials to ensure they’re comfy and cozy. $30 • potterybarnkids.com

Shaped Fox Storage Hamper

Add a little whimsy to your nursery with this handwoven fox storage basket, made from water hyacinth over an iron frame. Also available in an owl, hedgehog or acorn! $89 • potterybarnkids.com

DaVinci Olive Glider & Ottoman

Rock your little one soundly to sleep in this comfy rocker. $330 • target.com

Woodland Animals Crib Mobile

This beautiful woodland baby mobile will add a botanical touch and natural textures to any room, playroom or nursery. By The Mobilion $139+ • etsy.com

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SPECIAL SECTION | PRODUCT GUIDE

nursery & more 7 piece folly nursery set

A convertible crib, dresser, glider, crib mattress, mattress pad, crib sheets, and a free bonus toddler guardrail. $899 • deltachildren.com

Dapple All Purpose Cleaner Spray

A cleaning product is created with plant-based ingredients that are biodegradable, and made clean and pure ingredients $7 • dapplebaby.com

Flushable diaper liners

Use with cloth diapers, but you can flush the liners. Less mess and still saving the planet! $8 • bumpkins.com

baby basics kit

Bust stubborn boogers, free trapped farts, cut those claws, and kick cradle cap to the curb, all with the ingenious tools inside! $40 • fridababy.com

Snap-in-one cloth diaper

Adjustable fit and customizable absorbency so that you can create the perfect size for your little one. $20 • bumkins.com

iHealth | Infrared No-Touch Thermometer

Touch Free, Hassle Free! iHealth’s Digital Medical Infrared Forehead Thermometer is suitable for all ages. $27 • ihealtlabs.com

daysy fertility tracker

diaper caddy

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Original Diaper Caddy for those days when you can’t seem to find anything! This stylish organizer will keep everything you need close by. $22 • keababies.com

FDA-compliant, scientificallybacked tracking tool that gives you a better understanding of your menstrual cycle and powerful knowledge about your body using a method that’s natural and reliable. $330 • usa.daysy.me

CLEARinse

CLEARinse vacuum suction device nasal cleaning kit helps remove hard blockages from the nose for easier breathing. $54 • clearmynose.com

clothing

Sienna Floral Swaddle & Headband Set Wrap your peanut in lush bamboo.

Breathable, lightweight, stretchy, and extra-large. $38 • poshpeanut.com

Forest Friends Muslin Footed Sleeper Wrap your peanut in lush bamboo. Breathable, lightweight, stretchy, and extra-large. $33 • mud-pie.com

Bobux soft sole shoes

Soft and stylish shows for active infants and children. $30 • dapplebaby.com

Hospital Cuddle Box™️ Deluxe

Includes 1 Always Blanket, 1 Coming Home Blanket, 1 Burp Cloth, 1 Top Knot Cap, 2 Hello Baby Tops & 2 Hello Baby Pants. $188 • monicaandandy.com

Wobbly Waddlers Shoes

Genuine leather shoes with great support. Created with rounded edges to ddecrease stumbles and falls. $59 • firststepshoe.com

The Knit Tracksuit

A mashup of cool kid tracksuit vibes and our cozy cotton knit delivers a style that keeps them on track from head-to-toe. $120 • monicaandandy.com fall/winter 2019

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SPECIAL SECTION | PRODUCT GUIDE

sweet dreams & more

artist designed bedding

Invite your little ones to drift off into a land of adventure with the adorably dreamy, high-quality crib sheets and toddler bedding lines in organic 100% cotton $35+ • rookiehumans.com

Max & Moose Ecru Knit blanket

created to bring a little extra warmth + snuggles for you + your children. $78 • maxandmoose.com

Nest Snuggly Warm Sleep Suit

Nest’s new long sleeve baby sleepsuits made with unique bamboo blend of wool and Sorona® filling is a great choice for your child’s swaddle transition. $54 • nestdesigns.com

feeding time Baby Ring Sling & Wrap Carrier

tripp trapp high chair

Works as a baby sling, postpartum belt, nursing cover or baby swaddle & blanket. $35 • keababies.com

The chair that grows with your child!

Suits the needs of your child from 6 months to 3 years. $400 • stokke.com

organic burp cloths

Organic Baby Burp cloths for those everyday moments! Ultra-absorbent and ultra adorable! $22 • keababies.com

Milk Snob Cover Notting Hill

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The original Milk Snob® Cover is a fitted infant car seat cover that can also be used as a cover for nursing, shopping carts, high chairs, infant swings and more. $36 • milksnob.com

HALO® SnoozyPod® vibrating bedtime soother

The first device to combine soothing sounds and an amber glow night light with gentle vibration to lull infants and toddlers to their best sleep. $60 • halosleep.com

Lullabuddy

Pre-loaded with 2 hours of Mae Robertson’s award winning lullabies and lovesongs. Simply press play! $49.50 • lullabuddy.com

Baby Monitor by Vava

Monitor your baby’s sleeptime with Vava’s baby monitor system $160 • vava.com

eClip Baby Reminder Smart Beat video baby monitor

A new first-of-its-kind video baby monitor that detects a baby’s breathing without wearables. $250 • mysmartbeat.com

is the first low-cost device that helps prevent parents and caregivers from accidentally leaving a young child in the back seat of the car. $45 • elepho.com

Rockit Baby Rocker

Rocks any stroller with a quiet motor technology with adjustable speed for a helping hand wherever you are. $50 • rockitrocker-usa.com

A refreshing educational series where a team of experts enlighten, educate and entertain the MODERN Houston woman.

