Persistence pays off! After months of negotiations with the Malawian government, it seems Madonna will be allowed to adopt 4-year-old Mercy James.

The 50-year-old pop star's bid was blocked in March, due to the technicality that she had not lived in the east African state for a period of 18 months, as required. Since then, her lawyer has managed to persuade two of the three appeal judges to change their decisions, stating that the ruling was out of date.

The final decision will be announced next Sunday at Malawi's Supreme Court of Appeal.

A close friend of Madonna's had this to say about the singer's determination: “She's ecstatic. She made a promise that she wouldn't give up on Mercy and, believe me, she could move mountains when she's this determined."

Providing the courts rule in Madonna's favour, Chifuno, translated to Mercy in English, will join siblings Lourdes, 12, Rocco, 8, and David, 3.

Britney attracts some attention from onlookers as she strolls in London's Hyde Park with her youngest son Jayden James last week

Liev Schreiber & His Toe-Headed Tot

The hunky X-men star Liev Shreiber carries his animated 22 1/2-month-old son Alexander 'Sasha' on his shoulders during a walk in Soho Saturday (June 6).

Liev has a 5 1/2-month-old son Kai, mom is actress Naomi Watts .

Marcia, Tom ∧ Their Mall Munchkins

Marcia Cross, husband Tom Mahoney and their adorable 2-year-old twin daughters, Eden and Savannah, were spotted leaving a shopping mall on Sunday (June 7). Eden was all smiles in daddy's arms, while Savannah proudly rode the escalator with mom.

The Desperate Housewives actress recently opened up about taking the twins to the hospital where Tom undergoes treatments for an undisclosed type of cancer. “I was sort of apprehensive, but we just wanted to make it really normal. We didn’t tell them where they were going in case we had to change plans, but they came in and they were so happy to see him. They just wanted to explore everything. It was great. It’s the best medicine. They don’t know what a hospital is, they don’t care. It’s just, ‘There’s dad!’ ”

Rumor: Tila Tequila Pregnant?

Rumors have been swirling lately that TV personality Tila Tequila is pregnant. However, since posting (and then deleting) a Twitter message confirming the fact, she has changed her tune. On Saturday (June 6) she posted the following on her MySpace blog:

I am a very fun-loving, happy, and drama-free type of girl. However lately the rumors have been piling up and I just felt the need to clear up the rumors for all of my fans because I care about you and want you to know the truth! The point is...maybe I was pregnant, or maybe I wasn't pregnant. I think that is something very personal but I'm going to clear that up now and say that I am not currently pregnant.”

She stated that once friends started to congratulate her on the good news she realized she needed to clear things up for good: “I don’t usually like to address rumors,” says Tila, “[because] all it does it start up more drama.”

Though the 27-year-old was seen earlier this year on the arm of the Smashing Pumpkins lead, Billy Corgan, she has since been linked to singer Ray J.

Natascha McElhone & Rex: Groceries-To-Go

Natascha McElhone totes her 7 1/2-month-old son Rex, who happily chews on her ID card, while taking in the sights and sounds of Santa Monica. The duo grabbed some groceries, then headed home Thursday (June 4).

The Californication actress, 37, has two other boys - Theo, 8 1/2, and Otis, 5 1/2.

Season three of the hit show, co-staring David Duchovny, will premiere this summer on Showtime.

hugh jackmans parenting tips!

Dad-of-two Hugh jackman shared some parenting advice at last week's 3rd Annual Baby Buggy Bedtime Bash in New York.

The 40-year-old Wolverine star, who has kids Oscar, 9, and Ava, 3, with wife Deborra Lee-Furness, passed along his secret to a good night's sleep.

“First of all, you gotta run [the kids] around before the bath. Play a game of hide and seek or wrestle or muck around. Then they’re exhausted. Then we all fall asleep on the bed!”

Of all the countless baby products out there, Hugh says the one thing he couldn't live without is a good stroller.

