With a tight schedule, barking dogs, and a napping baby, it could have been any of our new mommy friends on the quick phone call from which we just hung up. Instead, a few bloggers were lucky to have a chance to chat with Ellen Pompeo from Grey’s Anatomy about her life as a new mom and her role in the Every Little Bottom campaign. She’s joining us to help spread the word about how easy it is to donate diapers and help a mom in need.

Ellen Pompeo distributing diapers at LA Diaper Drive

Jenny from Jenny on the Spot: What motivated you to join the Every Little Bottom program? What is the passion behind your decision?

Ellen Pompeo from Grey’s Anatomy: When Huggies reached out, I didn’t know anything about diaper need. Being a new mother, all I had to hear is that 1 in 3 moms struggle to provide diapers… It’s a staggering statistic. If a big corporation like Huggies can get involved, how can I not do my part?… It was a no-brainer for me. If we can relieve the stress on moms and the stress on babies. It’s a real fixable problem.

Kim from House of Prince: What do you feel is the best way to motivate people to get involved in this campaign?

Ellen: I think the easier we make it for people to get involved the more people are likely, because everyone is busy, especially moms who work. Having these diaper drives where people buy diapers and providing places for people to drop them off would help. Even online with diapers.com, if we have a way to make it as easy as possible for people because people are super busy.

Rookie Moms: What do you like to do when you aren’t working and you are taking care of baby Stella?

Ellen: Our favorite things to do are swimming in the pool and going to mommy and me yoga. Sometimes the yoga schedule doesn’t fit with her nap time, but on the days when the class is earlier we go and we love that.

photo of Ellen Pompeo, Chris Ivery, and Stella Luna courtesy of tv fanatic

I guess the only thing that really differentiated this call from a call with my friend Crystal in Chicago was when Ellen had to dart off to go tape the Ellen Show. Ellen P helped distribute diapers at the LA Diaper Drive last week and is also co-hosting a celebrity diaper drive in New York City that will inspire many to donate diapers and solve this fixable problem.

Inspired by Whitney, Lisa, Huggies, and now Ellen Pompeo, I’ll be kicking off my own diaper drive in Berkeley next week. I’ll also tell you how you can do it too!

Ahh, yes the laundry. It plagues me to the point where last night Alec was out with friends and all I wanted to do was to curl up with a movie and a beer and fold laundry after the boys were in bed.

So, what’s the activity? Where’s the fun that makes mommy happy and keeps the kid busy? Well, if you can get your preschooler to load up your washing machine (even if it’s one sock at a time), and then load up the dryer, you will not only have a free hand to drink your coffee, but you are also helping their Proprioceptive Development!

Loading and unloading the washer and dryer is #27 of 99 sensory activities on MommyPoppins.com. This list was created by Occupational Therapist Casey Halper to help kids with sensory integration issues, but I find that it’s an excellent list to review when you’re in need of ideas to tucker out a revved-up child.

Sensory activities fall into different categories. Perhaps the most useful one for self-regulation is Proprioceptive Input. That’s a fancy word for “heavy work” that engages your joints. These activities make you feel grounded and can be calming for a high-running child or invigorating for a low-running kid.

Refer to this list and see what other heavy lifting you can get out of your three year old!

A couple weeks ago, I learned that Wedding Anniversary #4 is the “appliance anniversary” so I’m also pleased and slightly embarrassed to report that we got a new dryer and I Love It! Holden likes that he can watch things spin around and I like that the laundry basket now fits under the swinging door.

Many of the activities on the list of 99 were excerpted from Raising a Sensory Smart Child.

We’re not so big into TV at our houses but as our babies turn into toddlers, you will find our sets tuned into the odd Wonder Pets, Signing Time, or Sesame Street at various times throughout the day.

So as we struggle with new babies and clever little toddlers and our creativity is starting to flounder a little bit, our pal, Karen, sent us this awesome list of how to entertain your two-year-old with no TV from No Impact Man. Here is a little excerpt:

We stomp the laundry in the bathtub together. “I’m splashing with my feet,” Isabella says.

We wash the dishes together. “You need my help, Daddy?”

We roughhouse on the bed together.

We ride aimlessly around on the No Impact Mobile (our tricycle with a back seat for Isabella), seeing what we can see and singing This Old Man if it’s sunny and The Old Man is Snoring if it’s raining.

We bang things really loud.

If Michelle isn’t there, we tell her things all the same and wonder if she can hear us in her mind.

We practice seeing who can scream the loudest.

I love this list because the activities are free/cheap; they do without not only TV but also other annoying toys; they get the parent to have fun like a kid; and they’re just so Daddish.

