Celebrity-related stories
Lisa Rinna Opens Up About Parenting, Playboy, and Dancing with the Stars
Lisa Rinna posed for Playboy -- at 45! Photo by Kristian Dowling, Getty Images
The book
Rinnavation began as a diet and fitness book, inspired by the phenomenal shape Rinna was in after "Dancing With The Stars." Then, she says, "the whole thing morphed into a book about everything that I believe in." Though not an autobiography, it is "autobiographical...it stems from my experience and what I've been through." Rinnavation still talks about diet and exercise and fashion, but also "motherhood, spirituality, marriage -- I cover everything."
A somewhat surprising part of Lisa's past is the fact that she was teased "horribly, from the time I was seven until I was 16." This isn't the typical beautiful woman complaining that she was chastised for being too tall or having long legs. "I grew up in Newport Beach, California, very hip place. I was very dark skinned, I'm Italian and Portuguese background, and I was out in the sun all the time," she said. "So picture this very very dark girl, very skinny, wearing really short dresses, being transferred up to a place called Medford, Oregon. I think they still had a sundown curfew. I was teased because I looked completely different from everybody else."
Octomom Was A Stripper Called Angelina
In the news again! Click the image to see more of the Octomom saga. Photo by Getty Images.
So what is it now? More plastic surgery? Another (gulp) pregnancy?
Nope. Just that she used to be an exotic dancer. Oh, and the name she used? Angelina.
To quote my grandmother: "Oy vey."
EntertainmentWise.com says that a stripper -- sorry, exotic dancer -- going by the name of "Sage" has blabbed to InTouch magazine that she "met [Nadya] at an amateur contest, and we wound up doing parties together." The alleged debauchery occurred between 1999 and 2000.
Sage's tale is backed up by Luis Ceballos, a limo driver who claims that Nadya "always said she wanted to be really famous." Gee, ya think? The driver also claims that Nadya was not shy about shaking her groove thing, and that she was "overly flirty with the guys" while performing. C'mon, dude. She's working for tips. Give her a break.
California Octuplets
Mother of Octuplets
Nadya Suleman told TODAY's Ann Curry in an exclusive interview that "a huge family" was a childhood dream growing up as an only child. Suleman, already of mother of six, also denied charges that she was irresponsible to have so many babies.
Paul Drinkwater, NBC/AP
The reported grandfather of the octuplets escorts two children to a bus outside the Suleman home in Whittier, CA. The mother, Nadya Suleman, has six other children.
Jason Redmond, AP
Araceli Castro, right, who identified herself as a nanny, talks to reporters as she arrives at the Whittier, CA, home of a woman who gave birth to octuplets this week.
Jason Redmond, AP
Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center nursing staff who delivered octuplets on January 27, 2009. The six boys and two girls -- weighing between 1 pound, 8 ounces, and 3 pounds, 4 ounces -- were born nine weeks premature by C-section and are all in stable condition.
Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center
Dr. Jalil Riazi, right, and Dr. Karen Maples at a news conference on the amazing octuplets born at Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center in Bellflower, CA. Doctors say the octuplets are a feisty bunch that appear healthy after being born kicking and crying.
Nick Ut, AP
Doctors at Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center, expecting seven babies, said they were surprised by the birth of an eighth infant.
David McNew, Getty Images
The home of the Nadya Suleman, the Whitier, CA, woman who gave birth to octuplets with six children already at home.
Damian Dovarganes, AP
Television news vans outside the Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center in south Los Angeles. The public is following the story of the world's second live-born set of octuplets.
Damian Dovarganes, AP
First Octuplets: Nkem Chukwu, 29, right rear, her husband Iyke Louis Udobi, 41, center, and her mother Janet Chukwu, from Houston, pose with their eight children. Chukwu and Udobi are parents of the world's first octuplets born in 1998, but one child died a week after birth. Their little sister Favor, 6, third from right, joined the family in 2002.
