Drew Barrymore gets real about her post-baby body, & we love it

by

Carolyn Robertson

posted in Celebrities

Like many new moms, actress Drew Barrymore was on cloud nine after the birth of her first baby, Olive, in 2012.

“There’s nothing greater in the world," she gushed when Olive was just 2 months old. "I live every second of every day to make her laugh and smile."

So she was understandably shocked when she didn't feel the same way when her second daughter Frankie's arrived two years later.

In a new interview with PEOPLE, the always honest mom reveals that she suffered from postpartum depression after baby #2, saying, 'I didn’t have postpartum the first time so I didn’t understand it because I was like, 'I feel great!' The second time, I was like, 'Oh, whoa, I see what people talk about now. I understand.'"

"It’s a different type of overwhelming with the second," Drew, 40, adds. "I really got under the cloud."

She says it wasn't until Frankie was around 6 months old that she felt like herself again, but she's grateful for the experience because it helped her to live in the moment and focus on what really matters.

What doesn't matter, she's come to realize, is looking hot in a swimsuit.

"I never looked good in a bathing suit, so now I look worse in a bathing suit," she shrugs. "I have cellulite. But I would much rather have my kids and look a little worse in a bathing suit!"

While she does make time for exercise a few times a week, Drew says it's for her mental health, not for washboard abs.

"Having a hot body is just not my thing," the actress and author admits "I care a little, I don’t care a lot."

Drew credits her positive perspective on body image in part to her husband of 4 years, Will Kopelman, saying, "I think that’s really important for women to have someone who really makes you feel good about yourself because that would be a giant disadvantage to your process of making babies or just being a woman in general to have someone make you feel like you had to be a certain way to turn them on or to be beautiful in their eyes."

So well said! I almost always love what Drew has to say about being a mother and a woman, and this interview is no exception.

There is a lot of pressure put on women - from society, the media, our partners, ourselves - to live up to a pretty specific standard of beauty, one that steadfastly refuses to make room for things like cellulite, stretch marks, c-section scars, post-baby "pooches" or breasts that don't stand at attention. I think it takes a lot of self-confidence and a fair bit of courage to shake off those expectations, and even more to publicly admit our so-called imperfections and accept them.

What do you think of Drew's interview?

Famous moms reveal the harsh truth of postpartum depression...

Is Brandi Glanville's questionnaire way out of line?

by

Sara McGinnis

posted in Celebrities

Mom-of-two Brandi Glanville believes she is only looking out for her son, age 12, as he dips into the dating pool for the first time, but is her questionnaire for potential girlfriends way out of line?

The reality star posted a message about son Mason recently, tweeting, "My eldest has a date tomorrow and I have jitters for him so I gave him good boyfriend homework."

Attached to the image was a 13-question list of items for him to ask his date. Items start out innocently enough ("middle name," "where she lives," "does she have siblings"), but number 6 took a decidedly different turn. It reads: "is she a virgin."

In response, one Twitter user wrote, "Is she a virgin? Who asks that on a first date and how old is he? 14? Wow. #trashbag." Another wrote, "the girl doesn't need to tell your son or any1 for that matter her sexual business (hopefully she has none)."

Brandi Glanville clearly disagrees, however. In response to those who cried foul over her list of questions she tweeted:

If you think 12 is too young at this point in our age to ask if someone's a virgin you're sadly mistaken get with the f**king times

— Brandi Glanville (@BrandiGlanville) October 18, 2015

She later added, "Have open conversations with your kids & then you will know what's going on—that is how I know what I know—don't f--king for yourselves....Good night—I'm not trying to fight with anyone. I'm trying to inform parents. That's it #truth."

Personally, I find Brandi to be both right and somewhat wrong in her approach.

On the negative side, I dislike that virginity is listed on such an initial questionnaire. To me, it implies the girl's worth, her date-ability, is tied to if she's a virgin. The line of thinking appears to be that even if all the other points are compatible this bit of information could be a deal breaker. Rather than teaching Mason to judge a person by their past, I'd prefer to see Brandi encouraging him to assess interest in a person on their personality, intelligence and outlook on life.

That being said, I do think conversation about sexual history is very important to have and a topic that we should be teaching kids to discuss. Mason should be encouraged to care about his partner's past -- going so far as to ask about protection used and sexual health testing -- I just don't think it's a conversation that needs to happen on the first date.

What's your reaction to Brandi Glanville's "good boyfriend homework" list of questions? Weigh in by leaving a comment below!

Photo: PR Photos

 

A look at what a few celebrities have shared about losing their virginity:

Zooey Deschanel: Baby girl's name is "like the animal"

by

Sara McGinnis

posted in Celebrities

Three months after becoming a mom Zooey Deschanel has finally revealed her daughter's name -- and part of it may be a bit odder than you perhaps were expecting.