JOIN IN THE FUN!

For event dates and times visit us online at

www.themommieseries.com

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SPECIAL SECTION | PRODUCT GUIDE

diaper bags mickey mouse stroller hook $19 • petunia.com

Moonless Rose Diaper Bag

A classic quilted black diaper bag in a Boxy Backpack design. Another nice touch is the Mickey stroller hook in blush pink to complement the diaper bag. $200+ • petunia.com citi navigator- saddle brown The Citi Navigator was thoughtfully designed to transition with your daily life. Use it as an everyday backpack or diaper bag. $115 • citicollective.com

original Diaper Bag Backpack

The perfect diaper bag backpack loved by moms & dads. Waterproof & multi-functional. $38.96 • keababies.com

Staff Pick Boss Diaper Bag Backpack

The ultimate diaper bag backpack! Made from 100% vegan leather and with 17 total pockets, coordinating stroller straps and a free changing pad, this backpack will make you look like the chic Boss that you are. $160 • itzyritzy.com

the new peek-a-boo collection

Availalbe in satchel or backpack and a variety of colors and styles. Flaps open for easy baby wipe access. $145+ • twelvelittle.com

feed diaper bag

The diaper bag that gives back.

When purchased, each Diaper Bag provides 1 year of micronutrients to a mother and child in need. $148 • feedprojects.com

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travel gear fllo car seat by clek MyFit LE Harness + Booster Car Seat - Venture

Keep your little ones safe.

Complete with harness mode, booster mode, 9 position headrest and 4 position recline. $250 • chiccousa.com

Featuring the Tokidoki Reef Rider Pattern. At less than 17 inches, Fllo makes it easy to ride 3-across. One of the safest narrow car seats available, it’s packed with industry-leading safety features. $299 • clekinc.com

Grow With You ClickTight

With a quick adjust harness and multiple recline positions, this harness2-booster seat grows with your child from toddler to big kid. $290 • us.britax.com

LX Side by Side Stroller

Perfect for travel with plenty of storage, two comfy seats, a parent cup holder, and a five-point safety harness for peace of mind. $99.99 •deltachildren.com

BravoFor2 Double Stroller

Bugaboo Lynx lightwight stroller

Weighing only 20.7 lbs, the Bugaboo Lynx was designed for everyday adventures from trips to the city to playground outing $899 • bugaboo.com

From car seat and toddler seat to sitting and standing, siblings can share the ride and stroll together as they grow together. $299 • chiccousa.com

Staff Pick

Zelia Maxi Cosi 5 in 1 modular travel system Travel in comfort and in style $499.99 • maxicosi.com

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SPECIAL SECTION | PRODUCT GUIDE

education & play

Luggy Basket

A tiny wheeled basket for your toddler, perfect for storing and toting their most prized possessions. $85 • theboysandthebabe.com

iplay ilearn 3-in-1 Activity Walker

3-in-1 easy walker, activity center and drawing board with fun music and sounds to encourage walking, writing and creativity. $66.99 • amazon.com

Dooballs from BabyToLove

Loog Mini Guitar

The ideal first guitar for kids to play music. Comes with flashcards on how to form chords and an app that gets you playing songs on day one! $79 • loogguitars.com

An adorable and loveable collection of 4 soft ball animals from BabyToLove. $15.95 • BabyToLove.com

Codi the Storytelling Robot

Entertain and educate your child without a screen. Codi tells stories and plays music. $125 • pillarlearning.com

Tiny love 4 in 1 here i grow mobile activity center Stimulate your child with this grow and play activity center $99.99 • target.com

Get Educated with banana panda!

Suuuper Size Puzzles: My Body $21.99 • amazon.com

Match the Baby Puzzles

$16.99 • amazon.com

High Contrast Flash Cards $13.99 • amazon.com houston baby magazine

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chewBox Teethers

The ultimate collection of teething toys for countless hours of relief to your little one’s teeth and gums. $14 • evolvedparentco.com

Animoodles

These soft and cuddly stuffed animals feature magnets that allow kids to get creative mixing and matching a variety of adorable animal characters. $17.49 • amazon.com

wubbaNub Houston astros bear

Calling all Houston Astros™ fans Our WubbaNub Houston Astros™ Bear is velvety soft and proudly represents the Houston Astros™ logo. $20 • wubbanubonline.com

“A Bears Finds His Purpose”

This gift pays it forward by giving “Caden” teddy bears to sick kids in hospitals. $35 • abearfindshispurpose.com

