Babies & Kids Blog » Celebrity

The sudden and unexpected death of Michael Jackson brings about questions of the custody of his children.  No matter how you felt about him, the truth of the matter is that he was a dad to three children and those three children are in mourning and in need of love, comfort, and familiarity.

Debbie Rowe, who was briefly married to Michael and delivered his oldest two children, apparently never fully terminated her parental rights.  There is currently a lot of speculation about whether or not she will try and regain control of the children.

Sources close to Rowe say she plans to ask for custody of the children, and that she will collect a substantial amount of child support from Jackson’s estate.  Whoever gets custody of Jackson’s children will not automatically gain control of the children’s inheritance, however, according to legal experts.

Jackson family attorney Londell McMillan says Rowe has not contacted them about custody.

Rowe’s attorney said in a statement, “Ms. Rowe’s only thoughts at this time have been regarding the devastating loss Michael’s family has suffered.  Ms. Rowe requests that Michael’s family, and particularly the children, be spared such harmful, sensationalist speculation and that they will be able to say goodbye to their loved one in peace.”

Jackson’s third child, Prince Michael II, nicknamed Blanket, was conceived using a surrogate mother he never met.  Jackson’s wishes would be more influential in determining the custodial fate of Prince Michael II than his older siblings.

Most people would agree that Michael’s mother Katherine should raise the children.

I have two concerns about that:

1. The children would be raised around Michael’s dad, who is a known abuser.

2. Katherine is by all accounts an elderly lady, and may not be physically able to care of three young kids.

I’m wondering why Michael’s siblings aren’t voicing any willingness to care for his children.  I know there has been tension over the siblings over the years, but in death all of that should disappear especially for the sake of the kids.

Here’s hoping that the media frenzy dies down a little so these kids are advocated for properly.  No matter who their father was, they deserve as much privacy and respect as anybody else.

Image: tmz

Sarah Jessica and Matthew’s twin daughters were born via a surrogate.  Marion Loretta Elwell Broderick and Tabitha Hodge Broderick were born at 3:58 p.m. on Monday, June 22nd in Ohio.  Marion weighed in at 5 lbs., 11 oz, while Tabitha was 6 lbs.  Marion and Tabitha have a big brother, James Wilkie , age 6 ½.  The couple released this statement: “The babies are doing beautifully and the entire family is over the moon.”

Sadly, the events leading up to the twins’ arrival were not so happy.  The surrogate carrying the babies for Sarah Jessica and Matthew was repeatedly harassed.  Her home was even broken into by police officers looking for dirt to sell to the tabloids.  Her computer and voicemail were hacked and even her friends and family were threatened.  Parker said she was worried about the woman “and the safe delivery of our children.”

Sarah Jessica, who is 44, said in an interview airing on Tuesday on NBC that the woman’s telephone and computer have been hacked into, and she had received threats.  Her friends and relatives had also been targeted, she said.  “She’s had friends threatened and family threatened and she’s had family of friends threatened.”

“The most unsavory of things have been done,” Parker has said.  “She’s had her phone hacked, her personal computer information hacked, she’s had threats against her and true harassment. …There’s simply no excuse for doing this to somebody.  It’s not acceptable.  I am incredibly outraged by the sort of extraordinary and unprecedented invasion of her privacy.”

There is a criminal investigation in progress relating to the break-ins.  Hopefully justice will prevail!  This poor woman gives of her time and sacrifices her body to give children to a couple that cannot have them biologically and this is the kind of treatment she receives?  Sickening!

Congratulations to the family, and hopefully their surrogate finds peace in the future.

Image: nydailynews

Future Playmate?

After The Girls Next Door ended on E!, Kendra Wilkinson got her own show.  Now, she has something even better!  A baby is on the way!  Kendra, 23, is engaged to NFL player Hank Baskett.

“Hank and I are thrilled to announce that we are expecting our first child together,” Kendra, 23, tells E!’s Mark Malkin.  “We are touched by the outpouring of support by our family, friends and fans.”

I wonder if the baby will call Hef ‘grandpa’?

Ana Ortiz: Any Day now!