“It’s Elsie…" the actress said while speaking with People magazine, revealing baby girl's first name. Zooey's husband, Jacob Pechenik, then finished her sentence by adding, “Otter.”

The first-time mom chimed in, “Like the animal,” while he added, “Sea otter!”

Elise Otter Pechenik arrived in late July, just after Zooey said "I do" for the second time. She was previously married to Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie fame.

During a visit to Today, Zooey elaborated on how she and Jacob chose their daughters' name by sharing:

"I love otters. My husband really loves otters. She better love [otters]. We don't know yet; she's only 3 months old. She's going to love them...we just really like the name Elsie, and then we both love otters. They're really sweet, they're also smart, they use tools to keep their favorite tools, they hold hands while they sleep. There's so many amazing things about otters. They're wonderful animals."

While celebrities picking out-there baby names is nothing new, I have to say I quite like the way these new parents put a little fun in their daughter's moniker. To me, the middle name is the perfect way to either honor family members (which is what we ended up doing with our two sons) or add a bit of flair.

Very briefly we thought about making our firstborn's middle name Cougar, as a nod to our alma matter. I can't say I'm sorry in the long run that we didn't follow through with the idea, but it would have been kind of fun. Knowing our second born's personality, I think Bear would have suited him well.

Just for fun, if you had to pick an animal for your kid's name which would it be? Why? Share with us by leaving a comment below!

Photo: PR Photos

 

Elsie Otter is in good company with an animal-inspired name. A look at more Tinseltown tots whose parents thought along the same lines:

Which celeb mom just posted a post-baby "pooch" pic?

by

Carolyn Robertson

posted in Celebrities

Singer Jessie James Decker took to Instagram this week to prove that looks can sometimes be deceiving.

The country star and her husband, NFL player Eric Decker, welcomed their second child last month, a boy named Eric Thomas Decker ll. Just weeks later, Jessie posted a "date night" pic that seemed to show she'd already lost the baby weight. Wearing sky high heels, skinny black pants, a tank and a blazer, the mom-of-two showed off her super slim shape.

Not so fast, though. A couple of days later, Jessie shared another very different shot. This real life selfie shows her in a pair of sweatpants, her post-baby belly bravely bared. See it here!

"I appreciate all of the sweet comments about how tiny I look after baby," she captioned the pic. "But I don't want to mislead any mommy's who just had babies and are stressing! I gained 55 pounds with my daughter and only 27 this time!... I am still 15 pounds away from what I was originally before I got pregnant.... My tummy is still swollen and you can see my c-section scar and pooch!... So no rushing and no stressing about losing weight! Wanted to make sure y'all saw what my tummy looks like under the tank top and blazer.... I am so glad we all can support each other. Being a mommy is so rewarding but hard work so we need to stick together and help each other out. I'm not perfect but I do my best. That's what it's all about. So never be hard on yourself."

Let's be honest: She still looks pretty amazing! I had my baby years ago and my stomach still isn't quite where hers is. True story.

That being said, I love that Jessie shared this photo.

I love that she recognized that her first picture may have set unrealistic expectations among other new moms, or put added pressure on those who are already feeling discouraged. Every woman is different, our bodies respond to pregnancy and recover from childbirth in different ways and at different rates. Jessie certainly didn't owe the rest of us any explanation, but I think it was thoughtful of her to offer it up anyways.

This isn't the first time the singer has gotten very honest about her motherhood journey. Last year, Jessie talked about the emergency c-section birth of her first child, Vivienne, calling it “devastating."

"I was yelling and screaming at everyone," she revealed. "I wanted to have that special labor and moment of having a natural birth.”

What do you think of Jessie's Instagram post?

Find out how 13 celebrity moms stood up to fat-shaming...

Photo: REX USA

Glory Johnson gives birth to tiny, premature twin girls

by

Sara McGinnis

posted in Celebrities

Glory Johnson has officially become a mom, though the congratulatory wishes are being sent her way quite a bit earlier than anyone was expecting.

Announcing the birth of her twin baby girls, the basketball star took to Instagram early Monday morning. Along with a collage image she wrote:

"Babies Ava Simone & Solei Diem arrived on Monday! Born a little earlier than expected, I have No Worries because these babies are fighters just like I am! We all know God makes NO mistakes and by his Grace, everything will work out for the greater good. We will continue to trust God as they are in his hands. Continue to keep us Lifted because there is Sooo Much Power In PRAYER!!!"

Text on the image reveals the girls were born at just 24 weeks gestation. Ava and Solei each weighed 1 pound, 7 ounces at birth.

In June the first-time mom announced she was expecting by sharing, "It's not a surprise for me because this is what we planned for with the IVF Cycle, though hearing their hearts beat for time was the most ASTONISHING thing I have ever heard in my ENTIRE LIFE."

