Salem MOM | Feb / March 2024

real local moms

since 2005

Salem | Feb / March 2024

COVER MOM

LOCAL SPACES FOR

NO-KNEAD

HAILEY ADKISSON

BIRTHDAY PARTIES

BREAD RECIPES

OB-GYN da Vinci Robotic-Assisted Surgery & Obstetrics Amanda Wagner, MD, OB/GYN Santiam Women’s Clinic

• Works with her patients to provide the birth experience they desire.

Robotic-Assisted Surgery

• Performs da Vinci robotically assisted surgery, including hysterectomies, that gives patients minimally invasive options.

• Board certified in Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Your surgeon uses tiny instruments that move like a human hand but with a far greater range of motion. The system’s built-in tremor-filtration technology helps your surgeon move each instrument with smooth precision.

503.769.9522

1373 N 10th Ave, Stayton · santiamhospital.org Connect With Us

At Santiam Women’s Clinic our providers work together as a team. Building relationships with our patients is a priority. Let our family take care of your family. Santiam Women’s Clinic provides superior prenatal care with delivery in a state-of-the-art birthing center. Let us be a part of your story.

Brooke Renard, MD, OB/GYN Amanda Wagner, MD, OB/GYN Sara Dunham, MD Teresa Nitti, APRN, CNM

It’s what‘s inside that counts

No-knead bread recipes

20

Meet the MOM experts ... 4

We independent movie theaters 22

They know what they’re

Cover MOM: Hailey Adkisson ..............14

talking about.

This mom gets real.

Because I said so............... 5

No-knead bread recipes...................20

A message from MOM

Local spaces for birthday parties

24

We independent movie theaters................22 Local spaces for birthday parties..............24

Healthy MOM .................... 6 Could your child have Restless Sleep Disorder?

More ways to love your MOM mommag.com facebook.com/ lovemommag info@mommag.com We love hearing from you. Email us with feedback, story ideas or nominations.

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Contact Kim Leighty at kim.leighty@mommag.com or Tina Toney at tina@activemediausa.com. mommag.com 3

meet the

experts

[They know what they’re talking about]

Smile

Pets

Something to Smile About with Dr. Jay Vaikuntam, page 9

Pets are Family with Dr. Emily Kalenius, page 12

Drive

Support

On the Road with Nicole Kersey, page 10

Support for Families with Audrey Benson, page 26

Health Healthy MOM with Santiam Hospital, page 6

“Once upon a time I was a perfect parent. “

Then I had kids. The end.

— Just about every mom

4 mommag.com

Because I said so!

Publisher Matthew Nelson, Active Media, Inc PO Box 672, Aurora OR 97002-0672 info@activemediausa.com 503-825-2100 Editor-in-Chief Managing Director Audrey Meier DeKam audrey@mommag.com Salem Advertising Representatives Kim Leighty kim.leighty@mommag.com 503-510-9036 Tina Toney tina@activemediausa.com 503-991-4547 Mid-Valley & Lane County Business Development Manager Linda Blair linda@mommag.com 541-231-7250 Designer Sean Carver sean@activemediausa.com TM

MOM Magazine is owned by Active Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Any reproduction, in whole or part, without written permission of the publisher, is prohibited. Information in the magazine is provided for general information purposes only with the understanding that none of the content constitutes professional advice.

Opinions expressed by the writers or advertisers are not necessarily the opinions of the magazine or the publisher.

Inclusion in the magazine does not constitute endorsement of information, products or services.

What will the kids remember?

A running theme in my parenting is that I try just about anything at least once. When it comes to my kids’ birthday parties, I’ve gone all-out with big bashes as well as held small, living room gatherings. There was a Hot Wheels birthday party, complete with car pinata. There was a colorful Legothemed party at a local pizza place. Then there were ones with just a few of their pals and a homemade cake, without any theme at all.

Never did I settle on what was better or best, though the practical side of me much preferred having it at a venue where the mess was contained and activities led by staff. I asked my kids what they remember and they teenage grunt at me with I dunno, which has me questioning why did I do anything at all? I remember their birthdays, and their grandparents do too. But if the kids don’t remember, why did I go through all the trouble?

Recently I read For Small Creatures Such as We by Sasha Sagan, which is all about the beauty of rituals. Her words gave me clarity on why I have a Pinterest board for birthday parties and a plastic storage container of streamers and other decor. A child under age five likely won’t remember what you served, or what was in the goody bags.

Older children may only have threads of memories. What Sagan helped me see is that the event goes beyond the individual themselves. It’s perfectly fine if the party is more for the grownups, or if the kids’ memories are mostly built from photos or videos.

The gathering itself is an opportunity to be

together, and to say, this is our tribe, these are your people. We’re glad you’re here among us, in this moment of time we share.

Speaking of teens, nowadays mine no longer want trampoline park or swimming center parties; they want to be with their friends and away from adults. So enjoy the childhood birthday soirees while you can, with all the sticky fingers and noisy chaos. You’ll be glad you did them, even if they’re held only in your memory.

