Pre-natal care: Pregnancy Massage

by Amanda

Pregnancy can bring much joy and excitement as you learn that your family will be growing and you prepare for your little loved one to enter into your life.  However, with this joy one may also experience common aches, pains and discomfort as the body expands and prepares for the growth and delivery of your precious baby.

With only 6 weeks left (hopefully not 8!) before we get to meet our little girl I have found this pregnancy much harder on my body than the first.  I noticed I looked pregnant sooner then second time, my round ligament pain started earlier, sciatica problems which were easily relieved by yoga before were a bit more of a nuisance and my body was just plain exhausted all the time.  Now, some of these symptoms could have been increased due to the fact that I have a super cute but active 20 month old to chase around but even with taking much care of my body, practicing yoga daily, eating well and sleeping lots I found things still just felt different.

I am one of the few “blessed” women who experience nausea through their entire pregnancy.  Nausea may actually be down playing it a little.  What I experience is downright ugly and I carry a garbage can with me everywhere because you just don’t know when you may need it for 40 weeks.

There is only one thing that can make my nausea, discomfort, pain and aches completely disappear or at least lessen.  That thing is…… MASSAGE!  I worship my massage therapist. I met her when I was only 12 weeks pregnant with our first child and we became fast friends. She was hired as our doula and I had massages at least every 4 weeks.  As I near the end of this pregnancy I have been seeing her every three weeks and it has been divine!  My body continues to thank me.

When having my massage it is the only time I can once again lay on my stomach with complete ease and comfort. The special cushioning system ensures that the belly is supported at all times but that there is lots of room for baby and that both mom and baby are comfortable. The cushioning and padding provided under the chest ensures that sore and growing breasts are comfortable throughout as well.  As soon as I lay on that magic table, face down; I feel my body begin to ease.  The hands of my therapist warmly and with great intentions of healing begin to ease my mind, body and soul.

When you are pregnant going to a massage therapist who specializes in pre and postnatal care is crucial.  It is not only your body that they are working on but that of your unborn child as well. Anything you as the mother are feeling can be passed onto the child.  Aches and pains the mother is feeling can be because of various positions or growth of the baby. It is important that your therapist is experienced and knowledgeable.

I cannot recommend enough the importance of taking care of your body as you grow such a precious and innocent little baby that will become a part of this world.  Take time out for yourself, pause and enjoy the positive moments of life.  While you are at it book yourself a prenatal massage….you deserve it!

Amanda DeGrace is mom to a 20 month old boy and a baby girl due in 6 weeks.  When she is not at her massage therapists enjoying her treatments she can be found running her company DeGrace Energetics (www.amandadegrace.ca) & Little Lotus Yoga (www.littlelotusyoga.ca) and is the Fitness Supervisor at the Ottawa Athletic Club.

Learning to love art: Art classes at 4Cats

by Brie My four and a half year daughter old started weekly art classes at 4Cats last January. She is now into her second session. She loves it. I love it. I think we even love it for the same reasons.

4Cats is an amazing blend of art history and fine art. Each session the kids learn about two artists and get the chance to create art inspired by that artist. So far my girl has studied Tamara de Lempicka, Michelangelo and Degas. Each week Emaly, the amazing 4Cats curator and owner, shares stories about the lives of the artists while the kids work on their art. I am truly in awe of what my girl has learnt. And there is nothing like being corrected on the exact pronoucation of a famous artist my a four year old to make you feel like you should take an art history book out of the library. (I did. It was a kids art history book)

4Cats actually has their own books about each of the artists that the kids study. The books present the lives of the artists in fun ways that engage the kids. They are popular reading material around our house. A favorite with my two and half year old is the Andy Warhol book. Seriously. Any referene to New York has the boy asking about Andy Warhol.

The girl has created some fabulous art at 4Cats. My favorite has to be this Tamara de Lempicka portrait she painted of her brother.

I also love the Renaissance inspired princess and cat she painted while studying Michelangelo. Right now she is studying Degas and is working on a ballerina painting and horse picture (in oil pastel). I am already trying to decide where to hang the new art.

If your kids love art I would recommend the art classes. 4Cats also offers workshops, birthday parties and summer camps. To quote the 4Cats logo "Art is good!"

Brie is the mom of a 4 year old daughter “the girl” and 2 old son “the boy”. You can read her blog at Capital Mom.

Going with the Flo

by Alanna

Wow,  I was truly amazed and impressed when walking through the Flo Studio one Saturday.  Not really sure what to expect, I was greeted by two wonderful people who have a real love for their craft and their business.  If you are not aware of this new business, let me fill you in. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.



The Furnace

Brownwen Co-Owner giving us a demo

Flo Glass partners Melody Jewitt of Red Om Glass and Bronwen McKnight of Kiss My Glass {Merrickville},   have brought 27 years experience in Glass blowing to Ottawa.  They are a glass arts teaching facility, providing multi-level workshops to the public in the forms of glassblowing, flameworking, fusing and casting.



What does this mean to parents, caregivers and children?  Well, let me tell you.  These two teaming up is a coup for us.  These wonderful artistic people are over the moon excited about sharing their knowledge with us and our little people.  Bronwen is so excited about teaching after years of running her store.  She is ready to share her love for the art with everyone and does so regularly with her own grandchildren.  Yes, that is right, glass blowing for children. Fear not, it is safe.  After being told this I had a few questions.  I am sure that it can be safe after a few lessons? or if the children are above 10 right?  No.  In fact it is safe from the get go.  There is a cordoned off area away from the furnace.  The children are about three feet away from the molten glass while they are rolling and blowing.  In fact, as long as they can blow through the blow pipe children can join in on the fun.  Bronwen and Melody are offering classes, drop-ins and (get this) Birthday parties.

