The. Best. Idea. Ever.

In the "why didn't I think of this?" category -- actually, probably did think of it, but was too sleep-deprived and whiny to do anything about it.

NuMamaSpa -- saw it on Daily Candy today, and just had to let you know. If you're in LA, book early and often, and if you're not, write the mommy-daddy creators behind the idea and tell them they're geniuses. (Maybe you can prevail on them to travel to you!)

The thought of a stress-free massage is enough to sustain me for the day. :)

Motherhood is a Marathon

When people talk about "bouncing back" from having a baby (as I did, so many years ago, after having just one) I have to laugh. Out loud. I am, just now, in 2008, bouncing back. Or starting to. From the marathon that started with my first son's birth on July 15, 1997 (yes, in the last century!) and continues to this day.

No, I'm not whining about the gig (another day, another post, perhaps) but I want to remind anyone who's questioning their seeming lack of ambition or ability after becoming a mom (or becoming one again) that they aren't nuts. I remember my manager, Sara, telling me that she knew people who hadn't changed their life a bit after having children, and that she didn't like those people all that much. (At the time, she may have been commiserating with me over being dumped by my agent!)

My son is now 11, my daughter 8 and the surprise twin girls are 3 1/2 -- and only now am I back at work as an actress (for a laugh, check out my imdb page and play Spot The Pregnancy/Birth Hiatuses) and at our really fun site for moms from the first trimester to the fourth, One Hot Mama. We are opening a store (in this economy!) next week, and I literally did not have a spare moment of brain power, or, more importantly, psychic energy to devote to such a venture for the past four years. To be fair, I did have twins on the last go-around, but I reallly feel that people are more willing to cut you slack with multiples. And, more to point, I was more willing to do that for myself.

So whether you've just had a baby and are wondering what comes next, or you are on your fourth and the youngest starts kindergarten in the fall -- pace yourself. Stay the course. Whatever you're doing right now is just where you need to be. If you're truly miserable, change something up. But please, do not beat up on yourself for not doing anything. We're in this for the long haul, and there are no grades. You are the best mother for your child.

Have a great day, and a sleep-filled night!

What Not To Do In A Recession

Open a store, that's what!! Yeah, but Bob and I are bound together by our total contrarian natures, so we've put all our eggs in the One Hot Mama basket and are working round the clock to have our One Hot Mama maternity and nursingwear store open by December 15th in Studio City, California! So if you're pregnant or nursing and need something to wear for the holidays, don't despair. We're going to be two doors down from California Pizza Kitchen on Ventura, and we can't wait to meet you. If you live in LA and want a gift certificate for use at the store as my thank you for reading this blog, please be sure to comment and include your email address so I can send it to you. Have a great day!

Quick Thoughts

1. I am so grateful to have my amazing husband as my partner in life and business.

2. Today, One Hot Mama signed a lease and will officially open a real store in Studio City, California within the next two weeks (now you know why thought number 1 occurred to me!)

3. We're all real women. I just read a cool article about another female entrepreneur with a clothing line, a website and a store, and I went to her site so I could send her my regards, and was met by a banner saying something to the effect of, "clothing for real women" --in sizes 14 to 26. Now, I get that she's meeting a need, but do you need to slam other chicks to do it? Do we say, One Hot Mama, clothes for real women who've used their uteruses? Ugh. No. You can serve your community without claiming it's the only real way to be.

4. Cool sales around LA this weekend, including my friend Suzie's amazing sample sale of Burgundy Blue kids' clothing. A bit of a trek to downtown, but cool and should be worth it.

Sunday December 7th
noon until 6:00pm
Burgundy Blue: SAMPLE SALE*funky fashions for babies and toddlers
1250 Long Beach Ave STUDIO 309
LA,CA 90021
213.448.0503
**conveniently located one block from the 10 Freeway, at Alameda
also near the 5, 110, and 101 Freeways

Big Sale at One Hot Mama -- Black Friday Online

So, we're in the midst of working on an actual One Hot Mama store (yippee for chicks looking for hip, hot, cool maternity and nursing clothes -- a bit scary for those of us who are going to work in it 80 hours a week!) and we've decided to participate in the big retail sale-a-thon by having a 25% off EVERYTHING sale at One Hot Mama. That's everything -- slings, Bravado nursing bras, Belly Bandits, Japanese Weekend and Olian tops and dresses, the Perfect Pre- and Postpartum pant and more.

Pretty cool stuff. Stay tuned for news of a store opening!

Win a Balboa Baby Sling!

Now that I'm really full-time back at our business (after a long "vacation" to give birth to and raise twins to preschool age!) I really appreciate other business owners who are parents -- we are a hardy breed. When we're not breaking down, that is. :)

So I love The Mogul Mom -- lots of great insights for those of us with an extra demanding kid known as our own business. Check her out, and while you're there, you can post a comment and win a Balboa Baby Sling. Cool, no? Cool, yes.

And look for really cool news for SoCal hot mamas -- coming soon!

Thanksgiving Travel With A Breastfeeding Baby

God bless all of you who are traveling with infants and small children for this holiday -- I am not in that group of brave souls. Don't get me wrong. I'll travel anywhere with my kids, and have. Even as the sole adult. But to do it when the rest of the free world is on the road just adds a bit too much stress for me to handle. Gotta know your limits!

That's not to say that you won't have a great time, but in case you're a little nervous about either the trip or the destination (at some point, your baby will need to eat in front of a roomful of relatives, here are some random thoughts:

• Assume that some boob (pun intended) will have a bit too much wine and say something totally inappropriate about breasts and/or breastfeeding. Maybe that's just my family -- but in case it happens to you, a beatific smile is always handy. Feel free to think bad thoughts on the inside. The other option is to say that yes, you hope to wean soon, so that your breasts can go back the work nature intended, selling beer.
• Nursing on a plane will save you from (most of) the screaming that babies seem conditioned to do in aircraft. Of course, since you're crammed in like sardines, you may be next to someone who doesn't appreciate your fine mothering skills. And, if you're in first class, be prepared to be next to Barbara Walters or someone else who thinks nursing makes them "uncomfortable."
• Both of the above situations will be abated if you just remind yourself what a good mom you are. And that you have a right to be in the room (or, in the first case, the plane). If those fail, read about other people's reactions here and keep some funnies in mind from Breastfeeding.com here.
• (By the way, if you have miles, use them for upgrades now before baby needs his own ticket!)
• Use a sling, both for travel and for family gatherings. Keeps all those germy hands and curious eyes away. And yes, I apologize for all the mothers of older kids who look just like petri dishes to you and who want to touch the baby. Remind them that stroking the top of a baby's head gently feels just great. And if they touch his little hands, smack 'em! (Just kidding.)
• Lastly, dress appropriately. Meaning, you don't need to disrobe to feed a crying infant. Here is a fabulous new shirt from Japanese Weekend, but we have lots more!

Have a great trip!