PDX Parent September 2023

for the long days and short years

The New arent Issue & THE TRUTH ABOUT LABOR DELIVERY

The parent club

With impeccable editorial timing for our New Parent issue, PDX Parent’s Managing Editor, Tiffany Hill, gave birth to Fox Elliot on July 22. The whole PDX Parent staff is overjoyed for her and can’t wait to hold him during staff meetings!

To help prepare herself for labor, delivery and postpartum life, Tiffany researched and wrote The Truth About Giving Birth on page 18. If you are a first-time parent, all the info will be extremely helpful. Think of it as all the stuff no one really tells you about giving birth — like your water will most likely not break before you start labor, your due date is just an educated guess, and you’ll probably poop on the table. Parenthood is full of humbling experiences — and some of those can start in the L&D suite.

But parenthood can be extremely joyful, too. Seeing that baby smashing a mini cake at their first birthday party or watching as your 10-year-old runs through giant bubbles with a crew of besties at their birthday celebration can just about make your heart burst with happiness. To help celebrate your baby (who may in fact now be a big kid, but will always be that baby to you), our Temporary Managing Editor, Bethany Marcel, wrote a wonderful article full of extremely fun, local birthday-party ideas — including giant bubbles! Find it on page 24.

Whether you have a newborn or a teenager, whether you gave birth, adopted, used a surrogate or are raising grandkids — you’ve signed up to raise a child and that makes you part of the parent club. Cheers to us.

ON OUR COVER

A huge thanks to Ann Marshall Photography for this sweet image. Marshall is a mom of four who has been a professional photographer since 2015. “It just melts my heart to see how in love expectant and new parents are with each other and with their baby,” she says. Her advice for new parents is to take videos of their newborns. “Some of my most favorite memories are videos I took of my babies when they were waking up from a nap, eating and laughing. You don’t ever want to forget all those sweet newborn sounds they make,” says Marshall, who is specially trained in posing newborns safely and comfortably. Find more of Marshall’s work at annmarshallphotography.com and on Instagram @annmarshallphotography

for the long days and short years

PDX Parent P.O. Box 13660 Portland, OR 97213-0660 Phone: 503-460-2774

Publisher Jill Weisensee, 503-460-2774 publisher@pdxparent.com

Editor Denise Castañon, 503-922-0893 denise.castanon@pdxparent.com

Managing Editor Tiffany Hill tiffany.hill@pdxparent.com

Temporary Managing Editor Bethany Marcel

Art Director Tiffany Howard tiffany.howard@pdxparent.com

Web Content Coordinator Meg Asby meg.asby@pdxparent.com

E-newsletter Editor Anne King anne.king@pdxparent.com

Westside Account Executive Lauren Wylie, 503-331-8184 lauren.wylie@pdxparent.com

Eastside Account Executive Alice Schulz, 971-236-4037 alice.schulz@pdxparent.com

Digital Ad Manager/Calendar Editor/ Distribution Coordinator

Melissa Light melissa.light@pdxparent.com

Accountant

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For distribution issues, e-mail us at distribution@pdxparent.com For calendar submissions, e-mail us at calendar@pdxparent.com

PDX Parent is published monthly (except July) by Northwest Parent, LLC., and is copyright 2021 Northwest Parent, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. PDX Parent is distributed free of charge throughout the Portland, OR / Vancouver, WA metropolitan area.

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CERTIFIED NURSE MIDWIVES

Kori Pienovi CNM, MSN

Ashley Ulmer CNM, MSN

Michele Zimmerman-Pike CNM, MSN

Kathleen Butler CNM, MSN

Marisa Bryman CNM, MSN

Carissa St. Onge Carneiro CNM, MSN

Catherine Schaefer CNM, MSN, ND

Bojan Malmin MD

Women’s health care for every phase of life.

Women have unique health needs. Our team believes you’re the best expert about you, so we partner with you to personalize your care so help you stay healthy not just now, but for the rest of your life.

Claire Steen MD

• General gynecology, including wellness visits.

• Family planning, pregnancy and birth.

• Postpartum care, including specialty rehabilitation when needed.

• Surgery and specialized procedures.

• Menopause and hormone therapy.

Ask Dr. Baynham

Q: When should I transition my 18-month-old from her infant car seat to a convertible car seat?

A: There are many different types of car seats, and all the options can be confusing, especially to new parents. Like all products you buy for your baby, you want the best and safest one on the market. With car seats, this is the one that is installed correctly and properly fits your child. Let’s look at some options and when it’s time to transition.

There are three types of car seats: infant, convertible and all-inone. Infant seats are rear-facing only and accommodate infants up to 22 to 35 pounds and 26 to 35 inches, depending on the seat. They are smaller, have a carrying handle and come with a base that stays in the car so that you don’t have to re-install the seat each time. Convertible seats can be rear-facing and then changed to forward facing at age 2. All-in-one seats can be rear-facing, forward-facing, and then used as a booster seat. Convertible and all-in-one seats typically go up to 40 to 50 pounds and thus can be used longer. However, they are bigger, heavier and designed to stay in the car, which is why parents may choose to start with the smaller, more mobile infant seat in the beginning.

Once your child has exceeded the height or weight limit of the infant seat, it’s time to move to a rear-facing convertible or rear-facing all-in-one seat if they are under 2. Height and weight limits are found on the car seat itself or in the instruction manual. At age 2, you can turn the car seat to the forward-facing position. Be sure to read or watch instructional videos from the manufacturer on how to adjust the shoulder straps and headrest to make sure it is continuing to fit properly. You now have the “best” car seat out there. Safe travels!

Pediatrician, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Fellow in the American Academy of Pediatrics and mom of two, Allison Baynham, M.D., knows what it takes to raise healthy, resilient children. Come bond, share your struggles, and team with her for great care at Metropolitan Pediatrics in Tigard.

Mom to Know: The Bedtime-Routine Whisperer

Despite our best efforts — the research, the methods, the pleading — some babies and toddlers are just not great sleepers. Portland mom of three, Nora Murray, knows this all too well. What worked best for Murray’s kids, Lila, age 8, Oliver, 6, and Jules, 2, were floor beds, supported by a pillow barrier along the edge of the bed.

