LilSugar

Kelly Ripa Talks Motherhood and "Me" Time

LilSugar — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 10:00:50 -0700

Kelly Ripa's a lil bombshell. The funny lady juggles hosting a TV show, her family of five, and still finds time for charity events, commercials, and magazine covers. This month, her piercing blue eyes grace the cover of First. In the accompanying interview the woman who seems to have it all talked about motherhood and needing "me" time.

On the importance of spending time alone: "I try to run everyday in the park. It's crucial to know who you are and how you feel. I find that I'm a better wife and mom if I take a half hour for myself every day. It can feel selfish, but it makes a big difference. If you don't do it, you'll feel overwhelmed and resentful. You want people to feel they can count on you. I feel they can when I take care of myself."

To see what Kelly said about her upbringing, read more.

On her traditional family life: "Marriage and having kids really agrees with us. Mark helps with homework, while I'll do a baking project for school. We look at each other and think, if our friends could see us
now, they wouldn't believe what we've become! We really enjoy what our life has developed into. I try to do it all, and I don't do any of it particularly well. But at least I try. Sometimes the cookies get burnt, but what are you going to do?"

Remembering her well-rounded upbringing: "My mother was way ahead of herself in terms of creative expression. Mom thought it was important for us to have music and dance lessons. There were times when I told her that I wasn't going to have time to do all my homework, and she would say, 'Well, I think it's more important that you're well-rounded.' She definitely struck the right balance."

Taking a night out for herself: "During the summer, we do a once-a-month girls' night out. We'll meet for coffee or go to the beach together with the kids. Our husbands are always like, 'Why can't we join you?' I'm like, 'Um, it's called girls' night out. Why don't you have your own night out?' "

Sugarbabies: Kicking Off Thanksgiving Sugarbabies!

babysugar — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:01:49 -0800

This picture was taken as my daughter enjoyed her first true Thanksgiving meal. She picked at the turkey but gobbled up the sweet potatoes, cranberries and the delicious stuffing. Though her brother was only days old, she gave thanks for being a big sister. In turn, we gave thanks for having a sweet daughter and a brand-new baby boy.

Share your old or new Thanksgiving pictures with us in the Sugarbabies group. We'll be featuring them all week long on the LilSugar website... don't miss out! It's super easy, and your tot will get a kick out of seeing himself on the site.

To see how to join, read more.

Create a PopSugar Account or login to your account.
Join the Sugarbabies group
Click "New Post" under the Sugarbabies tab at the top of the page.
Give your story a "Title."
Insert a photo of your babe.
Fill in the "Body" if you want to give us a snippet of the shot.
Add keyword(s) in the tag field with relevant tags (for example mine for this story was "Sugarbabies").
Click "Create Post" to submit content.

Lil Links: The Batemans Go Ga Ga For Yo Gabba Gabba

babysugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:00:16 -0800

The Batemans go ga ga at Yo Gabba Gabba - Celebrity Baby Blog
Pamela Anderson tells her boys about the infamous sex tape - Celebrity Baby Scoop
Uterine tea gets mamas ready for labor - CafeMom
Decode your baby's name for a charge - ParentDish
Dad spoke to son in Klingon only for first three years - MomLogic
Zoom in on the germ spots in the house - Parenting
More moms spank than you might think - The Mommy Files
The new clean plate club - Mamaista
Custom rubber stamps - Cool Mom Picks

Taking the Fear Out of Baby's First Budget Haircut

LilSugar — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 09:00:35 -0700

The first cut may be the deepest, but it doesn't have to be painful for mother or child. Taking the plunge and giving your lil one their first haircut is a momentous occasion for new parents. Though tradition says to wait until the first year before snipping away the baby curls, 22 percent of lilsugar readers clipped before their child's birthday. While moms may book a salon appointment for the perfect photo opp, a baby's cut can be done at home for those on a budget. And, we promise, no bowl is involved! To check out our tips, read more.

Take your tot to the salon with you so she will recognize the spray of the water bottle, the shine of the scissors and the combs and brushes that will be used for her cut.
Prepare your kiddo by talking about how he will be getting a haircut like Mommy and Daddy.
Plan the cut for a time when your child is well rested and in a good mood. First thing in the morning or right after a nap and snack are usually ideal.
Enlist the help of a friend or family member to entertain or distract the child during the process. A high chair may be a good seating option.
Give your child some toys or a spray bottle and turn on a video or the music he likes to keep him entertained.
Wet the child's hair with a spray bottle and comb the hair in the natural direction of growth.
Pull small sections of hair between your index and middle fingers, cutting the hair below the fingers in a straight line.
Start in the back of the head and then work your way around to the front as you gain confidence.
Cut small amounts first, knowing you can go back and cut more as needed.
Be prepared to take small breaks to play with the child throughout the process.
Invest in a pair of clippers that will only lop off a certain amount.

Kidoodles: Thanksgiving Tablecloth

babysugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:00:29 -0800

Since Thanksgiving is next week, we thought you could use a simple arts and crafts project to entertain your kiddos and help you prepare for the holiday. Let your children be in charge of the tablecloth. They will appreciate the opportunity to get involved and relish the chance to get a lil messy - all in the name of helping out!

