Forget terrible twos, Christina Applegate is in the gnarly fours

by

Sara McGinnis

posted in Celebrities

Christina Applegate is back in the movie-making game after taking time off to be with her and husband Martyn LeNoble's daughter, Sadie.

“After I did Anchorman 2, I asked for a year and a half off, which meant they weren’t allowed to call me about anything. And they didn’t,” the actress, whose latest role is in Vacation, recently explained to People. “I just mom’d it up.”

And these days, she picks and chooses carefully.

"I won’t take on a project unless the family can make the decision that it is worth the sacrifice of me not seeing Sadie all day long and uprooting everyone if it’s on location,” the 43-year-old star added.

All that time spent at home isn't necessarily rosy, however.

Christina Applegate went on to share she "barely survived" the terrible twos -- and things aren't getting all that much easier now that Sadie is 4½-years-old.

"The fours are pretty gnarls too," the cancer survivor explained. "She is pushing so many boundaries right now. I say, ‘Please put that down. Please put that down. Please put that down.’ It’s crazy man."

Now I'm well aware many feel the "terrible twos" have gotten a bad rap, but the stereotype was pretty true in my experience. I firmly recall believing have a 1-year-old to be amazing (not a baby but they're still amazed by the littlest thing) but things going downhill from there. Two was tough, and three was even worse.

I think though, for my kids, things started to get better around age 4. There was a few times they acted out because they were getting too big for their preschool but weren't yet old enough for kindergarten, but in general the tantrums had diminished and we could get through the day.

Funnily enough, I continue to readjust what I consider to be the most fun age. At first it was one, but later it became six (when they were still sweet and innocent but more independent). Now, however, I'm loving having a newly-turned-tween.

Here's hoping I'm wrong again, and the very best age is still yet to come!

What's been the best age in your experience so far? The hardest? Weigh in with a comment below!

Photo: PR Photos

 

A look at what other famous parents have said about the so-called terrible twos:

Photos: Mariah Carey's twins act like total 4-year-olds

by

Sara McGinnis

posted in Celebrities

It's safe to say Mariah Carey's twins aren't overly impressed with her freshly-cemented Hollywood Walk of Fame star. Take a look at what happened when 4-year-olds Moroccan and Monroe Cannon attempted to sit through a recent ceremony honoring their famous mother:

 

While the singer tried to give her acceptance speech Moroccan tugged on her gown and said, "Mommy, mommy." When Mariah picked him up he added, "I love you, Mommy."

Not one to be left out, Monroe also got a turn in front of the crowd, sweetly saying, "I love you Mommy" as well.

"I better get through with this before the kids want to come up and talk again!" the estranged wife of Nick Cannon said when she finally got the chance. "Thank you so much, really, everybody for being here … I just want to thank all the fans for coming. This is a huge honor. A childhood dream come true … Before these kids take me off the stage, I guess I should move along. Thank you so much."

Now I can see how it might be easy to think Moroccan and Monroe ought to have at least a little more patience than they displayed at the event, but looking at the photos I can't help but grin. Not only do I see adorable kids acting just like kids (it's kind of nice to see they aren't so well trained they smile like robots for the cameras), I see two young people who are extremely comfortable with their mom.

I don't know if there ever were any reports Mariah wasn't a hands-on mom, but looking at these pictures I wholeheartedly believe she's the one they turn to when they need anything.

What do you think of Mariah Carey's twins' antics? Have your kids ever acted similarly? Share with us in a comment below!

Photos: Jim Smeal/BEImages, Matt Baron/BEImages

 

More famous families busily raising boy-girl twins:

Zooey Deschanel has a baby - and a wedding!

by

Carolyn Robertson

posted in Celebrities

Congratulations - times two - to actress Zooey Deschanel!

According to reports, the 35-year-old New Girl star is both a new mom and a newlywed.

Zooey's rep has confirmed that she and her fiancé Jacob Pechenik are the very proud parents of "a beautiful healthy baby girl" who was born in Austin, Texas last week. But it seems that's not all that they're celebrating. Page Six reveals that the couple, who started dating last year, also recently tied the knot.