Bebeto Matthews, AP
Madonna Adoption Appeal Date Set, Parenting Skills Questioned
Madonna's attorneys announced that the Material Mom will get another day in Malawian court on May 4th to fight for her right to adopt little Mercy James."I cannot disclose our grounds of appeal, but I can confirm the court will hear our appeal," lawyer Alan Chinula said, according to the New York Daily News. Madonna, however, won't be there. Perhaps she will be busy working out?
According to a new report from Perez Hilton, Madonna's former chef, Eric Ienco, is telling tales about Madge's parenting -- or lack thereof. Ienco says: "She gets up and has a coffee, then she does two hours of yoga. Then there's two hours of Pilates and exercise. That's six days a week. After that, she deals with her e-mail, her calls and the rest of her business. And after that, she spends maybe half an hour with the kids. If Lourdes comes in and says, 'I want to see Mom,' she is told, 'She's doing yoga' - and Lourdes knows she can't disturb Mom. Madonna puts herself before her kids."
Those Dreamy Jonas Brothers Names
Babies, Teens & tweens, Life & style
names and what they mean, even their last name, Jonas.
-j.n.
If you're wrong, you're certainly not alone. In fact, I can almost hear the voices of other young readers shouting "Hands off, those names are mine!"
Truly, there's nothing "wrong" about naming a baby after someone you admire, whether that person is your Grandma Rose, the president of the United States, or all three of the Jonas brothers. As long as beautiful men and women shine on the silver screen, as long as writers spin stories of adventurous heroes and heroines, as long as singers and dancers wow us with their talents, parents will look to the famous and exceptional when it comes time to name the stars of their own lives, their new babies. That's human nature. But let's take a closer look at the JoBro names in particular.
Madonna Appeals Adoption Ruling
On Friday, Malawian Judge Esmie Chondo denied Madonna's bid to adopt 4-year-old Mercy James.But Malawian authorities didn't get the memo -- you don't mess with the Material Mom.
Almost as soon as the Judge delivered her ruling, Madonna's attorney Alan Chinula informed the press that an appeal had been filed.
In an unusual move, Guy Ritchie issued a statement in support of his ex-wife, calling her a "fantastic and loving mother," who "is motivated only by being a caring parent who seeks to share some of the advantages and opportunities that her life has given her." Ritchie also said that he "fully supported...her decision to apply for this adoption, and I am saddened that her application has been rejected." Pretty nice words for a woman who he decided he couldn't live with.
Madonna's Son Meets His Biological Father
There are very few celebrities left in the world who can command media attention virtually any time of the year, no matter what else is going on. This week the news is full of government bailouts, tax increases, Afghanistan – and Madonna. Give the Material Mom credit for one thing: She's still got that special something that makes folks take notice.This time around, it's her effort to adopt a second Malawian child. The hearing has been delayed until Friday, so Madge stayed in the African village with all three of her kids – 12-year-old Lourdes, 8-year-old Rocco, and adopted son David, 3, who met with his biological father on Tuesday.
David's dad, Yohane, described their meeting, in a way that is kind of heart-breaking: "He asked me who I was. When I told him 'I am your daddy' he looked surprised...He asked me lots of questions about lots of things. He asked me whether I ride horses. I told him horses are for the rich and he asked me why I am poor. He told me his mum likes riding horses and that he too rides horses."
Madonna Adoption Hearing Set For Today
As you may have heard, the Material Mom wants to add to her family. Yesterday she traveled to Malawi, home country of her adopted son David, to try and score him a lil' sis. Madge is scheduled to appear in a local court today to, um, justify her love. (Sorry, couldn't resist.)So who's the lucky girl? E! Online reports that her name is Mercy James of the Mchinji Home of Hope orphanage, the same one where Madonna found David. David is accompanying Madge on her trip so that he can visit his dad.
Mercy's parents are deceased, although she does have two living grandparents. The British organization Save The Children has a problem with that. TMZ reports that they are upset because they feel that "Madonna's actions may unintentionally feed more interest into the criminal adoption industry in Malawi," and that adopting another child from the poor African country "may be sending the wrong message." The group's spokesperson Dominic Nutt told the BBC that they believe that "children should be cared for in their own environment by their own community, ideally by their own family, particularly their extended family."
