Bump Watch: Holly Madison casual road trip back to Vegas

Well, this is much relief to see that Holly Madison and I share the same road trip wardrobe.  The mom-to-be, who recently announced that she is 12 weeks pregnant, was followed  today, August 30, by paps from LA back to Vegas, where she has a burlesque show, Peepshow, she's headlined for the past four years. 

"Paparazzi at the Barstow gas station? #random #nowheresSafe lol" the former Playboy  bunny tweeted mid journey.

The extra scrutiny from the bump watch is paying a toll on her baby daddy too. 

The boyfriend of the former The Girls Next Door  E! Entertainment reality show, promoter Pasquale Rotella, was in the news recently when reports surfaced that he is facing a few criminal charges. Aaaah, the downfalls of fame and thrusting oneself in the limelight. Reality TV stars and non-working stars know that there's nothing like baby news to catapult you back into the limelight and under the prying microscope of the media and public. 

How did that Facts of LIfe  theme song go again? "You take the good, you take the bad..."

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10 Louis Vuitton logo FAILS

Le Maison Vuitton

They say you can't fake fashion and style, but  you can certainly try. That is what a few folks in different parts of the world have done. In particular, there is an obsession with the couture brand Louis Vuitton and its signature logo, which can be seen on the arms and hands of celebrities carrying the trademark emblemed luggage and totes the company is so well known for. 

There is a mistaken belief, among many, that the LV logo, alone, represents highest quality and class and to be seen in it, or on  you, alone, makes the bearer of the brand logo admired and the envy of his or her friends...however, some people just take it a little too far:

 

Le Louis Trashbag

The Louis Ride

Ride or Die for the LV chick!

Lunch on Me Louis Vuitton sandwich bag

LV Marked for Life Part I

LV Marked for Life Part II

Death by LV

The LV Messenger Bag, 2 year old-drawn edition

Low-LV-Rider

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Bump Watch: Camila, Gisele and Reese out and about

Camila Alves with kids Vida and Levi in New York

This week, a trio of our Bellyitch Bumpwatch Babes,  Camila Alves McConaughey,  Gisele Bundchen, Reese Witherspoon and  were spotted out and about this week in maternity mini-dresses and tops...oh and so looking like they are not wanting or expecting to be photographed. ha!

Gisele Bundchen in Boston

Reese Witherspoon and Jim Toth at a doctor's appointment

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5 Tips for taking amazing photos of your newborn at the hospital

A newborn baby's first photo shoot is usually done by her parents in the hospital before coming home. It's one of the fun things new parents usually enjoy doing and sharing with family and friends. Photographer and author Katie Evans has assembled a list of 5 tips that parents should heed when taking their newborn's first photos. They are: 

1: Open all the blinds and use a low aperture. 

2: Position the baby where there is not a lot of clutter and distraction.

3: Take some detail shots of the baby and the room. 

4: Step back and take a picture of the entire room.

5: Take some pictures with the baby and Mom.

Check out the site HERE to see more detailed explanation and to see sample photos that Evans has on her photography blog site! Fun!! 

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Tori Spelling delivers a son, Finn!

Courtesy: US Magazine

Congrats to Tori Spelling and husband Dean McDermott on the birth of their fourth child, a son Finn! Just what Tori had hoped for to balance things out and give her eldest son a playmate of the same gender. Baby Finn will join big brother 5-year old Liam and big sisters 10-month old Hattie and 4-year old Stella! How perfect!

Spelling announced the news on her website:

“We are so excited to announce the birth of the newest member of the McDermott family!”

Finn Davey McDermott was born Thursday, Aug. 30 at 5:39 p.m. He weighed in at 6 lbs., 6 oz., and is 20 inches long."

Yay! Another boy joins the recent celebrity boy baby boom!

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CASTING CALL: Pregnant and Rushing to the Alter (Major cable network)

As per a general service to our blog readers and Bellytich community, just passing along another casting call for a pregnant couple that is looking to wed before their baby arrives. A major cable television network is doing the casting and reps promises the ultimate show will be tastefully done. READ: No Jerry Springer'esq escapades, I suppose. The couple ultimately selected will have their journey to the alter documented including the ups and downs of being a pregnant bride. And here is the kicker, there is COMPENSATION to the couple. Sweet!

Anyway, as per usual, if you get cast, please drop us a line at jj (at)bellyitchblog.com to let us know you were selected and when applying be sure to mention you saw the casting call notice HERE first! Thanks!

Here is the official verbiage sent to us:

A MAJOR CABLE NETWORK IS ON A NATIONWIDE SEARCH FOR COUPLES WHO FIND THEMSELVES RUSHING TO THE ALTER WITH A BABY ON THE WAY!

If any of the following scenarios describe your personal situation, please share your story!

Do your parents, in-laws, friends or sibling have strong opinions as to whether or not you should wed? Are they forcing you into it- or determined to stop it?

