Posted: 05 Nov 2010 05:57 AM PDT

Thanks for welcoming Marissa Jaret Winokur! The actress, who co-hosts the new CBS daytime chat show, The Talk, is mom to 2-year-old Zev Isaac with her husband Judah Miller. Winokur, 37, was diagnosed with cervical cancer nine years ago, had a hysterectomy and later welcomed her son with the help of a surrogate. Though her road to motherhood had a few twists and turns, she faces the same joys — and challenges — as any working mom. In her latest blog, Winokur discusses the elation and frustration of traveling with kids.

This week I went on a vacation — one of my first since I've been a mom. The question is: WHY DO WE DO IT?! In theory, it sounds fun. It sounds relaxing. It's a vacation after all – a holiday! But when traveling with a child, it should be called something else!

Putting It All Together

The changes began when planning the trip six months ago. Should we go to Vegas (like always)? No … WALT DISNEY WORLD!! Zev will love it! Picking the right flight was not easy. Because of Zev it was, 'What is a good time to travel for him?' — not us. And that was just the icing.

Now, I understand that life changes so much when you have a child, but for some reason this "vacation" really solidified it for me! I think the first clue was in packing … I didn't pack one pair of nice shoes. Flip-flops and sneakers were all I needed! For the toiletry bag, I had the bare necessities. Lip-gloss and mascara (which I never touched) were all I brought for makeup. No curling iron, no dresses — just a bathing suit cover up and lots of undies.

My husband and I fit all our stuff into one little rolly bag carry on … But then HOW did I have two bags to check? I mean, my son is only 2 years old, and weighs only 30 lbs. How much stuff can he need?! The answer is: EVERYTHING!! It took many lists and a week to pack!

Then there was scheduling. I remember going on trips with my husband and just lying in bed and saying, "What should we do today?" But this time, I had everything planned out — every meal, every ride, every second to make sure Zev ate and had his naps!

For a kid-friendly hotel, I picked the BoardWalk because it has, well, a boardwalk and boats. We also met my brother and his kids at Disney. Now that I have a child, it's more fun vacationing with family members, plus it's great for cousins who live 3,000 miles apart to spend time together.

In the park, I missed Tower of Terror because Zev is obviously too small, but went on It's a Small World three times! The only sit-down meals we had included Mickey and Donald. No late night drinks and moonlit walks. Actually, I take that back: every night we saw people having yummy drinks as we passed them with our stroller while walking Zev around for his "moonlit walk" — to sleep.

We didn't rent one pay-per-view movie (one of my favorite things to do in hotels) because when Zev fell asleep, we would literally pass out! No hotel sex, no energy.

Watching Zev Experience New Things

The biggest difference, though, was that I took 3,000 photos. I didn't waste my time lying around. I wanted to share all the new adventures with Zev. I was so excited watching him grow and see things he'd never seen before. It wasn't a romantic getaway — it was a memory for a lifetime.

I will forget the horrible flight and I will forget being more tired than I have ever been. But I will never forget seeing Zev meet Donald Duck — his favorite character — or watch his first firework show (every night). The family bond that was made by leaving our everyday lives was amazing.

The trip reminded me that I need to put my BlackBerry down and just BE with my son. I multitask way too much. It goes back to the balancing act. I was able to be a mom 100 percent on vacation. And I don't need to be at Disney to do it. This weekend, I plan on leaving my phone at home and going to a park and just being with Zev.

I will start to work on the wife thing next week…

It's funny — I started writing this blog about how hard it is to travel with a child and how much I miss traveling alone with my husband. But while I was writing, I tried to remember trips I took before and NONE were as special or even as romantic as my family's first trip to Walt Disney World. I have never loved my husband more than I did while watching him hold our son on his shoulders during the fireworks show.

So, I take it back. It was a perfect holiday!

Reflecting on Last Week's Blog:

I loved all your comments from last week. I read every single one and will continue to do so. I really do feel like we can build a little community. Even the people who think I am a spaz mom, your comments are appreciated. I admit I am a spaz! I would love to meet the woman who could remain calm while her baby is locked in the car in the valley in L.A. in the hot sun.