Cheers, Audrey Meier DeKam Editor-in-Chief

mommag.com 5

Could your child have Restless Sleep Disorder?

Tossing and turning at night isn’t uncommon whether you’re a child or an adult.

But constant, fitful sleep in children could point to a concerning, but treatable sleep disorder.

Restless Sleep Disorder (RSD) is a newly defined pediatric sleep disorder characterized by persistent nighttime movements that not only disrupt sleep, but also cause significant daytime symptoms like sleepiness and irritability.

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WHAT IS RESTLESS SLEEP DISORDER? Restless Sleep Disorder (RSD) is just what it sounds like: persistent nighttime movement of any part of body, especially the head, trunk, arms or legs.

The defining characteristic of RSD, however, is that apart from fitful sleep, children with RSD will have other symptoms that affect their waking hours. They may have trouble focusing at school, struggle with emotional or behavioral difficulties, display irritability or hyperactivity. Some of these symptoms may mimic ADHD, and it’s not uncommon for children with ADHD to also suffer from RSD. If you suspect that your child might suffer from RSD or another type of sleep disorder, what should you do? The first step would be to address behaviors that affect quality of sleep — for example, limiting screens before bed, cutting out caffeine and practicing good sleep hygiene. If restless sleep continues after you’ve tried that, it’s time to speak to your child’s doctor.

DIAGNOSING RESTLESS SLEEP DISORDER To some degree, diagnosing RSD comes down to ruling out other disorders with similar symptoms as well as similar health consequences such as obstructive sleep apnea and periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD).

“Observing a restless sleeper is really common, but there are several diagnoses that this may represent,” says Dr. Vincent J. Gimino, MD, D-ABSM, FACCP, Sleep Medicine Director at Santiam Hospital & Clinics Sleep Medicine Clinic. “From five feet away restless sleep would look the same as PLMD in casual observation. But PLMD is a rhythmic, periodic movement of lower extremities — almost like a drum beat.”

Children with RSD will have other symptoms like trouble focusing, emotional or behavioral difficulties, irritability or hyperactivity... it’s not uncommon for children with ADHD to also suffer from RSD. Discerning the subtle differences and coming to a proper diagnosis requires an overnight sleep study.

Santiam Hospital & Clinics Sleep Medicine Clinic, where Dr. Gimino is director, is the only Willamette Valley center providing pediatric sleep medicine services down to age 12 months. As such, the practice is designed to put young patients at ease.

TREATING RESTLESS SLEEP DISORDER As is the case with obstructive sleep apnea and PLMD, the good news with RSD is that it’s treatable.

It’s not uncommon for children with RSD to have iron deficiencies, an important mineral that helps transmit brain signals, including those that stop restless legs.

“A child doesn’t have to be absolutely deficient in iron, it could be just on the lower end of normal,” says Dr. Gimino. “More often than not, we are recommending iron replacement for kids where labs fall within normal levels because data shows that patients should have more robust iron stores, more towards the higher normal level.”

In the absence of a diagnosis or while waiting for a sleep study, try adding iron-rich foods like spinach or iron-fortified cereals to your child’s diet. You can also ask your pediatrician about testing your child’s iron and ferritin levels.

Dr. Gimino cautions against simply adding iron supplements to a restless sleeper’s vitamin regime unless they are under a doctor’s supervision. “It is a mineral we need, but you can take too much,” he says.

If you suspect that your child might have a sleep disorder, start by talking with their pediatrician who can refer them to sleep study. Quality sleep is the foundation of our ability to grow and thrive, so if you’re concerned about your child, it’s worth starting the conversation.

Brought to you by: santiamhospital.org

Children and their caregivers can tour the facility ahead of time to learn about the sleep study and see where they will spend the night. During the study, parents accompany children in-room at all times and are also provided sleeping accommodations.

mommag.com 7

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The importance of dental X-Rays Parents often ask why we recommend their children have dental X-rays taken. While a child’s smile may look healthy, there are parts of the tooth we cannot see with our eyes, such as the supporting structures below the gumline and the tight areas where teeth touch one another.

At a child’s dental visit, we use X-rays to rule out any tricky cavities that might be developing. This allows us to address those cavities while they are small — and before they create extensive damage and pain.

X-rays also give us a picture of how your child’s teeth are developing. While your child has their baby teeth, X-rays allow us to see their hidden permanent teeth and spot any issues with position, size, etc. This information is useful for parents to get an idea of future orthodontic care.

A complete picture of a child’s oral health is established with X-rays, and having a baseline helps as we compare X-rays from previous visits to monitor changes. How often we recommend dental X-rays depends on health history, diet and other factors; your pediatric dental team will guide you in this and many other aspects of your child’s dental care.

Brought to you by:

Dr. Jay Vaikuntam

pediatricdentistoregon.com 2020 Commercial Street SE Salem, OR 97302 (503) 364-7545

Source: American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry’s Guidelines

acgilbert.org mommag.com 9

on the road

Electric vehicles: What MOMs want to know It seems like the whole world is talking about electric vehicles (EVs). How are they better than traditional cars?