Ugly Betty’s Ana Ortiz is just days away from delivering!  Her due date is June 25h.  She recently told People that she feels she’s ready but is glad to have mother of four Vanessa Williams nearby:  “I got Vanessa Williams on speed dial for any mommy emergencies!”

Baby Number Two for Carnie Wilson:

Carnie Wilson delivered Luciana Bella Bonfiglio via C-Section on Friday.  They’re calling her Lucy for short.  She weighed in at 6 lbs., 5 oz and was 19 inches long.  Lucy has a big sister, Lola.  Cute names!  Carnie is currently hosting the new version of The Newlywed Game.  Maybe her girls will start a new version of Wilson Phillips someday…

Kelly Rutherford becomes a second time mom in the midst of turmoil:

Kelly Rutherford, from Gossip Girl, welcomed her second child, a daughter named Helena Grace Rutherford Giersch, on Monday the 8th.  Weighing in at 8 lbs., 12 oz, Helena arrived at 9:20 p.m and is “doing just fine,” says a rep.  Kelly is in the middle of divorce proceedings with her husband Daniel Giersch.  Kelly’s rep says that Daniel was invited to attend Helena’s birth, but Daniel says he learned of the new baby’s birth on the news.   The couple already has one son together, Hermés Gustaf Daniel. Hopefully Helena’s arrival is bringing them all happiness during this tough time.

Remember a few weeks ago when we talked about Mr. Morality, Mel Gibson and his pregnant girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva?  Well the charming couple wrote a song together!  Want to hear it?  Let me save you the trouble..Entertainment Weekly described it as “something you’d hear at a fancy hotel bar during cocktail hour.”  Yikes!

Images: celebrity-babies.com

Kingston Rossdale turned 3 yesterday.  Monday night Gwen Stefani - and the thousands of fans at her concert in Salt Lake City - treated him to a special rendition of “Happy Birthday”!

Kingston has joined his mother on tour with No Doubt after spending April and early May on the road with Daddy Gavin Rossdale.  Gavin talked to People about touring with toddler Kingston:

“He likes to watch the same thing over and over.  For King, basically it’s The Cat in the Hat, Over the Hedge and Cars,” says Gavin.  “We went through The Polar Express. I could have been in that film, I know it by heart!”

Adds the doting dad: “I’ve got loads of surf videos.  Now he uses the phrase ‘that’s boring.’  He’ll turn it off — he knows how to operate the DVD player.”

Sounds like Kingston is a typical toddler!

In other celebrity news, three gorgeous models are expecting.

Victoria’s Secret Angel Adriana Lima is due this winter.  Adriana’s husband is NBA Marko Jaric.

No official word has been released yet, but Gisele Bundchen is also reportedly expecting and due in late fall.  This would be baby #2 for Giselle’s husband, football star Tom Brady.

Model Laetitia Casta is due in August with her third child.  Congratulations!

In slightly more scandalous news, Mel Gibson’s girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva is expecting a child.

Mel has been separated for three years from his wife of 28 years, Robin.  She recently filed for divorce.  Monday night on Jay Leno, Mel said this about his marriage:

“My wife and I, our marriage ended three years ago and we’ve been separated ever since then.  These things happen.  It’s unfortunate, it’s sad, but you know she is an admirable woman… When it’s all said and done, I did a pretty good hatchet job on my marriage myself.  I’m to blame.  If you’re inclined to judge, put it here.”

Don’t worry Mel, I think we were pretty much already pointing our fingers at you, Buddy!

Seven time Olympic gold medalist Amanda Beard is expecting a baby boy with new hubby Sacha Brown.  This is the first child for the couple.  Amanda is 5 ½ months along and had this to say about her changing body:

“I’m starting to look pregnant,” says the newlywed, who cops to major ice cream and Popsicle cravings and, despite exercise, is feeling “a little softer.”  Amanda plans to take a break from training for about 6 months after the baby is born and will then be hitting the water in preparation for the 2012 Olympics.

So, let’s review:
1. She’s won 7 gold medals
2. She’s beautiful
3. She has just started showing at 5 ½ months.

Not fair, Amanda!  I wonder how many swim diapers they’ll go through.  Maybe she could work out some kind of endorsement deal!