Hopping Unicorn

Let them bounce around with this inflatable unicorn. Great for balance and coordination and promotes healthy exercise. $30 • amazon.com

Snuggle Monsters

sammy the seal

Sammy is made from 6 recycled, cleaned and shredded plastic bottles. When pressed, Sammy plays the authentic seal sound. $1 from each sale helps to save marine life. $20 • shore-buddies.com

A handmade monster you can’t help but love. $26 • mysnugglemonster.com

MySize Double-Sided Storage Easel A two-sided easel for kids features three different drawing surfaces. $59.99 • deltachildren.com

People Blocks Working Cars

The award-winning, easy to use, loved by parents, magnetic building blocks $34.99 • Peopletoy.com

KINDERFEETS Retro Bike

Throwback to vintage nostalgia, these push bikes are sure to bring fun for your little ones.

Available in Cupcake or Rocket $89 • kinderfeets.com

PRAM/WALKER by KINDERFEETS

Both a baby walker and pram, it’s the perfect walker to get babies comfortable taking their first steps. $99 • kinderfeets.com

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I

F E AT U R E | FA M I LY L I F E

think we can all agree that there is nothing glamorous about potty training.

Besides the obvious ick factor involved, all the “potty lingo” is enough to make you want to let your kid wear diapers for the rest of their life (why can’t we just call it a toilet? My spell check doesn’t even recognize potty as a real word). The whole process makes moms a little crazy and causing them to do things they didn’t think they would ever do. Here are a few examples of things only a mom in the throes of potty training their kid would consider doing:

1.

SPENDING HOURS ON PINTEREST SEARCHING FOR POTTY TRAINING REWARD CHARTS, THEN SPENDING A RIDICULOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY ON STICKERS AND NEW UNDERWEAR. The massive amount of potty training books all suggest reward charts and new underwear are a good idea to get your kid excited about the wonderful world of using the potty. You are going to have to do something to entice them because why would your child want to give up his diaper? They are living a comfortable life in their diaper—never needing to stop what they are doing to go to the bathroom. So it is understandable why some moms might invest a large amount of time and money to cajole their young one to give up their diapers.

2.

10

Most moms realize that juice is filled with sugar so they will limit the amount their kid drinks. But all bets are off when it comes to potty training. If drinking juice helps increase their chance that they might successfully pee in a toilet (or anything resembling one) then it’s possible a mom might let their kid exceed their juice limit for the day.

things only a mom potty training her kid would do

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ALLOWING YOUR KID DRINK A GALLON OF JUICE.

written by Cheryl Maguire

3.

AND THEN YOU END UP ALLOWING YOUR KID EAT A BAG OF M&MS. So the juice worked and your kid actually sat on the toilet, nothing happened but you are so excited you let your kid have an M&M even though it’s nine o’clock in the morning. This continues all morning and before you know it most of the bag of M&Ms are gone. Even though you kid didn’t pee (you are amazed at his camellike bladder) you are thrilled your kid sat on the toilet 10 times.

4.

YOU BRING A PORTABLE POTTY WHEREVER YOU GO.

There are a bunch of different portable pottys—some are just a seat while another potty has a pot at the bottom so it’s like traveling with a real toilet. Whichever one you own it becomes your new must-have an item that is for you and your kid at all times. I bet you never thought you would want to carry around a potty seat before you had kids.

8.

YOU BRING AN ENTIRE SUITCASE OF CLOTHES TO PREPARE FOR “THE ACCIDENT.” Since it is all a learning process your kid is most likely going to have an accident at some point. In order to prepare for the inevitable you find yourself packing a whole wardrobe of clothes. What if they have more than one accident? What if they are hot/cold? You just never know, so you pack it all.

5.

9.

When your kid begins the delightful process of potty training you will quickly learn, when they tell you they have to go to the bathroom they mean right now, not a minute to spare to figure out where the restroom is located. One inexperienced mom learned the hard way when her daughter peed in the middle of the aisle at Target. After that you can bet that she mapped out every public restroom within a ten-mile radius of her house and could be at the nearest one within seconds.

Potty training is exhausting. When you leave the house you bring a toilet seat, a bottle of anti-bacterial wipes, Post-it notes, and a suitcase filled with clothes which are tiring just thinking about it. You don’t have the energy to map out the public restrooms and then clean/cover the toilets so it’s easier just to stay home.

YOU MAP OUT ALL THE PUBLIC RESTROOMS WITHIN A 10-MILE RADIUS.

6.

YOU CLEAN THE PUBLIC RESTROOM AS IF YOU WERE GETTING PAID TO DO IT. For some unknown reason, toddlers (and some older kids) love touching the walls, floor, toilet paper, toilet and anything else you don’t want them touching in a public restroom. When they go to touch any of these items all you can do (besides screaming NO) is envision the germs multiplying on the surface and now your kid’s hands. So you end up pulling out your gallon size antibiotic wipes, cleaning everything in sight, almost giving your kid a shower in the process.

7.

