Wednesday, September 19, 2012

mama files

lthough Nicole Parker and Boris Kodjoe juggle numerous commitments on top of parenting duties, they have not lost their passion for one another. While one would think that the ability to keep the sparks in a seven year marriage while parenting two children is nearly impossible, Boris and Nicole say prioritization holds their relationship together. Today's Top Post GALLERY: THE CANNON TWINS LIVE IT UP IN MOROCCO AND ITALY “It’s all about priorities,” says Boris to RollingOut.com. “We make sure that we put in some sexy time, and we go out on date nights and spend quality time together, because we were here first. Everything else is a reflection of that. If she and I are good, then everything else is good. So it’s very important that we put in the time to cherish each other.” In cherishing one another, Boris and Nicole find themselves loving parenthood even more. As Nicole explains, “Being a parent is the hardest job ever in life. Raising children uses every bit of your being — your heart, your time, your patience, your foresight, your intuition to protect them, and you have to use all of this while trying to figure out how to discipline them. But we’ve been married for seven years, and I think that the greatest challenge but also the greatest gift, is understanding that I’m way more capable than what I think I am. You have to work hard not to take your partner for granted, even when you are tired. We have a special needs child, so we also have to get up in the middle of the night and check on her. So, I’ve been pushed to the limits that I thought I had, and I’ve gone beyond those … that’s been the greatest gift throughout this journey with my husband.” Boris and Nicole have been journeying together in the entertainment industry for quite some time and have a formula when considering acting gigs. “We work really hard at making sure that our kids always have a sense of stability and routine, which means that when one of us is working, we try our best to make sure that the other is in place so that they can still go to school and do all of the things that they are accustomed to doing in their routine,” says Boris. The actor also states, “We also make sure that we visit each other. When Nicole is in London, I am going to make sure that I go and see her. And at the end of the year, we will take the kids over to see her and spend the final five or six weeks of her show together. When she was on Broadway, she would always fly home to see the kids if she had a day off, and to also spend time with me. So that’s how we try to keep things going … family comes first with us, so we’re going to do what we have to do to make this work.” “Our kids don’t know anything about Hollywood. They just know that sometimes Mommy and Daddy have to go away for work. And they know that if Mommy is gone, then Daddy is going to be there, and if I’m gone, then Mommy is going to be there … at least one of us is always there. We also take them with us at times. I took them to New York at least three times to see Nicole, and we stayed a few weeks. We take them backstage and on set so they can see what we do, but they don’t look at it as Hollywood. They just know that this is where Mommy and Daddy work,” adds Boris. In all of the glamor and glitz, Boris and Nicole are sure to remember their obligations at home because “family always comes first. We sit down together, and then we just weigh the pros and cons and figure out what ‘s best for the family. When you keep in mind what your priorities are, and for us it’s family, all of the other things just kind of fall into place.” Nicole and Boris live in Atlanta, Georgia with son Nicolas,5, and daughter Sophie,7.

Mommy & Me Fashion

Fashion Week 2012 hosted by Mercedes-Benz is coming to a close and June Ambrose had a ball. She, along with daughter Summer Chamblin,8, faithfully attended the events this year and viewed the experience as a great time for mother-daughter bonding. Today's Top Post GALLERY: THE CANNON TWINS LIVE IT UP IN MOROCCO AND ITALY “It’s been great. [Summer] starts school tomorrow so this is how we end the summer every year. And it’s great because she gets to do things with me and experience some things that I love and have an appreciation for things that excite me: art and culture,” said Ambrose to Fashionista. The pair were ever the stylish duo throughout the entire event. So what’s Summer’s secret to style? “Summer likes to play in my closet, so she gets to pick out accessories. Like today, she’s wearing my Sonia Rykiel bag and Hermes bracelets. So she has fun,” says June. As for Summer’s overall experience at Fashion Week and her favorite runway show: “Mom–wait, wait, mom, mom, moooommy, what was the show we saw before this? (June: ‘Tracy Reese). Tracy Reese.” Photos:AllTHePrettyBirds/Stephen Lovekin

Kids Fashion Show

Celebrity kid Alijah Kai,8, was just one of many young models to work the runway at the SPOILED! fashion show charity event on September 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. Today's Top Post GALLERY: THE CANNON TWINS LIVE IT UP IN MOROCCO AND ITALY The event, which was hosted by America’s Next Top Model’s Eva Marcille, was the launch of SPOILED!, an online platform consigning children’s gently used designer clothing. Proceeds from the benefit and the organization’s website will go to the Jennesse Center. For over 20 years, the Jenesse Center has served as a safe haven for victims of domestic violence. The center specializes in intervention and prevention, nursing individuals exposed to abuse back to mental and physical health. Jenesse Center has helped thousands of families get back on track through its comprehensive program of financial workshops and emotional well-being classes. Alijah’s mom,Tichina Arnold, along with Ryan Ochoa, Eva Marcille, and Geno Segers were among many stars who supported Jenesse Center through SPOILED!’s event on Wednesday. All of the celebs, as well as other attendees, brought gently used children’s clothes to be sold on the company’s website. Ten percent of item sales are given back to the donor as profit. Website:www.spoiledfashionz.com.

