LilSugar

What Do You Do to Make Your Tot LOL?

babysugar — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:00:23 -0700

Mamas will do just about anything to get a good giggle out of their lil one. When the standard laugh inducing gestures don't earn as much as a smile, jumping up and down, tearing newspaper, and singing "Jingle Bells" in August might just do the trick. The mother in the clip above said she hopped around the kitchen like a rabbit, sending her young lad into hysterics.

What antics do you employ to get your babe to LOL?

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Tried and True Tricks For Making Baby Giggle

babysugar — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 05:00:33 -0700

One of the most enjoyable things for a parent to hear is the shrieks of delight from their children. We'll do anything to strike up a belly laugh in our infants, but often times it takes a few trials to figure out what makes your tot tick. We've rounded up a few of our tried and true tricks to get any baby to giggle with glee.

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Outtakes: Baby With the Best Belly Laugh

babysugar — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 12:00:00 -0800

We know you have the cutest kid in the world, but this lil boy will give all kids a run for their money. One look at this video and you're sure to fall in love with him, or at least his belly laugh.

Marcia Cross Gives Thanks Early This Year

babysugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:30:53 -0800

Known as the buttoned-up and tightly wound kitchen queen on Desperate Housewives, Marcia Cross appears to be quite the opposite when seen about town toting her two tots to the local playground for a swing in the park or a roll in the grass. Though the multitasking mum certainly has her hands full and plenty of mouths to feed in her own home, the drama mama took time out of her Sunday afternoon to dish on motherhood, balancing a career, her fortunate life and how she gives back to the community.

How do you teach your children about giving back?

I have to be very honest and say that I'm in this very strange interim of wanting the world to seem like this perfect lovely place because they're 2-and-a-half... to then introducing them to the idea that other people have less. It's going to start soon, I think around the holidays. The way I try to do it is in simple ways. I have things in the house and I say, "Why don't we give this to so and so?" And I will say somebody else's child and "If you're finished with that, why don't you give that to so and so?" I've noticed that they'll come up with that on their own now, which makes me so happy... I can't yet go to the place where there are other kids that are hungry... maybe in another year. I don't know exactly. I think just teaching empathy and then teaching giving in that sort of way is how I've started and hopefully it will grow from there in terms of how lucky we are... We say Grace and we say prayers at night. Prayers to me is just sitting around and saying what you're grateful for. One answer that my daughter Eden says all the time, which I love, is "Outside," which is such a beautiful thing to say thank you for, which we take for granted.

What kinds of things do the girls do to make you laugh?

My girls are really funny. They're actually little jokesters. They do twists on words already, or I call them my little minxies. They dance, they do imitations of other kids dancing, they make up songs, they make up lyrics. It's all so silly but I think every mother just adores their own child and I'm the same way. They make me laugh all the time.

To see what the striking redhead has to say about balancing motherhood and her career, her character Bree, and what she is most thankful for, read more.

Are there any similarities between Bree and Marcia Cross?

Wow. I wish there were more because she's so organized and such the domestic diva, which I am not. But I think in her own twisted way, Bree has a big heart and a passion for life. Although, I'm thinking about what she's doing right now and we don't have that in common... she's having a little extra passion right now (giggle). At the moment, I'm going to say there's a little less in common than more.

How do you raise your kids and have a career?

I think some days I do it more gracefully than others. And other days it takes its tolls. Like any parent, I go through times where things are going great and then I have a week where both of my daughters are sick and so I'm trying to juggle work and home-life and it's hard and it's stressful and I think it would be unrealistic to say otherwise. I think that mothers manage an incredible workload. Whether you're a stay-at-home mother or you have a job as well, it's a very full life and certainly one that I dreamed about and always wanted. And even given that there are days that are challenging, because you can only be in so many places at once... whether it's at work or with your kids, or sometimes you just really want a nap so it's a full-time job.

What are you thankful for?

Health. Health of my family, health of my friends, health of my parents, who thank God, are still with me. I'm grateful that I have a family that I always dreamed about. I'm grateful for the job that I have. I get to do what I love. I'm grateful that I get the opportunity to be a spokesperson for things I feel are important.

This Thanksgiving, Marcia is encouraging all Facebook mommies to go to My Chinet's Facebook page where they can pick a plate, decorate it and show it on their profile page. By doing this, mommy will feed her soul and donate to the cause of filling someone else's stomach this holiday season.

Lil Links: Oh Happy Day For Violet Affleck

babysugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:30:52 -0800

Violet is a shiny, happy person - Celebrity Baby Scoop
Tom and Suri have a swingin' good time in Boston - Celebrity Baby Blog
Yummy lil pumpkin treats - Momologie
10 reasons why your libido ain't what it used to be - CafeMom
Shopping for your ex with your child - ParentDish
This poop doesn't stink - a diaper recycling plant set to open in the UK - MomLogic
British educators tell girls to face “reality” and accept they may not be able to “have it all” - The Laughing Stork
How do you deal with a temper tantrum in public? - Momversation
Help! My teen wants to be a vegetarian - Health

Mom-Me Time: Pick Up a Copy of The Help

babysugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:30:49 -0800

If mama's got a few minutes to herself and is looking for something that will take her mind to another world, she needs not look further than this gold and purple hardback book. The Help ($12) is a quick read that will steal her attention and her affection and leave her wanting more. Kathryn Stockett's first novel, the book about the relationships between mothers and the women that help them (nannies in particular) will have mommy laughing out loud, tearing up in the eyes, dog-earring pages with special passages and thinking about how she relates to some of the closest people in her life.

