Blog Posts by Diane Mizota, Host of This Week in M.O.M.

THIS WEEK IN M.O.M…We're getting personal on parenting with the cast of the new film "What To Expect When You're Expecting!" See just what these stars have taken away as parents…and which cast member plays the role of the "Sleep Fairy" in real life…


What prepared you for parenthood?

Another Mother's Day has passed, and as the brunches, flowers, handmade signs and cheerful photos of moms and families fade from my Facebook feed, I'm reflecting on how different my Single Mother's Day looked from my friends', and for the first time since divorcing almost 3 years ago, I'm okay with it.

When I first separated, holidays were unbearable. Any holiday without my son practically broke my heart, and seeing intact families celebrating Valentine's Day, Halloween, even President's Day seemed weighted and sad, even though I knew my son was having a blast with his dad. I felt like a part of my body was missing. Cue the melodrama.

Cut to now--my first Mother's Day without my son. It was his dad's weekend, and we try to be respectful of our set times with our son. He's let me have K on past Mother's Days but I'm taking K on vacation soon and using some of his dad's days, so it all works out. After divorce, holidays become more arbitrary, simply because they have to. I try

THIS WEEK IN M.O.M…We are chatting motherhood with Jessica Alba! The Mama of two and founder of The Honest Co. dishes on parenting, baby number three, and her go-to gifts for Mother's Day!


What Mother's Day goodies will you gift to your family & fellow mommies?

Our gift picks sure to bring a smile to any mom's face…read on!

FOR EXPECTANT MAMAS:

Ingrid & Isabel BellaBand: Inspired by the use of old tube tops to disguise a growing waistline and hold up pants that don't quite fit anymore, Ingrid & Isabel's best-selling Bella Band is the perfect gift for expectant moms in any stage of pregnancy. Available in a variety of colors, the BellaBand works throughout the entire pregnancy helping women feel more comfortable and stylish by extending the life of their non-maternity clothes. www.ingridandisabel.com

Ingrid & Isabel Spring 2012 Dresses: Dresses from Ingrid & Isabel's Spring 2012 Collection make the perfect, chic gift for expectant moms. A beautiful, lightweight silk modal blend drapes in all the right places and provides a flattering silhouette that can be dressed up or down throughout the entire pregnancy and even worn after! www.ingridandisabel.com

Basq Nine Month Stretch Essentials Kit: This

THIS WEEK IN M.O.M…Let's face it sometimes getting dressed is no easy task and what do you do when you're expecting? Designer Ingrid Carney gives us an exclusive look at the latest collection from Ingrid & Isabel and talks trends expectant moms can easily slip into this Spring & Summer! Plus, see how to nab these pregnant celeb looks for less! Dressing in style (with child) just got a little bit easier!


What's your pregnancy style?

Our first broken bone…and although it's his bone, it feels like mine too.

Other moms had told me that this was coming. I've seen their pictures on Facebook, of various ER trips when their kids have broken something or needed stitches. In the end, it makes a colorful story, but as it's happening, the sheer panic and fear takes years off your life.

I was out of town this weekend meeting my Manfriend's family, when I received a call from my local urgent care telling me that my son's orthopedic referral was ready. Excuse me? Orthopedic…What?! Terrified, confused and fighting back tears, I begged the receptionist to tell me what happened.

"Is this the mother?"

"Yes. I'm out of town and this is his father's weekend. What happened? Is he okay?"

"You'll have to speak to his father."

"Please can you just tell me now what's wrong with my son?"

"I'm sorry ma'am, you'll have to speak to his father."

I burst into tears and call my ex. He doesn't pick up the phone. Panic,

THIS WEEK IN MOM…It's National Princess Week! Throughout her career as an actress and author, Julie Andrews has encouraged children to use their imaginations and dream big and now she's teamed up with Disney and Target to create an entire week dedicated to children to celebrate their individuality and let their "inner sparkle" shine...no spoonful of sugar necessary!

Add some sparkle to your princess party with these The Very Fairy Princess activities to download and print! How will you and your family celebrate?

Let me rephrase…it IS okay to not miss your kids.

Once a year, I work in Vegas for a week. One glorious, indulgent, sleep-filled, adult week. "Vegas Baby!" takes a whole new meaning once you're a mom. To be clear, I'm not a what-happens-in-Vegas-stays-in-Vegas type of person, unless what's happening in Vegas is uninterrupted showers and reality TV watching in bed, and since I know that those activities will be staying in Vegas, I'm about to get it on!

I feel like I should miss my son terribly, but I'm too busy marveling at how dark blackout curtains make my hotel room, and how spacious a Queen bed is without a 4 year old's bony knees pressed against my spine. And the quiet! Casinos have nothing on the vocal power of my son. I glide through them blissed out, a perma-grin on my face, relishing being solely responsible for myself. It's a decadent, sinful feeling.

I have one week to go to the gym, sleep, work, shop, and be alone. I have dinner with co-workers and we eat