Hey Baby Chicago Spring 2016

SPRING 2016

…BROUGHT TO YOU BY… ChicagoParent.com

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www.lppschools.com

LPP’s Family Learning Programs are designed for families to experience the wonder of our preschool environment together.

Preschool Together - Children 18-30 months Each class will create an intimate community for children and parents to explore our curriculum, make friends, and develop an early love of school. This class is modeled after a morning in our preschool classroom.

Read, Sing & Play - Children 12-24 months A selection of children’s books will set the foundation for music & movement activities.

2016-2017 Sessions: Fall (Sept. 19-Oct. 25) Winter (Feb. 7-March 14) Spring (April 3-May 9) Summer (Drop in classes held select Tuesdays throughout the summer)

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More information available at www.lppschools.com Contact j.sorenson@lppschools.com with questions

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HEY BABY

A great place for your baby and you.

At Bright Horizons our Great Places for Babies program provides a warm, welcoming environment where your baby can grow from a bundle of joy to a bundle of curiosity.

Home-Like Environments • Personalized Care • Low Classroom Ratios • State-of-the Art Facilities • Caring Community

Locations throughout the Chicago Area Visit www.brighthorizons.com/hb or call 1-877-624-4532 for more information and to locate a center near you.

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HEY BABY

Specializing in Night Time Infant Care

Rescuing Sleep Deprived Families Services Include: • Baby Nurses • Registered Nurses • Postpartum Doulas • Lactation Support • Parenting Classes • Sleep Training • Temporary Daytime Services

(708) 429-B ABY

SweetDreamsInfantCare.com 2 Spring 2016 • Hey Baby

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HEY BABY

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HEY BABY

Good things begin here

At Monica + Andy, we make things better for moms + babies. Better fabrics. Better clothes.

Better ways of shopping for them.

www.monicaandandy.com ChicagoParent.com

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A Special Place For A Special Time

The care and comfort we bring to the birthing experience makes the Family Birthing Centers located at Community Hospital, St. Catherine Hospital and St. Mary Medical Center a special place to start a new family.

A Special Place Compassionate and Caring Certified Staff Private Birthing Suites with Private Baths Private Mother/Baby Suites with Private Baths Rooming-in Options Educational Classes Lactation Consultation Free WIFI Service Infant Security System Newborn Hearing Screening Program Newborn Photo Service/Baby Website Hydrotherapy/Water tub births - Community Hospital - St. Mary Medical Center Neonatologist in-house 24/7 - Community Hospital Level II Nursery for complex deliveries - St. Mary Medical Center Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit - Community Hospital Certified Nurse Midwives - St. Catherine Hospital - St. Mary Medical Center

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A Special Time One of the region’s most experienced medical teams focused on what matters most, the health and well-being of every mother and baby.

www.comhs.org

For more information about birthing options at our hospitals, call 219-836-3477.

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HEY BABY

EXERCISE & WELLNESS PREGNANCY STUDY

The University of Minnesota is seeking women who are currently pregnant or less than 6 weeks postpartum to participate in a research study examining the effect of exercise and wellness on mood following childbirth Ø Participants receive a motivational exercise program or a health and wellness program, which begins after the birth of your baby (participants can sign up for the program during pregnancy) Ø Program delivered to you via the mail and phone Ø Must be 18 years of age or older Ø Must not currently exercise regularly Ø Must not take antidepressants Ø Must have a history of depression Ø You will receive $100 for your time

Call 612-625-9753, send the word ‘TEXT’ to 612-345-0325, or email mompro@umn.edu to see if you qualify for this research study.

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HEY BABY

Play Learn Grow

Startin g at age

6 weeks in Buffa lo Grove!

Child Care After School Summer Camps Nurturing individual spirit, imagination and talent Preschool • Day Care • Early Childhood Education Holiday Programs • Enrichment Jewish Education Starting at age 6 weeks in Buffalo Grove and 15 months in Chicago and Highland Park! You may be eligible to save on tuition! Visit juf.org/rightstart.

Buffalo Grove • Northwest Family Center (847) 279-0900 • nsamuels@jcys.org Chicago • Michael R. Lutz Family Center (773) 281-2533 • jlosek@jcys.org Highland Park • George W. Lutz Family Center (847) 433-6001 • micky.baer@jcys.org

Enroll online at jcys.org 8 Spring 2016 • Hey Baby

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Jewish Council for Youth Services is proud to offer educational experiences to families of all religions and backgrounds.

JCYS programs serve over 2,000 children and their families in Chicagoland.

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From Diaper Rash to Relief, FAST. e

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Spray

The brand moms and pediatricians trust to gently help treat irritated baby bottoms, fast.

Find out why moms love Dr. Smith’s®

@DoctorSmiths

Visit DoctorSmiths.com for retail locations near you.

Copyright ©2015 Mission Pharmacal Company. All Rights Reserved. DSO-P156003

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HEY BABY

TABLE o

CONTENTS 18

The mini masters

48

Baby’s first Five places that inspire the summer (fest) littlest of littles

24

What you need to know and what to pack for a Beautiful day out

bumps

Chicago area moms show off their baby bumps

30

the happy

2016 | Vol. 3 | No. 1

It’s all about

A Q+A with Dr. Harvey Karp

36

Plus ...

Three colorful recipes to try, great places to grab a beer with your babe, nutritional boosts to ask your doctor about, and Chicago Blackhawks Left Winger #11 Andrew Desjardins shows off his adorable mini-me

#Pregnancy problems

Bumps on the road to baby

checklist

New mom

Spots to bring baby, but in reality, treat you

On the Cover: Jax Turok, Gracie Fletcher and Kierey Miller, all Chicago babies

Photographer: Thomas Kubik Art Director: Claire Innes Credit: Chicago skyline

by Chicago artist David Turok

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HEY BABY

Gracie Fletcher takes off at our cover shoot.

PHOTO BY THOMAS KUBIK

Fatherhood and dreams

Motherhood and milestones

As you might note, I’m not a new or expectant dad. In fact, our youngest just turned 20 and even back when she was a little one I’d be asked how old my granddaughter was.

Ouch. Rude. Don’t do that!

So while I still DAN HALEY have quite regular dreams that we are, once more, about to adopt a baby, these days I fill my need for baby time vicariously. Happily, there are two new ones in the extended family.

New life in a new generation. Nothing quite like it.

You are holding the spring edition of Hey Baby, the offspring (how’s that for an old word) of Chicago Parent and Bump Club and Beyond. It’s filled with Chicago-centric baby-raising advice, tips and celebration. Treasure the summer moments just ahead. And we’ll see you again come fall.

As a mom, it’s both hard and exciting to see your babies grow up.

My girls are now 2 and 5, and my third baby, Bump Club and Beyond, is celebrating its 6th birthday this year. I sometimes get sad when a product LINDSAY is no longer apPINCHUK plicable to my life, but it brings me great joy to share our baby finds and resources with all of you!

Bump Club and Hey Baby, our collaboration with Chicago Parent, both are celebrating major milestones in 2016. Bump Club and Beyond is hosting events in 25+ cities and we are beyond excited to bring you not just one, but two, editions of this incredible resource in 2016.

Thank you for your continued support and excitement surrounding Bump Club and Beyond. We hope that you have a great summer and take the time to try out some of our tips for making the most of this incredible season in Chicago with your family!

Dan Haley

Publisher Chicago Parent

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Lindsay Pinchuk

CEO and Founder Bump Club and Beyond

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HEY BABY

ON THE COVER

Meaningful art

A

dentist by profession, artist David Turok is creating heirloom art from babies’ finger and feet paintings.