Do you have friends or siblings that have strong opinions about your pregnancy and nuptials?

Did you just find out you're pregnant, but haven't told your partner yet?

Have you yet to get engaged, but want to be proposed to and married for the sake of your baby?

Do you want to get married, while your partner thinks there's just no rush?

Are you the "real-life" knocked up?

Please send us your story to pregnantcouplescasting@gmail.com

Please include the following information:

Name, contact #, age, occupation, city, due date, relationship status

Describe your relationship with your partner

Your pregnancy story

Tell us about the big surprise of find you you're pregnant, and if you've started planning the wedding, etc.

Please attach pictures of yourself and your baby's father.

or apply online at:

https://castingproject.wufoo.com/forms/pregnant-couples-casting/

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Giuliana and Bill Rancic welcome baby boy, first to hold baby & take turn feeding him immediately

Congratulations to Guiliana Rancic and Bill Rancic on the birth of their son Edward Duke who was born last night, August 29, via gestational carrier in Denver, Colorado. 

"Bill and I are blessed beyond words to welcome Edward into our lives," Giuliana told E!News. Bill reportedly cut the umbilical cord and Guiliana was first to hold the baby. 

Sweet, but I suppose is that to limit bonding between mom and baby? Just curious. Not judging or anything. That is their child and I suppose there may have been some agreement about that.

Can't help but think of Michael Jackson, RIP, whose birthday was yesterday and whose son Prince Michael II a.k.a. Blanket must not have ever known his biological mother. Pure speculation on my part yet, but my mind is wandering this evening. Pardon my stream of consciousness ranting. 

Back to the Rancics.

The reports say they then took turns feeding Edward, thus I am sure the breastfeeding advocates may or may not be wondering if the baby may be deprived from nursing on his birth mom....again, perhaps to discourage bonding and changing of the mind.

I can't help but think sometimes the release of these types a details are best left out of the public arena. But then I guess couples that are used to being the center of attention in their own reality shows cannot help themselves but reveal every detail of their lives. 

What do you think? 

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emoi emoi is where funky ecclectic meets chic maternity fashion

 

I am loving how the French site emoi emoi put together various pieces from its online boutique in its Fall lookbook!Fabulous! I am digging how unexpected, flirty, eccentric and spirited the looks were. And the color and patterns, tres magnifique! And the good news for discerning American fashionistas who want to look fantabulous and chich while pregnant, you don't have to worry about costly overseas shipping charges, the site has launched its English version: http://en.emoi-emoi.com! The site offers over 40 French and international designer brands and specializes in maternity and nursing fashion, lingerie, beauty products and accessories. 

You don't need a stylist to assemble some fab looks, check out some of my favorites:

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Holly Madison: Another Playboy "Girl Next Door" is pregnant!

Former Playboy bunny and star of E!'s The Girls Next Door will join fellow ex castmate Kendra Wilkinson as a mom soon. Holly Madison is expecting a baby with her promoter boyfriend, Pasquale Rotella.  Madison, who dated Hugh Heffner and lived in the Playboy Mansion with Wilkinson and Bridget Marquardt, said she didn't expect to get pregnant so soon and recently was talking about adopting a kid.  A few weeks ago, the model turned Vegas burlesque show dancer,  told In Touch magazine that she had planned to adopt a child from either South Africa or South Korea. “I’ve started the adoption process," she said." I really want to be a mommy.”

She told USmagazine.com that she is 12 weeks into her pregnancy.  

“I’ve always wanted to be a mom," she told US. "But I thought it would take longer!… I’ve been lucky! No morning sickness, but I do get a little nauseous. It happens before my (burlesque) show (in Las Vegas), so I keep ginger ale backstage.”

Congrats!

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Top 6 Dads Pregnancy Symptoms, yes Dads!

Oh em gee, boy did our partner site What to Expect get it right this time. You have to check out its 6 sympathy pregnancy symptoms that your spouse or partner goes through while YOU are pregnant. I know for me personally, my husband, gained a ton of weight with my first pregnancy. The article, which you can read HERE, says a whopping 90% of men experience symptoms too! ha!  A little bit of sweet justice huh?

Here are the 6 symptoms below.

1. Anxiety

2. Nausea

3. Mood Swings

4. Changes in Sexual Appetite

5. Weight Gain

6. Aches and Pain

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Adele's baby bump revealed, and she may already be married!

Soulful singer/Songwriter and phenom Adele has managed to stay incognito for most of her pregnancy but in the latest issue of Life and Style magazine, there are photos of her taken on July 30 while enjoying a dinner at Eight over Eight and then window-shopping at Fulham Road's antique shops and bookstores in London.  She was spotted wearing a gold wedding band leading to speculation that she and boyfriend Simon Konecki had probably gotten hitched already. She may be pulling a Drew Barrymore and trying to get traditional and be married before welcoming her first child to this world. 

