Lisa Leslie: “Motherhood Is Much More Challenging Than Basketball”

Lisa Leslie - courtesy www.celebritybabyscoop.com

Lisa Leslie, Olympian and former WNBA star of the L.A. Sparks, partnered with Allegra to develop the Allegra Outdoor Challenge. This program encourages families to stay active outdoors despite dealing with seasonal allergies.

Lisa opens up to Celebrity Baby Scoop about her two children, Lauren, 5, and MJ, 3,  and how she got involved with the Allegra Outdoor Challenge. She goes on to discuss the greatest lessons she learned from basketball and how she plans to celebrate Mother’s Day. 

CBS: Tell us about the new program you developed with Allegra to help families get outdoors and get in shape despite dealing with allergies.

LL: “As a mom, I love having the opportunity to encourage other moms to get outdoors and not let their allergies slow them down. Together, Allegra and I created the Allegra Outdoor Challenge series of fun and creative outdoor workout tips to show families how with a little creativity and allergy relief from Allegra, their seasonal allergies don’t have to stop them from getting outdoors and having fun. My five-year-old daughter Lauren and I both have seasonal allergies, and I take Allegra-D and Lauren takes Children’s Allegra. Lauren complains of itchy, watery eyes when her allergies flare up, and Allegra really works for her!

At Facebook.com/AllegraOTC, you can find my tips and photos showcasing how your family can take the Allegra Outdoor Challenge. From yard yoga to a make-your-own basketball court at home, these are fun ways I motivate my own family to get outdoors and stay active. I hope to inspire other families to do the same!”

CBS: Please tell our readers all about your backyard workouts
LL: “The backyard workout is truly designed for the working mom who can’t find the time to get to the gym but has just enough time to go in the backyard for family time. Instead of sitting and watching the kids play, I encourage the moms to get up and get moving with the kids, whether that be by using a towel to stretch, doing yoga poses, or playing something as simple as hopscotch.  I try to incorporate movement that I would also do at the gym, such as dips, squats, and push-ups.”

CBS: What are your two kids, Lauren and MJ, into? Do they play basketball like mom? 

LL: “My kids play tennis, gymnastics, and soccer, and they also swim twice a week. We work on dribbling with MJ in hopes of him playing like mommy.”

CBS: Tell us about some of the greatest lessons you learned from basketball that you use off the court in your everyday life. Have these skills helped you as a mother? Wife? Friend?

LL: “I have learned to hustle after my goals in life as a mom, wife, and business woman. I have also learned that you get out of life what you put into it, just like my game on the court. I work hard and I play hard. I only know how to be successful and being a role model has always been the driving force behind my decision-making as a mom. I lead by example.”

CBS: What do you find more challenging — basketball or motherhood? Please elaborate/explain.

LL: “Motherhood is much more challenging than basketball. It is the most precious blessing any woman could ask for, yet, it’s the most difficult, time-consuming, and never-ending job. I love every minute of it and I would not want to know life without my bundles of joy!”

CBS: Mother’s Day is around the corner.  What does Mother’s Day mean to you?  How do you like to celebrate?

LL: “Since having kids, I don’t really care about any holidays anymore. I see life from such a different perspective. I am thankful for my life, my wonderful husband, and my beautiful children every day. I always pray a prayer of protection around them and, to me, every day we go to bed is truly Mother’s Day! I am so thankful for our health and opportunity to be together.”

CBS: You’ve got your foot in so many different arenas — basketball, modeling, acting. What is your favorite and what are you hoping to expand on in the future?

LL: “I am enjoying the Lisa Leslie Basketball & Leadership Academy, because I get to work with our youth every week. I also enjoy being a co-owner of the Los Angeles Sparks. We are looking forward to a great season with our star players Candace Parker and Nneka Ogwumike, just to name a few.”

CBS: You’re also involved in some local fitness projects with kids.  Can you tell us more?  What’s up next for you?

LL: “I love my work with the American Federation for Children (AFC), which brings awareness to school choice around the nation.”

Giuliana Rancic Excited To Celebrate First Mother’s Day

courtesy of www.celebritybabyscoop.com

Proud new mom Giuliana Rancic has been honored with her “most official title yet” as Official Huggies Tester. The reality star, 38, says this project is “the perfect fit” thanks to her son Duke, 7 months, who wears Huggies’ SureFit Design diapers.

Giuliana opens up to Celebrity Baby Scoop about her baby boy who now “has two little teeth,” the joys – and challenges – of new motherhood, and her upcoming plans to celebrate her first Mother’s Day next month.

CBS: Tell us about partnering with Huggies to help spread the word about their new and improved and wipes.

GR: “I have become an Official Huggies Tester — my most official title yet! I was just in Round Rock, Texas – a town booming with babies – where we premiered their new advertisements that were filmed there with real parents and babies putting the new products to the test in their everyday routines. You can check a little teaser video for the ads here – it’s so cute.

