UK actor Simon Pegg has become the latest celeb to welcome a new bundle of joy. His wife Maureen McCann had a baby girl over the weekend. Pegg’s representative confirmed the happy news but offered no further details.

Pegg has previously been quoted as saying that he was “hoping for a baby girl.” He was also happy with the prospect of the baby being born in the US saying, “It struck me that, technically, he or she could eventually become President of the United States. The potential is there.” Future Presidential aspirations aside, he does seem to want to be an involved and doting parent. He also said, “I want to be a really good dad, a good influence and a good role model – someone my child can turn to… It’s all to do with your attitude and making sure they stay grounded, but making sure they aren’t deprived of anything.”

Pegg and McCann have been married since July 2005. He is godfather to Apple, the daughter of rocker Chris Martin and actress Gwyneth Paltrow. Of course this is not much preparation for his own role as dad, but it certainly can’t hurt. Luckily he has his celeb friends to offer a few helpful tips along the way.

Since gaining fame in the US thanks to his starring role in Shaun of the Dead, Pegg has been quite busy. So busy in fact that he had suggested in the past that his baby would have to born in the US. Most recently he took on the iconic role of Montgomery “Scottie” Scott in the reboot of the Star Trek franchise directed by J.J. Abrams.

Pegg is not the only UK native considering raising his child on this side of the pond. Anna Friel has expressed a desire to raise her daughter Gracie Ellen Mary, in the US. Gracie’s father, actor David Thewlis was also born in the UK. No doubt Pegg’s parenting skills will be nothing like those of the character he displayed in the movie Run Fatboy, Run. Pegg played Dennis Doyle who abandoned his pregnant fiancé at the altar. Eventually he redeems himself by running a marathon. At 39, Pegg definitely seems grounded in his new role as a Hollywood celebrity. He seems likely to be busy for years to come, with The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn among his upcoming projects. That movie will be directed by none other than Steven Spielberg.

Congratulations to first time father Simon Pegg and his wife Maureen McCann on the new addition to their family. Sleepless nights may have him showing up on movie sets just a little worse for wear. Best of luck to this funny actor with his growing family and all his future projects.

According to online reports, actress Penelope Ann Miller gave birth to her second child, another girl. The baby was born on March 23 and was named Maria Adela Huggins. Miller and her husband James Huggins are understandably ecstatic at the new arrival. Miller and Huggins have been married since May, 2000.

A spokesperson for Miller was quoted as saying, “Penelope and James are thrilled to have another girl and a little sister for Eloisa.” Little Eloisa, who is now eight, will no doubt want help out with taking care of her baby sister.

Miller who is 45 may inspire some women who are about to become first or second time moms in their forties. The increased risks of complications and health and developmental issues have been well documented. Thankfully medical improvement and the fact that women are taking better care of themselves have narrowed the odds. Plus, research will show that women having children in their forties is nothing new. Just do some digging into your family history and you will be surprised to find quite a few female ancestors who had their last child in their forties and maybe a handful even into their early fifties.

Some other well known women who gave birth after 40 include Salma Hayek, Holly Hunter, Marcia Cross, Halle Berry and Brooke Shields. Hayek gave birth to her daughter Valentina at 41. Marcia Cross was open about resorting to fertility treatments to have her twins, Eden and Savannah at 44. She was quoted online as saying, “I don’t like the average woman being misled into thinking that fertility is something that goes on forever.”

Brooke Shields had her first child at 40, and the second at 42. Actress Holly Hunter gave birth to her twins at age 47. While it may be more of a challenge for older women to conceive, these stories and countless others offer some hope. The most important things are a proper diet that includes foods from all the food groups. Folic acid is especially important for older women planning to conceive to help protect the baby from spinal and brain developmental issues. Older women, especially those over 35 who plan on having their first child or adding to their family should try to be as active as possible in order to maintain a healthy weight.

Congratulations to Penelope Ann Miller on the birth of her second daughter. And congratulations to all the women out there who are taking on the challenge of motherhood after age 40. There are many benefits to motherhood later in life.

Actor Scott Wolf is now a father, according to recently published reports. The former Party of Five star and his wife Kelley Limp welcomed their son Jackson Kayse Wolf into the world on March 22. The baby’s weight was 7 pounds. The elated new dad was quoted on People.com as saying, “Kelley and I are having the time of our lives. Words can’t describe the love we have for our son Jackson. He is the most fun person we have ever met, and we feel so lucky he has joined our family.”

The couple has been married since May, 2004. Limp has appeared on MTV’s The Real World: New Orleans. Apart from Party of Five, Wolf is known for his work on the TV shows Everwood and The Nine. He has also done some work on the big screen in films such as Go and White Squall.

Another actor celebrating a new addition to his family is comedian Tim Allen. His wife, actress Jane Hajduk gave birth to a girl on Saturday March 28. The couple named the baby Elizabeth. Her weight was 5 pounds 13 ounces.

A statement released by his publicist said that mom and baby were doing fine and that the couple was “thrilled” to welcome little Elizabeth into the world. This is the second child for Allen. He has a daughter, 19-year old Katherine from his previous marriage to Laura Deibel.

Allen enjoyed an eight year run as everybody’s favorite tool man on the ABC sitcom, Home Improvement. Since then he has gone on to big screen success with hits such as the Santa Clause and the Toy Story franchises.