The baby news came just weeks after Glory married girlfriend and fellow basketball player Brittney Griner, but the pair split just 29 days after exchanging vows. Glory told Us Weekly she was "truly really saddened" by the end of their short marriage," and "was not expecting to have [it] end so abruptly."

A look at other famous parents who know what it's like to welcome a preemie:

Congratulations to Glory on the birth of her girls, and best wishes for them to grow healthy and strong!

Early, late or right on time: When were your babies born? Share with us by leaving a comment below!

Photos: Wikimediacommons

 

Kate Winslet's kids have a "very special" dynamic yours may not

by

Sara McGinnis

posted in Celebrities

Kate Winslet's three children have a dynamic going on between them my two know nearly nothing about. The actress, whose kids were each born during separate relationships, recently opened up about her darlings, who range in age from 15 years to 22 months.

“Her brain works the same way that mine does now, which is brilliant,” the actress gushed to People while speaking about her teenage daughter, Mia. “I love a forward-thinking daughter.”

"My 15-year-old, she's so wonderful," the 40-year-old star continued. "She helps, and not only that but I see sides of me now coming out in her. She is incredibly helpful to me as a woman and as a parent. I'll say to her, 'Mims, can you please have Bear for the next hour? I'm just gonna grab a shower and I've got a couple of things I've got to do.' She's like, 'Yep, sure!'"

Kate added, "Children should play with each other, you know? And look after each other. That's really what we have, and it's very special."

Kate Winslet's son Joe is now 11, and her son Bear with husband Ned Rocknroll is 22-months-old. This wide age range means her family is quite a bit different than mine, as my two boys are only 20 months apart -- a fact which has both been pleasant and challenging over the years.

Around the time our firstborn got his smash cake I caught an intense bout of baby fever. Unbeknownst to me at the time, I was actually pregnant at his first birthday party. Initially I loved having two under 2, and thought it only made sense to have my kids close together and interested in the same things at near the same time.

As life has a habit of doing, I've also been humbled on the subject numerous times. My way is, of course, not the only way and not necessarily even the best way. Having a 2 and 3-year-old underfoot at the very same time meant occasional simultaneous meltdowns, diapers in two sizes, and endless lessons on taking turns and sharing. The competition level between my two boys, to this very moment, is insane. Anything one can do the other swears he can do better.

I have to imagine this isn't the case when you've got a 15-year-old and 1-year-old sharing the same space, not to mention my eldest isn't anywhere near older enough than his little brother to be babysitting.

All the same, if I had it to do over again I probably wouldn't change much. I suppose I like my two going through stages at nearly the same space despite the chaos, but I also like hearing stories like Kate's and thinking about how different things could be.

What's the best thing about the age gap between your kids? The most challenging? Join the conversation by leaving a comment below!

Photos: PR Photos, INF

 

 

Sara McGinnis and her family are traveling the country by RV through the end of 2015. You’re invited to follow their journey via Instagram.

Taye Diggs does the cutest thing when his son goes to sleep

by

BabyCenter Staff

posted in Celebrities

BabyCenter7 is a blog series that features celebrity parents you know and love answering the same seven questions with their own personal spin.

You may know Taye Diggs as detective Terry English on Murder in the First or as Dean Levine-Wilkins on The Good Wife. Or, maybe you were lucky enough to catch him last summer belting out anthems on Broadway as Hedwig, the East German transgender rockstar with blonde beer can curls.

The stage is where Diggs first made his mark. In 1996 he and the glorious Idina Menzel starred in the original Tony-winning production of Rent. They were married for a decade and share a son together. In fact, Walker Nathaniel, 6, is the inspiration for Digg's latest children's book, Mixed Me!, which tells the story of Mike, an energetic little boy who, like Walker, is bi-racial and has awesomely curly hair.

"Sometimes even seemingly positive statements can give kids complexes," says Diggs, who was on hand earlier this month at the Empire State Building to kick off national bullying prevention awareness month with STOMP Out Bullying."I just want to put this book out there as a tool to help kids and adults alike. Because we’re all mixed to some degree. None of us are pure breeds. Love yourself and appreciate and be proud of your roots no matter what they are."

Read on to see what Diggs considers to be his secret talent and his favorite recent family moment with Walker.

 Fatherhood is ...

... beautiful.

My secret talent is...

... listening. 

My parents were right about ...

... the difficulty of parenting. I mean, yeah, sure. They didn't make it look easy. They were right.

My favorite comfort food is ...

... eggs. Scrambled -- all of it. I'm a breakfast guy.

My favorite recent family moment is ...

... my son scoring a goal in soccer.

If I can't have world peace, I'll take ...

... peace within me.

When my kids fall asleep, I ...

...  kiss him on the lips!

Give us your answers to the BabyCenter7 in the comments below! And see how Jane Krakowski, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Amanda Peet answered our questions.

 

Photo courtesy of the Empire State Building.