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Judge: Sherri Shepherd is surrogate mom to child planned with ex

Posted on April 22, 2015

Yesterday, we blogged about Sofia Vergara‘s ex fighting for parenthood despite no longer being romantically involved with her and now today, Sherri Shepherd was also dealt a blow by her ex over parenthood.

A judge ruled Tuesday that Shepherd is legally the mother of a now 8-month old baby boy, conceived via surrogate and born on July 28, 2014. Shepherd and ex husband Lamar Sally arranged for the surrogacy while the two were still together, but split before the baby, Lamar Sally Jr, was born. Court papers show the couple separated April 16, 2014.

With the ruling, Shepherd’s name will be listed on the baby’s birth certificate as the mother. The judge found that Shepherd was one half of the two people who caused the baby to be brought into this world.

“The court upheld what we believe is and should be the law in Pennsylvania,” Sally’s attorney Tiffany Palmer told E!News. “If you set out to conceive a child through assisted reproduction and enter into contracts to do so, you cannot just walk away from your legal parental responsibility because you changed your mind.”

So far no comment from Sherri but Sally’s attorneys said video shown during the proceedings of Shepherd expressing excitement over the surrogacy helped sway the judge’s decision. Indeed, we too blogged in 2013 about the surrogacy and Shepherd’s glee over becoming a mother with Sally.

Shepherd has a 9-year old son, Jeffrey, with her ex husband comedian Jeff Tarpley.

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Nonprofit invents ‘shoes that grow’ for kids in poor nations

Posted on April 21, 2015

While working in an orphanage in Africa, Kenton Lee, executive director of Because International, said he noticed a little girl in a white dress wearing shoes that were several sizes too small. When he inquired more, Lee learned that the home had gotten a shipment of donated shoes but the kids were stuck wearing what was available. The other alternative would be to go barefoot then risk exposure to ground contaminants.

That’s when Lee came up with the concept for “Shoes That Grow.”

He partnered with designers and created a shoe with snaps, buttons and a few buckles that hold the shoe together and can be adjusted to grow as the child does.

The shoes can grow five sizes and can last up to five years.

Small = Grows 5 sizes – From Kindergarten to 4th Grade
Large = Grows 5 sizes – From 5th Grade to 9th Grade.

Because International has delivered shoes to children in impoverished nations including Haiti, Kenya, Ghana and Ecuador and is considering expanding the program to help poor children in the US.

The organization relies on donations to ship the shoes, which cost $10 each, in bullk. Consider donating a shoe, a duffle bag or volunteering otherwise here and check out this promotional video about the group and its efforts:

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On sharing due dates with a major celebrity mom-to-be

Posted on April 21, 2015

Nine-months pregnant writer Emily Gould wrote a well thought-out piece in yesterday’s Racked.com which I could relate to much. In it, she talks about being fascinated with the pregnancies of celebrities like Kate Middleton, Zooey Deschanel, Keira Knightley and other celebrities also expecting as she is.

Even though Gould knows these women have different pressures of having to incubate a child under the watchful eye of cameras and the public, she still feels a sort of kindred kinship with these ladies and for that reason has kept up with their respective pregnancies in the media. She knows sort of what they are going through and can relate.

It reminded me of how this blog launched eight years ago. Like Gould, I too was expecting and found comfort in keeping up with media coverage of Halle Berry, Garcelle Beauvais, Nicole Richie and Christina Aguilera, Jenna Elfman and Salma Hayek who, back then, were also expecting. Along with blogging about my own personal third and final pregnancy, I’d sprinkle in some post here and there about these ladies. But dissimilar to Gould, who suspects that she will “be over” the celebrity pregnant thing after she gives birth, my fascination and appreciation continued and hence we have the Bellyitch Blog of today which brings readers a good dose of celeb bump watch, sprinkled in between fashion, parenting tips and news and studies related to pregnancy, parenting and children.

And so…today, we are officially on baby watch #2 with Kate Middleton who is officially due this Saturday and sources say is close to giving birth to her second child any moment now! Still exciting!

If you get a chance, head on over to Racked, and check out Gould’s entire essay.

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Introducing wearable tech for your baby! yeah, we said Baby! (VIDEO)

Posted on April 21, 2015

For paranoid first time parents who are scared of SIDS and other possible issues that may endanger your baby while they sleep comes a wearable onesie baby monitor!

Mimo is a onesie with a built-in monitor that collects real time data about baby’s breathing, temperature, sleep, body position and sends it to a smartphone.

Wow! Yeah. Get a 3 pack for $199 from our partners at Amazon.com!

WATCH MORE:

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Sofia Vergara and ex spar over fate of fertilized embryos in storage

Posted on April 21, 2015

Sofia Vergara may have the two fertilized embryos she froze while with her businessman ex-fiance, Nick Loeb, frozen for perpetuity.

Recently, Loeb slapped the Modern Family actress with a lawsuit preventing her from destroying the embryos court documents say they created using in vitro fertilization in November 2013.

“I have always strongly believed that life begins at conception and that every embryo is life on the journey towards birth,” the Onion Crunch CEO said in a statement on his lawyer Mark J. Heller‘s website Monday morning. “I created these two female embryos with the purpose of taking them to term and not destruction, because I have always dreamed of being a father.”

