Hey Baby Chicago Spring 2017

SPRING 2017

Finding balance

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HEY BABY

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HEY HEYBABY BABY

TABLE OF CONTENTS

7

Balancing acts

Three working moms dish on careers, multiple kids and “having it all”

17

Beyond pink and blue

Designer tips for today’s coolest nurseries

24

A Chicago baby’s bucket list

What all babies should do their first year

33

Spring maternity styles that slay

Make ‘em do a double take with these looks

On the Cover: Grant Ray, 6 months and (top) Kendra Oluewu, 9 months, both of Chicago, and Kaya Dankowski, 6 months, of Des Plaines

Photographer: Thomas Kubik of TK Photography

Art Director: Claire Innes

Emma Navarro, 8 months, of Chicago

38

Your baby gear list

Must-haves for city moms and suburban moms

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 JACQUINETE BALDWIN, JAVIER GOVEA PHOTOGRAPHER THOMAS KUBIK OF TK PHOTOGRAPHY CONTRIBUTING WRITERS KEELY FLYNN, JENNY MUSLIN, LORI ORLINSKY, JOSANNAH TERRY, SHANNAN YOUNGER PHOTOGRAPHY COORDINATOR TIANA KUBIK CHICAGO PARENT ADVERTISING SALES ANNETTE COFFEE, CHRISTINE GRIFFITH, LOURDES NICHOLLS, KAREN SKINNER BUMP CLUB AND BEYOND SALES LISA ALBANO, 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 CALEB THUSAT MARKETING 2 MOMS MEDIA BUSINESS MANAGER JOYCE MINICH COFOUNDERS DAN HALEY, PUBLISHER OF CHICAGO PARENT LINDSAY PINCHUK, FOUNDER AND CEO OF BUMP CLUB AND BEYOND HOW TO REACH US 141 S. OAK PARK AVE. OAK PARK, IL 60302 (708) 386-5555 CHIPARENT@CHICAGOPARENT. COM INFO@BUMPCLUBCHICAGO.COM

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3/31/17 12:54 PM

HEY BABY

Three working moms dish on careers, multiple kids and “having it all”

ACTS

G N I C N A L A B

BY ELIZABETH DIFFIN

PHOTOS BY THOMAS KUBIK

Piper-Lori Parker, 41 ✻ Founder of Zen Yoga Garage in Bucktown ✻ Spouse: Patrick Moorhead ✻ Children: Parker, 4, and Pendleton, 6 months ✻ Baby must-have: Mixie Formula-Mixing Baby Bottles For you, what is the difference between being a first- and second-time mom?

I’ve actually enjoyed this the second time. …

The fears are less. If there’s a little sickness or a little hiccup, I’ve been through it once already, so I know it’s going to be OK. … It’s always stressful to be pregnant. I guess when you’re older, there’s a little bit more to think about.

But you’re also, hopefully, a little bit wiser and a little bit calmer. … [Now] it’s more compliChicagoParent.com

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cated. There’s more scheduling logistics. But I would say there’s more happiness in my house.

Everyone’s having more fun. … He’s a very jovial baby, and I think it’s because I’m a more relaxed mom.

How do you balance being a business owner and a mom of two?

[Parker] was six months when we opened [ZYG]. That was a lot. It was very intense. I was just trying so hard to keep both afloat. … I could work every single minute of every single day; there’s always marketing to do, there’s always some initiative to get more people in the door. But I’ve got to let it go because this is what’s most important right now. So I’m just learning how to turn off the work muscles.

Why is yoga such a good thing for new moms to do?

For an hour, for a couple of hours, it’s a perfect little escape to close your eyes, sweat, CO N T I N U E D O N PAG E 8

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HEY BABY REAL MOMS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7

move a little bit. … It helps with body image and bouncing back physically. … Yoga makes the world a better place, it really does. We breed positivity here. So it’s making a difference a little at a time, not just for moms, but for everyone. We can have an influence on our own families and on the world.

Are there certain yoga principles you use in raising your boys?

There are yoga principles that I do teach to Parker and will teach to Pen. They’re called the yamas and niyamas.

It’s basically a code for living life as a functioning, balanced, content person. These are hundreds of year old principles from ashtanga yoga.

It’s truthfulness, non-violence, non-hoarding, contentment, surrender. That’s kind of how I try to live my life and I do tend

to teach them those principles just by default.

But it’s important to tell [the kids] what it actually is as well. …

Non-violence has come up [with Parker].

With little boys, on the playground and at school, it’s come up a couple of times.

It’s just a great way for me to tie it all together. … It’s not just what you’re told to do; it’s a way to live your life.

What are your favorite spots to take your sons in the city?

Parks are our favorite. Lucy Flower is our go-to in Logan Square, and Ehrler Park we really love because a lot of

the kids from the daycare go there as well. … Some of those parks are just so comfortable, and you get to meet some of the other moms. It makes Chicago feel like a small town at times. …

I want to encourage people to keep their kids in the city. You will probably need to make some financial sacrifices to do it, but there really is so much to gain from staying in the city, or even visiting the city, if you’re in the suburbs. Utilize this city for all that it offers, culturally, for the kiddos.

It’s easy for us to stay in our little bubble sometimes, and outside of it can be magical for them.

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HEY BABY

Keli Smith, 32

some Cheerios and a diaper; that’s all you need.

✻ Founder of Kaike, an all-natural and vegan beauty brand ✻ Spouse: Kwayland ✻ Children: Kyree, 11; Khloe, 8; Kennedy, 4; Kamryn, 6 months ✻ Baby must-have: Rubber teether; essential oils

What’s your favorite thing to do with Kamryn?

We like to have conversations. She’s quite the talker.

We sit in the bedroom, she’ll sit up and we’re all just kind of talking. And she’ll look back and forth to each one of us. … She’s starting to interact with you. She looks forward to seeing you. She recognizes when I come to pick her up from my mom’s house. I still breastfeed, so she’s grabbing my face and touching Chinese me. It’s Postpart like we’re bonding together. We’re both active A K A "Zuo Yuez in communicating with each other.

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Were there any changes having a baby this time around?

It was very different than the other three because she was the only one without an epidural. … The bond was so much stronger and closer. I actually cried at this one as opposed to the previous three. It was much more emotional for me. … I was present the whole time and I felt everything. … We had our first when I was 20; I was nervous about everything. “I’m having a pain here, what does that mean?” and always calling the doctor’s office.

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HEY BABY

REAL MOMS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

How do you balance launching a new business and having your family?

I heavily rely on my planner. I have to account for every moment of my day. …The whole purpose for me starting Kaike was to be more available for my kids. So now, since I’ve started it, I’m more willing to say no to something that isn’t a good use of our time or won’t benefit everyone. I’m more protective of our time together as a family. Even though I use my planner more, I’m less likely to pack all that time in. I leave a lot of space. But I’m really focused on the end goal of doing Kaike full-time.

