Cheeky Baby pulls Katherine Jenkins Hair - Cute Alert!

Katherine, “I am not a diva” Jenkins, had her hair pulled by a cheeky baby. The Welsh born opera singer saw the funny side at an album signing at HMV in Manchester today.

29-year-old Katherine took the incident in her stride as camera shutters frenzied over the spectacle. Later she posed for more pictures with the baby and this time kept her hair away from the babies reach.

It’s been a, “Blonde” week for Katherine. Earlier this week when she left from her helicopter in Swansea, her dress blew upwards by gusts of wind from the propellers, having a Marilyn Monroe moment.

Katherine Jenkins was at HMV promoting, “Believe”, her new album.

Known for her original interpretations of opera and pop, this studio album is produced by David Foster.

Katherine has been tirelessly promoting this album, making TV appearances on shows including Piers Morgan’s Life Stories where she spoke about her attempted rape attack, drug taking and her desire to breakout in America.

Touring the country to attend signings, she managed to squeeze in an appearance at the weekend at London’s G-A-Y where she squeezed again into a black PVC number.

         

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X Factor’s Stacey Solomon Reunties With Her Toddler Son for Some Shopping

Although X Factor’s Stacey Solomon is becoming more and more popular, the only person that she wanted to spend time with was her 18-month-old son Zachary.

The 20-year old contestant reunited with her young son Zach as she made a visit back to her home in Dagenham.

Mom and son took a shopping trip to Lakeside Shopping Centre were Stacey held Zach most of the time.

Stacey is raising her son alone after becoming pregnant at the age of 17. While appearing on X Factor, her mum and sister are watching Zach for her.

Even though Stacey has to live in the X Factor house with the other contestants in London, the show allows her to take one day a week and spend time with her son.  Even with these visits, Stacey is said to be “in bits” being separated from her son. She also gets hurt by the comments that she is a bad mother for leaving her son to compete on the show.

An inside source says, “All she wants to do is focus on the contest and provide a better life for her kid.”

Stacey has spoken out and says that she would love to win the contest for her son so he can go to a good school and have the things that he needs in life.

         

Jenna Elfman: It’s a Boy

A rep for the actress has announced that Jenna Elfman is expecting another boy.

It appears that Jenna is going to be living in a house full of boys. A rep announced that the Accidentally on Purpose star and her husband Bodhi Elfman are expecting their second son next March.

The couple have a 2-year-old son named Story Elias who’s now expecting a brother. The couple have been together since 1991.

         

Celebrities and Their Families Attend the Kids for Kids Carnival

All types of celebrities and their families made it out for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation’s Kids for Kids Carnival this past Saturday in New York.

Celebs and their families showed up to the Kids for Kids Carnival for a good cause. The event attracted over 1,000 people and raised over $1.5 million to help find fund research and education on pediatric HIV and AIDS.

There were all types of kid-friendly events at the carnival such as painting their own masterpiece on a canvas filled room, decorating cookies, face painting, ping pong matches, and personalizing a lunch bag.

Some of the celebrities who showed up with their families were photographer and America’s Next Top Model judge Nigel Barker, comedian Gilbert Gottfried, famous publicist Lizzie Grubman, and news anchor Elizabeth Vargas. Other celebrities also included Hannah Montana’sEmily Osment and Gossip Girls Matthew Settle.

This was the 16th annual carnival in New York and kicks off the 20th anniversary of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

         

Notes left behind: Elena Desserich’s dying notes of comfort

Elena Desserich, 5 years old, left behind notes for her family when she knew she was dying of brain cancer.

Elena hid the hundreds of notes everywhere in the house, the first were found in a backpack. Others were hidden between books, in the corner of dresser drawers, between dishes in the china cabinet or between photos stacked away in boxes, even in Christmas decorations.

After learning of her cancer Elena Desserich died within six months of diagnosis. Her father, Keith Desserich, said it was wonderful to find the notes and he hopes to continue finding them. He’s finding comfort in reading them while he works through grief, and feels as though Elena was trying to say it was ok in her passing.

