NW Kids Magazine November 2020 - Digital Edition

magazine

L I V E • PLAY • DO

Post-Adoption Support Celebrations in a Pandemic Part 2 IVF & Surrogacy Resource Guide Holiday Gifts Cold Weather Gear

NOVEMBER 2020 - DIGITAL EDITION nwkidsmagazine.com

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Editor’s Note November has arrived and it’s really been a gorgeous Portland autumn, despite it all! 2020 has certainly been one for the books and these crisp, sunny days have been a welcome alternative to our oftentimes soggy Octobers. With many of the normal fall traditions on hold or altered this year, I hope you’ve still had the chance to celebrate the changing of the seasons. A new puppy found his way into my family in September and has breathed some life into these strange days, making working and schooling from home a bit more fun! Here he is at Plumper Pumpkins. Who knew puppies were terrified of ponies?!

This month’s issue of NW Kids includes the second installment in our series with Bridgetown Baby on new types of celebrations during the pandemic. November is National Adoption Month and we also have a wonderful piece about finding post-adoption support during these times, written by MereAnn Reid, LPC, a local child and family therapist, parent coach and adoption specialist. There’s a lot more to see, so take a look and let us know what you think!

PS- See that adorable cover baby? That’s Louella and she’s the niece of our former Editor, Karel Chan. You can check out what Karel’s up to these days at karelchancounseling.org and see her incredible knitting skills on Instagram at @kcknittingco

Mary

Cover photography by

BRIAN & VIET-THI CHAN @bchanism @verteterre @babychanism

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Contents

NOVEMBER 2020 7 Subscription Boxes: Holiday Gifts That Keep on Giving 12 IVF & Surrogacy Resource Guide 15 Outdoor Gear for Fall & Winter Adventures 17 Gear Review: Piggyback Rider 18 Post-Adoption Support 20 PJA Perspectives 22 Old Traditions, New Visions: Part 2

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magazine Publisher Michelle Snell michelle@nwkidsmagazine.com Editor/Account Manager Mary Brady mary@nwkidsmagazine.com

Connect With Us: • Phone: 503.282.2711 • email: contact@nwkidsmagazine.com • Facebook: facebook.com/nwkids • Instagram: @nwkidsmagazine • Twitter: @nwkids • Pinterest: pinterest.com/nwkids

Graphic Designer Robyn Taylor Barbon robyn@folkloremedia.com Advertising Inquiries: 503-282-2711, ext. 1 sales@nwkidsmagazine.com

NW Kids is published monthly by Miche Media, LLC. Every effort is made to ensure accuracy; sometimes we make errors. Please let us know when we do and accept our apologies. Printed locally; Please recycle.

Listings Alacrity Photography.....................................11 All Families Surrogacy...................................11 Bennett Suzuki...............................................11 Femelle Integrative Medicine........................11 German International School.......................... 3 Heidi Timmons Photography.........................19 Language Learning Connections..................... 3

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Little Fruit Farm..............................................19 OES.................................................................14 OMEGA Gymnastics.......................................19 Play Fit Fun.....................................................14 Surro Connections............................................ 2 Xstream Learning Center...............................11

Subscription Boxes: Holiday gifts that keep on giving!

Every child loves getting mail, and surprise mail is an even bigger thrill!

Subscription boxes have been around for a number of years now and the variety of themes and specializations is only growing more diverse. Whether the child on your gift list is interested in art; learning about other cultures; female empowerment; cooking; reading or sports, this list has you covered!

Baketivity On a mission to spread positivity and teach kids about inclusion and diversity, Baketivity recently launched their Positivity Cookie Kit. Loaded with a recipe for colorful flower cookies and meaningful kid-friendly activities, the limited release Positivity Cookie Kit is a great way for parents to use fun family time as a springboard for learning and teaching these otherwise abstract concepts to kids. Included in this kit is an easy-to-follow recipe with premeasured ingredients, an engaging activity booklet, and a “Hate Has No Home Here” yard sign to further spread the positivity in your own community. Our 9 and 14-year-old reviewers made these unassisted! Starting at $25.95/month baketivity.com

beTWEEN The Bookends Jillian, a 13 year old 8th grader and avid reader, created beTWEEN the Bookends in hopes of keeping girls aged 9-13 interested in reading even though many community libraries and schools are closed. The monthly box, containing 2-3 books and 6-8 lifestyle items, is curated personally