The idea ignited after seeing a large finger painting by his 3-year-old niece, Goldie, hanging up. He immediately envisioned a silhouette painted over it.

“I thought it would be a really cool thing she and I would do,” he says. But when he posted the finished painting on Instagram, people began reaching out asking him to do it with their kids’ paintings.

He found that babies do great abstract art. “The backgrounds just turn out incredibly cool,” he says.

When his son, Jax (who appears on the cover), was two weeks old, Turok dipped his PHOTO BY THOMAS KUBIK feet in paint to create a painting that Haley Yi and Maxwell Avanessian, both of Chicago now hangs over the changing table.

Turok especially likes telling stories through his art. His goal, he says, is to create timeless art babies will enjoy today and 30 years from now in their own homes.

For the Hey Baby cover, Turok says he took different aspects of the skyline. “I wanted to keep it really simple, but also cover a lot of the iconic aspects of the Chicago skyline. ... It just shows off the city so beautifully, I think.”

Find his work through Instagram @drt_art and reach him through davidturokart.com.

Prices start at $750, based on size.

STA F F

EDITOR TAMARA L. O’SHAUGHNESSY SENIOR EDITOR ELIZABETH DIFFIN DIGITAL EDITOR JACKIE MCGOEY ASSOCIATE EDITOR EMILY ADAMS ART DIRECTOR CLAIRE INNES EDITORIAL DESIGNER JAQUINETE BALDWIN, JAVIER GOVEA PHOTOGRAPHERS THOMAS KUBIK, VERONICA POWELL OF TK PHOTOGRAPHY CONTRIBUTING WRITERS MATT BORESI, MEGAN MURRAY ELSENER, MICHELLE ELFVIN, KEELY FLYNN, CAITLIN MURRAY GILES, LISA KATZENBERGER, AMANDA SKRIP PHOTOGRAPHY COORDINATOR TIANA KUBIK CHICAGO PARENT ADVERTISING SALES ANNETTE COFFEE, DAWN ENGELHARDT, LOURDES NICHOLLS, KAREN SKINNER, ALICIA PLOMIN BUMP CLUB AND BEYOND SALES KATIE BLOZIS, LINDSAY FROST, ERIN STROM ADVERTISING PRODUCTION MANAGER PHILIP SOELL ADVERTISING DESIGN MANAGER ANDREW MEAD ADVERTISING DESIGN DEBBIE BECKER, MARK MORONEY CIRCULATION MANAGER JILL WAGNER DISTRIBUTION COORDINATOR SHANEZ HUDSON MARKETING 2 MOMS MEDIA BUSINESS MANAGER JOYCE MINICH COFOUNDERS DAN HALEY, LINDSAY PINCHUK COMPTROLLER ED PANSCHAR

HOW TO REACH US 141 S. OAK PARK AVE. OAK PARK, IL 60302 (708) 386-5555 CHIPARENT@CHICAGOPARENT.COM INFO@BUMPCLUBCHICAGO.COM

© 2016 WEDNESDAY JOURNAL, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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HEY BABY

Photos by Thomas Kubik

MOM TO MOM Advice for new moms

9-month-old Luella’s mom, Alexzandra Higgins “Follow your instincts. Wear those babies, just feel love and support and that will get you through. It just goes by so quickly. ... Savor those first few months and nurture yourself while nurturing your baby.”

1-year-old Ames’ mom, Mandy Desjardins “Every baby is different, that’s the biggest piece of advice I tell my friends. What worked for us might not necessarily work for someone else. It’s important to embrace their differences and just get to know who you’re raising rather than worrying about what everyone else is doing.”

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6-month-old Nico’s mom, Lauren Hubert Smoke “I didn’t expect to second guess myself so much.

I have lot of experience with babies and I was like, ‘Oh yeah, I’ve got this.’ But as soon as I got home from the hospital, I started worrying.”

My lesson: “Everything that you are freaking out about in the beginning, give it a week or two and it’s something else. That’s how it is for me.”

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HEY BABY

She may not know what play-based curriculum means.

Or how enrichment activities can promote her development.

She may not know the value of individualized care from our experienced and educated team.

But she will feel it.

Redefining Early Learning Schedule an appointment 773.463.1600 x 222 | concordiaday.org heybaby@concordiaday.org

Ready for a move?

The Oak Park and River Forest area has so much to offer: • Top rated neighborhood schools • Lovely parks with active programs for kids • 2 CTA lines and the Metra • Restaurants, shopping, theater • Fabulous libraries • A welcoming, culturally diverse community • Condos to Bungalows to Historic Homes

Let us be your near west suburban real estate professionals.

Jerre Cusick, Broker jcusick@gloor.com 708-790-5693 Lynn Taylor, Broker ltaylor@gloor.com 708-275-0736

114 North Oak Park Avenue Oak Park, Illinois 60301 www.gloor.com ChicagoParent.com

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HEY BABY

THE MINI MASTERS Photo by Thomas Kubik

5 places that inspire the littlest of the littles

E

BY KEELY FLYNN

very parent looks at their kid and just knows they’re seeing a future superstar. But in a town as chock-full of schools, centers and activities as Chicago, which

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ones are the best of the best?

Take a breather: we’ve done the heavy lifting. Here are our picks for your wee idol, whether they’re of the Hendrix, Belushi, Picasso, Retton or Baryshnikov variety.

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HEY BABY

Dovetail Dance Studio dovetail-studios.com At long last, a dance and fitness studio for children where you also happen to really, really want to take a class, anyhow. No need to be intimidated by the Albany Park studio’s slogan of “Train like a dancer,” since they offer classes for the tiniest twirler all the way up to his fully grown (and, ahem, two left-footed) mama. Teensy Weensy, a music and movement class, is perfection for your budding mover n’ shaker, while Baby Moves blends basic ballet, core muscle work and baby-wearing in a session our own mamas would’ve killed for.

Photo by Veronica Powell Gabriella Schur dancing at Dovetail Dance Studio.

(Left) Haley Yi and Maxwell Atticus Avanessian paint the city green and orange.

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HEY BABY THE MINI MASTERS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

Old Town School of Folk Music oldtownschool.org Let’s face it, even the most sweetly hummed rendition of Rockabye Baby gets old really quickly. Up your 2 a.m. game with Old Town’s Lullabies class, guaranteed to soothe your little one, provide quality grooving time and yes, refresh your repertoire in the Lincoln Square locale you’ve loved since your pre-kid days. Older babes will dig Wiggleworms, a rollicking class for your rock n’ rollin’ crawlers. (Got the whole squirmy crew in tow?

Good news! Sibling Wiggleworms exists, ensuring you no longer have to choose which favored kid—that we totally don’t have— gets the golden class time.)

My Gym mygym.com It’s never too early to stretch and bend like the pros! You and your future gold medalists will adore My Gym (with many

locations in the ‘burbs as well as in town) and its Tiny Tykes, a gymnastics class geared toward budding balance, gentle agility and plenty of parentled movement. Experienced teachers help the sessions grow alongside the kiddos, each at their own pace. (So no worries if they’re not sticking the landing just yet, it’s only a matter of time.)

Emerald City Theatre’s Little Theatre emeraldcitytheatre.com Everyone and their cultured auntie knows that early exposure to the theater scene makes for a brilliant, empathetic and culturally aware kiddo.

But where and when to start?

Emerald City’s Little Theatre has you covered with easily the cutest—and most permissive— theatrical environment. Babies (up to preschoolers, even!) will thrill to the beautiful sets, gentle

sound designs and up close n’ personal actors. Parents and caregivers will exhale deeply for the “no rules” concept in this great Lakeview spot, from the optional floor cushions to the vibe that takes “audience participation” to a whole new level.

