Wine a little or a lot: Giuliana Rancic debuts Xo, G

New mom Eva Mendes loves BabyCenter, too!

by

Carolyn Robertson

posted in Celebrities

We have a famous mama in our midst!

In her first interview since welcoming her daughter Esmerelda with Ryan Gosling, Eva Mendes reveals that BabyCenter has been her go-to site since becoming a mother.

Like many new moms, the 40-year-old actress admits that she sometimes struggles to adjust to these early days - and nights! - of motherhood: “I’m completely exhausted,” Eva tells VioletGrey.com. “I thought my wild nights were over but these are some of the wildest nights I’ve ever had.”

During those very long nights with 2-month-old Esmerelda, Eva says she finds some comfort in knowing that other moms out there are facing the very same challenges.

“I go to BabyCenter.com and read the comment section from other mothers because I find so much solace in that,” the Hitch star shares. “Just knowing that I’m not alone out there and that other moms have gone through the same thing can at least get me through the night."

Motherhood is such a universal experience, isn't it? I can't imagine I have much in common with Eva Mendes, but I found BabyCenter the very same way she did. I still remember visiting my daughter's birth club to read what other moms were going through and to post my sleep-deprived, desparate new-mom questions. Even if they didn't have the answers, there always seemed to be someone who was going through the exact same thing. Just knowing that - knowing that somewhere out there another mother was trying for the 20th time that night to get her baby down - made me feel so much better. Maybe I wasn't doing anything wrong after all. Maybe it's normal to struggle sometimes.

Unlike some Hollywood moms, Eva says that she and Ryan are going it on their own for now, forgoing a nanny in favor of full-time, hands-on parenting.

"I’m doing it without a nanny for now but I’m open to the idea of having a nanny in the future," she says. "For me that part of being a mother at this early stage is the struggle of not being able to sleep and not knowing what I’m doing and really going through it with her and battling out those nights.”

If I could give Eva any advice, I'd tell her something that another mom once told me: Everything changes. The hardest, longest nights will pass. The crying will subside, the utter exhaustion will ease with time. Those gorgeous, chubby baby legs will lose their rolls and that impossibly perfect new baby smell will fade away entirely. So survive the bad times and immerse yourself in every single sweet, quiet, happy moment. And through it all, be kind to yourself. After all, even the best moms have bad days.

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What helped you get through those first few months of motherhood?

Some awesome quotes on motherhood by some very famous moms...

Photo: PR Photos

Benedict Cumberbatch tried to ditch his "stupid" birth name

by

Sara McGinnis

posted in Celebrities

Benedict Cumberbatch wants it to be well known he deserves absolutely no credit for his head-scratching name.

The Sherlock actor, who recently became engaged to theater and opera director Sophie Hunter, opened up about his unique last name during a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal.

"I was going to be Benedict Carlton," the 38-year-old star explained, recalling how he tried to convince his agents a name change was a great idea. "I said, '[Cumberbatch] sounds a bit like a fart in the bath. It's clumsy. Dad doesn't use it.'"

I think it sounds more like 'cucmber-patch' more than an self-aerated soak, but I digress. Benedict's father is English actor Timothy Carlton, whose birth name is actually Timothy Carlton Congdon Cumberbatch.

Despite Cumberbatch's hunch his cumbersome name might be holding him back, the agents insisted he keep it, even if it only left people 'to wonder, Cumber-what?' he was still on their minds.

Benedict added, "When people started suggesting I’d made it up, I was like, 'Well thank you for crediting me with that much imagination. I don’t think I could possibly make up a name as stupid as the one I was born with.'"

I too was given a doozy of a last name, coincidentally also in the sounds-like-found category. While my imaginary friend is a 'cucumber patch,' I grew up with a name that conjures up the schnitzel. I won't go as far as to say I hated it, but I wasn't upset to become a pronounced, fairly spell-able McGinnis, either.

Anyone want to weigh in on wether or not the beautiful Sophie Hunter will become Sophie Cumberbatch or not when they exchange vows?

Share with us

Are there any last names you'd ditch, or is a quirky family name something a person just has to learn to accept?

Photo: REX USA/Erik Pendzich

Why Kourtney Kardashian will never have a home birth

by

Carolyn Robertson

posted in Celebrities

With her due date just weeks away, Kourtney Kardashian is busy getting ready for the arrival of baby #3. In a new interview with Fit Pregnancy magazine, the reality star talks about her plans for childbirth and some post-baby downtime - and explains why she thinks a hospital birth is the "smarter" and "safer" choice.

Rumored to be due on Christmas Day, Kourtney, who already has kids Mason, almost 5, and Penelope, 2, with her partner Scott Disick, says that the first few months of 2015 will be spent focused entirely on motherhood and bonding with the family's new addition.

“I love doing everything myself at the beginning,” the 35-year-old insists. “I’m not getting a baby nurse. I take two months off and no one is allowed to bother me or talk to me about anything work-related — or maybe three months this time.”

Kourtney has been an outspoken advocate for attachment parenting - despite the fact that the rest of the Kardashian clan really doesn't get it - and will be breastfeeding and co-sleeping this time around as well.

“I nursed Mason for 14 months and Penelope for 16, and I loved it,” she reveals. “It was built-in time that the two of us could share alone every day. I didn’t have any goals or expectations.”

When it comes to actually delivering the baby - rumored to be a girl! - Kourtney says she's definitely ruled out a home birth: “I think it’s smarter and safer,” she explains of delivering in a hospital. “I witnessed a home birth with my sister Khloé and, after seeing it, I felt it wasn’t for me. There was too much risk involved and it wasn’t as sanitary as a hospital.”

Indeed, she has no complaints about her previous two hospital births, saying, “Both were really easy. I actually pulled both babies out of me! I was out of the hospital so fast both times because I just wanted to get home."

It's such a personal decision, choosing between a hospital or a home birth. I've heard many moms rave about their home births - the intimacy and familiarity of it - but I never seriously considered it. I love my house, but I really don't want to deliver my babies there. When it comes to childbirth, I just feel far more comfortable at the hospital.

Comment

Would you prefer a hospital or home birth?

Which famous moms delivered at home? You may be surprised!

Photos: PR Photos, Beverly News/Rex/REX USA

She's showing! Duchess Kate debuts her bump

by

Carolyn Robertson

posted in Celebrities

It's official: She's showing! Royal watchers got their first glimpse of Kate Middleton's growing bump this week when the expectant mom attended the Place2Be Wellbeing in Schools Awards in London wearing a belted peplum top that accentuated her new pregnancy curves.

The 32-year-old Duchess of Cambridge, who presented an award to one star-struck young honoree, was heralded for her commitment to the cause: "The Duchess' total and utter belief in what we do and her commitment to children's mental health is incredible," gushed one Place2Be exec.

After spending the past couple of months suffering from Hyperemesis Gravidarum, Prince George's mom seems to be on the mend and has been stepping up her public appearances. For this latest outing, the always stylish Duchess, who is said to be four months along, paired her polka dot Hobbs London top with a fun skirt by favorite designer Jenny Packham. What really stood out, though, was her gorgeous pregnancy glow.

I should probably make a confession: I have a tiny style crush on the Duchess of Cambridge.

The casual wedges, the Aquatalia boots, the seemingly endless collection of incredible coats: I love them all. If I could steal one "celebrity" mom's wardrobe, it would be hers. Classic, elegant, amazing. Sure, I'd get a few looks picking my kids up from school wearing a feather-and-net fascinator, but whatever. I could totally rock that.

That being said... I don't love this look (ducks and covers). Fashion blogs everywhere seem to be heralding the peplum-and-polka dot combo as Kate's best maternity look ever. I'm no expert, but I would have to respectfully disagree. Separately, the pieces are great. Together, though, I'm just not feeling it.

I would love to pick up that top for the holidays, but unfortunately - like everything Kate wears - it's sold out.

Comment

What do you think of Kate's latest look: Love it or leave it?

Here are some Kate's best-ever maternity looks...

Photos: REX USA

Jessica Alba's preschooler won't give up the crib

by

Carolyn Robertson

posted in Celebrities

Like most moms, Jessica Alba has those moments when she wishes her daughters Haven, 3, and Honor, 6, would stay little forever. Like most kids, though, the girls seem pretty determined to grow up. Except when it comes time for bed.

Jessica admits that her youngest daughter has absolutely no interest in ditching her beloved crib and moving to a big girl bed. And while some parents agonize over the transition out of the crib, the Honest Company founder says she's in no rush to see it happen.

“Oh my God, she loves her crib," Jessica reveals. "She wants sleepovers because her sister has sleepovers so I try to do sleepovers with Mom. She says, ‘Okay Mommy, I’m done. I need to go back to my crib now.' She’s so restless — she wants to talk so she’s super into her crib. It’s really cute and I’m like, ‘Yes, stay a baby forever.’”

My kids were out of their cribs at 2 years old, but that wasn't really by design. It was around that time that my youngest started having sleep problems... again. She'd scream every night come bedtime, then would get up in the early morning hours and bounce around in her crib like a kangaroo. I'd wake up at 3am to the sound of her crashing against the rails, the springs creaking under her weight. Then one night she jumped so hard she actually broke it. So we set up the big girl bed - and invested in a tiny indoor trampoline - and that was that.

I do understand Jessica wanting to keep her girls little for as long as she can, though. As fun and fascinating as big kids are, my heart aches at the passing of each milestone. So I carry my four-year-old probably more often than I should, and I shush my husband when he tries to correct her funny mispronunciations. I can't stop the clock, but maybe I can trick myself into thinking it's slowed down just a bit.

Jessica Alba seems to agree: “[Being a mom is] my priority. I feel like they’re growing up too fast, and I want to freeze them in time,” says the 33-year-old actress-turned-entrepreneur. “I don’t think that’s going to happen because every day they’re just getting taller and sometimes more sassy.”

Comment

When did your kids ditch the crib? How did it go?

Girls day out! Celebrity moms with their adorable daughters...

Photos: PR Photos, Beverly News/Rex/REX USA

Alyssa Milano 'breaks the internet' by breastfeeding

by

Carolyn Robertson

posted in Celebrities

Kim Kardashian's bum-baring Paper magazine cover didn't manage to "break the internet," but breastfeeding moms just might do it if actress Alyssa Milano gets her way.

It's been a week since North West's mama revealed her very provocative, very naked pose on Twitter, sparking a huge response from both Kim's Hollywood peers and the general public. Some people loved the controversial photo shoot, many more didn't. Some were grossed out by the greasy baby oil factor, others over the fact that Kim is, after all, "someone's mother." And then the internet, which didn't quite break after all, responded by providing many, many, many memes inspired by the shot.

Alyssa Milano was one celebrity who added her voice to the sea of opinions. While she had no problem with Kim's booty shot - "I mean...it really is an unbelievable ass," Tweeted the mom-of-two - she couldn't help but point out the double standard. After all, it was only a couple of weeks ago that her most recent breastfeeding selfie was met with mixed response.

Wait! I don't get it. No disrespect to Kim but... people are offended by my breastfeeding selfies & are fine with her (amazing) booty cover?

— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) November 12, 2014

It seems that Alyssa's Tweet struck a chord, inspiring many moms to take up the cause and post nursing pics of their own. The Mistresses star's Twitter feed is now full of dozens of shots of breastfeeding mamas, along with captions like "Respect to anyone who chooses to breastfeed and post photos. This one is for you @Alyssa_Milano" and "#Support @Alyssa_Milano let's #BreakTheInternet and make breastfeeding as natural as it should be! #breastfeeding."

As for Alyssa, an outspoken attachment parenting advocate, she seems thrilled that her Tweet has become a call to action. She sent this out to her 2.7 million followers just this morning:

There are a whole lot of boobies on my Twitter stream. Thanks for sharing, mamas. Thank you for your support. #normalizebreastfeeding

— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) November 17, 2014

Alyssa may be leading the charge at the moment, but she's far from the only high profile mom who is trying to "normalize" nursing. Gisele Bundchen, Miranda Kerr, Alanis Morissette, Pink and more have shared their own breastfeeding selfies online, too.

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What do you think of the "breastfeeding selfie" trend? And of Alyssa's comment on Kim K's nude shoot?

Some other celebs who have spoken out about breastfeeding...

Photos: PR Photos

Hilary Duff shares the real story of her "post-baby-body debut"

by

Sara McGinnis

posted in Celebrities

Hilary Duff has a thing or two to say about both losing the baby weight and what it's like to find you've unknowingly made a "post-baby-body debut."

"The second I had Luca, I went to go get my hair blown out at the salon, and I hadn't stepped outside in, like, 15 days," the songstress and mother of a 2-year-old sweetie recently explained to Health magazine.

"I was learning how to be a new mom, and I needed to go get my hair done. Then they're like, 'Hilary Debuts Her Post-Baby Body!' I was like, I'm not debuting s--t right now. I'm just going on an errand run! There is way too much pressure on women these days. It took me a whole 10 months to build a baby."

Opening up about her long journey to shed the weight she gained while pregnant with Luca, Hilary Duff shared, "Oh my God, everyone was so hard on me because it took me a year and a half to get my body back!"

The pressure felt all too familiar to the former Disney darling.

"When I was 17, I weighed, like, 98 pounds," she confessed. "I was totally obsessed with everything I put in my mouth. I was way too skinny. Not cute. And my body wasn't that healthy—my hands would cramp up a lot because I wasn't getting the nutrition I needed. That constant pressure of wanting something different than I had? I regret that.

"I feel like there was way too much time spent thinking about that. This is the body that I have. I have a very athletic build, and I am so proud of what my body has done for me. I had the best, healthiest, strongest pregnancy. And I feel good about myself. But I feel like I'm always in a 5-pound battle, because being 5 feet 2, everything is going to show on me!"

Sounds to me like Hilary Duff has come a long way in how she thinks about her body.

I, too, am at a point in my life where I'm able to overlook my physical 'imperfections' more easily and be thankful for the strength I do possess. Part of the change in thinking came through pregnancy and being a mom, but I think age has played an even bigger factor for me. How I look is just not as important to me in my 30s as it was in my 20s or teens, and I'm loving caring less.

Share with us

Have you gotten to a point of acceptance with your body? If so, how did you do it?

Photo: REX USA/Beverly News/Rex

More celebrity moms who've been photographed out and about looking more casual than red-carpet ready:

Duchess Kate's busy weekend: The bump! The boots!

by

Carolyn Robertson

posted in Celebrities

You would think that weeks of extreme pregnancy sickness might leave a girl looking a little worse for wear, but the Duchess of Cambridge was positively radiant as she put in two official royal appearances over the weekend.

The first took place on Saturday, when Kate joined her husband Prince William on a visit to the Valero refinery in Wales. Royal watchers hoping for a first real glimpse of a baby bump were out of luck, as the 32-year-old expectant mom kept her growing belly under cover in a pretty baby blue Matthew Williamson coat.

And can we talk about those boots for a minute? We've seen Kate wear this killer black suede knee-high pair before. I want them! Unfortunately, though, I won't be getting them as it looks like the Aquatalia Rhumba boots retail for around $700.

The next day Kate attended a much more sombre event as she joined those gathered for the annual Remembrance Ceremony at London's Cenotaph war memorial. Standing alongside Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, she looked on as Prince William and his grandmother Queen Elizabeth laid a wreath at the service, which marked 100 years since the end of the First World War.

Though Kate and William haven't - and likely won't - commented, there has been plenty of speculation as to whether 15-month-old Prince George will be getting a baby brother or sister. Some sites are actually suggesting that the Duchess' decision to wear baby blue this weekend was a subtle hint that she's expecting a boy. Interesting theory, but I somehow doubt that she coordinates her outfits to match the gender of her unborn child. So for now it seems your guess is as good as mine.

Speaking of little Prince George, it sounds like he may soon be making his first trip to the USA. The Daily Mail reports that the trio will be traveling to New York City next month, where the Duke and Duchess plan to visit with conservationists and launch their new charity, United for Wildlife.

"Kate has never been to New York and she is really looking forward to it now that she is over her illness," says a source. Hopefully they'll have time to squeeze in a quick visit to FAO Schwartz while they're there.

Look how he's changed! Prince George's adorable photo album...

Photos: REX USA

Alyssa Milano takes heat for 'multi-tasking' breastfeeding pic

by

Carolyn Robertson

posted in Celebrities

Alyssa Milano just stole a mommy move right out of Gisele Bundchen's playbook.

Last year Gisele, who is of course no stranger to controversy, sparked yet another round of criticism when she posted a photo online that showed her breastfeeding her daughter Vivian while being tended to by a team of stylists: “What would I do without this beauty squad after the 15 hours flying and only 3 hours of sleep #multitasking #gettingready,” she captioned the pic.