The Ricky Smiley Show

Tamera baby Blog

Thanks for welcoming celebrity blogger Tamera Mowry-Housley! Best known for her roles on Sister, Sister and Strong Medicine, the actress currently stars on Tia & Tamera, airing Mondays at 8 p.m. on Style. She’s also working on a novel with twin sister Tia and recently wrapped filming on GMC’s Christmas Angel. Mowry-Housley, 34, wed FOX News correspondent Adam Housley in May 2011 in Napa Valley. Due Oct. 30 with their first child, the couple learned in June that they’re expecting a boy. You can find her on Twitter @TameraMowryTwo. My, how fast time flies! From the last time I’ve written to you all, much has happened. I can gladly say I have now learned to sift through all of the outside pregnancy advice and have found my OWN voice on the matter, which I will get into later. But most importantly, I am now saying hello to my third trimester! I am 31 weeks pregnant! I’ve gotta say, that went by fast. Bye-bye energy and hello to puffy pregnancy cheeks and swollen hands and feet. However, I have learned from a wonderful doula, Latham Thomas, that eating watermelon, grapes and cucumbers help bring the swelling down. Trust me, it works. Did I mention the pregnancy brain?! Man, the pregnancy brain is no joke. I have lost my car keys and house keys entirely. I have also lost my favorite diamond necklace from my teenage years and in some cases, my mind. Please don’t tell me I am alone in this. Am I the only pregnant woman out there who can’t speak coherently? My poor husband. There have been many occasions where he would stare blankly at me, wondering what the hell I was talking about. Helplessly, I couldn’t explain myself because most of the time, I didn’t even know what I meant to say — much less remember it. Anywho, I’m embracing my new body and its changes by constantly telling myself, “Chipmunk cheeks are cute, right?” RIGHT?! Additionally, I’ve been reciting, “My hubby loves a woman with curves.” Well, at least that’s what he told me when we first met. So what if my behind is spreading as wide as the continent of North America? But seriously, all jokes aside, I am so excited to be in the final stretch and couldn’t be more thrilled to meet our lil’ angel. My OB/GYN did say that as your pregnancy progresses, you will tend to sift out all outside advice and find yourself worrying less. I’ve found this to be true. Now don’t get me wrong, I still worry about my pregnancy, but not half as much I did before. I’ve gotten to this point by doing research of my OWN and just plainly standing still and looking within. I began asking myself important questions and allowing myself to answer honestly with no judgment. Here are some examples: What is my birthing plan? MINE — not my mom’s, sister’s or my friend’s. Do I want a midwife or doula? How do I envision myself giving birth: home or hospital? With or without an epidural? What kind of mom do I want to be? What kind of parenting style will I choose? There are so many endless decisions about pregnancy, birthing and a new baby. Just know it is okay to be afraid, to have concerns and have fears. Just allow them to arise and face them head-on. Please know that you are not alone. Women have been going through this process for years. Most importantly, it is key that you find your OWN voice and go from there. Once you do that, you can free yourself up for the fun part of your last trimester of pregnancy: attending your baby shower and setting up your baby’s nursery. I would love to hear your personal stories about how you have calmed the worried voices in your head. How have you examined all outside influences and ended up finding your own voice? Leave me a comment or Tweet me @TameraMowryTwo. Till next time, – Tamera Mowry-Housley More from Tamera on PEOPLE.com:

fun snacks

ANTS ON A LOG This is an oldie but goody. Spread peanut butter down the middle of celery stalks and line with raisins. Not only is the celery a fibrous foundation, but the peanut butter also packs a protein punch. It's also chock-full of healthy fats, and the raisins add natural sweetness. For a twist, use Nutella and golden raisins. Facebook Twitter Pin It!

fun snacks

FRUIT & VEGGIE SMILES Making fruit and veggies fun for kids increases their chances of eating them. And a great way is to let them take part in the creative process. My kids like making smiley faces with broccoli, kiwi, oranges and strawberries, but you can use anything you (or your tots!) like. Facebook Twitter Pin It!

fun snacks

PEANUT BUTTER POWER BRICKS What you need: 2 cups natural creamy peanut butter, 1 cup honey, 2 cups chocolate protein powder, 3 cups rolled oats. In a large mixing bowl, microwave honey and peanut butter for 1 minute, until liquid. Stir until blended, then mix in the protein powder and oats until coated. Spread in a 9-by-9-inch pan and place in the refrigerator; cut into "bricks" and serve chilled. This snack is a big hit in our family (OK, OK, I eat most of them). Facebook Twitter Pin It!

fun snacks

GRAPE CATERPILLAR Your kids will love using grapes and toothpicks to create these tasty treats. Just add yogurt or cream cheese with a sliver of olive or raisin to make the eyes. Even cooler? Take an apple and attach grapes to look like a worm is coming out. Facebook Twitter Pin It!

fun snacks

DEVILED EGG BOATS Talk about yummy and easy! Follow your fave deviled egg recipe (we add Greek yogurt to ours), then stick a cheese triangle on each toothpick and place in the center of each egg "boat." Our kids LOVE making these.
BAKED APPLE VOLCANOES Apples and berries go great together. Plus, they're both full of fiber and vitamins. You can core and bake your apples or slice and bake them. A quick 15 minutes in the oven at a preheated 350 degrees will produce a perfect baked apple, which brings out the fruit's natural sugars. Next, mix in some fresh berries and beet juice "lava" for added fun. Add a sprinkle of sea salt to bring out the sweetness.

fun snacks

FRUIT FLYING SAUCERS Crackers are OK for kids – in moderation. For a digestion-friendly option, use gluten-free crackers and spread on some cream cheese, then top with fruit or veggies. It's such a simple and tasty concept. Plus, once you give it a cool name, kids seem to like ‘em that much more!

healthy fun snacks

SPIDER PRETZELS Sandwich together a few gluten-free crackers with peanut butter and gluten-free pretzels. Add raisin eyes and you have a spooky snack sure to please. This is also a fun way to teach portion sizes to your little ones, as they will not be tempted to eat beyond the critter snack in front of them.