Tammy Duckworth Just Became the First Sitting US Sentator to Give Birth

Posted on April 11, 2018

At age 50, US Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois became the first sitting senator to give birth while in office.

The Democrat and her husband Bryan Bowlsbey were open about using multiple IVF cycles and suffering a miscarriage before successfully conceiving their newest addition, another daughter, named Maile Pearl.

The name was blessed by the late Senator Daniel K. Akaka from Hawaii who passed away last week, Duckworth stated in a statement.

Maile is also named for Pearl Bowlsbey Johnson, who was Mr. Bowlsbey’s great-aunt and an Army officer who served in World War II, Ms. Duckworth said.

“She’s going to be taking much of the next 12 weeks to spend time bonding with her new daughter and spending time with her family,” said Sean Savett, a spokesman. “But she will be available for close votes as needed.”

Ms. Duckworth announced her pregnancy on social media in January and, in an interview with The Chicago Sun-Times.

When she welcomed the couple’s younger daughter Abigail, Duckworth become one of only 10 women to give birth in Congress, but then she was a member of the US House of Representative.

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These Are The Tips You Need For Air Traveling with Kids This Summer

Posted on April 11, 2018

Summer vacation travel season is on the horizon.

Emirates Airlines recently conducted a U.S. Travel Survey on Family Travel, identifying key struggles of traveling with kids and what parents say are the most effective ways to make the experience better for them and the kids.

In the survey of 4400 adults with a passport, planning to take an international trip in the coming year or have taken an international trip in the past few years, and who travel at least once every two to three years and are between the ages of 18 and 64.

It’s no secret kids can get antsy during flights. Emirates found that while kids get better at flying as they get older, many kids across all ages are already antsy within the first two hours of a long-haul flight:

Under 2 Years Old: 70% of travelers say kids under 2 get antsy in the first two hours of the flight
3-5 Years Old: 57% of travelers say kids 3-5 years old get antsy in the first 2 hours of a flight
6-10 Years Old: 32% say of travelers say kids 6-10 years old get antsy in the first 2 hours of a flight, with another 50% saying this older group gets antsy between 2-4 hours into a flight

The survey found that parents serve a child’s favorite snacks as one of the top needed distraction.

Additionally, while kids across the U.S. reportedly get restless in the early parts of their flights, kids from Boston tend to be the antsiest flyers in the U.S., with 38% of respondents reporting kids under 2 and 24% of kids 6-10 years old are antsy as soon as the plane takes off.

Keeping kids busy on the ground can be tricky, let alone on a plane. The number one way to keep kids occupied during a long flight? People say devices are the best at keeping kids occupied across all age groups.

The most helpful methods across age groups include:

Under 5 Years Old: 57% of respondents say devices to watch movies, TV shows or videos are by far the most helpful, followed by devices to play games (17%) and activity books and toys (16%)
6-10 Years Old: 96% of respondents say devices to watch movies, TV shows or videos and devices for games tie for being the most helpful in keeping kids content, but are followed closely by having snacks kids enjoy on hand (88%)

However, parental worry about keeping kids entertained through a flight isn’t created equal – Emirates survey found that flyers in Orlando, Houston, Fort Lauderdale and Los Angeles are the most concerned about this issue when flying.

Is this Seat Available?

It’s no secret that many people try to avoid sitting near kids to ensure peace and quiet during their flight. Emirates found that the average traveler’s willingness to sit next to kids depends on how long the trip is. It turns out that 61% of fliers would say no to sitting next to kids on a flight over 10 hours, and of that, men are actually more likely to agree to it (57%) than women are (64%).

While the West Coast is known for friendliness and the South for hospitality, residents in San Francisco and Fort Lauderdale are actually the least willing to sit next to kids on long-haul flights.

Here are Emirates’ Cabin Crew’s top tips for traveling children this vacation season:

For parents flying with babies, try to choose a flight that is as close as possible to their bedtime. This can help them sleep for a large part of the flight. Also, make sure you have sweets or a bottle of milk for babies/toddlers to suck on during take-off or descent, as they may have difficulty equalizing their ear pressure and feel uncomfortable.For small children, keep one new toy aside to give them mid-flight to ensure they don’t grow bored of the ones they already have. This will provide a fun, distracting surprise, and will keep them occupied longer than one of their old toys.

