Tips

Spring Clean Your Credit Report: How to Remove Negative History

Posted on March 28, 2018

Spring can be the time to get your ﬁnancial house in order by examining your credit reports to remove any information that might not belong. Perhaps your address has changed. Or there are ﬁnancial accounts you didn’t open.

Some Speciﬁcs Worth a Sweep:

Delinquent payments more than 7 years old. Get ‘em tossed.
A bankruptcy more than 10 years. That’s gotta go.
Outdated personal information. If a name, address or contact information is incorrect – we can change it.
Unfamiliar credit inquires. If you didn’t initiate them, they can be disputed.

Correcting your Experian Credit Report can be easier than cleaning out your closet. If you spot something on your Experian Credit Report that you want to ﬁxed, for example, the credit reporting firm has an improved Experian Dispute Center that it says makes it easier than ever. Now you can submit disputes from your smart device or desktop.

Consider seasonal cleaning of your credit report, too. It’s a good idea to examine your credit reports from all three credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, & TransUnion®) quarterly, especially since data breaches and identity fraud are on the rise.

Using the Experian dispute center, consumers can:

Get their Experian credit report
Follow contextual links designed to help them better understand and access various sections of their report
Upload photos of supporting materials directly from their smartphone
Receive timely alerts updating them on the current status of their active disputes
Sort and view the accounts listed on their credit report by alphabetical order, date opened or status, and filter by categories such as collections or installment loans

To obtain a free Experian credit report and submit a dispute, visit http://www.experian.com/disputes.

For more information about the dispute process, read the frequently asked questions at http://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/credit-education/faqs/disputes-faqs.

The below Infographic provides some insights”‘

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Celebrity

Report: ‘Prison Bae’ Jeremy Meeks is having a Baby with a Billionaire Heiress

Posted on March 28, 2018

The guy who first gained fame for his good looking felon mugshot, otherwise known as “prison bae” has accomplished what is being called the biggest “come up” in history

Blue eyed felon turned model Jeremy Meeks is expecting a child with the billionaire heiress of the Topshop fortune, TMZ reports.

Sources close to the couple confirmed with the celebrity gossip site that Chloe Green and Meeks have been together since last June while Meeks was still married to the mom of his children and wife of 8 years.

Meeks, who was signed to a modeling agency and has walked in several fashion shows, only recently settled child support with ex wife Melissa Meeks.

This will be Green’s first child and though there has been no official news of an engagement, Green was spotted sporting a gigantic solitaire ring on the ring finger on her left hand.

What a difference two years and a gorgeous viral mugshot makes!

h/t BScott

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Posh Easter Baskets Are Trending

Posted on March 27, 2018

Bellyitch Rewind

Posh parents are foregoing the traditional Easter baskets filled with candy, plastic toys, and bubbles and opting for baskets with more expensive items inside.

One New York City mom, Laura Rolston, told local station CBS that she is having her son Christopher’s picture taken with the Easter Bunny at Roosevelt Field Mall and then giving him a basket of clothes and more elaborate gifts.

“Stuffed animals and bath toys and stuff like that,” the Patchogue resident told the station. “Little clothing for him. It’s definitely a little more than when I was a kid. I’m a new parent and I’m excited and I don’t mind spoiling my little boy a bit.”

It’s part of a new trend to make Easter baskets that rival the best birthday and Christmas presents — complete with clothing, toys, and even electronics.

Some parents say the extravagant and gift filled Easter basket are a result of parents’ tried to steer their kids away from eating so much candy. Still, others say it’s gone too far.

“We hear that these baskets, parents are putting them online and saying, ‘Look at my basket, my basket is bigger and better than the other basket’ and again, at the end of the day, it should be about tradition, should be about a holiday, shouldn’t be about who has the biggest, better, most awesome, expensive basket,” Lyss Stern of the DivaMoms.com blog told a local Fox station.

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Tips

How To Properly Store and ReHeat Breastmilk

Posted on March 27, 2018

The World Health Organization asserts that “breast milk is the ideal food for the healthy growth and development of infants,” encouraging new mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first six months of life. When new moms work outside of the home, however, many opt to pump and store their breast milk so that nannies and other childcare providers can continue providing their child with the most nutritious possible food source during this crucial time. These nannies are then tasked with the responsibility of properly handling the bottled breast milk, and understanding the best methods for storage.