How do you feel about the label ‘momtrepreneur’?

I love it. It completely exemplifies not only what I do but how I do it. Because I do everything with a focus on my family. … Some of the events that I go to and some of the networking meetings, a few moms have their babies there too and we kind of see each other; we acknowledge each other.

What advice would you give to a fellow momtrepreneur?

To include your kids in the process. Each [of my kids], in their own way, want so desperately to be involved, to help. They want to be in the 10 Spring 2017 • Hey Baby

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way. So I kind of had to teach myself to let it go. If they make a mess, it’s not a big deal. Because the gratification is seeing their faces light up when they get a chance to help. … Include them and let them be a part of it, even if it messes up. … I hope that [my kids] know that anything that they want to do, whatever their little hearts desire, is an option. Even now, as I own my own business, my son is developing his own business. He wants to do something; he doesn’t know what yet, but he wants to be an entrepreneur.

With everything else going on, how do you find time for your relationship with your husband?

We find little moments throughout the day, either that’s through texts or calls or little love taps, to just kind of touch base. … Once we get into bed [at night], we use that as our talk time.

So we kind of go through what was our day like, what were some of the difficulties, these are some of the wins we had today. We talk about our dreams, we do our devotional. We use that time before going to sleep—it usually ends up being an hour or longer—where we just connect more on an emotional level. …

[And] we have a lot of at-home date nights.

ChicagoParent.com

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HEY BABY

Simone Halpin, 37 ✻ Director of Naomi’s House, a residential home for women who have suffered from commercial sexual exploitation ✻ Spouse: Anthony ✻ Children: Mattie, 10; Eli, 7; Asher, 4; Liv, one month ✻ Baby must-have: Burt’s Bees diaper cream Did you always think you would have a big family?

Going from zero to one, in terms of children, was definitely the hardest thing I’ve ever done.

It felt like I ran into a brick wall. It was really challenging. I think I probably had a little postpartum depression now that I look back. Then when we had Eli, it wasn’t as scary, it wasn’t as difficult, but … I thought, “We’re done.” …

Within a couple of years, I got pregnant and miscarried, and that was just such a shock. …

And so we really grieved that loss and sensed that our family just wasn’t complete yet. Soon thereafter I got pregnant with Asher. … It was a very tender pregnancy where there were times where we weren’t sure if I would be able to carry him to term. And so after him, it was like “As many babies as we can possibly have.” … But right around that time is when Naomi’s House really … started to come to life, and I kind of submitted to this idea that Naomi’s House would be my next baby. … We were so surprised to find out I was pregnant with Liv. … The reality is Liv is a gift that God gave us that we were too chicken to ask for.

Do you have a favorite thing to do with her?

Usually between the 5-6 a.m. feeding, when she’s done, I do a little tummy time with her, but I hold her on my chest. And I’ll probably sit there and hold her and burp her for 30, 45 minutes. 6 a.m. is so sweet to me because nobody else is up, there’s no dog trying to escape, it’s just her and I. … She’s not going to do that forever; she’s going to get to a point where she’s going to be squirmy and wants to crawl or sit up or whatever.

Naomi’s House opened just two months before Liv was born. How did you handle all of that?

It was difficult for me to let go. The day before I went into labor, I was on the phone [talking] about some things we needed to tweak, and I just remember thinking, “This is just going to have to wait.” … I think there is ChicagoParent.com

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a maternal aspect to what we do at Naomi’s House in the sense that we’re really cheering for our women that live there to thrive and to fulfill their God-given purposes. And that’s a very similar feeling as a mom.

What are your “tricks” for balancing work and home life?

It’s not about balance, it’s about boundaries.

If we are approaching life trying to balance things, then I don’t know that we’ll ever succeed. … We want to give 100 percent to whatever it is that’s in front of us. So for me, I want to give 100 percent to my husband. He is my partner and I am committed to him forever. …

I want to give 100 percent to my kids. I want to be fully engaged, involved and so present in their lives. … And I want to give 100 percent to Naomi’s House. If I tried to balance that, I’d have to cut that up and say 10 percent to this and 20 percent to this, and I’m not giving 100 percent to anybody. … Instead of trying to do everything really well, narrow down what it is that you’re passionate about or that you’ve been entrusted to do.

Have there been any surprises about having your fourth child?

I’ve been a little surprised that there have been some things that I thought I should have known. I had to call a lactation consultant and say “Pretend I’ve never had a baby.”

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3/30/17 10:46 AM

HEY BABY

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3/30/17 10:46 AM

HEY BABY

Lean on me

W

Moms share advice to remember AS SHARED WITH KEELY FLYNN

hether you’re thinking about making the jump from one kid to two or simply want some reassurance that it’s all going to be OK, no one has your back like veteran mamas.

Here’s some great advice from the ones whose kids have been there, done that and have the ER stitches to prove it.

Everyone has an opinion.

Ignore ‘em early and often.

“The hardest part about being a first-time mom was the general public.

Not friends, not family, just the random lady in Target.”

“One school of thought doesn’t work for every child—even within families.”

“We think that what our babies are doing is an extension of us. It’s not.”

Let it go…let it go…

“Going from your first to your second child, you say ‘Oh, I know how to parent.’ Going from second to third, no one expects the level of parenting that you had with your first. She’s wearing socks? Great.”

“Your child will eventually get hurt whether you’re standing 10 inches or 10 feet away from them.”

The kids are all right “I worry about always being emotionally present, but I’ve learned to say ChicagoParent.com

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‘What I have for you in this moment is enough.’”

“You’ll have a newborn and then see your toddler and think he’s a giant.”

“Nobody has the luxury of sleeping the way that your first kid does—and they’re all fine.”

Find your tribe “I love being friends with people who have kids older than mine. It keeps things in perspective.”

“You’ve got to find your crew you can be honest with. You find the people you can roll with and admit what’s hard.”

“Figure out ways to do drop-offs and pick-ups; you don’t need to do it all on your own. It benefits kids to have a bigger community of people they trust.”

And as for those best-laid plans?

“No adult introduces themselves with their own birth story.”

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HEY BABY

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ChicagoParent.com

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HEY BABY

Colleen McGoey CHICAGO 19 WEEKS

What I’m feeling this month: Forgetful and in awe that this bump is actually my growing baby!

Shannon Fura Page

Saquenna Watkins

WILMETTE 14 WEEKS

HAZEL CREST 22 WEEKS

What I’m feeling this month: Super excited and switching between energized and tired. Such a strange thing!

What I’m feeling this month: Like a punching bag with my active baby.