YOU BRING A PAD OF POSTITS WITH YOU TO COVER THE AUTOMATIC FLUSH SENSOR. Those automatic flush sensors found in some public restrooms are a parent’s worst nightmare. It’s hard enough with your kid touching every germ-infested surface and now the toilet flushes out of the blue scaring your kid to the point they would never want to attempt using it again. The best way to prevent this situation is to put a Post-it note over the sensor. Now you end up carrying with you a toilet seat, a bottle of antibacterial wipes and Post-it notes.

YOU REFUSE TO LEAVE THE HOUSE FOR TWO WEEKS BECAUSE YOU ARE TIRED AND JUST CAN’T USE ANOTHER PUBLIC RESTROOM.

10.

CELEBRATE LIKE YOU WON THE $500 MILLION LOTTERY WHEN YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY USES THE POTTY. When your kid finally uses the potty you find yourself jumping up and down, screaming as if you just won the lottery.

Because in a sense you have, the freedom to leave the house again.

Us mothers that have been there, feel your pain. Just know that you will get through this traumatic parenting endeavor and it will all be a distant memory (sort of).

Hopefully, you will finally be able to call it by its real name—a toilet and leave all that “potty talk” behind you.

Houston Natural Light Portrait Photographer

WWW.JENNADUNCAN.PHOTOGRAPHY JENNADUNCANPHOTOGRAPHY@GMAIL.COM

Are you experiencing neck, shoulder, or back pain?

Originally Published on Mom.com.

Cheryl Maguire holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology. She is married and the mother of twins and a daughter.

Her writing has been published in The New York Times, AARP, Chicken Soup for the Soul: Count Your Blessings, and Your Teen Magazine. You can find her on Twitter @ CherylMaguire05

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41 houston baby magazine

F E AT U R E | FA M I LY W E L L N E S S

breastfeeding basics

10 Tips You Need To Know Before Giving Birth written by Shannon Dean Like many new skills facing first-time mothers, breastfeeding is a learned ability that gets much easier with practice. Here are a few time-tested tips to make the transition easier.

1. START PREPARING

2. SOME

Educate yourself and consider attending classes offered by your hospital or birthing center months before delivery. La Leche League leader Wanda Daniels says attending an LLL meeting while pregnant answered many important questions and made her comfortable calling her own leader for support.

While your breasts may initially feel tender, they shouldn’t be consistently painful. Initial nipple discomfort is usually normal, but severe, ongoing soreness may indicate a problem. Certified lactation consultant and pediatric nurse Lucille Harrington says most problems can be fixed quickly, so moms needn’t endure pain.

WELL BEFORE YOUR DUE DATE:

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DISCOMFORT IS NORMAL, BUT HELP IS AVAILABLE:

Many hospitals and birthing centers offer telephone counseling or an in-person consultation with a lactation consultant. This service is usually free.

3. FIND WAYS TO LIGHTEN YOUR LOAD:

Newborns typically nurse 8 to 12 times per day. Plus, experts recommend feeding your baby on cue at any sign of hunger.

A nursing sling can be a great

way to keep your baby close and allow you freedom, privacy, and mobility. Learning to nurse lying down can also help with nighttime feedings so you and baby can quickly return to sleep.

4. AVOID

ASSUMPTIONS:

Many new mothers think that babies who want to nurse frequently aren’t getting enough milk, but this is rarely

true. As long as your baby is producing at least 6-8 wet diapers and 2-3 daily bowel movements for the first few weeks after your milk comes in, he’s likely getting the nutrients he needs. Babies nurse for comfort as well as hunger.

Frequent watery, mustardcolored bowel movements are normal and are not considered diarrhea. Consult an expert for reassurance if something doesn’t feel right.

5. LISTEN TO YOUR

BODY’S CUES OF HUNGER, THIRST, AND FATIGUE:

Although your body has to work hard to produce milk, eating when hungry and drinking when thirsty will likely provide your body with enough fuel. Rest while your baby rests whenever possible.

6. ACCEPT HELP:

Although many new moms are uncomfortable asking for or receiving help, Harrington urges parents to overcome these reservations. Don’t be shy about addressing specific needs with requests like, “It would be wonderful if you could fold laundry.” Involving partners and family members in your baby’s care makes them feel included. When loved ones rock, bathe and sing to your baby, this teaches him that love and comfort do not always come from food.

7. SEEK OUT

REASSURANCE FROM SUPPORTIVE EXPERTS:

If you ever have doubts, seek advice from those knowledgeable about (and supportive of) breastfeeding.

Advisors who assure you they “couldn’t breastfeed either” or that formula-fed babies are “easier” are not helpful when it’s likely you’re doing just fine.

8. DON’T COMPARE

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

YOUR EXPERIENCES TO OTHERS:

BOOKS

Keep in mind that babies, like adults, are all different.

If a friend’s baby is emptying the breast very quickly and sleeping through the night, this doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with you or your baby if your experience is different.

(Ballantine Books)

by Diane Wiessinger and Diana West

9. KNOW THAT YOU

CAN CONTINUE NURSING WHEN YOU RETURN TO WORK:

Many moms avoid breastfeeding because they assume that they must stop once maternity leave ends.