The Art Institute of Chicago artic.edu It’s the best of both worlds: your child gets to absorb Degas and Monet to her tiny heart’s content, and you get to bask in the surety that your kid is strapped into a stroller for half an hour. Voted TripAdvisor’s best museum in the world, the Art Institute of Chicago offers monthly guided stroller tours of their most famous galleries. And honestly, isn’t that somewhere you’re dying to go hang out anyway? (“My son had way too much exposure to the Impressionists at a formative age,” said no parent ever.)

Maizy Jamison and Colton Coffman caught the theater bug at Emerald City’s Little Theatre.

Photo by Thomas Kubik

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HEY BABY

Tervel Atanasov finds a fun place to play at My Gym. Photo by Thomas Kubik

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HEY BABY

Anchormoms

Some of Chicago’s most familiar newswomen report back on motherhood, milestones and maternity clothes

BY ELIZABETH DIFFIN | PHOTOS BY THOMAS KUBIK

Jessica D’Onofrio, 39 ✻ General assignment reporter, ABC 7 ✻ Spouse: Doug Whitmire ✻ Child: Jack D’Onofrio Whitmire, 6 months ✻ Neighborhood: Edgewater Describe the first time you saw Jack.

My husband and I, we were just crying because he was finally here. We had always wondered about what our baby would look like. … I did IVF three times and then we had a couple embryos that we were able to freeze. And so Jack was from a frozen cycle.

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a miracle baby. … We were like, “This is what our son looks like.”

It was amazing. It was a dream come true.

it.” So I have not gotten mad, I haven’t gotten impatient. …

Now I’m tired, don’t get me wrong. Mama’s real tired.

What has surprised you about yourself as a mom?

I’m a really impatient person.

Especially with the job I have, I want information now.

Everything is immediate. And with him, I said, “Oh my gosh, am I going to be like that with a baby?” It’s the exact opposite.

When he is crying or fussy, I have this infinite amount of patience that I never knew I had.

And I just kind of look at him, and I’m like, “You know, I just have to get him through it. He’s a baby, he doesn’t know. And my job is to guide him through

Do you have any spots that you like to take him?

We took him for his first swim lesson last weekend and it was just the cutest thing. It’s like a little instinct kicks in and he starts kicking his legs. It’s so much fun to watch him enjoy the pool. … We’re taking him again this weekend, and every weekend after that! … Goldfish Swim School in Evanston, that’s the one that we have been going to. We [also] took him to a Wiggleworms class [at Old Town School of Music], and he loved it and then he ChicagoParent.com

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HEY BABY fell asleep during the class. That was really funny. But those are the two that we have tried. … We just want him to have as many new experiences as possible.

What’s Jack’s personality like?

I would describe him as a flirt. My mom always says he’s very discerning. He kind of looks at things with a critical eye, and if he decides it’s funny, then it’s funny.

The thing that everybody says about Jack, from the day he was born, is he’s very alert. He wants to see everything. He wants to be around people. And he loves to listen. He just wants to be out and a part of things. He’s actually a really cool baby to be around.

Has he been on TV yet?

He made the tube the first day! …

It was a failed induction, so he came

by C-section, and I was pumped full of so many drugs. My face was swollen; everything was swollen. And my husband [the ten o’clock executive

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producer for Channel 7] was like, “They want a picture to put on the 5 o’clock show.” And Jack was born at noon! … I keep on telling Doug, “You know we have a purebred Channel 7 baby.”

Do you think you’ll have more kids?

If we only have Jack for the rest of our lives, we will be so unbelievably happy. But if we’re blessed with another one, that would be fantastic, too. I have a new respect not only for parents that have one child, but parents who have more than one child. I know how busy I am, I know how much work it is, so when I see parents having more than one child, I just want to bow my head and say “I’m not worthy!” … I’m an only child.

If we just had one, that would be normal for me. But if we have two, it would be nice to see him have a sibling. So we’ll just see what God gives us.

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Susanna Song, 33 ✻ General assignment reporter, CBS 2 Chicago ✻ Spouse: Isaac Forstner ✻ Child: Elinor Song Forstner, 7 months ✻ Neighborhood: North Aurora What is your favorite thing to do with Elinor?

She has a wonderful smile and a wonderful giggle, and it sounds really silly, but I just love to turn on music and dance. She’s at a point right now where she’s kicking and moving her hands and she wants to touch everything. I don’t know if she’s actually dancing, but she watches me and she giggles and we just blast the music. … I can’t get enough of it.

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What things from your childhood are you hoping to share with Elinor?

My childhood was enriched by the Korean community here in the Chicago area. I grew up surrounded by people who shared in my identity as a person of faith, in my church, and with people who spoke Korean, shared an interest in Korean food. … Already, I’ve introduced her to the Korean language. I will continue to speak to her in Korean, and eventually introduce her to the Korean foods that I love. I would very much like her to be integrated in that culture.

What’s the biggest surprise about having a baby?

I had high expectations for her, but kind of low expectations for me. I just kind of thought when the baby came out, it would be awesome; everything would be great. I

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HEY BABY don’t know why I thought that. I have no idea!

That was my little idealistic world, I guess. But it was so hard. The first night I brought her home, I just broke down. I was really hard on myself. … I’ve grown as a mom. I would tell the Susanna who just got back from the hospital that “It’s OK; you’ll get through it. And making mistakes is OK as long as the effort is there.”

I think nursing helped a lot. And when I came back to the station, I was still actually wearing maternity clothes. I couldn’t believe it! I’m not proud of it, but I’m trying to give myself space and time to do it, and not rush. They say it takes nine months to [be] pregnant, and you should give yourself just as much time to get back to what you were before.

Have you been able to spend oneon-one time with your husband?

We told ourselves before Elinor was born, the best thing we could give Elinor was a solid marriage. … I try to set aside even 10, 15 minutes to spend with my husband during the work week. And then on the weekends, we find a babysitter or we just take her. … We’re kind of the parents that figured she could hang with us. She’s very mellow, so she just stares at us at the restaurant and will watch. She does really well, so we’ve been really blessed in that area. … We try to incorporate her in our daily activities, in our plans.

What is the meaning behind her name?

We struggled with her name. … When we met her, I right away was like “Eleanor,” and my husband wasn’t 100 percent sure, and by the third day [he] finally succumbed. When I was filling out the birth certificate form, I spelled it traditionally, and he was like, “Can we spell it Elinor?”

The ‘I’ stands for Isaac: a little nugget of dad in her name. It came down to us liking the name Elinor because it means “shining light” and we want her to be that in anybody and everybody that she meets, that she would be a sparkle of light and joy to people. And she’s living up to her name so far!

Did you feel pressure to get back to Caption your pre-baby shape?

The first month postpartum, I was bloated and I was still 20 pounds over my ideal weight. But

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Cord blood

i s do i n g a m a z i n g

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Visit viacord.com or call 877-841-9134 to learn more

Banking cord blood does not guarantee that treatment will work and only a doctor can determine when it can be used.

For more details and references visit www.viacord.com/references.

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HEY BABY

Lauren Jiggetts, 34 ✻ Anchor/Reporter NBC5 Chicago ✻ Spouse: Patrick Donovan ✻ Child: Brendan Patrick Donovan, 3 months ✻ Neighborhood: Lincoln Park

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What was it like the first time that you saw Brendan?