For kids of all ages, find ways to break up activities during the flight. Don’t depend solely on games or videos – pack a small puzzle, colouring book or interactive toy in addition to devices or in-flight entertainment systems, and use time between shows or movies to try something different.
When kids are awake, take brief strolls when they are already in good moods. This will help them stretch and break up the time between activities in their seats, and help prevent a restless-child meltdown.
When going through an airport, bookend your kids with one parent upfront and one taking the rear (if possible) to ensure you don’t lose any little stragglers along the way, and keep them moving quickly through checkpoints.

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Celebrity

Seth Meyers’ Wife Just Gave Birth on Their Apt Lobby Floor

Posted on April 10, 2018

The Late Night with Seth Meyers host, revealed during Monday’s show that his wife gave birth to their second son, named Axel Strahl, a day earlier in the lobby of their apartment building.

Meyers began his opening segment by recalling that his first son was nearly born in an Uber two-years prior, before joking, “Move over that story, because that’s so normal compared to what happened yesterday.”

On Sunday, Meyers’ wife Alexi Ashe began having contractions, and Meyers called an Uber. However, Ashe was adamant that the car wouldn’t arrive in time. “My wife just says, ‘I can’t get in that car. I’m going to have the baby right now. The baby is coming,’” Meyers said. He added that he looked at his wife and it was “like someone hiding a baby in a pair of sweatpants.” The couple’s doula then confirmed that the baby was coming, and Ashe lay down on the lobby floor.

“I called 911 and over the course of a minute conversation, I said, ‘We’re about to have a baby — we’re having a baby — we had a baby,” Meyers quipped.

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Tips

How to Relieve Your Post-Baby Breast Engorgement Pain

Posted on April 10, 2018

For the first few days after giving birth, a new mother’s breasts remain soft. They will produce colostrum. Colostrum, the first milk, is available in just the right amount, and is rich in immune factors that protect newborns. Sometime during the next few days, the breasts will become full, firm, warm, and perhaps tender. When this occurs, people say: “the milk is coming in!” The scientific term for this event is: engorgement. Engorgement is normal, and lasts for various periods of time depending on the individual woman. Some women experience only a day or so of mild, easy-to-manage engorgement. For other women, engorgement may be more intense, and can last from several days to two weeks.

Some women seem to bring in a larger early milk supply. Others seem to experience more breast swelling. For these women and their babies, the engorgement period may seem more difficult. The breasts will adjust over time, eventually making exactly the right amount of milk for the baby.

It is the baby’s job to help the mother through engorgement by removing milk. If the baby is not latching properly or feeding frequently enough, the breasts may become overly full. This reduces the elasticity of the breasts and nipples. When the breasts are too firm, some babies cannot grasp enough tissue to latch on well. They may suck overly hard trying to pull in the breast tissue. This can lead to sore nipples. If poor latch results in poor emptying of the milk, the build-up can cause breast engorgement to become severe. The breasts may redden and become painful. Mothers may sometime develop a low-grade fever. (Fever may also signal infection, so at the first sign, call the doctor.)

Along with making mothers feel ill, severe engorgement may interfere with milk production. The milk pooling in engorged breasts releases chemical signals that tell the body to decrease milk production. If unrelieved, prolonged engorgement can contribute to insufficient milk supply or begin the weaning process.

Prevention:

Begin breastfeeding as soon as possible after the birth, to give the baby time to learn to breastfeed before the breasts become full and firm.
Unless medically indicated, avoid early use of bottles and pacifiers while the baby is learning to breastfeed.
Once the milk comes in, breastfeed at least 8 times in 24 hours to prevent over fullness.
Ask for help from the hospital lactation consultant so that latch-on problems are solved as soon as possible.
Any time a feeding is missed, use hand expression or a breast pump to remove the milk.
Always wean gradually

Treatment:

