Mariska Hargitay’s Baby Surprise

Photo by Antoine Verglas

Law & Order: SVU star, Mariska Hargitay, told People magazine that she and her husband, actor Peter Hermann, have adopted a baby girl.

Amaya Josephine was born about a week ago and is from the United States. The whole family was part of the naming process but in the end it was an adaption of Hargitay’s favorite girl’s name, Maya. 

“I like that name, but I wanted her to have the same initials as August,” the actress said. “I thought adding the ‘A’ was so feminine. Amaya sounded so open and feminine and beautiful — just like her.” 

The couples’ son, 4½ year-old August, is beyond excited about his new little sis.

“He is over the moon,” says the actress. “He calls her his baby because he says the whole thing was his idea. He always talks about how he’s going to protect her. He’s going to be a great big brother.”

So CUTE! We couldn’t be happier for you.

Don’t you think Amaya would look stunning in Rabbitmoon’s “Empress” Floral Kimono Dress and matching Floral Bloomers? 

Read Full Post »

A Trip to Ethiopia

The DeAndrea family of five...soon to be six!

This is one big-time, “Wow!” email I got from a great voice-over talent with whom I work from time to time. He sent a little note earlier this month to say that if there were any recordings I needed, I’d better send over the script soon because he and his wife were headed to Ethiopia! They were planning for an early May trip to meet and then bring home their adopted daughter!! Their last hurdle before taking off to Ethiopia was a court date, where 50% of adoptive parents pass/don’t pass the first time. I just got an email saying they’d “passed” their court interview and were now officially Fasika’s new parents!! Congratulations!! I’ll make some updates once they bring 10 month old Fasika home!

Read Full Post »

Names for Grandparents

Nana and Peepaw as penguins this past Halloween

A very close friend of mine, Tom, became a first-time uncle several years back. Of course, the chain of familial ties would then make his parents first-time grandparents. It would not be an understatement to say they were ECSTATIC to become grandparents. When this first grandchild was old enough to utter her first few words, she christened her grandfather, “Peepaw”. This distinguished man, having graduated from the Citadel, retiring after decades of service at GE as an engineer, and having raised 4 children with his wonderful wife, is now known by family and close friends as “Peepaw”! We have no idea how his adoring granddaughter came up with Peepaw, but it stuck. Peepaw’s wife is called, “Nana”…a name that I just love. I told her I’d always wished for a “Nana” of my own, and of course, she told me she would be mine…which so touched me that I teared up, so I got a big, loving hug from her…of course!…that’s what Nanas do!! 🙂

With her adoption of Henry Mantu, Carol, another close friend, made her parents into grandparents four times over. Henry Mantu’s grandparents are called, “Oma” and “Opa” (the German version of grandma and grandpa).

I don’t know, it seems like no matter what new name I hear, they all sound so endearing and special…I’m so charmed by them…probably because there’s just something so special about grandparents.

Read Full Post »