This project was just a perfect fit for me right now because I’m using the Huggies Diapers with new SureFit Design with Duke, and I feel so confident knowing that his diaper fits him well and is super absorbent. So if we’re going shopping or he’s in the jogger while Bill and I run, he’ll stay comfy and dry.”

CBS: How’s baby Duke doing? What is he into these days? What does he do to make you laugh?

GR: “Duke is great! He is so sweet and always smiling. He has two little teeth now that are razor sharp, so he’s been gnawing on everything. It’s adorable. I always laugh when he starts talking to himself in his baby speak. He’s only seven and a half months old and hasn’t learned words yet, but he just goes on and on.”

CBS: How has motherhood been treating you? What are your greatest rewards as a mother? Biggest challenges?

GR: “Motherhood has been amazing! I’d say that having to leave Duke when I go to work has been one of my biggest challenges as a mom, but I am very thankful that Bill is such a supportive partner. He’s an amazing dad.

One of my favorite parts of being a mom to Duke is seeing him when he gets up in the morning and looking into his big beautiful eyes. He’s growing so fast, and it’s incredible to be there with him.”

CBS: Are you excited about celebrating you first Mother’s Day with Duke? What are your plans? What does Mother’s Day mean to you?

GR: “Bill and I are having our moms come to LA for Mother’s Day – to make it special for all of us. We’re planning a fancy bunch with the whole family at a nice hotel in Newport Coast and then a walk on the beach. Really, I just want to relax and enjoy the day together as a whole family.

This Mother’s Day is especially meaningful because it’s my first time to celebrate as a mother, of course! After struggling for years to have a baby, it’s a real gift to be able to spend the special day with Bill, Duke and our family.”

CBS: Also, do you have any plans for Bill and Duke for Father’s Day? Is Bill excited to celebrate his first Father’s Day?

GR: “I want to plan a very special Father’s Day since this will be Bill’s first. Since we’re spending Mother’s Day in LA, I’d love to plan an exciting weekend in Chicago – Bill’s hometown – with both of my boys. Depending on the weather, I’d love to start off with a run with Bill and Duke in the jogger along the lakefront. It would be really nice to walk to the zoo, some museums, and then top the night off with dinner at RPM Italian.”

CBS: You and Bill have been open about planning for another baby. Any updates?

GR: “We definitely love the idea of growing our family, but for right now, we want to focus all of our attention on Duke since he’s still so young. When we get to the point when we’re ready to have another baby, we’ll start thinking about our options.”

CBS: Do the paparazzi bother you? Are you worried about how they’ll make Duke feel one day?

GR: “I know that I have a public life, so it doesn’t bother me too much. I think because I’ve been an open book for so long, the paparazzi aren’t constantly searching high and low for me. We think that Duke will be able to escape it as he gets older, but if it ever bothered him, we would do what was best for our family.”

CBS: What’s up next for you?

GR: “I will keep my fancy new title as an Official Huggies Tester and continue to work with Huggies, but I also have my fun projects going on with Bill! We’re super excited about Ready for Love, and also have the next season of Giuliana & Bill on the Style Network premiering in June.”

Even Celebs Love the Circus

Photo credit www.celebritybabyscoop.com

Last week, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey hosted a special VIP night for their Built To Amaze!, the 143rd edition of The Greatest Show On Earth, in Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY. Celebrity families enjoyed a fun, interactive circus pre-show experience backstage.

Some of the moms and dads checking out the event were: Eric Dane, Rebecca Gayheart, Debi Mazar, Jennifer Hudson, Nina Garcia, and Stephanie Szostak.  Their tots enjoyed taking in the circus sights and sounds and having their faces painted.

Mommy’s Night Out

Rebecca Gayheart spent the night out with hubby, her kids, her two best friends, and her godchildren.  It was her first trip to the circus.

McSteamy is the New McDaddy

Eric Dane took his daughter, Billie, to get her face painted by the clowns’ makeup artists backstage before the show. Upon seeing his daughter’s face painted beautifully like a kitty, he twirled her around, said, “you are the best thing I have ever seen,” picked her up in the air, twirled her around, and kissed her. Eric, who has been going to the circus since he was a kid, wanted to keep the tradition alive for his girls.

Project Mommy

Nina Garcia was in attendance with son, Lucas, who celebrated his 6^th birthday. When Lucas was waiting to get his face painted, a little girl approached him crying. The little gentleman told her she could go before him and he would come back later.  How sweet is that?

Future Mommy Magazine?

Nina Garcia and Stephanie Szostak were seen chatting about working, motherhood and more, while their kids had their faces painted.  Stephanie played French Vogue editor Jacqueline Follet in the Devil Wears Prada and Nina is the Creative Director of Marie Claire.  We’re wondering if a future mommy fashion magazine is in the works?

link: www.celebritybabyscoop.com

Amanda Beard Talks Motherhood

celebritybabyscoop.com

Seven-time Olympic medalist Amanda Beard is set welcome her second child this summer with husband Sacha Brown. The swimming champion, who is currently sponsored by Aqua Sphere, is already mom to 3-year-old son Blaise.