by Robinson. “I read every book and test every lifestyle item before it makes it into my box, because I want to make sure girls my age will like it. I’m not just filling a box and mailing it out.” $15-$50/box betweenthebookendsbox.com continued on p. 8 NW Kids Magazine | 7

eat2explore Kids will love to bake treats from countries around the world with eat2explore’s “Explore World Holiday Treats.” Their fun, limitededition, holiday treat boxes are “explorer boxes” from three countries - Japan, Croatia and Austria. They provide tools for families to bake together, learn and dine on different desserts and cultures. You’ll have a great time learning about the history of Japanese Mochi, Croatian Gingerbread and Austrian Linzer Cookies while baking up tasty treats. Each of the boxes include an easy-to-follow recipe and shopping list. The great part is the boxes do not include perishable products, so you can use the included ingredients and bake when you have time. Starting at $24.95/month eat2explore.com

GIRLS CAN! CRATE Teach kids tolerance, acceptance, and kindness while having fun.

GIRLS CAN! CRATE is a monthly subscription box created to empower girls--and boys (ages 5-10) to Do and BE anything by introducing them to fearless women of history who made the world better! Each month, a new kit celebrates the life of a strong, diverse female role model. Crates include the GIRLS CAN! 28-page activity book with an original story celebrating a featured woman and other fun activities, 2-3 hands-on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) challenges with necessary supplies, a collectible button, and much more. Starting at $27.95/month girlscancrate.com

Guide Dots If you have a budding artist in your house, Guide Dots is a curriculum designed to teach kids to draw. The subscription combines strategically placed dots and online instruction to get kids making frame-worthy masterpieces. No matter which subscription you choose, you will receive the Guide Dots Starter Kit that delivers an array of full-size teacher-tested art supplies that sets your child up for success. Guide Dots starter kits covers the first three months of instruction ($89.99) and includes the light tablet that will be used throughout the process. After the purchase of the initial bundle, monthly rates start at $25/month guide-dots.com 8 | NW Kids Magazine

Little Global Citizens Their special holiday “Christmas Around the World” box highlights traditions enjoyed by families around the globe. It ships at the end of November, so families can enjoy it all season long and it adds new traditions to celebrations. Little Global Citizens aims to teach children about countries from around the world and their cultures. Their regular subscription service (send one time, every two months or every other month for a year) sends an expertly designed box to kids (aged 4 to 10) to bring a new country and its culture to life. Each box is filled with items from that country, including authentic guides, crafts, screen-free activities (games and puzzles), language skills, recipes, story book and more. Starting at $39.95/month little-global-citizens.com

Little Red Kitchen Bake Shop Fact: cookies make people happy. So do surprise packages in the mail. Gift the cookie of the month club and you can get both! Mailed out on the second Monday of each month, they’ll receive a surprise box of the baker’s choice cookie of the month. From the Signature Chocolate Chip, to a Monster Cookie Pie (this is confirmed to be a crowd pleaser), to a brand new surprise cookie flavor, the options are endless.

Sign up for the 12 month subscription and earn a baker’s dozen – 1 free month of cookies. Starting at ~$35/month littleredkitchenbakeshop.com

OwlCrate Jr. Spark a lifetime love of reading with OwlCrate Jr.’s monthly subscription box for kids ages 8-12. Subscribers get more than just a book—they get a whole themed experience including 4-6 goodies, a hardcover book, at least one usable item or activity to encourage creativity, imagination and exploration, plus an exclusive letter from the author and a collectible monthly sticker (our 9-year-old reviewer thought this was VERY cool!). The books are either standalone stories or the first in a new series. Available for one time box, three or six month subscriptions. Starting at $27.99/month owlcratejr.com continued on p. 10 NW Kids Magazine | 9

Pickup Sports Introduce your kids to multiple sports at home in a non-pressured, fun and affordable way. Starter boxes include ageappropriate equipment, access to weekly live virtual coaching with parent-child games, and expert-created curriculum based on years of research. Available sports include basketball, flag football, soccer, tennis, baseball & softball, and volleyball. For every box purchased, the company donates one to kids with limited access. Starting at $45/box pickupsports.co

Pipsticks A 5th grade me would have LOVED this monthly sticker subscription box!

With two different subscriptions (pro and kids), there is a sticker package for everyone. All the stickers are unique and designed in-house or with local artists, so you won’t find these stickers anywhere else. Each monthly pack comes in a holographic reusable pouch with 15 pages of stickers (or 7 if you opt for the smaller subscription), paper goodies to put your stickers on, and Pippy (the sticker club Zine that has sneak peaks, activities and more).

