I haven’t done a link round-up for so long and today I planned to share a bunch of things I’ve been storing in my Pinterest account, but this one image of a photo album from Austin-based photographer and mom Johanna is so incredibly beautiful, I had to post it here. It feels almost too good to be true, like a stylist at Martha Stewart put it together just to make us drool.

photo: hannah mac photography

Do you create any momento of your pregnancy? A journal, a series of bump photos?

Baby-friendly theaters? Yes, please.

We sure love our DVRs and Hulu, but refuse to give up on going to the theater. Did you know some theaters also have special showings for new parents? These showings have different names in different cities, but the idea that yours will not (most likely) be the loudest baby in the movie theater is the common thread.

Both of our firstborns were frequent attendees of “Baby Brigade” (now known as “Bringing Up Baby“) at the El Cerrito Theater during their first year.

Select theaters are participating in a program called Baby Pictures. Check the website to see if there is a baby movie showing in a city near you.

The Kerasotes chain in Illinois and Indiana offers Matinee Movie Magic. I thought I was pretty magical when I sat in a movie theater while doing my first in public breastfeeding (without crying!) when Julian was 5 weeks old. (This mistakenly led Heather, my 19-weeks pregnant escort, to believe that nursing is easy.)

Stroller matinees are a good early outing for freaked out new parents. Crying is totally allowed.

This is your ninth weekly rookie mom challenge. Even if you cannot find a mom and baby movie in your area, consider taking a risk on an 11 am showing. Heather and I brought baby Milo to Knocked Up while I was super pregnant with Scarlett. We saw the first show of the day and only one other person was in the theater. Milo stayed in his carseat for much of the movie and when he got sick of that, Heather held him up on her lap facing the movie.  The volume at the theater is much louder than any grunting or fussing that tiny babies do.

In LA, Monday Morning Mommy Movies weekly at 11:00 am at the Grove, Glendale, and Northridge.

In Portland, McMenamin’s Kennedy School hosts the occasional Mommy Matinee and for cheap!

Austin, TX has Baby Day Movie at Alamo Draft House Cinema (Tuesdays). Parents are allowed to bring infants into the movie for shows starting before 2:05 pm. (check website for movie times and location).

In San Francisco, realtor Jill Russo sponsors a monthly Mommy Movie on the second Thursday of each and every month. And it’s FREE!

Have you done this outing? Please tell us where!
Loved it or hated it?
Not quite ready for a movie? Pick a challenge from an earlier week.

photos: Grand Lake by ThomasHawk on flickr; theater interior Associated Press

Yes, I’m endorsing a product/service here. No, I am not being paid to do so.  It’s called Music Together and two past experieinces made me decide to recommend this activity.

Several of my friends had done Music Together for three consecutive “semesters” and then decided to skip a semester. During that period we met at the park during the time that many of us used to do Music Together and Sarah was saying how much she missed it, couldn’t wait til it started up again, and that not doing it made her see how much she values it. Our park-based playdate was simply filling the hole in her life left by abstaining from Music Together.

Ok, so Sarah (hearts) Music Together. Her enthusiasm made me think hard about how I feel about it. I had been thinking that it’s just too expensive, and then I decided that I agree with Sarah.

Later that day, I read that most North American families only know two or three songs to sing to their children when they are born, and one of them is often 99 Bottles of Beer. And here’s where I relate to how much value you get out of these classes. From Music Together, my husband and I have learned countless songs in that can be sung and re-sung in different ways. The class is designed to teach you, the parent, how to incorporate music into your kid’s life.* Each song can be changed around to include your kid’s name, interests or description of the activities you’re doing. Our teacher, Ryk, also gives great advice on using music to distract while diaper changing or putting on shoes. People, it works.

Julian was obsessed with the CDs that come with the class. He begged for us to put them on and then, as a baby even, would smile and wave when he heard the first song.

*The class is not about building music skills in your kid. In fact, they are welcome to sit absolutely still and silent. The parent or caregiver is the one participating. The theory is that you can develop musical interest and enthusiasm in children by enabling them to watch you have fun with sounds, songs and instruments. Given that we don’t have community music experiences in this culture, our kids will not pick up songs to pass down to their kids unless we make it happen.

So there you have it. My love letter to Music Together.

Find one near you.

And again, this is not an advertisement.

Alissa and the readers of BabyScoopAustin compiled this great week of fun (more like 2 weeks!) for parents in Austin, TX. Whether you’re new to Austin or consider yourself an Austinite, babyscoopaustin.com has the SCOOP on everything baby! If we ever make it to Texas, I know who I want to hang out with. Thanks to Alissa for sharing all these great spots!