However, with planning and a hospital-grade breast pump, there is no need to stop. It helps to delay the introduction of artificial nipples until after your milk supply and nursing relationship are wellestablished. Harrington says moms can introduce a bottle with breast milk to established nursers between one and three months of age, which is when babies are more adaptive to a bottle. By using a breast pump and nursing outside of business hours, you can still maintain a healthy nursing relationship.

10. RELAX AND ENJOY YOUR BABY:

Harrington is fond of telling moms, “The days are long, but the years are short.” It may be hard to believe that the infant whose favorite place is your breast will soon be a squirming toddler with less interest in cuddling. Babies become children and adults before you know it. Enjoy this unhurried one-on-one time while it lasts.

Shannon Dean is a freelance writer who specializes in writing about families.

THE WOMANLY ART OF BREASTFEEDING

THE NURSING WOMAN‘S COMPANION (Harvard Common Press)

by Kathleen Huggins.

BREASTFEEDING MADE SIMPLE: SEVEN NATURAL LAWS FOR NURSING MOTHERS (New Harbinger Publications)

by Nancy Mohrbacher and Dr. Kathleen Kendall-Tackett

WEBSITES

LA LECHE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL.

www.llli.org One of the best places to start with questions on breastfeeding. You can also find information on your local LLL chapter.

BREASTFEEDING BASICS www.breastfeedingbasics.com Maintained by a board-certified lactation consultant, this site offers informative breastfeeding articles and shares mothers’ breastfeeding stories and experiences.

AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS’ POSITION ON BREASTFEEDING www.aap.org/en-us/advocacy-and-policy/aap-healthinitiatives/Breastfeeding/Pages/AAP-Policy-onBreastfeeding.aspx This page details the benefits and challenges of breastfeeding and outlines pediatric recommendations for both healthy and high-risk infants.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES’ INFORMATIVE SITE ON BREASTFEEDING www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding Offers an extensive FAQ section as well as tips and how-to articles.

Get more new mom parenting tips and advice online at houstonfamilymagaine.com

fall/winter 2019

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E D I T O R I A L | FAT H E R K N O W S B E S T

50 things all kids should try

by Mike McDonnell

A bucket list for childhood? Sure thing. Check out these 50 things all kids should try during their childhood, and be sure to cross a few off the list before your kids grow up. Childhood passes in the blink of an eye, after all, don’t let it pass without taking advantage of some – or all – of these fun things!

LICK THE BEATERS.

SKIP ROCKS IN THE WATER.

MILK A COW.

TELL A JOKE.

A fun treat for little ones who show an interest in the kitchen.

Not only does it take practice, patience and skill to do it well, it is also a quiet and relaxing activity.

By doing so kids will learn that milk doesn’t just come from the grocery store.

Telling jokes improves social skills and allows a child to use his imagination.

BUILD A SANDCASTLE.

GO FISHING.

BE PART OF A TEAM.

This is a survival skill that will be fun to take your child to do.

You can become less shy and feel less isolated by being part of a team.

DANCE IN THE RAIN. Let kids be free to frolic and just enjoy childhood with unstructured play.

MAKE MUD PIES AND SERVE THEM TO IMAGINARY FRIENDS.

Get the kids to be creative by trying different tools to shape and mold the sand to make the sandcastle.

ATTEND A BASEBALL GAME.

LEARN TO SWIM.

Create lifelong memories with your child watching the country’s national pastime.

ACT LIKE A MONKEY & CLIMB A TREE.

Swimming is a survival skill that all kids should learn in order to stay safe when around water.

It is also a smart way to get exercise.

Learn about colors of light by watching the sunrise and seeing the colors change.

Climbing trees is not only healthy exercise, it also actually helps with cognitive development by encouraging problem solving.

CLIMB UP A SLIDE.

HAND FEED A WILD BIRD.

Let your child take a risk and experience climbing up the slide.

This gets the wild birds used to the presence of people and teaches kids to respect birds.

Using their imagination will help later in life as they try to find a solution to a problem, plus it’s just plain fun.

ENJOY A SUNRISE.

ROLL DOWN A GRASSY HILL.

FLY A KITE.

CATCH A BUTTERFLY.

This fun activity will encourage your child to get plenty of exercise and build muscles.

A child can learn perseverance to keep putting the kite up in the air and learn how the wind affects the kite.

Be gentle with the butterfly to avoid hurting it and learn to understand and respect one of nature’s beautiful creatures.

MAKE SHADOW PUPPETS. This simple activity is not only a fun, it also encourages them to use their imaginations.

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RIDE ON A TRAIN.

HAVE A BEST FRIEND.

This is a nostalgic way to see the country and is a truly unique way to travel that everyone should experience.

A close friend can help a child be less afraid and feel good about himself/herself.

ATTEND A COUNTY FAIR. It’s fun for the whole family and you can ride on rides and see the animals.

PUT ON A PUPPET SHOW. Kids learn to be creative by coming up with the story and figuring out how to tell it.