Children's Birthday Parties - Extravagant or Fabulous?
Curious about the glamour, the entertainment, the excess and, of course, the cost? We spoke to the best and brightest party experts. The extravagance is clear and the fees are dear, to say the least.
$100,000 Birthday Parties
Compare kids' birthday parties today to the ones you had a child. Now, compare both to the extravagant spending on parties for the children of the uber-wealthy. Balloons for $5,000? That's just the beginning. Here, the recipe for the most lavish, most outrageous and most whimsical parties.
Getty Images
The Invitations: $4000
Ellen Black of Lehr & Black, "invitationer" to the stars and Saudi royalty, designs invitations that will "just blow you away, let out a scream and make you want to come." At least that's why clients such as Nicole Ritchie and Courtney Love come to her for their children's birthdays. This 3-D "Small World" invitation recreated the Disney ride, complete with music and moving parts for $200 a pop. "My clients want invitations that no one's ever seen before."
productphotography.com.
The Flowers: $35,000
Courtesy of Belle Fleur
The Cake: $1,000 and up
One new trend is to bake individual cakes for each guest -- in addition to the big cake! Los Angeles-based Sweet Lady Jane offers a eye- and waist-popping pink and blue castle cake with turrets and flags for just over $1,000. "But we've made even bigger!" says master baker Jane Lockhart, including Suri's butterfly masterpiece and the mini-cakes which reportedly added up to much, much more.
jupiterimages
The Theme: $5,000 - $20,000
The most popular are dinosaurs, princesses and an elegant "all white." Christina Aguilera and Nicole Richie threw a joint party for the first birthdays of Max Liron and Harlow Winter Kate, with a Where the Wild Things Are theme. Costumed characters from the book added to the festivities, along with elaborate decorations. Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale celebrated Kingston's second last May with a cowboy themed bash with live ponies. Quite a bit more expensive than rocking horses, ponies generally rent for about $300 per hour each, including an attendant.
Getty Images
The Gift: $200What are A-list tots getting as presents? "Custom engraved iPod Nanos, cashmere by baby cz, engraved silver items from Tiffany & Co. or gorgeous organic toys from Giggle, says Liz Seccuro, Creative Director of Dolce Parties in Greenwich, CT. "It's also common for hosts to request that a donation of books or cash be given to a charity in lieu of a gift."
The Outfit: $2,000 for mom; $300 for child
"Look-at-me, I'm casual" attire currently in vogue among A-list mamas includes a cashmere sweater ($700 of sophistication) plus jeans ($200) and flats ($600). Mobile mama is ready to rush to the scene when one of your child's friends dumps a piece of cake onto his lap. The birthday girl or boy also needs to look stylish on their big day. Little girls will look sweet and festive in Lilly Pulitzer's bright floral-print dresses, while boys will look like little princes in Best & Co.'s pull-over sweaters.
jupiterimages
The Entertainment: $100,000 and up
If your kids insist on having big names like DJ A.M. or Mark Ronson spin the hits at their fiesta, be prepared to shell out $10,000 to $100,000. Hollywood's most kiddie popular (Miley Cyrus, Jonas Brothers and Hilary Duff) will charge far more to make an appearance, said Backal. Although this may seem like a large chunk of change, be prepared to pay additional fees for "rider" requirements, such as special foods, towels, scented candles, reading material, beverages, transportation, travel and hotel costs.
Jakubaszek, Getty Images
The Photographer: $7,500
Why spend all that money without recording it. The best photographer will approach the party like Annie Leibovitz , scouting the location for the best angles and shots beforehand and shooting on and on and on. After the event, have your personal assistant go on Blurb.com to have photo-books created for all your friends and relatives (up to $80.00 each). If Annie isn't free, Robert Evans, notable for having shot the TomKat nupitals and Jennifer McCarthy parties, is the obvious choice.
