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Celebrity Baby Blog reports that Amy Poehler and Will Arnett’s baby boy Archie (full name Archibald William Emerson Arnett) was born on SATURDAY October 25 in New York City. Seth Myers annouced on air that she was having her baby during SNL’s Weekend Update.

Amy was beyond funny this week — her Moosed up Rap was a highlight and really she never lost her groove. And, loosing her (she had already announced she was moving on) will be a big hit for SNL. Though knowing her as we do (in that public, I don’t you know but assume and pretend I do kind of way) I imagine a lot more Mama humor is about to make it’s way into the universe. Let’s all stay in tuned.

 In the meantime, Amy — what you do you and Will need? How can we help? Strollers (have you seen the new Teutonia???), nursing bras, diaper bags, advice — just let me know — we’ve got the goods!

 Welcome Archie!

Once upon a time, Forty Weeks joined forced with Graco (and their uber godess of all things innovative, Lindsay Lebresco), Cynthia Rowley, In Style Magazine and The Elizabeth Glazer Pediactic AIDS Foundation. There, in the land of Manhattan - Julia, Lindsay (who was herself a new Mama to a beautiful little girl) and co. launched Cynthia’s BE FRUITFUL stroller with proceeds going to EGPAF. It was a glorious evening at the W, Union Square. There were enought MILES (Mother’s I’d Like to Employ) in that room to make a girl drool. Some of the sharpest women in town (Kimberly Seals Allers, Pamela Paul, Caroline Schaefer, Lambeth Hochwald, Lisa Jordan Helms) not to mention some super celebrity guests (Carol Alt, Cynthia Rowley, Shon Gables, Mimi O’Donnell) came to celebrate Graco’s good work focused on Fashioning (a better) Future for children eveywhere. A good time was had by all. And all were happy, happy for an evening well spent, a well crafted message sent and recieved, a worthwhile cause supported and a success by all accounts. Fast forward to the other day (yes, I was on the train reading US Weekly - did you see me???) — and what do I see? Yes! Joely Fisher still rolling with her Graco Be Fruitful stroller– pushing it around and feeling the love.  The end!

For those of you not familiar with my current state of mind — I am loosing it!!! New York Magazine features THE MANIC DEPRESSIVE ECONOMYon it’s cover. And really much like Kurt Anderson so eloquently describes in his feature (so perfectly titled)  “Whiplash city” - I may be suffering from a little mania myself (Watch the polls - ignore the polls, watch the market - ooooh, I keep watching the market, Saks - Target, Cab - Subway, Trainer, triple cream cheeses spread on crusty bread, you get it).

So this is where laughter becomes muy importante. And yeah - I get lots of it at home. But few friends keep me in stitches as much as the blonde beauty that goes by the adorable name of Jenna McCarthy. Her new book, The Parent Trip is a way for you — Joe Plumber, Real American or Entitled Brat like me to get some of Jenna’s wry wit, candor and total dementia into your day — buy it, read it and thank your lucky stars that I shared this one with you! Oh and tell her I sent you (she may be having a bad day too)…

Our Forty Weeks CoverHome page girl has had yet another wardrobe change (because it is fall, it is time for a new look!)… This time I have chosen one of my favorite pieces from Due’s fall collection  - The Chocolate Belted Dress is rich in color and long on style — I love the lines! check her out! Here is another favorite — also featuring 3/4 length sleeves and an above the belly tie - the autumnal hues of this very flattering top make it a must-have for the days and nights of fall. Also worth mentioning — great job Shannon! To see this piece or the entire collection check out Due Maternity.

Once again, the fragile state of the markets, our shaky economy and that angry man on the debates last PM made me cry. But there is relief, I am reminded in art.. behold this rendering of the latest installation in the Mall of America’s food court and please laugh til it hurts…it will feel so much better than anything else so far this week…

 For more of  funny-girl 14’s inspired etchings and musings – check out The Gallery of the Absurd….genius!

The lead story on today’s Page Six included an ignorant, hateful quote from Dennis Leary on Autism. It is angry, absurd and full of venom. And really in bad form (especially considering Karma - why go there?) Here is the excerpt they shared from his latest rant book:

“There is a huge boom in autism right now because inattentive mothers and competitive dads want an explanation for why their dumb-ass kids can’t compete academically, so they throw money into the happy laps of shrinks . . . to get back diagnoses that help explain away the deficiencies of their junior morons. I don’t give a [bleep] what these crackerjack whack jobs tell you - yer kid is NOT autistic. He’s just stupid. Or lazy. Or both.”

What is most upsetting to me is not the (quite expected) flow of fact-free fury rolling of his tongue, but rather the comments that have found their way onto Page Six. With a few exceptions, there appears to be a widespread mistrust and misunderstanding of the facts. A great resource, for those interested in gaining better understanding rather than simply dismissing a very real and penetrating issue (complex neurobiological disorder) affecting families, check out Autism Speaks. According to Austism Speaks - “Today, 1 in 150 individuals is diagnosed with autism, making it more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined”.  Leaving me wondering why there is so much anger and hatred directed towards parents who seek out quality care, and a much improved quality of life for their children and their families.

 The comments communicate a deep hatred today’s parents - placing full focus (blame) on their vanity and overzealous desire to have perfect children.  There seems to be a clear consensus that parents simply seek out a reason to explain away their less than perfect children — for convenience and for ego. This overarching and negative view of parents rears it’s ugly head way too often. Leaving me to wonder, what is the real problem at hand? Here are a few (typo-laden) gems:

And dont get me wrong, there are lots of genuine cases of autism. and yes, they just weren’t catching it before, and simply calling it out as “lazy” and “stupid”. But, there are some parents who are overreacting to normal personality traits that they dont like or cant imporove on. and there are doctors who are enabling them.

and

In the current “me” climate, everyone thinks they are the smartest, or their kid is the smartest. And if thats not the case, there has to be a reason.

So this boils down to the basic breeder v. non-breeder hostility…really?

Funny, funny that both Babble and CBB(two sites I adore) had to comment on The Babies Brangelina being toted around in Graco Car seats as news – ya know - they are practically slumming it, signs of our new economic reality, etc. Well, not really — the Infant SafeSeat is one of the very best on the market and certainly what I recommend to all of my peeps (celeb or not). And even more on my mind — nice score Lindsay Lebresco!

Talk about impact….The Huffington Post, among  a myriad of others have got the cover of November’s W magazinewith Lady Madonna herself — Angelina Jolie nursing on the cover…a little sneak peek of what will hit newsstands in a few days…

Intimate images are promised on the inside pages and I am sure we are going to see AJ in her favorite Bravado nursing bras.

I am sure there will be completely uncessesary controversy to follow…and of course with NO reason.  We can now just sit back and wait for the ridiculousness to follow. And, in the meantime - and really first and foremost — thank you, thank you Angie for getting it - for sharing it and of course, for making the whole of motherhood (and in particular breastfeeding) appear so natural and beautiful.

 As for why we are stuck in a place where Hooter Hiders (seriously!??!) are the best we can do to create ease and comfort in nursing mothers — this one is much more complex and challenging to explain. Better, let’s stay in the moment and applaud Brad’s images, Angie’s Moxie and maternal insticts and mothers everywhere.

I have been getting complaints – and since they are coming from some of my nearest and dearest – they have neither been candy-coated nor kind. The gist – why the hell did you stop blogging? Kathryn From said I was crazy not to be blogging. Karen Gurwitz seemed genuinely miffed that I would stop writing. And tons of people at the ABC show expressed their displeasure….So first – THANK YOU – thank you for being honest, thank you for missing me and  most of all – thank you for pushing me back into blogging mode. I am here and ready to rumble – so where to begin?

How about this – a few great shots from the ABC show in Vegas and a promise to be back and blogging.

xxoo

Gina Contursi (Forty Weeks)                                   Julia Beck (Forty Weeks)             
Beth Ann Cohen (People.com)                                Nancy Deane (Chronicle Books)   
Danielle Friedland (Celebrity Baby Blog)  

                                                    
David Burke’s Cheescake Tree                             Sara and Stacy (Bravado)
                                                                                   Julia Beck (Forty Weeks)
                                                                                   Margo Siegel (Our partner at Truth Be Told)
                                                                                   Maryann Scandiffio (Bravado)