“In talking to other parents with non-crib using kiddos, I learned that I wasn’t alone in creating the pillow barrier,” says Murray. “A common frustration I had with this strategy was that the pillows were constantly falling out and had to be rearranged.”

So, Murray, who is a clinical psychologist, pulled out her sewing machine and created a bolster looped into fabric that could then be wrapped around the toddler floor mattress.

Fast forward to 2021, when Murray leveled up her bedtime hack with Oolie, a bustling business that sells organic cotton bedding for children. The company, a certified B Corp, sells crib sheets; Nest, the floor bed bolsters system; and the Shoosh, a wool-felt door insert that acts as both a door silencer and safety bumper for little fingers.

Soon after, Murray partnered with the Chetna Project — an India-based organization that connects small-scale organic cotton farmers to manufacturers, and pays its workers a living wage — to ethically source and sew the bedding. And fellow B Corp and woman-owned company, the Portland Garment Factory makes Oolie’s Shooshes.

And Murray’s kids, now great sleepers, enjoy helping with the family business. “The kids love being early testers, and then seeing their contributions informing the final forms of our products.”

Murray says check the website, oolie.us, at the end of the year for newborn products, including gender-neutral linens and sleep sacks. — Tiffany Hill

GAIL PARK

Playlist: Locals Only

Check out these two new albums from local kindie greats Kelli Welli and Red Yarn.

On Baby Ninja, Kelli Welli’s newest album for kids, you’ll find plenty of twang and silliness — but by and large it’s a giant love poem from a parent to a child. Kids will especially dig the fun hilarity of Dirty Socks and Skunk in a Handstand. But parents may get a little teary over the sentiments in other tracks. The song You’re a Sunny Day with Uncle Jumbo is a joyful celebration of parental love. You’ll want to sing this song to your kid — and you’ll mean every single word:

“Everytime you laugh/You cut my miseries in half/ You bring me joy, joy, joy/Joy joy, joy/ You make my heart light up.” I Put My Heart Into is a sweet lullaby of an ode to the work of parents and all we do for our kiddos. And don’t miss Superstar, a song that reiterates that unconditional parental love: “I love you and I always will.” Listen at kelliwellikids.com.

Anytime I hear a new Red Yarn album, I feel hopeful for how the youngest generation of Portlanders will turn out. And that’s no different upon my first listen of The Get-Together, which will be released September 22. Yes, Red Yarn, aka Andy Furgeson, serves up danceable, catchy tunes kids adore, but his lyrics drive home all the qualities that I hope my kids show to the world now and after they have grown up: compassion, inclusivity, creativity and imagination.

And beyond the lyrics, Red Yarn’s magic trick is taking old-fashioned American musical genres and making them fresh and relevant for young music lovers. On the title track, Red Yarn channels ’50s and ’60s So

Cal beach vibes. I actually played tracks Gotta Lotta Love and The Get-Together over a muted clip from 1965’s Beach Blanket Bingo, starring Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello and the vibe perfectly matched all the hip-wiggling teenagers. Also, Red’s song Trouble sounds like a tribute to Bye Bye Love by The Everly Brothers, which was released in 1957. “To start writing this set of songs, I did a deep dive into my favorite oldies, spending several weeks listening and singing and playing along to The Ronettes, Roy Orbison, The Everly Brothers, The Crystals, The Drifters, Frankie Valli, Little Eva, etc. Soon, original songs in that vein started pouring out,” says Furgeson.

Pro tip: Don’t miss the album release party at the Crystal Ballroom on September 24. Doors at 3 pm; show from 4-6 pm. Get tickets at: crystalballroompdx.com/events/245877-Red-Yarn-presents.

— Denise Castañon

In the Know: Looking for Parental-leave Leaders

Paid parental leave is rolling out this month in Oregon, but navigating the new policy can be difficult for employers. So the Center for Parental Leave Leadership is hosting an Oregon Parental Leave in Practice Summit on September 11 for workplace leaders. Attendees will receive expert guidance on policy, legal compliance, staffing, and supporting employees through all phases of leave. Why is paid parental leave so important? Paid parental leave can decrease infant mortality rates, improve the health of both child and mother, and increase income for workers, according to the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists. For employers, The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities notes that paid leave helps retain valued employees, increases productivity, and boosts labor force participation. Find out more at cplleadership.com/oregonsummit. — D.C.

Bookshelf: Family Time

Thanks to Kim Tano and Madeline Shier, the children’s book buyers at Powell’s City of Books, for this sweet list of books that celebrate the concept of family — in all its beautiful variations. Look for these titles at the Burnside, Hawthorne or Cedar Hills Powell’s locations, or order online at powells.com.

All

Love Makes a Family by

Created by husbandand-wife team, Suzanne and Max Lang, this board book introduces a wide range of nontraditional families along with charming illustrations and rhythmic rhymes. It’s perfect for the very youngest readers! $8.99.

This bright and charming board book from Australian author/ illustrator Beer is perfect for babies and toddlers. The wide variety in the families exuberantly portrayed serves to underline the message that it doesn’t matter what a family looks like; what matters is the love they share. $11.99.

This new baby book is unique in its celebration of trans joy. When Aidan was born, people assumed he was a girl. Once he explained to his parents that he was a boy, they helped him claim that identity, and now he has another identity to embrace: big brother! And he’s determined that his new baby sibling feel welcomed. A beautiful story about love and support for readers ages 4 and up. $19.95.

From the creators of the bestselling kid’s graphic novel, Allergic, Squished follows 11-yearold Avery Lee — one of seven siblings! Avery really wants her own room and her own space to create art and get away from her loud, and sometimes annoying, family. This book is a great representation of what it’s like to grow up with a big family for ages 8 and up! $12.99.

PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE SCHOLASTIC PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE

Kinds of Families by Suzanne Lang, illustrated by Max Lang

Sophie Beer

When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff, illustrated by Kaylani Juanita

Squished by Megan Wagner Lloyd and Michelle Mee Nutter

Pay Attention: Fuller Bellies

Starting the day with a healthy breakfast does more than fill the bellies of school children. According to research by the Brookings Institute, a nonpartisan research organization, access to free meals in U.S. schools improves student academics — particularly in math — and reduces rates of suspension, especially among boys.