More ideas on how No Impact Man entertains Isabella without TV

Mommy Poppins runs a fun site about getting more out of living in NYC with babies. She was sweet enough to write up a week’s worth of her favorite activities exploring different neighborhoods:

This is my idea of the ultimate itinerary for a week of things to do in NYC with a baby or toddler. It involves what, I think, are the major necessary bones for getting out for a day with the baby: Lots of food stops, playground visits, a little shopping — or at least ogling — of beautiful things for baby, but mostly just good, relaxed wandering around and exploring a cool, baby-friendly neighborhood that’s not your own.

Monday—Chinatown
Babies love all the stimulation of Chinatown. The streets are filled with shops that open onto the street with bins of toys right at their level. Poke into Ting’s Gift Shop for an adorable little silk outfit or tiny pair of slippers.

For food you can stop for Dim Sum at Sweet ‘n Tart, one of the few restaurants that offers high chairs. The waiters love kids and will give them lots of attention and kids like the little bites of dim sum or a plate of noodles.

If you don’t want a sit down meal buy some delicious buns at Fay Da Bakery or dumplings from Tasty Dumpling and head to Columbus Park where you’ll find baby swings, slides and, in the summer, sprinklers.

For a treat check out Aji Ichiban Munchies. The store has clear bins of Asian snacks to buy by the pound and free samples. And, you can’t leave Chinatown without stopping at the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory for some almond cookie, ginger or lychee ice cream.

Tuesday—Upper West Side
Start the day at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan. When you arrive, sign up for the fun drop-in classes offered throughout the day, then dive into the five floors of great interactive exhibits. When you’ve had all the educational fun you can take for one day, head over to Riverside Park. Walk downtown through the park to the 79th Street Boat Basin. You can have a relaxing lunch at the outdoor café and then move on to Elephant Playground around 76th street.

Wednesday—Brooklyn Bridge and Dumbo
There’s nothing better on a beautiful day than a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge. Make sure to bring water, especially on a hot day. Take the stairs down from the walk way and walk around the corner and back toward the waterfront. If you’re hungry from your walk, stop by Grimaldi’s Pizza, considered by many to be NYC’s best pizza. Then walk over to Brooklyn Bridge Park which has a playground, a pebble beach and a large lawn surrounded by a sculpture garden. If you need a chocolate fix Jacques Torres Chocolates.

If you have more of a bug for shopping, check out ultra-hip children stores Half Pint, Pomme and ModernTots When you’ve had enough, head back toward the Fulton Ferry for ice cream at the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory. The ice cream here is unbelievable. If you ever splurge on a sundae, this is the place to do it. The caramel tastes like crème brulee topping and the fudge is out of this world. Hop on the Water Taxi to take you back to the South Street Seaport or another destination in Manhattan.

Thursday—Battery Park City
At the North end of Battery Park City you’ll find the Tom Otterness sculpture, The Real World. Explore the whimsical characters that preside here. Then make your way down to Rockefeller Park Playground. It’s one of the best playgrounds in NYC. The Park Pavilion also loans out games and play equipment which you may find out in the field. A little further south is the Koi Pond. Or, just stroll down the Esplanade and watch the boats float by.

Friday—Upper East Side
You’ve had a busy week you deserve a little splurge. And where better than on the Upper East Side. Head straight for Dylan’s Candy Bar. To call it a candy store would be a gross understatement. It’s a magical candy world that puts Willie Wonka to shame. Use your sugar rush to get creative at The Craft Studio. You can paint plasters, wooden toys and even T-Shirts for a personal souvenir or this day with baby. After all that hard work it’s time for a little more coddling. Stop by Kidville, NYC for lunch, even a massage, haircut and manicure.

Saturday—Prospect Park
Pack a picnic and head to Brooklyn. First stop the Prospect
Park Zoo. Afterward take a ride on the carousel; then a picnic in the Park. Before you go home make sure to stop by the Greenmarket in Grand Army Plaza and stock up on local produce.

Sunday—Williamsburg
Remember before kids when you would spend Sunday mornings just chilling out in a café, listening to cool music and soaking up the vibe of the hipsters around you? Well, thanks to Willy Bees, nothing has to change. While you chill over your brunch the little ones can play in the playroom, watch a puppet show or listen to the cool kind of kid
music you’ll never admit you actually have on your playlist.

Then head out to stock up on hipster gear tots at one of the ultra-hip shops like Mini Jake, and Sam and Seb.

When you’re out of money head over to McCarren Park for some outdoor fun.