Breast Milk Storage Information for Nursing Mothers

The La Leche League International, a leading breastfeeding advocacy group, suggests that breast milk be stored in two to four ounce amounts in order to minimize waste by either freezing or refrigeration. While frozen milk remains fresh for up to six months in a deep freezer, refrigerated milk used within eight days retains more of its original anti-ineffective properties.

Human breast milk that has been pumped can be stored at room temperature for up to six hours safely, but mothers are advised to refrigerate or chill their milk as soon as possible after pumping. Containers made of glass or hard plastic free from bisphenol A (BPA) with tight-fitting tops are ideal for storage after being washed in hot, soapy water and allowed to air dry after being thoroughly rinsed. There are also specially-designed freezer bags commercially available, though traditional food-storage bags aren’t recommended due to the possibility of rupture or leakage. Containers designated for freezer storage should not be filled to the brim, as the milk will expand as it solidifies.

Containers of pumped milk should be dated in order to facilitate use of older milk first, with the child’s name also included on the label if the pumped breast milk is intended for use in a daycare setting.

Preparation and Handling Information for Childcare Providers

Before handling stored breast milk to prepare a bottle, nannies and childcare providers should carefully and thoroughly wash their hands to prevent contamination. Frozen milk may be thawed either in the refrigerator or by immersing the container in warm water; using a microwave to either thaw or heat the breast milk is strongly discouraged. This method can both destroy valuable nutrient content and create hot spots in the bottle that can scald the delicate tissues of an infant’s mouth. Bottles microwaved for too long may also explode under intense heat, wasting the milk and creating quite a mess.

Once breast milk has been thawed, it should never be re-frozen. Bottles that a baby doesn’t finish should be discarded, rather than saved; the risk of contamination is very real, despite the antibiotic nature of expressed human breast milk. For this reason, nursing mothers are urged to store milk in two to four ounce containers to minimize waste. Frozen milk should be kept near the back of the freezer, because the temperature tends to be the most constant in this area.

Human breast milk can vary in color and consistency depending on the nursing mother’s diet, so color isn’t typically an indicator of freshness. The Mayo Clinic also reports that breast milk that has been frozen and later thawed may have a different consistency, color, and odor than freshly pumped milk. Additionally, breast milk can often separate into two distinct layers of milk and cream; this separation is also not an indication that milk isn’t fresh. To reincorporate the milk and cream, simply shake the storage container gently or swirl it carefully until it’s combined again.

Breast milk can be warmed for feeding by placing the bottle in a bowl of warm water, or in a pan of water that has been heated but is not sitting on the stove. Test the temperature of milk before feeding it to their small charges to prevent burns and scalds due to overheated bottles. Commercially-available bottle warmers may also be effective tools, though microwave ovens are, once again, strongly discouraged.

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Celebrity

Jennifer Hudson, Kanye West and North Among Celebs Attending March For Our Lives

Posted on March 27, 2018

A few of our Bellyitch Bumpwatch alums attending this weekend’s March For Our Lives rally in Washington, DC. Kim Kardashian West‘s husband Kanye West attended the event with his daughter North and her grandparents.

They were spotted with North on her papa’s shoulders in the middle of a packed crowd.

Jennifer Hudson delivered a soulful gospel-inspired rendition of Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are a-Changin‘” to close out the March. WATCH

The movement calls for stricter gun control laws following the massacre of 17 students at a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Other celebrity supporters of the event include Selena Gomez, Amy Schumer, George Clooney and Paul McCartney.

Hudson gets props for always jumping in to support youth movements. She is among a host of other celebs (like Beyonce, Alicia Keys, Rihanna, Lenny Kravitz, Zoë Kravitz, Queen Latifah, Pink, Bono, and Rosario Dawson) to also support the Black Lives Matter movement aimed at addressing disproportionate number of killing of UNARMED black civilians by police with impunity. Kanye West has a history of controversial statements but has also been a supporter of the BLM movement.