Chris Corder, AOL
The Venue: 25,000
If a your backyard just won't do, renting space in an aquarium or museum is one popular option. Plus, it adds structure and built-in entertainment. These types of venues can cost $15,000-$25,000 or more. Despite the obvious appeal of hosting a party at a kid-friendly venue, many A-listers (including Gwen and Gavin) still host parties at their beautiful homes. Um, estates.
Getty Images
If you had the money, would you throw one? Share your thoughts with us.
Sabrina Weill is editor-in-chief of PrincessLovesPink.com.
Erykah Badu Names New Daughter 'Twitty Milk' (Maybe)
Celebrity Baby Names
Erykah Badu
Erykah already has two children named Seven Sirius and Puma Rose, so when the singer announced on her Twitter page that she'd named her new daughter "Twitty Milk," we thought she might actually be serious.
Getty Images
Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck
The couple brought home a baby sister for Violet, and named her Seraphina Rose Elizabeth. According to Laura Wattenberg, author of The Baby Name Wizard, "Seraphina is an old saint's name that comes from the biblical seraphim, a type of angel." Sounds like Affleck and garner have high hopes for their wee one. Hope she can live up to her big name.
Getty Images
Nakoa-Wolf Manakauapo Namakaeha Momoa
Former "Cosby Show" queen Lisa Bonet takes top honors for now with their newborn babe. Bonet says that the child "was born on the stormiest, rainy night, so Nakoa (warrior), Mana (strength/spirit), Kaua (rain) and po (dark). Multiple middle names? Could become a trend for 2009?
Bobby Bank, WireImage
Princess Tiaamii
British "glamour model" Jordan (aka Katie Price) and "former pop star" Peter Andre named their daughter Princess because it was "unique." When the name was announced in 2007, The BBC reported that Jordan had wanted to call her Tinkerbell, but there were too many famous dogs with that name. Because that's really the only reason not to go with Tinkerbell.
Getty Images
Jermajesty Jackson
Amazingly, this is not a child of Michael. Jermajesty is the son of Jermaine Jackson Alejandra Oiaza. And they say Mike is the crazy one.
Bauer-Griffin
Barron Trump
The only thing that would make this name better is if it were Barron Von Trump. But alas, the middle name of the spawn of Donald and third wife Melania is William. Still, with dad's money and mom's bone structure, the kid is basically American royalty even if his name is Pubert.
Bauer-Griffin
Tu Morrow
Rob Morrow may have been trying to revive his career when he named his daughter Tu in 2001. (Tu Morrow. As in "see you") It may have worked. Though Morrow's first TV series, "Northern Exposure", was canceled in 1995, he currently appears on "Numb3rs." Maybe Shelley Long should have a baby and name her Tu. (Tu Long? Get it? Oh never mind)
Eric Charbonneau, WireImage
Moxie CrimeFighter
Penn Jillette and wife Emily clearly decided that they want their little girl to grow up to be a magician just like daddy. That way she can make this awful name disappear.
Ethan Miller, Getty Images
Harley Quinn
Kevin Smith named his daughter after the Joker's sidekick in Batman comics. If he and wife Jennifer have a boy they can name him The Riddler, Clayface, Scarecrow the possibilities are endless.
Bauer-Griffin
b>Kal-El Coppola Cage
Speaking of children named after superheroes, Nicholas Cage (née Coppola) and wife Alice Kim went with Kal-El, which every geek knows is Superman's real name. Little-known fact: it's also an ancient Hebrew phrase that, loosely translated, means, "My parents are rich and I will never have to hold a real job."
David Westing, Getty Images
"Labor has begun," Electronica wrote (or "Tweeted"). "Everybody stand back. No hospitals. No doctors. No medicine. We're waiting for the midwife to show."
But the best update by far was penned by Badu, who posted "we named the baby twitty milk." I'm pretty sure (or at least I hope) she was joking -- though it wouldn't be shocking if Twitty truly is the named bestowed upon the new addition. Badu's two older children (with former partner André 3000 of OutKast) are named Seven Sirius and Puma Rose.
