 Limelight |
She’s really starting to show!
Actress Rebecca Gayheart heads into Ralph’s for a little grocery shopping on Sunday in Malibu, Calif.
Rebecca, who is due in late winter with her and Eric Dane‘s first child, recently told In Touch, “We’ve always wanted to be parents. I think Eric is going to be a wonderful dad, and hopefully I’ll be a good mom. We’re absolutely looking forward to it!”
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Dr. Carol J. Scott — a highly sought after stress management strategist and author of Optimal Stress: Living In Your Best Stress Free Zone — shares her top de-stress tips for new moms.
Blame It On the Hormones
Most big life changes create anxiety or stress. For nursing moms, there’s the added surge of the hormone oxytocin (the bonding hormone) which normally elevates in all women (and modestly so in men) when we’re stressed. This hormone is what brings out your nurturing side so tap into it while you adjust to being a new mom.
Trust Your Maternal Instincts
They’ll rarely steer you wrong, but if you’re not sure — educate yourself. Seek advice from peers, healthcare professionals or others whom you trust. And recognize that caring for and learning to understand your child is an ongoing experiment. If something you do doesn’t work out the way you anticipated, learn from the experience and try not to let it happen again. Most babies are less fragile than the China doll you played with as a little girl.
Seek Out Emotional and Physical Support
It’s key to reducing stress. Online or offline support groups can be very helpful. Also, pick up the phone and reconnect with girlfriends. And let a trusted relative or friend (especially new dads!) spend a few hours with your little one while you make a run to the store or go to the park to enjoy the fall foliage. And try to avoid feeling guilty. It’s necessary, normal and healthy to be away from your new baby for small periods of time.
Embrace the Stress
If you have a rich and fulfilling life, stress is inevitable. Plus, you’re probably already a pro at identifying your key stressors so you more than anyone know what to avoid to keep your stress level down. Use that knowledge to help you transition into your new role as a mom. And more importantly take it easy so you can enjoy your new baby!
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While hosting a Winter Wonderland-themed charity event for Feeding America at her California home recently, Alison Sweeney said she hoped son Benjamin Edward, 4 ½, and daughter Megan Hope, 10 months, would someday learn from her charitable example.
“I look forward to volunteering at a food bank on Thanksgiving, and I plan to introduce my children to the idea of giving back as soon as they’re ready,” the 33-year-old actress tells BabyCenter.
“It certainly helps me keep my problems in perspective. I want that same clarity for my children.”
Together with husband David Sanov, Alison said she’s also teaching the kids that animals are just as deserving of their help. “Both of our dogs come from shelters, and we explained to Ben how we wanted to take care of them and welcome them into our family,” she explains.
When asked how she maintains such a balanced childhood for Ben and Megan given their mom’s fame, Alison admits”that’s a tough one.” She adds,
“I don’t think anyone’s figured it out 100 percent. You just do the best you can. Being aware of the advantages you have and helping your children understand their good fortune is probably half the battle. Also, setting a good example. Making sure you, as parents, are being good role models is key.”
Alison says that a good place to start is having your child volunteer in the community. “It’s something you can do together, and teaches them the importance of giving back,” she notes. “I remember when I first realized some kids didn’t get presents on Christmas. It’s a scary thought as a kid, but doing something proactive such as gathering toys for orphanages can really bring you together as a family.”
Click below to read about Alison’s Thanksgiving plans.
 Ron Asadorian/Splash News Online |
Suri‘s skipping!
Katie Holmes and stepdaughter Isabella Jane, 17 next month, gave the 3 ½-year-old a hand as they spent their Sunday traipsing all over Manhattan, visiting Serendipity 3 and Topshop before stopping to see the ballet at Joyce Theater.
The family is currently in the Big Apple while Katie films The Romantics on Long Island. Meanwhile, dad Tom Cruise is in Austria filming Knight and Day.
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Suri wears Kidorable Fairy Rainboots ($32) and matching backpack ($24).
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The past year has shaped up to be quite the eventful whirlwind for Parminder Nagra! Not only did she and her longtime boyfriend James Stenson finally tie the knot in January, the couple welcomed their first child together — Kai David Singh — last May.
“Newlywed, newly mother,” she laughs while talking with Celebrity Baby Blog during the 7th Annual Bag Ladies Luncheon.
Life as a new mom has taken its toll on the former ER actress, who admits that after spending six months at home with her baby boy, she has only just begun to put her “feet back in the water” when it comes to her career. And, according to Parminder, for good reason! “Really, I’ve been so exhausted and he is still not really sleeping through the night,” she shares.
As a result of Kai’s midnight festivities, catching up on shut-eye has become top priority for Parminder. “Sleep when the baby sleeps,” she advises.
“It’s really difficult to do ’cause you’re like, ‘Maybe I can catch up on this.’ Before you know it, he’s woken up again. I read that and my mother-in-law helped me with that as well. My first five weeks she was out helping us. Thank God she was there.”
With the new family of three settling into their routine, a favorite pastime for the mother-son pair has become quiet moments bonding over baby books. “I love reading him Dr. Seuss,” she reveals. Confessing that she never grows tired of the series, which includes all of the classics, mama says she may be into it more than baby!
“I think I’m enjoying it maybe more than he’s enjoying it. It’s so much fun to read,” she raves. “They’re just amazing. Absolutely timeless. Total genius.”
Elated with first-time motherhood, Parminder notes that the addition of baby has been, for the most part, a smooth transition. “It’s great. He’s so much fun,” she says, adding that one of Kai’s latest milestones includes “giggling a lot now” thanks to the family’s furry friends!
“Our dogs seem to amuse him which is quite funny.”
– Anya with reporting by Nina Tyler
 Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic |
Strike a pose!
Denim Cole Braxton-Lewis showed World Series champs the New York Yankees a little love while posing on the red carpet with mom Toni Braxton at the American Music Awards on Sunday in Los Angeles.
In addition to Denim — who will celebrate his 8th birthday next week — Toni is also mom to son Diezel Ky, 6 ½, with Keri Lewis.
Click here for yesterday’s cutie!
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Music is understandably a frequent theme in the Tennessee home Keith Urban shares with wife Nicole Kidman, and in a new interview Keith says that husband and wife often share a duet! “I love singing with her at home,” the 42-year-old country crooner shares. “It’s quite nice.”
As for whether or not the couple — married since 2006 — will make it official and record a song together, Keith admits it’s not “out of the question,” but adds, “we sort of do our own things professionally.” A daddy-daughter duet could be in the works, however! Keith boasts that Sunday Rose, 16 months, has “got some pipes!”
“They’re loud, you know! I think so. I think she sounds quite musical. Sit her at the piano and play and we mash the keys together.”
Looking forward to the holidays, Keith says that he’ll keep things simple with his New Year’s resolution. “Just to keep choosing love truly,” he reveals.
– Missy
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