“Hannah Montana” was an instant success, and skyrocketed young Miley to über-stardom. Her quirky sense of humor and cute down-home appeal went a long away, and she became a sensation, making Billy Ray’s “Achy Breaky Heart” fame of the 1990s seem like a blip on the celebrity radar.

Still, for years, they seemed to enjoy their collective success, and I’m sure some fat Disney checks, and everything appeared to be coming up roses for the Cyrus clan.

That was, until Miley decided to embrace her young adulthood and all sorts of questionable decisions, as evidenced by racy photo shoots, sex-charged music videos, party footage of her smoking from a bong and pole dancing in public began to flood the media. All of a sudden, Billy Ray’s tween queen trendsetter became another glaring example of what childhood fame “does” to a kid.

Amid all the scandal and shocking behavior, Billy Ray’s marriage has crumbled, and the relationship between father and daughter has suffered. The once-happy Cyrus home has become a house of pain. Billy Ray told the media that he would take back the decision for his family to be a part of “Hannah Montana” if he could, because he’d rather they were happy.

I’m torn as to how I feel about the whole thing.

A large part of me says, “Really, dude? You didn’t see this coming like the rest of us?” I mean, come on. Seriously. Miley may be 18 now, but she was a kid when this started, and all that attention and enough money and freedom to do whatever she wanted was bound to have an effect on her.

On the other hand, as a wife and mother, I can’t help but grieve a little for the guy. Sure, his family made sick amounts of dough from their participation in the show, but the aftermath of the situation has changed their family forever. Seeing others in pain has always been hard for me, and despite the foundation of the misfortune, it still remains a heartbreaking situation.

I hope for the Cyrus’ sake that they can find each other again. Whether you’re rich or poor, your family is the most important part of your life.

Image: flickr.com/photos/calmdownlove/3362400027

No related posts.

Lovato, star of a successful Disney television show and a hit recording artist, had entered a medical facility after an argument with a dancer while she was on tour. According to news reports, Lovato has long suffered from body image issues, struggling with cutting and bullying for most of her life, and this argument was the last straw.

It was hard to believe that someone who has so much talent and fame could suffer from bullying and body issues, but if you take a second to think about it, it makes sense. In a world where her image is iconic for teens, I can understand how it could develop. It makes me think about the difficulty young girls today have with such issues, and it made me feel sorry for Lovato.

I did a quick check on Facebook and Twitter, and was appalled at what people are saying. People are ridiculing and insulting the star for going into rehab, equating her with the likes of Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan. It was obvious that these people hadn’t bothered to read past the headlines, or if they did, they didn’t care and just wanted to rip on the 18-year-old starlet.

Lovato isn’t much different than countless girls who struggle daily with eating disorders, bullying in school and in the home, and self-destructive behavior such as cutting. Young girls today are being bombarded with images of thin models and role models with naked pictures on the Internet. Society is pushing an image of “perfection,” and the multitude of girls that don’t exactly fit that image — or that do and are being bullied into thinking they don’t — are fighting an emotional battle.

Parents constantly try to instill feelings of self worth into their children, but we are being overruled by peers, television and movies. Maybe if Bella Swan had a few extra pounds on her, or the women and men on Gossip Girl were actually human beings, then girls and women like Lovato wouldn’t have to feel like the world is against them, even as they hold it in the palm of their hand.

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/kindofadraag/3721727384

No related posts.

I understand that being in the spotlight is part of their job description, but I believe that even the most public figure should be able to go on vacation and not have to worry about crazy photographers hanging out in palm trees, snapping shots of personal moments. Honestly, I think it’s sick and warrants some time on a psychiatrist’s couch.

But, alas, with shows like TMZ and magazines like People, there is a lucrative market for such rubbish, and, apparently, I’m in the minority of Americans who really aren’t “into” following the lives of the rich and famous. And that’s okay. To each, his own.

Except…

I don’t think there is any excuse for the paparazzi to be taking pictures of celebrities’ children as they try to conduct their daily business. There’s clearly a line that’s being crossed, and I don’t really understand why I seem to be one of the few people on the planet who is deeply disturbed by the trend.

It’s one thing for some glamorous Hollywood personality to sit down for a photo shoot with her beloved offspring, it’s entirely another thing to sit outside a child’s school and wait to take pictures of kid as she walks home. And then to publicly critique the kid’s style or activities, flattering or not, is just plain wrong.

Children of public figures didn’t choose their position in the world. They were born into their situation, just like everyone else. They should be allowed to live reasonably normal childhoods without wondering if someone is waiting in the bushes.

As a parent, the whole thing gives me the heebie-jeebies. If I found out some guy was hanging around the park taking pictures of my sons while they were innocently playing, I would call the cops. Why aren’t celebs and their kids entitled to the same amount of respect and privacy? Where is the breakdown in decency?

What do you think? Are these children not allowed to make mistakes or wear strange outfits, because of who their parents are? What’s the draw? Does the American public share in the blame if these kids start to act out?

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/dominicspics/4759829140/sizes/s/in/photostream/

No related posts.

Many celebrity moms have interviews like this, because fans like to see them as real-live people with hopes, dreams, families and frustrations, just like everyone else. The difference is, Bundchen, who personally advocates for breastfeeding, was quoted as saying, “Some people [in the U.S.] think they won’t have to breastfeed, and I think, ‘Are you going to give chemical food to your child, when they are so little?’ There should be a worldwide law, in my opinion, that mothers should breastfeed their babies for six months.”

Yikes.

I wasn’t sitting in on that interview, so it’s hard to gauge how she said it, but the message in her words alone suggests a parenting decision fail for electing to use baby formula over breast milk. Many a woman, myself included, was turned off by such a hasty generalization and call for the government to tell mothers how to feed their children.

