LilSugar

Lil Loves Of Our Lives: Ben Murphy of TheFatherLife

LilSugar — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 10:00:36 PST

Ben Murphy and a couple of his buddies, started a TheFatherLife for dads that love their kids, but aren't willing to surrender themselves.

The free online men's magazine covers topics from how to help a wife with postpartum depression to kids and football for good guys who double as great dads.

Who is the lil love of your life?
My wonderful wife and our two girls; Emma, age 4 and Erin, 18 months.
Which came first, the baby or the blog?
The baby. TheFatherLife.com actually came about because I had kids and was looking for a men's magazine geared towards fathers --- and there wasn't one. So myself and a couple of friends started TheFatherLife.com!

To see what Ben misses most about his pre-baby days,

What was the most shocking part of becoming a parent?
No sleep.
If you could have one aspect of your pre-baby days back, but keep the kids, what would you choose?
Being in shape.
At what moment did you fall in love with your child?
Before they were even born.
Do you have Valentine’s Day plans?
Laying low (hey, "doing nothing" is a welcome break from the normal craziness of small children!)
Anything else you want to add?
Ladies, tell your husbands about us!

A Whole Lotta Lil in This Week's Links

Rebecca M Gruber — Sat, 26 May 2012 04:26:41 PDT

These sweet Memorial Day treats may steal the show at your barbecue!
What to do with all that stuff baby outgrows.
These personalized baby gifts are perfect if you have any new babies in your life!
Planning a birthday party for your tot? Don't miss our favorite birthday party themes - ever!
Don't head to the beach this weekend without reading our guide to packing a beach bag for a toddler.
Are you on Instagram yet? If so, then join our first Instagram challenge and load a picture that demonstrates motherhood!
Tired of waiting for baby to arrive on her own? Try one of these tried and true methods for inducing labor on your own!
Hats off to the lil preschool graduate with these graduation ideas for tots.
Todd Oldham's beautiful collection of arts-and-crafts projects and supplies hit Target this week. See which are Todd's favorites.
We love Valentina Pinault's impeccable style and jet-setting ways!
Have a stack of used baby food jars sitting around? Try reusing them for more than just food!

Baby's Debut: Celebrity Tots' First Official Photos

Rebecca M Gruber — Thu, 10 May 2012 08:50:02 PDT

Hello Mabel Ray Willis! Bruce Willis and Emma Heming welcomed baby Mabel back on April 1, and the couple just shared the first picture of the precious tot via Emma's Twitter account. Tweeting, "A beautiful day in Budapest with the loves of my life. Daddy and Mabel cracking each other up," we have our first look at the proud papa's fourth child. Baby Mabel joins a long line of celebrity tots who've made their public debut through some careful planning by their parents.

For a long time running, it seemed People had a monopoly on introductory celebaby photos. Nicole Richie, Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Lopez, and the Jolie–Pitts all turned to the well-established magazine to show off their newest family members. However, today, many celebs are turning to competitors who are doling out generous offerings to new parents. Others are releasing their own photos - either on their own or through photo agencies - to bypass the whole magazine scenario. See how your favorite Tinseltown parents debuted their lil ones and tell us how you think the newest Hollywood babies will be introduced to us!

Brad Meltzer Talks About His New Heroes For My Daughter

Rebecca M Gruber — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 03:11:19 PDT

"Where's my book?" In the two years since Brad Meltzer released Heroes For My Son, that's what the New York Times best-selling author has heard over and over from his daughter. Now, just a month before Mother's Day, Brad reaches out to his daughter and mothers everywhere with Heroes For My Daughter.

In his new book, the father of three profiles 56 people who he believes are worthy of the hero title. The collection of biographies and photographs spans Amelia Earhart and Lucille Ball to Mahatma Gandhi and Judy Blume. He's also introducing a line of inspirational clothing pieces featuring caricatures of the heroes. I recently spoke with the author about the new book; here's what he had to say.

LilSugar: Are there any crossovers between the heroes you picked for your son and the ones you have selected for your daughter?
Brad Meltzer: I did 50 brand-new heroes for my daughter. But there were six heroes that I felt were worth repeating from Heroes For My Son - a sort of hall of fame that I felt needed to be there for my daughter: Rosa Parks, Amelia Earhart, Abraham Lincoln, Gandhi, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Lucille Ball. Plus, I again included my mom. C'mon. It's my mom!