BEAUTIFUL BUMPS Annie Smith CHICAGO 39 WEEKS

What I’m feeling this month: EXCITEMENT! Disbelief. (Our journey to get pregnant was a long one that included several rounds of IUIs and IVF.) Physically uncomfortable but incredibly grateful.

Meet Elizabeth Smith (after 34 hours of labor!)

ChicagoParent.com

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Jesi Verchota INDIAN HEAD PARK 29 WEEKS

What I’m feeling this month: Excited to meet my Rainbow Baby in a few months.

Vicky Reisberg Vi ELMWOOD PARK ELM 32 WEEKS

Wh I’m feeling What this month: Pretty llucky this Rainbow Baby has been such a good boy!

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HEY BABY

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ChicagoParent.com

3/30/17 10:55 AM

HEY BABY

Photo provided by Sloan Wyler

BEYOND PINK AND BLUE Designer tips for today’s coolest nurseries

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BY JENNY MUSLIN

one are the days of standard pink and blue for your baby’s nursery.

Parents-to-be are embracing neutrals, metallics and bold colors for their baby’s digs. We asked some of the top interior designers for their best tips when creating a nonconventional nursery.

Use “grown-up” elements “Nurseries are becoming more sophisticated and the furniture selections are a crucial part of the design,” interior designer Alyssa Judlo (alyssajudlo.com) says. “Easily alter the look of a dresser or changing table by exchanging the hardware to something more substantial.”

Sloan Wyler, interior designer/owner of HomeFlair (homeflairllc.com), suggests parents choose pieces and decor that will grow with their baby instead of those they quickly will outgrow. If your nursery is “baby” themed, you may need to turn over the space more frequently to keep up with your child’s everchanging preferences.

“Using less ‘themed’ decor offers more longevity and adaptability,” she says.

Want to add another sophisticated touch? Suzanne Danilek of Suzanne’s Designs (suzannes-designs.com) recommends adding black and white photographs of your baby to capture that special newborn moment.

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HEY BABY COOLEST NURSERIES CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

Add metallics “Metallic details in girls’ rooms are very fun and work well throughout childhood into the teenage years,” says Danilek.

Don’t know where to start? You can incorporate metallic touches into a fabulous rug, basket or lamp.

Mix and match Wyler notices many people making the mistake of thinking all of their furniture must match (white crib, white changing table, white dresser, etc.). Mixing and matching styles gives the nursery a more eclectic vibe and makes the traditional nursery nontraditional, but still provides all the core furniture for functionality.

Interior designer Brianne Bishop, (brianne bishopdesign.com) often advises clients to repurpose a vintage dresser as a changing table to make the room eclectic and avoid the look of the conventional “three-piece furniture set.”

Paper the walls The number one tip designers love to embrace? A fantastic wallpaper that transforms the space. “There are many papers that include multiple colors, which allow you to still incorporate blues and pinks into the color scheme,” explains Judlo. “Some of my favorite brands are Candice Olson and Thibaut.”

Photo provided by Allison H. Delaney

Similarly, Lauren Behfarin, principal of Lauren Behfarin Design (laurenbehfarin design.com), says wallpaper not only brings color, but is also an interesting focal point.

If you don’t want to wallpaper the entire space, consider adding texture to just one of the walls with a wall covering.

Bishop sees this as a great way to bring interest to the space, outside of painting with a color.

Photo provided by Alyssa Judlo

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ChicagoParent.com

3/30/17 10:57 AM

HEY BABY

Choose an unexpected color “When designing a nursery, I like to use playful and colorful elements that are not your typical pastels,” says Behfarin. Likewise, Bishop is keen on a subdued palette. “Using a warm gray with blush or green undertones keeps it slightly playful without being too intense with color,” she says. “By having the main finishes in the room neutral you can bring in color through small accents such as art, a baby mobile, rug, pillows and a pouf.”

Black and white also is a modern way to achieve a nursery that doesn’t align with

Photo provided

by Brianne Bishop

N DE

H E A LT H A TA L SS

“Bring in these bold hues as accents with wallpaper on the ceiling or a painted dresser combined with neutrals. Rugs and drapery are a great way to infuse color into the room as well,” she says.

OC

PEDI

T D. S, L

AT R

TE IA

IC

gender, says Allison Delaney, interior designer of Honsen Interiors (honseninteriors. com).

Or go bold with colors such as banana leaf green, royal blue, salmon or clementine.

www.chicagokidsdds.com

Mary J. Hayes, D.D.S., M.S.

Mary J. Hayes, D.D.S., M.S. • JoanneD.D.S. R. Oppenheim, D.D.S. Joanne R. Oppenheim, Marilia Montero, D.D.S. Marilia Montero, D.D.S. 737 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1330 737 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1330, Chicago, Illinois 60611 Chicago, Illinois 60611

Tel. 8198 Tel.312 312266 266 8198

LICENSED SPECIALISTS IN PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY SERVING INFANTS, LICENSED SPECIALISTS IN PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY SERVING INFANTS, CHILDREN, CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS, AND PATIENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS SINCE 1980 ADOLESCENTS, AND PATIENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS SINCE 1980

ChicagoParent.com

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Mary J. Hayes, D.D.S., M.S.Spring 2017 • Hey Baby 19 Joanne R. Oppenheim, D.D.S. Marilia Montero, D.D.S. 3/31/17 3:01 PM

HEY BABY

IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS Not-so-obvious ways to enhance your hospital stay

Y

BY JOSANNAH TERRY

Made for mama

P

ou’ve stashed an adorable homecoming outfit and everything else your newbie will need, but taking time to prep a few things for yourself will help make the hospital stay better for the whole family. You’ve got this! to ho

by W

alter John Terry Jr.

✻ A diffuser with calming lavender oil and LED candles can keep the delivery room as relaxing as it can be when, you know, a baby is on the way. ✻ Words can be powerful!

Print out inspirational sayings, a single word or anything else that will encourage you during delivery. The paper takes up a small space, but equipping a husband, doula or other support person with just what you need to hear can make a big difference. ✻ Think about that one beauty item that you can’t live without. For me, it was my favorite lip 20 Spring 2017 • Hey Baby

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balm, aka an adult lovey. During labor, putting this lip balm on gave me a sense of normalcy. Maybe for you it’s a fave hand lotion or something else? Just be sure to pack it and let your peeps know what your goto item is before the push-a-thon begins.

The dad list Being a support person is an intense job, and while we personally had a positive experience at the hospital, there were a few places dads can be overlooked. Dads-to-be can prepare by throwing in a couple of key items for themselves. ✻ If you are normally a debit card kind of guy, don’t forget some small bills and change.