You just need the following items:

A piece of butcher paper (white works well with all colors)
A few sponges
Festive colored paints
A few pieces of blank paper
Scissors
Plates or bowls for paints
Markers or crayons

For my guide to making a kid-friendly tablecloth, read more

First, measure the table so you know how much butcher paper you will need. Once you have that, cut the paper and place it on a flat even surface like the floor or table top.

Next, draw whatever designs you want to use on the tablecloth and draw them on a piece of paper no bigger than the sponge you will use.

Once you have completed your drawing, cut it out and trace it on the sponge. Then cut along the traced line so you have your sponge design.

Now you are ready for the fun part! Put some paint in the plates or bowls and dip one side of the sponge into the paint. Gently press it onto the butcher paper. Voila! Use different colors and shapes to fill the paper.

Once it's all dried up, let your little ones draw on the paper and write "Happy Thanksgiving" or "I am thankful for ...", or a saying of their choice.

Finally, put the cloth on the table and ask your lil helpers to set it with plates and silverware!

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The Most Incredible Moments of a First Pregnancy

LilSugar — Wed, 27 May 2009 14:31:30 -0700

There's nothing like a first baby. Subsequent pregnancies are just as special, but it's the first nine months with child that make you a mother. You never forget the momentous occasions that happen during those 40 weeks, or in my case 42. Here are a few favorites . . .
Seeing the two pink lines!: Am I really pregnant? The moment was so surreal that I peed on at least half a dozen sticks, and then my husband took me to our hospital's urgent care to have it confirmed. It was official!
Dreaming about your darling: Will he or she look like me or my husband? I'd envision a baby boy eating cereal in his high chair or a little girl picking daisies and wonder who my child would be.
How big is my baby?: I consulted the week-to-week book and tracked my impending babe from the time it was the size of a pea to a pear to a cantaloupe. And, of course, updated all my friends and family members when they inquired.
To see the others, read more.
The first heartbeat: Hearing the first strong heartbeat of my lil being was amazing and a big relief.
The name game: My husband I threw names back and forth and figured out why we loved or couldn't live with certain ones.
Fluttering: The first signs of movement when you wonder if it is or isn't the baby. And then you feel the kicks and jabs and know it's real. Once overdue, I could see my daughter's fist move beneath the skin of my belly.
The ultrasound: Even though it was hard to tell its limbs from its head from my uterus on the screen, we thought our baby-to-be was magnificent.
It's a girl!: The doctor told my husband to call "it" as our baby made its debut. I've never seen him more excited than when he shouted, "It's a GIRL!".
The short long ride home: The hospital released our new babe and we headed out into the real world very cautiously. Our lives were forever changed.
Source

10 Hip and Helpful Infant Gifts For Under $30

LilSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:00:15 -0800

Baby's first holiday season is always extra cheerful, but selecting appropriate seasonal gifts can be toilsome for the gift giver. Sure, toddlers want toys, but infants aren't developed enough to truly appreciate all the bells and whistles. Shop smart this holiday - and instruct your family and friends to do the same - and gift the tiniest elves presents that are inexpensive and helpful for mom and dad. Here are some of our classic favorites for holiday first timers.

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Things I Wish I Knew Before Having My First Child

LilSugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:30:33 -0800

The entrance into parenthood is a mixed bag - excitement, love, adrenaline and anxiety are just a few of the emotions most parents will experience. New moms are driven by the unknown and typically want to do everything right but when the second baby comes along, many a mom admits to asking, "What was I thinking?" Here are a few things that I wish I would have known before having my first child.

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Are You a Twilight Momiac?

babysugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:15:07 -0800

Mamas are taking a big bite out of the Twilight pandemonium. When the vampire tales first hit book shelves, it started a cult following. Teens and young adults gobbled them up and, apparently, so have their mothers. Young girls may be sporting the "Team Jacob" shirts or carrying the "Team Edward" water bottles, but they are not to be outshone by their older fans. On The Jay Leno Show, the adorably sweet and handsome Taylor Lautner talks about the deeply passionate moms he meets while out promoting the vampire movies. It seems security may have more concerns about mums than they do with their daughters!

Are you a Twilight momiac?

Mommy's Lil Helper: First Years Kickin' Coaster

babysugar — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:00:00 -0700

Some babies just don't like swings. I feel for their poor parents, but luckily there are other options for those picky babies. The First Years Kickin' Coaster ($70) is a baby seat that is similar to a bouncer, but has the added bells and whistles that usually come with a swing.

Instead of sitting in a stationary position, tots can use their wee feet to kick off a mesh screen and move up and down on a sliding mechanism. In addition to the horizontal motion, the chair also vibrates, lights up, and plays a few tunes. I am convinced that the same people who invented the Sharper Image massage chairs were also responsible for this creation. If there were such a thing as a baby mall, tots would be lining up to get their massage fix and entertainment value for the day.

To see what I wasn't so fond of, read more.

It's a swell product, but I would have designed it with more decorative fabric so it would not clash so much with a house's decor. I don't mind a little plastic and color, but this certainly gets put away when adult company visits. But if baby is happy, I guess the aesthetics don't matter so much . . .