Loeb said he would be willing to raise the child and absolve Vergara of any parental responsibilities.

“I have previously offered to waive any parental or financial responsibilities or obligations on the part of my ex, and to even give her the opportunity to be involved with the child in the future, should she change her mind,” the statement further explained. “I take the responsibility and obligation of being a parent very seriously…Regardless of how life comes to be created, this should have no determination on the rights of either wanting to be or the requirements of having to be a parent.”

Bioethicsists say a court would not permit the embryos to be destroyed unless both parties agreed. Apparently when the two stored them, they also signed an agreement that a child would not be borne from them unless both parties agree, Radar Online notes.

Although Loeb is claiming religious reasons for not wanting the embryos destroyed, California courts would more likely regard them as property and treat the matter as a property law one.

Unless the two agree to have a surrogate carry them given Vergara is already 42, there is a chance they’ll stay in storage forever…unless they stop paying storage fees in which case the clinic banking them would be free to destroy them.

What a mess! Weigh in below!

photo: Getty

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Spring Garden Season: 10 Tips for keeping children safe

Posted on April 20, 2015

It’s lawn and gardening season once again. Every year 600,000 Americans are injured riding lawn mowers while doing yard work. Often times, your children also want to join in and “help” doing yard work. They can but while exercising proper supervision and following some safety tips.

SummerNannyJobs lists 10 tips for keeping the children safe:

As the temperature rises and the days get longer, the amount of attention that your lawn requires also increases. For parents who are considering outdoor chores for their brood, there are some safety rules that should be taken into account before sending them outside. Here are 10 of the most important guidelines that should be instituted when kids help out with yard work.

Teach Proper Tool Use – It’s easy to assume that older kids have a handle on the use of basic lawn tools, but those without hands-on experience may be a bit confused. This can lead to serious injury if tools are mishandled, so it’s a good idea to outline the basics.
Supervision is Key – For younger children, it’s absolutely essential that they be supervised at all times. Work alongside them or even on another task nearby, but never let them work while you’re inside or on the other side of your property.
Keep Little Ones Inside During Mowing – Kids are fascinated with riding lawnmowers, so it might be difficult to keep them indoors while an adult cuts the grass. Still, the potential for flying debris and injury from the blades is too great to allow for close observation.
More On Mowers – In addition to keeping smaller kids indoors while an adult is mowing the lawn, it’s a good rule of thumb that those under the age of 13 be deemed too young to operate a mower. This rule can be flexible; you know your child’s abilities and level of responsibility best. However, be sure that they are well-informed about safety measures and instructed on proper operation.
Insist On Proper Footwear – Summertime might be flip-flop weather, but kids and adults alike should wear shoes that cover the entire foot and lace securely during lawn work. In addition to the chance of injury due to mishandled equipment, there are also a myriad of other things that can cause injury if stepped on.
Keep Kids Away From Chemicals – Though more and more parents are opting for organic or “green” lawn and garden solutions, it’s still important to treat all additives as if they’re potentially harmful and to keep kids entirely clear of traditional, chemical-based solutions.
Store Everything Properly – At the end of a yard work session, kids should be instructed to return everything to its proper storage space. Rakes, hoes and shovels left lying in the lawn can be obscured and cause injury if stepped on.
Wear Proper Protective Clothing – Kids should wear protective gear to shield their eyes, close-fitting clothing that is less likely to be caught in any mechanical equipment, and plenty of sunscreen.
Stay Hydrated – Summer heat can be downright brutal in some places, so it’s important that kids know to stay well hydrated and to come inside if they feel overheated. These rules can also be applied to outdoor play.
No Horseplay Allowed – Kids are, by nature, prone to rough-housing and horseplay. They need to understand, however, that it isn’t allowed during lawn work. There are too many potentially-dangerous situations that arise from this sort of behavior when tools are involved.

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Reese Witherspoon wows on Academy of Country Music Awards red carpet

Posted on April 20, 2015

I am totally crushing on the A-line metallic embellished David Koma mini dress actress Reese Witherspoon wore tonight at the 50th Academy Of Country Music Awards at AT&T Stadium on April 19, 2015 in Arlington, Texas.

Koma is known for his futuristic take on girly girl designs and comes signature with cut outs and creative angles like this similar sleeveless lace and macrame layered A-Line dress from a recent collection which retails for about $2k!

The Oscar winning star and her Hot Pursuit co-star Sofia Vergara (Modern Family) played it up on the red carpet and on stage tonight promoting their new action comedy that will be released in theaters nationwide on May 8.

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8 ways to get your child to eat more vegetables

Posted on April 20, 2015

With childhood obesity rates in the United States skyrocketing, it should come as no real surprise that more American kids are being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and other health problems related to poor dietary habits than ever before. Unfortunately, getting picky kids to willingly eat vegetables instead of the high-fat foods that are actively marketed towards them can be quite a challenge. Most modern parents are well-acquainted with the struggle of maintaining a healthy diet for their children in a society that seems determined to provide them with more sugar and empty calories than nutrition, but there are ways to help your children form good eating habits.

