The Mostly Weekly Newsletter for Heart of Houston Birth and Wellness Friends and Families
Family Welcome
It should go without saying but we LOVE seeing you and your family around the birth center. When Mary and I were dreaming about this space we said we wanted it filled with families of all kinds. As we approach our one year anniversary in our forever home, we just want to thank you for trusting us with your care. This is has been an amazing year for our team. At last count we've welcomed 146 babies into the HOH family and August looks to be a record month for us as well. So many firsts coming , we're looking forward to welcoming our very first in-house HOH baby thanks to Nurse Rachel. We've enjoyed welcoming more and more repeat clients and now our very first HOH baby gets her shot a being a big sister in the fall.
This weekend we have our very first sibling classes available for free to HOH members! I'm looking forward to spending time with little ones as they prepare to be big brothers or sisters. This class is also open to the public so invite your friends! We have two class option this Sunday: 10am is for ages 3-5 and 11:15am for ages 6-10. Please email me a newborn picture of any child planning to attend and please RSVP .
This S*it is Hard
We had our Meet the Experts event last weekend and it was so fun to see how our friends Molly and DJ were coping with life as new parents. The answer, of course, is that they are doing great. The beauty of the fourth trimester is that your best is more than good enough even if it looks nothing like your best prior to having a baby. It never ceases to amaze me just how resilient new parents can be. So much of your world is changing at once and it's silly to think that you'll cruise on through without hitting any roadblocks. But facing those hurdles with curiosity and grace together, rather than shaming or blaming one another, will ease the adjustments you'll inevitably have to make along the way. If you can't tell I just recently finished the AppleTV series Ted Lasso (yes, I know I'm late to the game) and I love almost everything about it (Roy and Phoebe's teacher, anyone?!).The feel good show is full of lovable and relatably flawed characters. The overall message of optimism, mindfulness and progress over perfection makes for an excellent postpartum binge worthy series. Listen, if you're new to this, there are a lot of things happening right now and it's okay to feel a little of everything! We see you and we are here for you if you need us. We have an amazing community at our Thursday Postpartum circles and we'd love to see you if you're free.
Summer Treats
In case you haven't noticed our wonderful nurse Rachel has been very busy this summer. Growing an entire person takes a ton of energy so I asked Rachel to shares her favorite summer recipes with us.
Bruschetta with Goat cheese
Adapted from This recipe
TOMATO TOPPING
7 medium Roma tomatoes
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
BRUSCHETTA
1 baguette or loaf of French bread
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 clove garlic
INSTRUCTIONS
Toast bread: Preheat oven to 450°F. Cut the baguette into ½" thick slices, on the diagonal, and arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Brush both sides with olive oil. Spread Goat cheese onto bread. Bake for 7-10 minutes or until the bread is golden brown.
Prepare tomatoes: Dice tomatoes into small pieces. Place the pieces into a mixing bowl. Add the olive oil, 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar, chopped basil, salt and pepper and toss to combine. Taste for salt.
To serve: Scoop the fresh tomato mixture onto a slice of bread and enjoy!
Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
Adapted from this recipe. For the salad:
3 15-ounce cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 pint grape tomatoes, quartered
2 English cucumbers, seeded and chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1/4 – 1/2 cup diced red onion (amount to taste)
3/4 cup sliced Kalamata olives
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
FOR THE DRESSING:
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup lemon juice (or white wine vinegar)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions:
Combine salad ingredients in a large bowl.
In a small bowl, whisk together dressing ingredients.
Add dressing to salad, stirring to coat evenly, about 10 minutes before serving.
Save The Date!
Upcoming Events
Core Class: Stages of Labor Wednesday 7/19 6pm: We HIGHLY encourage all expectant clients and their support person(s) to join us for this session. We'll cover ways to support the laboring person at each stage of the laboring process.
Rebel Birth Weekend Intensive Saturday & Sunday 7/22 & 23 9am-1pm: This is complete childbirth education for those who have a rebel heart. Come learn the ins and outs of birth and get to know the tools that will work for YOU as an individual or family. We aren’t peddling one philosophy here, we want to help you to figure out what you want and how to get it! Cost: $250 Whole Heart Collective members receive a 10% discount!
New Sibling Class Ages 3-5 Sunday 7/23 10am This class is for soon to be big siblings between the ages of 3 and 5 years old. We'll read a couple of books, sing a few songs, practice gentle touch and hand washing. Class is FREE to WHC members and HOH clients. $35 for non members. Only one ticket needed per family. Please email a newborn photo of your child to Jessica@heartofhoustonbirth.com by 7/20.
New Sibling Class Ages 3-5 Sunday 7/23 10am This class is for soon to be big siblings between the ages of 6-10 years old. We'll read a few book, set expectations, assisting with baby care and hand hygiene. Kids will go home with a big sibling badge and a craft for when the baby arrives. Please email a newborn photo of your child to Jessica@heartofhoustonbirth.com by 7/20. Class is FREE to WHC members and HOH clients. $35 for non members. Only one ticket needed per family.
Anxiety Circle: Monday 7/24 12-1 Open to HOH clients and Whole Heart Collective Members only.
World Breastfeeding Week Celebration: Sunday July 30th! Check out the flyer above!
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July Events
New address 6550 Mapleridge Ste 100
Monthly Ongoing Events
Thursday In Person Postpartum Support Circle: 10-12 in the community room. Open to current HOH & WHC members. Feeding clinic first and third Thursdays of each month.
Queer Parent Circle: Second Sunday of every month 2-4pm Open to the public.
Babywearing Beginners Series:Every Third Saturday 4-5pm Free for HOH & WHC
Parents of School Age Kids Circle: First Sunday of every month 11-1pm Open to the public.
Birth workers Circle: Second Sunday of every month 11am-1:30pm midwives, student midwives, doulas, birth assistants, Obs and L&D nurses are all welcome to attend.
Mindful Movements: First and second Saturday of each month 10:30-12
Yoga with Bee: Every Monday from 10-11am Open to the public members donation based register here.
Various Childbirth Education Curriculums starting soon: Rebel Birth weekend intensive or Bradley Method with Anne Zwicky
That's all for now! Have a great week everyone.
