How much does motherhood change us? Can we even remember those carefree days before children, waking up at noon on a Saturday, still a little tipsy from the night before, not having to rush our kids to school, soccer practice or ballet?
NBC’s "Up All Night" is the latest comedy to tackle how one’s life is upended after you become a parent. And while it treads on the same ground addressed by other shows, including one of my favorites from the Stone Ages, "thirtysomething," it does so in a thoroughly fresh way, circa 2011.
The most recent episode of Christina Applegate and Will Arnett’s "Up All Night" focused on the couple trying to regain their sexual mojo, with Arnett’s Chris leading the charge, trying to persuade his wife to ditch her sweats and her stained, ripped clothing the moment she gets home from work and instead don a silky cami and thong, even though she knows that she’s got a sleepless night ahead of her courtesy of their infant.
It takes a certain dexterity. It's uncomfortable. It's complicated and gross... not to mention UNfabulous. But sometimes there's no other choice. That which won't kill you will make you stronger. Who knew that peeing in a McDonald's bathroom would make me feel so invincible?
One of the first important decisions that new parents have to make is what to name their little bundle of joy. Celebrities have a long-standing tradition of choosing unique baby names- from Gwyneth Paltrow’s daughter Apple to Frank Zappa’s four children, named Moon Unit, Dweezil, Ahmet Emuukha Rodan and Diva Thin Muffin.
As a baby’s vision improves, she is better able to distinguish between different shapes, colors and movements.
Babies love to be played with and also should be encouraged to play alone. Although not yet capable of engaging in play with other children until the age of 12-18 months, babies love to watch older children play and be the object of (massive amounts of) affection.
Dr. Jen’s SLEEPY Tips for Soothing a Fussy Baby:
Swaddle: Babies under the age of four months may be safely swaddled in a thin blanket designed for swaddling, or a regular thin blanket used in an appropriate manner.
Nature is a remarkable thing. I am sure, as new parents, you have already experienced this. But, the innate abilities babies are born with never stops amazing me.
Some people can function as a regular human being on no sleep. Me, I crack. I become someone that I really don’t like and usually end up as a big puddle on the floor. Alright, that is being a little dramatic but I really don’t cope well.
There are two kinds of babies: those who are described as busy, spirited, high-energy, active, sensory-seeking, adventurous, precocious or driven. And then there’s the good kind. I have the former. He’s busy. Busy.
Whoever came up with that one should get one of those MacArthur fellowships.