It was wild. I did a live shot and had to go straight to the hospital after doing [it]. It was not the way I had planned. He was 2 ½ weeks early. By the time I walked into Prentice, he was born about 12 hours later. It was a very difficult delivery. I just kept thinking how much I wanted to see his face, and how much I wanted to see him healthy. You obviously get a little scared when you run into some difficulties that you didn’t expect. I remember when I first saw him, he was screaming at the top of his lungs, and I thought I’d never seen anything so beautiful in my life.

What milestones have you been especially excited about?

He was really gassy and he wasn’t always the happiest baby, and I felt so badly. There were so many things that we tried to do. … And then suddenly, when three months kind of rolled around, he’s smiling! That was the best thing in the world because it just lifted my heart. You want your baby to feel good; you try so, so hard to help him. I think when I saw that, it was like, “OK, I can do this.” … Someone told me, “The days can be really long, but the weeks fly by.” I think that pretty much summed up the first two-and-a-half months or so. There were just days that seemed like they went on forever, and then, week by week by week, it started getting better.

What advice would you give to a fellow new mom?

It’s important to try and identify people that can help you and, in turn, accept that help. And I think the other thing is don’t get down on yourself—and that’s easier said than done sometimes. One of my 24 Spring 2016 • Hey Baby

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friends … ended [an] email with “You’re doing a great job.” And it just meant the world to me, to hear that. You just have to constantly tell yourself, “I’m doing the best that I can. I love this baby more than anything in this world. I’m doing a good job.”

Did you hear anything from viewers after Brendan was born?

I was so touched by the outpouring of love.

People that had never met me and don’t know me were really so nice. You see so much negativity, to be perfectly honest, especially online. I was almost in tears because everyone was so nice and so supportive. I just thought that was amazing. … I think it’s kind of neat that Brendan has this extended family that he doesn’t necessarily know, but they’re rooting for us and rooting for him and excited to see him grow.

How was your return to work?

I had been warned that it was going to be hard and it certainly was. I think I was excited to be back at work and to see a lot of my co-workers. But it was just hard to be away from him. I hadn’t been away from him for longer than two hours and I kept checking the monitor to see if he was in the crib, what he was doing, checking with my husband, asking for photos, FaceTiming him at work... I think he did a lot better than I did, which was kind of funny.

Is Brendan a Bears fan yet?

He’s going to have to be! If my dad has anything to say about it, he will be a Bears fan. He has a jersey that has “Jiggetts” on the back already. … When your grandfather played for the team, you’ve gotta root for them no matter what.

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HEY BABY • Unlimited Playtime 7 Days A Week Parties • Birthday Week 7 Days A

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2100 Patriot Blvd., Glenview | (847) 832-6600 | kcmgc.org ChicagoParent.com

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Spring 2016 • Hey Baby 25

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HEY BABY

Saturday, June 4, 2016 Swissotel 323 East Wacker Drive, Chicago 9:30am-3:30pm

THE BEST EXPERTS Dr. Harvey Karp, author of Happiest Baby on the Block Jamie Grayson, The BabyGuyNYC The Lactation Partners

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For more information and tickets visit www.bumpclubandbeyond.com/bestof Sponsored by:

…and 75+ exhibitors on-site all day long! A portion of each ticket will go to benefit:

26 Spring 2016 • Hey Baby

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ChicagoParent.com

3/31/16 2:53 PM

HEY BABY

Evan Antos and her dad, Colton, at Root’s Handmade Pizza.

Photo by Thomas Kubik

Brews with babes

C

BY MATT BORESI

hicago has quickly become a world beer city, and beer geek speak is a lingua franca for Chicago dads when they’re pushing strollers, milling around playgrounds or waiting in the pediatrician’s lobby with the other fathers.

You may have your little bundle of joy K’tan’d or Ergo’d to your chest, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t places you can go and enjoy some of our city’s gourmet brew (in moderation, of course).

Empirical Brewery 1801 W. Foster Ave. With so many local breweries, you’d be missing out if you didn’t visit a taproom to drink the beer right at the source. Empirical Brewery’s newly opened space in Chicago’s Ravenswood neighborhood has transcendent beers, a comfy couch where the new parents often hang out, board games and frequent visits from food trucks cooking with Empirical’s offerings.

Empirical speaks geek and many of their beer names reference Star Wars—so you might be there for their experimental “Friday Firkin” of “It’s a Trappe” or “Speak, Friend, and Enter”—while Bowie dances in “Labyrinth” on the televisions and a Ms. Pac-Man machine beckons you from the corner.

ChicagoParent.com

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The Bad Apple 4300 N. Lincoln Ave. Push the Bugaboo to Chicago’s North Center neighborhood and check out The Bad Apple, which has 25 beers on tap and 155 more in bottles.

Not only are the beers varied and many, but your baby will be jealous that you have teeth and they don’t as you enjoy some of Chicago’s greatest burgers near a back room that features games and likely plenty of other families in the early hours.

Root’s Handmade Pizza 2200 W. Lawrence Ave. (Lincoln Square) 1924 W. Chicago Ave. (West Town) Your Chicago baby needs to start appreciating quality pizza early, and Root’s (in both familyoriented neighbs Lincoln Square and West Town) delivers craft pizza and craft beer—more than 100 Midwestern beers, as a matter of fact.

Roots loves beer so much, they’ve even got a malt crust available, and for the kids and the designated drivers, a Root’s Root Beer. It’s spacious, friendly, has plenty of flat screens and a pretty steady stream of families, so you won’t have to hide in shame if your little bundle of joy speaks up from time to time.

Having a little one doesn’t mean you’re excluded from artisanal beer culture in the city. Far from it, it just means you’ll have to be diligent to keep little hands from splashing the head out of your tulip glass.

Spring 2016 • Hey Baby 27

3/31/16 2:52 PM

HEY BABY

Dr. Harvey Karp really knows babies

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE HAPPY

H

A Q&A with Dr. Harvey Karp

BY CAITLIN MURRAY GILES

appy babies and toddlers make for happy families.

Nobody knows this better than Dr. Harvey Karp, the nationally renowned pediatrician and child development specialist. Karp has taught thousands of parents how to soothe colic, get their babies to sleep and cut down on tantrums.

Karp is perhaps best known as the author of best-selling books and DVDs, The Happiest Baby on the Block, The Happiest Toddler on the Block and The Happiest Baby Guide to Great Sleep.

Hey Baby Chicago recently had the chance to ask Karp to share his best advice with expectant and new parents in Chicago.

Hey Baby: What question do expectant and new parents most frequently ask you?

Harvey Karp: The number one question I get is, ‘How do I get my baby to sleep?’ Parents know that they will be tired with a newborn, but the amazing thing about pregnant parents is that they have such a wonderful sense of optimism and focus on delivery. They don’t really get a full picture of what it is going to be like once baby arrives. Did you know that the military trains Navy SEALs to endure torture by blasting the sound of crying babies and waking them constantly? Parents today should really pat themselves on the back because they

do an amazing job. Historically, parents didn’t do this alone like they do now.

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HB: What is the biggest myth or misconception about taking care of a newborn?

HK: The biggest myth is that it is just natural to take care of a baby. It is certainly natural to love your baby and want to take care of your baby. But baby care is a skill—not a hard skill, but it is a skill.

So many parents haven’t taken care of babies in the past and they don’t have a support network.

Parents think that the answers are in books, but they are really experiential. Parents have three main jobs: feed the baby, calm the crying and get ChicagoParent.com

3/31/16 2:52 PM

HEY BABY sleep. This is where my DVD can be a resource. Parents can focus on mastering just a few techniques—the five S’s (swaddle, side-stomach position, shush, swing and suck), how to turn the off switch for crying and the on switch for sleep.

support from a partner. That is one of the biggest values of the Happiest Baby program.

