I'm not at all inclined to believe any of the flotsam floating around out there about the state of Angelina Jolie's twins' health. I am inclined to believe, however, the bits about Angelina suffering from post partum depression (PPD). Ange is a mom just like the rest of us, and, like most new moms, she is probably experiencing it on some level.

According to reports, Angie is in a tither over the health of twins Vivienne Marcheline and Knox Leon and is depressed. She is crying throughout the day and exhausted from sleepless nights. Well, welcome to early motherhood! Birth is a big deal, however you do it. Between the act of giving birth and all the pregnancy hormones flowing in and out of your body, crying is probably the least of it. Some women get PPD so badly they impart harm to themselves, their spouses and their children. Ange will be lucky if she gets away with just crying.

Having been through a milder form of PPD myself, I can say that sometimes the crying seems as if it will never end. The sadness seems insurmountable and the lack of control overwhelming. But, hope is around the corner--women and their doctors are more aware of PPD and how to treat it. Even superwomen/supermoms like Angelina Jolie are not immune to PPD or other post-natal symptoms. Let's hope that's all it is, and that she is able to get the help and understand--and support, especially from Brad--she needs in order to get better!

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The study is very small (only twelve women), the difference is not huge (around five percent), and the disparity disappears shortly after birth but new research seems to suggest that women who give birth via Cesarean section may not bond as well with their babies as women who give birth vaginally. The researchers are quick to point out that this is not a condemnation of women who have c-sections. "I don't want to come across as scolding people who have Cesareans," says James Swain of Yale University, leader of the study team. "It's better for some women to have a Cesarean section when relaxed than to suffer the stress of awaiting a vaginal delivery."

MRI scans of the women showed that activity in the areas of the brain linked to empathy, drive and motivation was lower among those who had a c-section than those who gave birth vaginally when listening to a recording of their baby crying. Scientists think the difference may be due to hormonal "priming" that is believed to happen when women give birth. Mothers' bodies release oxytocin as the baby makes its way out, possibly making them ready to engage in behaviours that lead to bonding, such as cuddling, kissing and feeding.

Having been through both scenarios, it seems to me that women go ga-ga over their babies no matter what. There might be a difference, but I suspect that without an MRI machine, you'd never know.

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Ok, who knows if this is really true, but it's certainly cute. According to Victoria Beckham herself, she cooks for her family. Many moms accomplish this task, but I'd wager few are as busy as Posh Spice, who spends her time running her fashion lines of jeans and clothes as well as modeling and being a fashion plate in general. Posh also recently released yet another fragrance she's been promoting.

Posh, who is vegetarian (perhaps that is how she keeps her trim figure?) says she makes a good mincemeat pie though. Posh also says she cooks dinner every Sunday for her family, which consists of husband David--international soccer star and megahottie--and three sons, Romeo, Cruz and Brooklyn. The menu includes Yorkshire pudding and Dora the Explorer cakes--I'm guessing those are David's favorite???

Victoria was under recent speculation that she might be adding to her family but has done her best to quell those rumors by wearing tight fitting clothes and telling everyone she is too busy to consider another child at this time. Part of the reason she is so busy is spending some time suing magazines for claiming she takes dieting pills. Maybe she just doesn't like mincemeat pies!

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According to a recent survey of 1,500 women interviewed by Psycholgies magazine, most women would rather have a comfortable, happy family life than luxury items like nice clothes and trips to the spa. They also would like to be debt free, have more free time, and be assured their kids will get a good education.

I know. Stop the presses.

It seems like these findings are a given, but according to psychologist Derek Draper, "Women have been seen as riding the rampant wave of consumerism, demanding designer labels, the latest beauty treatments, and killer heels. But this study shows that women are refocusing on family and friends. They are rediscovering what really matters and placing meaning at the centre of their lives."

Maybe Mr. Draper has been hanging out with Paris Hilton-wannabes? Or watched too many episodes of Sex in the City? Because most of the women I know -- partnered up with children or not -- have always had family and friends at the center of their lives and appreciate stability. But they also, when possible, make room for a new dress or hot pair of heels or other luxury items that fit their personality and lifestyle.

Does it have to be either/or? What do you think?

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Want to skip makeup? Then take good care of your skin. Wear sunscreen every single day, rain or shine; choose a formula that's long-lasting and lightweight and not greasy.

Our pick: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch sunblock in SPF 55. Contains Helioplex for broad-spectrum sun protection that lasts all day. Perfect on its own or under makeup.

Available in drugstores for about $9.00.

If you only wear ONE bit of makeup, make it count. Mascara wakes up tired eyes and gives your whole face a lift. Go with black for the most oomph; coat only top lashes for a clean, smudge-free look.

Our pick: Maybelline Great Lash (in the classic pink tube!). Available in drugstores for about $5.00. Opt for the washable formula to keep things simple; replace the tube every eight to twelve weeks, to keep eyes healthy.

Tired? Of course you are! Fake a good night's sleep with a swipe of pink blush. Cream formulas look natural and last all day; start with a sheer wash and layer for more color. Smile big and apply to the apple of your cheek (the roundest part).

Our pick: Revlon Cream Blush in Berry Flirtatious. Available in drugstores for about $10.00.

For those mornings (or afternoons or evenings) when you just can't manage much of anything beyond yoga pants and a ball cap, a great lipgloss can change your whole look. Put on your sunglasses and slick on a great lipgloss and you'll look just like a celebrity mom. Or close enough at least.

Our pick: CoverGirl Lipslicks Lip Gloss in Daring. Honest to goodness, this color looks great on EVERYONE. Available at drugstores for about $4.00. Get two! Why not.

