Isis Maternity has become a one-stop mama tour de force in the Boston area. With locations in Brookline, Needham, and Arlington, Isis offers a host of programs such as childbirth education, parenting preparation, fitness, mom & baby groups, developmental groups, music and movement classes, workshops, massage & private consultations, and events.

I give Isis high marks for offering drop in playgroups for babes up to 3 years (separate sessions for immobile and mobile babes) given that committing to a weekly group can be tough. Drop in playgroups are free for members and $5 for non-members. See Isis’ website for details on the drop in playgroups and membership details. Membership fees are reasonable ($39 for first six months, $19 for every six month block following; members of Isis-affiliated organizations can receive a discounted membership) and include discounts on programs, products, and affiliated vendors.

Update 12/12/06: Membership fees are $7.50 per month (pay for the first four months upon joining; members of Isis-affiliated organizations can receive a discounted membership) and include discounts on programs, products, and affiliated vendors.

A mama from Medford highly recommends her pediatrician Dr. James Pert, of Harvard Vanguard
Associates in Medford. The practice has a 24/7 telephone service, Tel: 781-306-KIDS.

Thanks mama from Medford!

I will forever be indebted to restaurant owners who realize that foodies are still foodies, even if they have kids. Stone Hearth Pizza Company is just such a place. They offer thin crust pizzas and gourmet salads incorporating organic, locally produced, sustainable ingredients. Imagine, you can both enjoy your meal and know that you are supporting family farming, protecting natural resources, and strengthening local economies.

Stone Hearth knows it’s located in family suburbs and operates in a very kid-friendly manner, while still retaining warm décor that leaves no doubt that you are not at Chuck E. Cheese.

Located in Belmont and Sudbury. Open Mondays 5 - 9pm, Tuesday - Thursday 11:30am - 9pm, Friday & Saturday 11:30 am - 10 pm, and Sunday 11:30 am - 9 pm.

You love your partner for offering massages, but often it’s tough to coax them to go for more than 5-10 minutes. How can you blame them? They didn’t take Massage Therapy Stamina 101 last fall.

For pre/postnatal massage services, I highly recommend someone near and dear to me: Jennifer Koh, LCMT. I have received both pre- and postnatal massage therapy from Jennifer; both approaches were relaxing and therapeutic. I’m just always sad when it is time to slide off the table and re-enter the real world.

Jennifer operates her practice out of The Healing Center, 259 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington. Give her a call (781-424-1060) or send her an email to book an appointment. Her regular hours are: Sunday (12-6pm) and Mondays & Tuesdays (6:30-9:00pm); other appointments may be available upon request. Fees are $70 for one hour, or $100 for 1½ hours.

Update (1/11/07): In addition to her practice at The Healing Center in Arlington, you now also can book appointments with Jennifer in downtown Boston at Boston Bodyworker.

An organically-oriented Boston area mama – who made the astute point that “a housekeeper’s cheaper than a divorce!” – passed on links for two cleaning companies, Healthy Homes Cleaning and AA Environmentally Safe Cleaning. Both companies use environmentally friendly cleaning products.

Please feel welcome to comment if you have used either of these services.

Ah, how I took the Nursing Weight Loss Plan for granted. I was one of the lucky ones whose pregnancy weight fell off quickly, thanks to the voracious infant who nursed her way through the entire 2004 World Series, and otherwise was happiest being walked around and around the block in a sling.

Then a few months post-nursing, many baked goods, and three major clothing crises later I discovered that I had gained 15 pounds. My fabulous husband, who insisted he didn’t even notice the weight gain (perhaps it’s the myopia) suggested that there was one thing I should do and two things I could do. The “should” was to buy myself a pile of clothes that actually fit and made me feel good. The “could’s” were to join him in trying to cut down on the daily desserts, and/or find a fitness outlet.
I ended up doing all of these things. Old Navy was a fabulous resource to get some work and casual pieces for cheap, I resisted eating dessert every single day, and then I looked into fitness options.

I decided to suck up the money and join the beautiful Healthworks Fitness Center for Women and I can’t say enough good things about them. The staff is friendly, the spa element (whirlpool, eucalyptus steam rooms, and massage services onsite) is fabulous, and the classes and equipment are great. They also offer a babysitting service to help mamas get to the gym (additional pay per use charge applies) and offer pre/post natal yoga and muscle conditioning classes.

Healthworks has locations at Back Bay, Brookline, Cambridge, Chestnut Hill, and Salem. If you are a working mama, check whether your employer is in their list of affiliates to get a few bucks knocked off your membership.

A Boston area mama recommends a domestic service called Household Solutions. Tanya and her efficient team provide typical household cleaning as well as concierge services (e.g., dry cleaning pickup). Imagine walking into a clean house with no need to worry about other errands! Please let Tanya know that Tracee C. (a happy customer of 3 years) referred you.

Tanya, Household Solutions: 617-923-4880

Do Tupperware parties sound too square for the hip 2000’s mama? Then check out The Traveling Vineyard. Boston mama Judi McLaughlin conducts wine tastings in people's homes, and leads a team of consultants in developing their own Traveling Vineyard businesses.

Invite your friends and family over for a free wine tasting with Judi. She will come equipped with five full bottles of wine, glasses, and tasting notes and food pairing suggestions for the featured wines. As a party host, you can earn rewards and specials based on the success of your event.

Check out Judi’s site or contact her directly for more information.

UPDATE (8/9/06): Judi McLaughlin has decided to pursue opportunities outside The Traveling Vineyard. However, she did connect Boston Mamas with a “wine goddess extraordinaire” in her stead. Contact Debbie Nilan, a Boston area mama of three, if you are interested in learning more about Traveling Vineyard tastings.

Possibly ranking #1 on the Worst Things Ever list is the experimental dentist. I had an out-of-country dentist not long enough ago who, I later discovered, performed a number of experimental procedures on me, including a freakish bridge procedure apparently not implemented in the United States as well as an experimental cavity filling procedure (also typically not used in the US). When I developed the hiccups during one visit he instructed me to hold my breath and then – without asking – jammed his fingers in my ears and wouldn’t let go until he finished counting to 10. I never knew that ears could feel so violated. At least he was wearing gloves.

Not surprising then was my aversion to finding a new dentist when I relocated back to Boston several years ago. Luckily, one of my mama pals turned me onto The Best Dentist Ever, Dr. Russell Forman. Dr. Forman is knowledgeable and friendly; he explains procedures before they happen, honestly prioritizes urgent and back burner dental work, and employs his small practice with kind, skilled hygienists and reception staff. Dr. Forman is so hands on with his practice that it’s even not unusual to find him booking an appointment at the reception desk himself.

Plus, did I mention that he keeps his fingers out of my ears?

Dr. Russell Forman, 875 Mass Ave, Ste 63, Cambridge. Tel: 617-868-5500