So when the state Legislature approved a $17 million investment in the Oregon Department of Education budget to expand free meals in schools, it was an even bigger win for Oregon students and their families.

“This is an important step in the right direction to give schools the resources they need to offer nutritious meals to more students,” said Wilsonville Representative Courtney Neron, who sponsored the bill, upon its passing.

Beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, three out of four Oregon public schools will offer free breakfast and lunch. The increase in funding means approximately 200 additional schools will have free meal programs on campus. This means that 114,000 students won’t have to think about where most of their meals are coming from, another victory in the fight against food insecurity across the state. — T.H.

Illustration created by Arielle Wilkins

The perfect balance of learning and play®

• Safe, nurturing environment

• Enthusiastic and caring teachers

• Links to Learning curriculum

• Ongoing parent communication 7090 SW Fir Loop, Tigard 6355 NE Cornelius Pass Road, Hillsboro

OPEN HOUSE: Saturday, October 21 • 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Rosebud Preschool is Portland’s only Reggio-inspired, intergenerational preschool for children ages 24 months to five years old. We are located within Rose Villa Senior Living’s expansive 22-acre campus.

Have

Giving birth is a life-changing, personal experience — not merely a medical event. Our certified nurse midwives (CNMs) understand this. They provide holistic, personalized physical, emotional and educational support throughout your pregnancy, labor, birth and beyond. This includes ongoing family planning and gynecologic care. They will help you welcome your baby at the world-class Randall Children’s Hospital in Portland.

Besides great medical attention, our midwives: Partner with you to navigate your choices in labor and birth.

Are available 24/7 to address urgent medical concerns. Provide advanced clinical expertise and guidance which reflects your unique needs and preferences.

Call 503-413-4500 to schedule your free 20-minute consultation with our midwives.

The

Giving TRUTH About

BY TIFFANY

As you read this, I am currently caring for my 1-monthold son. (And hopefully kicking butt at this whole new parent thing.) But before his grand arrival, the journalist in me needed to know: What’s it really like giving birth? As a first-timemom, I turned to the experts — obstetricians and doulas — and, of course, fellow parents who had been there, done that. Here’s what they had to say.

THE TRUTH ABOUT: your due date

Just like best-by dates on foods, your due date is just that, an approximate timeframe; there’s nothing inherently bad if you go a bit beyond the day, just like it’s OK to keep using that ketchup or mustard. Due dates — calculated based on the first day of your last period — are a guesstimate. And for many first-time parents, they roll right on past it with baby making no plans to vacate. In fact, according to the Perinatal Institute, only 4% of first-time mothers deliver on their due date. Pro tip: Pass this information on to friends and family who will likely be constantly checking in for a birth update.

THE TRUTH ABOUT: your water breaking

Virtually every movie or television show featuring a pregnant person about to go into labor has a dramatic water-breaking scene to indicate — It’s happening! The baby is coming any minute! But research has shown that only around 10% of women experience their water breaking before labor. (The other approximately 90 percent experience their water breaking during labor, during delivery, or even preterm.) Even when your water does break, it can still be hours until you reach active labor.

Ah, the miracle of birth. Here’s what to expect on the big day(s) from people who deliver for a living and those who have survived labor.

HILL

THE TRUTH ABOUT: your dignity

Just like your baby will make their big debut naked, wearing virtually nothing in the hours, or day(s) leading up to their arrival is standard for many pregnant people. And I’m told that frankly, I just won’t care.

“I am not one of those Oregonians who does naked yoga at the river,” says one of my PDX Parent colleagues, and mom of two. “But with (my first child) I was sitting in a labor tub pretty much naked and did not care at all. In fact, when I was getting out of the tub to go get my epidural, I think I almost walked into the hallway naked.”

IT TAKES A VILLAGE

Don’t be afraid to ask for help as a new parent. Here are local resources ready to help you and your growing family. Even better, many of these resources are PDX Parent Reader Favorites winners — beloved by your fellow, local parents!

Mendwell Pelvic Health offers certified pelvic health therapy. Mendwellhealth.com

Birth First Doulas not only has certified birth and postpartum doula services, but also classes on pregnancy, childbirth and parenting. Birthfirstdoulas.com

BirthBridgetown Baby offers postpartum doula services, lactation and feeding support, and classes and support groups. Bridgetownbaby.com

Mother and Baby Clinic at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center is a safe space for new parents to meet with lactation consultants, who are also nurses, nurse practitioners and midwives. Providence.org/locations/or/st-vincent-medical-center/mother-and-babyclinic.

Baby Blues Connection serves parents in the Portland metro area, and Vancouver, via support groups, referrals and resources for postpartum depression. Babybluesconnection.org

You may also vomit, poop, or both. But labor and delivery nurses are pros; they’ll clean everything up like nothing happened. For everyone else in the room, including you, expectant mom, it’s a don’t ask, don’t tell situation.

THE TRUTH ABOUT: your birth plan

I quickly learned that it’s a rookie mistake to rigidly adhere to my birth plan as if it was the user manual for NASA’s lunar rover.

“Birth is not a work plan where x+y=z,” says Rebecca Durlin Smith, certified birth doula and co-founder of Birth First Doulas and the Birth First Education Center. “We refer to it as birth preferences or ideals. This concept allows for the openhanded flexibility that will help you lean into the reality that in birth — and life — there are things that can and cannot be controlled.”

Smith says while it’s absolutely a good idea for you (and, if applicable, your birthing partner) to educate yourself about the birthing process, and postpartum care, being adaptable is key. This applies to pain management and any medical interventions.

Another critical component: Have a support system in place. These people can help advocate for, and with, you.

Wendy J. Smith, the chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, echoes the importance of flexibility. “Understand and believe that there is no one ‘right way’ to deliver,” she says. “Trust your body and also trust the experienced providers who are there to help you with the experience. Our job is to honor your process and make sure that you and your baby stay safe.”

THE TRUTH ABOUT: time

When I asked about the amount of time spent in labor, the mere concept varied from parent to parent. It will feel like an eternity, said some, or it went by way faster than I ever imagined, said others. “Time is weird when you are in labor,” recalls a PDX Parent staffer. “Hours can seem like minutes, and minutes can feel like hours. You might even sleep while you are in labor, which I did not expect at all.”