Hospital food service is often just for moms, so dads might need to hit up the good ol’ vending machines for a midnight snack. ✻ Our recovery room looked more like a hotel room than a hospital room, but my husband still had to sleep on the couch! Dads, if there is anything that will help you get some shut-eye, like a compact sleeping bag, bring it! Trust me, a well-rested dad is good for everyone as the newborn marathon begins.

ChicagoParent.com

3/30/17 10:58 AM

HEY BABY

A LOVE OF LEARNING STARTS EARLY

Baby & Me Free !

Mondays o r gram 9:30 a.m. P

Childhood doesn’t get a second chance!

A child’s early cognitive, social, and emotional development sets the stage for future achievement and success. Kohl Children’s Museum provides a free Baby & Me program for children up to 12 months, to meet other new parents and ask questions of an Advocate Lutheran General Hospital nurse. We’re surprisingly serious about play.

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

Oak Park and River Forest... so much to offer!

Deborah J. Wess, Broker

“Home is the nicest word there is” - Laura Ingalls Wilder

708-524-1100 - office • 708-212-1122 - mobile www.youroprfhome.rocks

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

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Spring 2017 • Hey Baby 21

3/30/17 10:59 AM

HEY BABY

My baby registry revisited Of the thousands of baby products out there, 8 you’ll be glad you own

A

BY LINDSAY PINCHUK

lot has changed in the three years since my second daughter was born, and it’s basically a whole new baby gear world since my oldest arrived six years ago. But as much as things have changed, there are some baby basics and products that I used with both girls —and if I could go back in time, I would definitely register for these items again!

1

Muslin swaddle blankets: These are a

MUST for all new moms. They are breathable and light, yet good for EVERYTHING. You can use them on the floor during a playdate, to cover baby in the car seat or stroller, as a nursing cover or as a regular swaddle. The one thing that has changed with these is that now, I would buy from Monica + Andy and shop local.

2

3

Boon Bath Pod, $19.99:

There is nothing worse than toys all over the bathroom.

This organizer helped keep everything out of the tub and contained with both of my babies.

Ergobaby Original Carrier, $120: I’ve had

mine since my first, but really started using it with my second when I wanted to be hands-free. My one regret is that I wish I had used it more with baby number one. The ONE change I would make would be buying the Ergobaby ADAPT ($145), since this newer carrier doesn’t require an infant insert.

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ChicagoParent.com ChicagoParent com

3/30/17 11:00 AM

4

HEY BABY Skip Hop Activity Gym, $75: If there

is one toy to buy for your newborn, it is this one. It’s easy to wash and store, and your baby will play with it every day for the first six to eight months.

5

Skip Hop Pronto Changing Station, $30: This is a MUST for everyone’s registry. It compactly holds diapers, wipes and a change of clothes, so you can throw it in the stroller and go.

6

Itzy Ritzy Wet Bag, $17.99: For nearly

six years, I never left home without one of these. I would put a diaper, wipes and a change of clothes for baby in one of these lined bags before I left the house. If baby had an accident or blowout, I was all set with supplies and had a place to put the soiled clothes.

7 8

Nose Frida, $15.99: There is no better

nasal aspirator, period. This is a must for every registry.

Simple Wishes Signature Hands Free Pumping Bra, $39: If you’re going to

pump and/or go back to work, this is a product you won’t be able to live without. You can check your email or do other things while passing the time during pumping.

ChicagoParent.com

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Spring 2017 • Hey Baby 23

3/30/17 11:00 AM

HEY BABY

A Chicago baby’s

BUCKET LIST What all babies should do their first year

C

BY KEELY FLYNN

ongratulations! It’s a bouncing baby Chicagoan! Living in what’s arguably the world’s greatest city is a heavy responsibility, so here’s a list of ideas that’ll start you out on the right bootie.

APRIL: Head down to the Museum Campus with your sleep-deprived folks; don’t they deserve a little astronomy or dolphin-call therapy?

Your ticket is free and your first skyline photo is priceless.

MAY: Sit in a beer garden. It’s a win/ win: you’ll earn some neighborhood cred and your parents will enjoy a grownup beverage while you take a guaranteed nap.

JUNE: Chicago’s architecture is second to none, and a guided river tour will help some local smarts sink in.

Plus, boats are shiny!

JULY: Take in a Cubbies or Sox game—complete with Red Line ride.

Whether you like to play at Wrigley or, uh, Guaranteed Rate Field, you’ll look adorable in your team colors for your first CTA selfie. (Bonus: if you’re into being worn, it’ll be the least germy train ride you’ll ever take.)

Holy cow! These babes, Grant Ray, 7 months, of Chicago, Kendra Oluewu, 9 months of Chicago, and Kaya Dankowski, 8 months, of Des Plaines, are ready for some baseball.

Photo by Thomas Kubik

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ChicagoParent.com

3/30/17 11:01 AM

HEY BABY

AUGUST: Dip a tiny toe into the lake. A shady nap at Montrose Harbor? A stroll down by Oak Street Beach? A full-fledged Chicagoan touches Lake Michigan at least once a summer.

SEPTEMBER: Party at a street fest. Sure, you haven’t quite acquired the taste for deep-fried Twinkies (yet), but learning to support a local ‘hood (and dancing in the street) should start early.

Sophie Poeppelmeier, 1, of Chicago.

Photo by Thomas Kubik

OCTOBER: Go apple picking. Chicago babies learn early that autumn is prime “apple everything” weather, and it’s an unwritten law that Chicago parents need at least one photo of their baby sitting in an orchard. (Overalls optional, but highly encouraged.)

CO N T I N U E D O N PAG E 2 7

FIRST CLASS IS FREE!

Baby Sensory birth - 13 months

at Wicker Park Early Childhood Center Internationally award winning classes run in 18+ countries A unique, fun and magical learning experience for baby and parent (or caregiver) Activities designed to best stimulate learning and development Spend quality time with baby, and enjoy meeting other new parents

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1454 n bell avenue, chicago, illinois - 847.208.2081 www.wickerparkecc.com - lizzy@wickerparkecc.com ChicagoParent.com

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Spring 2017 • Hey Baby 25

3/31/17 2:27 PM

HEY BABY

Sunday, April 30th, 2017 | 9am-4pm | Swissotel

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26 Spring 2017 • Hey Baby

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ChicagoParent.com

3/30/17 11:02 AM

HEY BABY BABY BUCKET LIST CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

Photo by Thomas Kubik

NOVEMBER: Take a stroller tour of the Art Institute. Regardless of the weather, you can get your stroll on. And lucky baby, those once-amonth guided stroller tours are absolutely free with entrance. (You’ll be pointing out Seurat’s ‘A Sunday On La Grande Jatte’ to tourists in no time.)

DECEMBER: Like the song says, the lights are much brighter downtown! Stroll State Street for some serious displays and cut over to Millennium Park to see holiday magnificence.