You can bring a group of children to the studio to make an ornament or paper weight OR a Fuzed art piece.  They can accommodate up to 6 children.  With the party they will do a lesson with them including hands on making and designing of their own piece all for 25$ per child.  Although they won't be able to take their creations home with them right away, they will take a memory and experience that won't soon be forgotten.  Pieces are picked up the next day after they have been in the kiln for 3 - 18 hours depending on the piece.

How does it all work?  According to Melody, as long as the furnace is up and running (call ahead to make sure) the children can drop in and make something.  If you are thinking about bringing a group through for a party, they would appreciate at least two weeks notice.

Why not drop in to make something for Mom for mother's day - and hey why not Grandma too!!  I am positive that the children will be over the moon with this experience.

If you give it a go let me know.  I would love to hear your thoughts.

Alanna is a mother of two beauties, Nora age 3 (aka coconut) and Avery 5 (aka polka dot). Former ECE turned mother, party planner and blogger.  Never a dull moment around this house.

An oink, oink here and an oink, oink there

by Natasha Spring is back! There is no better way to welcome the season than taking your kids out to enjoy the fresh air. Last year, we took Baby H on a fun outing to the Valley View Little Animal Farm located off of Fallowfield Road in Ottawa. Our family cannot wait until Valley View re-opens for the season on April 16th, they are open 7 days a week and the admission per person is $8.00. Children under the age of 2 enter free of charge.

I remember driving past this place a million times and never really thought much of it. It looked small, and uneventful. When we ventured in, I found that while it looked small and desolate, it was actually much bigger once in and contained a lot of things. There were numerous activities for little children to partake in. There was nothing about the place that was remotely uneventful.

You can walk all along the farm and see all types of animals.  They have pigs, ducks, horses, deer, peacocks and lamas, just to name a few.

They also have a newborn animal section that had a couple of baby sheep that were only a few days old.  They were absolutely adorable! What is it about cute little sheep that makes me want to cuddle instantly?!

Visitors at the farm can also purchase animal food for 25 cents and feed it to the babies.  Baby H is a bit young to doing this, but the older children at the farm were beyond ecstatic to be doing this. Talk about making farm chores look fun and interesting.

There was also a little train ride that took us across the farm, where a few puppet shows were taking place. In our case, the giant play area with several play structures and sandboxes proved a hit with the little guys. But the cool thing about this farm was the existence of an "Old Farm" museum. Valley View Farm has a barn that houses their private collection of farm equipment from the last century.  There are some hand tools, steam and stationary engines.

If you plan to eat a lunch there, they have a reasonably priced restaurant on site. Baby H got himself a grilled cheese sandwich and just sat there happily munching on it. They also have a few picnic tables if you want to pack your own food.

Overall, this spot is a very nice outing for your family within the city's parameters. You don't need to venture too far to get a feel of a farm. Children go absolutely nuts over baaing animals, and will have plenty of room to run around.

Enjoy the farm everyone!

Natasha is a new mommy to her first born, Baby H. She runs ShopHaven, a blog that reviews products and profiles local businesses and individuals from the Ottawa area. Natasha is also the creative force behind ShopHaven Baskets; a highly customized gift baskets service.

Salsa, Baby!

by Krista My second child was born in the month of November, just as winter was settling upon us. I had grand plans to go for daily walks, and spend as much time outside as I had with my first born, but the fact that winter is COLD and the reality of having two children under two set in pretty quickly. It was much harder to keep both happy outside than I thought, and we didn't go out as much as I liked. I missed the exercise, and the interacting with other moms and babes as I walked through the neighbourhood.

A friend of mine suggested that I join a Salsa Babies class with her, as it would give me an opportunity to get out and exercise with my little girl, and interact with some other new parents. I was interested, but not convinced, as I am not a dancer, and have no rhythm at all. The classes we took were offered through Salsa Babies Ottawa-Gatineau, who offer a free trial class before you commit. All it took was that one class and I was hooked, signing up for several sessions that lasted long past the end of winter. The classes weren't a difficult workout, but they got me moving, and my little Goose loved them.  The sessions were six weeks long, and cost $80.

It is recommended that you start the classes when your child is at least 6-8 weeks old, or at least has some pretty decent head control. You need to have a carrier that you will be comfortable in for about 45 minutes, keeping in mind that you will be dancing around for the duration of the class. I was happiest in a baby bjorn, but there were a variety of other carriers in use. You also need to dress comfortably, and have runners or other indoor shoes, as you are moving around, and tend to get warm (especially with a warm baby attached to you!)

The music is also great. Salsa music is lively and uplifting, and was pretty much guaranteed to make me smile. Goose also love the music, the tempo, and all the fancy maracas she got to play with. The music and the movement were also great for soothing her if she was cranky, sometimes when teething she even slept through the entire class!

One of my big concerns with signing up was my complete lack of skill when it comes to dancing, but this really wasn't a problem with the classes. It is expected that you are not able to dance when you sign up, and you are taught the basics right at the beginning. They then review them every week. The three or four different dances are broken down into simple steps, so that you are not overwhelmed each week, and that you can build on what you have learned. If you are like me and you turn left when you should turn right, and move back instead of forward, you just laugh a lot, enjoy the great music and do what you can do.

Goose and I, having fun!

Krista is married to Willy and mom to a 4 year old son, Woo, and 2 year old daughter Goose. You can find her at Life in the Hutch or on Twitter @kgraydonald