On average, drivers save about $700 in fuel costs per year while driving electric cars. Electric motors have less parts that lead to less damage than a traditional non-electric vehicle which means you save on operating cost.

Environmentally, EVs make much less pollution, given that they have no tailpipe emissions. They also have a smaller carbon footprint, even when accounting for the electricity used while charging.

What kind of EVs fit families? Because I have car seats, my kids have friends and we have a dog, too.

The Chevrolet Bolt EUV is a taller, more crossover-like version of the company’s Bolt hatchback, designed to appeal more to American buyers. It has a similarly attractive range-to-price ratio, capable of 247 miles on a single charge.

Do I need a special outlet to charge EVs at home?

Is there less, more or the same amount of maintenance needed on EVs?

All mass-produced electric vehicles today include a 110-volt-compatible charging unit which is able to be plugged into any standard 110v household outlet. But note that charging this way can be time-consuming. Many EV owners will upgrade their home charging outlet, as well as pay for public fast chargers which are more efficient. Capitol Auto Group has over 10 charging stations on site that can be used to charge your EV.

EVs typically require less maintenance than vehicles with internal combustion engines. The electric motors that propel EVs have fewer moving parts than gas engines. Having fewer components means they need minimal maintenance. Drivers should always follow the maintenance guidance in the owner’s manual.

Are EVs safer than gas cars?

In some ways, electric cars are safer than gasoline-powered cars with internal combustion engines, but they add a new safety risk when they’re involved in a crash. Currently, most electric cars use high-powered lithium-ion batteries which can catch fire or explode. All vehicles sold in the U.S. must meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

There were headlines about EV shortages.

Do I need to pre-order and wait months?

The wait is no longer a problem: you can walk onto our lot and purchase an EV car today. Currently, we have Chevy Bolt, Toyota Prius, Toyota RAV 4 Prime, Toyota BZ4X and Subaru Soltera. And all Cadillacs coming out are EVs.

NICOLE KERSEY Nicole Kersey has been with Capitol Auto Group since Sept 2022 as a receptionist. She has two great kids: daughter Kiera, age 12, and son Parker, age 10. She loves working at Capitol Auto Group because it’s family-oriented. Outside of work she enjoys attending Parker’s basketball games, shopping with Kiera and playing Mario Kart with her family.

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pets are family

Outdoors in winter If you’re headed outside with your dog in cold weather, consider their comfort. Heavy-coated breeds like Newfoundlands or Siberian Huskies love chilly temps, while Boxers and Chihuahuas are shivering. A cozy pet sweater or jacket is wise for smaller dogs and short-haired breeds. Also consider: Time and temperature While it’s important for dogs to get regular exercise, limit their time outdoors during freezing weather. Prolonged exposure to cold can lead to hypothermia and frostbite. When you do take them out, wipe their paws afterward to remove any ice, salt or chemicals. Consider booties to protect tender paws.

Health and behavior Cold weather can exacerbate certain health issues, especially in older pets.

Keep an eye out for signs of arthritis, like stiffness, or chronic respiratory illness. If you notice any changes in your pet’s behavior, consult your veterinarian promptly.

Power outages and emergencies Winter storms can lead to power outages. Have an emergency kit ready for your pets, including food, water, medications and their favorite toys. Also, have a plan in case you need to evacuate, ensuring your pets are part of that plan.

Finally, don’t buy into the myth that fleas and ticks are killed off after a freeze. Fleas can survive indoors, and while tick activity is lower in cold weather, it’s still a risk. Keep up on flea and tick medications year-round.

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Hailey Adkisson P ROF E S SION: Faculty, Linn-Benton Community College

COMMUNI T Y: Salem

PA R T NER: Derek Dizney, procurement officer, Higher Education Coordinating Commission

CHIL DREN: Wyatt, age 12; Nolan, age 8; & Juniper, age 4

PHOTOS BY: BETTY BOYCE

MOM’s Favorite...

Tell us about your favorite…

…family game: Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza …place to find some peace & quiet: Napping in my bed …binge-worthy TV or podcast: For TV: RuPaul’s Drag race, Great British Baking Show, Schitt’s Creek, and True Crime docuseries; for Podcasts: Ologies, This American Life …way to get out of making dinner: Giving the kids a “free day” to eat what they want for dinner (usually cereal). …time-saving digital tool: My calendar, with multiple alarms and reminders set …parenting philosophy: Pick your battles.

THIS MOM OF THREE IS ACTIVELY WORKING TO MAKE THE WORLD KINDER AND MORE INCLUSIVE, WHILE LEARNING TO FIND JOY AGAIN.

Family comes first.

All families are unique. Tell us about yours.

Our family is a blended family. Derek and I married in December 2018. Derek had his son, Wyatt, and I had my son, Nolan. It was somewhat of a whirlwind romance with only dating 11 months before getting married, but, I really do feel that when you know, you know. Having a previous marriage made us both realize what was important to each other in a partner and we just fit. He is absolutely my best friend and the love of my life. I can’t imagine life without him.