I also love the way Electronica surmised the overwhelming sensation of new fatherhood -- after the birth he simply blogged: "Feb. 1 2009 my first child, my daughter born at 130 PM exactly. It's the happiest day of my life." Couldn't have said -- or Tweeted -- it better.
Molly Ringwald Pregnant!
Pregnancy & birth, Bump watch, That's entertainment
Celebrity Babies 2008
Suri Cruise? Shiloh Jolie-Pitt? They are soo last year. Take a look at this year's models, beginning with a real life beach babe and culminating with a high Watt bang. Introducing 37 breakout stars of 2008.
Emery Hope Sehorn (mommy Angie Harmon), 12/18
Angie Harmon, 36, was able to keep this pregnancy under wraps for about five months, announcing it in mid-August. This is the third daughter for Harmon and her husband, former NFL player Jason Sehorn.
John Shearer, Getty Images
Samuel Kai Schreiber, 12/13
Naomi Watts, 40, and partner Liev Schreiber, 41, had a son at the close of the year. The couple have been together since spring 2005 and have another child, Alexander Peter, 17 months.
Bauer-Griffin
Naviyd Ely Raymond, (daddy Usher) 12/11
Usher, 30, spoke about fatherhood to Essence: "He's gonna admire me, he's gonna look up to me. He's gonna say, 'I wanna be' or he should say - 'I wanna be like my father." That goes for his one-year-old son, too, Usher Raymond V (the fifth).
Frederik Madison, X17online.com
Bronx Mowgli Wentz, 11/20
Uber-stage poppa Joe Simpson told People: "The day she [Ashlee Simpson] found out she was pregnant, she became a woman." And the Fall Out Boy bassist, Pete Wentz, 29, tasted her breast milk ("soury" and "weird"), did he become a man?
Kevin Mazur, Wire Image
Sunny Madeline Sandler, 11/2
Adam Sandler, 42, quipped about his wife Jackie's second pregnancy with Jay Leno. He relaxes his two-year-old Sadie by saying, "'Mommy's not like bad sick. She just has something growing in her that's eventually gonna shoot out [of] her...and take half your toys.' "
Jeffrey Mayer, WireImage
Archie Arnett (mommy Amy Poehler), 10/25
Although Archie is couple Amy Poehler and Will Arnett's first child, SNL's Poehler has long been convinced she'd be a great mom. "I'm still a big, giant kid," she told the New York Daily News. "I understand the way they look up at the world. I get it."
Jean-Paul Aussenard, WireImage
Finley and Harper Lockwood (mommy Lisa Marie Presley), 10/7
At age 40, the King's daughter gave birth to twin girls, bringing Lisa Marie's total number of children to four -- same as the number of twins in the family. Elvis was a twin, as are Priscilla Presley's younger brothers.
Steve Granitz, WireImage
Henry Story Driver, 10/5
Minnie Driver, 38, still refuses to name of Henry's father, but told the U.K.'s"Independent that the father is English and "sort of in the same business."
X17online.com
Parker Foster Aiken, 8/8
Clay Aiken, 29, took a decidedly non-traditional route to daddyhood, having a child with BFF Jaymes Foster. He's loving it so much that, yes, it's confirmed that Foster, 50, is pregnant again with his baby, due August 2009.
AP
Molly is currently starring in television's The Secret Life of the Teenager, which includes a storyline about a teenage pregnancy. Ringwald also starred as a pregnant teen in the movie For Keeps. According to sources, the pregnancy will be worked into Secret Life. Ringwald joins a near endless list of celebrity parents with twins, although she seems to hang a little more under the radar than most.
Congrats to the happy couple!
Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck Name Their Baby!
Newborns, Pregnancy & birth, Celeb parenting
Celebrity Baby Names
Nakoa-Wolf Manakauapo Namakaeha Momoa
Former "Cosby Show" queen Lisa Bonet takes top honors for now with their newborn babe. Bonet says that the child "was born on the stormiest, rainy night, so Nakoa (warrior), Mana (strength/spirit), Kaua (rain) and po (dark). Multiple middle names? Could become a trend for 2009?