Dads want to share in the techniques, and they do them so well. The result is that mom feels supported and her anxiety is reduced.

HB: Much of your advice focuses on not just baby, but overall family wellness. How do the techniques in The Happiest Baby on the Block help achieve that?

HK: If we help parents feel more confident and competent, we will promote a positive cycle of parents feeling connected to their kids. Succeeding with your baby is a focal point of your self-esteem and well-being.

You will remember it for the rest of your life. We also know that mom’s postpartum wellness is impacted by three major factors: (1) crying baby; (2) exhaustion; and (3)

HB: What products do you recommend for new parents wanting to implement the techniques in your books, DVDs and classes?

HK: (1) A big swaddling blanket or a pre-made swaddling wrap.

(2) A pacifier, but don’t introduce until baby is breastfeeding well.

(3) A good swing. The Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies not sleep in swings, but it can be entertaining for them and give you a break.

(4) A carrier because baby can also sleep in it.

(5) White noise (both high and low pitch). High-pitched

Hear Dr. Karp in person Dr. Harvey Karp will be the keynote speaker at the annual Best of Bump Club event in Chicago on June 4.

For tickets: bumpclub andbeyond.com/bestof. white noise is good for calming a crying baby and low-pitched sounds are great for promoting sleep.

HB: Where can parents in the Chicago area learn more about the Happiest Baby program and resources?

HK: We have a number of Happiest Baby educators throughout Chicago, including at the University of Chicago and Lurie Children’s Hospital.

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HEY BABY

Jenn Stratton BARTLETT 14 WEEKS

What I’m feeling this month: Enamored (so very in love with our baby and his or her daddy)

Jesi Verchota CHICAGO 6 WEEKS

What I’m feeling this month: Tired

BEAUTIFUL Nariana Castillo CHICAGO 38 WEEKS

What I’m feeling this month: Anxious, ready and hungry!

Ericka L. Polanco-Webb WILLOWBROOK 37 WEEKS

What I’m feeling this month: Gratitude

320

Number of diapers you’ll likely go through baby’s first month.

30 Spring 2016 • Hey Baby

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ChicagoParent.com

3/31/16 2:51 PM

HEY BABY

Chrissy Pistorio BARTLETT 17 WEEKS WITH BABY #2

What I’m feeling this month: Energetic

Beth Carey DOWNERS GROVE 21 WEEKS

60%

all of the time

BUMPS

32%

Most of the time

7%

nt er

Parenting is rewarding

What I’m feeling this month: Amazed!

e hC arc e s e Pew R

some/none of the time

Julie Pagel FRANKFORT 29 WEEKS

What I’m feeling this month: Eager

Andrea Twedell VERNON HILLS 31 WEEKS

What I’m feeling this month: Excited about the arrival of baby #2 and just hit full-blown nesting mode!

ChicagoParent.com

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Spring 2016 • Hey Baby 31

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HEY BABY

#PREGNANCY PROBLEMS

Bumps on the road to baby

G

BY JACKIE MCGOEY

Swelling

Cankles, sausage toes and chubby fingers; cute on No discomfort and minimal your babe-tobe, not so much weight gain? Check. on you. Up your Quick, easy labor and delivery with an H2O intake and impossibly adorable baby at the end? put those feet Check. up. We promise you’ll shrink OK, hold up. That’s not ✻ Tag back to normal exactly how it works. But us on Instagram size eventually. *If swelling comes @ChicagoParent when you’re so blissed on suddenly, it can be a sign of and share your out about that BFP, who preeclampsia (a REAL pregnancy #pregnancyproblems. problem), so be sure to see your can blame you for lookdoctor right away.* ing at the nine months

lowing skin and lush locks?

Check.

ahead through rose-colored glasses?

Enjoy that feeling now, because when reality hits, these not-so-fun parts of pregnancy may have you waving the white flag.

32 Spring 2016 • Hey Baby

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Bloating 7 a.m.: Teeny tiny bump. 4 p.m.: Hello, five months along! No, that’s not baby. That’s all bloat, Momma. Our motto? It’s never too early for maternity jeans. So stock up at Belle Up ChicagoParent.com

3/31/16 3:56 PM

HEY BABY Boutique (belleup.com), and before you know it, it actually will be all baby filling them out.

Gas Sure, your doctor says it’s because of the extra progesterone—a hormone that causes your muscles to relax—but we’re willing to bet the Queso Fundido and Carne en su Jugo from Xoco Bistro (rickbayless. com/restaurants/xoco-bistro) you had for dinner played a big role. Either way, get used to clearing the room or just blame it on the dog.

Heartburn At worst, it feels like your baby is taking a blowtorch to your esophagus. At best, like you swallowed a teaspoon of Co-Op hot sauce (coopsauce.com). The sooner you stock up on antacids and pop those bad boys like there’s no tomorrow, the sooner you’ll stop feeling like you’re moonlighting as a circus fire-breather.

ChicagoParent.com

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Weird hair growth A trusty pair of tweezers is a preggo girl’s best friend. Use them to go to town on those random hairs that seem to be popping up everywhere. “What hairs?” you ask? Just take a peek at your boobs. Yep, isn’t pregnancy sexy?

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HEY BABY # P R E G N A N C Y P R O B L E M S CO N T I N U E D F R O M PAG E 3 3

Insomnia Between peeing every 15 minutes, the aforementioned heartburn hell and your sweet bambino judo-chopping away at your insides, no amount of pillows will help you get comfortable enough for some shut-eye. You probably didn’t expect the sleepless nights to begin so soon, did you?

Preggo brain

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You’ll leave car keys in the ignition in the parking lot at Mariano’s, you’ll forget words in the middle of sentences and you’ll basically function like you’re missing half your brain. Make a habit out of checking the fridge before you leave the house. Chances are your cellphone, credit card or lipstick is inside. Find all three? Congrats! You’ve officially lost it.

Overdue Your due date comes … and goes, and takes your sanity right along with it. You suddenly become very aware of each passing hour, day, week(!). In between googling “natural ways to induce labor,” try to soak up those last pre-baby moments. Your life is about to get way more chaotic, in the most wonderful kind of way.

More than the blues An online mommy and baby boutique offering cloth diapers, baby carriers and other natural and reusable products.

•cloth diapering workshops •newborn cloth diaper rental packages •cloth diaper trial packages

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www.thejoyfulgiraffe.com Find us on Questions about cloth diapering?

Feel free to email Kate@thejoyfulgiraffe.com 34 Spring 2016 • Hey Baby

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More than a million women in the U.S. experience postpartum depression every year (and so do 10 percent of new dads). It’s not your fault!

Symptoms may include: worries you cannot shut off, fear and guilt that you are not a good mother, eating and sleeping disturbances, just not feeling yourself and thoughts of harming yourself or baby.

Contact the Postpartum Support International at (800) 944-4773 for referrals in your area.

Pam Jones RN, co-founder Sweet Dreams Infant Care ChicagoParent.com

3/31/16 2:49 PM

HEY BABY

Momma’s little boost

E

ver feel like there is endless content on what not to eat while pregnant? You’re not alone. Nutrition really should be inspiring, energizing and encouraging, especially when you’re eating for two!

Here are three easy energy boosters to help through pregnancy and to help kickstart postpartum weight loss. Always check with your doctor first!