Amanda opens up to Celebrity Baby Scoop about her prenatal workout regime and encourages all expectant moms to get into the water to “calm and soothe muscles.” She goes on to talk about preparing her son for the new addition and coming up with another “unique name.” Continue reading about Amanda’s hopes for a natural birth and how motherhood taught her self-acceptance.

CBS: Congratulations on your pregnancy! How are you feeling? Have you been experiencing any side effects? Any cravings?

AB: Thank you! I’m feeling great right now; during my first pregnancy I was sick the whole time and felt awful. So far this pregnancy has been a lot easier. I’ve only been sick a few times and I have a lot more energy. We are all so excited to add to our family!  

CBS: Do you have a birth plan? Are you hoping for a natural birth? Scheduled C-section? A similar birth to Blaise’s birth?

AB: I’m hoping to have a similar birth as I did with Blaise.  I was in labor for a little over 24 hours but he came out healthy and happy so to me it was perfect.  A lot of people tell me the second one can come faster so hopefully that will be true and we can cut out some of those painful contraction hours.

CBS: How are you staying fit during your pregnancy? Do you find it challenging to fit in a workout with a preschooler in the house? What are some of your best tips for staying in shape?

AB: With a preschooler at home, I understand firsthand that leaving the house to exercise is not always plausible, so I suggest rolling out a yoga mat at home and practicing along with a prenatal yoga DVD in order to move at your own pace.  I also try to make the time to swim while pregnant, and suggest that other expectant mothers do so in order to calm and soothe muscles. Gentle stretches in the shallow end can help alleviate back pain, make you feel weightless and soothe tired muscles. Walking is also great way to add in a cardio exercise while pregnant. You can swap running for a walk around your neighborhood, take your dog out on a stroll or simply find a visually stimulating area to walk around to keep it fun. It’s important to keep exercise a priority during pregnancy, but know that it’s smart to readjust your normal exercise routine so you don’t overstress your body. It can be difficult to feel motivated to work out when you’re not feeling your best, so I always encourage pregnant women to make their workouts as convenient and low-impact as possible.

CBS: Is Blaise excited to be a big brother? How have you been preparing him for the new addition?

AB: Blaise is very excited to a big brother! He keeps telling me that he will hug and kiss the baby, and that he’ll help me take care of the baby…we’ll see if that actually happens!  I’m excited to watch Blaise learn the role and responsibilities of being an older sibling. I think we’ll feel like even more complete family unit with our new little one!

CBS: We hear you’re due in July. Do you know the gender? Do you have any names picked out? Are you planning for another unique name like Blaise?

AB: As far as names go we have a couple in mind, but nothing for sure. We will most likely have a unique name like our son Blaise. Picking a name is stressful and fun!  It’s a huge responsibility to choose a child’s name for the rest of their life and we are taking it very seriously.

CBS: We hear Aqua Sphere has a great maternity swim suit. Tell us more.

AB: Yes! The Isis suit by Aqua Sphere is made specifically for pregnant women, and I used it to swim for exercise when I was pregnant with Blaise. The suit actually has an expanding belly pocket that will grow with your body, so you can use it throughout your entire pregnancy. It’s also really comfortable and supportive for your hips and bust– who would have thought you could feel fit and confident in a swimsuit while pregnant? It’s the best feeling knowing that you’re doing something good for your body by staying active and feeling great about yourself while doing it!

CBS: What do you think motherhood will be like the second time around?  What has motherhood taught you?

AB: Motherhood has taught me a lot about accepting myself; when I became a mom for the first time, it really rearranged my priorities. Now, Blaise is at front of my mind at all times and my most important job is being his mom. I’m so excited about becoming a mom for the second time; everything from dusting off all the baby gear, buying bottles again, it’s all so fun and exciting!

CBS: Do you celebrate Earth Day in your home? Tell us some of the ways you’re teaching Blaise to be eco-friendly. Is this important to you?

AB: We try to be very eco-friendly in our house. We love our planet and have a huge passion for animals and all living creatures. We try to teach our son to respect nature. From the littlest bug to the largest whale, from flowers to cactus. Respect and recycle!!!

Snooki Talks Her Weight Loss

From celebritybabyscoop.com

She's on the cover of Us.

Former Jersey Shore party girl, Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, has experienced a complete life makeover since last year, thanks to motherhood.

“When you have a baby, everything changes,” the pint-sized reality star, 25, tells the mag.

Six months after welcoming son Lorenzo, Snooki is revealing her 42-pound postpartum weight loss in a signature animal print bikini.

“I lost it for me,” Snooki said, “but I also wanted Jionni to know that I can be hot as a mom.”

Snooki and her fiancé Jionni LaValle are set to move into a new home, get married and have more babies “soon.”