Splash News
Princess Tiaamii
British "glamour model" Jordan (aka Katie Price) and "former pop star" Peter Andre named their daughter Princess because it was "unique." When the name was announced in 2007, The BBC reported that Jordan had wanted to call her Tinkerbell, but there were too many famous dogs with that name. Because that's really the only reason not to go with Tinkerbell.
Getty Images
Jermajesty Jackson
Amazingly, this is not a child of Michael. Jermajesty is the son of Jermaine Jackson Alejandra Oiaza. And they say Mike is the crazy one.
Bauer-Griffin
Barron Trump
The only thing that would make this name better is if it were Barron Von Trump. But alas, the middle name of the spawn of Donald and third wife Melania is William. Still, with dad's money and mom's bone structure, the kid is basically American royalty even if his name is Pubert.
Bauer-Griffin
Tu Morrow
Rob Morrow may have been trying to revive his career when he named his daughter Tu in 2001. (Tu Morrow. As in "see you") It may have worked. Though Morrow's first TV series, "Northern Exposure", was canceled in 1995, he currently appears on "Numb3rs." Maybe Shelley Long should have a baby and name her Tu. (Tu Long? Get it? Oh never mind)
Eric Charbonneau, WireImage
Moxie CrimeFighter
Penn Jillette and wife Emily clearly decided that they want their little girl to grow up to be a magician just like daddy. That way she can make this awful name disappear.
Ethan Miller, Getty Images
Harley Quinn
Kevin Smith named his daughter after the Joker's sidekick in Batman comics. If he and wife Jennifer have a boy they can name him The Riddler, Clayface, Scarecrow the possibilities are endless.
Bauer-Griffin
b>Kal-El Coppola Cage
Speaking of children named after superheroes, Nicholas Cage (née Coppola) and wife Alice Kim went with Kal-El, which every geek knows is Superman's real name. Little-known fact: it's also an ancient Hebrew phrase that, loosely translated, means, "My parents are rich and I will never have to hold a real job."
David Westing, Getty Images
Audio Science Clayton
Son of actress Shannyn Sossamon and Dallas Clayton. You didn't realize Audio was a boys' name? For shame.
Bauer-Griffin
Brooklyn Joseph Beckham
The oldest of the three Beckham children continued a trend in the Posh Spice household wacky first name, regular middle name. Cruz David (pronounced "Cruth", since they live in Spain) and Romeo James round out this crew that could make a rap album without changing their monikers.
BIG PICTURES / bauergriffinonline.com
Ben recently announced he and Jen would not be naming their as-yet-unborn little babe anything weird, as he saw that as trendy. And by weird I mean "Bronx Mowgli." Proud papa Affleck and mom Garner obviously wanted to give the child a name that was interesting and feminine but traditional and not too far out there. According to Laura Wattenberg, author of The Baby Name Wizard, "Seraphina is an old saint's name that comes from the biblical seraphim, a type of angel." Seraphina definitely sounds like a sis to Violet.
Wattenberg agrees: "It's hard to find traditional names that suit modern tastes but are still uncommon. Seraphina hits the mark -- it's very rare, but fits naturally with fashionable names like Isabella and Angelina."
Seraphina's name also follows current trends, like stringing three names before the surname and adding a flower into the mix. Violet may have been the original "flower child" to a celebrity, but Seraphina Rose joins Sunday Rose, daughter of Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban, and twins Dolly Rebecca Rose and Charlie Tamara Tulip recently born to Rebecca Romijn and Jerry O'Connell. Other celebs with flower baby names include Bluebell Madonna, daughter of former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell and Dave Grohl's daughter, who is also named Violet.
Good work, kids. That is one beautiful name, which I am sure will match that beautiful little girl!
Teen Birth Rates Increase in 26 States
Newborns, Teens & tweens, Pregnancy & birth
Thought teen pregnancy was a thing of the past? Well, if the well-publicized "celebrity" teen pregnancies that went down in 2008 didn't convince you, take a look at this.
Turns out Jamie Lynn Spears and Bristol Palin are way more representative of the population than previously thought. According to a new federal report, there was an increase in the rate of teen births in 26 states.