We're used to seeing celebrity moms showing off their trim post-baby figures in record time, but Zooey has already made it very clear that she's in no rush to squeeze back into her skinny jeans.

"Haven't we all seen those pictures of a sexy new mom in a bikini after one month? I will not be that person," she said earlier this year. "I've always gone my own course and never been someone who had the need to be super skinny. I like a healthy look. I don't buy into that skinny-is-better mentality. I just eat healthy and work out and don’t worry about my weight too much."

Sounds like a perfectly sensible - and utterly refreshing - approach to me!

Congratulations to Zooey and Jacob on their daughter, and their wedding.

More Hollywood moms get real about baby weight...

Photos: PR Photos

Gwen Stefani & Gavin Rossdale confirm divorce

by

Carolyn Robertson

posted in Celebrities

More sad news out of Hollywood today as Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale announced that they're calling it quits.

The couple, who have been married for 13 years and have sons Kingston, 9, Zuma, 6, and Apollo, 1, released a statement this afternoon confirming that they are divorcing.

"While the two of us have come to the mutual decision that we will no longer be partners in marriage, we remain partners in parenthood and are committed to jointly raising our three sons in a happy and healthy environment," it reads. "To that end, we respectfully request privacy from the media during this time."

What is happening in Hollywood these days? We're used to hearing about celebrity splits, but in recent months the break-ups have been somewhat surprising.

After a decade together, Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin shocked many when they revealed their decision to "consciously uncouple" last spring. Then, more recently, Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck announced their divorce after 10 years of marriage. And while they don't have kids, Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert broke hearts when they put an end to their 5-year union last month.

I try not to invest too heavily in celebrity romances, fleeting as they often are, but I have to admit I was really rooting for all of these couples.

Gwen and Gavin in happier times, out fishing with their boys in 2012

While rumors of relationship turmoil have come and gone during Gwen and Gavin's almost 20-year relationship - they started dating in 1996, a lifetime ago by celeb standards - they always seemed to find a way to stay together.

The No Doubt singer has never shied away from talking about how hard it is to juggle motherhood, marriage and a career, but despite that once said that having children had only made her relationship stronger.

“We’ve both become more romantic and caring for each other simply because we’ve seen how beautiful it is to have come this far together and started a new chapter in our lives," Gwen, 45, said. "I feel we’re closer in many ways now that we’re building something together outside our own crazy relationship.”

Reading that just makes today's announcement seem that much sadder, knowing how drastically things can change.

Are you surprised by the news of Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale's split?

Here's what other famous folks have had to say about divorce...

Photos: PR Photos, INFphoto.com

Bindi Irwin's family tradition that helped them cope with grief

by

Sara McGinnis

posted in Celebrities

At age 17, Bindi Irwin is both young and wise beyond her years. The only daughter of the late Crocodile Hunter star Steve Irwin is opening up about how her family has moved through their grief, as well as dating and finding her own style.

Speaking with The Sunday Telegraph Bindi confirmed she's in a relationship with 18-year-old professional wakeboarder Chandler Powell, sharing, “I was blessed to meet Chandler and his family back in November 2013. We remained in touch and stayed friends. Since then, our friendship has developed into something really special."

"Khaki is a part of who I am, but it’s fun to get dressed up every now and then," she went on to say of experimenting to find her own style. "Being a bit of a girl is always exciting. You can’t jump on a croc or climb a tree if you’re not in khaki, but I do like different clothes and playing around with it a bit."

Bindi Irwin spoke candidly about coping with her father's loss, saying, "After losing Dad, there was the idea that none of us have forever. It really affects you. It makes you want to live each day as if it’s your last."

Still, she says losing her dad "was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to deal with."

Reflecting on taking part in her father’s public memorial service she explained, "I remember going to Mum and saying, ‘I really want to say something at Dad’s [service].’ I knew exactly what I wanted to say, so she helped me type it up."

At age 8, Bindi read her speech in front of 5,500 people and an estimated TV audience of 300 million.