LS: What were the criteria you used to make your selections? What did it take for them to "make the cut"?
BM: To pick a hero, it's like the Supreme Court definition of pornography: you know it when you see it. But in the book, there's one thing every hero has in common. They all had to do this: help someone. Some people help thousands of people directly, like Marie Curie or Susan B. Anthony. Others help us by inspiring us, like Amelia Earhart. But you do have to help someone.

It’s the dream that links every single hero I picked for her. As I now often tell my daughter Lila, no matter what stage of life you're in, when you want something - no matter how impossible it seems - you need to fight for it. When you believe in something, fight for it. And when you see injustice, fight harder than you've ever fought before.

Keep reading for more about Brad's picks, including some little-known facts about the heroes.

Does The Lorax Live Up to Dr. Seuss' Book's High Standards?

Rebecca M Gruber — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 03:18:49 PST

In our family, The Lorax is put on a pedestal. When my firstborn was younger, its rhythmic verses lulled him to sleep, making it a favorite for this tired mama. Now it is part of our weekly rotation, with my son reciting lines from memory as we make our way through Dr. Seuss's tale of overindustrialization and environmentalism. We have a special bond over The Lorax, so there was no question which parent would be taking him to see the film when we both gasped upon first seeing the trailer. The only question was if it would live up to our very high expectations.

A month after seeing the flick, I can honestly say, "Yes" - but with some caveats. As many have noted, the creators of Despicable Me (while working with Audrey Geisel) took some creative license to extend the classic tale into a love story. Ted (now the name of the lil boy from the book, as a nod to Theodor Geisel, who is voiced by Zac Efron) is trying to win the heart of Audrey (a new character voiced by songstress Taylor Swift), whose dream is to see a real-life tree, rather than the fake, robotic versions that currently populate their town. To win her heart, Ted's enthusiastic grandmother (voiced by the always-amazing Betty White) tells him to visit the Once-ler (voiced by an equally charismatic Ed Helms) on the outskirts of town. It is here that the film follows Dr. Seuss's familiar story, while throwing in some new obstacles such as greedy mogul O'Hare (voiced by Rob Riggle) and some song and dance numbers that get the whole town up and moving.

Much bigger and complex than the original story, the film version definitely conveys Dr. Seuss's earth-friendly message, you just have to peel back the layers to get there. As the lil orange Lorax with the big mouth, Danny DeVito makes that message abundantly clear. It just takes a backseat to the love story that is unfolding.

But the big musical numbers (really, they are toe-tappingly great), fun animal characters (the Bar-ba-loot bears are particularly fun), and amazing graphics (the Truffula trees look amazingly soft and cuddly) all come together to create a fun movie experience for kids who know the book and don't want to (or are too young to) know anything about love stories.

As for the 3D experience - I know it is expected in this day and age, but it really isn't necessary. I actually found it more dizzying than enjoyable and would have rather focused on the dialogue than any objects that were seemingly flying my way. But 3D or not, when the Once-ler utters his most famous line - "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing's going to get better. It's not" - it's like a call-to-action for a new generation ready to carry on the environmental mission.

Announcing the 2012 Grammy Award Nominations

Rose Curiel — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 07:51:21 PST

For the second year in a row, the Recording Academy has given a hip-hop artist the most Grammy nominations. Last year, it was rapper Eminem with eight, and this year, Kanye West leads the nominees with seven chances at the golden gramophone, including a song of the year nod for "All of the Lights." West is also nominated twice in the rap album of the year category for his collaboration with Jay-Z on Watch the Throne and his own album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. Brit crooner Adele wasn't far behind Kanye, picking up six nominations for her album 21, as well as a shot at song of the year with "Rolling in the Deep."

Bruno Mars also did well, racking up six nominations (that's down one from last year for those keeping track), while newcomers like Nicki Minaj and dubstep artist Skrillex are up for the best new artist category. See what other artists have a chance of walking away with a Grammy during the February 12 award show when you read more

Lil Gift Guide: Great Gifts For 4-Year-Olds!

Rebecca M Gruber — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 08:33:43 PST

By 4 years old, tots know what they like, and they're already forming their own wish lists for the holidays. Chances are that many of the items on that list are the hottest toys of the season - including the LeapFrog LeapPad and the VTech InnoTab, Lalaloopsy, and Hot Wheels Wall Tracks. If mama's looking for a few new ideas, we've got her covered. Check out our favorite finds for these preschoolers!