Top Baby Names 2008
The results are in and the top baby names for 2008 have been determined according to Babycenter.com. And despite the celebrity weirdness of late (Zuma Nesta Rock? Bronx Mowgli?) average parents are sticking with average names for their offspring. Why do you suppose that is?
sxc.hu
Top 10 Boys Names
10. Matthew
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Top 10 Boys Names
9. Logan
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Top 10 Boys Names
8. Jack
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Top 10 Boys Names
7. Noah
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Top 10 Boys Names
6. Jackson
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Top 10 Boys Names
5. Caden
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Top 10 Boys Names
4. Jacob
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Top 10 Boys Names
3. Ethan
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Top 10 Boys Names
2. Jayden
sxc.hu
The "Miss Teen Pregnancy" crown now belongs to Mississippi, displacing New Mexico and Texas (now first and second runners up, respectively) for that lamentable title. Mississippi has a rate of 68.4 per 1,000, followed by New Mexico, with 64.1 and Texas, with 63.1. New Hampshire ranks lowest for teen pregnancies: 18.7 per 1,000.
According to the state-by-state breakdowns, these figures reveal the most dramatic increase in teen fertility since 1971. Explanations range from culture, race, and education and poverty levels, according to David Landry, a researcher at the Guttmacher Institute. And one other thing: "It's more costly for youth in the Northeast to have a teen birth than for youth in the South, in terms of opportunities they'll miss," he told the AP.
As mentioned before, certain celeb teens are in the public eye. But I don't really think we can pin this one on Jamie Lynn and Bristol; if anything they're just representative of the trend, not leading it. One could argue that refusing to teach teens about birth control and provide them with contraception might have something to do with it. Abstinence-only education could also be a contributor. Guess those promise rings and virginity pledges aren't quite having their intended effect.
All I can say is talk to your teen about sex. Again and again and again.
Rebecca Romijn Has Her Twins!
Newborns, Pregnancy & birth, Bump watch
Former supermodel turned actor turned sexy mutant Rebecca Romijn has finally become a mommy! The Ugly Betty star, who at one point claimed she was ready to have the babies as she felt as big as a beached whale, gave birth to twin girls on December 28. In fact, Rebecca was so uncomfortable she had to skip pal Howard Stern's recent wedding and took to her bed long enough to make a hilarious video for Funny or Die.
Fraternal twin girls Dolly Rebecca Rose and Charlie Tamara Tulip are named in honor of Dolly Parton and husband Jerry O'Connell's brother Charlie. Somehow I knew they were girls, but that seems to not be such obvious information. It is beleived that O'Connell made a recent crack about naming the girls Mary-Kate and Ashley. That would be hilarious! I heard just now that the names are Charlie and Dolly (after Ms. Dolly Parton) but am not sure that is true.
Romijn tried in vain to become pregnant for a long time, ultimately opting to use Clomid, which I guess is a fertility drug, although she claims she stopped taking it several months before becoming pregnant with the twinsies. Hence, she and Jerry are claiming the duo were conceived of naturally. Hard to tell whether or not that's exactly true. Wouldn't it take a while to get something out of your system that affects your hormones? Whatever. I'm sure they felt the need to go on about that since practically every other celebrity out there has twins these days, via whatever means necessary.
Truthfully, all I really have to say on the subject is that Jerry O'Connell is the luckiest man alive. Seriously.
Bristol Palin Sells Baby Photos for $300,000
Newborns, Celeb parenting, Rumors
Palin Family Album
"We both love each other," Levi Johnston, 18, told the AP in a rare interview about his relationship with 18-year-old Bristol Palin. "We both want to marry each other. And that's what we are going to do."
Paul Sancya, AP
"Our beautiful daughter Bristol came to us with news that as parents we knew would make her grow up faster than we had ever planned," the Palins's statement said. "As Bristol faces the responsibilities of adulthood, she knows that she has our unconditional love and support."