Starting at $11.95-$17.95/month pipsticks.com

Pottery Awesomeness These super cute new kits from Pottery Awesomeness are the perfect project for kids and families to enjoy together.

With holiday and seasonal themes, each box includes three cute figurines, acrylic paint, paint brushes, a glossy sealer and an instruction card with QR codes that will direct painters to painting tutorials and instructions. Also, for every kit purchased, Pottery Awesomeness donates a painting kit to sick children in hospitals. They work directly with the lead art therapist at each hospital to determine what supplies are needed. Starting at $30/month potteryawesomeness.com 10 | NW Kids Magazine

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IVF & Surrogacy A RESOURCE GUIDE

The decision to start (or grow) your family can be a deeply emotional and personal process, only made more difficult when fertility issues or other medical conditions stand in the way of conceiving without intervention. The Portland area (and beyond!) is full of amazing options to help you find your path.

All Families Surrogacy, LLC AFS is one of the top-rated gestational surrogacy agencies in the country and winner of the 2017 Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Ethics. Their staff of experienced surrogates are experts at compassionately matching and managing surrogacy cases from beginning to end.

12725 SW Millikan Way, PDX 503-906-7960 allfamiliessurrogacy.com

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ALL FAMILIES SURROGACY, LLC

Circle of Life Surrogacy, LLC

OHSU Fertility Consultants

Services Include: Surrogacy circleoflifesurrogacy.com

Services include: Surrogacy, IVF and other infertility treatments ohsu.edu/xd/health/services/ women/services/fertility/

Femelle Dr. Noelle King is a naturopathic physician with a focus on women’s health, specializing in preconception and post-partum care. Preconception care includes fertility issues, recurrent miscarriage, preconception optimization, IVF supportive treatments, IUI, age related ovarian decline, endocrinology/autoimmune conditions in conception, vaginismus, vulvodynia, Holistic Pelvic Care™, LGBTQ+ inclusive and trauma treatments as well as general women’s health. femelleintegrativemedicine.com

Oregon Fertility Institute Services include: IVF and other infertility treatments oregonfertilityinstitute.com

Oregon Reproductive Medicine Services include: IVF oregonreproductivemedicine.com

Oregon Surrogate Agency Services include: Surrogacy surrogacyoregon.com

Surro Connections If you think that you would like to be a Gestational Surrogate, Surro Connections would love to hear from you. It is a great sacrifice but it comes with one of the greatest rewards. If you are open to Gestational Surrogacy as an option for creating your family, they can help. Learn about their process and how they can help you on your journey to parenthood.

12826 NE Airport Way, PDX 503-489-5067 surroconnections.com FEMELLE

Heart to Hands Surrogacy Services Include: Surrogacy hearttohandssurrogacy.com

Northwest Fertility Center Services Include: IVF and other infertility treatments fertilitynw.com

Northwest Surrogacy Center, LLC Services Include: Surrogacy nwsurrogacycenter.com

SURRO CONNECTIONS

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OUTDOOR GEAR for

FALL & WINTER ADVENTURES As we head into late fall and early winter, Covid-19 continues to keep us aware of social distancing and limiting our time spent in crowded spaces - both indoors and out. Living within a short drive of Mount Hood and the Oregon Coast Range, cold weather means hikes and (hopefully) some fun in the snow. We’ve rounded up a short list of items that we’ll be using to make the coming months as comfortable as they are fun!

Selk’bag Lite 6g Selk’bag is the original wearable sleeping bag. The Lite 6g has removable booties, a kangaroo style pocket and elastic hand enclosures. Fabricated from polyester with a DWR weather-resistant coating, it also features a cozy polyester lining and synthetic fill. With a temperature rating of 27 (extreme) to 55 degrees Fahrenheit (comfort), the Lite 6g is perfect for tweens to adults who are 4’11”6’4”. Our teen reviewer is waiting for cooler nights to enjoy backyard s’more making. selkbagusa.com, $99.99

Kahtoola EXOspikes™️ EXOSpikes™️ are slip-on footwear traction for walks around the neighborhood, running on snowy or icy terrain and for packing for a hike when it’s not ideal to bring more than one pair of boots or trail shoes along. Packed snow, ice, muddy and rocky conditions are no match for these traction enhancers.