Yes, I strive to be that mom. We all do. I see where I may have sounded like a crazy person and appreciate your comments, as well as the countless women who told tales of their own children being locked in scary places.

Thank you for sharing. It made this mom feel better.

Next week: Why is the saying "sleeping like a baby"? What baby sleeps?!

– Marissa Jaret Winokur

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These kids really use their heads - San Diego Union-Tribune

Posted: 04 Nov 2010 10:12 PM PDT

By Tom Blair

Thursday, November 4, 2010 at 10:13 p.m.

Point Loma's Gail Saivar figures son Jesse and daughter-in-law Lara are teaching her grandkids the right stuff. Lara was watching "Medium" on television when son Finn, 4, wandered in and focused on the TV — just as a decapitated head was being thrown into a Dumpster. "He can't throw that in there," Finn gasped. "That's the recycling bin!"

Election hangover: Gov.-elect Jerry Brown's victory Tuesday didn't surprise Cal Western law professor Robert DeKoven. Brown's campaign manager, Steve Glazer, won the SDSU student body presidency in 1978 and managed DeKoven's campaign to succeed him. Will Glazer follow other SDSU grads who served as gubernatorial chiefs of staff? Dick Silberman served Brown the first time; Bob White served Pete Wilson; and Vince Hall served Gray Davis. ... I've yet to hear from any folks who took the losing side on ballot propositions Tuesday. But the first claim of credit for Prop. D's loss came Wednesday in a news release from San Diego Taxpayers. Anti-D City Councilman Carl DeMaio — who risked political damage had Prop. D passed — probably should share some credit.

Snoop du jour: The subject line on an e-mail from promoter Rick Schloss says "Michael Jackson 'The Immortal World Tour' Coming to San Diego." But it's like this: It's a new Cirque du Soleil set to Jackson's music. Even in death, he's box office. Tickets went on sale this week, nearly three months before the Jan. 21 Sports Arena show. ... A certain City Council member is mildly offended by a colleague who kicks off shoes and socks during meetings and props some rather gnarly bare feet on the next chair. "Not exactly pretty to look at," he says. "Kind of like walking into the Star Wars Cantina."

Backlash: Some readers seemed spooked by my Oct. 31 item about Paul Stevens' inability to buy a uniform from the Boy Scouts for a Halloween costume. My e-mail and voice mail overflowed with invective that ranged from "your column stinks" to a suggestion Stevens go back to the "pimp and ho costume" he wore last year. Why this caused such a furor, I can't say. Still, I wonder: Would these same folks object to kids and grown-ups wearing uniforms from other respected walks of life — say a doctor or cop, a soldier or sailor? But there was one call from Jack Shredder, 95, a former Scout who remembers attending the 1953 Scout Jamboree in Irvine, when Myford Irvine himself dedicated Jamboree Road to the Scouts. Shredder liked the column item, and invited me to meet him for coffee. I intend to take him up on it.

tom.blair@uniontrib.com

(619) 293-1715

Firefighers Buy Coats and Shoes for Kids - KSBI-TV 52

Posted: 05 Nov 2010 10:15 AM PDT

Story Created: Nov 5, 2010 at 11:53 AM CDT

Story Updated: Nov 5, 2010 at 12:39 PM CDT

OKLAHOMA CITY-- Oklahoma City firefighters were at Quail Springs Mall Friday morning. But instead of responding to an emergency, they were taking care of a different type of business.

It was the annual Coats for Kids drive sponsored by metro firefighters. More than 70 kids from Pierce Elementary received coats and shoes thanks to the firefighters, just in time for the chilly weather. Every year kids at different schools are chosen to receive gifts.

"It's really a great deal to come out here and be able to help a child, by putting coats and shoes on them. They go to pick them up, we go with them, so, it's kind of a special deal," said Dep. Chief Cecil Clay with the Oklahoma City Fire Department.

Friday marked the 20th anniversary of the drive.

Kids Shoes

Friday, November 5, 2010

“Marissa Jaret Winokur’s Blog: ‘Vacationing’ with Kids - People” plus 2 more

“Marissa Jaret Winokur’s Blog: ‘Vacationing’ with Kids - People” plus 2 more

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