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Alison Sweeney's Outlook Forever Changed by Motherhood

Alison Dyer for PEOPLE for use on CBB

Motherhood has completely transformed Alison Sweeney. In the May issue of American Baby, the 32-year-old actress and television personality says that her heart grew exponentially after welcoming son Benjamin Edward, 4, and new baby Megan Hope, 4 months. “I just didn’t realize how having a child would change my outlook on everything,” she admits. “I not only think about my kids, but about all kids.” She adds that she is forever mindful of how blessed her life has been.

“I may have the ability to give my children clean drinking water, but elsewhere, there are people who walk hours to muddy water because that’s all they can find. Okay, I’m going to start crying!”

Hosting The Biggest Loser has opened Alison’s eyes to the importance of setting a healthy example for her kids, and she reveals that childhood obesity is “a huge concern.” When she sees a parent giving their child a doughnut, for example, Alison says she often wants to intervene. “Show him that fruit is desert,” she suggests. “It’s delicious and sweet.”

Lamenting that “it’s so frustrating to see how convenient fast food is,” Alison adds, “I’ve struggled with weight my whole life and I don’t want my children to struggle with it.” A good trick for ensuring a diverse palate involves exposing baby to “herbs and spices so he’s not just used to bland food,” Alison says. That said, she’s also not afraid to lay down the law!

“You need to remember that it’s your job to say, ‘Eat your vegetables!’”

Alison suggests that new, first-time moms keep their perspective. “The best advice I got when I was pregnant with my first child was to imagine that I already had an older kid,” she explains. “If you go into every situation with your brand new baby thinking ‘What if I had a 3-year-old needing attention?’ everything will seem less urgent.”

“Give yourself breathing room. The truth is that if you can relax, the baby will relax as well.”

Ben and Megan are Alison’s children with husband Dave Sanov.

Source: American Baby, May issue

– Missy

Melora Hardin and Husband: Parenting Partners

Juan Rico/Fame

Work imitates life for Melora Hardin and her husband Gildart Jackson. As the couple recently partnered over Melora’s directorial debut You – which was written by Gildart, with both of them starring in the film alongside their daughters — the 41-year-old actress tells Cookie magazine that their ability to work together bubbles over into their approach to parenthood. Explaining that she and Gildart “mostly agree on the way we parent our children,” Melora says the two even “take turns” when it comes to acting as the household disciplinarian.

The foursome that works together, sleeps together — at least on Saturdays! — as Melora shares the family’s weekend routine.

“By the time we wake up, the girls are usually in bed with us, so there is a lot of cuddling, giggling, and lounging. Then we all head downstairs in our pj’s to make breakfast and eat as a family.”

Even with the team effort, Melora admits that mornings can still take some managing on her part. Giving her two girls a sense of independence by allowing them to choose their own school outfits, both Rory Melora, 7 ½, and Piper Quincy, 4, sometimes can’t help but ask for a bit of fashion advice from their mom!

“The most frazzling moments happen in the kitchen, over breakfast, while the girls are trying to pick out an outfit from the four or five I have chosen for them, all while rushing to make it on time to school.”

Citing dinner time as her favorite family ritual, Melora also finds joy in watching her children mature. Often getting a laugh — or two! — from listening to her girls “turn words inside out,” Melora fondly recalls her youngest daughter’s unique pronunciations. “Piper used to say ‘comfor-full’ instead of ‘comfortable’ and ‘be-cept’ in place of ‘except,’” she shares.

One big climb Melora wishes she had taken before becoming a mother? “[I wish I had] climbed Mount Everest,” she says.

Source: Cookie

– Anya

Tiffani Thiessen Is Torn Between Work and Motherhood

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty

With a TV career heating up again and a biological clock ticking, Tiffani Thiessen is debating whether she wants to have kids or stay busy working. “We’re definitely talking about [kids]. We’re just trying to figure out the whole work schedule now,” Tiffani, 35, told PEOPLE at Thursday’s USA Network and Vanity Fair Character Project party in Beverly Hills.

Tiffani married actor/artist Brady Smith in May 2005. In 2008 she told PEOPLE that plans for children were imminent, saying that the couple was “hoping to get pregnant soon.”

Since then, the actress — best-known for her work on Saved By the Bell and the original Beverly Hills 90210 has been hanging out with her husband and filming the pilot for her new USA drama White Collar.

“I took a little break for a while, which was nice, just concentrated on being a newly married girl and all that,” she said. “My schedule wasn’t too, too crazy, so I can’t complain. I’m sure it’s going to get crazier as the show goes on!” Especially if she decides to have a baby too. “I’ve never done it — it’s going to be a whole new thing,” Tiffani says of combining motherhood with a starring role on a TV show.

For now, Tiffani and her husband are looking forward to his next big project — Brady is busy putting together an art show that will showcase in Los Angeles June 20, which according to Tiffani, is “huge.”

Source: PEOPLE

– Nicholas White

Baby News Roundup!

Miss any big CBB news this week? Catch up here!

Expecting:

• Amanda Beard Expecting First Child – A Boy!
• Maya Rudolph Expecting Second Child

Births:

• Candace Parker, Shelden Williams Welcome a Daughter
• Wanda Sykes Welcomes Twins Olivia Lou and Lucas Claude
• Jim Gaffigan Welcomes Daughter Katie Louise

Introducing:

• Meet Emery Hope Sehorn!
• Meet Bob and Max Sheen!
• Eric Mabius Introduces Rylan Jaxson

Feature:

• First Person: Nia Vardalos on Becoming a Mom – Overnight

Exclusives:

• Hank Azaria ‘Terrified’ of Fatherhood
• Jill Hennessy’s Slim Secret: Veggies, Yoga and Kids’ Leftovers!
• Melania Trump: Barron is a Trilingual Toddler
• CBB Talks to Nicole Ari Parker and Boris Kodjoe
• Christina Aguilera: Max Has a Cleaning Fetish!