The always hilarious Maya Rudolph is expecting baby #2 with her partner, Paul Thomas Anderson.   Maya is already mom to 3 ½ year old Pearl Bailey.  How is a second pregnancy different from the first?   Maya explains: “The first time you are like wide-eyed: ‘What are we doing?, Who’s coming?, How do we take care of them?’ But this time, I’m like I have to sit down, I’m pregnant.”

Did you know that Maya herself is the child of a celebrity? Her mom was Minnie Riperton, a well known singer from the 70’s.  You might remember her hit “Loving You” which featured her stunning vocal range.  The melody to that song was actually written for Maya when she was a baby!

You can see Maya this summer in her new movie, Away We Go.  Oddly enough, Maya’s character in the movie is pregnant!

Congratulations to both moms!

Source: celebrity-babies.com

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for baby shower gifts.

I recently stumbled upon this great blog where famous actors contribute to the posts called The Huffington Post.  People such as Robert Redford, Jim Carrey, Sean Penn, Ron Howard and even Shrek (not sure how that is) have all given their two-cents on different issues relating to hot topics, such as the economy, global warming, finances, or health.  Most recently, Jim Carrey sounded off in a blog defending his girlfriend, Jenny McCarthy’s, work on changing the vaccine that she (and many others) believe to cause autism.

As a new parent, what you don’t know CAN hurt you so here’s what you need to know (listen up new mother’s):

There are a total of 9 vaccine’s to be aware of which are recognized by the VRBPAC and ACIP (the two main advisory boards on vaccines). It just so happened that the pediatrician we went to referred me to several studies that showed a “higher increase” in the risk of children developing autism through the measles/mumps/rubella vaccine, also known as an MMR (which is taken in two stages throughout childhood).  He said to me, openly and honestly, “although it does not affect every child, it’s up to you if you want to take the chance.” For a long time there were no widely issued scientific explanations or recognized links between the vaccine and the disease, only theories and probabilities.  Thus we allowed our children to be administered the shot (especially since most preschool’s and kindergartens require it).  Personally my kids did not contract anything from the dosage given when they were babies, I recall, however I was still intrigued by the possibility.  What was the likelihood of someone’s children that I knew getting it?  Turns out the likelihood was GREAT…

Last fall our niece was diagnosed with a rare form of autism.  Having remembered hearing about Jenny McCarthy’s fight to rid the vaccine of harmful toxins and metals, which also have been linked to the cause of ADD & ADHD, I decided to buy her book and read it. It was absolutely heartbreaking, as you can imagine, to read about the studies that have shown the vaccines causing physically and mentally altering diseases, while the pharmaceutical industry continues to deny any sort of responsibility in an effort to make money and allow vulnerable mother’s to adhere to it.

Most recently CNN issued a statement by the “special vaccine court”, (which consists of the two agencies above and several BIG pharm companies, go figure), which said the vaccines do NOT cause the disease. That is when Jim Carrey sounded of on the judgment calling it irresponsible and ignorant of “mountains of scientific information and testimony” by other parents who immediately saw a reaction in their child after having been given the questionable vaccine.

Jim Carrey summed it up with a simple metaphor:  Not everyone get’s cancer from smoking, but cigarettes DO cause cancer.  After 100 years and many rulings in favor of tobacco companies we finally figured that out!

Many doctors & scientific scholars in the field of medicine will admit that it would be very difficult for kids to even catch, the measles, mumps, OR rubella.  So, before you succumb to peer pressure, do your research and keep in mind that the MMR is NOT required but is only advised.

Source: huffingtonpost.com, generationrescue.org

The Obama’s revealed their choice of their White House pup this week; a Portuguese Water Dog, named Bo and it is so cute! See for yourself:

YouTube - Watch 

If you are a pet lover, but have babies/toddlers or even older kids, you may be wondering how to choose the right dog for your family as well. Since I recently purchased a dog myself, and have toddlers, I decided to share some good options with you:

Golden Retrievers are classic family dog’s because they are so well behaved. You may want to think about getting a bit older one if you have toddlers, so that they are already trained not to jump on, bite, or poop/pee in inconvenient places!