1

Wake up with warm lemon water

Staying hydrated is the first rule in pregnancy 101. Water helps deliver nutrients through your body, which is as important now as ever. First thing in the morning, even before breakfast, add about half a lemon* to 8 ounces of warm/hot water.

Lemon contains vitamin C and will give your body a little immune boost. When mixed with warm water, it aids in digestion, can increase your energy and speed your metabolism. * Gradually increase from a sliver of lemon to ensure no allergic reaction.

ChicagoParent.com

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2

Add coconut oil to your lunch

3

Use apple cider vinegar to keep nausea away

Healthy fats are a necessary addition to your diet, while being essential Adding one tablespoon of for baby’s development. However, the apple cider vinegar to 8 ouncsource of your fat and calories matter. es of water has been shown Cheese fries, for example, will affect to help ailments from mornyour body differently than healthier fat ing sickness to heartburn. sources.

Used topically, it can inReplace greasy fats by smearing a crease circulation (mix some tablespoon of coconut oil on your toast. in your lotion and massage You will feel fuller longer and swollen ankles after a long you’ll have increased day). energy without feel* Pasteurized apple ing deprived.

Get your sexy on cider vinegar can * Coconut be consumed Appreciation is foreplay. oil is great to safely while use in place Small everyday interactions pregnant and/ of synthetic build up more positivity than or nursing. ingredients However, grand sporadic gestures. Try to discuss in moisturunpasnotice and thank your partner teurized apple izers and even as a topical cider vinegar every day. soothant after with your doctor.

Mallory Rose, LMFT, nursing.

Michelle Elfvin Skokie

Spring 2016 • Hey Baby 35

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BABY’S FIRST

SUMMER (FEST) You can do this, really you can

S

BY KEELY FLYNN

ummer is prime festival season for Chicagoans, and with good reason! You simply can’t beat being outdoors amidst all of that glory—the kind we remind ourselves of during hibernation.

Got new tinies in tow? A few tips and tricks:

Eliminate the biggest headache: Parking Chicagoans are incredibly lucky, what with the availability of buses and train routes. Think folding up a stroller is a hassle? It doesn’t hold a candle to circling upwards of 40 minutes for parking—and then paying close to $15 once you land a spot (half a mile from your festival destination).

ANDERSONVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

HEY BABY

Pack light and plan ahead Wasn’t one of the reasons you sprang for that trendy lightweight stroller its killer portability? If you’re with a partner, you’re even more golden. One to hold the kid, the other to grab the diaper bag and kickstand the stroller.

(Bonus points if you track the bus or train and have the whole operation completed as your ride pulls up. People might actually applaud you.)

Don’t overdo There’s no shame in leaving after an hour (just as there’s no judgment in popping into a neighborhood restaurant to escape the melee). You’ve got a small human with you—the concept of “getting your money’s worth” out of the day went the way of sleeping past 8 a.m. You are not being timed.

And even marathoners are allowed water breaks.

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ChicagoParent.com

3/31/16 2:48 PM

5 fabulous festivals

T

ANDERSONVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

here are, quite literally, hundreds of festivals in Chicago and the suburbs this summer, but here are our faves for bringing littles along:

Andersonville Midsommarfest Whether you’re there to get your Swede on (hello, Maypole!) or to enjoy the best of Andersonville’s dining scene, Midsommarfest is worth the entry fee. Regional artisans, outreach from local nonprofits and crowd-favorites rocking into the night make this two-night, three-day fest a great way for the whole fam to anticipate the year’s longest nights. You’ll probably be up anyway.

June 10-12; andersonville.org

Chinatown Summer Fair Like you needed another reason to visit Chinatown. The annual summer fair is yet another chance to indulge in incredible food and immerse yourself in the beauty of a truly gorgeous celebration. The traditional Lion Dance procession will thrill the kiddos—and the martial arts demonstrations might just inspire their parents.

July 17; chinatown specialevents.org

Fiesta del Sol Dubbed “the largest Latino festival in the Midwest,” this Pilsen staple is not to be missed.

Exceptionally geared towards the younger set (their Children’s Area features both educational activities and face painting), the arts-heavy weekend showcases a vast array of craftsmanship—and even offers the chance to get your own crafting on.

July 28-31; fiestadelsol.org

HEY BABY

Packing for the fests Yes, it’s easier to do than you think, and no, it doesn’t have to be a military operation.

The word of the day is “lightweight,” and it extends to everything: stroller, canvas bag, blankie for nursing/swaddling, and at least three baby-sized layers you never even knew one smallish person could soil so rapidly.

Leave the big camera at home. (Baby’s first corn dog can be captured perfectly well via iPhone.)

Pretend you’re preparing for air travel: Stash plastic bags inside plastic bags (trust us), plus snacks and liquids sorted and secured. Invest in two gigantic bottles: water and sunscreen. (Unless you dig paying $10 a pop from a vendor.)

Have cash, have lots of it and have it accessible.

Everything past this point is obviously going to be great: you’re about to go play in Chicago, after all.

Albany Park World Fest It’s hard to find a more ethnically diverse neighborhood than Albany Park, and its World Fest brings the best of this gem of a ‘hood’s best.

Come for the Brazilian salsa, West African folkloric and Asian drum beats.

Aug. 20-21; chicagoevents.com

Square Roots Festival At the Square Roots Festival in Lincoln Square (featuring more than 60 acts, not to mention 40 craft brews), bigger aficionados can groove to indie rockers and world music stars, while their offspring can drum circle with the best of them, fall in love with the Wiggleworms performers from Old Town School of Folk Music and even get down with the hoe-down in a family barn dance. It’s the perfect fest to expose babes to good music.

July 8-10; squareroots.org Spring 2016 • Hey Baby 37

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HEY BABY

WRANGLING

Tips to help you rock parenthood times two, three, four (or more)

I

BY LISA KATZENBERGER

f you are expecting or have multiples, welcome to the club! The birth rate of multiples is on the rise— and with more parents of multiples comes more creative ways to get out and about, even when your nuggets aren’t mobile. We’ve rounded up some great strategies to help you wrangle two or more babies at home and on the go!

Get the gear When it comes to the musthave gear, you’ll need a great double stroller. Nicole Boesen, a mom of 5-month-old twins, swears by the Joovy Roo+ stroller. A carrier is another option to keep you hands free—you can even wear one baby and carry the other.

To keep everyone in sight at home, opt for a Boppy pillow or a bouncer. These both provide a soft, safe space to set one baby down when you have to tend to the other.

Another trick is the Table for Two, a twin baby feeding system that props up your babies side by side. A twin plus nursing pillow from My Brest Friend can help with breastfeeding two at once.

Get settled at home When I first came home with my twins, I didn’t have any type of plan. When they pooped, I changed them.

When they cried, I fed them.

When they fell asleep, I left them alone. This was easy to manage for a few weeks, but as they started to drift apart in times, I found myself feeding babies back-to-back and there was very little time when they 38 Spring 2016 • Hey Baby

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were both asleep.

I soon discovered that a schedule is vital to surviving those first few foggy months with multiples. Do your best to get them to eat and sleep simultaneously, and you will have some much-needed alone time. You can even squeeze in a shower!

The sooner you develop a routine, the sooner you can create expectations around your day as well. You can begin to anticipate when your babies will be alert and ready for visitors, and when you need to scoot out for naptime.

Get out A key to enjoying that first year with multiples is getting a good escape routine. You’ve got to get out of the house! You might spend more time packing everyone up than you do at

your activity, but the time away from the clutter-filled home of twindom will do you wonders.

