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Jeneba Jalloh Ghatt

Savannah Guthrie shows off bump at events all weekend, Katie Couric rumored to be her maternity leave replacement

First time mom-to-be TODAY show host Savannah Guthrie has been having a ball showing off her growing baby bump at events recently. 
This weekend was a busy one. Today, the seasoned journo wore a black floral dress to the Fed Up  premiere at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Just this past weekend, she was all smiles while posing with co-host Matt Lauer at the White House Correspondents Association Dinner at the Hilton in DC all pretty in pink, and went floral again the night before at the annual New Yorker pre-WHCD party at the W Hotel  in DC.  
And just last month, she was being honored  at The Hollywood Reporter’s  35 Most Powerful People In Media Celebration at The Four Seasons Restaurant on April 16, 2014 in New York City.
Sharing the spotlight today was the news that former host Katie Couric has been rumored to possibly sit in Guthrie’s stead when she departs for maternity leave after giving birth to her first child with new husband of a few months Michael Feldman. 
Among other big names floated around to sub include another alum Meredith Vieria, the former panelist host on The View who took over after Couric left TODAY the first time in 2006.
Interesting…. Who do you think they should select?

photos: Getty

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Kids with Food Allergies: 10 snack alternatives to try

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of children with food allergies increased 18% between 1997 and 2007; while there are a plethora of theories about why food sensitivities are on the rise, there’s no definitive data to back up any one claim. Parents are left to manage their kids’ allergies to the best of their abilities, cautiously introducing new foods and scrupulously checking labels before letting their little ones eat anything. Because some foods are more likely to cause an allergic reaction in kids than others, here are 10 simple snacks that score low on the allergen likelihood list.

  1. Sunbutter with Gluten-Free Crackers – Sunbutter is an alternative to peanut butter that contains no tree nuts, gluten, dairy or eggs. It is processed in a facility that shares roasting equipment with soy, but implements a cleanout process between batches to reduce the risk of contamination. Because of this, it is very unlikely to cause any sort of allergic reaction in kids. Served with gluten-free crackers to prevent any reactions associated with grain, this low-risk snack is sure to be a hit.
  2. Dried Fruit – While springing for a food dehydrator and drying your own fruit is the ultimate way of knowing the exact contents of a dried fruit mix, there are several commercially-available options that boast a low allergen risk and exclusive processing equipment. This naturally sweet and healthy snack is great for kids with or without food allergies; just be sure to double-check the label.
  3. Fruit Kabobs – It doesn’t get much simpler than skewered fruit, but there’s something about these bite-sized morsels of delectable seasonal produce that makes them a sure-fire, no-fail hit with kids of all ages.
  4. Frozen Bananas – Depending on how it’s processed and what sort of additives it contains, chocolate can be a risky proposition for kids with food allergies. Chocolate-covered frozen bananas are a summertime classic, but omitting the chocolate altogether still makes for a tasty warm-weather treat.
  5. No-Creamsicles – Kids that are tolerant of citrus are sure to flip for this dairy-free take on a summertime classic. Mix equal parts soy or rice milk with orange juice in Popsicle molds and freeze for a cool treat on a hot day.
  6. Trail Mix – Commercially-prepared trail mix can be a bit iffy for kids with allergies; if you’re less than absolutely certain that a specific brand is safe for your little one, making a batch of allergen-free trail mix at home is a quick and simple fix. Toss sunflower seeds, dried fruit, raisins and other tolerated items together and pour into baggies for a safe on-the-go snack.
  7. Veggie Sticks and Sesame-Free Hummus – Eliminating the tahini from hummus renders it sesame-free; served with carrot and bell pepper sticks, cucumber slices and other vegetables, it’s a safe and healthy snack for most children.
  8. Gluten-Free Muffins – Gluten-free cake, cookie and muffin mixes are making their way to grocer’s shelves, making them easier than ever to find. One boxed mix will make dozens of cute mini-muffins, which are perfect bite-sized snacks for kids.
  9. Fruit Leather – The all-natural brethren of processed fruit snacks in sheet form, fruit leather can be purchased in specialty stores or made fairly easily at home. Also, making homemade fruit leather allows you to have ultimate control over the ingredients.
  10. Peanut-Free Ants on a Log – Kids that don’t have trouble with soy can enjoy this time-tested kid favorite with soy-nut butter; if your little one is intolerant of soy, however, Sunbutter is another great alternative to the traditional peanut butter.
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Water Safety Month: 10 Drowning Prevention and Water Safety Tips