Remember “Lassie”? Well, Shetland Sheepdog’s are mini-Lassies, basically. Any variation of this type of dog, which is very much like a Collie, is a good family dog. Very sweet and loveable.

Siberian Husky’s are reliable, fun-loving, energetic dogs, suitable for older kids that can walk them and moreso RUN with them at the park, for instance! They regulate their own food intake, so you can get by with not having to continually check to see if their dish is empty.

If you have babies or toddlers, however, you may want to stay away from Pitbulls, Rotweillers, German Shepherd’s and Dalmations. These dogs are known to be impatient and can “turn” on you or are too aggressive for small children (by barking and biting, for example, and can be defensive). Other dogs that are considered nuisance dogs are Pomeranians, Chow Chows, and Chihuahah’s…although they are undoubtedly cute, they tend to bark and shed alot. They are considered high maintenance animals.

Source: washingtontimes.com, allegrosyberians.com, dogbitelaw.com, dogbitelaw.com

If you are like me and are OBSESSED with the reality television show The Bachelor (then you probably still hate that jerk Jason for dumping Melissa, but that’s another topic), you will recognize the name Trista Sutter.  She is credited with being the first Bachelorette, and has had the most successful relationship to stem from the series, having wed the man she chose on the show and now lives happily with him and their 2 children (they just welcomed a new baby girl, Blakesley Grace, into their family last Friday, April 3rd). Well the luck keeps on rolling in for this well-deserved former reality star. Trista has partnered with eBags to create an exclusive line of eco-conscious diaper bags, called TristaBaby.

According to her website, “TristaBaby is dedicated to the design of show-stopping diaper bags that function beyond expectation and delight even the toughest fashion critic. Whimsical one-of-a-kind prints meet custom detailing with a touch of charm and a dash of flair”. The line features eight fashionable prints, such as the Tulip and Lotus Blossom designs (seen below):

Each bag comes with the following features:

• Organic hemp canvas exterior
• Liquid resistant nylon lining
• 5 interior pockets
• 2 interior elastic bands (for holding bottles)
• Front zipper pocket
• Oversized exterior pocket (with removable changing pad)

eBags is now offering them for 20% off, which brings the total to under $70. Wow, affordable and stylish?! Hopefully some of the luck, and the love, that Trista and Ryan have comes along with them!

Source: tristababy.com, ebags.com,  msnbc.msn.com

Like every other kid between the ages of 6-15, my niece has been waiting for Hannah Montana: The Movie to come out (which is being shown in theaters this weekend, April 10th). Thus, when I heard about the preview at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, I planned on taking her to the red carpet star-studded event. Her mother, which is my cousin, however expressed her concern about whether this was age appropriate or not, even though the movie is rated PG. To her it was all about what Hannah would be wearing in the film.  

Come to find out that Disney is moving away from the “Britney” look altogether. According to Director Peter Chelsom and Costume Designer Christopher Lawrence, they wanted Miley (Cyrus, who plays Hannah in the film and on the Disney Channel show, for those of you that have been living in a cave) to be dialed in to the 6-16 year old age demographic that the movie is aimed towards. Miley apparently was not allowed to bare her midriff, wear spaghetti straps or short skirts, and summer dresses had to be paired with light sweaters or smocks on the set of the new film.  Even in real life, Miley has been known to say that young girls “shouldn’t give away everything” with how they dress and has been criticized many times for dressing older and sophisticated.

Aaahhh…a big sigh of relief for mother’s of tweens though. You can expect more ballet flats, oversize tees, and ruffled or long skirts to pop up in stores this summer, stemming from the fashion found in this movie. Finally the short shorts and spaghetti tanks made from spandex material, as seen in every store last summer, are out and wholesome, down-to-earth girls make a comeback thanks to Hannah Montana!

Source: LATimes, YahooNews

Who watched?  Was it good?  I love Tina Fey and Amy Poehler is always pretty funny so I was rooting for the movie to hit number one….and it did!  That doesn’t always mean the movie was spectacular.  Just wondering if I should go see it in theaters or wait to rent it.  What do you think?