Don’t let the proportions throw you; that tree is gigantic even to the fully grown among us.

MARCH: Check out that famous dyed green river and wear something emblazoned with shamrocks—regardless of nationality.

APRIL: A show at Emerald City’s baby-focused Little Theatre is the start of a beautiful friendship, Chicago stage-wise. (Not only is audience participation from the babbling, crawling set expected, it’s encouraged!)

MAY: Dine on dim sum in Chinatown. If you’ve been given the all-clear, allergy-wise, dim sum is a fantastic way to explore new tastes, textures and finger foods. (Pork bao and sesame balls, anyone?)

Welcome to Chicago, kid; we’re pretty sure you’re going to like it here.

JANUARY: Snuggle up at one of the many Chicago Public Libraries for story time. It’s free, it’s full of potential new pals, and it’s the perfect opportunity for your mom to pick up that book club novel (that she might not get to anytime soon).

FEBRUARY: Warm up at the Garfield Park Conservatory. It may be frigid outside, but in these blissfully fragrant rooms? 80-degree Orchid City.

ChicagoParent.com

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Photo by Thomas Kubik

Spring 2017 • Hey Baby 27

3/30/17 11:03 AM

HEY BABY

It’s happy hour at the Sod Room for Chicago babies Ari Metzl, 9 months, Isabelle Ramirez, 6 months, James Rubenstein, 10 months, and Alexandra Jean Harris, 9 months.

Photo by Thomas Kubik

IF YOU GIVE A CHICAGOAN A BABY…

They’re going to want to know the hottest spots p for littles

W

BY EMILY ADAMS AMS

ith a ridiculous culous number of ways to entertain, enlighten n and enrich, Chicagoland and parenthood comes in a countless number mber of styles, filters and hashtags. So even en though you are about to sacrifice yourr time, sleep and sanity for that little button n of cuteness, you never have to give up p that certain special something that makes akes you you.

Because if you give a Chicagoan hicagoan a baby, you better believe they’re going to make that baby awesome.

28 Spring 2017 • Hey Baby

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If you’re into yoga Namaste in my onesie. Baby yoga iis totally a thing, and it’s just about the most aadorable trend we’ve ever seen. It’s aalso proven to have real hea health benefits for your mini mini-me, including increasing mo motor skills, improving sleep patte patterns and aiding digestion issue issues. So get your asana on momm mommy-andme style at our favor favorite local spots, Bloom Yoga Studio or Sweet Pea’s St Studio. bloomyogastudi bloomyogastudio.com; sweetpeasstud sweetpeasstudio.com

ChicagoParent.com Chicag goP

3/30/17 1:29 PM

HEY BABY

If you’re into cooking Bon appétit, baby! You’re about to embark on the mission of keeping another human being alive, so you should probably know how to make food. There’s no better way to work on your chops than at baby food-making classes, so check out future calendars at The Kids’ Table or Dabble. The best place to score fresh ingredients with littles in tow? Green City Market. kids-table.com; dabble.co/chicago; greencitymarket.org

If you’re into museums You might be anxious at the concept of introducing your little peanut to a huge museum, but Chicago’s best have you covered. Chicago Children’s Museum always has infant and crawler play spaces, and the Oriental Institute offers stroller tours throughout the year. chicagochildrensmuseum.org; oi.uchicago.edu

If you’re into shopping Raise your hand if you could cry because you’re so excited to empty your bank account buying precious baby everything. (It’s the hormones, OK?!) In that case, you have to check out our local fave, Monica + Andy, for the softest, tiniest clothes that make snuggle time mandatory. All the trendiest strollers, furniture and gear? It’s gotta be Galt Baby. And for the sweetest boutique finds of all time? Try Twinkle Twinkle Little One and The Red Balloon Co. Let the shopping binge commence! monicaandandy. com; galtbaby.com; twinkletwinkle littleone.com; theredballoon.com CO N T I N U E D O N PAG E 3 0

www.lppschools.com

ChicagoParent.com

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Spring 2017 • Hey Baby 29

3/30/17 11:07 AM

HEY BABY

James Rubenstein and Leia Vitoc, 11 months, of Chicago Photo by Thomas Kubik

HOTTEST SPOTS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

If you’re into happy hour Play places are about to become your everything, and Sod Room is one all new moms and dads should know. Even though it doesn’t come with alcohol, Sod Room does have a happy hour deal for $8 drop-in play admission.

Still craving an after-work pick-me-up? Lincoln Park’s Homeslice has mouthwatering pizza, a superb drink menu and is just as baby-ready as you are, you parenting stud you. sodroom.com; getsomehomie.com

If you’re into music

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30 Spring 2017 • Hey Baby

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You might not be moshing or crowd surfing as much as you used to, but babies adore (and benefit from) all the music they can get. Music junkies absolutely have to sign up for one of Old Town School of Folk Music’s Lullabies or Wiggleworms classes and at Mr. Dave Music if they want to ignite that passion in their child really, really early on. For the utmost artistic diversity, check out the JuiceBox programs at Chicago Cultural Center and Garfield Park Conservatory. Rockabye on, little ones, rockabye on. oldtownschool.org; cityofchicago.org; mrdavemusic.com

If you’re into books Lucky for you, reading and babies go hand-in-hand.

Your future bookworm is also lucky that they hang their mobile in Chicago, where the Chicago Public Library has baby-friendly storytimes up the wazoo. Check out its calendar online for more info. Hoping for another happy ending? City Lit Books’ storytimes are total page-turners. chipublib.org; citylitbooks.com ChicagoParent.com

3/30/17 11:12 AM

HEY BABY

Jonah Waitz, 7 months, of Chicago, with his parents on The 606.

Photo by Thomas Kubik

Stroller-worthy strolls

A

Pro hint: Fresh air makes happy babies

BY KEELY FLYNN

h, those unfettered days of travel. Well, now you roam as a pack animal, but fear not: you still have ample opportunity to stroll to your heart’s content, city and ‘burb alike. Try these spots to walk like you’ve got nowhere else in the world to be (until dinnertime, that is).

Spanning the The 606 Yes, everyone’s been raving about the abandoned Bloomingdale train line-turned-conservationist’s paradise, but with good reason; miles and miles of beautiful, stroller-happy pathways, and more stuff to do in Logan Square and Bucktown than you can ChicagoParent.com

HeyBaby0317_031.indd 1

shake an artisanal stick at. Pro tip: You’ll never regret hopping off at California for a quick trip to Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits. (Urban babies like cheddar grits.)

