Pediatricians

Yesterday we had Jeremy's 15-month appointment -- time flies! Living in a major city (with the nation's top ranked Children's Hospital in five specialties) provides numerous fantastic choices for pediatric practices. If you select your practice before birth and if the group is on staff at your hospital, the doctors will visit your baby in the hospital. For a nominal fee, expectant parents can meet with pediatricians and select a practice. It's a great opportunity to see the office and meet the doctors.

We considered Society Hill Pediatrics (which we use and with which we are very happy -- it's a group of four energetic, engaged female doctors and a few nurse practitioners -- I am a big fan of the advice line every morning from 8-9) and Queen Village Pediatrics, which is well-regarded and operates out of three locations (and seems to have a nice new website since I looked into practices in the spring of 2008!). Other popular options include Center City Pediatrics (this is a relatively new and now popular group started by Eric Berger), Zavid King Barlett Pediatrics, Jefferson Pediatrics, and of course CHOP General Pediatric Faculty Practice.

Young Scientists!

Yesterday we went on a field trip with 8 adults and 7 babies(!) to the Academy of Natural Sciences. Some of us took Phlash, and it gets easier each time! (See an earlier posting for a description of Phlash.) En route, we admired Logan Fountain. This part of Philadelphia is beautiful and we should definitely explore it more. The museum normally costs $12 per person (butterflies are an additional $2), but it is buy one get one free with a WHYY membership. The Entertainment Book also has a buy one get one free coupon. Of course the museum also has multiple membership options. On this trip we visited the live butterfly exhibit (fascinating to watch butterflies' births, but very warm and humid!), live gecko exhibit (fun to spot the hiding fellows), and some of the dioramas. The highlight was "Outside In" -- the children's museum. The babies left their strollers to explore on hands and feet (and knees) and loved it. For the most part we had brought our own lunches, so we dined in the cafeteria (where they did not have enough high chairs for our large group, but we managed)!

Story Time!

Although we have attended story hours on and off for a while at both libraries and at bookstores, Jeremy has recently started to LOVE books. I think we are going to start attending regularly. Story hours are great and stimulating for all ages -- babies love to observe other babies/toddlers -- and they are free!

On the Free Library of Philadelphia's website, you can search under "events" for a program near you. The schedule is subject to change, but currently Tuesdays at 10:30 AM the Independence Branch (7th and Chestnut) features "Toddler Storytime" and the Charles Santore Branch (7th and Carpenter) features "Preschool Storytime" (where we went today). These sessions were certainly NOT limited to toddlers or preschoolers; many very young babies were present.

Bookstores are also a great locale for story hour. Headhouse Books (lovely independent book store at 2nd and Bainbridge) has a nice session on both Tuesdays and Fridays at 11AM. It is often only 30 minutes, so don't be too late, as I have learned! Barnes and Noble (Rittenhouse) has Storytime on Wednesdays at 3PM.

So, this is just a start and is current as of today, but check the websites or call for the latest schedule.

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia!

Well, not always, but it was sure hot today! One of Jeremy's favorite summer pastimes is playing with his new Step2 water table. We can't wait to venture to Herron Playground, the new "Sprayground" at 2nd and Reed. It sounds fantastic and it is free! Its grand opening was on June 11. While it is probably better for walkers, I am so excited to check it out!

Dining Out!

One of the best things about living in Philadelphia (or any city) is the many restaurant options! We have been taking Jeremy (now 15 months!) out to eat on foot since he was a tiny baby in his bassinet stroller (we were lucky he was born in May, as it was very easy to roll that monstrosity to an outdoor table last summer). As a result, he is fairly well-behaved in restaurants as he has had lots of practice! So, eat out early and often (and outdoors when you can)!

The downside of city restaurants is they don't have much room inside, so once the baby is able to sit in a high chair, it's best to bring an umbrella stroller. Sometimes we brought him in his infant carseat, as that could be put in a restaurant-provided "sling" or even on the booth. (These slings made us huge fans of suburban chain restaurants, especially during the age of the infant carseat). For restaurants, we bought him this wonderful, wipeable Tiny Diner placement that suctions onto most tables. I love it and people often ask us where we got it (Rite Aid for $10 but I have seen it often, including at Babies R Us). It seemed more cost-efficient and environmentally-friendly than the disposable placemats (although we did buy a set to have on hand).

We have had successful meals at Ted's Montana Grill (last night), Buca di Beppo, More Than Just Ice Cream, Marathon, Pad Thai, Rich City (Chinese place on Fifth Street), Sabrina's, Fork Etc., Jones (outside), and Pietros to name a few. When I think of more, I'll add them. Also, Cosi, Potbelly, Saladworks, and Whole Foods are popular, especially when we are traveling with multiple babies.

IHOP is opening soon on 13th and Walnut and we can't wait!!

Haircut time!

Jeremy has already had two haircuts because we get frustrated when people ask how old she is! We have had a hard time finding haircut places for children in the city, surprisingly. The first time we took him to what was formerly Cookie Cutters (in Chestnut Hill) and is now Trim and Proper. The second time we went to Trim and Proper in Ardmore. He sat in a fire truck and they did a good job (meaning they were efficient and caused minimal tears). Trim and Proper doesn't have a web site yet, but I am sure they will have coupons on it when they launch one. Other people have had good luck with adult haircut places, like Supercuts, which is good to know.

To the Zoo!

We recently went on a field trip to the Philadelphia Zoo, on Phlash, like tourists! We went with some friends (five parents and four babies!) and had a blast! The purple Phlash shuttle comes around every 12 minutes and costs $2.00 per person per way (or $5.00 for an all-day pass). The challenge was folding up the stroller with one hand while holding the baby, but we managed. Phlash was so convenient and a fun start to our adventure. I have an individual membership at the zoo, which at the time cost $54 (it is now $59). This includes entry each visit for 2 adults (the "individual" plus a guest) and parking ($10 value!) and children under 2 are free. This is a phenomenal deal as adult entry to the zoo is $18! We particularly enjoyed the primates, birds, and giraffes. Next time we'll visit the new McNeil Avian Center!