The Orb Factory's StoryCraft The Frog Prince ($20) allows for creative storytelling, as tots add shapes and jewels to a 10-page story book about the Frog Prince fairy tale. LeapFrog keeps expanding its popular Tag reading system to do more than just teach tots to read. The LeapFrog Solar System Adventure Pack ($14) uses the Tag stylus to teach lil ones about the solar system - exploring planets and educating tots about life beyond Earth. Exercise doesn't feel like a chore with Diggin's Wobble Deck ($45), which plays music and games while tots try to balance on the board. Mini American Idol fans will love First Act's Voice Rockrz Mic ($25) that not only changes the singer's voice, but provides drumrolls and applause. Kids will rule the neighborhood with Fisher Price's Power Wheels Stinger XT ($250), a motorized car with room for two.

Dr. Sears Says Parents Must Make Better Food Choices, Tiger Mom Doesn't Work

Rebecca M Gruber — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 08:26:01 PDT

Parenting trends come and go, and in his 30 years serving parents and children, Dr. Bill Sears has seen it all. The pediatrician, author of more than 30 baby and parenting books, and founder of the attachment parenting movement has some strong views on how we are raising our tots today, and he's not afraid to voice them.

I spoke with the doctor at the launch of his new Dr. Sears Family Essentials line of all-natural snacks, beverages, and baby care products. After discussing the importance of adding DHA to kids' diets, our conversation shifted to current parenting issues. See what he had to say!

LilSugar: How concerned should parents be with environmental health issues, and how can parents reduce their effects on kids?
Dr. Bill Sears: Very concerned. But they can talk about it. But the fact of life is, they can make changes in the food issue much quicker than environmental issues.

LS: In all of your years of watching babies and parents, what trends do you find most interesting now, and which do you find most disturbing?
Dr. Sears: The best trend right now is parents finally taking nutrition seriously. They're making the connection between what my child eats and how my child's brain grows, how my child learns to behave. They've always known that, but they're now doing something. For the first time in history, we're seeing an action plan.

The second trend is pediatricians are not being so wimpy. We used to say, "Oh you're child needs to eat healthy," or "Your child's a bit overweight." We don't use the term overweight anymore. We use the term prediabetic. For a mom, sitting in my office, and I say to you, because I care, that Susi is prediabetic, you're going to make a change much more than if I say she's a bit overweight. So that’s a trend that we’re seeing, because the old things are not working.

My concern still is that parents have not gotten the message that my child is what he eats. We cannot blame the food industry. The food industry will make what parents will buy. If you don't buy it, they won’t make it.

Keep reading to see what Dr. Sears had to say about the Tiger Mom movement!

Alyson Hannigan Shares About Life on Set and Her Mommy Must Haves

Rebecca M Gruber — Thu, 05 May 2011 10:32:47 PDT

How I met Alyson Hannigan? At a StubHub luncheon for her new Mom's Night Out charity initiative where she urged the attendees to forgo the healthy wraps in favor of the tasty chicken fingers. The mama of one, and star of the hit series How I Met Your Mother, was there to talk about the importance of taking a night off from the kids, but it was quickly apparent that she loves spending time with 2-year-old Satyana, joking that the first night she'll spend away from her, "will be when she goes to college!"

While her HIMYM character has recently taken a break from trying to conceive a child, almost everything else in Alyson's life revolves around kids. The actress, who recently signed on to reprise her role as Michele in the fourth installment of the American Pie franchise, answered a few of my questions about work and motherhood.

LilSugar: Congratulations on American Reunion. So what's in store for Michele and Jim this time around?
Alyson Hannigan: They’re parents, they have a kid, so that will be a part of their life obviously – balancing the hecticness of having, I think a 2-year-old (but that could have changed at this point because of casting). I'm hoping it will be really good. I think it will!

LS: Lily seems so maternal. Will we see Lily and Marshall start trying for a baby again this season?
AH: You will definitely get more of that piece of the puzzle in the season finale! You will definitely have to stay tuned.

LS: How I Met Your Mother has become baby central over the past few years! Do you, Cobie Smulders, and Neil Patrick Harris all bring your kids on set?
AH: It’s really good! The majority has kids now, we rule! The baby babies have come by to say hi, but they don’t stay there. And Cobie and I bring our daughters to set – we try to time it out so that they can have playdates – they’re such good friends.

LS: How do you relax if you find 10 minutes for yourself during the day?
AH: I wind up surfing baby sites. It just feels real decadent to be on the computer without shutting it (when Satyana's in the room). We still don’t let her watch TV or play on the screen. So looking at the computer when she’s awake doesn’t really happen because instantly, she’s like, I want to see! If she’s napping, I can open the computer and not look around!

Keep reading to learn what Alyson has planned for Mother's Day and her answers to our four Lil Questions.

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 PST