This song Hudson sand was approps. Check the Lyrics:

The Times They Are A-Changin’

WRITTEN BY: BOB DYLAN

Come gather ’round people

Wherever you roam

And admit that the waters

Around you have grown

And accept it that soon

You’ll be drenched to the bone

If your time to you is worth savin’

Then you better start swimmin’ or you’ll sink like a stone

For the times they are a-changin’

Come writers and critics

Who prophesize with your pen

And keep your eyes wide

The chance won’t come again

And don’t speak too soon

For the wheel’s still in spin

And there’s no tellin’ who that it’s namin’

For the loser now will be later to win

For the times they are a-changin’

Come senators, congressmen

Please heed the call

Don’t stand in the doorway

Don’t block up the hall

For he that gets hurt

Will be he who has stalled

There’s a battle outside and it is ragin’

It’ll soon shake your windows and rattle your walls

For the times they are a-changin’

Come mothers and fathers

Throughout the land

And don’t criticize

What you can’t understand

Your sons and your daughters

Are beyond your command

Your old road is rapidly agin’

Please get out of the new one if you can’t lend your hand

For the times they are a-changin’

The line it is drawn

The curse it is cast

The slow one now

Will later be fast

As the present now

Will later be past

The order is rapidly fadin’

And the first one now will later be last

For the times they are a-changin’

Copyright

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BumpNews

VIRAL: Dad Teaches Daughter Lesson About a Breastfeeding Stranger

Posted on March 27, 2018

In a recent Reddit story that has gone viral, a brother tells what happened when her sister was shamed by a 12-year old girl for breastfeeding in public.

Posted by Redditor u/starsonwith his sister’s permission, the redditor shared how his sis was feeding her newborn son, who he describes as “the world’s cutest little boy”, at a restaurant when a 12-year-old girl sitting at a nearby table with her father commented, “Ew, she has her tit out.” Her dad, however, explained that breastfeeding isn’t an “ew”-worthy action. “No, she’s feeding her baby, it’s natural,” he said in response. The girl then said, “Can’t she do it somewhere like the bathroom?” The dad replied, “Sure she can. You go eat your dinner [in] your bathroom, too.” Bravo! Read the rest of dad’s response in the embed of the story below.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, it is legal — as in, there are laws that spell this out flatly — to breastfeed or chestfeed in any public or private location in 49 states, the District of Columbia, and the Virgin Islands. (For the curious, Idaho is the only state that doesn’t currently have these kinds of laws.) Additionally, breastfeeding is exempt from public indecency laws in 29 states, the District, and the Virgin Islands. And yet, breastfeeding parents are often shamed for feeding their babies in public — and frequently, it’s because of our own misplaced shame surrounding breasts.

My Sister had her first “Ew, Breastfeeding!” moment in Public. It ended up being awesome. from r/TwoXChromosomes

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BumpNews

Before You Agree To Be A Pregnant Bridesmaid, 5 Things To Consider

Posted on March 26, 2018

Wedding Season is coming up so this is an oldie but goodie post for all you moms-to-be out there who have been asked to be a bridesmaid in an upcoming wedding:

It is a truth universally acknowledged that every bride-to-be shall be in want of a good bridesmaid…or three. And chances are that when a friend comes to you basking in that newly engaged glow and asks you to be one those bridesmaids, you’ll jump at the chance to support her on her big day:

The dancing! The shoes! The dresses! The CAKE!. Before you can say “yellow organza chiffon,” you’ve committed to being a bridesmaid and all that the honor entails. But what if you are expecting to have a big (and getting bigger) event of your own sometime in the next nine months?

1.THE COST

While the costs associated with being a bridesmaid can vary from wedding to wedding, one thing is certain: a baby on the way means unexpected expenses will be particularly unwelcome. After all, your priorities are changing, and whether it’s saving for diapers or a college fund, you want to make sure being a bridesmaid won’t mean being expected to pony up for expenses you soon won’t be able to afford. Accordingly, it’s important to clarify just what kinds of expenses will be expected of you ahead of time. A few to inquire after:

A. Will you be responsible for your dress, or will the bride pick up the tab? The same goes for those dyed shoes and your fabulous wedding day up-do and manicure.

B. If travel is involved, how costly will that be? Airfare, cab fare, hotel and eating out should all be considered.

C. How much (if any) will you be expected to contribute to a shower or bachelorette activities?

2. THE DRESS

Since bridesmaids dresses are known for being so lovely and flattering, finding a dress that will work while you are pregnant should be no problem at all! Um, yeah… Back on planet earth, bridesmaids dresses can be itchy, lumpy, scratchy, and pinchy (yes, you know pinchy is a word). But this is not to say that you cannot totally rock the pregnant bridesmaid look as long as you keep a few things in mind.

A. Comfort and Fit: Ultimately, you want a dress that flatters your figure and that you’ll feel great wearing. Look for a flowing empire-waisted gown, or a dress that can be ‘enhanced’ with an extra panel to accommodate that lovely baby bump of yours!