BLOW BUBBLES. Playing with bubbles develops fine motor skills and visual tracking.

SLIDE DOWN A WATERSLIDE. Getting up the courage to slide down a waterslide will help you overcome physical and mental challenges.

MAKE MOM AND DAD LAUGH. Laughter is still the best medicine because it helps reduce stress.

MAKE SOMETHING FROM A CARDBOARD BOX. This exercise improves imagination because you can make many things from a box.

COLLECT SOMETHING. Creating a collection of something you love will help teach patience and organization.

JUMP IN A PILE OF LEAVES.

PLAY WITH PLAY DOUGH.

Jumping in a pile of leaves is not only entertaining for kids, but it’s a sensory experience they can learn from.

Squishing and molding this entertaining dough improves fine motor skills explains.

HANG UPSIDE DOWN. This changes your perspective on the world and helps improve balance.

TRAVEL ABROAD. Expand your horizons by learning about cultures outside of your own and gives you firsthand experience with historical locations.

PICK STRAWBERRIES AND EAT THEM. Kids can benefit from picking strawberries by learning where they came from and getting to pick the berries themselves.

GO BIRD WATCHING. Polish up observation skills by bird watching and learning about the many different species.

VISIT THE ZOO.

PLANT A TREE.

Learn about animals and their habitats by exploring the zoo.

Help the environment and grow something that will most likely out live you.

GO ON A TREASURE HUNT. Improve your listening skills and learn to use strategies to find the treasure.

WALK IN THE GRASS BAREFOOTED. Get closer to nature by running your toes through the grass.

FINDING SHAPES IN THE CLOUDS.

HAVE A MILK MUSTACHE.

The act of cloud watching reduces stress and promotes imagination.

Acting silly brings laughter, and laughter is healthy for everyone.

RIDE ON A CAROUSEL.

PLAY WITH MAKEUP.

Experience a piece of history by enjoying this old fashioned ride.

Girls learn to explore who they want to be when they experiment with makeup.

BUILD A GINGERBREAD HOUSE.

FINGER PAINT.

Get creative and do something new by building and decorating a gingerbread house.

Children learn basic color mixing while developing creativity.

DO A CARTWHEEL.

Kkids learn by interacting with ducks.

Doing cartwheels is good exercise and strength training.

LEARN TO WHISTLE. Carry on an old tradition and relieve some stress while you whistle your cares away.

WEAR A CAPE. Pretending and playing alone helps children improve their self-direction skills.

WEAR A COSTUME AS CLOTHING. Using a costume as clothing helps develop a sense of self.

As your family grows, count on us.

FEED THE DUCKS.

GO STARGAZING. Get an idea of how big the universe really is and become curious about what else is out there.

For the complete list of 100 things kids should try visit us online houstonfamilymagaine.com

We’re so much more than just a magazine...

We are your go-to resource for everything parenting in the Greater Houston Area. We offer helpful articles, calendar of events, products and resource guides to keep your family in the know.

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EDITORIAL | BOOK BITES

BOOKS WE LOVE

Learn Your ABCs! With this fold out & flip book.

Make Storytime an Adventure!

Delightful 5 minute stories to cherish.

ALPHABET STREET

by Jonathan Emmett Illustrated by Ingela P. Arrhenius www.amazon.com

5 MINUTE STORIES

by Margaret Wise Brown www.amazon.com

WONDERFUL ME: I LOVE ALL OF ME

by Lorie Ann Grover Illustrated by Carolina Búzio www.amazon.com

ALL ABOARD! TEXAS

Explore the Lone Star State!

by Kevin & Hailey Meyers Illustrated by Hailey Meyers www.amazon.com

A Seek & Find Book.

Discover Cali’s Musical Books.

Each Page Plays A Different Song!

LOVE NURSERY RHYMES PATTY-CAKE NURSERY RHYMES SHEEP 101 Illustrated by Clara Spinassi Singing by Sarah Hughes www.calisbooks.com houston baby magazine

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by Richard T. Morris Illustrated by Leuyen Pham www.amazon.com

fall/winter 2019

47 houston baby magazine

photo by MISO Fotography

baby

ON THE GO | CALENDAR OF EVENTS

on the go with Mondays Mondays with mommy Mondays with Mommy takes children on a monthly fun, educational journey while utilizing music and movement every Monday. www.lacenterra.com La Centerra at Cinco Ranch 10-11am. Age: 0-5

Mingle with Parents of Multiples (FBPOM) Come out and mingle with other parents or guardians expecting or raising multiple birth children every 3rd Monday of each month. Guest speakers will address the group. www.fbpom.org Stafford Fuddruckers, 11445 Fountain Lake Drive, Stafford 6pm. Age: 0-3 and their caregivers.

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Free Forest School Children learn through unstructured play in nature, fostering healthy development. www.freeforestschool.org Neighborhood parks throughout the city at various times.