In January 2020, we completed our family with the birth of our daughter, Juniper (or Juni). While things were challenging having a newborn during the early days of COVID, in general, we were incredibly happy. However, when our daughter was six months old, we noticed some odd movements. We drove her to OHSU Doernbecher and she was diagnosed with a rare and catastrophic form of pediatric epilepsy called Infantile Spasms. She was having hundreds of seizures a day.

Since her diagnosis, Juniper has tried over a dozen medications and undergone two major brain surgeries; the most recent being a hemispherectomy where the right side of her brain was removed in an attempt to stop seizures and protect development. The surgery was done at UCLA just after her first birthday. Juniper was given an 85% chance of stopping seizures with surgery (compared to a less than 3% chance with medication). Unfortunately, the surgery did not work, and she has multiple seizures every single day. Juniper is non-ambulatory, meaning she does not walk, as well as non-verbal.

This experience radically impacted my entire family. There have been many very dark moments. However, we have turned towards each other for support as well as

found a beautiful community of other medical families who have been our rocks.

Juniper is the most resilient child I have ever met. She exudes joy even after everything she has been through.

I do not believe things happen for a reason.

I don’t believe I was meant to learn anything from her diagnosis. I don’t believe in statements about “only special families get special children,” or “everything happens for a reason,” or other platitudes that are extremely unhelpful. However, I have learned so much from my daughter including having such a better understanding about disability and inclusion. It has also brought my husband and I even closer together. We’ve had to make decisions no parent should ever have to make. Her brothers have grown in empathy and understanding as well. I have become a strong advocate in ways I never thought possible.

We also have a cat named Nelson and a goldendoodle named Barley.

Every family has its own traditions, rituals or inside jokes. What are some of yours?

Our family traditions have become even more important to us as we’ve had to stay closer to home since our daughter’s diagnosis, as we always need to be near a children’s hospital. We always do pizza and movie Fridays. Our boys look forward to this every Friday they are with us (we have them 50% of the time).

When did you know you wanted to be a mom?

I wanted to be a mom for as long as I could remember. About two years into my first marriage, I gave birth to my son, Nolan.

Almost immediately, I struggled to connect with him. I thought things would come naturally but I felt so lost and panicked about my new role. Had I made a mistake? I had a hard time reconciling my feelings with what I thought I had wanted my whole life. I soon realized that I had postpartum depression mommag.com 15

them everywhere. Additionally, she has been on medication since she was six months old. We have a huge collection of syringes; I even have my favorites.

You know you’re a mom when you hear yourself say, “____________.” Shouting up the stairs while my boys are bickering, “Love each other!”

What are you enjoying the most about parenting right now? Honestly, watching my kids get older, particularly my boys. There’s some sadness around it, but I love seeing their independence and interests grow and change.

Being able to joke with Wyatt and Nolan in more mature ways, and even tease them a bit, is so enjoyable. I also have loved seeing their personalities evolve. Nolan is incredibly empathetic for his age and always is one to come check in on me to see if I’m doing okay.

Wyatt is becoming a teenager and processing life and asking big questions. In general, I just think my kids are awesome, and I’m so grateful for every single one of them.

No one works harder than mom.

and postpartum anxiety. After I started treatment and went back to work, I began to feel more like myself again. I remember looking down at my son when he was about four months old, and he stared back up at me with his big eyes that look exactly like mine. In that moment, I felt an immense feeling of love wash over me. It was that moment I realized I was meant to be a mom but that I also loved other aspects of my life including my career. To be the best mom I can be, I also have to take care of myself.

Tell us about one of your proudest mom moments. I would say my proudest mom moments have come from teaching my children things. Some are simple (like riding a bike or learning to swim), while others are learning to talk about and articulate emotions.

My other proud mom moments have come out of what we have gone through with Juniper. I have found strength to advocate on behalf of my daughter. I’ve pushed for treatments, found amazing providers and gained access to necessary therapies that have benefited her greatly. Advocacy has 16 mommag.com

also come by educating others about epilepsy and disability. My goal is always to make the world better and kinder for her — that is the greatest gift I can give her.

Now tell us about one of your most humbling mom moments. I think this also goes with my daughter’s diagnosis. When we realized the reality of her diagnosis, I fell into a very dark place. As a parent, our one goal is to keep our children safe. I did everything I could, and yet, my daughter was still never going to be “okay.” This is an incredibly humbling and devastating feeling, especially for someone that likes control. Now, I try to focus on what I can control: providing Juniper and her brothers the happiest lives I can.

What is the most surprising thing you have found wedged between the sofa cushions or behind a car seat? Pacifiers everywhere!

And medicine syringes. My daughter still loves a pacifier (yes, at four), and I won’t be taking it from her anytime soon because it brings her so much comfort when she’s gone through so much. However, we find

We know that being a mom is a full-time job.