“No amount of gym work readies you for the dead weight of a child who’s asleep for an hour through the park," Hugh explains. "And I’ve done that before. We have a nice, cheap, 20-buck stroller. We lose them everywhere. We leave them places. So there you go!”

Hugh and Deborra were among many celebrities at the New York event, which raised over $280,000 for Jessica Seinfeld's Baby Buggy charity. The couple are seen here out for a stroll last week.

Tried, Tested & True: A Safe Place For Play

This is the best way to keep your baby safe and it is aforadable to here is a story i found online about it!

I was looking for a simple solution, I needed to find a way to make my 1 year-old happy when we were outside and I had work to do in the garden. I had tried to bring his playpen out, but that resulted in whining and me not being able to get anything done. I then remembered the gate system that my nephews used to play in when they were younger (twins,) and is actually now used for the family puppy for travels, the North States Gates Superyard Xt.

When I first began to research this gate, I was concerned that it would be flimsy and unable to stand up to my tough little boy. I imagined him pulling it down and getting out of the area easily, so when I actually put him in the area I was very pleased to see that the gates were fact it was quite strong and sturdy. All of the panels fold up into one single stack and are held together with a strap for easy carrying/travel, they are a bit on the heavy side though the product description calls them "lightweight." We went ahead and added two additional gates to increase the square footage which is another great feature, you can add or remove them at any time.

All in all, I think this is a great product that is worth the money. I also wanted to mention that this is a perfect product to pass along once your are done using it. There will always be someone looking for a solution such as this, and it is such a sturdy product that it could surely be passed around to friends or family.

Rating Out of 10: 9
Would You Recommend? Yes
Likes? Sturdy, provides safe play area
Dislikes? Made of plastic, will end up in landfill
Price: $109US w/ free shipping
Where To Find: Simply Baby Furniture

click to get the look

Happy 2nd Birthday River Deary!

Name: River Russell Deary

Birthdate: June 9/2007

Parents: Keri Russell & Shane Deary

Siblings: None

Facts:
- River was delivered at a hospital in New York in a midwife attended birth.
- When River was 5 months old, Keri revealed in an interview that she didn't have a problem with nannies or babysitters but, "...in these early months there’s a control aspect to a baby—you want to do everything.”

Quote From Parent:
“He doesn’t talk a lot. A lot of caveman language and pointing. But he’s so sweet and funny and I just — my favorite is his dancing. I love the way he dances…When they throw the moves out, I love it.” - Keri Russell

Kelly Rutherford Welcomes Baby Girl!

Congratulations to the beautiful Gossip Girl star, Kelly Rutherford who gave birth to her second child, last night at 10pm in Los Angeles. Baby girl Rutherford, whose name has yet to be released, joins 2-year-old brother, Hermes.

Kelly and her soon to be ex-husband, Daniel Giersch, have been battling over custody of their first child since filing for divorce last year. It is not known if he was present at the birth.

Hugh Jackmans wife Deborra-Lee Furness and her adopted daughter Ava Jackman take a walk in the West Village in NYC.

New parents Lance Armstrong already father to three other children from previous relationships and his girlfriend Anna Hansen with son Maxwell Edward "Max" on June 6 in Aspen, Colorado

Lance and Anna welcomed baby Max on June 4th weighing 7 lbs 5 oz and 20 inches long.

Lance Armstrong has three children from a previous marriage.
He is father to son Luke, 9, and 11-year-old twins Isabelle and Grace with his ex-wife Kristin Richards

There were those who said the breakdown of Peter Andre and model Katie Price's marriage was a publicity stunt.
But any fans still clinging onto hopes of a quick reconciliation had them dashed as Peter moved into his new home yesterday.
He collected his belongings, which have been in storage since the break-up, with the help of three-year-old son Junior and Princess Tiaamii, one.

They then watched as Peter and his brother moved the crates of belongings into his new seven-bedroom home in Brighton.
Princes carried her security blanket and sucked on her pacifier as she and Junior played amidst the mementoes from their parent's failed married.

Awwh i feel bad for the kids there so young at least they will be raised that way and dont have to go through their parents divorce when they are older.