In the Baby Zone with Tia Mowry

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When Tia Mowry got pregnant, she couldn't find a pregnancy book that spoke to her—they were all too medical, too focused on the happenings in utero. So, like any other reasonable woman juggling two television shows and a new baby, she wrote one. Oh, Baby! Pregnancy Tales and Advice from One Hot Mama to Another busts pregnancy myths, proffers advice, suggests products, and doesn't mince words. Says Mowry, "My sister [Tamera] is pregnant now and she said, 'Oh my god, Tia, my chest, it's breaking out!' That happened to me too, but no one told me…" With Oh, Baby! Mowry tells it like it is—and she shares a bit of it with BabyZone.

What's your golden rule of parenting?

I have two: trust your instincts and forgive yourself. I'm a worry wart and I'm a perfectionist, always trying to be my best. But things are going to happen. You have to learn how to let go and trust that your instincts are great and you are capable of taking care of this child to your fullest, to the best of your ability. I want to share that with all other moms, including my sister who's in her second trimester now.

Describe the best moment of parenting so far.

Seeing Cree's milestones. I never realized how fulfilled I could be and how much joy he could bring to my life when, after he wasn't smiling, he smiled, or after he didn't have teeth, he got a tooth. We were on vacation in Santa Barbara and I had one hand and Cory had his other hand—and he was walking! Cree's my life. It's a miracle and a blessing, seeing him grow.

And the worst?

The lack of sleep—it's hard. You're balancing between tired and extremely tired—not ever well-rested.

Best advice you ever got?

Don't compare your child with another child's development. That's a bad recipe. And know that you're an amazing mom, even when he's not walking when he should be walking.

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

Honestly? I can't live without my 30-minute nap. I just have to [have one]. If I'm working 12 hours a day, I turn my one-hour lunch break into a 30-minute lunch break and nap. I have to give myself this time to just re-boot and restart. Then I can say, OK, I can do it.

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

… you're eating your son's leftover baby food for dinner. I did it yesterday!