What made you decide to write your book on new motherhood?
I'm a reporter, and I crave information. I have two stepsons, but when I was pregnant with my daughter, Ashby, things happened that I hadn't read about—things that surprised me, scared me, or were embarrassing. For example, I didn't know that your nipples are more erect in early pregnancy. So I showed up on the set of Grey's Anatomy looking a little too excited to see McDreamy and McSteamy. When I mentioned these little things, my friends would say, "Oh, I forgot about that." So I turned them into a book.
Was it hard to witness the Hollywood baby boom while you were trying to get pregnant?
It took us about eight months. I remember thinking, Britney can't be pregnant again, when I'm just trying so hard just to have one. And then her little sister got pregnant, and I was saying, "Wait a minute!"
Were there funny parallels between your pregnancy and that of Katherine Heigl's character's in Knocked Up?
Absolutely. I tried to hide it for so long, but I wasn't fitting into any of my wardrobe bras. My cohost, Billy Bush, said, "I don't mean to be rude, but you've either gotten an upgrade or you're pregnant." I hoped my boss would be okay with it—and he was genuinely happy, but he was also excited for the show. At that point, it seemed like everyone in Hollywood was pregnant or had just given birth. At awards shows, he'd say, "Go stand in front of the platform—no one will refuse to do an interview with a pregnant woman." I interviewed Angelina [Jolie] after she had the twins, and it was so different. It was warmer, more personal, not all business. Every female wants to talk about her kids.
How on earth did you go on TV—looking so perky and lively, no less—with a new baby keeping you up all night?
My husband jokes that I had postpartum elation. I had so much extra energy after Ashby was born. Which is good, because in my first week back at work after three months off, I had to do the Emmys—get into a dress, the whole thing. I was so paranoid, I wore three pairs of Spanx.
What are your thoughts on the bizarre Hollywood baby-name trend?
If it has meaning to you, even if it's really out there, it's fine. Some people questioned Ashby's name. Howard Stern was like, "What kind of a name is that?" It's my grandfather's name, so leave me alone.
Does Ashby watch you on TV?
The first time she saw me, she did a total double take. The other day Access came on, and she leaned over and kissed the TV and said, "Mama!" I almost cried. The TV is for Elmo, animals, and Mama. And she gets mad whenever they cut to Billy.