Don’t be intimated by taking your multiples out into the world. Taylor Aguirre, mom to 9-month-old fraternal boys, has already tackled trips to the Shedd Aquarium and the Museum of Science & Industry.

“The sooner you get started ChicagoParent.com

3/31/16 2:43 PM

HEY BABY

G MULTIPLES Cameron and Colin Aguirre have a blast exploring Museum of Science and Industry’s Transportation Gallery.

Photo by Thomas Kubik

bringing the babies places, the better,” Aguirre says. “It’s all about practice and comfort.”

Her approach is to get out between the boys’ two naps.

This allows her to shower and prep the diaper bag during their morning nap, head out on their adventure and feed them on the go, then be back home in time for the afternoon conk-out.

ChicagoParent.com

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Great options abound: the Pritzker Playspace room in the Chicago Children’s Museum is a secured, infant-friendly area that allows your babies to roam and play while you chat with other parents. Garfield Park Conservatory is a great place to drive a double-stroller through a serene setting. Just need to get out for a few minutes? Stop

by the children’s section of your local library or try a playgroup through your park district.

Having multiple little ones is a tough task, but you can still explore the great Chicagoland area with them in tow.

Any mom with older multiples will tell you that great CO N T I N U E D O N PAG E 4 0

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HEY BABY

They say it takes a village.

MULTIPLES CONTINUED FROM PAGE 39

Let jBaby Chicago help you build yours.

Twins James and Nathan Watkins

Photo by Veronica Powell

playgroups • classes • baby swag

jBabyChicago Delivering Jewish Community to Families

Get connected: juf.org/jbabychicago facebook.com/jbabychicago

jBaby Chicago is a program of the Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago

40 Spring 2016 • Hey Baby

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memories are made on adventures or in those little moments of success—the first time you feed them alone outside of the house, the moment they crawl up a set of play stairs or when they run in separate directions but you successfully gather everyone back together without losing your cool.

Get friends

O

ne of the most important things any new parent needs is support.

And when it comes to multiples, the need for help is even more unique.

Connect with the awesome support of your local Multiples of America group.

These clubs offer mentorship, meal trains, playdates, educational topic nights and a chance to connect with other moms who “get it.”

“Join a twin club while you are still pregnant,” says Josee Martens, mo mom to 4-year-old twin b boys. “They are the b best resource your first year.”

Beth Schwartz, o of Countryside, is coco-president of the West Subur Suburban Moms of Multiples.

Her club shares tips and strategies during gettogethers.

“We can discuss openly how to breastfeed two, or three, babies at once, how to logistically get out of the house, tricks for grocery shopping with two babies, where double strollers do and don’t work, tips for when multiple babies start moving in different directions.”

To find your local club, visit multiples ofamerica.org/find-a-club. For online support, check out the thriving community at twiniversity.com.

ChicagoParent.com

4/1/16 9:06 AM

HEY BABY Twins James and Nathan Watkins check out Green City Market with mom Leslie.

Photo by Veronica Powell

NEW MOM CHECKLIST

Spots to bring baby along, but in reality, treat yourself

B

2

Indulge and don’t feel guilty

1

3

Go green at the market

BY MEGAN MURRAY ELSENER

eing a new mom doesn’t mean you’re now banished to kids-only events or required to stay home.

Get out and show your baby all that Chicago has to offer. In the process, you’ll find out that you may be gaining even more from the experience than your little one.

Make a day of it in Lincoln Park

Free things are hard to come by in life, but the Lincoln Park campus remains the best place to spend the day for free. Visit the Lincoln Park Zoo to wave to the roaring lions, then hit up the Lincoln Park Conservatory to smell the roses, and stop by the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum to fly with the butterflies. The zoo and conservatory are always free and the nature

ChicagoParent.com

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museum is free every Thursday.

Sometimes mom deserves to seriously treat herself, and the occasional fried chicken really hits the spot. Take a trip to Honey Butter Fried Chicken in the Avondale neighborhood to enjoy the amazing outdoor patio with picnic tables and twinkling lights, while chomping down on delicious chicken topped with to-diefor honey butter. Bring baby and meet other friends for a sweet treat.

You will not regret spending your spring and summer mornings at the Green City Market in Lincoln Park. On Saturdays and Wednesdays, you can enjoy a freshly prepared crepe with a homemade smoothie, all while picking up fresh veggies and bread for dinner.

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4

Dine alfresco in a hidden garden

Whether you are looking for a relaxed place for a meal or a morning sweet treat, Enoteca Roma and Letizia’s Natural Bakery in Wicker Park are calling your name. The two-storefront space offers delicious Italian fare and homemade baked goodies and coffee. Head to the quiet, spacious rear patio to transport yourself to a serene, garden-like dream with your littlest companion.

5

Soak up the sun and sand

Grab that umbrella and

beach blanket and head to the best kept secret in Chicago. Foster Avenue Beach is the most kid-friendly and easy beach to bring kids of all ages. With easy parking, bathrooms and a stroller ramp all the way down to the water, it makes a trip to the beach less daunting. Suit up that little cutie so she can snooze in the shade with all that fresh beach air, while mama works on her glow.

6

Branch out and buddy up

Know that you are not alone in this new mom territory. Sign up for Bump Club and Beyond’s new mom monthly playdates at Little Beans Café in Chicago for a little adult interaction, lunch and

Car seat check!

A scary 42 percent of the time, car seats don’t fit properly into vehicles, according to a study by Ohio State University College of Medicine, which analyzed 3,600 possible combinations of 59 car seat models and 61 vehicles.

It’s easy to get your seat checked; find hundreds of inspection stations available at buckleupillinois.org or visit any Galt Baby location, galtbaby.com, where licensed techs will not only check your seat, but will actually teach you how to put it in correctly on your own every time.

Free Week

Babies love exploring the world.

That’s why our caring teachers create safe and fun activities to stimulate their senses and encourage their development. *New families only. Offer expires 09/04/2017 and is subject to center participation, age acceptance, and space availability. Credit for free week of tuition will be applied to each qualifying family’s account upon completion of third paid week of enrollment.

Limit one tuition credit offer per child. Regular tuition rates and program fees apply.

Offer cannot be combined with any other discounts, is non-transferable, and has no cash value. Additional restrictions may apply. See Center Director for details.

42 Spring 2016 • Hey Baby

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ChicagoParent.com

3/31/16 2:46 PM

HEY BABY sanity. It’s for babies 0 to 8 months old and gives mama that social break and companionship she deserves.

7

Stop, shop and stroll

The intersection of North and Sheffield near Clybourn is the ideal location to get all your errands done and throw in some entertainment for baby. Stop in West Elm or Land of Nod for your home needs, pick up a new dress at Anthropologie or Gap and even grab groceries.

Plus every Wednesday and Thursday at Whole Foods, Bubbles Academy has free kids’ concerts from 10-10:30 a.m.

Ivy Kimble shares a laugh with her mom, Kristin, during a free concert at Whole Foods. | Photo by Thomas Kubik

Helping you protect what matters most COUNTRYFinancial.com

0316-608HO

ChicagoParent.com

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Spring 2016 • Hey Baby 43

3/31/16 3:59 PM

HEY BABY

Chicago Parent needs a few good moms and dads.

We are looking for friendly, outgoing readers to staff Chicago Parent booths at events throughout the city and suburbs. Must have a car and flexible schedule. Events are mainly on weekends.

Email Kamil Brady at kamil@chicagoparent.com.