How do you balance (or not) motherhood, activities, work, volunteering, household responsibilities, and life in general? What sometimes falls through the cracks? I think it’s a myth that it’s possible to truly achieve balance as a parent. For a long time, I felt like I had to achieve 100% in all areas of my life (e.g. work, parenting, marriage, etc.). When Juniper was diagnosed with epilepsy, I added scheduling medical appointments, doing physical/occupational/speech therapy exercises with her, researching treatments and making insurance calls to my to-do list.

Due to the fact that I couldn’t give 100% to everything, I felt like I was failing in all areas of my life. At some point, I accepted that balance isn’t necessarily a real thing. Instead, I shifted to recognizing that some things are going to need to be prioritized, and others things have to just be good enough. I’ve also learned to start saying no to certain things, accepting help, and setting boundaries…but this is still a work in progress.

Tell us about your work or volunteerism outside of the home. I am a full-time faculty member at Linn-Benton Community College in the Communication Studies Department. I mainly teach Interpersonal Communication, and I am Department Chair. I absolutely love my job. We study and discuss concepts like emotions, perception, self-concept, relationships and conflict. It’s been valuable

to teach something that is so relevant in everyone’s lives. With Juniper being disabled, it reshaped a good portion of my teaching as well. I teach communication, but my daughter doesn’t speak. However, she absolutely communicates — just in a different way. Additionally, I really appreciate teaching at a community college in particular because of the diversity of the student population. I also can’t say enough in how much I value having an employer that has been so flexible and understanding during times of crisis with my family.

Outside of work, a lot of my volunteerism revolves around my kids. I volunteer each week at Nolan’s elementary school (Sumpter Elementary). I love having the opportunity to be in his classroom and meet his friends.

I know he won’t always think it’s cool to have mom around, so I’m soaking it in while I can.

However, the majority of my volunteer time focuses on advocacy around epilepsy awareness and building community. I am very active on my instagram account @growing_juniper where I write about my experience having a child with disabilities and medical complexities. The account is less about Juniper and more about how I’ve navigated and processed the grief and trauma I’ve experienced over the past 3.5 years.

I also share a lot about epilepsy. While it’s a relatively common disease with one in every 26 people being diagnosed with epilepsy, there are so many misconceptions.

When Juniper was diagnosed, I thought she would take medicine, maybe not be able to drive a car, and be fine. While this is true for many people with epilepsy, it isn’t always true, especially if a child is diagnosed with severe epilepsy during their first year of life.

The helplessness you feel watching your child seize and being able to do nothing about it is one I wish on no parent. I also did not realize that epilepsy could cause developmental disabilities, particularly if it is severe, not controlled by medication, and starts during early childhood. This is because the child’s brain waves are in chaos and it makes it difficult for them to learn and develop. Finally, over a third of people will have refractory epilepsy, meaning it is unable to be controlled by medication. My daughter falls into this category. All of this information inspired me to write a children’s book about epilepsy, which I published in October 2023.

Tell us about a recent achievement you’re proud of, or a personal passion or talent. When Nolan was in first grade, he was really struggling with his sister’s diagnosis and disabilities.

He began noticing how his friend’s siblings were different and didn’t know how to explain what his sister experiences. Luckily, Nolan had an amazing teacher at an amazing school who were both incredibly supportive. Working with his teacher, Sumpter did an Epilepsy Awareness Day event where children were invited to wear purple to school, which is the color of epilepsy awareness, and I handed out purple ribbons. I also came into his classroom to speak about epilepsy and disability.

In preparing for this day, I searched for a children’s book about epilepsy that I felt adequately explained the disease. Unfortunately, I came up short. I felt the books didn’t cover what I felt was necessary, such as diagnosis, causes, treatments and disability, so I decided to write a book myself.

A mama-friend in San Diego, who also has a child with a rare disease, illustrated it.

The book, What is Epilepsy? A Simple Explanation of a Complex Diagnosis, is written in a scientifically accurate, but easy to understand way. It uses real terminology and discusses such medical concepts as what seizures are, why they are caused, different treatment options, and shows images of children using communication devices, wheelchairs, gait trainers, etc. In October of 2023 we self-published and as of December 2023, we have sold over 800 copies including 300 copies purchased by OHSU Doernbecher Pediatric Neurology program to give to families facing an epilepsy diagnosis. The most heartwarming piece has been the feedback we’ve received. Families from across the country and all over the world have sent me messages about siblings of medically complex children with epilepsy reading the book and feeling like their families are finally represented. What started as a simple idea to support Nolan, turned into something more than I ever imagined. I am extremely proud of what we’ve accomplished.

