How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes! -- Maya Angelou

*Photo taken at Arlington National Cemetery July 2009

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Newest Celebrity Baby Names on the Block

M.I.A w/son Ickhyd

  When it comes to giving babies "original" names, the celebrities never fail us. In the past there have been winners like Pilot Inspektor, Coco, Kal-El, Ickhyd, Audio Science, Daisy Boo, Poppy Honey, Fifi-Trixibelle, Peaches, Little Trixie, and Honeyblossom among a sea of others.
  There had also been a trend of "normal" or less wacky names. I was almost disappointed. Colin Hanks' daughter was named Olivia Jane, Craig Ferguson's son Liam James, and Cynthia Nixon's son Max are all lovely! And the name Suri has really grown on me...But as they say, they're baaaaack!
  Celebrity babies born so far in 2011: 

Adorable little Pilot Inspektor

Alicia Silverstone named her son Bear Blu. No lie. I wish I was kidding. Her involvement with helping the environment I love. Her baby name choice...not so much. Mariah Carey & Nick Cannon [still an odd couple to me] had me at Monroe but lost me with Morroccan for their boy/girl twins. Nick Cannon joked that his kids are "Roc 'N' Roe" [insert eye roll]. Bryan Adams is a first time father this year to daughter Mirabella Bunny. BUNNY?!  [sigh]. Antonio Saboto Jr is the proud papa to Antonio Kamakanaalohamaikalani Harvey Sabato III. Say THAT five times fast. And comedian actor Kevin James now has a son named Kannon Valentine.

  What are some of the wackiest celeb baby names you've ever heard? Do you like any of the new-hotness celebrity baby names? What are your favorite celeb baby names that you would use yourself or did?

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Celebrity Bump Watch

CELEBRITY BUMP WATCH

Over the past several years, I believe something positive happened with celebrities and their baby bumps...they stopped HIDING them! It used to be all about hiding your pregnancy. Now it's moved towards a more positive "Rock Your Bump" motion and the fashion is now built around their bumps, showcasing them!

Victoria "Posh Spice" Beckham:

Looking stunning at the Royal Wedding last month. She's finally getting her girl on the fourth try! Her baby shower was reportedly completely decked out in pink and as much girly stuff as possible! Fellow former Spice Girl, Emma "Baby Spice" gave birth a few weeks ago to a baby boy named Tate.

Amanda Peet:

Pregnant with her second baby.

 Claudia Schiffer:

Preggo with her third at 39 and looking FAB! Check out her totally chic style...

 Jennifer Connelly:

Lots of celebrities wearing shades of gray...How are you feeling Jennifer's red carpet dress choice?

Natalie Portman:

I love her in one of my favorite movies, Where the Heart Is. And I'm loving the pink on her!

Selma Blair:

Pregnant with her first!

Jewel Kilcher:

Spent two years trying to conceive and is so excited!

Kate Hudson:

Preggo with her second bundle of joy

Tia Mowry:

I always loved watching Sister, Sister growing up! Can't wait to see what she has! She's due July 3rd & I think she looks incredible and glowing!

Jessica Alba:

Her 2.5 year old daughter Honor is going to be a big sister. I think Jessica looks incredibly fashionable & stunning! I'm loving her choice of colors.

Alyssa Milano:

Tina Fey:

Funny lady we all laughed with watching Baby Mama is expecting!

Now we just have to wait and see what they name them....

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L'ovedBaby Giveaway Winner

Winner Chosen at Random by Random.org:

 Coordinating Comment:

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! 

Please Email ASAP to service@milanmaternity.com with your preferred size and color of one pair of signature pants AND one sleeveless bodysuit!

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My Blue Bumbershoot Review/Giveaway

I love the rain. Call me odd, but I really like having a good variety in the weather, and being outside to enjoy it! With all the rain lately, I had the opportunity to check out My Blue Bumbershoot in action. My Blue Bumbershoot is a brilliant hands-free umbrella for mommy. You've got your baby covered, but what about you? Before My Blue Bumbershoot, if I was out on a stroll and got caught in the rain, I either needed to pull out my attactive poncho or try to maneuver the stroller with one hand and hold a flyaway umbrella in the other.

I loved how easy My Blue Bumbershoot was to use! You simply clamp it to your stroller, and you can easily adjust both the height of the umbrella, and the direction of the umbrella to block the rain from whatever direction it is coming at you. When the rain stops, just rotate the umbrella downward to store it on the side of the stroller. The clear umbrella gives you a 360 degree clear view of everything going on, and you stay dry and protected. You can see exactly how My Blue Bumbershoot works here.

"No longer must you suffer soggy strolls in the city. No longer must you sacrifice your hair, flair or footwear. Simply secure My Blue Bumbershoot to your stroller and you're protected.

My Blue Bumbershoot gives you the freedom to embrace the rain™!"

One lucky reader will win a new My Blue Bumbershoot!

Here's how to enter: (Leave a comment for each entry completed)

1. Visit My Blue Bumbershoot and tell us feature you like most about the My Blue Bumbershoot

2. Follow this blog (on the right side under "followers")

3. Share this blog post with one of the share buttons at the bottom of this post (you can easily post to Facebook, tweet, blog, or e-mail this post)- Get an entry for each way shared

4. Follow My Blue Bumbershoot on Facebook

5. Follow Milan Maternity on Facebook

6. Follow My Blue Bumbershoot on Twitter

7. Follow Milan Maternity on Twitter

Giveaway open until Tuesday May 31 11:59 pm PST to US residents only. Winner will be chosen by random.org

*Disclosure Policy- I was provided the featured item(s) at no cost by the manufacturer to review and share my opinions. My opinions were not influenced in any way by monetary means.