Start Early – Introducing your toddler to fruits and vegetables rather than chicken nuggets and French fries can make instilling good habits much easier as they get older. Breaking a bad habit is much more difficult than avoiding the acquisition of one, so limiting your little one’s exposure to unhealthy convenience food from early childhood is best.
Limit Unhealthy Purchases – Convincing a child to eat his carrots is sure to be difficult when he knows that there are tater tots in the freezer. Limit the availability of unhealthy options, and make a habit of preparing healthful fare at every opportunity. When there are unhealthy, albeit appealing, foods lurking in the pantry, kids aren’t as likely to complain and beg for those things.
Model Good Eating Habits – Kids mimic the adults around them, and they quickly pick up the habits that their grown-up loved ones exhibit. Bemoaning the necessity of a diet rich in fresh produce and vocally yearning for a drive-thru cheeseburger won’t help your child appreciate healthy food as a tasty and nutritious choice, it’ll make eating well seem like an unpleasant task. If choosing broccoli over chili dogs is a chore for you, it’s best to keep that attitude from showing when dinnertime rolls around. Remember, you can’t expect a child not to complain when they hear you doing just that.
Be Firm – When a child throws a tantrum and refuses to eat her vegetables, many parents simply relent to avoid difficulty. Though it’s infinitely easier to cave under pressure and provide your child with the unhealthy foods she demands than it is to stand firm, it’s ultimately detrimental to her health and discipline to continually give in to her. Forcing a child to choke down foods that they truly dislike, however, will only breed resentment. Experiment with different preparations, combinations, and types of vegetables until you find what works for your family, and resist the temptation to take the easier path. When good habits have been established, the number of dinnertime complaints will drop dramatically.
Get Kids in the Kitchen – Young children love to help, and meal preparation is no exception. Furthermore, the feeling of accomplishment that comes from knowing that they aided in the creation of the meal makes healthy food more appealing. The ability to make good choices stems from a good education, and that education begins in the home. Rather than making the kitchen off-limits for your kids, get them in on the action and take every available opportunity to teach them about the importance of a good diet.
Presentation is Key – Even adults are likely to turn their noses up at poorly presented, unappetizing fare, and kids tend to be far pickier. Getting kids to willingly eat their vegetables can be as simple as presenting them in a way that’s both tasty and aesthetically pleasing.
Adopt a “No Hiding” Policy – Sneaking vegetables into foods that your kids already love will certainly make them a part of their diet, but it won’t help them acquire the good eating habits that are essential to maintaining health as they get older. Kids will still plead and pout when spinach shows up on the dinner table, regardless of how much you’ve been hiding in their smoothies.
Start and Maintain a Family Garden – Researchers at the Department of Endocrinology at the Mayo Clinic have determined that kids who are actively involved in maintaining a family vegetable garden are more likely to enjoy the results than their non-gardening peers. Even a small plot can help generate excitement and make kids eager to eat food that they’ve helped to grow, so consider starting a garden if at all possible. In addition to boosting kids’ likelihood of willingly eating fresh produce, gardening also serves as a physically active hobby.

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What are celeb moms doing on Instagram?

Posted on April 19, 2015

We’re back at it!! — sharing what we’ve spotted our Bellyitch bumpwatch moms and moms-to-be at doing these days as shared through their respective Instagram feeds.

Ivanka Trump got support from her husband and kids as she completed a half marathon in New York.

Monica was showing off her new super short red pixie cut in a recent photo shoot.

Rachel Zoe is vacationing in St. Bart‘s with her baby and family.

Garcelle Beauvais also was vacationing but with her girls in Puerto Rico and also in new hair: bold box braids!

Gwen Stefani was feeling the rush of performing again with her old No Doubt

bandmates who she reunited with at a concert in DC yesterday.

Brandy is biking through New York City for exercise and working with her fitness trainer.

Kourtney Kardashian celebrated her birthday in Vegas with her friends.

And the lactating mom pumped some liquid gold for her infant son at home, as seen in this hilarious double pump pic.

Adrienne Bosh was celebrating on the beach the birthday of her sister-friend photographer of Aprile Belle photography.

Jessica Alba and friends were also celebrating a friend’s birthday out.

Jenna Dewan-Tataum was hanging with her mom and celebrating with a night in!

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How Facebook’s new ‘Baby Scrapook’ feature works

Posted on April 19, 2015

Facebook recently launched its new scrapbook feature for parents to allow them to chronicle their baby’s life on the popular online social network site.

Parents create a profile for their child then link themselves with that profile. They can then tag their child in images and store those photos in a private album that only the parents or anyone they allow access to view it like grandparents, aunts, relatives and close friends.

The creator of the feature said he came up with the idea when he noticed that a lot of parents were uploading photos of their newborns and children and using Facebook to organize memories anyway.

The company is working on a future way to then authorize the child to have his “baby scrapbook” when he reaches age 13 and is able to have a Facebook account.

“Scrapbook serves as a handy tool for amassing all those baby photos and storing them in a dedicated, easy-to-access place on Facebook,” the site says in this video about the new function.

WATCH:

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