May is National Water Safety Month.  Drowning

is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. On average, 3,533

people die as a result of drowning each year, and most of those deaths are

children under the age of four who drown in backyard swimming pools. The

tragedy of these statistics is nearly all drowning deaths are preventable.
To

help educate children, parents, families and swim instructors on preventive

measures to avoid a drowning incident, US

Swim School Association
(USSSA), the preeminent swim school organization in

the country, has compiled the latest life-saving water safety and swim

instruction tips.
There are certain standard things parents should do: (a) keep their children under their supervision constantly, (b) enroll them in swimming classes, (c) know CPR Nd (d) install pool fences and barriers. In addition to

these vital steps, USSSA has created a list of tips parents can use to build

extra layers of protection for their children around water.
 Drowning

Prevention & Water Safety Tips

  • Create a verbal cue for your

    toddler or child that must be given by you before he or she can enter the

    pool.
  • Never allow your

    baby/toddler in the pool without a swim diaper.
  • Create a process the child

    must go through before entering a pool such as putting on a swim diaper, a

    swimsuit and applying sunscreen.
  • Never use flotation devices

    or water wings when swimming or when teaching kids to swim.
  • Children should learn to

    swim without goggles.  Teach your

    children to open their eyes under water; if they fall in they can find the

    side of the pool or a step and get out safely.  
  • For very young children

    practice having them put their entire face under water in the bathtub and

    blow bubbles to build their comfort with water.
  • Create a water safety plan

    for your family and have water emergency drills with your kids covering

    how to recognize the signs of someone struggling in water and what to do

    in this type of emergency.
  • Make sure your guests and

    kids’ friends know your pool rules before they go outside and get in the

    pool.
  • Start swim lessons at 6

    months of age and continue them year-round at a US Swim School member

    location.
  • Always make sure your

    children wear life jackets on boats, personal watercraft and in open

    bodies of water.

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2014 Met Ball Red Carpet Trends as worn by celebrity moms

Among the A-List celebs strutting their looks on the red carpet to this year’s Met Ball were several of our Bellyitch alum moms last night, May 5.
There was a departure from the traditional avante garde fair this year given the theme “Charles James: Beyond Fashion”, named after the newest exhibit at the museum. It allowed the ladies to do old Hollywood glam, which is safer and more feminine for the annual gala put on by the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, and produced by Vogue editor-in-chief Ana Wintour.


The actual exhibit featured vintage old and recent Hollywood red carpet and other formal evening dresses worn by major US and international stars. 
We saw some trends starting with the traditional trains, as spotted on Beyonce in a Givenchy dress and shoes adorned with Lorraine Schwartz jewelry; and on Charlize Theron in a black and white Dior dress worn with Fred Leighton jewels.

Actress Lake Bell held it down for the pregnant ladies in Tomy Hillfiger while Ivanka Trump did an earthy pattern in Oscar de la Renta.

Event co-chair Sarah Jessica Parker also wore Oscar de la Renta in a black and white ball gown while Victoria Beckham went as herself, in a sleek strapless Victoria Beckham evening dress.

Dark colors were seen on Marion Cotilliard in Christian Dior and Kim Kardashian in a sateen teal Lanvin evening dress with Lorraine Schwartz jewels.
 
Metallic and Silver were worn by singer Lily Allen in Chanel Couture, model Lily Aldridge in Michael Kors and Nicole Richie in Donna Karan Atalier

Going with bold color was Katie Holmes in a full sunny gown by  Marchesa and Reese Witherspoon looking polished and pretty in Stella McCartney.

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Study: Baby Gates not as safe as parents think

Baby gates are not as safe as many parents think. A new study from the journal Academic Pediatrics found that the number of injuries from gates have more than tripled in the past 20 years.
Most of the injuries, which climbed to 13 per 100,000 children in 2010 compared to 4 per 100,000 children in 1990, were not serious.  Experts recommend parents use bolted gates on the top of steps not pressure mounted ones which are more likely to fail if not properly closed.  They also suggest parents avoid accordion style gates which have since become outdated in the baby market anyway. 
The data was gathered from children up to 6 years old at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. 

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RHOA’s Phaedra Parks reunion comments: Meanest reality TV attack on older single women who want to have a baby (VIDEO)

Just when I thought we had hit rock bottom with catty fighting women insulting and offending other women who are trying to conceive, we go and discover a new floor below.
A couple weeks ago, during the finale of the VH1 show Basketball Wives: LA one cast member told off another member who is a cancer survivor and  is struggling while trying to conceive to go “take her medicine” and injections to try and make a baby, boasting how she already had 3 healthy ones. 
Last night, on part three of the Real Housewives of Atlanta finale, cast member and past 2x Bellyitch Bumpwatch mom to two, Phaedra Parks sunk quite low to insult her arch nemesis Kenya Moore
In a shade-filled “read” on the former Miss USA, Parks attacked the fact that Moore was exploring sperm banks in search of an appropriate anonymous donor for a child she hoped to conceive and raise on her own. Moore had previously said that she did not want to conceive a child out of wedlock but at her advanced age of over 40, she noticed her options were wearing thin and decided to consider that route.
So to get back at Moore for her own history of inappropriate contact and communication with Parks’ husband Apollo Nida, the recent Mortuary school graduate and law firm owner went after Moore’s Trying to Conceive (TTC) plans, stating during the show last night:

“She needs a story line so she keeps re-bringing it up. This happened in 2012. It’s 2014 and she’s still trying to use it because she has nothing else going on. And while she’s sitting around, running around talking about my husband, the father to my children, and she spends her weekends peddling thru sperm banks, looking through catalogs to try to find a donor. Honey, you don’t know if your baby daddy will be an axe murderer or a child molester. But what you will know is that he needed $10 to get himself a medium-sized pizza so he ejaculated in a cup so you can have a kid. Check that.”

A few thoughts come to mind.
1. While Phae-Phae is the queen of reading, this particular one sounded too structured, polished and well -rehearsed. At one point, Apollo pulled out his mobile phone after accusing Moore of texting him again a week ago (an accusation Moore denied immediately). But he could have gotten out his phone to feign an opportunity to pull up the script so Phaedra could refresh her memory. She can be seen on camera twisting her neck slightly and taking a peek at his phone. hmmmmm…..
2. This is not the first time the self-described Christian woman went below the belt to attack fertility struggles. In a past episode this season, she called Moore’s reproductive system “scrambled eggs.” That was a pretty dirty thing to say considering all the women with fertility issues who watch her show and support her brand.
3. While this round, Parks wasn’t a directly attacking another woman’s fertility  struggles, she did make an indirect jab at the thousands of women who have delayed having a baby because of their career and/or who have been struggling to meet “The One” while waiting to marry and have a baby. Some of those women have and are considering an anonymous sperm donor because they desperately want a baby. Way to go to make them feel horrible about their predicament and options, Phaedra Parks.
4. The other sad part to me personally, was all the women, who do not like Moore’s antics and behavior on the show, who were applauding and cheering it on in social media.  While cheering on Moore being put in her place and silenced, they are also complicitly  putting down all those women out there in Moore’s  shoes  — some including possible friends, family members and co-workers.

Not cool.

The full episode is below and Phaedra’s spiel starts around the 39:00 mark.

video courtesy: DDotMen

What are your thoughts?

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Cinco de Mayo: 5 Non-Alcoholic Drinks for the Kids & Preginistas

Bellyitch Rewind
Taste of Home
Just because you are pregnant doesn’t mean you have to miss out on all the fun this Cinco de Mayo. You too can celebrate the Mexicans successfully beating and kicking the French out of their land with these 6 yummy and refreshing non-alcoholic drinks. Whip up a batch for yourself and the kids this Cinco de Mayo holiday! Enjoy!
Lemon-Berry Margarita (in above photo)
4 lime wedges
2 tablespoons coarse sugar
2/3 cup thawed lemonade concentrate
1 cup frozen unsweetened raspberries
2 cups ice cubes
2 packages (10 ounces each) frozen sweetened sliced strawberries, thawed
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup tequila, optional
Directions
Using lime wedges, moisten the rims of four margarita or cocktail glasses. Set aside limes for garnish. Sprinkle coarse sugar on a plate; hold each glass upside down and dip rim into sugar. Set aside. Discard remaining sugar on plate.
In a blender, combine the lemonade concentrate and raspberries; cover and process until blended. Press mixture through a fine sieve; discard seeds. Return raspberry mixture to blender; add the ice, strawberries, blueberries, sugar and tequila if desired. Cover and process until smooth.
Pour into prepared glasses. Garnish with reserved limes. Yield: 4 servings.
Lemon-Lime Drink
Lemon-Lime Drink
1 can (12 ounces) frozen limeade concentrate, thawed
2/3 cup thawed lemonade concentrate
1 teaspoon orange extract
1-1/2 cups water
6 cups chilled diet lemon-lime soda
1 medium lemon, sliced
1 medium lime, sliced
Directions
In a large container, combine the limeade and lemonade concentrates and orange extract. Stir in water.
Just before serving, stir in lemon-lime soda. Serve over ice. Garnish with lemon and lime slices. Yield: 3 quarts (12 servings, 1 cup per serving).
Mock Margarita
Mock-Margarita
  Lime wedge (optional)see savings
  Coarse salt or coarse sugar (optional)
1  6-ounce canfrozen limeade concentrate
3/4  cuporange juicesee savings
2/3  cupunsweetened grapefruit juicesee savings
25  to 30 smallice cubes (about 4 cups)
  Green food coloring (optional)
  Lemon or lime slices (optional)see savings
add ingredients to list
1. If desired, rub rims of margarita glasses with lime wedge; dip rims into a shallow dish of coarse salt or sugar and shake off excess. Set aside.
2. In a blender, combine limeade concentrate, orange juice, and grapefruit juice. Cover and blend until smooth. With the blender running, gradually add ice cubes through the hole in the lid, blending until slushy. If desired, tint with a few drops of green food coloring. Pour into margarita glasses. If desired, garnish with citrus slices. Makes 8 (4-ounce) servings.
Mock Sangria
Mock Sangria
2  cupsorange juice, chilledsee savings
1  cupunsweetened white grape juice, chilledsee savings
1  cupreduced-calorie cranberry juicesee savings
1  1-liter bottlediet lemon-lime carbonated beverage, chilledsee savings
  Ice cubes
2  cupsassorted fresh fruit (such as oranges, cut into wedges; thinly sliced and halved lemons and/or limes; pineapple wedges; seedless red or green grapes; sliced, peeled and pitted peaches; and halved strawberries)
  Fresh mint sprigs
add ingredients to list
1. In a large bowl or pitcher, stir together chilled orange juice, white grape juice, and cranberry juice.
2. Add the lemon-lime beverage; stir gently. Fill each of 10 glasses about two-thirds full with ice. Divide fruit among glasses. Pour juice mixture into glasses. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs. Makes 10 (about 6-ounce) servings.
Tastebook
Limeade punch
1 (12 fluid ounce) can frozen lemonade concentrate
1 (12 fluid ounce) can frozen limeade concentrate
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
4 egg whites
6 cups crushed ice
1 liter carbonated water
1 lime, sliced
coarse salt
In a 4 quart container, combine lemonade concentrate, limeade concentrate, powdered sugar, egg whites, and crushed ice; mix well. Cover and freeze at least 30 minutes before serving.
Spoon 2 cups slush mixture into blender. Add 1 cup of carbonated water. Blend until frothy. To serve rub rim of glass with lime slice, dip in salt, and fill glass. garnish with lime slices.
Todd Quackenbush
Puncha de Frutas (Fruit Punch)
3 oranges, juiced
3 lemons, juiced
1/2 pound seedless green grapes, halved
1/2 pound plums, pitted and chopped into small bite-size pieces
1 fresh pineapple – peeled, cored and chopped into small bite-size pieces
1 cup white sugar
4 cups strong brewed black tea, chilled
In a large punch bowl, combine orange juice, lemon juice, grapes, plums and pineapple. Stir in sugar. Pour in tea and crushed ice.

