I am lucky to have finally found a family-friendly job. It helps when the boss is a parent, too! Child sick days are not frowned upon here, even though I am only 1 of 2 workers that have kids, aside from the boss. From the start, the boss made a point that he was family-friendly, as one of the perks. My previous bosses were not so understanding.

I recall the Washingtonian ran an article on the best places to work for working parents...you might want to check out their website for that article.

It is TOTALLY possible to be in better shape than you were before pregnancy. YOU can do it...GET UP AND MOVE you will feel so much better once you get moving! The hardest part is STARTING...once you start your energy levels will increase. Mix it up! cardio, strength, yoga, pilates, swim, chase your little one around the house, turn on the music and jump around with him/her...make it fun and you are on your way to a happier you!

ha I used to do those!

maybe she's from warmer climate. People in Miami or LA dress a lot more casual than people from DC or NY. At least from what I've seen...I couldn't believe how much cleavage and skin I saw at an elementary graduation in Socal! Both the little 11 yr olds and their mothers!

I bet no one does this. My grandmother uses medical tape to tape her skin up at night. She has been doing this for decades. one piece on her forehead and one on each cheek. She is 82 and looks 52. People always think she is my mom's sister. Although it probably helps that she eats super super healthy.

I use Trader Joe's Tangerine Sugar Scrub once or twice a week, and LOVE it. It was recommended to me here and countless other places. It's a great all-natural exfoliator and the citrus smelling oil makes my skin so soft and supple. I can definitely see a difference. As for moisturizers, I am using ARBONNE, but can't see any spectacular change from it yet. And, of course, I always look better the more sleep I get!

Depends on what you are into. I don't know of any running workout dvds, but I used to use Denise Austin's (can't remember the exact name, something like Blast the Pounds) but it was all walking (inside the house). It was great when I was just getting back into shape, but then like most workout videos I became bored. I have heard good feedback about TurboJam and TurboKick, but haven't tried them.

I love my dance dvd workouts - I have everything from Hula Cardio, to BellyCardio, to Afro-Brazilian to Madonna Grime's Hip Hop workout to Nike's different dance workouts, but of course nothing compares to Zumba Cardio Party.

Tae Bo is outdated, but it still looks like a good workout.

And if you want to laugh...Richard Simmons is still at it! I think I would probably get a good ab workout just from laughing so much.

6 pounds in 1 week?! That sounds like A LOT!

My first pregnancy was great. Second was the complete opposite. First time, I was overdue. The second time I was put on bedrest for 2 months and still delivered 11 wks premature. You just never know...no two pregnancies are alike. But I will say RECOVERY from the second was a million times faster than the first. I didn't even need painkillers and was walking around the next day (the first time I was in severe pain and it took weeks to walk normal again). Both times I had a C-section.

Anonymous wrote:I think the Bose is worth the money. They also offer (actually you have to ask) an interest free payment plan. Paying $29 a month mad it seem a little easier.

SWEET! I really want a Bose, maybe I can get one now!

I have been researching this, and although nothing can compare to Bose, the reviews I've read point to Altec Lansing's inMotion600. The sound, according to reviews, is the closest in quality, to Bose. It's around $100-$150, which is still a fraction of what Bose costs!

Although, I'm specifically looking for portable, so I haven't checked out the non-portables.

Anonymous wrote:

zumbamama wrote:I know I'm weird, but I like the name of the boy from Neverending Story...Atreyu. I almost named DD Atreya, but went with another A name.

OMG! I LOVED Atreyu! ... Sigh ... one of my little girl crushes ....

oh me too...such a cutie. I wonder what he looks like now!

so many choices! The foster kitty mom gave her Fresh Step, so I'll see how that goes. They are soooo cute! I love my new blue Russian kittens...Kiska and Arlavsky...haah! THe names still crack me up. Now I hope they catch the mouse in my house!

I am looking for a pair of kittens to adopt, and so I'm getting my house ready. Please recommend the best kitty litter and kitty box. I was looking at the top 3 automatic kitty litter boxes, but that will have to wait since they all cost $300 and up. I'm looking for as low-maintenance as possible, but am willing to scoop if there are no affordable automatic ones. I am hearing the crystal kitty litter is best for minimal dust and best "clumping."

why are there so many mean girls? Some may say mean moms make mean girls, but out of my 3 children, their personalities are so different, yet I feel I raised them all equally. I don't think of myself as mean, but both my girls have a certain snarky attitude that my son does not. Do women just have an inborn natural snarkiness?

I saw that last night on the news...what a foolish cop! Were they even speeding? Weren't they just headed down the emergency lane, for a you know....an emergency!? I hope that cop gets it!