"I was only so little and I was so nervous," she recalled. "I had to have my finger [on the paper] to follow the words because I wanted to read it well...It was really important in my heart."

A look back at the moment:

Naturally, Bindi and her mother and brother had to continue to deal with the loss long after the service ended.

"We’re a little family, but we love each other more than anything else on earth," she explained during her recent interview. "After Dad passed away it was really, really tough. Some days you’d have really hard days and it was kind of tough to get out of bed in the morning."

"So we started this tradition where we talked about our favorite part of the day. It might be a lovely warm shower, or having dinner together, but it was to focus on something good. It started as a game but it turned into a life lesson. Now it’s easier to find the happiness in every day."

Bindi, her mother Terri, and her brother Bob remain tight to this day.

“As I’m getting older, I’m really learning unconditional love and loyalty are extremely important," she added. "I know I can count on my mum and brother to be there for me through good and bad times. It’s so easy to be there when it’s all sunshine, but it really takes strength and courage to be there for each other during the dark times."

Does your family have a tradition as well? Share with us in a comment below.

Photos: REX USA/Craig Greenhill/Newspix/Rex, PR Photos

Report: Charlize Theron welcomes her second child!

by

Carolyn Robertson

posted in Celebrities

It sounds like congratulations are in order for actress Charlize Theron!

The 39-year-old Monster star reportedly adopted her second child last month. The new addition joins big brother Jackson, 3, who Charlize adopted in 2012.

TMZ was first to break the big news:

"We're told Theron worked with an adoption agency for 6 months to seal the deal," the gossip site reveals. "The child, an African-American girl, was born in the United States. Charlize took custody of the newborn in July."

No word just yet on the girl's age, but we can share her name: August!

Charlize, who split with boyfriend Sean Penn in June after nearly two years together, talked about adopting as a single mom back in 2012.

"My mother found [a letter I wrote]. It said, 'Would you please take me to orphanage, so that I can go and adopt a baby?' I always knew I would adopt. Always," recalled the South African native, adding, "You know, I don't think any mother aims to be a single mom. I didn't wish for that, but it happened."

That being said, she's not raising her kids entirely on her own - Charlize has said her beloved dogs were by her side for every change and feeding.

"From the moment this baby came into our home, those two dogs have never been more in love," she says. "It's the most beautiful thing I've ever witnessed."

Congratulations to Charlize and Jackson - and the family dogs, too - on their new addition!

Do you like the name August?

Which other celebrities have adopted? Find out!

Photos: PR Photos, INFphoto.com

Ashlee Simpson gives baby girl a rock 'n' roll first name

by

Sara McGinnis

posted in Celebrities

Ashlee Simpson and Evan Ross' baby girl has arrived! The newlyweds announced the arrival of their first child together late Friday, posting an image to Instagram that reads:

We are overjoyed
about the birth of our
precious
baby girl
Jagger Snow Ross

July 30, 2015
-Ashlee & Evan

Little Jagger is Ashlee's second child. She's pictured here with her firstborn, son Bronx Mowgli Wentz, and Evan Ross.

The couple chose to keep baby girl's name private until her birth. In the months leading up to her arrival the son of Diana Ross hinted to People, "Yeah, it’s unique. You guys will figure out the story behind it once we tell the name."

Bronx recently welcomed another half-sibling into the world. His dad, Fall Out boy rocker Pete Wentz, welcomed a son named Saint Laszlo Wentz in August 2014.

Meanwhile, Ashlee's sister, Jessica Simpson, has a daughter named Maxwell Drew Johnson and a son named Ace Knute Johnson.

Is anyone starting to get the feeling choosing baby names that are a bit on the unique side runs in the family? Or perhaps it's a musician thing?

At any rate, congratulations to the Ross family on the welcoming of a new family member into the world!

Photos: PR Photos

 

Ashlee Simpson isn't the only star with a girl named Jagger. Check out who else opted for the same baby name in our gallery of daughters of celebrities with names traditionally given to boys: