Planning The Perfect Hospital Bag...

... takes a little research. And having given birth before, I know at least one thing: Leave the skinny J.Brand's at home, you are not going to fit into them leaving the hospital. I learnt that painful lesson. But that (and the comfy Juicy bottoms you WILL need to go home in) aside, there are a few other things that totally need to go with to hospital for when you are off to welcome baby:

Some kind of refreshing face-spritzer for when you are in labour and need a little cooling off. I love this one from Vichy. A bargain hero. 

A make-up bag with just the essentials you need to look glowing in the post-birth photographs. Hint: Giving birth gives a glow - to put in mildly - so all you need is a little tinted moisturizer and maybe some mascara. Og, and don't forget hairbands! It is ESSENTIAL for when you are in labour, and the last thing you want is your sticky wet hair to be all over you face.

A comfy bath robe for walking around while in labour and also after when getting dressed is not really on the agenda. I love my Juicy one, it is perfectly soft and lovely. It makes feeding your bundle easy, and is not so long that it is dragging along that (rather dirty) hospital ward floor.

Healthy, energy-giving snacks for labour and after. I HEART Larabar. Vegan, raw and absolutely packed full of goodies. 

Cute swaddles to wrap your brand new bundle in  - and also perfect for covering up a little when you are feeding. Aden + Anais does the cutest ones, and they are HUGE. And so so soft.

All you tech essentials for both entertainment during labour (if you, unlike me, will have time for that sort of thing), and also Skype calls to eager family members after delivery. Oh, and they do a good job keeping your man entertained too!

Now, what am I missing...?!

Here's Penelope Scotland!

Nwahh! Finally the world gets a look at the newest Kardashian (well, Disick)! Little Penelope Scotland, who was born a month ago in Los Angeles, made her debut on the cover of this week's Us Weekly, alongside mama Kourtney and big brother Mason. 

- Nothing could prepare me for how hard I fell in love with her, gushed the new mother-of-two to the magazine.

And who can blame her! How cute is little Penelope?!

The only thing; I am already missing Kourt's more than fabulous maternity wardrobe! 

(Photo: E! Online)

Baby's First Bath

This video just blew my mind. The gentle hands and amazing skills of this French nurse, giving this baby its first bath, it humbling stuff. According to the text, this method is called Thalasso Bain Bebe and was developed by pediatric nurse Sonia Rochel. It actually takes longer than this little video, about 10-15 minutes, and I was just transfixed by how calm and relaxed this baby was, and how he seemed to enjoy himself in the water.  However, there is a strong warning on the video not to try this method at home, that this is done by very skilled professionals. But the whole atmosphere, the gentle music, the warm water, the softness of it all, surely those can be applied when you are going to bathe your little bundle those precious first few times. So so sweet. Babies are such miracles, really. 

It's A Boy!

It looks like the stunning Jennifer Garner really WAS seeing blue! Reports have come out today that the actress and her husband Ben Affleck welcomed their third child - a boy - in the early hours of this morning. From before the couple are parents to Violet, 6, and Seraphina, 3, who are probably over the moon about their brand new baby brother! Congrats to this gorgeous family!


(Photo Credit from here)

Here's Hattie!

What a cute family! Reality stars Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott introduce their brand new baby girl, Hattie Margaret, in the latest issue of Us Weekly. The gorgeous little tot, who was born nearly a month ago now, on October 10th, turned out to be full of surprises according to her doting and loving mama:

"My water broke in the middle of the night!" Spelling, 38, tells the new issue of Us Weekly (out Friday).

"Six days before my scheduled C-section!"

According to the magazine, McDermott, 45, rushed his wife to L.A.'s Cedars-Sinai Medical Center as the contractions set in.
"I held his hand, and I thought I was going to crush it -- I felt every bump and turn!" Spelling recalls.
"I was, like, 'Oh, God, go slower!'"

God, I feel her pain! That sounds SO much like the way my labour went down! Only we were also snowed in and there was a blizzard!


It also turned out that little Hattie's early arrival wasn't the only curveball, according to her mama, who says she was "110 percent sure we were having a boy!"

"When the doctor held her up, he said, 'You guys were all wrong.' It was the biggest shock," the Beverly Hills 90210 alum tells Us. "I never thought girls would run this household. We outnumber the boys!"

The doting couple are also parents to son Liam, 4, and daughter Stella, 3.

"This baby wasn't planned, but it obviously happened for a reason," Tori explained. "Knowing we were bringing a third life into the world just enhanced our relationship." SO SWEET!

"The moment I had her, I looked at Dean and fell in love with him all over again."

I just felt my uterus twist; seriously! I want one more! Now. Then another one and another one and another one!


(Photo Credit from here)

It's A Girl!

Finally! Tori Spelling and husband Dean McDermott welcomed a baby girl yesterday morning! The reality couple, who are already parents to Liam, 4, and Stella, 3, took to Twitter to announce the birth of their third bundle:

"Our family's so happy 2 announce tht 10/10/11 R baby girl Hattie Margaret McDermott was born at 7:08am! Xoxo"

Earlier this year Tori, who chose not to find out the sex of her third baby while pregnant, explained to Life & Style magazine:

"We're so blessed to have one of each that it's just…whatever we get. We just want a healthy baby."

And it looks like the lovely mama got just what she wished for!

Congratulations to the Spelling-McDermotts!

(Photo Credit from here)

Here's Haven!

Finally! Look who it is! Beautiful baby girl Haven Garner and her equally stunning mama and big sister graces the latest cover of OK magazine in this world exclusive.

Jessica Alba, 30, and her husband Cash Warren invited the magazine into their Los Angeles home for the first official pics of their brand new bundle. The happy couple - who met eight years ago on the set of Fantastic Four - chat to the magazine about Haven's unusual birth, living in a female-dominated household, and keeping their romance alive.

"When Haven was born, I fell in love all over again," says proud papa Cash. "It’s the most incredible experience."

"It was love at first sight," Jessica adds. "It did take a couple of days for it to sink in that I have another baby! We're incredibly blessed to have two healthy, sweet little munchkins." Lucky, lucky family.

The actress opens up about her birth story. "I wasn't screaming and hollering like you see in the movies but it was still intense... I didn't scream for either (birth) but I was definitely more uncomfortable with the second. Labour is painful." Second that, Jess!

She goes on to explain the meaning behind Haven's name, revealing the baby was born while still in the amniotic sac.

"When I delivered Haven she was born still inside the amniotic sac, which is rare," Jessica shares. "When I was in recovery we still hadn't chosen her name. Cash picked her up and said she came into the world in her 'safe haven' and it clicked right then for both of us...The doctor had never seen anything like it before. He grabbed the nurse and said: 'Look at this!' I was in the middle of pushing and he told me to hold on a minute and not to push! He was wearing basketball shorts and a T-shirt and said: 'Oh I have to get my scrubs on for this!' The sac burst on its own after she came out. It was a trip."

Jess went on to say that her dreams of a big family are coming true.

"All I ever wanted was to have a big family. There's probably a fantasy in there for Cash to have a boy who he can rough house with and play sports with because Honor is so girlie. Maybe Haven will be a little tomboy."

Tomboy or not, little Haven looks to be a total cutie like her big sis - who clearly had a fun time messing for the cameras!

Such a sweet family!

Haven Is Here!

Congrats to Jessica Alba and husband Cash Warren who welcomed yet another baby girl into this world on Saturday this weekend. The little bundle joined big sister Honor, 3.

The proud mama took to Facebook to announce the happy news:

"Hi Everyone, Hope you're enjoying the weekend. Cash and I are so excited to announce the birth of our daughter, Haven Garner Warren. She was born on Saturday, weighed 7lbs [3.2kg], and was 19 inches [48cm] long. Healthy and happy! Big Sister Honor couldn't be more excited about the new addition to our family. Thank you for all of your support during my pregnancy. It means the world to me."

That brings an end to a maternity fashion era rarely seen before - on either sides of the pond. Jessica has flown the flag for mamas-to-be in the fashion stakes, no doubt about that. Jeez, I'd get pregnant again tomorrow just for the glam-ness of it all having been soo inspired by the gorgeous Ms. Alba!


Congrats to the happy family-of-four!

(Photo Credit from here)

Another Level

No. For once I am not talking about Jessica Alba's maternity style. Although, seriously, it has been on a totally other level, no? I worship at her bump-clad alter at this stage, I fear.

No, the otehr level in this regard was Jessica's own words in a recent interview, where she explained how becoming a mother-of-two, which apparantly can happen any day now, will take parenting to a whole new leven for Jess and hubbie Cash Warren.

The stunning actress, 30, who is already mom to 3-year old Honor, explained:

"It feels like you're really officially, really truly a mother when you have two kids. One kid you're a mother for sure but two takes it to another level."

Best of luck with your upcoming birth, Jess! Another level? Bring it on!

(Photo Credit from here)

Finally!

Selma Blair has FINALLY had her baby! The new mama gave birth to baby boy Arthur Saint Bleick on Monday, almost 3 weeks past her due-date! Congratulations to Selma, 39, and her fashion designer boyfriend Jason Bleick!

(Photo Credit from here)

Proud Parents...

... David and Victoria Beckham took to both Twitter and Facebook earlier today to show off their latest addition to the family. Posh posted a snap of her hubby cuddling with their little munchkin twittering: "Daddy's little girl!", while David posted a picture on his official Facebook page titled: "Took this picture of my two girls sleeping." So so cute!

(Photo Credit from here)

Welcome To The World, Harper Seven!

Victoria Beckham's much longed for little girl is here, having arrived in the early hours of yesterday morning!

David Beckham shared the joyful news on his Facebook page: "I am so proud and excited to announce the birth of our daughter Harper Seven Beckham. She weighed a healthy 7lbs 10oz and arrived at 7.55 this morning, here in LA."

Maybe one of the most anticipated baby names of the year, little Harper Seven will have numerous speculations no doubt into the meaning of her new name.
A close friend of the the Beckhams explained to the British Daily Mail newspsper: "Harper is an old English name something Victoria has always liked. Seven is a very lucky happy number and the baby was born just after 7am, in the seventh month."

The number seven was also David's number when he played for both Manchester United and England, it must be said, so probably a number that means a great deal to the couple.

Victoria kept herself busy up until the very end of her fourth pergnancy, soptted here at a beach picnic with her family in honor of America's Independence Day on July 4th.

Another well-clad pregnancy has come to an end, and I for one cannot wait to see pictures of the brand new little Beckham!

(Photo Credit from here)

Nwahhhh!

Melt my heart! Rachel Zoe and her handsome hubbie Rodger Berman introduced their newborn son Skyler (HEART that name!) in the above picture she posted on her blog yesterday. How precious!

The celebrity stylist, 39 (she so does not look 39!), gave birth to baby Skyler Morrison last week. The adorable tot weighed in at 6 lbs., 12 oz. and was 20 inches in length.

Having her baby boy, Zoe titled the picture: “the two loves of my life.”

And added - that feeling I know so well from having my own little bundle - “My life is complete,” . Sweet!

(Photo Credit from RachelZoe.com)

B.R.O.O.D.Y

Thse images make my ovaries twist, I swear! I mean; how amazingly precious! If there is one thing I totally regret from when Nahla was only born, it is that I did not manage to get organized enough to have proper newborn pictures taken of her. And not just the kind you snap yourself, but actually at a photographers.

Newborn pictures have to be taken - ideally - before the baby is two weeks old, as the longer you leave it, the more of that distinct newborn look they'll have lost. The best pictures are those when the baby in question is deep in slumber and looks the absolute picture of innocence and miracle.

So believe me, when I have another little miracle of my own, newborn pictures are a must!

(Images from here)

Watch Out (Fashion) World!

Skyler Morrison Berman has arrived. Celebrity Oh-My-God-I-Love-Her stylist Rachel Zoe and husband Rodger Berman welcomed their first child, a son named Skyler Morrison Berman, in Los Angeles, earlier today. According to People, baby Skyler weighed in at 6 lbs., 12 oz. (around 3,5 kg) and a statement was released by the happy new parents:

"Mom and Dad 'LITERALLY' could not be happier or more in love with their son!" the couple gushed. Hands up who cannot WAIT to see pictures of little Skyler - AKA The Most Fashionable Baby In The World.

Rachel Zoe, far from being a drama queen, recently spoke of her pregnancy which had been "wonderful, drama-free time."

Congratulations to the brand new little family!

(Photo Credit from here)

Penelope Cruz Is One Hot New Mama

A mere three weeks after giving birth to little Leo Encinas Cruz, yummy mummy Penelope Cruz is looking truly AMAZING! The actress and her hunky husband, Javier Bardem, snuck away for a little Mommy/Daddy time and went for lunch in L.A this week. Seriously, how good does Penelope look? She has always been beautiful but she now really glows! Those post-pregnancy curves suits her and she looks hot-hot-hot!

(Photo Credit from here)

This Picture...

... makes me long to do the whole baby thing over and over and over again. Being pregnant? Yep, I can deal with it. Giving birth? No problem. Days and nights and everything a blur for the first few months? Bring it on. Just because this picture remind me of that feeling a love greater than anything, a happiness more infectious than any and such excitement about the future you have to feel it to believe it. Best feeling in the world? You bet!

Hollywood Baby Joy

It's a girl! Christina Applegate and fiancé Martyn LeNoble welcomed a little baby girl last Thursday. The bundle og joy was born at an L.A. hospital and both mama and baby are doing well, according to sources close to the couple. The brand new tot has been named Sadie Grace LeNoble. CONGRATULATIONS!

(Photo Credit from here)

Love And Babies...

... make families grow. So happy for M and N who Sunday welcomed a tiny little prince into the world, making me an "auntie" again! The stork sure is having a busy year!

Welcome To The World, Beautiful Baby Girl!

Introducing: My beautiful beautiful newborn niece, still just fittingly called Princess Bergum! Her parents beamed with pride, joy and so much love, and we are one happy family these days- and look forward to so much fun family time in the years to come!