Do you have a goal you’d like to accomplish within the next five years? Since writing my book, I’ve realized I really enjoy science communication and breaking down complex topics into ideas children (and adults) can understand. I don’t think we give kids enough credit for what they are able to understand and most kids seem very eager to learn about real-life concepts. With this in mind, a goal of mine would be to expand

MOMs Love Local We love locally owned businesses, restaurants, places and organizations. Share your favorite…

…shop to pick up a gift for friend: Sunbear Den …coffee spot: Archive …spot to get a good workout: Common People Yoga …place to treat yourself to a mani/pedi, massage or other personal service: Simply Blissed …restaurant to take the kids: Xicha (dog friendly as well) …restaurants for a date night: Cozy Taberna, Epilogue …take-out, food truck or quick bite: Thai BBQ food truck …meetup spot for happy hour: B2 in South Salem, McMenamins Thompson Brewery …place where the kids can let off steam: Minto Brown, Bush Park …event in your community: Salem Capital Pride, World Beat Festival, Saturday Market …view or scenic lookout: Silver Falls State Park. We actually eloped here and did a 26.3 mile hike for Make-A-Wish Oregon last summer (our daughter is a Make-A-Wish kiddo). …any other local places you love: Brandy’s All City Sweets, The Book Bin, Isaac’s Downtown, Word of Mouth

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the book into a series. The books would follow a similar format and discuss topics such as cerebral palsy, feeding tubes, autism and other childhood diagnoses and medical procedures.

If mom’s not happy, nobody’s happy.

Tell us about your upbringing. How did it shape the mother you are today? I am the youngest of three girls. My parents divorced when I was in kindergarten. My dad remarried when I was in third grade, and I gained two stepsisters (yes, a lot of girls). When I moved to the East Coast with my mom in third grade, I spent summers and every other Christmas with my dad in Washington.

What do you think is the most important life skill or value your parents taught you? My dad is an engineer and taught me the value of hard work and drive. My mom went back to graduate school after my parents divorced and became an elementary school teacher.

She taught me about resilience and empathy.

I believe all of these things, and my own experiences, have shaped me into the mother I am today.

Which good habit do you wish you started earlier? Treating myself with the same kindness I would treat a friend. Oh, and flossing my teeth.

What is one thing you never had that you want for your kids? One thing that I didn’t experience much of when I was young was anything related to disability. I don’t think this was my parent’s fault, but rather, as a society, disability was very hidden (and still is in many ways). Admittedly, I was very uncomfortable with disability until I had my daughter and was somewhat thrust into the community. While I am not disabled, so I can’t say I truly understand the experience, I am a parent of a child with disabilities and it has opened my eyes to a lot of inequities in society. Now, I notice whenever a space isn’t accessible. For example, we recently went to a children’s concert and the restrooms were upstairs. The space had no elevator which meant we had to physically carry my daughter upstairs since she is in a wheelchair. This is something I never would have previously noticed, but I do now, and so do Wyatt and Nolan. We are also big on using language like disability instead of “special needs” or “differentlyabled.” My boys understand that disability is a part of life. There is nothing wrong or scary about it. They love their sister exactly 18 mommag.com

for who she is but also realize the world won’t always be friendly towards her simply because of how she was made.

If you could turn any activity into an Olympic sport, in which event would you win a gold medal? Organizing. My husband got me a label maker last year for Christmas, and it was the best gift ever.

Name one thing that is part of your daily routine that you just can’t live without. Eight hours of sleep. While not always possible, I try my absolute hardest to get enough sleep. Some people can function fairly well on little sleep.

I am not one of those people. I’ve learned over the years that a lack of sleep is a huge trigger for my anxiety, so I try to prioritize it as much as possible. Thankfully, my husband also understands the value of sleep for me and is one of those people that can function off minimal sleep. Juniper’s biggest seizure trigger is sleep, so she has multiple seizures throughout the night. He is typically on “Juni duty” at night, and I am so grateful for him.

What keeps you up at night (apart from kids, of course)? Well, my kids. But not necessarily due to poor sleeping habits. My daughter has seizures every night, so that definitely keeps us up. But I also spend a lot of time worrying about her. I worry about her future.

I worry her medical complexities may get more severe. I worry about being unable to take care of her independently (she’s already 40 pounds and getting challenging to lift).

I worry about who will take care of her if something happens to my husband or me. I also worry about my boys. Are we focusing too much on Juniper? Do they feel loved enough? Will they want to take care of her when they are older?

What keeps you sane? The other moms I’ve connected with who have children with medical complexities and disabilities have been my absolute life-lines. Many of them I met through social media and live all over the country. They are the people I reach out to in my darkest moments and are always there to support and listen. I do the same for them.

What is your least/most favorite household chore? Least: Folding laundry (my husband does it) and emptying the kitty litter.

Most: Cutting the grass and doing yard work. Digging in the dirt just helps me relax.

What’s your guilty pleasure (dark chocolate hidden in the pantry, TJ Maxx, daily latte habit)?

A slice of tuxedo cake from Konditorei after a really bad day.

What is your greatest extravagance? I am obsessed with Vuori joggers. They are super soft but somewhat expensive for sweatpants. However, after the past few years, I basically live in comfy pants so I think they’re worth it.

What is something you think everyone should do at least once in their lives? Go to therapy.

Even if you think you have everything handled, therapy is a wonderful outlet to help process things. I specifically used EMDR therapy (focused on trauma) after my daughter’s failed surgery. It helped save my life.

Listen to mom.

Do current events shape how you parent, and if so, how? Absolutely. I am raising two, white, middle-class boys. They were born with a lot of power and privilege. My hope is that they can use that power and privilege to be

good people and understand the impact they can have (in both good and bad ways).