1801 N. Ridgeway Ave. to 1722 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago CO N T I N U E D O N PAG E 3 2

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3/30/17 1:25 PM

HEY BABY STROLLS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31

Coasting the Lakefront Trail Chicago’s lakefront boasts 18 miles of vehicle-free trails (except, of course, for the multitude of cyclists and Bugaboos), whether you start at the Museum Campus, Belmont Harbor or any point north to Edgewater. There are, quite

Hiking in Harms Woods Glenview, Morton Grove and Skokie locals swear by the 250-acre Harms Woods as a great place to get your fresh air fix. Trails are well-marked and take bikers and strollers alike past golf courses, horse pastures and even part of the Chicago River. And easily accessible to one of those trails? Popular restaurant Hackney’s for a well-earned burger (and maybe even a beer).

Old Orchard Road and Harms Road, Skokie

literally, hundreds of places to stop and snack, play “I Spy” with boats, and enjoy Chicago landmarks that are 100 percent free. (Lincoln Park Zoo, anyone?)

7100 S. South Shore Drive to 5800 N. Sheridan Road, Chicago

Railfanning in Westmont An insider tip reveals that a truly great walk in suburban Westmont involves walking near the Metra track down Quincy Avenue. Not only are there loads of Mama- and Papa-friendly places to refuel, but parks, shops, fountains and plenty of train sightings ensure a squeal-filled jaunt (as well as plenty of chances to educate your future conductor on proper train safety).

1 W. Quincy St., Westmont

jBabyChicago Delivering Jewish Community to Families playgroups • classes • baby swag

Get connected: juf.org/jbabychicago

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

32 Spring 2017 • Hey Baby

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ChicagoParent.com

3/30/17 11:13 AM

HEY BABY

Nicole Crowley of Prospect Heights

Spring maternity styles that slay Make ‘em do a double take

V

BY JACKIE MCGOEY

PHOTOS BY THOMAS KUBIK

ivid colors, lightweight fabrics and a special attention to comfort and fit are all the makings of a fabulous maternity wardrobe. We asked three Chicago-area moms to ditch their everyday looks and step into the hottest trends of the season for expectant and new moms to prove it.

ChicagoParent.com

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2nd trimester

Mom: Nicole Crowley of Prospect Heights Occupation: Stay-at-home mom How far along: 18 weeks Describe your pregnancy style: Casual and pretty, with a touch of sparkle. I love leggings and dresses because they’re comfortable, but I’ll throw on a sequined jacket or sparkly jewelry with it.

CO N T I N U E D O N PAG E 3 4

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3/30/17 11:14 AM

HEY BABY FASHION CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33

The style gurus: Kickin’ Maternity 2118 W. Roscoe, Chicago kickinmaternity.com A Pied Shoe Boutique 2037 W. Roscoe, Chicago apiedshoeboutique. blogspot.com

The look: Leota | Madison Faux Wrap Dress, $145 (non-maternity, sizing up is recommended) Corso Como | Caitlynn Strappy Sandal in Pewter, $129 This versatile wrap dress can work for the office (just add a structured blazer or soft cardi) or for date night.

The punch of colors is just the energy boost moms-to-

Nicole Crowley of Prospect Heights

be need coming out of the first trimester.

The look: Queen Mum | Grey Capri Denim, $159 Noppies | Lila Coral Striped Top, $79 Noppies | Duster Striped Spring Sweater, $129 Fly London | Cupid in Scarlet, $180 TOMS sunglasses (from A Pied), $155 This bright and breezy layered weekend look is a more put together version of a simple tee and jeans. The length of the duster offsets the horizontal stripes and helps elongate the frame, and the fitted tee shows off mom’s best accessory: the bump!

3rd trimester

Mom: Rachel Tran of Huntley Occupation: Part-time bank teller How far along: 34 weeks Describe your pregnancy style: Casual, comfortable and chic. I’m happiest in something stylish and fitted to show off my bump.

The style guru: Belle Up Boutique 520 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 3, Chicago belleup.com

The look:

Rachel Tran of Huntley

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Seraphine Maternity | Tara Printed Shirt Dress, $112 Cupcakes and Cashmere | Bailey Vegan Leather Biker Vest, $130 Elise M | Leather Lasso Belt in Cognac, $33 Progressive Cubic Necklace, $22 Leather Chevron Bracelet, $24 Hammered Double Cuff Bracelet, $24 Adjustable Layered Disc Ring, $20 Dolce Vita | Sutton Bootie, $139.95 (available at Nordstrom) ChicagoParent.com

3/30/17 11:15 AM

HEY BABY The shirt dress is a mom-to-be spring staple. Show off a playful side with an eye-catching print in a bold color and add a touch of edginess with a biker vest. This buttery vegan leather version in taupe is a softer alternative to black.

The look: RD Style | Cold Shoulder Swing Top, $58 Ripe Maternity | Isla Ankle Grazer Jean in Clean Fade Wash, $108 KUT from the Kloth | Amelia Denim Jacket in Serpa Wash, $79 MH | Sterling Silver Bar Earrings, $26 Lasso Necklace, $25 Leather Wrap Bracelet, $28 Vegan Leather Amaya Braided Tote, $48 Dolce Vita | Sutton Bootie, $139.95 (available at Nordstrom)

Rachel Tran of Huntley

ChicagoParent.com

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The peekaboo shoulder detail makes this outfit, and the flowy fabric would look just as cute without a bump as it does with one, making it a great piece to hold onto post-pregnancy. Pair with skinny jeans and top it off with a few statement accessories for the perfect girls night out ensemble.

CO N T I N U E D O N PAG E 3 6

Spring 2017 • Hey Baby 35

3/30/17 11:16 AM

HEY BABY FASHION CONTINUED FROM PAGE 35

Razan Jaber of Bensenville

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 Lori Smerz at lori@chicagoparent.com.

36 Spring 2017 • Hey Baby

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ChicagoParent.com

3/30/17 11:46 AM

HEY BABY

4th trimester

Mom: Razan Jaber of Bensenville Occupation: Ultrasound technician How far along: 10 weeks postpartum Describe your post-pregnancy style: A mix of classic and contemporary. I enjoy the opportunity to dress up because I wear scrubs every day for work.

The style guru: Majamas 2140 W. Fulton St., Chicago majamasboutique.com

The look: Majamas | Elina Hoodie in Pebble, $63 Majamas | Tide Tunic in Popsicle, $64 Majamas | Comfort Legging in Ishikari, $19.95

Hello, gorgeous Hair and makeup provided by: &blowdry 1315 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago andblowdry.com This easy, sporty look is perfect for active moms on the go.

Ditch the basic black leggings for this comfy, ultra feminine pair; the soft, low rise waistband is gentle on post-C-section incisions. The forgiving silhouette of the cheery, coral-colored tunic hides any (real or perceived) flaws.

Now Enrolling Ages 2-11

814 W. Eastman St. Chicago, IL 60642 admissions@bischicagolp.org 773-907-5000 www.bischicagolp.org

ChicagoParent.com

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BISC Lincoln Park offers an innovative and international education for children amidst a global community of learners.