Cue the outrage. "This is not multitasking," wrote one commenter, who echoed the sentiments of many others. "Multitasking would be breast feeding while cooking dinner, cleaning house, washing dishes, etc."

Interestingly, actress and mom-of-two Alyssa took to Instagram this week to share a picture - click here to see it - that is virtually identical to Gisele's.

"First day back at work! Shooting for @marieclairemag with @linhhair and @collierstrong and wearing my @marissawebb! #blessed," she captioned the black-and-white shot, which shows her breastfeeding her baby Elizabella while in the midst of a hair-and-makeup session. This isn't the first time Alyssa, an attachment parenting advocate, has shared a nursing photo - she posted one last week, too.

Other famous breastfeeding moms...

Gisele isn't exactly everyone's favorite famous mama, but most folks seem to like Alyssa Milano. So I was interested to see the reaction to her "multi-tasking" moment. Would we collectively hate it, too?

In a word: Yes. While the Mistress' star received some support from her fans and followers, the broader online response was far less positive.

"I don't see her multi-tasking. She's sitting there with her boob in her child's mouth," reads the top-rated comment on US Weekly's post on the pic. "Show me a time where she's breast feeding, cooking dinner, cleaning the house and taking care of another kid on top of that. THEN you can say she's multitasking. So annoying."

Personally, I had no problem with Gisele's picture, and I have no problem with this one, either. Is this my reality, feeding my baby while a team of paid professionals apply my eyeliner and brush out my curls? Um... no. The thought of it actually makes me laugh, it's so far removed from my life. This IS life for these moms, though.

Gisele and Alyssa both seem to be devoted, hands-on moms. They could easily have handed their babies off to nannies, but they decided to keep them close, even if that meant bringing them along to work. Sure, they're fortunate to even have that option, and their work is a little more glamorous than mine. Their attempts at multi-tasking may not involve emptying the kitchen garbage or scrubbing spilled food from the baseboards, but I do think there are some parts of motherhood that are just universal. They still have to juggle commitments, they still have to set priorities, they still worry and wonder and love their babies like crazy. The fact that they sometimes do it in full hair and make-up makes no difference to me.

Comment

Does Alyssa Milano's "multi-tasking" breastfeeding photo bug you?

This isn't the first time famous moms have come under fire...

Photo: PR Photos

Robert Downey Jr's adorable birth announcement

by

Carolyn Robertson

posted in Celebrities

Congratulations to Robert Downey Jr and his wife Susan Levin!

The pair welcomed a baby girl on Tuesday, November 4, and if his initial and very adorable Facebook announcement is any indication, the Iron Man star is already head over heels with the family's new addition.

“After 9 months of intensive development, Team Downey is pleased to announce our 2014 fall/winter project," Robert writes. "Principal photography commenced 11-14 and will continue until she says, ‘Dad! You are embarrassing me … I’m 30, this has gotta stop.'”

As for the details, the 49-year-old actor shared a few of those, too: "Avri Roel Downey joined the party @ 3:22 a.m. on November 4th … she’s 7 lbs even, spans 20 inches, and is accompanied by a variety of Susan’s traits that have seemingly overwritten my ‘junk DNA...' I’ll post pics here + there when I’m not too busy staring."

Cutest ever.

Baby Avri joins big brothers Exton Elias, 2, and Indio, 21, who is Robert's son from a previous marriage.

The news comes just days after Robert and Susan put in a red carpet appearance at the BAFTA Britannia Awards in LA, where he received the Stanley Kubrick Britannia Award for Excellence in Film. Accepting the honor, he paid tribute to his wife, who looked nothing short of gorgeous in an emerald green gown.

“How is she still so darn pretty and functional and mood-stable?” he asked the audience, going on to joke that "the second pregnancy has been extraordinarily tough for me. Self-prescribed mandatory bed rest was of some benefit. At least my milk is finally coming in.”

Congrats again to them on the happy news!

Avri is an unusual name, reported by some sources to mean "A noble and wise ruler." I've never heard of it before now, but it's already growing on me.

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Do you like the name Avri Roel?

Don't miss these funny, fabulous quotes on fatherhood from some of our favorite famous dads...

Photo: PR Photos, Matt Baron/BEImages