Robyn Beck, AFP/Getty Images
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and her husband Todd have five children. Track, 19, Bristol, 18, (with Levi Johnston), Willow, 14, Piper, 7, and Trig, 8 months. (not pictured).
Fredy Perojo, AOL
Chuck and Sally Heath, parents of Sarah Palin. Chuck Heath, 70, says gift boxes for his newest grandson are piling up in the governor's mail room from all over the world. There's no way the family will ever be able to answer every letter, he says, although they are trying.
Charlie Neibergall, AP
Sarah Palin initially hid her pregnancy with Trig from the public, causing rumors that Trig was her grandson via Bristol.
Win McNamee, Getty Images
"Trig is beautiful and already adored by us," read a statement by the Palin when Trig was born on April 18. "We knew through early testing he would face special challenges, and we feel privileged that God would entrust us with this gift and allow us unspeakable joy as he entered our lives. We have faith that every baby is created for good purpose and has potential to make this world a better place. We are truly blessed."
Paul J. Richards, AFP / Getty Images
Gov. Sarah Palin, her husband Todd, and daughters Bristol,16, right, and Piper, 5, at the end of a 2006 inauguration ceremony in Fairbanks. Palin, 42, is the first female and youngest governor of Alaska.
Al Grillo, AP
Then-Republican U.S. vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, her daughters, Piper, Willow, and husband Todd walk out onto the ice to drop the ceremonial first puck before a St. Louis Blues and Los Angeles Kings hockey game.
Whitney Curtis, Getty Images
Levi Johnston called himself a "redneck' on his MySpace page.
Justin Sullivan, Getty Images
Bristol Palin's new baby other grandma was in the news this year, as well. Sherry Johnston, Levi's mother, 42, pictured, was arrested on drug charges related to oxycontin in December.
Al Grillo, AP
Tripp is reportedly earning his mamma Bristol $300,000 for first-look photos. The photos will appear in an upcoming issue of People Magazine. According to reports, the money went up once the other Grandma, Bristol's fiance Levi Johnston's mother, was arrested on drug-related charges. I can't vouch for the accuracy of that, but, hey, at least Tripp has some money for a college fund. Of course, his parents aren't even in college yet so maybe the money will go toward getting them an education? (At this point, Bristol is working on getting through high school and daddy Levi is set to be an electrician's apprentice.)
Apparently Sarah Palin had hoped her daughter would tie the knot with Johnston before the birth of their son, but sometimes timing isn't everything, is it? I'm not at all surprised that we're seeing photos of the baby or that they were sold for cash. Like so many other celebrity parents these days, Palin the elder used her kids to stay firmly planted in the spotlight. I'm happy for Bristol and Levi, and for Sarah to have a grandson, but I hope they're able to let him lead a somewhat normal life after all this. After all, he is just a little baby!
Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber Name Their Son
Newborns, Pregnancy & birth, Life & style
Well, folks, we finally have a name. In a world where we have celebrity children named things like Pilot Inspektor and the recent Bronx Mowgli, we all waited with bated breath to see what king Kong actress Naomi Watts would name the newest addition to her family.
Naomi and partner Liev Schreiber welcomed a second son into the world this past Saturday and the tot has been named...get ready for it: Samuel. Yep, that's it. Nothin' crazy 'bout that. Just good old, classical "Samuel." I like the ring of that, don't you? In fact, I was at one time considering it as a possibility for our son. Kudos to Naomi and Liev for keeping it real. Samuel weighed in at 7 pounds, thirteen ounces (that's a big boy!).
Samuel joins brother Alexander who is just over fifteen months old. Guess they were trying to get the babies out of the way all at once, eh? What's interesting to me about this celebrity baby naming business is that the parents don't normally do what my OBGYN terms as giving kids names that fit within the family. For example, my son is named Mercer, which is a somewhat unusual name. I was considering the name Charlotte for my daughter and my OB said the Charlotte did not sound like the name of a girl who had a brother named Mercer. Samuel sounds very much like he has a brother named Alexander.
Congrats to the happy couple, on the birth of their son, and for giving him a name that he won't be ashamed of when he hits preschool!