B. Alterations: Make sure you’ve got a good tailor who will be able to make last minute alterations a little bit in advance of the wedding date. As you know, all of those measurements are going to change. And then change some more.

C. Support: Speaking of those changing measurements, the right maternity bra can do wonders for a girl’s mood at a wedding, not to mention her back! Once you reach your third trimester, you will likely need to trade in those lacy bras and reach for something more substantial. Just don’t forget to make sure that your maternity bra works with your dress as the date nears.

3. YOUR DUE DATE

Let’s put this right out there: Going into labor at your friend’s wedding is not ideal. If your due date falls very close to the wedding date (or even within a month), you should feel free to humbly decline being in the wedding. Consulting with your doctor is also a good idea, as he or she will have likely dealt with this issue in the past and can make an individualized recommendation. However, if your due date is farther afield from the wedding date, then the most important factor to consider is likely to be travel. While most airlines will allow pregnant women to travel through their eighth month, you need to consider what your own personal comfort level will be.

Tips for safe air travel while pregnant include walking the aisles on your flight to prevent blood clots, drinking lots of water, and wearing your seatbelt under your belly rather than across it. Travelling during pregnancy can be challenging, but if you and your doctor think you are up for it, then you’re a go.

Just one thing though: You know those teeny tiny airplane bathrooms? Need we say more?

4. THE TIME COMMITMENT

She’s the friend who consoled you that time you broke up with that jerk during freshman year…and then consoled you again when you broke up with that other jerk that next year. She’s been with you through thick and thin and late night pizza runs. So of course you want to be the absolute best bridesmaid possible. But take a moment to consider what that might mean: stuffing invitations, licking stamps, shopping for wedding favors, liking her Facebook posts, and talking. Lots and lots of talking. You owe it to yourself and to your friend to think realistically about what you can handle during your pregnancy. No friend wants you to overtax yourself while you should be focusing on your health and the health of your baby. Let her know your concerns and ask in the gentlest way possible what will be expected of you so that you can both make an educated decision.

Going to a Wedding Soon? Need A Dress?

5. THE FRIENDSHIP STYLE

Before you say yes, think about the type of friendship/relationship that you have with the bride. Is it filled with drama or is it mostly peaceful?Communication will be key to making this situation work. She needs to understand that there will be times during this pregnancy that you will be tired, anxious, or painting adorable ducks on a nursery wall, and therefore will be unable to check out her Pinterest board right this moment. And you will have to understand that this is one of the most exciting times in her life, and that she will need your support throughout, even if your feet are swollen and throbbing, and the ducks need painting. If you two have that covered, the rest of the stuff will be a breeze.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Being asked to be a bridesmaid is an honor, for sure, and it’s no wonder you might be tempted to fill such a position for a friend you care about so dearly. But true friendship means knowing your limitations — something your friend should likewise honor and respect. And don’t worry: if you can’t participate as a bridesmaid, there are plenty of other ways to show your friend you care throughout this process. So, consider your next steps carefully and you’re sure to make the decision that will best balance your friendship and your own needs. And by the way, congratulations!

— Alyssa Ennis

Photos: Starcast, Pinterest

Low Heeled Shoes for Pregnant Women

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Celeb Moms at 2018 Teen Choice Awards Red Carpet

Posted on March 26, 2018

Nickelodeon‘s Teen Choice Awards went this weekend at The Forum on March 24, 2018 in Inglewood, California. The event isn’t just for teens but some of the stars they admire including adults.

Our Bellyitch Bumpwatch alums who are among our fave celeb moms Kristen Bell, Heidi Klum and Tiffani Thiessen also walked the red carpet. Bell and Klum presented awards, and Klum and our other alum Mel B, both America’s Got Talent judges, got slimed.

Frequent feature Gal Gadot won for Choice Film Actress.

Mel B posed on the carpet with her children, daughters 19-year old Pheonix Chi Gulzar, 10-year old Angel Iris Murphy Brown and 6-year old Madison Brown Belafonte, with ex-husband Stephen Belafonte‘s daughter Giselle. Melanie Brown wore a silver catsuit! Grrrrr!