THE TRUTH ABOUT: contractions

I was routinely asked during my pregnancy if I was experiencing any contractions. I always said no, but toward the end, I became less confident in my answer as I started to experience those sneaky Braxton Hicks contractions.

“Labor contractions result from the muscle fibers of the uterus squeezing at regular intervals to progressively dilate, or open, and thin, or efface, the cervix,” says Smith. This progresses from periodlike cramping, to ‘takes my breath away’ sensations.

Essentially, I’ll know my labor has progressed as they become more painful, more frequent, and last for longer stretches.

FOURTH-TRIMESTER GEAR PICKS

PDX Parent staff loves the My Brest Friend nursing pillow. Mybrestfriend.com.

We recommend the reusable Bamboobies nursing pads, made from renewable bamboo. Bamboobies.com.

Wear what makes you the most comfortable, and makes breastfeeding accessible. We like the softness and versatility of Kindred Bravely tanks, tops and loungewear. Kindredbravely.com

Pro tip: It’s also normal to continue wearing your maternity wardrobe post delivery.

Pro tip: Save that perinatal bottle from the hospital! And all the other goodies they provide. Or upgrade to a fancier version like the Frida Mom Upside Down Peri Bottle.

THE TRUTH ABOUT: getting an epidural

To be (numb), or not to be (numb). That is the question. Most pregnant people know well ahead of time whether or not they will get an epidural while in labor — but again, channel that flexibility and know that it’s perfectly acceptable to change your mind.

Epidurals are used by 60% of patients during their labor, says Irina Cassimatis, M.D., and assistant professor in the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, OHSU School of Medicine. “Because the labor process can sometimes take several hours (and even a few days), I always recommend that an epidural be placed whenever the pain becomes intolerable.”

Cassimatis says there is no “ideal time frame” to get an epidural. “Some patients have expressed concern that if they wait too long, they won’t be able to receive an epidural, but there is no specific rule. Most patients will opt for an epidural sometime between 3 and 10 centimeters dilated.”

And what does it feel like, I asked.

“Oftentimes, this discomfort is less severe than the pain of contractions, and it lasts just a few minutes. Following placement, patients report initially feeling numbness or heaviness in the lower abdomen and legs, along with a gradual decreased intensity of their contractions that eventually results in complete pain relief within 30 minutes that allows them to rest, and even nap.”

THE TRUTH ABOUT: being induced

Not everyone goes into labor spontaneously; there are a variety of reasons why, mostly due to a medical recommendation. “It is important to acknowledge that approximately 25% of all labors in the United States are induced and it may be even more common with first labors,” says Smith.

While she says that induced labor generally lasts longer than spontaneous labor, “sometimes the onset of painful contractions feel less gradual, which can be perceived as more painful.”

PHOTO CREDITS TOP TO BOTTOM: MY BREST FRIEND BAMBOOBIES KINDRED BRAVELY FRIDA MOM

Sure, most of the items new parents receive are for the baby. But there’s plenty of essential gear for adults, too.

As with epidurals, people have feelings about cesarean sections. Smith stresses again, that there is no one correct or right way to give birth, “and that in no way does having a cesarean section represent failure. In fact, proceeding with a timely cesarean section can lead to the best outcomes for both the birthing person and their baby.”

Cassimatis explains that the procedure itself — particularly for first-timers — will take 45 to 60 minutes, and the pregnant person will be awake. “Oftentimes, if both the laboring parent and baby are stable at the time of delivery, skin-to-skin bonding with the baby can occur after the cesarean, and partners are usually present for the duration of the surgery.”

PDX Parent staff themselves are no strangers to the phenomenon. “Some parents feel so terrible when the decision is made to do a C-section, but I actually had an easier recovery from my section with my second than my forceps delivery with my first. A C-section isn’t ideal, but sometimes it’s ideal for Another colleague and mom of two, says she also had an uncomplicated recovery with both of her C-section deliveries. “Sometimes I wonder if C-sections get a bad rap because so many of them are unplanned — performed in emergency-type situations where there are frightening complications, or when the labor is taking too long and everyone is grumpy and exhausted.”

THE TRUTH ABOUT:

Everyone’s labor is different, so too is everyone’s recovery. But generally, says Cassimatis, recovery from a vaginal delivery can last two to four weeks and the recovery for a cesarean is often around four to six weeks. “In general, we recommend taking it easy for the first six weeks after any birth, but after that, patients can resume physical activity and sex as they’re comfortably able to.”

There are some definite adjustments to normal, everyday activities, like using the bathroom. Your pelvic floor just experienced the workout of its life, and if you’re recovering from a C-section, well, that was major abdominal surgery — so your first postpartum poop might feel just as painful as delivering the baby. stool softeners and the upside-down perineal bottle (the hospital will give you both).

Another surprise during recovery? Postpartum bleeding, also called lochia. “Some birthing people are surprised to learn that while an average menstrual cycle lasts about one week, lochia lasts on average six weeks,” says Smith. This post-delivery bleeding is triggered by the release and delivery of the placenta. Because it’s much heavier than a regular period, the hospital will dispense large, thick pads, and/or adult diaper-like underwear.

“Lochia may also be inconsistent,” says Smith. “Just when you think it’s done, you may have another day of dark red bleeding. … Rest, rest, rest postpartum — you and your baby deserve it!”

Managing Editor Tiffany Hill is taking a well-deserved maternity leave in Northeast Portland with her husband and their newborn son.

Dr. Monique Pritchard

Dr. Tara Schwab accepting newborns accepting newborns

That Birthday Vibe

BY BETHANY MARCEL

It’s not always easy to nail the right vibe for your kid’s birthday party. Maybe you’ve already started party planning when suddenly your kid informs you that the only thing they want is to meet a unicorn, or to walk through a giant bubble. (Believe it or not, we’ve got you covered!) So whether you have a budding chef, an outdoorsy bug-lover, a messy artist, or a kid who prefers quiet, read on to find the perfect local party spot for you.