Monday
A favorite Monday morning activities is to take baby to Baby Bloomers at the Austin Children’s Museum. This open-play session from 9am to noon is exclusively reserved for children 3 years and under. It gives caregivers and their babies a chance to explore and play in a relaxed atmosphere. Baby Bloomers also has a sing-along and story time. Stroller parking is provided inside the museum.

Tuesday
If you have a newborn or infant and you are really itching to get out of the house or out of the summer heat, go enjoy a Baby Day Movie at Alamo Draft House Cinema (Tuesday and Friday only). Parents are allowed to bring infants into the movie for shows starting before 2:05 pm. (check website for movie times and location). They turn the lights up a bit, turn down the sound, and best of all…crying is allowed.

Wednesday
For a nice outdoor lunch and playtime, head over to Central Market (North Lamar location). The food is made fresh and healthy. The shaded play area offers two playscapes for little ones and big kids. Central Market also offers live music in the evenings on weekends.

Austin has many great farmers’ markets during the week, but one that Austinites seem to love is on Wednesday evenings at The Triangle on North Lamar. Open from 4-8, the market features only 100% locally grown vegetables, fruits, meats, eggs, honey, and plants.

Thursday
A favorite morning/evening walk with the jogger stroller is the 3-5 mile trail around Lady Bird Lake (formerly known as Town Lake) nestled next to downtown Austin. Babies love to bird watch, count the doggies on leashes, and stop to feed the ducks and turtles during the walk. Pedestrian bridges and a nearby train make this excursion more interesting for mom and baby.

After an early morning walk at the lake, zip on over to Zilker Park for playtime and a miniature train ride on the Zilker Zypher. The 3-mile train ride loops the park at a slow pace. Other features of Zilker park include; a large playscape and separate toddler area, covered picnic tables, a concessions stand for snacks, a view of the swimmers at Barton Springs, and public restrooms.

Friday
The city of Austin recently added a new fountain park officially named, Butler District Park, near Lady Bird Lake. The “dancing fountains park” is located next to the Palmer Events Center and behind the Dougherty Arts Center. The fountain area has holes that shoot water out of spouts. Babies love the small wading areas where the water is only inches deep. Because the area is newly developed, there is little shade. Bring plenty of sunscreen and snacks. There are however, clean public restrooms.

Saturday
The locally owned and operated bookstore, BookPeople, offers great interactive story times for toddlers and pre-schoolers. (also on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings).

Sunday
A fun and educational experience for mom and kids is the Austin Zoo. This is not your typical zoo, and like Austin’s residents, it is unique and charming at the same time. Located just outside the city limits, the zoo is actually a rescue center and sanctuary for misplaced, abandoned, and unwanted animals. It’s smaller than most “big city” zoos and easy to navigate on foot. The exhibits include everything from lions, tigers and monkeys to longhorns, llamas, and pot belly pigs.

For an authentically Austin show for toddlers and preschoolers, Ruta Maya Coffee House hosts a Kid’s Show with instruments and lively music on Sundays at 10:30 am. Enjoy a delicious cup of Joe, breakfast pastries, and great entertainment for kids and kids-at-heart.

Bonus Activity: choose a yoga class
If you need to get out of the Austin heat or need a yoga fix, visit one of Austin’s fantastic mommy and me yoga classes at Yoga Yoga (several locations around town) and Austin Kula Yoga (located in central Austin). Check websites for schedules.

A little more for toddlers and preschoolers…

Another Austin original, Irie Been Coffee House, entertains families during their “Kids Decaf Club” which is the last Saturday of the month at 10:00 am. Musical instruments and balloon animals keep kids entertained while parents enjoy fresh roasted coffee.

Deep Eddy Pool is a chilling experience! Not only is this family friendly public pool a historical landmark, it is filled with natural spring water that is a cool, sixty-nine degrees. It has a shallow end with a gradual slope for toddlers and small children.

If you are in the Arboretum area, there is a great play area for toddlers by Amy’s Ice Creams that has cow sculptures to play on, ducks to feed, and a fountain to watch. While you’re there, enjoy a cup of Austin’s famous Amy’s Ice Cream.

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Thanks Alissa and BabyScoopAustin! The activities in this post were provided to us by Alissa and have appeared in BabyScoopAustin’s newsletters over time. Photos were also provided by Alissa O’Bannon.