Bell wore a top and skirt by Emilia Wickstead, Faris earrings, and Jimmy Choo shoes while carrying a Meli Melo bag. Klum wore a dress by Redemption, Christian Louboutin shoes, and Lorraine Schwartz jewelry on the red carpet. While presenting, Heidi wore a Vatinika top, Rosacha pants, Giuseppe Zanotti heels, and Lorraine Schwartz jewelry.

Fun times!

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Guide to Explaining Holy Week To Children

Posted on March 25, 2018

This week is Holy Week for Catholics and Christians that are preparing for Easter.

EHow assembled an excellent summary of the week that can be used for helping parents explain the holiday to their children.

It is instructional also for non-Catholics as well who may want to understand or explain the holiday for themselves or their children too.

Palm Sunday

When Jesus arrived in Jerusalem on his donkey, there were many followers who wanted to see him. People crowded around him and called his name. Many called out “King” or “Savior.”

Worshipers knelt down and waved palm fronds as Jesus passed by. Children and grownups wanted to hear him speak to them. They wanted to touch him. Sick people wanted their Savior to make them well. Another name for this day is Fig Sunday.

Holy Monday and Tuesday

Some people believe that on the Monday of Holy Week, Jesus freed the animals being sold and killed. The freeing of the many sheep and oxen has been compared to the slaves being set free. Tuesday is the day that the Pharisees got together and made a plan to gang up on Jesus and kill him. Holy Monday and Tuesday are not major days for celebration, but the events did lead up to Jesus’ death.

Spy Wednesday

Judas had been Jesus’ good friend, but he got jealous that so many people loved Jesus. Judas got together with the Pharisees and said he would play a trick on Jesus and kill him.

Today, many people go to church on Ash Wednesday to remember this day. A priest will put ashes from burned palm fronds on a person’s forehead in the shape of a cross and say a prayer.

Holy Thursday

The Last Supper was on this day. Jesus sat down to eat with 12 other people. Those people were the disciples. His friend Judas was there that night. Jesus shared his bread and wine with everyone. He told the disciples that it was more important to serve someone else than to be served.

He lovingly washed the feet of his disciples. After the meal was over, Jesus wanted to be alone to pray. Guards appeared a short time later and he was arrested.

Good Friday

Jesus was forced to make a huge cross and drag it up a hill all by himself. He had a crown on his head made of a branch of thorns. He was nailed to the cross by his hands and feet. One of the ways Good Friday is celebrated is by fasting, which means not eating at all. It is a day to mourn the death of Jesus, but also to celebrate that he gave his life for everyone.

Holy Saturday or Black Sabbath

After Jesus died, he was put in a tomb. The tomb was like a cave. The guards rolled a big rock in front of the opening to make sure that no one could get in or out. They knew that Jesus was dead, but they still wanted to close off the opening just to make sure he didn’t get out. Some of the ways to commemorate this day are meditating, praying, and lighting candles in church.

There you have it!!

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Celebrity

NHL’s Erik Karlsson and Wife Lose Son One Month Before Due

Posted on March 24, 2018

The NHL is showing their support and offering their condolences to Ottawa Senators captain Erik Karlsson, 27 and his new wife since last August 2017 Melinda Currey.

Karlsson was absent from Tuesday nights game against the Florida Panthers. Shortly after the game, the team released a statement breaking the tragic news that Erik’s unborn son had died.

The NHL released a press release:

“The collective thoughts and prayers of the Ottawa Senators organization, the city of Ottawa and entire hockey community rest with Erik and Melinda Karlsson following the loss of their son. We ask that you respect the family’s wishes for privacy during the grieving process.”

Karlsson asked for privacy after sharing his grief on his Instagram account:

View this post on Instagram
At this extremely difficult time it’s hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel but we know one day we’ll get there. We would like to thank everyone for the love and support we have received and also for respecting our privacy and the process we need to go through now. We feel very lucky to be Axels parents. Even though he was stillborn, we know we will hold him again one day under different circumstances and the joy he gave us will be with us forever.
A post shared by Erik Karlsson (@erikkarlsson65) on Mar 21, 2018 at 10:00am PDT

”At this extremely difficult time it’s hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel but we know one day we’ll get there,” Karlsson wrote. “We would like to thank everyone for the love and support we have received and also for respecting our privacy and the process we need to go through now.

We feel very lucky to be Axels parents. Even though he was stillborn, we know we will hold him again one day under different circumstances and the joy he gave us will be with us forever.”

Our condolences.

continue readidng

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Jeneba Jalloh Ghatt