Quiet/Sensory-Friendly

Children’s Healing Art Project (or CHAP) offers inclusive, healing art programming for children with medical challenges. But their birthday parties are open to everyone! Just pick a theme and/ or any two art projects. Parents bring the food, cake, and drinks, and CHAP provides the venue, art supplies, and staff/volunteer support. Best of all? They clean up afterward! Parties are also offered virtually. $300 for 2 hours for 15 art makers, which includes 30 minutes for setup. Additional $15 per art maker. There’s a limit of 20 art makers total. Visit chappdx.org

If your kid loves reading, consider a library-themed party with Multnomah County Library. In the summer, they offer outdoor storytime at various parks around Portland. Join for the free storytime then celebrate with cake at the park afterward. Other libraries offer similar programming, like Tualatin’s Stories in the Park, or Gladstone’s StoryWalk. Visit multcolib.org or your local library. Spend your birthday gently brushing a pony at Wish Upon a Pony! For $250 an hour, they’ll bring a pony to your location. Pro tip: You don’t even need a big yard! Kids will enjoy the peace and fun of riding, brushing and feeding a pony. Visit wishuponapony.com. If your child prefers unicorns, check out Pyxis the Unicorn, who is therapy-certified and available for birthday parties for $350. Visit pyxistheunicorn.com

Spectra Gymnastics in Tigard offers inclusive preschool for neurodiverse kids, but did you know you also can rent out their gym for private events? Birthday rentals include a 600-square-foot room for party setup, food and drinks, plus one Spectra staff member available for support and guidance. Rentals are Saturdays only, and a 1-hour rental is $240. Visit spectrapdx. com/private-gym-rental.

Active

For active kids ages 9 and up, Portland Rock Gym brings new heights to your celebration. Party packages are $399 and include climbing, games, and an optional private party room. Weekends only. Visit portlandrockgym.com/birthday.

If you have a younger kid bursting with birthday energy, check out The Wiggle Room, which features an incredible indoor play structure and optional addons for parties, including a Bounce House or Unlimited Train Ride package. Space rental starts at $350 for 2 hours. Visit thewiggleroom.com/party-room-rental Who doesn’t love a pool party? The Gresham Pool is a great location for a birthday full of swimming fun. Pool rentals for groups of 25 or less are $85 per hour. The cost even includes lifeguards! Visit gresham. k12.or.us/domain/1161

Flexible about your location? Tumble Bus can come to you! Younger kids will love climbing on a real school bus only to discover it’s full of gymnastics equipment, including a trampoline, monkey bars and more! Limit 12 kids at a time, ages 2 to 6. Parties are $300 for 1 hour. Visit tumblebuspdx.com

MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY

SPECTRA GYMNASTICS

TUMBLE BUS

For artistic kids who also love getting their hands messy, check out Owl and Bee Clay Company, where you can make and glaze your creative clay masterpieces. Parties include instruction, materials, and

table space for any snacks or cake you want to bring. Fees start at $200, plus $15 per person for an event in their studio. Visit owlandbeeclaycompany.com/parties

Step inside a giant bubble with PDX

Parties Giant

Bubble! Kids will love watching the incredible bubble shows. Of course, they’ll also get the chance to run around and get messy, popping all the bubbles they wish! They also offer themes, including Paw Patrol, Encanto, unicorns, dragons and more! Party rates are $249.99 for the first hour. Visit pdxparties.com/rentals/giant-bubbles

For older kids, Splat Action in Molalla is a great place to get messy with paintball. Rates start at $415 for the birthday package. Pro tip: For younger kids, ages 4 to 10, Splat Action also offers gel orbee ball (small “gellets” made of natural, nontoxic super absorbent polymer) parties. A little less messy — and less painful! — but just as much fun. Fees are $35 per person. Visit splataction.com.

Creative

Attention DIY crafters! Creative Culture offers a variety of fun, hands-on parties, including DIY wreath, plant and pot parties, and so much more. Celebrate with their milkshakes, which are their own delicious and unforgettable works of art. Parties start around $330, not including the $50 base rental fee Visit creativeculturediy.com

At PILEA Play, kids can explore all types of dramatic play and expression, including dress-up, art projects, building and movement. The basic birthday package is $275 for 90 minutes, and there are optional add-ons, including extra time or guests. They love working with parents to customize parties! They also work with vendors to add extra fun services, like face painting, balloon twisting, storytime and more. Visit pileaplay.com/ our-space

Celebrate at Art World School, where they offer a combination of art classes and free play time. Activities include arts and crafts, acrylic painting, and clay. All parties are led by at least two professional art teachers. Price varies based on the activity. Parties start at $359. Visit artworldschool.com/birthdayparties-at-art-world-school

Musically inclined kids will love rocking out to their very own birthday concert. Local children’s performer, Red Yarn, (and repeat PDX Parent Reader Favorites winner for best kindie musician!) puts on incredible shows that are fun for kids and parents alike. You’ll be dancing and singing along while your kid has an unforgettable birthday. Cost is generally $300-400 for a 45-minute, solo birthday show, dependent on gear required. Visit redyarnproductions.com/booking

PDX PARTIES

Foodie

For kids who love food, but have dietary restrictions, there’s no better place for a birthday than Kate’s Ice Cream Kids can make their own ice-cream flavor, play “pin the cherry on the ice-cream cone,” and listen to their favorite music on the speakers. They accommodate celiac and nut allergies, and all food brought on the premises must be gluten-free. Parties start at $385 for 1 hour and 30 minutes. Visit katesicecream.com/kidsbirthdayparties

The Merry Kitchen is the place for young chefs excited to make and eat their very own birthday meals! Just select a theme from their website, such as Summer BBQ or Sloppy Joes, or suggest your own theme with your kid’s favorite food. Parties are around 2 hours long and are $40 per child with four to five participating kids, and $35 per child for six or more kids. For an extra $15, you can also make a birthday cake. Pro tip: They also offer a convenient Zoom class option! Visit themerrykitchen.com/birthday_parties

Why settle for store-bought cake? At Cake Hoopla, kids will be thrilled to decorate their own cakes with as much frosting as their heart desires. Cake Hoopla’s new studio in Tigard has a dedicated party room that can seat up to 18 cake decorators. They also offer a mobile service, where they’ll bring the cakes (or cupcakes!) to you. Prices start at $15 per person for cupcakes and $30 per person for cake parties, both with free delivery on orders over $150 for mobile parties, and a minimum of 10 people booked for studio parties. Add-on live instruction by party hosts for an extra $50. Visit cakehoopla.com.