Our family of family magazines OCTOBER

2015 | FREE

CONNECTING WITH FAMILIES

‘He saved my life’

Fall 2015

Chicago Parent Playdate Oct. 4

GEAR

CLAIM REJECTED? What to do

FREE | SPRING 2016

15 spots to play

BABY’S day off

BE BRAVE

Going Places

WINTER 2016

AN EMPOWERMENT GUIDE FROM

REAL LIFE MOMS

Must-have

One mom’s breast cancer story

SpecıalParent CHICAGO

THERE’S FUN TO BE HAD

Take off 10

How to empower your kids

great escapes

CELEBRATIONS Time for our big birthday party planner

The search for answers

BROUGHT TO YOU BY…

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Every season

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Twice a Year

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Spring fever

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Families find new paths 9/30/15 2:32 PM

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MEDIA Connecting with families

Sign up online for our Weekly Newsletters Be in the know about family events, coupons and great giveaways!

ChicagoParent.com 44 Spring 2016 • Hey Baby

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3/31/16 2:45 PM

HEY BABY

THE RED LINE

3 healthy recipes to help your baby LOVE yummy red peppers

1

Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

2

Savory Squash Soup with Red Peppers

Ingredients 1 15-ounce can (unsalted) chickpeas, drained and rinsed 1 clove garlic, chopped ⅓ cup fresh lemon juice ⅓ cup tahini ⅓ cup olive oil ¼ cup water ½ tsp. sea salt 1 cup jarred roasted red peppers, drained Directions Add all ingredients to a food processor. Blend to combine, scraping down the sides as necessary to ensure a smooth hummus. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper.

Ingredients 2 Tbsp. olive oil 1 yellow onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cubed 1 cup jarred roasted red peppers, drained 4 cups water or stock (chicken or vegetable) 1 tsp. salt to taste 1 cup fresh basil (optional) Directions Heat a large stockpot over medium heat.

Add olive oil and heat until shimmering. Add onion and garlic; sauté until fragrant, about 5 minutes. Add squash, peppers and water or stock. Make sure vegetables are completely covered in liquid—if not, add another cup or two.

Add salt, bring to a simmer and partially cover for 25-30 minutes or until squash is tender.

Remove from heat, add basil and puree with a hand-held immersion blender or carefully transfer in batches to a blender.

Season to taste with salt or pepper.

ChicagoParent.com

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3

Turkey, Roasted Red Pepper & Mozzarella Melt

Ingredients 2 slices whole grain bread 1 Tbsp. whole grain mustard 3 thin slices of turkey breast 1 to 2 jars roasted red peppers, drained 2 to 3 slices of fresh mozzarella ¼ cup baby arugula 1 Tbsp. olive oil

Directions Spread mustard on each side of bread. Place turkey on one piece of bread and layer with bell peppers and cheese. Top with arugula.

Place other slice of bread on top.

Heat a large skillet and add olive oil.

Carefully place sandwich in skillet. Let toast for 3-5 minutes and flip. Press down. Cook an additional 3-5 minutes until cheese is melted.

If necessary, cover skillet so cheese evenly melts and sandwich warms.

Amanda Skrip Natural foods educator, health coach and wellness expert Bump Club and Beyond expert

Spring 2016 • Hey Baby 45

3/31/16 2:45 PM

HEY BABY

CHICAGO RESOURCE ROOM

presented by Chicago Parent and Hey Baby Pearachute is a new way Chicago to help your Family child discover Doulas offers and explore professional, activities that compassionate and personalized birth best fit your and postpartum doula support. We are family’s schedule. Members can drop so much more than night nurses. We into over 2,000 classes each month at care for mom, baby and entire household. top-rated Chicago locations.

Little Beans Cafe has locations in Chicago (best for kids 0-6 years) and Evanston (best for kids 0-12 years). Little Beans offers drop-in play, camps, events, classes, parties and more. Visit www. littlebeanscafe.com for more information.

Becca specializes in prenatal massage and has a table to put expecting moms face down. Her office is in Lakeview and has been practicing since 2002.

Wise Owl Doulas.

Passionate about helping parents make empowered decisions during pregnancy, the birth process, as well as the postpartum period. www.wiseowldoulas.com 46 Spring 2016 • Hey Baby

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NEAT Method specializes in home organization and moving that brings comfort, efficiency and style to your home.. Contact NEATMethod Chicago to schedule a consultation ::brooke@neatmethod.com.

Swim lessons for kids ages 4 months and up. Visit goldfishswimschool.com for more information on all of the Chicago-area locations.

Childcare you can trust like family.

Visit culturalcare.com for more information

ChicagoParent.com

4/1/16 11:29 AM

HEY BABY

Hospital bag 101

A

frequent question Bump Club and Beyond gets at its BCBUMPs Expectant Moms Dinner is “What do I pack in my hospital bag?”

Some of our favorites include:

Flip flops

Nursing tank

For the same reason you bring your own toiletries, you won’t want bare feet when you are at the hospital. Flip flops are easy to slip on to go to the bathroom or to take a walk to try to get labor moving.

This will become a wardrobe ardrobe staple once baby arrives. s. They are easy, provide coverage and support, and most importantly, ntly, are incredibly comfortable. Bravado’ss Essential Nursing Tank (bravadodesigns.com) is hands-down the best.

Personal effects No matter where you deliver, the hospital is no Four Seasons. Bring your own toiletries. Pick up trial sizes at Target or Walgreens, or Push Pack (push-pack.com) makes a prepackaged bag filled with all of the personal items you need.

Photo accessories for baby Grab a cute hat or blanket to personalize your baby’s first photoshoot!

Twinkle Twinkle Little One (2007 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago) has a great selection including this Big 10 hat.

Lip balm No one tells you this, but it is VERY dry in the hospital. Be prepared with your favorite lip balm. (Eos and good old Vaseline are faves at BCB.) ChicagoParent.com nt.com

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Big bath towel & pillow The towels are small, and extra pillows can be hard to come by in the hospital. Bring your own for maximum comfort while you’re there. (If you’re planning on nursing, grab your nursing pillow, too.)

Loose fitting clothing for mom People don’t talk about the fact that you are not back to your pre-baby clothes when you walk out of the hospital. It’s important to bring comfy clothes. Loose fitting pants and the Nursing Poncho by Molly Ades (mollyadesmaternity. com) is great for your hospital stay and beyond. If you get cute pjs at your shower, save them for when g home. you get Lindsay Pinchuk

Spring 2016 • Hey Baby 47

4/1/16 11:42 AM

No. 11’s HEY BABY

lucky charm

B

lackhawks Left Winger Andrew Desjardins’ mini-me, Ames, is a regular during the warm-up skate before home games at the United Center and loves waving to dad.

He’s become dad’s little good luck charm.

“They are inseparable,” Mandy Desjardins says.

“Andrew is totally embracing being a dad.”

Andrew Desjardins and his little, Ames Richard, fill their days with play.

Photo by Thomas Kubik

48 Spring 2016 • Hey Baby

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ChicagoParent.com

3/31/16 2:45 PM

The Ultimate Guide to Family Fun!

Going Places FREE | SPRING 2016

Take off 10 great escapes

Spring fever

relievers

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Plot

your Chicago quest

Spring edition now available!

For more information, call (708) 386 5555 or visit ChicagoParent.com

2/29/16 11:39 AM

4/1/16 10:20 AM

Mini Classes.

Big Learning!

Join us for daily Family Swims!

Call your nearest location today for details.

It’s never too early to introduce your baby to the water!

Swim lesson levels for children between 4 and 35 months, accompanied by a parent 90-degee pools and baby-friendly facilities Lessons are proven to increase baby’s motor skills, brain development & safety in the water!

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Visit us online for more information! goldfishswimschool.com

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