adoption

I love a cool shirt and these have a cool cause, too. Much More Than Me supports October's Adopt a Shelter Dog Month and aims to remind people about all the shelter dogs needing homes and the importance of rescuing these pups. Messages with furry-faced reminders are printed on each tee so you can even educate others with your own fashion choices.

Twenty-five percent of shirt sales go directly to shelters and rescues nationwide. In fact, you can choose the organization yourself when purchasing. How cool is that? See some of my favorite designs in the widget below.

Pregnancy weight gain is no laughing matter. Recent studies have linked pounds packed on through pregnancy with everything from large babies to gestational diabetes. So it is no wonder that some women's fear of gaining weight will color their views of pregnancy.

In the May issue of Women's Health magazine, The Biggest Loser's tough-as-nails trainer Jillian Michaels discusses her plans to add a baby to the family without adding to her waistline. She says:

I’m going to adopt. I can’t handle doing that to my body. Also, when you rescue something, it's like rescuing a part of yourself.

Though the Institute of Medicine recommends that the average weight women gain be between 25 and 35 pounds throughout pregnancy, 55 percent of LilSugar readers remained heavier after pregnancy than before. Would postbaby body concerns have you consider adoption?

Where do babies come from isn't a simple conversation anymore. It's not always about a mom and a dad or a man and a woman since conception happens everywhere — in bedrooms, in hospitals, and laboratories. In some situations there's a doctor, a donor, a surrogate, or even an attorney involved. The birds and the bees have become a bit more complicated, but the sex talk still happens, and children inquire earlier. Kids are sharp, if you give them the 1950s spiel about a man loving a woman, they'll likely have more questions.

How did their friend with two dads come to be — is it time to talk surrogacy? Or what about the classmate who was adopted by a single mother? Fertility treatments are mainstream, should parents dole out the basics of IVF (In vitro fertilization) and IUI (intra-uterine insemination)? As medical breakthroughs continue there's even the prospect of a three-parent conception method, so where should the conversation with our children end? What will (did) you tell your kids?

It looks like Honor Warren is going to be a big sister . . . someday! Jessica Alba announced that she and husband Cash Warren will add to their family of three though adoption in the future. The 28-year-old was filming an episode of Extreme Home Makeover that airs this Sunday when she talked about her plan. The project she helped with was for a family in need who grew their large brood by adopting. The actress said:

"I'm totally inspired. If you have the love, and the capacity to love children, you should just adopt. And I plan on doing it."

Is the word "mother" a technically or socially defined word to you? Is a woman only a mother when she has physically given birth? Or does the title also apply to those who adopt, have legal custody, or even just a hand in raising a youngster? Is the word "mom" something a woman is biologically entitled to or one that is awarded when it comes from the mouth of a child? Is a woman a mother the moment she finds out she's pregnant? And does she remain one if she miscarries or her offspring predeceases her? Tell us what you believe makes a mother.

In an emotional Oscar acceptance for her portrayal of Leigh Anne Tuohy in The Blind Side, Sandra Bullock recognized all mothers and her own in a touching speech. She said:

"I would like to thank what this film was about for me, which are the moms that take care of the babies and the children no matter where they come from. Those moms and parents never get thanked. I, in particular, failed to thank one so if I can take this moment to thank Helga B. for not letting me ride in the car with boys until I was 18 because she was right and I would have done what she said I was going to do. For making me practice every day when I got home — piano, ballet whatever it is I wanted to be. She said to be an artist you had to practice every day and for reminding her daughters that there is no race, no religion, no class system, no color, nothing, no sexual orientation that makes us better than anyone else. We are all deserving of love, so to that trailblazer who allowed me to have that and this and this. I thank you so much."

What did you think of her words?

This post was submitted by Senorita in The Mommy Club group.

I have been married for a couple of years and I am in my early thirties. And like any couple, we have talked about what we want children-wise. We have both decided that in a few years, we would have one child and then a couple years after that adopt another. I definitely want to experience being pregnant and having a baby but after talking to some of my friends many of them tell me it is hard to adopt children once you are in your late thirties! I was wondering if anyone had adopted a child and knew about any age limits for the parents. I don't want to miss out on an opportunity to help a child in need because the system thinks we are too old.

Talk about motherly things on your mind at The Mommy Club group over in the LilSugar Community.

In addition to her notable acting career, one thing that impresses me about Hilary Swank is that she doesn't just support a cause based on her celebrity, she actually stands behind it in her personal life, too.

As the acting ambassador to Iams Home 4 the Holidays campaign, she recently shared her request for others:

Growing up, I asked for a dog every Christmas, so the holidays remind me of those times I wished for a pet. Right now, I’m working with Iams Home 4 the Holidays, and we’re committed to finding homes for at least 1.5 million orphaned animals by Jan. 4th. So that’s what I really want this holiday season – for anyone considering a new pet to visit a local shelter or animal rescue organization. I adopted my two dogs Rumi and Karoo and they’ve been the best gift ever!

Remember, even if there's currently no room in your home for another furry face, there are plenty of other ways you can help shelters by donating or volunteering!

Source: Iams/Brian Bowen Smith