>> Continued on page 28

An opportunity for youth with intellectual disabilities to learn the basics of popular sports

Saturday, September 30 10 am - 1 pm Nike World Headquarters

All participants must be pre-registered by September 24

CAKE HOOPLA

THE MERRY KITCHEN

Outdoorsy

Hoping for an outdoor party, but fear the unpredictable PNW rain? At Frog Pond Farm, you can reserve a covered area, explore their 5 acres of farm, say hello to the animals, scramble up their play structure, and so much more! Just pay the $12 general admission fee per person ages 2 and up. A great deal especially for smaller parties. Visit thefrogpondfarm.com/private-events.

Don’t overlook all the amazing parks and playgrounds offered by Portland Parks & Recreation, like Multnomah neighborhood’s Spring Garden Park, where you can rent a covered space right next to the creative, nature-inspired playground.

Tryon Life Community Farm is a beautiful community near Tryon Creek State Park. Parties are primarily held in an outdoor space called the Village Green. Kids can explore the large, outdoor kitchen, play games in the meadow, visit the goats, or play in the 30-foot yurt. They also offer farm tours and garden work parties, where they teach about sustainability. They work with families on accessible pricing; they encourage reciprocity, but no one is turned away for lack of funds. Visit tryonfarm.org.

Calling all bug-lovers! PDX Insectarium is the perfect rainy day birthday venue for your outdoorsy kid with a fall/winter birthday. For $200 for the first hour and $50 for each subsequent hour, bug lovers can have their party in the Insectarium. Pro tip: You bring the food and drinks, and they’ll provide tables, seating, tablecloths, activities and all the bugs you wish. Visit pdxinsectarium.org

Bethany Marcel is a writer, editor, and a big fan of outdoor birthday parties! She lives in Southwest Portland with her husband and 5-year-old daughter. Find her online at bethanymarcel.com.

TRYON LIFE COMMUNITY FARM

PDX INSECTARIUM

Two Sisters Play Café

Relax,

Smash Hit

Try a Midwestern-style smash burger at the new brick-andmortar location of Wolf’s Head.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY DENISE CASTAÑON

Always up to try the newest burger in town, my family recently headed to Wolf’s Head in Southeast Portland’s industrial section for lunch. (The brick-and-mortar location in the Waterman Building is under the Hawthorne Bridge — be warned that some of Portland’s various challenges are on full display in the area — but our trip was incident-free.)

If You Go:

Wolf’s Head, 80 SE Madison St., Suite 100, wolfsheadburgers.com.

Wolf’s Head started as a smoked barbecue cart in Beaverton, then expanded with a burgers-only cart. Now Wolf’s Head has opened a brick-and-mortar location with ample seating including a diner-style counter that allows patrons to peek into the kitchen and tables covered in cheery, red-check tablecloths. (At the time of our visit we did not spy any high chairs, so you may consider bringing a clip-on chair if you’ve got a baby or toddler.)

Monday-Friday, 11 am-6 pm. Closed Saturday and Sunday (per an Instagram post, hours may expand in the future).

The menu is laserfocused on burgers, sides and malts. The single burger is a 4-ounce ground beef/brisket patty smashed onto a hot griddle and topped with a thick slice of American cheese, caramelized onion, burger sauce and dill pickles ($7). That’s what I ordered and I was not disappointed. It’s like an elevated In-NOut burger. The sauce was exceptionally creamy and the pickles especially fresh and crunchy. The patty didn’t have the crunchy crust other smash burgers we’ve tried have, but it was extra meaty and juicy. This is a smash burger for people who don’t like smash burgers. All the elements worked together beautifully. My husband had the double deluxe, which added another patty and lettuce and tomato to the burger ($12).

The burger was so sizable he couldn’t finish it, a first in all our years together. Next time, we’d both add tomato and lettuce to a single. You can also get a chili cheese burger ($12). Sadly, my kids ordered their usual dry burger, or as I always say to the person taking my order, “meat, cheese, bun.” But they finished them off, so I can’t complain. One day I’ll convert them to the wonderful world of toppings and sauce.

For sides, we tried the curly fries and fried cheese curds ($7). Cheese is a major food group for my 11-year-old daughter. She was especially eager to try the fried-cheese snacks. She liked them, but my 8-year-old son who isn’t as big a fan of cheese liked the cheese curds even more. Both also loved the seasoned curly fries. There’s also the option to get curly fries topped with cheese sauce, burger sauce, melted onions and bacon bits, which is reminiscent of In-NOut’s secret menu “animal-style” fries ($8); or cheese sauce, chili and raw onions ($10). Pro tip: We ordered two combos (an extra $5 each), which come with plain curly fries and a canned soft drink. That was plenty of fries for four with an order of cheese curds.

And we had to try the malts ($7 each). I had a salted caramel one and my kids shared a chocolate. They were made to order and delicious, but I was a little overwhelmed by the sweetness of the salted caramel.

We overlooked the monthly specials, which included a burger, malt and soup (heirloom tomato gazpacho) when we visited. Pro tip: Don’t overlook the specials menu!

Editor Denise Castañon loves exploring Portland’s family-friendly dining scene with her husband, 11-year-old daughter and 8-yearold son.

Cis for Care, W is for Walk-in

• Open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. year-round

• Pediatric care for 1-week-olds is available at Cascade Park and Cedar Hills only

• Urgent care available at all locations for ages 6 months and up Scan to learn

PDXPARENT PDXPARENT WINNER

2023 READE R FAVORITES

Pregnancy AND Baby

OBSTETRICS & WOMEN’S HEALTH

Winner Women’s Healthcare Associates

Multiple locations, whallc.com

Top 5

Mendwell Pelvic Health

Northwest Women’s Clinic

The Oregon Clinic

Synergy Women’s Health Care

FERTILITY

& SURROGACY RESOURCE

Winner OHSU Center for Women’s Health

808 SW Campus Dr., ohsu.edu/ womens-health

Trying to conceive can be a sensitive, emotional rollercoaster for many couples. That’s where the expertise of the fertility specialists at the OHSU Center for Women’s Health come in. Staff creates individualized plans for their patients, including everything from diagnostic testing to specialized fertility procedures like IUI, IVF, embryo transfer and more. The center even has an egg donation program and assists in surrogacy.