Our experienced faculty deliver personalized learning that ensures every child reaches their potential, explores their passions and gains a global perspective.

Part time and full time nursery programs available.

Spring 2017 • Hey Baby 37

3/30/17 11:46 AM

HEY BABY

Your baby gear Must-haves for city moms and suburban moms

B

BY LINDSAY PINCHUK

list

gb Pockit compact stroller

aby gear is fairly universal—what one mom and baby need for survival is pretty similar to that of the next pair. But where you live (city vs. suburbs) might end up dictating some of the items on your baby registry.

Here are some favorites, based on whether you live in Lincoln Park or Highland Park.

City mom Skip Hop Central Park Blanket and Cooler, $45: This is a must-have for park playdates, outdoor summer concerts and the beach! skiphop.com JJ Cole Polar Bundle Me (for the stroller!), $119.95: Nothing keeps a city mom from leaving her home. This foot muff will keep your precious cargo extra warm, even on the coldest days. jjcolecollections.com Babybjorn Bouncer Bliss, $239-259: This newly designed bouncer is super soft and it’s also incredibly compact, with a small footprint that makes it perfect for any small dwelling.

The best part? It folds flat for easy storage. babybjorn.com

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Phil&Teds Lobster Portable High Chair, $89.99: This high chair clips on to any stable table or countertop—if you live in small quarters, this is a perfect option for when your baby starts solids. philandteds.com ChicagoParent.com

3/30/17 11:21 AM

HEY BABY

Suburban mom Project Nursery Monitor, $299.99: Not only is this monitor wireless (a great safety feature!), but it also has the world’s smallest monitor screen that you can take anywhere around your house and still have eyes on your baby.

Diaper Dekor Diaper Pail Plus, $39.99: One for every floor! Trust me! (This goes for the city too, but most city dwellers don’t have more than one floor.) diaperdekor. com Stokke Tripp Trapp, $249, with Baby Set, $69: This is one of my favorite high chairs that blends in nicely with the décor of any home. stokke.com

Every mom A compact stroller: Everyone needs this, but for different reasons!

City mom: This is imperative if you will be going on public transportation. Something that collapses easily and quickly is a must.

Recommended: gb Pockit, $249.99, or Babyzen YoYo, starting at $420. gbchildusa. com; babyzen.com Suburban mom: A must-have to keep in your trunk for trips to the mall or other places where a stroller is key, but you don’t want to bring a whole big system. It’s a bonus if it reclines for naps on the go. Recommended: Uppababy GLuxe, $199, or Summer Infant 3D Lite, $69.99. uppababy.com; summerinfant.com ChicagoParent.com

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Spring 2017 • Hey Baby 39

3/30/17 11:21 AM

HEY BABY

Baby wants

MORE

The scoop on using sign language to help your baby communicate

E

It’s a myth that signing discourages babies from learning to talk.

“Using signs actually makes it easier for babies to learn to talk.

Signing is to talking like crawling is to walking—a natural step in development.”

Dr. Linda Acredolo

BY MEGAN MURRAY ELSENER

very parent has experienced the frustration of their baby pointing at something, but not understanding what they really want. Then frustration turns into tantrums and tears, for both parents and baby.

Teaching your baby sign language, especially a few easy signs, can make all the difference and actually propel their language skills.

According to Dr. Linda Acredolo, co-author of Baby Signs: How to Talk With Your Baby Before Your Baby Can Talk, and founder of the Baby Signs Institute, babies have the mental capacity to communicate long before they can say words.

“With signs literally at their fingertips, babies are able to communicate what they need, what they see, what they remember and even how they feel,” Acredolo says.

She suggests the first signs to teach are “milk,” “more,” “all gone/ done,” “eat” and “ball” because they are easy to do and apply to daily life.

Laura Berg, author of The Baby Signing Bible: Baby Sign Language Made Easy, adds “mom/dad,” the sign for the family pet and one for baby’s favorite toy to that list.

She recommends parents start to use and model sign language when their baby is between 4 and 9 months.

Easy on parents In today’s smartphone society, access to sign language is literally in your hands. Berg created an ASL dictionary app for parents called My Smart Hands, which features quick 40 Spring 2017 • Hey Baby

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videos to show the motions for the words, so parents quickly can learn on the go.

Acredolo and her co-founder Susan Goodwyn created the Baby Signs Program, baby signstoo.com, which features online classes and workshops to learn baby sign language.

ChicagoParent.com

3/31/17 1:22 PM

HEY BABY

GET THE FACTS: Your parental leave rights

S

BY EMILY ADAMS

o you’re having a baby, huh?

There are about 2 million things to figure out before your bundle of joy arrives, but the one thing that shouldn’t have you panicked is work.

Unfortunately, the U.S. is grimly behind the rest of the developed world when it comes to paid parental leave.

12 WEEKS WEEKS Your employer is covered if it is: A public agency A local education agency A private sector employer who employs 50 or more people

According to the International Labor Organization, a United Nations agency, the only other country that doesn’t guarantee paid leave for new mothers is Papua New Guinea. Awesome.

Nevertheless, be aware of your rights before you have “the talk” with your employer to ensure you have the most time possible to get to know your little one.

Currently, the Family and Medical Leave Act entitles eligible employees of covered employers to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave without disruption of health insurance coverage after the birth, adoption or foster care placement of your child.

You are eligible if you have: Worked for a covered employer for at least 12 months Worked at least 1,250 hours of service for the employer during the 12-month period immediately preceding the leave Worked at a location where the employer has at least 50 Other facts to know: employees within 75 miles ■ You can substitute paid leave (sick or vacation leave) to cover some or all of FMLA leave.

■ When you return from FMLA leave, you are guaranteed the same job or an equivalent job.

■ You are entitled to unconditional pay increases while on leave, such as cost of living increases and unconditional bonuses.

■ Your employer must provide critical notices about the FMLA, and you must give your employer notice of leave as well.

*

For more information, visit www.wagehour. dol.gov.

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Spring 2017 • Hey Baby 41

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HEY BABY

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3/30/17 11:25 AM

HEY BABY

Too cute not to share, but ...

O

BY SHANNAN YOUNGER

Do’s and Don’ts for making the best choices for social sharing

Do’s ✻ Use your privacy se settings on social m media accounts.

Ritamaria Laird, clinica clinical al d director at Individual and Family Connection and mom of a 1-year-old, strongly recommends using privacy settings. Make sure pictures of your children are being shared only with people you trust. ✻ Let friends and family know if you don’t want them to share your baby’s pictures.

Devorah Heitner, author of Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive (and Survive) in Their Digital World, notes that some parents keep their kids offline completely, while others limit sharing. “If you have strong feelings, make them known and ask others to not share photos,” she says.

