Milagros

Our present baby sign language class is full, so we have added a second session that begins on November 2. Sign-up today!

Here are the details!

Diaper Free Baby Meetings are at Milagros on the third Wednesday of the month at 2 pm.

Diaper Free Baby of Portland is a local, free support group that helps promote a natural approach to responding to babies’ elimination needs. This practice is followed worldwide and is known as Elimination Communication, Natural Infant Hygiene, and Infant Potty Training. The process involves observing one’s baby’s signs and signals, providing cue sounds and elimination-place associations, and can be done with or without any diaper use.

If you are using this method, interested in finding out more, or are just curious, please come to a free monthly meeting for Diaper Free Baby at Milagros or check out diaperfreebaby.org

Local massage therapist Gretchen Hogue returns to Milagros to teach a new infant massage series.

This affordable, hands-on class teaches a gentle, loving way to connect with your baby while helping smooth their transition into the world beyond the womb.  The benefits of incorporating massage into your baby’s regular routine are immense – ranging from improved digestion to deeper sleep, relieved stress to increased awareness and physical development.  Further, infant massage helps parents better understand their child’s non-verbal communication which helps build mutual trust and deeper understanding, fostering an even stronger, more intimate bond between you both.

The next four-week workshop series for newborn to pre-crawling infants and their parents begins on October 18th! Here are the details:

Saturdays October 18th – November 8th, 3PM –  4PM
Location: Milagros Boutique, 5429 NE 30th Ave, Portland
Cost: $70 (Sliding Scale available to those who need it)
class size is limited so pre-registration is preferred

If you would like to register for this series or have any questions whatsoever, please contact Gretchen at 971-230-8475 or gehogue@gmail.com

From My Smart Hands:

My Smart Hands with Maria is pleased to announce that a new Level One session will be taught in the Family Room at Milagros Boutique.

What to expect from a Level One Class:
These sessions introduce you to every day words, family signs, foods, animals, emotions, opposites, bed time, and play signs. You will learn recommended first signs; we will discuss the benefits of using American Sign Language (ASL) with infants and demonstrate easy techniques for successfully integrating signs into everyday life. In this 8-week program you will learn over 100 ASL signs to use with your child. Each class allows for review, discussions, songs, and practice of signs in a playful, educational, and language-rich environment where caregivers and children will build their vocabulary. Classes are 45 minutes in length and are created for parents/ caregivers and babies.

This program is recommended for pre-verbal babies with little to no signing exposure. Most babies are developmentally ready for signing back to their caregivers around 8-10 months of age, but exposure to sign can begin at birth. The typical age of attending babies is 6-18 months. If you have an older or more experience baby and wish to take a Level Two class please contact me for more details. Please visit www.mysmarthands.com for more details about My Smart Hands and to see an example of a signing baby in action (click on the “media” tab).

When:
This next session will start on Sunday, September 28 each week through November 16 at 3:00-3:45 p.m

Cost:
The fee for all 8 sessions, with a full color-photo manual of all the signs and songs taught, is $120. This allows for up to 2 caregivers and baby to attend.

How to register:
Contact Maria Gross at maria@mysmarthands.com or call 503-312-2216. This class requires a minimum of 5 families, but is limited to a maximum of 8. A full refund will be given if class is canceled due to low enrollment. Please register by September 21, 2008.

April Series of Biodynamic Birth Classes Begins on Sunday, April 13

From Abbey Barella, Class Instructor:

The focus of the Biodynamic Childbirth class is to create a safe space for families to explore fears, hopes, and strengths connected to the growth of our families. The information and techniques presented in this class apply to any stage of pregnancy.

With community building as a main focus of the classes, everyone can be supported on this shared and sacred journey to parenthood. As we dig beneath the surface of childbirth in today’s culture, we will build a strong a foundation to welcome your child. This is a special and important time, as it is our choices during birth that make up the story of the first moments of our child’s life.

About Abbey:
I am a certified biodynamic birth instructor. I have several years experience working with newborns and their families. I am also the mother of one young daughter. Through an unmedicated and trusting birth with my daughter, and my experiences as a postpartum doula, I believe birth can be an intensely empowering experience for everyone involved. I have a special place in my heart for survivors of childhood abuses.

Cost and how to sign-up:
$85.00 per couple for the four week series. More info at www.blossomingfamily.com

Everyone is welcome to join mamas in this class: partners, sisters, brothers, mothers, friends. We cover nutrition, birth plans, coping techniques, breast-feeding, adjusting to new roles, healthy communication in the family and green parenting.

