In the Baby Zone with Melissa Rycroft

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Photo Credit: James Acomb

Reality star Melissa Rycroft has been in the public eye since starring on popular shows such as The Bachelor and Dancing with the Stars. Today she is living a whole new reality as mom to Ava, born in February 2011. While her new show, Melissa and Tye: A New Reality, chronicles her journey in parenthood, she shares with us here what life is like living in the Baby Zone.

What's your golden rule of parenting?

To always remain calm. It's only been 13 months, but we've had our fair share of bumps, bruises, and trips to the ER ... but you have to keep your composure always. Kids are more resilient that we give them credit for!

Describe the best moment of parenting so far.

The first time I walked into the room where Ava was and she smiled so big and yelled, "Mama!" Ahh, it made my heart skip a beat! Knowing she loves me is the best feeling ever!

And the worst?

Ava had colic and acid reflux for the first six to seven months of her life. For those of you who have never experienced a child with either of those, consider yourself lucky. It got brutal at times.

Best advice you ever got?

To not listen to all the advice! As mothers, we all figure it out ... and figure it out in our own way. Everyone has an opinion, and everyone's method, to them, is the best one. But no one can be a better mother to your child that you can.

What's the one thing you can't live without?

My cell phone. Ugh! If I ever leave it at home, or misplace it, I feel completely lost! Shocking, since cell phones weren't really around while I was growing up—but I've learned to love them!

Finish this sentence: You know you're in the Baby Zone when...

... you've walked around all day without realizing you've had spit up on the shoulder of your shirt the whole time.