While most moms agree breast milk is best, there are many women who can’t physically breastfeed for various reasons, or make the personal choice not to. And that’s okay. We all have a right to choose what’s best for us and our babies.

With my sons, I breast and formula fed for both medical and personal reasons. Do I think I’ve done any of my children a disservice by feeding them formula? Absolutely not. They’re healthy, well-fed, happy boys.

After giving it some thought, I don’t think Ms. Gisele meant to cause the stir that surrounded her interview. It may not have been the most well-thought-out comment in the world, but it came from a mother’s heart. I know I’ve stuck my foot in my mouth more than once, proclaiming, in all my mommy wisdom, how every family should do things. I wasn’t sincere, just caught in a moment. Fortunately, I’m not in a position where so many people have their ears pointed in my direction.

So, for all the ladies who still have their panties in a twist like I did, let it go. The breastfeeding and formula moms will hardly ever see eye-to-eye on the topic, but we do have a common denominator. We know how challenging motherhood can be. We should support each other whether we agree on every issue or not. There will always be someone saying something that gets us riled up, but at the end of the day, we’re all checking toothbrushes and emptying diaper pails.

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/gab_marchi/3208353904

No related posts.

I remember the ’80s were a lot of fun, but I also remember that they were a lot of work. There were so many accessories, so much makeup, and oodles plus of hairspray. Those were things I wanted very little to do with when I was pregnant. As much fun as it was to get dolled up in the cute maternity tops and dresses, sometimes the best outfits were the staples: maternity jeans and maternity tee shirts… and flip flops.

Maternity Jeans are generally sized based on pre-pregnancy sizes, meaning if I wore a size “S” pre-preggie, then I wore a size “S” maternity jean. Most of them had waist bands that didn’t roll down, but sometimes they would need to be tugged up a bit. A tie string or a good elastic at the top prevented this problem. After the baby arrived, I kept these pants available until my body got back into shape. I only wish I could have justified breaking them out again last Thanksgiving!

Maternity Tee Shirts just keep getting more entertaining! Stars like Kendra Wilkinson (who recently gave birth to a healthy baby boy, have been having a blast with their pregnancies stepping out with some fantastic tees. Finding a tee that was long enough to cover my whole belly and the waistband on my maternity jeans, without looking slouchy, was key. It was good to have very stretchy material that would grow with my belly. Soft material was also a must as there was enough discomfort without itchy materials adding to it. If funny slogans are your thing, this is a perfect excuse to wear a tee that says “Say Hello to my Little Friend” or “Pregnant – Not Fat!”

I’m sure even our fantastic fashion blogger would agree that you can’t go wrong with a great set of jeans and a tee. If you have a penchant toward trendiness, go ahead and top it off with a side ponytail.

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/helga/3448935105

No related posts.

Wilkinson, 24, and Baskett, 27, were wed a month after announcing their expectancy. The ceremony was held in July at the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles.

The newest little Colts fan will likely be sporting some pretty cute baby gear, like these coveralls and infant-sized jersey.

Looking for more super-cute sports gear for babies?

No related posts.

Brady had been coy with what he knew, mixing up his pronouns and supplying plenty of greens and yellows, keeping the secret until today.  “My dad asked me. I [didn't tell] him. [Gisele didn't] know. It’s a pretty good feeling knowing something that no one else knows,” said Tom in an interview with WEEI Sports Radio.

Details on the baby’s name and birth have yet to be announced. This is the first child for the 29 year-old Brazilian supermodel, while the Patriots quarterback, 32, has a 2-year old son to welcome home his new brother.

Congratulations to the mom and dad, and good job keeping such a big secret!

Image Source: People Celebrity Baby Bog

No related posts.

From the Celebrity-Babies.com: Courtney Thorne-Smith smiles while snuggling with son Jacob Emerson, 21 months, during a walk in Brentwood, Calif. on Friday. Jake is the only child for the former According to Jim actress, 41, and husband Roger Fishman. Courtney wears Jake in an Ergo Baby Carrier in Black/Green ($135).

Don’t pay $135! You can get the very same Ergo baby carrier for $105! 

Find a wide variety of discount baby carriers at Smarter.com.

No related posts.

[There is a video that cannot be displayed in this feed. Visit the blog entry to see the video.]

“You know when your baby smiles for the first time … I reach for the iPhone — I had just been feeding him — and I took the photo,” she said. “He had this huge smile. Immediately I forward it to everyone on my family distribution list — my mom, my dad, my brother, Tim [Hasselbeck]’s dad, his brother, his mom, his other brother and I send it to myself. So I get home and open up the photo … Yeah, no wonder why he is smiling — because my nipple is in the photo!”

Eek! That would make me blush for sure. Every mom has an embarrassing story to tell from when they were adjusting to life with a newborn. My embarrassing story happened when my daughter was a few weeks old and our washer broke down. A very chatty repairman came over to fix it and I had not yet mastered the whole maternity bra-nursing pad thing yet. I was too polite to interrupt him when I felt myself get engorged, but the puddle I left at my feet pretty much said everything. I had to change clothes and clean the spillage up all with a bright red embarrassed face. He didn’t talk much after that!

What’s your embarrassing story?

No related posts.

“After Miss Julie costars Sienna Miller and Jonny Lee Miller — no relation! — were spotted out for a walk with Sienna’s pup, Bess, and Jonny’s 10-month-old son Buster Timothy on Monday in the West Village.

The two actors are currently performing in Broadway’s After Miss Julie, on stage through December 6th.

Buster rides in a Baby Jogger City Mini Stroller in Orange/Gray ($230).”

Don’t pay $230 for the Baby Jogger! Mercantila has if for $218 with FREE shipping!

Shop through a variety of strollers at Smarter.com.

No related posts.