Use moist heat on the breasts for a few minutes, or take a brief hot shower before breastfeeding. This may help the milk begin to flow. Note: Use of heat for extended periods of time (over 5 minutes) may make swelling worse.
Use cold compresses for 10 minutes after feedings to reduce swelling.
Gently massage and compress the breast when the baby pauses between sucks. This may help drain the breast, leaving less milk behind.
Ask your health care professional about medications such as ibuprofen to reduce pain and inflammation.
A well-fitted, supportive nursing bra makes some women feel better. Others prefer to go bra-less during engorgement.
Gentle breast massage and relaxation techniques may help improve milk flow and reduce engorgement.
Hand expression or brief use of a breast pump may help soften the nipple and areola so that the baby can get a better latch.
Some women find that a single use of a breast pump to soften severely engorged breasts diminishes painful inflammation. They then return to frequent breastfeeding as the main way to manage engorgement.
Pumping, hand expressing, or nursing to comfort prevents the negative consequences of retained milk. Relieving the milk pressure will not make engorgement worse.
If the baby is premature or complications interfere with breastfeeding, a hospital grade pump can help the mother through engorgement until her baby can breastfeed.
Fever higher than 101° F or severe pain may signal a breast infection. Call your medical care provider for advice if this occurs.

This article originally appeared in Medela breastpump’s blog.

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Celebrity

3 Years After Giving Birth, ‘The Walking Dead’s’ Alanna Masterson’s Still Fighting Body Shamers

Posted on April 9, 2018

The Walking Dead‘s Alanna Masterson has had to fight off body shaming trolls before when viewers mocked her pregnancy weight gain back in 2015 when she was expecting her first child.

We’re going on two years later and she is still fending off haters. The briefly left Instagram last Spring when she gave up battling with those who thought she was gaining weight. Producers hid her then-growing baby bump with chairs, props and her character, Tara, went on a serious long “supply run” and as missing for most of the final part of the sixth series and the beginning of the seventh season during her maternity leave.

Masterson and her now 2-year old daughter Marlowe who she welcomed with her boyfriend Brick Stowell back in November 2015.

Masterson, who is the youngest sibling of actor big brothers including That 70s Show and The Ranch star Danny Masterson, returned to social media and about a week ago, left a very personal and poignant response to the haters:

“Why do people feel the need to pick on me because of how I look? Why do people keep calling me “fat” or “ugly”? I don’t understand.” she captioned a photo of herself laying on her side on a pillow facing the camera . “How much time do you have on your hands? Look around you. Look at what’s happening on our planet. Please, focus your energy on something POSITIVE. Instead of trolling people on social media, why not do something to HELP others. Would you ever say those things to a stranger? Face to face? Probably not.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhACaVjguLl/

She continued:

“We have to stop letting our kids, peers, and elders get away with bullying. Stand up to it. Say something. Be the example. Teach EMPATHY. THIS is why kids harm themselves. THIS is why kids have low self esteem. THIS is why kids pick themselves apart in the mirror. STOP. My body is my body. I was born this way. I have stretch marks, lumps, bumps, cellulite and everything else in between. It’s ok. I am ok with it. I’m not skinny. I’m not fat. I’m not ugly. I’m not pretty. I’m just ME. And I make an effort to better myself and my body everyday. My family is healthy. I’m healthy. I’m extremely fortunate to be alive and breathing. So please, to any kid out there that feels uncomfortable in their own skin – don’t. You were created exactly how you were supposed to be. And I love you. ❤”

Well said. Recently, another co-star, Steven Ogg, unleashed on celeb trolls in a post-mortem interview following his character’s exit from the show this week, by way of the merciless Nagan.

That’s why Alanna’s post was so beautiful, because fuck off. Why are you harassing people?” Ogg told HuffPo. “Go fucking do something productive with your life.”

For the record, we love her body as is and think Alanna is GORGE!