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✻ Realize that you don’t have to share every moment.

Lauren Glaser, an Arlington Heights mom of a 1-year-old and 3-yearold, says she tries not to post too frequently about her children, noting she shares only special occasions like birthdays, milestones and holidays. ✻ Consider how your children may feel when they are older.

“Think twice before you post that photo that may embarrass or even shame your future older child,” Laird advises.

Glaser agrees: “I try to avoid what may embarrass my kids down the road, but I’m not always successful.

I suspect they’ll have me marking some pictures with the ‘only me’ privacy setting once they have a say in that!”

ur parents never had to face this issue: When and what to post about your baby online. It might seem simple, but navigating social media as a new parent can be tricky. So we asked some parents and experts to weigh in with some do’s and don’ts to consider.

Don’ts ✻ Divulge details.

“Be careful sharing information.

Don’t put your ur ur child’s first and last name and birth date online. That’s a lot of data,” Heitner says. ✻ Post pictures of bath time or partially nude pictures.

“As innocent as they are, many predators and child pornographers find their material online. Once a picture is posted, it belongs to the internet,” Laird says. ✻ Forget about the background of photos.

Glaser says she makes sure the background isn’t in front of her home, the kids’ school or daycares. In addition, be considerate of other children also in the picture.

Spring 2017 • Hey Baby 43

3/30/17 11:25 AM

HEY BABY

Rebecca and Anub Abraham, of Skokie, find Goldfish Swim School fun for both kids, Miles, 3, and Mahalia, 7 weeks.

Photo by Thomas Kubik

Doing double duty Activities for mixed-age siblings make life a little easier

F

BY LORI ORLINSKY

rom the second my older daughter, Hayley, could open her eyes, my husband and I had our little superstar signed up for every class under the sun—music, swimming, soccer, bal-

let, cooking and gymnastics. As new parents, making sure Hayley’s mind was always stimulated was important to us. Plus, these outings offered the opportunity to interact with other new (and sleep-deprived) parents.

Fast-forward four years. Hayley is still very active, but now her 1-year-old-sister, Ellie, tags along. Poor Ellie is a typical second child whose eating and sleeping schedule is constantly dictated by Hayley’s social agenda.

Of all the mom-of-two struggles I’ve faced, the hardest for me was figuring out a way to entertain my toddler without neglecting my baby, and to keep my baby busy (and give her the same experiences Hayley had) without boring the older one.

Cue the dreaded mom guilt.

Luckily, after some digging, I found that Chicago is chock-full of fun and educational activities that’ll keep your mixed-age

siblings engaged at the same time.

Plus, as it turns out, research shows that age diversity in activities creates a noncompetitive, nurturing environment for children. (Win!)

44 Spring 2017 • Hey Baby

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Family swim Offered on Friday evenings and at least one other time a month (depending on location), these 90-minute sessions give your littles an opportunity to show off their skills or just splash around and have fun!

Goldfish Swim School, 2630 W. Bradley Place, Chicago; 1930 W. Hubbard St., Chicago ChicagoParent.com

3/30/17 11:24 AM

HEY BABY

Mother Goose on the Loose Lapsit Story Time and Play Designed to promote early literacy in young children up to age 3, these events feature lively read-aloud books and nursery rhymes, followed by open play.

Various Chicago Public Library branches; visit chipublib.org for locations

Sibling Gym Let your little tumblers enjoy stretching, balancing, climbing and jumping at their own pace, as MyGym instructors challenge older and younger children to meet their developmental needs appropriately. The whole family will love the puppet shows they put on.

MyGym, 1461 W. Webster, Chicago

Photo provided by Old Town School of Folk Music

Wiggle & Giggle Together

Sibling Wiggleworms

Intentionally less structured to accommodate a range of ages, this class features activities designed for different stages of development. Through parallel play, your kiddos can engage in block exploration, art and sensory play, story time and more.

Kidville, 1030 W. North Ave., Chicago

This special Wiggleworms class for siblings embraces the big brother and sister role, with a focus on turn-taking and caring for each other, while sharing musical time through interactive songs.

Old Town School of Folk Music, 4454 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago

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Spring 2017 • Hey Baby 45

3/30/17 11:23 AM

HEY BABY

HAPPY 1!

Ideas for a Chicago baby themed birthday party

T

BY JOSANNAH TERRY

o ring in our son’s first year and our survival of 365 days (and many sleep-starved nights) of parenthood, I found inspiration from a cute book called Chicago Baby

by Jerome Pohlen. And how does that song go? With (more than) a little help from our friends (and relatives), my husband and I threw a Chicago-centric celebration.

Check out our ideas to breeze some Windy City style into your first birthday bash!

Da decor

Playing off of the colors of the Chicago flag with the tablecloths, plates and napkins can give the party a classic look with bright pops of red. If you have a crafty buddy with the golden touch when it comes to all things DIY, recruit her to make a banner. The Spritz party supply line at Target has great options. Use red adhesive paper to add the stars of the flag for a first-class decoration in the Second City.

Pies and dogs Order some classic Chicago deepdish from Lou Malnati’s or your favorite pizza joint. As a native Chicagoan, I know these cheesy, gooey pies are serious business, so I will leave that deeply personal choice up to you.

For a playful, homemade route, pay homage to another tried and true Chi-town tradition and set up a hot dog bar.

Photo fun Know your way around Photoshop? Let your tyke take over the iconic skyline for the invite.

Display pictures of your favorite outings around the city. You’ll get extra credit if you really pull it together and print up all of those month photos you took and hang them on your rockin’ flag banner. It’s OK if the seventh and eighth month photos look suspiciously similar.

Gear up Show some pint-sized pride with a city flag or neighborhood map onesie for your baby. Local Goods Smashing Chicago (5422 W. Devon) has munchkins some great options. Let guests know that they can feel free Before becoming a parent, I had no to wear Chicago-related idea that having your toddler attack a birthday cake was a thing. If your nugget stuff, too. A nudge to wear Cubs, Sox, has not had much sugar in the first year, Bears, Hawks and seeing them dig into a smash cake is Bulls gear is the pretty fun. That Chicago flag blue is best gift you can a great color for the frosting that give to the city will end up smeared just sports fanatics in your about everywhere. clan. Bonus points if you win the battle against mommy brain and actually remember to wear something that fits the theme, too.

46 Spring 2017 • Hey Baby

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3/30/17 3:18 PM

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Spring 2017 • Hey Baby 47 3/30/17 12:12 PM 3/30/17 12:32 PM

Say... y cheese! c HEY BABY

Anders

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Lyla

48 Spring 2017 • Hey Baby

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3/30/17 11:22 AM

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3/30/17 11:56 AM

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