With sizes that range from 6-13+ women’s and 5-14 men’s, they are also ideal for tweens, teens and adults. Weighing just 6.1-8.8 ounces, they’re a safety measure that is light enough to pack for all of our cold weather adventures. kahtoola.com, $59.95 continued on p. 16 NW Kids Magazine | 15

Shred Dog Elevated Hardshell

Passback Football While most kids in our area are attending school virtually, we have also seen many team sports sidelined as well. The Passback Football is a great alternative to traditional training because it can be used alone, without a rebounder net or throwing machine. It feels like a regular football in terms of grip but there is a blunt end which, when thrown against a hard surface, allows the ball to spiral back to the thrower.

The range of sizes covers kids as young as 4 and up to 14+, so from peewee players to high school (and beyond) training and fun can continue with social distancing protocols safely in place. passbacksports.com (also available on Amazon and at Dick’s Sporting Goods), $19.99-$39.99

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Shred Dog was born in 2018 out of a need to find high quality technical winter outerwear for kids (sizes 4-16) without the outrageous retail markups.

They only sell direct to the consumer, which means you are paying an average of 40% less for apparel that matches the much more expensive brands.

From base layers to mid-layer fleece and hardshell bib pants and jackets, Shred Dog is worth checking out for quality that can be passed down at reasonable prices. shreddog.com, $120 (pre-order price), $180 (regular price)

Team Magnus Tundra Wolf Mini Skis These skis, used by US Nordic & Ski Jumping Federation in their junior training camps, are lightweight and easily packable. There are no sized bindings and any boots (up to a men’s size 10) can strap into the ski, making these 26� skis perfect for kids as young as 3 or for older kids and teens who are honing their technique for downhill, cross-country, ski jumping or tricks. There are no poles included or required and Team Magnus recommends against using poles for the littlest skiers as they can impede their natural balance. Tundra Wolf Mini Skis are available on at team-magnus.com and on amazon.com, $46

GEAR REVIEW Piggyback Rider Standing Child Carrier by BRYAN AND ASHLEY of Alacrity Photography

The Piggyback Rider is an easy to use backpack that helps out a lot when the kids get tired. We have two children (one is only 3 months now and the other is just shy of 5 years old). At 42 pounds, our oldest is a bit above the ideal weight class for this carrier, but we gave it a go anyway.

At first glance, out of the package it was easy to figure out how to put it on. The added harness for the child helps out a great deal in making you feel like they are securely attached. The accessories like the side bag, bottle holder, and selfie stick holder are handy as well. The mud flap that goes on above the foot bar helps keep your legs clean. The backpack makes it easy to carry when the rider is not in use and the side pouch stores it away when you are not using it.

Our son loves the Piggyback Rider and he asks to use it when we are out hiking now. We had an issue with him getting a blister on a hike and he had a hard time walking. Since we had the Rider with us, I was able to simply slide it on and he rode the rest of the way back.

All in all it’s a great carrier for children that really like to run around and occasionally need to get a rest by hopping on your back. If I would make a recommendation to improve it… I would maybe add an additional waist support and offer a wider foot bar for when your child’s feet grow too long to fit firmly on the bar.

The Piggyback Rider is designed for children 2+ and up to 50 lbs. piggybackrider.com, $124.99

Photographs by ALACRITY PHOTOGRAPHY

Alacrity Photography is a Portland Metro based husband and wife team who are parents to Scout and Raven. They specialize in portrait and wedding photography and whether you find them hiking trails, visiting parks or taking pictures of the night sky, their biggest priority is to make beautiful memories together and connect as a family in all of the amazing backdrops mother nature has to offer. alacrityphotography.com NW Kids Magazine | 17

POST-ADOPTION SUPPORT:

Nesting in Can Bring Connection by MEREANN REID, LPC Child & Family Therapist | Adoption Specialist | Parent Coach

For many families, cooped up together for the past several months, a new rhythm has emerged with fewer transitions, outings and social events. When I was a brand-new mom, I worried the world would carry on without me while I tended my baby. But FOMO (fear of missing out) is less an issue these days. Some of our favorite restaurants are closed (hooray for takeout!) and getting a reservation at the library is the hot ticket in town. The world has a slower pace right now, and there’s no rush to emerge from the family nest. This may especially benefit families coming together through foster care or adoption. “Nesting in” may be just the glue for a growing bond as the world changes around us.

Establish safety Even tiny babies are wired to perceive safety in their environment. Humans orient with our senses and look for predictable patterns.

Over several weeks, you can build in sensory play with bath time, finger foods, and infant massage. You can boost trust with kids of any age through 1:1 Special Time, following their lead for 10-20 minutes several times a week, just soaking them up, watching them play, and shining warm regard in their direction.

family, Then—a transition of care or blessing for adoption, Now—your family together.