Just pages into the lengthy text and I was hooked. Unlike any book I've read in recent times, the characters in these pages immediately come to life and fully color the imagination. You can picture their hair, dream up their clothes and hear their voices like they're sitting on the bus right next to you. While they may be fictional muses, I wish I could meet them, thank them, reprimand them and have a tall glass of sweetened iced tea with them. Though the book is set back in the early '60s, some of the conversations and lessons are timeless. For the rest of my review, read more.

Centered around the lives of three caretakers, the hired "help" who tend to high society's children may occasionally be called "mama" as they often forge a closer bond with the child than his own mother. And while some women may have their best friends to rely on, the housekeeper frequently knows and cares more than her "best" friends -the phrase "dirty laundry" having a double meaning when it comes to life behind closed doors. In the end, it is a story about women taking extraordinary measures to right some wrongs, even if it means risking it all. Of all the lessons to be learned from this rich novel, the golden rule speaks loudest - "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Maybe that's why she wrapped it in a glowing cover.

Before this goes to the theaters, which it surely will, buy it, read it and gift it to everyone you know. It will not disappoint.

Share your favorite books, products, toys and trends with other parents. Join our Product Reviews group over in the LilSugar community!

Lil Links: Monty Hall Has a Few Pointers For Parents

babysugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:30:26 -0800

The Monty Hall school of parenting - The Poop
There's no brotherly love for Julie Bowen's boys - Celebrity Baby Blog
Dogs teaching kids to read - Momformation
Do you really need a nursing bra? - CafeMom
TLC has a new family to love in "Table for 12" - ParentDish
It's a boy for Ashley Jensen - Celebrity Baby Scoop
How Christian Scientists deal with a sick child - MomLogic
You might be a mother if... - The Laughing Stork
Keeping kids healthy - Momversation

Jennie Garth Gives LilSugar the Exclusive Scoop - Part Two

babysugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:00:52 -0800

In case you missed it, Jennie Garth took some time out of her schedule to chat with LilSugar about her life as a mommy of three. She answered our four lil questions and then some. Not surprising, she shot straight from the hip and revealed that she is a down-to-earth kind of lady who is keeping a good head on her shoulders while teaching her daughters to do the same. Here are some of the questions the cute mom answered for us:

In light of all of the reality TV shows following families and your stint on Dancing With the Stars, would you ever want your children to be in the spotlight on a TV show or actors on their own show?

I hope not. I would never discourage them from what they want to do but hope that they aim a little higher. Being an actor is not a bad profession by any means but the easy way out, it seems right now, is to do a reality show so I'm hoping Luca - she wants to be an actress I think but she doesn't want to tell me - that they study and learn a craft and become really, really good at it.

Which one of your characteristics do you wish your children would inherit from you?

I can do anything. I can change the oil in the car. Honestly, if it put my mind to it, I can do anything and I hope that they have that. I don't want them to just call the repair man. I want them to try to fix something first. I hope they get a hands on, get it done, I can do anything mentality.

Have you let your kids watch your old 90210 days or the renewed show?

No, no, no. Absolutely not.

Have they seen any of your work?

They've seen a couple of things. They've seen some of my work. They watched What I Like About You sometimes, but even that one was a little too risque at times. But, they come along to a lot of the charitable things I do.

To see what the hot mama has to say about being pregnant again and how she and Peter bring the sexy back, just read more.

Speaking of, how did you get involved with Smiles Across America (SAA)?

As a mother, I sort of saw an opportunity. There's inadequate dental heath care and children are not being taught by their parents to take care of their teeth. SAA goes into schools and teaches kids how to take care of their teeth and they provide them with services.

Who is your role model in motherhood?

I really rely on my girlfriends a lot. We do it together - bounce ideas off of each other. They pick me up when I'm at my lowest point and feel like a terrible mom. We talk about stuff and it helps me to continue on. I just sometimes need a pep talk.

Were you a lover of pregnancy or were you dying to get it over with?

I loved it! I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Will you do it again?

I hope so! I don't know. It depends on my husband being in town.

How do you and Peter bring the sexy back to your marriage with three kids and both of you working?

We do a lot of texting and a lot of flirting by texting and making each other laugh a lot. A good sense of humor keeps each other laughing.

How has the whole Twilight craze affected your family life? Are the girls into it? Do they have crushes on Rob?

They're younger. They don't really care that much. Plus, we really instill in them that they're not goo goo crazy over actors. We try to keep them in a realistic mode. They're a little young... but I'm crazy coo coo for vampires! But, what I do and what I teach my kids to do are two different things.

Amen to that!

Lil Links: Personalized Name Tags Make Gift Giving Easy

babysugar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:00:38 -0800

Personalized gift cards for party presents - Babyccino
Sarah Chalke is expecting a boy! - Celebrity Baby Blog
Did you think your baby was ugly? - CafeMom
It's time for a Scrubby baby shower - ParentDish
Jennifer Hudson wants at least one more baby - Celebrity Baby Scoop
Doctor, my vagina is falling out! - MomLogic
The baby manicure tragedy - The Laughing Stork
Are kids the key to marital bliss? - Momformation
Cool ways to save the memories - Stroller Traffic

Lil Links: Move Over Bacon, Here Comes Prosciutto

babysugar — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:00:00 -0700

Forget the bacon, go for prosciutto - Cool Mom Picks
Uma says it best - parenthood is a marathon, not a sprint - Celebrity Baby Blog
Miley Cyrus is voted worst influence for young girls - The Laughing Stork
Do you hit the movies solo? - CafeMom
Scary movies that are kid-friendly - ParentDish
David Banda shows Malawi a bit of Hollywood - Celebrity Baby Scoop
Let them sleep in on the weekends - MomLogic
Do your kids use Mr. and Mrs. when addressing adults? - Momversation
Moms leave depression untreated - Health