Whilst Elena lived with her cancer, she knew that every day would be a gift, not to be wasted, so she created a to-do list, including swiming with dolphins, drive a car and more.

When her cancer stole her ability to speak, she turned to drawing and painting, her kindergarten passion.

Elena had one of her drawings hung next to her favorite painter, Pablo Picasso, at the Cincinnati Art Museum. The painting titled “I Love You” was the fulfillment of her short, life-long dream.

Elena died two years ago in August 2007, and her family discovered another note this week. The Desserich family has written a book called, “Notes Left Behind 135 days with Elena” which is a collection of the notes from Elena collected so far.

Elena’s legacy is of hope and healing in the face of terrible adversity.

         

Artificial sperm and eggs created in the laboratory

Human Sperm and eggs have been grown in the laboratory in a breakthrough process that could change parenthood forever. Infertile men and women could have children that are biologically their own.

Moral and ethical concerns are high, particularly as children being born through entirely artificial means becomes possible, leaving men and women sidelined from the process of making babies.

The U.S. government-funded research, published in the prestigious journal Nature, centres on stem cells, ‘master cells’.

Stanford University scientists found the right cocktail of chemicals and vitamins to coax the cells into turning into eggs and sperm.

The sperm had heads and short tails and are thought to have been mature enough to fertilize an egg.

The eggs were at a much earlier stage but were still much more developed than any created so far by other scientists.

The double success raises the prospect of men and women one day ‘growing’ their own sperm and eggs for use in IVF treatments.

The American team used stem cells taken from embryos in the first days of life but hope to repeat the process with slivers of skin.

The skin cells would first be exposed to a mixture that wound back their biological clocks to embryonic stem cell state, before being transformed into sperm or eggs.

Starting with a person’s own skin would also mean the lab-grown sperm or eggs would not be rejected by the body.

The breakthrough could also unlock many of the secrets of egg and sperm production, leading to new drug treatments for infertility, a little understood condition that affects one in six couples.

Defects in sperm and egg development are the biggest cause of infertility but, because many of the key stages occur in the womb, scientists have struggled to study the process in detail.

A greater understanding of the process could also produce a pill that slows the ageing of a woman’s own stock of eggs, delaying menopause.

Dr Allan Pacey, a Sheffield University expert in male fertility said: ‘Ultimately this may help us find a cure for male infertility.

‘Not necessarily by making sperm in the laboratory, I personally think that it unlikely but by identifying new targets for drugs or genes that may stimulate sperm production to occur naturally.

‘This is a long way off, but it is a laudable dream.’

But critics say it is wrong to meddle with the building blocks of life.

Dr Peter Saunders, of the Christian Medical Fellowship, said that IVF should be the preserve of married couples.

He said: ‘We are very keen to promote ethical IVF treatments which respect the sanctity of life and the marriage bond.

‘The question is, why are we creating artificial gametes (eggs and sperm) and aborting 200,000 babies a year when there are many, many couples willing to adopt?’

Anthony Ozimic, of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children, said: ‘As with IVF, artificial insemination and the use of donor gametes, the use of artificial gametes in reproduction would distort and damage relations between family members.

‘There are no instances of any major medical advance achieved by abandoning basic ethical principles such as safeguarding the right to life.’

Dr Reijo Pera said any future use of artificial eggs and sperm would have to be subject to guidelines.

She said: ‘Whether one builds the boundaries on religion or just on an internal sense of right and wrong, these are important.

‘In this field, it is not “anything goes”.’

         

Jason Owen, jailed for Baby P’s death, could be released in 21 months

Jason Owen won his appeal yesterday to have his sentence reduced for the death of 17-month-old Baby Peter.

Jason Owen, the man convicted of causing or allowed to cause the death of Baby P, had his appeal heard and sentence reduced by the court of appeal in London yesterday. The sentence was reduced from an indeterminate sentence to a fixed six-year sentence.

Owen, a convicted arsonist and burglar and a member of the National Front, has been in prison for 289 days already which means that he could be out on supervised probation in 2011.

The court of three judges reviewed the case and found that although his inaction and indifference towards the treatment of Baby Peter was “deeply unpleasant”, the punishment didn’t match the crime.