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13 Back to School Cartoon Funnies for the Millenial Tech Generation

 It's back to school time and what a better way to have a chuckle about it than through the funnies!?! Check out these humorous cartoons from various dailies and sites. Enjoy!

 

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Bump Watch: Reese Witherspoon checks up with docs

Reese Witherspoon was all smiles yesterday, August 28, when she went for her weekly check up leading up to the delivery of her next kid. She and husband Jim Toth were all smiles as they await the impending birth of their first child together.

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Kindergarten Prep: 30 Blogs to get you ready to prep & send off your preschooler

I'm revving up to send my 4-year old back off to Pre-Kindergarten/Pre-School next week. We have been working with her for a few years to make sure she is prepared socially and academically for her first day of Kindergarten next year. My husband and I are fortunate that our older sons school has an Early Education program which she attends. It's been great to help with the process. For others who didn't send their kids to formal preschool, for revving up for that big day aupairjobs has an excellent resource of 30 blogs parents should check out in prep for sending off their pre-schooler to Kindergarten!

Thanks to the plethora of parenting and childcare blogs on the Internet, figuring out how to prepare your little one for his foray into the world of “big kid” school is as simple as clicking the mouse.

 

Entry Requirements

While the particular entry requirements of each kindergarten will vary from state to state and even from one school district to the next, there are some things that are so common as to be considered almost universal. These five blogs cover the typical entry requirements, and how you can make sure that you’re on the right track.

• About Those ‘Kindergarten-Entry Assessments’ in Race to the Top
• Kindergarten and Transitional Early Entry Kindergarten-What Does it all Mean?
• A Parent Primer For Kindergarten
• Paving the Way to Kindergarten for Young Children with Disabilities
• Kindergarten Readiness article via MiAEYC

Vaccinations

Theories that vaccines cause everything from autism to asthma have spurred a growing number of new parents to eschew vaccines altogether. While this trendy new practice is gathering steam, many of these parents find themselves in an unforeseen pickle when their child’s kindergarten requires vaccination records. These five blogs handle the subject of vaccinations and kindergarten enrollment.

• When People Decide Not to Vaccinate Their Children, I Take it Personally
• The Vaccine Debate
• Seeking, and Resisting, Vaccines
• Are Immunizations Important?
• You Can’t Have Your Cake and Eat it Too: Thoughts on Refusing Vaccines

Motor Skills

Kindergarten isn’t just about learning the fundamentals of reading, writing and counting, but also ensuring that kids have developed certain gross motor and coordination skills. These five bloggers talk about the motor skills required in kindergarten, and how you can help your child meet them.

• Kindergarten Hand Exercises!
• Activities to Develop Fine Motor Skills
• What Should I Put in a Fine Motor Skills Kit for Preschool-Kindergarten Aged Children?
• Kindergarten’s Coming: Work Those Gross Motor Skills!
• What Gross Motor Skills Should Your Child Master by the Age of Six?

Social Skills

Kids that have never been in large groups with other children their age, especially only children who did not attend preschool, may have a difficult time socializing in an appropriate way when they reach kindergarten. In the interest of boosting your child’s confidence and making sure that he’s socially equipped for kindergarten, these five blogs offer some advice.

• Social Skills For Mainstream Kindergarten
• Social Skills and Challenges in Kindergarten
• Kindergarten Social Skills — My Biggest Concern
• Making Friends in Kindergarten
• Social Skills Before Kindergarten

What to Expect

All the skipping, jumping, playing and alphabet-reciting in the world won’t help your little guy know what to expect from his first few days of kindergarten. While you’re perusing the blogosphere for readiness and skill requirement advice, don’t forget to look over these tips for helping your child understand what kindergarten is all about.

• ‘Twas the Night Before Kindergarten: Helping Your Child Know What to Expect
• What To Expect When Your Child Starts Kindergarten
• Kindergarten Social Changes: What To Expect
• Getting Your Child Ready For Kindergarten
• Starting Kindergarten: How to Prepare Your Child 

Separation Anxiety

The worst part of leaving a child at school for the first time, for many parents, is the fear and separation anxiety that he feels as he watches a parent depart. These five blogs discuss the best methods for dealing with separation anxiety.

• Kindergarten Separation Anxiety: Mom’s Fault? Think Not.
• Separation Anxiety and Kindergarten
• Kindergarten Separation Anxiety Facts: School Dangers
• Mommy Dilemma – Separation Anxiety and Kindergarten: How Do We Help Kids Cope?
• School Days and Separation Anxiety

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Bump Watch: Tori Spelling on the red carpet at kids' charity event

Wenn

Tori Spelling hit the red carpet to an event supporting the Boys and Girls Club of Burbank yesterday, Tuesday, August 28. With kids, 4-year old Stella and 5-year old Liam, in tow and presumably 10-month old Hattie at home. Her husband Dean McDermott was also there. The new arrival, which Tori has said she wishes is a boy to balance things out, will join a large brood which includes Dean's son 13-year old Jack from his previous marriage. 

Wenn

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