Mia Hamm: From Medals to Motherhood

Courtesy of Celebritybabyscoop.com

Interview conducted by www.celebritybabyscoop.com

Olympic mom Mia Hamm has been named one of the most influential women of all-time in sports. The soccer star says she’s “flattered and honored” by the title, but “there are still doors and opportunities that need to be opened for young women in sports, including my two daughters.”

Mia opens up to Celebrity Baby Scoop about her three kids – 6-year-old twin daughters Grace and Ava and 1-year-old son Garrett – and the joys of motherhood. She goes on to talk about passing on healthy habits to her kids, and her best tips for raising multiples.

CBS:  Tell us about partnering with Tom’s of Maine and the brand’s Wicked Cool! toothpaste. How did you hook up with them and why is this important to you?  What do our readers need to know about the toothpaste?

MH:  “As a mom and an athlete, I am excited to work with Tom’s of Maine to talk about what’s inside a healthy routine. I try my best to create healthy routines for my family and especially to pass on healthy habits to my kids.

Wicked Cool! natural toothpaste from Tom’s is designed for kids 8+, is accepted by the ADA and doesn’t have the dyes, saccharin or artificial flavors often found in other brands. I also hosted their Wicked Cool! Story Hour and Live Chat, during which I read my book Winners Never Quit and answered questions from fans. Check it out!”

CBS:  Can you tell us about the Mia Hamm Foundation?

MH:  “I created the Mia Hamm Foundation to benefit issues that have affected me. The Mia Hamm Foundation has two areas of focus: raising funds and awareness for families needing marrow or cord blood transplants, and continuing growth in opportunities for young women in sports.”

CBS:  How are your children doing? The twins are 6, what are they into? Do they play soccer or sports?  If so, would you ever volunteer coach their team?

MS:  ”They’re very active with gymnastics and softball and just being six year olds at the playground or in the backyard. I initially said I wouldn’t want to coach my child’s team, but now I do understand why parents do take that role. Yes, I would do it but for the time being, I’m happy cheering from the bleachers.”

CBS:  Garret is one. What’s it like having a baby still in the house. How do all the kids get along?

MH:  ”It’s great. I’m back to limited amounts of sleep but enjoying every minute of it. The girls are really great helpers and he adores them. They get so excited to see him everyday.”

CBS:  What are your greatest rewards as a mother? Biggest challenges?

MH:  “The greatest reward is seeing them happy and healthy. The biggest challenges are maintaining patience during a long day and balancing the time with your kids while not losing the importance of staying connected with yourself.”

CBS:  Do you have a favorite “mommy moment?”

MH:  ”When the kids first smile and you know it’s not gas [laughs]!”

CBS:  With three kids in the family, how do you make sure you get special and equal time with them individually?

MH:  “You try to find moments  – whether it’s running an errand or their activities – where you can make sure you get that one-on-one time so they get your complete attention.”

CBS:  Any tricks to raising twins? What’s the biggest challenge? Do you see any benefits?

MH:  “Take the help when it’s given and be flexible. No matter how many books you read or advice you get, each child is different. Don’t beat yourself up when things don’t go the way you expect. Benefits of having twins? I didn’t have to think about playdates!”

CBS:  What are some special activities you like to do as a family? 

MH:  “We like to go to the beach and the park. We walk a lot as a family.  And we like to spend time with our entire family – grandparents, uncles, aunts who are close by.”

CBS:  Mother’s Day is quickly approaching. Do you have any Mother’s Day traditions? How will you celebrate this year?

MH:  ”This year will probably be a quiet day followed by a nice dinner.  The girls really like to make cards so I’m looking forward to that. Garret will probably just slobber on me [laughs]!”

CBS:  You and your husband both travel a lot, how do you divide parenting responsibilities?

MH:  ”He is a great and active dad, which makes it easy. If it doesn’t work where one of us his home, his parents are close by to always help out, which we’re so grateful for.”

CBS:  Do you still play soccer?

MH:  “Only once a year in the Celebrity Soccer Challenge, which my husband and I started a few years ago. It’s a fundraiser for my Foundation and Grassroot Soccer, founded by Ethan Zohn.”

CBS:  You have been called, “One of the most influential women of all-time in sports.” How do you handle such an important title?

MH:  ”I’m flattered and honored but I think there are still doors and opportunities that need to be opened for young women in sports, including my two daughters.”

CBS:  What’s up next for you?

MH:  “The girls are finishing up their first year of school and I have a soccer camp this summer called TeamFirst Soccer Academy that I conduct with my former teammates Kristine Lilly and Tisha Hoch.”

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!!!