We talk very openly in our household about current events in age appropriate ways.

We’ve talked about Black Lives Matter, LGBTQ+ rights, anti-abortion legislation, ableism, consent and more. I want them to always feel they can come and talk to me, and I believe part of that comes from facilitating open conversation early on in their lives about important topics.

Who and what has influenced the mother you are today? While my teenage self would hate me saying this, my own mom is a big influence on the type of mother I am today.

No matter what was going on in her life, my mom always found ways to prioritize my sisters and me. When Juniper was diagnosed, my mom practically moved in with us for a month. She was there to help with Juniper, but moreso, was there to help me. Even as an adult, my mom still wants to take care of me in any way she can.

diagnosed by another medical mom with a child older than Juniper. I was deeply depressed and I didn’t know how I would ever find joy when my child was having daily seizures. It took time and therapy, but I have found joy again. The grief never goes away, but joy does find a way to creep in and make grief not so overpowering at all times.

Is motherhood what you expected? What surprised you the most? Not at all. While there are many events over the past few years that have surprised me, I think more broadly speaking, I’ve been surprised by how much pressure exists as a seemingly normal part of motherhood. I don’t think we talk openly enough about the struggles and intrusive thoughts so many moms have. We are so judgmental of one another, but at the end of the day, we all want the same thing: community and validation of other feelings.

What’s the best advice you’ve received from another mom? “You will find joy again.” This was said to me soon after my daughter was

mommag.com 19

No bread machine?

No problem!

Simple recipes for baking bread at home

Hearty no-knead bread 3

cups all purpose flour

2

teaspoons instant/rapid rise dry yeast

2

teaspoons kosher salt

1 ½ cups warm water

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl with the handle part of a wooden spoon. Cover the bowl with a plate and leave in a warm area to rise for 2 to 3 hours. It should double in volume.

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Put an empty Dutch oven, with its lid on, into the warmed oven for about 15 minutes.

Take out the dutch oven, give it a quick spritz of non-stick spray, then scrape the dough with a soft spatula into it. Put the cover back on and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the lid and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the top is golden brown.

Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes and then serve.

20 mommag.com

Family health bread 1

cup raisins

1

cup boiling water

½

teaspoon baking soda

1

cup milk

1

cup All Bran cereal

1

cup wheat flour

1

cup oatmeal

½

cup brown sugar

½

teaspoon salt

2

Tablespoons molasses

Soak raisins in the boiling water and add baking soda. In a separate bowl, mix all the other ingredients together. Add the raisin mixture to the other ingredients and stir until combined.

Pour batter into a greased loaf pan and bake for about 60 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes before serving.

Winter sunshine cornbread 1 ½ cups yellow corn meal 1

cup flour

¼

cup sugar

2 ¼ teaspoon baking powder ¾

teaspoon salt

2

eggs, slightly beaten

1

cup milk

¼

cup oil

Mix together the dry ingredients. In a separate small bowl, stir the eggs, milk and oil together.

Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir until combined, then pour the batter into a greased 9-inch pan.

Bake at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes, until an inserted fork comes out clean.

Cool for 10 minutes then enjoy with butter and honey.

mommag.com 21

We

independent movie theaters

The Willamette Valley’s independent movie theaters are bursting with charm.

Independent movie theaters have so much to offer: many show first-run films, serve local food and drink, and are often housed in historic buildings that make for a unique experience. They're perfect for kids (and adults) who want a more cozy atmosphere. Many independent theaters also offer private rentals for parties — just ask.

For date nights, try theaters that are geared more towards adults, such as the Darkside in Corvallis, Salem Cinema in Salem, and Art House in Eugene. Enjoy the show!

“At our sensory sensitive showings, we keep the lights up enough so it’s not too dark. The sound is turned down so it's not too loud, and kids can walk around, dance, talk or make noises.

These showings normally sell out.”

— Jeff Mexico, owner

— Edward Schiessl, owner

Star Cinema The Pix Albany

Dallas Cinema Dallas

Independence Cinema Independence

Metro Cinema Eugene

22 mommag.com

Salem

The Whiteside Corvallis

The Kuhn Cinema Lebanon

The Rio Theatre Stayton

“Our private auditorium rentals are a great way for younger kids to enjoy a movie theater experience without any obligation to sit still or keep quiet — groups can socialize and move about, and even bring in their own treats, birthday cake, pizza, etc.”

Northern Lights Theatre Pub

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Let’s party!

The Willamette Valley is bursting with options for kids’ birthday parties

Y

OUR CHILDREN only get so many youthful birthdays, and you want to make them special. But planning and preparing can feel overwhelming. That’s why having a party at a venue can take a weight off your shoulders: there’s low preparation, dedicated staff to lead games and keep watch over the merry mayhem, and a set end time for festivities. At many places, you just bring cake and enjoy.