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More Austin fun from Wedolonia who spent a week there with a baby and a preschooler.

My friend Samantha shares some of her favorite mom and baby activities in her hometown of Dallas, TX. She has two little ones now, so we should really listen to her:

Monday — The Dallas Arboretum
The Dallas Arboretum
Pack a lunch and head out to the arboretum for Mommy-and-Me Mondays. Typically the event includes the usual – face painting, petting zoo, music, strolling, picnicking. But autumn is extra special because so many things are going on. The Ultimate Tree House Exhibit is on display featuring 13 “extreme” tree houses that kids can stomp around in. The pumpkin patch and hay bale maze are perfect for Halloween and Fall pictures. Hay rides are offered daily. You’ll have a tough time figuring out where to picnic because there are so many nice areas to choose from. Consider buying an annual pass because it’s the type of place you’ll want to visit again and again.

Tuesday — Chic-fil-A @ Central Expressway & Southwestern
If you don’t have kids, don’t bother trying to go there. It is mommy and kid central. Husband working late or out of town? Drop in for a quick and cheap meal and let your kids play in the play area. It has a nice clean indoor play area enclosed with glass so you can watch what your kids are doing while you sit with your friends and chat. The staff circulates the restaurant offering refills and balloons. They even provide little servings of cheerios lest you forget your own!

Wednesday — Cry Baby Matinee
Angelika Theater Cry Baby Matinee, Tuesday and Wednesdays at 1:30 PM — Any movie theater that invites crying babies and nursing mommies is a friend of mine. Relax and enjoy an independent film, while privately hoping your little one will fall asleep soon. The last time I went I thought it a bit odd that I was sitting in a movie theater with my screaming baby, while watching an obscure documentary about Dietrich Bonhoffer, a German theologian executed by Nazis. But hey, a movie is better than no movie.

Mockingbird Station, 5321 E Mockingbird Lane
Dallas, TX 75206
214-841-4700

Thursday — hit the gym
The Towne North YMCA. Everyone has their favorite gym and this one is mine. Plenty of parking, free childcare for up to 2 hours (no advance reservation required), friendly staff, nice shower facilities, plenty of equipment, great pool and spray ground during the summer, what else could you ask for? I like to get there at 4pm when the afternoon childcare service opens, which just happens to coincide with when my youngest daughter requires a bottle. That’s one less bottle feeding for me. I workout for 30-45 minutes, then take a nice quiet shower, get dressed, actually do my makeup and blow dry my hair. All of these activities I might just blow off with kids in tow. All the while, my children are playing with other children and learning how to socialize. It’s a win/win for all. Find a gym near you that offers such amenities. It’s pure heaven.

Friday — treat yourself
Let’s face it, sometimes you have selfish needs. Consider making a babysitting co-op with close friends, family, or neighbors. Tradeoff for 2 hours at a time so you can run errands, get your oil changed, have a root canal, go shopping, or take a nap. Remember to choose people you can depend on and lay the ground rules up front so that everyone is happy.

Saturday — go for a walk
Put your sneakers on and go for a walk. Some great stroller-friendly places that I like:

• Arbor Hills Nature Preserve, 6701 W. Parker Road — Finally a scenic place in Dallas to take a walk! Ok this isn’t actually in Dallas , it’s in Plano but it’s just close enough to be worth it. It has 2 miles of paved scenic trails which includes trees, bridges, streams, slight hills, and a wonderful outpost from which to view the entire preserve. The park has the largest playground I’ve ever seen and has some picnic benches so pack a lunch if you want. If you’re not feeling up to it, there’s a McDonalds down the street.
• The Katy Trail — Situated conveniently in the Knox/Henderson area, it’s perfect to the urban Dallas mom. It’s straight, flat, scenic, and there’s a Starbucks right on Knox. My suggestion is to park in the dirt lot behind Sur La Table, go get your coffee, then cruise along the trail.

Sunday — market time
Central Market, 5750 E. Lovers Lane
Take another look at your grocery store and see it as a learning experience, rather than just another errand. Pick up every other fruit and vegetable, or just those with silly names like “kiwi” and have your toddler repeat back their names. Enunciate each syllable to make it stick. Have him touch the peach skin and describe it. Don’t just shove the free food samples toward your child, discuss the essence of the brie as it hits your palate and why it’s so much better than the mozzarella. Head to the lobster and crab tanks – always captivating to little ones. And don’t forget the floral section, have your child point out flowers in every color of the rainbow.