You’re co-writing the story.

Adjusting to new parenthood is a whole-family shift. Everyone is building attachment, managing big feelings, and has their own needs. It’s common to lose track of basic self-care as you find your way. Many parents’ coping skills are further frazzled by the prolonged intensity of the pandemic—and all that’s coincided with it.

Build a daily rhythm

Get good support

Older kids can lean into transitions with a visual schedule and clear bedtime routine.

Building movement, music, comfort foods, and undivided attention into the day can do wonders for channeling intensity and easing anxiety. Regular family walks or bike rides are a gentle way to get familiar with the neighborhood, landmarks and parks.

Honor grief

You are the best resource for your child when they can borrow your regulation. Having a listening partner on speed dial—who won’t judge, advise, or try to fix—can be a relief.

Join an online group or attachment-smart email list from the comfort of home. Finding support among other adoptive families and guidance from a skilled professional can make a huge difference, connecting you to a community who gets it.

Adoption typically follows stressors making it impossible for a birth family to parent. Death or infertility may precede a placement. These are losses. We integrate loss by traveling through grief. What ritual might your family create, honoring the paths that brought you together? Consider a candlelight commitment ceremony, a festive Dia de los Muertos altar, or a simple 3-photo picture book: First, Then, Now. First—birth

Our resilience is really being called on these days. Each week, it seems, something shifts or changes. This can help us build empathy for a child’s journey through adoption and foster care. They don’t get to steer. Timelines and plans change often. They look to caregivers to be calm, reliable, and present. As a new parent, you are a lighthouse. You are establishing a refuge in the midst of a storm. It may take a while to settle in. I have faith in your resilience.

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MereAnn Reid, LPC, is a child and family therapist, parent coach and adoption specialist in Portland. She brings curiosity and practical tools to whole-hearted parenting, decoding kids’ behavior, and seeing problems and solutions in new ways. She teaches parenting classes using gentle discipline and relational neuroscience, helping families reconnect. MereAnn leads online support groups for adoptive parents and offers private sessions with families and kids age 3-12. For more information, visit her website at mereannreid.com.

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Jewish Academy (pjaproud.org) provides a rich ThePortland PJA Perspective academic and cultural learning experience for kids from early childhood through 8th grade. We’ve invited budding writers from the middle school Humanities classes and writing exploratory to join our team for a series that gives you a glimpse into thoughts and life - from their perspective.

Not Just Me

by Assaf Me. A friend. A student. A kid.

But I want to be seen as something more.

Not only a better friend, not only a better student.

Not only just a kid.

Someone to be remembered for generations.

A legend. A hero. Just someone.

And not just me.

Maybe an activist, chanting in the streets for whatever world-altering issue is next, or a soldier, with enough guts to watch his fellow friends and people bleed and die beside him.

Not just me.

Someone to look up to.

Maybe a leader, someone to choose between world war or world peace, or just someone to trust through struggles and dark times.

Not just me.

Maybe a teacher.

Someone to look to in your struggles and help you through them, or someone to help you understand what you can’t.

To help you see what you can’t.

Not just me.

Regret. Shame. Fear.

Those who gave up their dreams and settled for what they have, feel that.

I’m not going to stop until I’m noticed by someone bigger.

I want to go down as someone who did something.

An activist with guts and a will of steel.

A leader you must trust every step of the way.

A teacher that understands the stakes.

Not just me.

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Hidden

by Sanna This is not the real me.

The real me is someone who I’m not.

The someone who I’m not is what I am.

What I am is inside.

Inside is my heart.

My heart is love.

Love is acceptance.

Acceptance is power.

Power is me.

Me is who I am not.

I am not who I want to be.

What I want to be is what I am.

I am me.

I am who I am.

Me.

Sanna is a current seventh-grader at Portland Jewish Academy. In addition to writing, she enjoys singing, dancing, and playing piano and guitar. When she has time, she hangs out with friends, f2f or on Zoom.

Assaf is a current seventh-grader at Portland Jewish Academy. In addition to writing, he enjoys playing video games with his friends, watching movies, and reading comics.

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Old Traditions, New Visions:

Celebrating During a Pandemic PART 2

by MERRIAH FAIRCHILD, BRIDGETOWN BABY

As humans, we divide and define the year by its seasons and its celebrations. This year the COVID-19 pandemic raises the question: how will we re-envision our usual traditions to make them both safe and meaningful?