Always bringing a bit of Marlowe with me. ❤
A post shared by Alanna (@alannamasterson) on Oct 22, 2017 at 8:46pm PDT

My favorite bathroom in all of NYC. ?
A post shared by Alanna (@alannamasterson) on Feb 10, 2017 at 4:37pm PST

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Where #STEM Took Us at the #SciFest 2018 Expo

Posted on April 9, 2018

I sojourned down to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington DC this past weekend as a guest of Razor to check out some of the various science, technology, engineering and math-related exhibits, stage shows, demonstrations and information being showcased to get children interested in these fields at the annual US Science and Engineering Expo. The event included exhibitors, performers, speakers, partners, sponsors and advisors for major academic centers, colleges and universities, leading research institutes, government agencies, cutting-edge high tech companies, museums and community organizations.

Oh and lots of science and tech camps! Here is an Official Map of the exhibitors, shows and presentations.

I took my eldest son, who is almost 16 and is interested in gaming and so much so, he is in the process of building his very own computer from scratch!

When we arrived mid afternoon on Saturday, April 7, inside, the 2.3K square foot convention hall which takes up three city blocks was electrifying and bustling with families, school kids, neighborhood and community groups in coordinated tops milling about in excitement.

Our first stop was our host Razor which agreed to generously gift us a Razor scooter and cool socks in advance of writing about our experience at the Expo. All two days of the Expo, the Razor booth had a steady stream of fans stopping by to check out the latest products and innovation of the disruptive company that transformed the experience of scooters.

Reps showed us the latest best seller, a pair of electric roller jets that go for themselves! Very cool! My how times have changed from my day of wearing plane metal roller skates on the streets of DC.

I was excited to learn that the scooters made by this top seller of skateboards, hoverboards, trikes and electric bikes have come. One of the more popular and newest products Razor sells these days is the Turbo Jets . They were on display anda brand ambassador wearing the crowd gathered around how to just start skating and then relax as the electric-powered heel wheels amp up to 80-watt, kicking the geared-drive motor that gives the user a boost. The Jets can travel as fast at 10 mph. They looked relatively easy to use and appeared durable from my review and touch. Watch more here:

SEE SOME OF THE VIDEOS HERE:

#ClickThru to check out the pics and vids from @razorworldwide’s exhibit at This weekend’s @USAScienceFest at DC Convention Center. Check out more videos and pics of other aspects of the expo on the blog. Link in bio. #SwipeLeft #spon
A post shared by Bellyitch_Blog – renewed!! (@bellyitch) on Apr 9, 2018 at 8:29am PDT

Another rep gave us a peek at how the spark pads, which are part of the Razor Spark Scooter’s braking mechanism, work. They give off real sparks when the user brakes! Very cool! It reminded me of the character Marty McFly’s Hoverboard in the 80s movie Back To The Future II.

Just so you know, she also shared with me that guests of the convention last weekend (and shhhhhh readers of this Blog too) can take advantage of 15% off using this coupon code. That’s a savings of close to $20 off the Turbo Jets which currently retail for $129 on the Razor website, bringing the cost down to a little over $100! That’s a steal. There is FREE shipping on all online orders through the website.

I’m not sure when the coupon code expires so hop on it fast!

Eldest and I then went on to enjoy the rest of the Expo, making stops through Physics Row, the NASA exhibit, some Nature Science displays and caught the last of the stage performances of the day, hip hop scientist Grand Hank.

I missed but would have loved to see Honda’s robot Asimo do a demonstration. Here is a video another attendee captured:

Unbelievable balance. Adjust center of gravity after each step. #SciFest @USAScienceFest @ASIMO pic.twitter.com/md2yOOWhtp
— LMESquad (@LMESRobotics) April 8, 2018

Other stage performanceswe missed that day or that took place the next day include: Science Cheerleaders, Stunt Science showing behind-the-scenes of Spider-Man and Other Hollywood movies, Explosive Science, Mathemagician Art Benjamin, Explosive Science and more.

There was just too much to do and see in one day and in hindsight, I’m kicking myself for not starting earlier in the day so we could have gone downstairs to explore the expansive displays including College and Career row because it’s time for eldest to start exploring colleges. He is also interested in Robotics and there was an entire section on that area of tech.

On the way, we could have explored the halls that included the World Wildlife Foundation display, the Experimental Aircraft Association, the Color of STEM Pavilion featuring Black Girl Code and Howard University. and the Lockheed Martin Orbit and Robo Lab, National Security and Homeland Security displays

Better luck and better planning NEXT YEAR!