“He displays a willingness to deceive …which is unattractive, but to translate that into a significant risk that he will himself in the future commit offences involving death or serious personal injury to the public is … simply a step too far,” said Lord Justice Hughes.

Owen had been staying at the home of Tracey Connelly, the mother of Baby Peter. The baby was considered to be “at risk”, and despite numerous visits from social workers and the police, the baby was found dead, having suffered serious injuries all over.

The charity National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) was disheartened by the reduced sentence. The charity’s chief executive Andrew Flanagan said, “We, and doubtless many others, question whether the punishment fits the crime. We fear it does not. After sentencing was announced, the NSPCC asked the attorney general to consider an appeal against the original sentence.”

“Perhaps in the light of the appeal court’s decision, she may well now want to reflect that the decision not to do so was wrong. A great responsibility is now placed on the shoulders of those who will supervise this man on his release to ensure he does not pose a risk to children or anyone else.”

Claude Knights, Director of Kidscape, told the Telegraph that he was “surprised” about the outcome and called the reduced sentence an “atrocious crime.”

“This undermines the public concern and the outcry this crime caused,” said Knights. “Any member of the public will be concerned that this goes against what should be happening in a case like this.”

         

Sussex experiencing baby boom

Sussex has seen a small but noticeable increase in the amount of children being born at the county hospitals despite controversial plans to reduce services.

A miniature baby boom of sorts is being experienced in Sussex, and more babies are expected to be on the way despite effects from the longest recession on record in the U.K.

When compared to last year, the latest counts show a 4.6 percent increase in new arrivals at county hospitals this year. The most noticeable rise was seen at Worthing Hospital with a nearly 11 percent increase in babies being delivered this year.

The increase at Worthing Hospital can be partially credited to recruitment efforts by the hospital to encourage more expectant mothers to utilize the hospital’s services. The recruitment effort was spurred by the controversial Fit for the Future plan unveiled by NHS in 2006.

The Fit for the Future plan was set up originally as a series of steps to better local services by streamlining and balancing the offering of services in the county. However, concerns were raised in 2007 that the West Sussex Primary Care Trust (PCT) would downgrade services at two of three hospitals in the county with the desire “to provide vital services in more appropriate settings.”

Under the Fit for the Future consultation, Worthing Hospital stood a hefty chance at losing its maternity unit as well as its ambulance and emergency services and its complex surgery departments.

But Worthing wasn’t alone in the baby boom. The Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton and the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath saw a combined 4 percent increase in new births. Eastbourne District General Hospital—which also faced reductions in its maternity unit—and the Conquest Hospital in St. Leonard’s saw slight increases in new babies as well.

         

Halloween Pumpkin recipes for Babies, (6 months+)

Pumpkin baby food recipes, (6 months+)

Pumpkin’s strong orange colour is natures signal that it is rich in beta-carotene, an important anti-oxidant that the body converts to vitamin A. It’s also a good source of vitamin C, potassium and calcium.

When selecting a pumpkin to prepare for your babies food, avoid a soft pumpkin, or one that appears light for it’s size. Make sure that it is hard and heavy, this indicates that it’s of good quality.

Smaller sugar pumpkins are preferred for baby food. Generally have a much better flavor than the huge pumpkins that are typically carved out for Halloween Jack O Lanterns.

Pumpkin and Parsnip Puree (6 months+)

This parsnip and pumpkin puree recipe tastes absolutely delicious, yet it’s so simple to make!

1 parsnip
8oz (1 cup) fresh pumpkin
tiny pinch ground nutmeg
1 tsp chopped fresh chives

Peel and dice the parsnip and the pumpkin.
Steam, or simmer in a little water, until nice and tender.
Drain, then blend well in a food processor - or, if you prefer, mash well with a fork.
Stir in the nutmeg and chives.

Handy tip

Don’t let the seeds go to waste. Roasted pumpkin seeds make an excellent high energy snack for adults. Simply wash the seeds to remove the strings and blot dry. Then toss with a little vegetable oil and spread in a single layer on a shallow baking sheet. Bake at 250 deg F for 10-15 mins, stirring two or three times. Cool before storing.