The fall and winter seasons are chock full of beloved family celebrations and traditions, from Halloween to Thanksgiving, Diwali to Rosh Hashanah, Kwanzaa to Christmas, and all the baby showers and birthdays in between.

This three-part series draws on the creativity of a diverse bunch of Portland families, who are meeting this challenge with gusto. Their stories and experiences offer examples and inspiration for updated celebrations in the COVID age.

Part 2: Early Winter Festivities and Rites of Passage Diwali November 14

Diwali is on November 14 and in some places is celebrated on multiple nights. Diwali is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains. “ Diwali is the festival of lights, when we celebrate new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. In the past, we’ve gone to a large community celebration at our temple or held our own smaller celebrations with friends. We get dressed up, eat a big vegetarian meal, and light off fireworks. This year Diwali may be just our pod (my mom, my brother, plus our family) - and without fireworks (we didn’t buy any this year because of COVID!).”

- Kalpana, mother of Kavi (10) and Sachin (12)

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Thanksgiving November 26

“Thanksgiving has been my favorite holiday since childhood because of the emphasis on family gathering and giving thanks to God. We celebrate by preparing and eating a LOT of good food, spending quality time with friends and family, and giving thanks.

As an adult, I became more knowledgeable about the origin of the holiday and since having kids continue to celebrate BUT with an acknowledgement of what Indigenous peoples have endured/continue to endure; we use the time together to expand our discussion on the painful history but also to celebrate Indigenous communities.

This year our family circle will be smaller and more intimate, with only our household present. Being healthy and safe with our family during this time of coronavirus is something to truly celebrate and give thanks for.”

- Anyeley, mother to Lafayette (10) and Seraphina (5)

Advent December 1-25

“On each day of December, from the 1st all the way up to Christmas Day, our homemade Advent calendar suggests an activity or provides a small gift to help our family celebrate connection and the joy of giving. With COVID, our festivities and gifts of service will be smaller and more private - for example, we’ll assemble health kits for homeless youth at home rather than alongside others at a local nonprofit this year. But just as our Advent winter village (above) grows and changes with new additions every winter, we’ll still build on our traditions of connection, service and the beauty of the giving season this Advent - even if it all looks a little bit different this time around.”

Photo courtesy of B. Johnson

- Brita, mother to Freja (11) and Espen (5)

continued on p.24

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Ceremonies: Baby Shower

“We’d originally planned a big baby shower, to celebrate with friends from all over the country, but when things got dicey with COVID, we pared down to just our closest family members. My mom and sister transformed our back yard into a magical, socially-distanced party landscape, and my girlfriends and other faraway family were able to participate through a beautiful tribute video that we showed at the shower. It was hard not to share hugs, or let family feel Bowie kicking, but we felt so loved and so celebrated!”

- Sarah, mother to Bowie (3 months)

Bris/Baby Naming Ceremony

“My wife and I were expecting a boy in June of this year, and we planned to circumcise at 8 days with a small gathering. As the pandemic continued to escalate we had to modify all our plans, including circumcision. We learned from our mohel, Rabbi Fischer, that the procedure was exactly the same until 2 months old, but could be more traumatic after that. We decided to postpone until he was 1 month old Photo courtesy of Irina Gelman instead of 8 days, when his immune system was a little stronger. We only invited my parents and one other couple and we all wore masks (the mohel wore a face shield as well) to ensure everyone, especially our baby boy, stayed safe. We are happy with our decision and know we’ll look back on it as a unique and special time.”

- Bernice, mother of Silas (6 months) We are wishing you connection and joy as you find new ways to celebrate this year and we hope you’ll keep us posted on the ways you’ve updated the traditions you share with your littles and other loved ones! Tag us at instagram.com/bridgetownbaby or facebook.com/bridgetownbaby.

Merriah Fairchild is a Certified Postpartum Doula, IBCLC and Founder of Bridgetown Baby. She lives and parents in SE Portland. During the pandemic, Merriah learned that she enjoys painting houses (her own) even more than homeschooling her two daughters, 7 and 10, but enjoys caring for new and growing families most of all.

Bridgetown Baby is Portland’s premier postpartum doula group, providing comprehensive postpartum and feeding support to help families grow with strength & confidence. During the pandemic, Bridgetown Baby is doing everything possible to minimize risk to families and doulas while providing the support families need now more than ever. To learn more go to: bridgetownbaby.com 24 | NW Kids Magazine

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