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Bump Watch: Christina Aguilera Rocks the New Orleans Jazz Festival

Mamas to be Rock! Didn’t you know? And if you didn’t you haven’t seen the photos of a very pregnant Christina Aguilera rocking it out, energetically while headlining at the New Orleans Jazz Festival this weekend, Friday May 2.
She covered her growing bump with an oversized white collared shirt and wore what looks like a fitted black dress with jeweled embellishments underneatth and jeweled shear body tights.
Aguilera and her fiance Matthew Rutler, a financial jouranlist, are expecting their first baby together. This will be his first and her second. She has a 6-year old son, Max, with ex-husband Jordan Bratman. 
photo: Getty

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Double Trend Alert: Geometric patterns and Black and White -Pregginista style

Geometric shapes are making a return this Spring. So are the colors black and white. 
Traditionally, pregnant women are told to stay far away from prints if pregnant so as not to accentuate all the extra spread that happens when baking a bambino!
But you can totes pull it off with careful stying. Simply wear one  of the following dressed under neath a long dark cardigan to to frame the look and voila! Style and Trendy without looking like a disco ball!

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Celeb moms on White House Correspondents Dinner red carpet (PHOTOS)

Last night, many of the moms who we’ve featured in the past and who star in television shows that are set in Washington, DC or the White House were spotted on the red carpet to the White House Correspondents Association Association‘s 100th Annual dinner at the Hilton hotel in Washington, DC.

The annual ball is for charity and is usually attended by an A-list of politicians, reporters and celebrities.

Michelle Obama at the 100th Annual White House Correspondents Dinner

Anna Chlumsky and Julia Louis-Dreyfus who star in VEEP and  new moms Jessica Simpson and Kristen Bell, and other celebs went to the event as guests of various media organizations that cover the White House.

Veep’s Anna Chlumsky was giving face in black and white.

Sofia Vergara in Romona Keveza Spring 2014 gold asymmetric gown with pale pink chiffon skirting
Cynthia Nixon in a Tibi printed, round neckline, silk  gown.

 

Jessica Simpson in a  Carolina Herrera  strapless macro-print floral chiffon gown  with Neil Lane jewels

 

Julia Louis-Dreyfus  in a Antonio Berardi pre-fall 2014 black gold embellished gown Brian Atwood pumps  and Edie Parker clutch and Neil Lane jewels.

 

The Good Wife  star Julianna Margulies in vintage high waist black chiffon Jean Dessès draped gown styled with Roger Vivier clutch and Lorraine Schwartz jewel

 

Katie Couric was svelte and sexy in a slinky lace number.

 

Kristen Bell in Dolce & Gabbana and carrying a Christian Louboutin clutch

 

It girl (not yet a mom but featured often) Lupita Nyong’o in  Oscar de la Renta Fall 2014 polka dot tulle peplum gown  from Resort 2014 collection with an Oscar de la Renta clutch, Paul Andrew Earrings and  Fred Leighton shoes.

 

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