Top 5

All Families Surrogacy

Northwest Surrogacy Center

Oregon Fertility Institute

ORM Fertility

Surro Connections

The caring staff, midwives and physicians at Women’s Healthcare Associates are there for patients in all phases of their reproductive lives, from first period, to having a baby, to menopause and beyond. And with a dozen locations across the Portland area, getting care is convenient.

Women’s Healthcare Clinic of Oregon, P.C.

PREGNANCY & POSTPARTUM SUPPORT

Winner Bridgetown Baby

7800 SW Barbur Blvd. #3, bridgetownbaby.com

When it comes to the fourth trimester, Bridgetown Baby’s doulas and lactation consultants are there to help parents navigate postpartum life with a newborn. Their postpartumcare packages include daytime and overnight visits, one-onone lactation support, sleep consults, and more. Pro tip: Bridgetown Baby also offers virtual and in-person classes on breastfeeding, newborn care, and more.

Top 5

Birth First Doulas

Luna Wellness

OHSU

Portland Doula Love

Providence St.

Vincent’s Lactation Store

WOMEN’S HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATES

HOSPITALS & BIRTH CENTERS

Winner Legacy Health

Multiple locations, legacyhealth.org

Choosing where to have your baby is a big decision. And PDX Parent readers trust the Legacy Health system as their top choice to help bring new life into the world. The hospitals and birth centers feature world-class facilities, including a NICU at the Beaverton hospital, comfortable labor and delivery suites for expecting parents, and professional staff.

Top 5

Alma Midwifery

Kaiser Permanente

Midwifery Birth Center/Women’s

Healthcare Associates

Providence Health System

OHSU

NANNIES/AU PAIRS

Winner Northwest Nannies

3 Monroe Parkway, Suite P#129, Lake Oswego; nwnannies.net

Since 1985, Northwest Nannies has been connecting families with professional child care providers. The organization not only hires providers skilled in childhood development, but also offers flexibility. Families can work with Northwest Nannies on a temporary or permanent basis, for part-time or full-time care. They also have sitters available for hire for one-time events.

Professional SERVICES

Top 5 A Brilliant Nanny Jovie

Portland Nannies

Spilt Milk Nannies

West Coast Baby Care

FINANCIAL PLANNING FIRM

Winner Bridgetown Wealth Management

700 NE Multnomah St., Suite 820; bridgetownwealthmanagement.com

The professionals at Bridgetown Wealth Management employ their Seven Steps of Service to help families pursue their financial goals. This begins with an initial one-on-one consultation, followed by creating and presenting an individualized financial plan, and ending with 30-, 60- and 90-day follow-up meetings and strategy sessions as needed.

Top 5

Dougall Conradie LLC

FAMILY LAW/ ESTATE PLANNING FIRM

Winner Pacific Cascade Legal

Multiple locations, pacificcascadelegal.com

Pacific Cascade Legal serves Oregon and Washington families in a variety of legal services, including divorce, family law, estate planning and more. When it comes to family law, the talented attorneys and staff work in tandem with clients to ensure disputes are resolved. They also help families plan for the future via wills, trusts and more.

Top 5

Bouneff, Chally & Koh

Buckley Law PC

Gevurtz Menashe

Morris, Stannard & Batalden Family Law PC

Law Offices of Nay & Friedenberg LLC

Fisher Investments

Interactive Wealth Advisors

Myatt & Bell PC

Mortgage Monkey – Gary Boyer

Birthday

BIRTHDAY PARTY SPOT

Winner Oaks Amusement Park

7805 SE Oaks Park Way, oakspark.com

When it comes to a fun-filled birthday, this southeast Portland institution is a longtime family favorite. And there’s so many options available to make your kiddo’s special day memorable! In addition to the rides, there’s mini golf, a roller skating rink, carnival games and an arcade. It’s also a fun place to go during Halloween and Christmas.

Top 5

Pietro’s Pizza & Pirate Adventure

Playdate PDX

OMSI - Oregon Museum of Science & Industry

Triskelee Farm

The Wiggle Room

KINDIE MUSICIAN/PERFORMER

Winner Red Yarn Productions

Redyarnproductions.com

Andy Furgeson, the high-energy kindie performer with his puppet friends is once again a PDX Parent reader favorite. Better known as Red Yarn, this talented musician blends folk, rock ’n’ roll, country and blues, and can be heard at a variety of family-friendly venues and concerts around Portland. He’s also available for private events and birthdays!

Top 5

Kelli Welli

Mr. Ben Music

Nikki Brown Clown

Olive & Dingo Productions

Tallulah’s Daddy

INDOOR PLAYSPACE

Winner Playdate PDX

1434 NW 17th Ave., playdatepdx. com

Preschool, Kindergarten & Childcare Center

4845 SW Murray Boulevard, Beaverton, OR 97005 503-644-1466 | sunshine-montessori.com

Ages: 2 years through Kindergarten

Hours: 7:30 am - 5:30 pm (Mon - Fri)

• Locally owned and operated

• Serving the community since 1996

• Qualified & consistent staff

Early Learning School

14950 SW Osprey Drive, Beaverton, OR 97007 503-579-0600 | childs-place.com

Ages: Infant through Kindergarten

Hours 7:00 am - 6:00 pm (Mon - Fri)

• Large outdoor play areas

• Snacks & lunch prepared and served daily

This PDX Parent reader favorite is a repeat winner beloved by both kids and their grown-ups. Children of all ages love to explore this three-story indoor playground — complete with a cannonball area and two interactive dance floors. And parents appreciate the variety of adult beverages, including beer on tap, wine and coffee, plus the kid-approved foods in the roomy dining room and the online ease of booking playtime.

Top 5

Kowabunga Indoor Playspace

LEKA Playland

Play Street Museum

Two Sisters Play Cafe

525 SW 150th Avenue, Beaverton, OR 97006 503-626-0457 | www.nwlearning.com

Ages: Infant through Kindergarten

Hours: 7:30 am - 5:30 pm (Mon - Fri)

Preschool, Kindergarten & Childcare Center 17650 SW Alexander Street, Aloha, OR 97003 503-591-9660 | www.mayflower-montessori.com

Ages: Infant through Kindergarten

Hours: 7:00 am - 6:00 pm (Mon - Fri)

The Wiggle Room

Harper’s Playground

PRESENTS

SWAN LAKE

OCT 6–14, 2023 | KELLER AUDITORIUM

Season 100 | Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall

Tickets: portlandyouthphil.org/concerts Celebrate this historic milestone with us!