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Easy Decor Craft

  I came across this decor craft that is super easy, super cheap, looks good and works for many occasions! A bridal shower, baby shower, birthday party, wedding, just because and backyard BBQ! There are a couple variations I found that I'm going to utilize for some upcoming events.
  It's a dollar store craft called the Doily Banner! Banners are in for parties. I'm a huge fan of pennant banners [which can be made with scrap papers, printed paper prints or fabric. HERE is the free template. I recommend printing on card stock]
  For the doily banner, you'll need to hit up the closest dollar store. That's right. I said it was cheap. You can get them in various sizes. You can leave them white [like one of the examples I found] or color them with food coloring or spray paint if you wish. You will also need some ribbon and some glue or a glue gun. Presto! Easy, fast, fun, cheap decor!

Tutorial for Food Coloring Dyed Doilies:

Decor To Adore

Tutorial for Doily Banner in White

Little Miss Momma

HAPPY DECOR-CRAFTING MY FRIENDS! Definitely post links to your crafts or if you have made one of these! We'd love to see what you come up with and what you used it for! On any of the banners listed [including the pennant banner] you can also print or cut out letters for your little one and make it personalized nursery decor! Be creative & have fun!

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Hapari Swimwear Giveaway Winner

The WINNER of the Hapari Swimwear Giveaway, as chosen at random by random.org is

And the coordinating comment:

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

please email service@milanmaternity ASAP to claim your prize!!!

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L'ovedBaby Review & Giveaway

My Son, Everett Lucas

  L'ovedBaby is a clothing company for your little ones that specializes in cute, modern, unique outfits. I came across it while looking for some atypical baby clothes for my son, Everett. I wanted something that could be mixed-and-matched, was of durable quality, and came in more than the typical blue for boy, pink for girl colors. I found all of this in L'ovedBaby! I was so stoked when I saw the clothes! They were super cute and modern! I fell even more in love when my orders came in and the clothes were super soft, of outstanding quality and, of course, super cute. 
  We brought Everett home in head to toe L'ovedBaby: The cap in clay gray, a white gl'oved-sleeve bodysuit, and a clay gray sleeveless overall [my favorite piece]. Every piece I have purchased has worn well and receives tons of compliments when he wears them! I love the color selection that L'ovedBaby offers: white, pink, blue, sand, caramel, brown, gray and green. They're adding more colors this fall along with some new styles. 

  When you stop by the site to check things out, don't forget to check out the photo gallery, and to sign up for Big Find Thursdays! Big Find Thursdays are where one item will be available for $5! But only for that day and while supplies last. There are special deals for facebook friends and twitter friends occasionally that you also won't want to miss. The photo gallery has photos of customers wearing their L'ovedBaby duds. Everett is in there as are so many adorable little babies.

  L'ovedBaby wants to give one of our lucky readers a chance to win some awesome L'ovedBaby gear for your little one! One reader will win one pair of signature pants AND one sleeveless bodysuit! Winner's choice of colors and sizes!

HOW TO ENTER:

each one is a separate entry. leave a new comment for each one for more chances to win.

*Like L'ovedBaby on Facebook

*Make sure you are a Milan Maternity Facebook fan

*Follow this blog [on the right side of this page]

EXTRA ENTRIES:

*Follow L'ovedBaby on Twitter

*Tweet this Giveaway

*Facebook Status this Giveaway

*Follow Milan Maternity on Twitter

And if you can't wait, head over to L'ovedBaby and stock up!

Winner will be chosen at random. Giveaway ends Wednesday May 18th, 2011 at 11:59 PST

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Mothers Day Laughs

Have a Super Wonderful Mothers Day Weekend!!!

 

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Pick Your Own

  There's a website you may or may not have heard of called: PickYourOwn.org. It's a website that compiles lists for every state and some countries of farms where you can pick your own fruits, veggies, pumpkins and Christmas trees. We use this to help us save money on those fruits and veggies and to support our local farming community! Plus we all know that fresh definitely tastes the best. Our girls are going to go picking Strawberries this weekend [which are in season and ready!] It's a fun family activity that gets everyone out of the house. The farm also has other fun activities that you can find at other farms across the country : petting zoo area, hay rides, pony rides, playground and other fun stuff. Many host birthday parties also! So look up some local grown fun on www.pickyourown.org

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Milan Maternity Mother's Day Makeover Giveaway!

We want to wish ALL of you a Happy Mother's Day this weekend! We're hosting our Mother's Day Makeover again this year and want your nominations. One lucky mom will be surprised this Sunday with a $150 Milan Maternity gift card! If you know someone who deserves a little pick-me-up, needs a maternity wardrobe update, or works hard and never takes time for herself, let us know! Tell us why you think this special woman deserves our Mother's Day Makeover giveaway. E-mail your nominations to service@milanmaternity.com.

A few rules/details:

-Nominations must be received no later than this Saturday, 5:00pm PST.

-You cannot nominate yourself (so if you want in on this, tell your husband or your sister how awesome you are, and give them our e-mail address!)

-You can remain annonymous if desired (we can e-mail the gift card to your nominee if you have an e-mail address for them)

-The winning nomination will be notified by Saturday, 6:00pm PST.

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