To sign up, contact Abigail at (971)-221-8846 or blossomingfamily@gmail.com

***
Please note: Unless otherwise noted, all classes and events offered in the Family Room at Milagros are managed and operated by third-parties. Information on classes and events are presented by Milagros on its website for information only. The Family Room at Milagros is available to rent for community events and classes.

Join Elizabeth Wilson Woodyard for this special Yoga class for parents and infants (newborn to pre-crawling).

This 45 minute class requires no prior yoga experience and is a great way to relax, learn and practice simple yoga in a warm and joyful environment for parents and children.

Cost: This class will meet every Monday beginning on March 17th but you may drop-in on any class.  The drop in rate is only $12 for each child (the parent or child care provider is free!) or you can purchase a six-class punch card for only $60.

What to Bring: 2 blankets, water bottle, snacks and be sure to wear loose clothing.

To sign-up or for more information, contact Elizabeth at 503-708-3686 or lizzio@live.com

About the Instructor: Elizabeth Wilson Woodyard is a mother of two and has more than 17 years experience as a yoga instructor for people of all ages.  She brings a love of children, nature, and music into the yoga experience.

Birthing From Within Class Begins at Milagros on May 6th! This class guides expectant parents to a deeper understanding of the physical, emotional, spiritual and social aspects of birth. It provides a multi-sensory, holistic approach to childbirth education. Parents will learn through interactive and creative participation, in a spirit of fun and curiosity. The 4 week series, includes 12 hrs instruction all materials and workbook for $250. To register: www.mothertreebirth.com/classes1.html WHERE: Milagros, 5433 NE 30th Avenue, Portland 97211 - 503-493-4141 - http://milagrosboutique.com

From the instructor:

Infant Massage at Milagros!

A four-week workshop series for newborn to pre-crawling infants and their parents!

Tuesdays, May 13 – June 3, from 11am to 12pm

Cost: $70 (Sliding Scale available to those who need it)

Infant massage is a gentle, loving way to connect with your baby while helping smooth their transition into the world beyond the womb.The benefits of incorporating massage into your baby’s regular routine are immense – ranging from improved digestion to deeper sleep, relieved stress to increased awareness and physical development. Further, infant massage helps parents better understand their child’s non-verbal communication which helps build mutual trust and deeper understanding, fostering an even stronger, more intimate bond between you both.

In this four-week series, you will learn a sequence of simple yet effective massage strokes and gentle stretches that will help your baby discover her own body while supporting and encouraging her natural development. We will also cover specific techniques to help relieve colic, constipation and other digestion discomforts. The environment of this class is relaxed and laid back, allowing you to spend quality time with your baby in the supportive company of other parents while learning a new, fun skill for connecting with your child.

Handouts and massage oil will be provided. Please bring a yoga mat, a blanket or large towel, a pillow, an extra cloth diaper or washcloth and anything you might need for your baby during the class. Partners or other primary caregivers are welcome to come as well!

This class is limited to six babies and their parent(s), so early registration is definitely encouraged!

About Gretchen Hogue, LMT
Gretchen Hogue is a massage therapist (and mom-to-be!) here in Portland with a mama-centered Thai Massage practice. She has found immense joy in working with and supporting moms as they undergo the immense physical and emotional changes that accompany pregnancy and post-partum. Teaching Infant massage has become a very natural extension of her massage work, as she encourages parents to take the therapeutic benefits of massage into their own hands and share it with their children.

If would like to register for the series or have any questions whatsoever, please contact me at 971-230-8475 or gehogue@gmail.com

***
Please note: Unless otherwise noted, all classes and events offered in the Family Room at Milagros are managed and operated by third-parties. Information on classes and events are presented by Milagros on its website for information only. The Family Room at Milagros is available to rent for community events and classes.

Diaper Free Baby, Wednesday, March 19, 2 pm at Milagros

Diaper Free Baby of Portland meets at Milagros on the third Wednesday of the month. Diaper Free Baby of Portland is a local, free support group that helps promote a natural approach to responding to babies’ elimination needs. This practice is followed worldwide and is known as Elimination Communication, Natural Infant Hygiene, and Infant Potty Training. FREE, no RSVP required.

Special Felting Workshop at Milagros!

Saturday, April 5, 1 pm - 3 pm 

This workshop is for adults (ages 17 and up).

Signing up and Class Cost: $25 per person, includes all supplies. To sign-up or for more information contact Jessica at 503-788-7031 or email at info@waldorfdolls.com

About the instructor: Jessica Peill-Meininghaus is a local artist who has been felting for 14 years. She specializes in child-themed sculptures and tapestries. She is a mother of four children and teaches afternoon felting classes through a program in Portland Public Schools. She lives in SE Portland where she runs her small online art and toy business now entering its seventh year.