10-noon. Age: 0-6

Parent and Baby Movement Classes

First Tuesdays at the Houston Zoo

Join a coach guided parent and baby class to stimulate your babies cognitive & muscular development and create strong parent/baby bonds; all while getting fun social interaction. www.alphaomegagymnastics.com Alpha Omega Gymnastics and Dance, Missouri City and Pearland locations Classes on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Times vary by location. Ages: 2-18 months.

You’ll need a free ticket to enter the gates, so get them online and skip the ticket lines! www.houstonzoo.org Houston Zoo 9-5pm. All ages

Children’s Storytime in the Garden Each week story time meets at a different location around the Gardens for a nature-inspired story circle for parents and kids. www.hcp4.net/parks/mercer/ Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens 10:30am. All ages

www.discoverygreen.com Discovery Green 10:30am-12:30pm. Age: 2-5

Tuesdays MFAH Tuesday playdate Families sing songs, listen to storybooks, and participate in fun games and activities, all while being introduced to ideas and themes found in art like color, size, texture, and more! www.mfah.org Museum of Fine Arts Houston-Beck Building 10:45-11:45am Age: Babies 0-35 months with adult caregiver. Free with museum admission.

Toddler Tuesday Have fun at story time, free entertainment and activities intended for toddlers. Events include special character appearances, and arts and crafts every Tuesday!

Wednesdays Nature Discovery Center & Story time Visit the discovery rooms and enjoy the outdoor trails and play area. Plan to stay for nature story time which can include live animal encounters and a simple craft. www.naturediscoverycenter.org Nature Discover Center Tues.-Fri. Noon-5:30pm, Sat.-Sun. 10am-530pm, story time Wednesday at 4pm All ages

Gymboree at Evelyn’s Park It’s a morning of bubbles, parachute time, dancing, and sing-a-longs. www.evelynspark.org Evelyn’s Park Conservancy – The Great Lawn 11am. Age: 0-5

Tadpoles Club

Parachute Play Time

Introduce pre-school age children to nature through stories, crafts, puppets, short walks, and animals with this interactive program led by a staff naturalist. www.hcp4.net/parks Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center 10:30am or 1pm, reservation is required. Age: 3-4 only. No younger or older siblings.

Join Gymboree Play and Music on the third Friday of the month for parachute fun for toddlers. www.citycentrehouston.com/events/ City Centre 10am. Age: 2-4

Little Listeners

Enjoy singing songs, exploring musical instruments every Friday. www.erjcchouston.org Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center of Houston 11:15-noon. Age: 0-5

Enjoy story time with books, songs, movement and a special craft to remember the stories. www.bellairetx.gov Bellaire City Library, 5111 Jessamine, Bellaire 11-11:30am. Age: 0-4

Thursdays Thursday Kindermusik Immerse your child in a musical atmosphere of play, song, and dance, all while developing fundamental skills and connecting with other moms, dads, and families. www.sugarland townsquare.com Sugar Land Town Square 9:30am-10:30am. Age: birth-7 years old.

Blue willow bookshop story time Bring your child to Blue Willow to enjoy stories, songs and an art activity. Toddlers and preschoolers. www.bluewillowbookshop.com Blue Willow Bookshop 10am. All ages

Nature visits at the Joe Turner Nature Center Tour the ecosystem displays; the Bugs Room; the Reptile and Amphibians Room; and Eye on the Wilderness with lighting and sound effects. www.houstonparks.org Lake Houston Wilderness Park All day from Wednesday-Sunday. All ages

Family Storytime and Craft Listen to stories and make new friends during a simple craft every Saturday morning. www.levyparkhouston.org Levy Park 10-11am. Age: 0-4

Little White Oak Night Market Enjoy the cooler weather with the whole family as you enjoy unique artisan crafts at this evening hip neighborhood market. www.thelittlewhiteoakmarket.com 5-9pm, 2623 Keene St., All ages.

Fridays Our Young Artists Babies and toddlers are invited to explore the art on view as inspiration, touch, explore, and make works of art using washable, nontoxic materials. The event concludes with a visit to the galleries to see the work of art that inspired the day’s program. www.mfah.org.

Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.

10:30am-11:30am.

Age: Babies and toddlers up to 35 months old and their caregivers.

Children’s Story Hour at Hermann Park’s Family Garden Story reading followed by an art or gardening activity every Friday. Located in the Family Garden in Centennial Gardens. The Family Garden is an edible, interactive garden with fruits, veggies, herbs, and more. www.hermannpark.org Hermann Park 10-11am. All ages

Tot Shabbat

Saturdays Guided Nature Hikes at the Arboretum Venture out with an Arboretum Guide for a familyfriendly guided hike. Explore our ecosystems to learn about the local wildlife, plants, and natural history of the nature center every Saturday. www.houstonarboretum.org/guided-nature-hikes/ Houston Arboretum and Nature Center 10am and 11am. Both time slots will have a strollerfriendly option.

All ages. Registration is required.