Simple pumpkin and peach rice (6 months+)

This yummy recipe is ideal for older babies who are able to palette lumpier textures.

4 oz (1/2 cup) cooked brown rice
8 oz (1 cup) pumpkin, peeled and diced, with seeds removed
1/2 small, ripe peach, peeled and diced
water or homemade chicken stock

Place the diced pumpkin and peach into a saucepan and cover with the water or stock (we like to use stock as it gives a richer flavor).
Simmer for around 20 mins, then stir in the brown rice.
Continue to cook for 10 mins, adding more water/stock if the mixture becomes too dry.
Serve to your baby, either as a side dish or a complete meal. The sweetness of the peach makes this a really tasty dish.

Pumpkin stew with cinnamon (6 months+)

1 lb (2 cups) pumpkin, cut into 1 inch strips
5 fl oz (2/3 cup) water
1 tsp unsalted butter
1 tsp flour
5 fl oz (2/3 cup) milk (you can use formula/breastmilk if you wish)
pinch cinnamon
pinch freshly ground black pepper (optional)

Place the pumpkin strips in a saucepan with the water and butter and simmer until very tender.
Drain, reserving the cooking liquid, and place in a warm dish.
Mix the flour and milk together to form a smooth paste, then stir in the water you used to cook the pumpkin.
Pour mixture back into the saucepan and boil for a few minutes, stirring constantly.
Add the pepper and cinnamon, then pour the sauce over the pumpkin strips.
Mash lightly with a fork, or puree if necessary.

Pumpkin ‘n pasta (7 months+)

8 oz pasta shapes
4 oz (1/2 cup) cream cheese
2 oz (1/2 cup) grated Parmesan cheese
2 oz (1/4 cup) unsalted butter
2 fl oz (1/4 cup) milk (use breastmilk/formula if you prefer)
4oz (1/2 cup) cooked pumpkin, mashed
A pinch of nutmeg

Cook the pasta according to the directions on the pack.
Place the cream cheese, Parmesan, milk and butter in a saucepan and cook gently until the cream cheese has melted, stirring often.
Add the cooked pumpkin and nutmeg and continue to cook until heated throughout.
Toss with the pasta and serve, chopping the pasta shapes as necessary.

Happy Halloween!

         

X Factor stars Stacey Solomon & Danyl Johnson visit GOSH

X Factor finalists including Danyl Johnson, 27, & Stacey Solomon, 20, visited GOSH, (Great Ormond Street Hospital) in London to show support for the incredible work of the charity.

Stacey Solomon said that she found visiting child cancer patients particularly emotional as she has her own young son Zach.

Stacey said: “I think the reality is that it doesn’t matter what, it can happen to anyone at any age - no one’s immune to anything,”

“But I can’t think of anything worse than your child being ill. Nothing compares to that.”

X Factor stars toured the Elephant Ward, which treats cancer patients.

Danyl Johnson said: ”It just makes you weigh up everything that’s going on with your life.

“You meet the parents who are going through the hardest time ever - no one wants their kid to be ill ever.”

Danyl Johnson, who is a teacher from Reading in Berkshire, said he was touched during a visit to Joshua, who’s just six, because he was in the age range of his pupils.

Danyl said: “It’s really emotional - especially Joshua as he’s in the age range that I teach,”

”It’s hard but it’s even harder for Stacey, who has a little boy.”

All The X Factor stars visited the ward after recording a cover of Michael Jackson’s hit, “You Are Not Alone”, proceeds of the single will be going to the GOSH Charity.

In 2006, The X Factor winner Leona Lewis visited the hospital days after her victory to share her success with the patients and there’s a long association between the hit UK TV show and GOSH. Leona began an annual tradition that The X Factor winner visits the hospital.

All the contestants will be performing the single on The X Factor on November 15 and will be available to download on the same date.

The single can be bought physically on November 16.

If you’d like to show your support outside of purchasing the single please visit:http://www.gosh.org/

Donations can be made here: http://www.gosh.org/donate/

         

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