ALBANY/CORVALLIS Albany Historic Carousel & Museum Conundrum House Mid-Willamette Family YMCA OSU KidSpirit Peak Elite Gymnastics S&K Wacky Indoor Bounce Santiam Excursion Trains Splatterbox Valley Rock Gym

ADVICE FROM THE PROS… “As a mom and business owner who offers birthday parties and hosts my own, my best advice is keep it simple and think like a kid. Kids love to be with their friends, run around, get their energy and excitement out. Booking a party at a venue that runs the show for you can be a great relief…you may even get to relax and have a little fun yourself!”

— Monée Johnston, owner, Peak Elite in Corvallis

“Our party room is a blank slate giving parents a lot of creative opportunity as they prep the space for their honoree.

We’re happy to answer any questions they may have about setting up the space.”

— Gilbert House Children’s Museum in Salem

EUGENE Adventure! Children’s Museum Bounce Gymnastics and Aerial Arts Crux Rock Gym Dazzling Pony Parties Eugene Family YMCA Eugene Science Center Kidsports Northwest Ninja Park Putters Family Entertainment Center

SALEM Athletic Edge Adventure Park Awesome Indoor Playground Creativitee (decorate apparel) Fantasy Farms (horses) Family YMCA of Marion & Polk Counties Gilbert House Children’s Museum The Kroc Center Rock Boxx Climbing Gym Salem’s Riverfront Carousel

24 mommag.com

LOOKING FOR IDEAS? Check your city’s…

•

Parks & recreation departments

•

Humane societies

•

Libraries

•

Lego retailers, like Bricks & MiniFigs

•

Toy stores

•

Gymnastics academies

•

Escape rooms

•

Bowling alleys

•

Paintball & laser tag

•

Movie theaters, like the ones featured in this issue

•

Good old-fashioned pizza parlors

•

Trampoline parks

•

Soccer parks

•

Martial arts

•

Pottery and art studios

mommag.com 25

support for family

Less clutter, MORE PLAY It’s easy to get caught up in consumer culture that encourages us to buy more and more toys for our children. Walk into any department store, and you’re bombarded with a colorful array of toys promising to make your child happier and more intelligent. However, the truth is that having fewer toys in your home and practicing the art of toy rotation can be a game-changer when it comes to fostering an organized and calm environment for your little ones.

Toy rotation is a method where you periodically switch out a selection of toys on display while keeping the rest stored away. One of the most significant advantages is that it helps reduce clutter in your home. A clutter-free environment allows children to foster creativity and reduces stress for parents who no longer have to navigate through piles of toys.

Moreover, having fewer toys readily available encourages your child to explore and engage more deeply with the toys they do have. When faced with a limited selection, children learn to appreciate and make the most of what they have, which builds resourcefulness and imagination.

They also develop better organizational skills as they learn to care for their toys and keep them in good condition.

In the age of digital distractions, having fewer toys that encourage physical and imaginative play is a valuable choice. It provides an environment where your child can connect with the real world, socialize with others and develop important life skills.

Less clutter, more meaningful play, and happier, imaginative children are just some of the benefits you’ll discover on this journey toward simplifying your child’s play space.

It’s not about the quantity of toys, but the quality of playtime that truly matters.

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Smiling faces because of you.

Thank you to all that have volunteered, donated or shopped in our shops. Because of you, we are able to continue our mission of strengthening our community.

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Become a member.

Shop the Daue House Gift Shop or Encore Furniture.

Consign your gently used items.

DONATE BY PHONE

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Assistance League Salem-Keizer is a charitable, all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) nonprofit, tax-exempt organization.

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Cultivate a colorful plate: Setting the stage for a lifetime of health Hey parents, we’re here to help you plant the seeds of healthy eating in your little ones.

And it starts with a nutrient-packed rainbow of goodness — fruits and vegetables!

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, fostering a love for fruits and veggies early on sets the stage for a lifetime of healthy eating. But how do you get your kiddos to try something new? Make it fun!

•

Rainbow plates: Create a colorful plate of fruits and veggies and encourage your tot to give each one a try. From red apples to orange melon to green broccoli and more. Make it a game — who can find the most colors? Just remember: Children younger than 4 should have fruit cut up and veggies cooked and cut up to avoid choking.

•

Smoothie magic: Blend up a rainbow in a glass (and sneak in some greens)! Blueberries, bananas and spinach make a delicious and nutritious smoothie. Or let your kiddos pick their favorite colors to blend.

•

Cooking adventures: Get your mini chefs involved in the kitchen! When kids help prepare meals, they’re more likely to try new foods. It’s a win-win for all!

Remember: Kids who enjoy a diverse range of fruits and veggies early on are more likely to continue into adulthood and reap the long-term health benefits of a nutritious diet. So, let’s celebrate the joy of colorful eating and watch our little ones grow into happy, healthy superheroes!

Brought to you by

Salem Health Family Birth Center.

Learn more at salemhealth.org/FBC.

mommag.com 31

PO Box 672 | Aurora, OR 97002-0672 503-825-2100 | 503-776-9185 fax mommag.com | info@mommag.com

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MOM Magazine and its distributors assume no liability for the contents or events arising out of its distribution.

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