Nature Cubs Club Lil’ nature lovers will have a chance to meet others, learn about a topic, and then explore the park together! The club meets every first Saturday of the month. www.tpwd.texas.gov Sheldon Lake State Park & Environmental Learning Center 11am-noon. All ages

Art in the Park Enjoy family time and art in nature every Saturday. www.evelynspark.org Evelyn’s Park Conservancy 10:00am-Noon. Age: 1-4

Kids- Corner Breakfast at the Breakfast Club On the first Saturday of each month enjoy breakfast out with music, activities, face painting and a moon walk. www.thebreakfastklub.com 10am-2pm. Free with meal purchase.

Sundays Sunday Morning Hikes Come take a stroll with the Lake Houston Naturalist crew every Sunday.

Meeting point is at the Nature Center. www.houstontx.gov Lake Houston Wilderness Park 10am. All ages

Galveston’s own Farmer’s Market A favorite family pastime and a unique way to explore nature, locally grown produce and edible farm products every Sunday morning. www.galvestonsownfarmersmarket.com The Bryan Museum, 1315 21st St., Galveston 9am-noon. All ages

Houston Public Library Fun Story times and other activities occur weekly at 44 Houston-area neighborhood branches of the Houston Public Library. Find something near your home or work by visiting them online at www.houstonlibrary.org.

STORYTIME FOR BABY AND TODDLER Interactive story time featuring books, songs and finger plays with playtime afterward.

Age: 0-4

FAMILY STORYTIME Foster your family’s love for reading with books and activities for all generations!

TODDLER YOGA Work together on inner strength, peace and calmness while learning yoga poses with your toddler.

Age: 1-4

PLAYGROUP A multi-sensory approach to early literacy.

Stories, songs, and activities for babies and toddlers.

Age: 0-4. Available in English and Spanish.

Free Family Days in the Museum District Every Thursday, many of Houston’s museums offer free admission.

Children’s Museum of Houston www.cmhouston.org

The Health Museum

www.thehealthmuseum.org

Museum of Fine Arts, Houston www.mfah.org

Houston Museum of Natural Science www.hmns.org Free Sundays

Holocaust Museum Houston www.hmh.org

Bayou Bend Family Days Enjoy an afternoon of fun with activities, games, demonstrations, and performances throughout the gardens and historic mansion usually on the third Sunday in fall and winter. mfah.org/calendar/series/bayou-bend-family-days Bayou Bend Gardens 1-4pm. All ages

cockrell butterfly center, hmns misobaby fotography houston magazine

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E D I T O R I A L | FA M I LY T E C H

JUST FOR DAD apps to help dad get a handle on the joys of parenthood Becoming a new dad can be overwhelming, not knowing what to expect, how to react, what’s happening to the little guy or gal in mommy’s tummy. We’ve pulled together a list of the best apps for new dads that’s sure to help you become a seasoned pro in the realms of parenthood.

DADDY UP

BABY SPARKS

www.daddyup.com

babysparks.com

Whether you’re a new dad or adding another cub to the family, Daddy Up is the man’s field guide to pregnancy. With wise words from seasoned dads who have been down this trail before, it’s a handy tool for upcoming dads with more fun, and fewer dainty details about girly bits.

Baby Sparks supports early development for children 0-24 months through meaningful play. The app contains over 1,300 video-basd activities and developmental milestones to help your child reach their full potential.

QUICK TIPS FOR NEW DADS www.quicktipsfornewdads.com

The ultimate survival guide for new dads, made by dads. No nonsense. No waffle.

Just quick, practical advice. All in the palm of your hand. houston baby magazine

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BABY MANAGER & FEED TRACKER www.babymanagerapp.tumblr.com

Baby Manager will give you peace of mind by keeping track of your little one and gives you timely reminders for the sleep-deprived parent you are. It helps you keep track of feedings, sleep and more to help make parenting easier.

BABY MONITOR 3G www.babymonitor3g.com

Turn two phones, tablets, or computers into a one single video baby monitor.

BEDTIME STORIES www.getbedtimestories.com

Bedtime Stories is a storytelling app for parents — you don’t only read the stories — you tell them in your own words.

Randomly generated storylines for every kind of genre provide you with millions of possible stories.

November 15, 2019 – January 5, 2020 This holiday season, Gaylord Texan Resort will present a winter wonderland with two million lights, a 54-foot tall Christmas tree and 15,000 ornaments!

Family events will include Snow Tubing, Ice Skating, Gingerbread Decorating Corner, Breakfast with Charlie Brown™ & Friends, Build-A-Bear Workshop®, and our signature hand-carved attraction ICE! featuring A Charlie Brown Christmas.

GRAPEVINE, TX

Stay overnight to experience it all! Tickets and packages on sale now.

ChristmasAtGaylordTexan.com | (817) 778-2000 Peanuts © 2019 Peanuts Worldwide LLC. © Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

PEPSI, PEPSI-COLA and the Pepsi Globe are registered trademarks of PepsiCo, Inc.

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Original

You don’t follow trends, you set them.

So do we. When we opened our doors in 2012, we created a brand new model of care for expecting women and their families and became a one-of-a-kind destination for complicated high-risk pregnancies that finally completed the circuit of care for children from before birth to adulthood.

The landscape of mother/baby care hasn’t been the same since.

A leader is born.

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