No matter what you put on your face during the day, you need to take it all off at night. Sleeping with makeup or sunscreen or everyday grit on your face blocks your pores and dulls your complexion. Take five minutes to wash up before bed and you'll have pretty skin that doesn't need much -- if any -- makeup.

Our pick: Dove Gentle Exfoliating Daily Facial Cleansing Pillows. Kill two birds with one stone: clean AND exfoliate, for fresh smooth skin. Available at drugstores (OF COURSE!) for about $5.00.

Many of you will be saddened to hear this, or at least slightly nostalgic. Bill Melendez, who voiced the Peanuts character Snoopy, has died. Melendez, who was also in charge of most of the animation, was ninety-one! He is survived by his wife of sixty-eight years and two children.

The mustachioed man may not have been known by many in person, but we all knew the voice of our beloved Snoopy. Whether portraying the Red Baron or Charlie Brown's best friend (besides Linus), Snoopy was honestly the most adult of the Peanuts characters. He also lent his talents to the Met Life insurance company.

Melendez was a true talent, being both Oscar-nominated and an Emmy winner. He was set to celebrate his ninety-second birthday in November. He is responsible for animating A Charlie Brown Christmas, and my personal favorite cartoon ever, It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.

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Dallas, Texas student Dalton Sherman gave the keynote address at this year's kick-off for his local ISD. It's not unusual for students to address the district during the back-to-school kick-off, a pep rally of sorts for teachers and staff. But Dalton Sherman is anything but typical.

He starts off his speech with the line, "I believe in me. Do you believe in me?" He goes on to tell the entire 17,000-person audience that for him to succeed, he needs them to believe -- believe in him, in his hopes for success, in themselves, in each other, in their work as educators. It really is an amazing speech, and as an educator, it brought tears to my eyes.

But is it a message that's only important for teachers? Surely kids do need educators to believe in them. But as I watched the end of Dalton's 8-minute speech, I started to pretend that he was talking to me as a parent. And you know what? The message is the same. As we send our kids off to school this season, it's also important for us as moms, dads, and caregivers to believe our kids, in their hopes for success, in ourselves, in each other, and in our work as parents. Thanks for the reminder, Dalton.

To learn more about this remarkable kid, see coverage of his big speech at Dallas News.





(via Supersisters)

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According to a new report, actress Leighton Meester was essentially born in prison. The Gossip Girl star's mother was allegedly in prison serving time in federal prison in Texas for drug-related charges when her now-famous daughter was born.

Mom was allowed to live in a half-way house until little Leighton was three months old, but then had to serve out the rest of her sentence behind bars. The report appears in the questionable if anything Star magazine, where it is noted Leighton was raised by a relative until mom was released.

The magazine also claims other members of Meester's family, including her grandfather, spent time in the slammer, again for drug-related charges. Do we believe it? Sure, why not--plenty of women have had children while in prison. Can't stop mother nature. Do we care? That I'm not so sure about. With Gossip Girl's second season opening to its largest audience ever, I doubt the show needed such a publicity stunt, but they got one anyway!

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Television and film star Rebecca Romijn has opened up about her pregnancy cravings. The Ugly Betty actress recently announced she and husband Jerry O'Connell are expecting twins, and the cravings brought on by them can't be ignored.

According to Romijn, she is craving lemonade and, of all things, soy cream cheese. Says Romijn, it can't be regular cream cheese--it has to be the soy version. This makes total sense to me only because I am pregnant too. The things your body desires when you're with child have no bearing on rationality! At least lemonade and soy cream cheese are relatively healthy options, compared to, say, cupcakes and pork rinds.

Romijn is among the latest celebrity parents expecting twins. Perhaps she can get in touch with Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Lopez and Julia Roberts to figure out whether it's best to fight the cravings or just give in to them! I say give in, especially with the lemonade. In fact, there is some lemonade in my fridge right now. I have that SAME craving.

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Sandy recently told us about a new Census Bureau report that found that, not only are women waiting longer to have children, many are choosing not to have children at all. That same report turned up another interesting piece of information: Midwestern moms are more likely to go back to work than other moms.

Over at The Curious Capitalist, Barbara Kiviat has an interesting discussion going on about why Midwestern moms are more likely to go back to work than their counterparts in other areas of the country. She theorizes, by comparing maps in a very unscientific way, that Midwestern moms have access to a higher number of childcare centers, which may be why they choose to work. A commenter points out, however, that there may be more childcare centers because there is a higher demand.

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It's 6:00 on a weeknight -- do you know where dinner is? Or where your sixth grader's homework is? How about the clean laundry? Or your sanity?

Weeknights can be a nightmare, especially when the kids are in school, because suddenly there's so much to get done and so little time to do it. And if you're trying to get it all done at the end of a long work day, it can be even harder. So how do you keep your weeknights from becoming one big blur of not getting things done? By using your weekends wisely, of course.

Take a minute to think about what causes you the most stress during the week: the cooking? the laundry? the homework? Use the weekend to get ahead, if it's at all possible. Cook big meals and freeze leftovers, or shop for easy-to-assemble meals that you can pull together in less than 20 minutes. Get all the laundry done and put away, and identify what it is that you're running out of during the week; if everyone is always out of underwear by Wednesday, for example, it might be time to buy everyone some more underwear.

For things that can't be done ahead -- homework, for example -- create a routine and stick to it. Have kids sit at the table and do their work while you assemble dinner. If your kids are at after care or with a sitter after school, start the evening by looking through their homework to make sure it's all done. Create a specific place in your house for kids to drop notes and forms that have to be signed and returned; check this space every day and deal with things as they come in.

Finally, make a commitment to sit with your kids and hear about their day. The laundry can wait, we promise.