NOV 11 | DEC 26 | MAR 2 | MAY 5 | MAY 31

tickets at obt.org

Presented by Jared and Dorian Kendal

Additional support by Rose E. Tucker Charitable Trust

September 2023

Go. Play. Explore.

cheers to oktoberfest

ICYMI, local Oktoberfest celebrations are about much more than beer. At the huge Mt. Angel Oktoberfest (pictured right), you’ll find music, dancing and a variety of delicious food. And a huge free “kindergarten” play area for kids with pony rides, a hay maze and petting zoo, face painting, and more. Thursday to Sunday, September 14-17. Kindergarten hours: Friday to Sunday, 10 am-5 pm. Admission for those 21 and older to the Alpinegarten, Biergarten and Weingarten music venues starts at $10. Those 20 and younger are free. Visit oktoberfest.org for schedule and tickets.

In Portland, the Oaks Park Oktoberfest also serves up tasty German food, live music, a kids’ play area and family-friendly activities like the popular weiner-dog races. Friday to Sunday, September 22-24. For 48-inches and taller: $7 for gate admission only, $43.95 for gate and rides; under 48 inches tall: $4 for gate admission only, $22.95 for gate and rides; kids 2 and younger are free. Find out more at oakspark.com/oktoberfes t

And McMenamins Kennedy School will hold its annual Oktoberfest Brewfest next month on October 7. Info at mcmenamins.com/events/239811-7th-annual-kennedy-schooloktoberfest-brewfest.

for the swifties

In September, an hour or so before sunset, a natural phenomenon happens at Chapman Elementary School — thousands of migrating Vaux’s Swifts spiral into the school’s chimney to roost for the night. The swifts have been returning to Chapman since the 1980s and crowds of birdwatchers gather on the school grounds to cheer their yearly return. Pro tip: Look out for Portland Audubon volunteers on hand to share information about these remarkable birds. September evenings. At Chapman Elementary School, 1445 NW 26th Ave. Free. Find out more at audubonportland.org/go-outside/ swift-watch

Find more family fun on our online calendar: pdxparent.com/events-calendar.

Be sure to confirm the most up-to-date info with event organizers before heading out.

PORTLAND SUNDAY PARKWAYS

TARA LEMEZIS

get a snack

One thing we never realized before becoming parents: How essential having snacks on hand is. Cheerios or pouches of fruits and veggies are sometimes the only things standing between you and a full-on hangry-toddler meltdown. Enter Portland SnackFest from the same crew as Portland Night Market. You can meet the makers of some of your favorite local foods, enjoy live entertainment — and, of course, purchase lots of tasty snacks to munch. Thursday to Sunday, September 14-17. At 100 SE Alder St. Free admission. Find out more at letsnack.com

make beautiful music

Spearheaded for The Reser by local kindie great Aaron Nigel Smith, Musical Playground is a day of interactive and hands-on musical experiences for kids ages 5 to 10. The Reser has partnered with local talent for the event — and the list reads like a who’s who in local music: acclaimed Ghanaian drummer Alex Addy, the Oregon Symphony, Music Together instructors, and Mr. Ben to name a few. And beat-making, karaoke and video production stations will also be open to kids. Sunday, September 30, 11 am-2 pm. At The Patricia Reser Center for the Arts, 12625 SW Crescent St., Beaverton. Free. Find out more at thereser. org/event/musical-playground

bike on

Grab your bikes and helmets, it’s the last Portland Sunday Parkways of the season. Cruise through the streets of Southwest Portland by bike or by foot, stopping at Gabriel Park (this year’s Reader Favorites winner for favorite playground!) and Spring Garden Park. Sunday, September 10, 11 am-4 pm. Free. See the route at portland.gov/sunday-parkways/ southwest-event-2023

the big picture

Every Labor Day weekend painters, photographers, potters and more converge on the North Park Blocks for Art in the Pearl. Find that perfect piece of art to hang in your living room while the kids create some art of their own at hands-on stations. Saturday to Monday, September 2-4. 10 am-6 pm Saturday and Sunday. 10 am-4 pm on Monday. Free admission. Find out more at artinthepearl.com.

another brick in the wall

LEGO lovers, this one's for you! Brick Fest Live will not only feature creatively built brick displays — there are plenty of handson and collaborative building opportunities too. Don’t miss the chance to dive into a giant brick pit! Saturday and Sunday, September 9-10. At the Wingspan Event & Conference Center, 801 NE 34th Ave., Hillsboro. Tickets start at $16.99. Find out more at brickfestlive.com/bfl-2022-2023.

BRICK FEST LIVE

ride the rails

Got a ferroequinologist in your life? Take ‘em for a mini-train ride at the Molalla Train Park during its Train Fest. It’s an absolute blast to ride on the small-scale steam engines at a park run entirely by volunteers. Saturday to Monday, September 2-4, 11 am-4 pm. 31803 S Shady Dell Rd., Molalla. Free admission, but donations accepted. Find out more at pnls.org/molalla-train-park

community unity

Celebrate diversity of community at the Ridgefield Multicultural Festival. Watch live performances, do a craft, browse the First Saturday and Farmers Market vendors, and more. Saturday, September 2, 9 am-3 pm. At 113-131 S Main Ave., Ridgefield, Wash. Free. More at ridgefieldwa.us/353/September-

First-Saturday.

how about them apples?

Head to Tryon Life Community Farm’s Apple Fest for some fruitfilled fun! This family-friendly event centers on the ever-popular apple; there will be apple-cider pressing, apple tasting, hard-cider tasting for the grown-ups, apple-themed games, and an apple pie contest. Sunday, September 17, 1 pm-4 pm. At 1640 SW Boones Ferry Rd. $10-$20 donation; kids 12 and under are free. Find out more at tryonfarm.org

— Denise Castañon

3 locations in NE SE and St Johns for ages 5 and up

Story telling and chess digital art

Mixed Media Pride Art Illustration and Character Development, Puppet Making cartooning soundtrack and film Miniatures and MORE!