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Age Aint Nuthin’ But A Number: These Older Celeb Moms’ Style Won the Weekend

Posted on April 8, 2018

This weekend and last a few of our past celeb mom features and faves showed out and showed us that age isn’t anything but a number. Singer Monica Brown, international lawyer Amal Clooney and model and actress Christie Brinkley were photographed and/or spotted out and about in fierece boots, hot pants and super gorge accessories.

Each women, aged 37, 40 and 64 respectively could easily pass for a decade or two younger based on their youthful figures, style and flawless skin.

While Clooney, who is also married to director, producer, actor and philanthropist George Clooney, is usually seen in conservative coats and A-line dresses, the mom to twins arrived to an event this weekend in Alexander Wang shorts,over Alexander Wang leather pants, topped by a feathered and embroidered Valentino jacket. She finished the look in a pair of leather boots.

Monica has been on tour and showing off colorful, fabulous looks in her carefully and perfectly styled Instagram page and it was no different about a week ago when she wore white thigh high feathered boots under a long sleeve denim dress with a long plaid duster tied around her waist.

Meanwhile, 64 year old Brinkley was seen out and about in a super cute Gucci logo Light Felted Cotton Sweatshirt and toting the It Bag, Mrs. Thom striped pebbled leather tote by Thom Browne and rocking vicious pair of red patent leather Gianvito RossiLevy 100 ankle boots.

Work it ladies! Show these younger women how it’s done!

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News

Study: Experience Grief During Pregnancy Impacts Baby

Posted on April 8, 2018

Grieving the death of a loved one can affect an entire family, including babies. In fact, losing a relative during pregnancy may affect the mental health of a child later in life, according to a new report.

Researchers from Stanford University recently conducted a study, published in the American Economic Review, to determine the effect a family member’s death may have on children.

To do so, they examined Swedish infants born between 1973 and 2011 whose mother lost a close relative, such as a sibling, parent, maternal grandparent, the child’s father or her own older child, during her pregnancy.

They followed those children through adulthood, comparing their health outcomes to kids whose maternal relatives died in the year after their birth. They gathered the data from their medical records and Sweden’s novel prescription drug registry, which contains all prescription drug purchases.

Lastly, they considered the impact the death may have had on the fetus, including fetal exposure to maternal stress from bereavement and even changes to family resources or household composition.

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Celebrity

Cardi B Confirms Pregnancy During SNL Performance

Posted on April 8, 2018

Rapper Cardi B used her first Saturday Night Live performance ever last night to confirm the rumors that she is pregnant with her first child.

During her second performance on the show hosted by Chadwick Boseman, the camera panned back from the “Bodak Yellow” singer who was in the shadows to reveal her wearing a white bump-hugging wedding gown.

Gossip site TMZ reported back in February that one of Cardi’s staffers told the Super Bowl event organizers that the Love and Hip Hop star was 3-4 months pregnant

The dad is her long time boyfriend, Offset, one third of the rap group Migos.

Since then, Cardi’s team has been excellent about shielding the star from paparazzi until she decided to make her baby news on her own terms like last night’s performance.

Just last Friday, Cardi, who also is referred to as Bartier, evaded questions about her pregnancy in an interview with US Weekly when she essentially replies that her fans should listen to her album.

That’s right! We respect a celeb who takes control of her own narrative!

Congrats! This will be her first child but Offset’s 4th. He has three children from previous relationships.

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Celebrity

Kate Middleton Does Her Own Grocery Shopping Just Like Us

Posted on April 7, 2018

Kate Middleton is just like us!

The 36-year-old Duchess of Cambridge, who is expecting her third child with husband Prince William in the coming weeks, was spotted casually grocery shopping in a Waitrose supermarket in the small town of Swaffham, England, earlier this week.

The pregnant Duchess looked chic in a blush coat, black pants, a white shirt and black booties. Her hair was down and she wore minimal makeup while on her regular outing. Kate was accompanied by her metropolitan police protection officer, who stood aside and watched as she pushed her own cart and loaded reusable shopping bags into her SUV.

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Jeneba Jalloh Ghatt