As a comic Allen is known for weaving aspects of everyday life into his routine. With a new baby he will have plenty of brand new material if he ever plans to hit the stand up circuit again. Thanks to his success on Home Improvement he now has his own line of signature tools. If he actually knows how to use them, childproofing should be a piece of cake.

Congratulations to Scott Wolf and Kelley Limp on what will no doubt be an exciting time in their lives. The same goes for Tim Allen and Jane Hajduk.

Singer Erykah Badu whose birth name is Erica Abi Wright gave birth to a baby girl on Sunday and has taken to the Internet to share the experience with her fans. According to reports she used the social networking site, Twitter to offer details on the birth. The baby’s father is her boyfriend, rapper Jay Electronica.

Badu revealed in her blog that she decided to have the baby at home. Based on details given by Badu, she was in labor for five hours. The singer also mentioned that she took no painkillers to help her with the delivery.

Badu has two children from a previous relationship. Her son Seven Sirius with Andre 3000 of OutKast was born in 1997, while daughter Puma Rose was born in 2004. Puma Rose’s father is West Coast rapper The D.O.C. One is left to wonder if the new addition’s name will be as interesting as her siblings.

She has won a number of Grammy awards for her work. Badu played an integral role in the development of neo soul, with some referring to her as the “First Lady” of the genre. When most people think of Erykah Badu large multi colored head wraps probably come to mind. As for her musical style, it often gets her compared to Billie Holiday.

Badu has also appered in films, most notably, The Cider House Rules and House of D. For anyone wondering if her name change holds any significance, it does. According to the Wikipedia website, ‘kah’ refers to the inner self. Badu is an African name, but according to her father, in Arabic it means truth and light.

More celebrities will probably follow suit and write about their birthing experiences in their blogs. Lets face it, it’s just one more way to get info to their adoring fans. Aside from the information on painkillers, not much information was found on the birth itself. But no doubt the whole thing is probably inspiring her next hit.

Congratulations to this enormously talented singer on the birth of her third child. I’m sure the baby will enjoy every nighttime lullaby as much as Badu’s fans enjoy her music.

Country singer Jo Dee Messina is singing an even happier tune than usual today. According to recent internet reports, she and her husband welcomed the first addition to their family. It was recently announced by the couple that Messina gave birth to a baby boy on Monday, January 19^th. The statement was made through Messina’s spokesperson.

The baby was named Noah, Roger Deffenbaugh. He was born at a hospital in Nashville and weighed 6 pounds 15 ounces. Messina and Deffenbaugh married in late 2007 in Nashville, after announcing their engagement in June of that year. Country singer Danielle Peck was one of the bridesmaids. According to reports online, each year Deffenbaugh gives Messina flowers to celebrate the anniversary of the day they met.

Messina was born in August, 1970 and her birth name was Jo Dee Marie Messina. She has had a successful music career, having had nine singles reach number one on the Billboard country music charts. She is the first female country singer to have three songs from an album reach number one. Two of her albums have been certified Platinum, while she has had three albums which reached Gold status.

She received the award for Top New Female Vocalist at the Academy of Country Music Awards in 1998. She was honored by Billboard magazine in 1999 as the most played female country artist for that year. In 1999 she received the Country Music Association’s Horizon Award. She has also been recognized with a Grammy nomination.

Messina battled alcohol addiction in April 2004, being successfully treated at a center in Utah. Thankfully that all seems to be behind her now, and she can keep doing what she does best. Of course she can now add ‘mom’ to her list of titles.

Congratulations to the happy couple on the birth of their first child.

Bear Grylls may have reached the top of Mount Everest, but that may be nothing compared to the adventure that awaits him. According to reports, his wife Shara just gave birth to their third son. The baby is named Huckleberry Edward Jocelyne Grylls. The couple’s first two sons are Jesse and Marmaduke.

A spokesman for the couple was quoted as saying, “Shara and the baby are both doing great.” Grylls, who stars in his own survival themed reality show may be getting together his own team of adventurers.

Bear, whose birth name is Edward Michael Grylls, pits himself against whatever nature throws at him in his weekly series Man vs. Wild which airs on the Discovery Channel. The part time motivational speaker holds a black belt in karate and enjoys skydiving.

The adventurer set a new record in June 2005 when he hosted a dinner party at 24,500 feet in the air. The table was hung from a hot air balloon. This might be great practice for future meals with three boys. It’s hard to imagine which situation he might find more challenging.

In 1996 a parachuting accident damaged three of his vertebrae, and he spent the next 18 months in rehabilitation. After that he concentrated on getting himself ready to scale Mount Everest, which he did in 1998, becoming the youngest Briton at the time to achieve the feat.

Grylls is involved with a number of charities such as Global Angels which helps needy kids around the world, and frequently raises money for them with his stunts. He and his wife Shara have been married since 2000. The family lives on a converted barge on the River Thames.

Congratulations to this daring TV adventurer. We wish him and his wife luck on the biggest adventure of all.

Actress Anne Dudek and her husband, painter Matthew Heller recently welcomed their first child. The baby was born on December 14 and weighed in at 7 lbs 7 oz. The couple named their new son Akiva. New dad Heller said by email to an online magazine, “He is happy and healthy. As for me, I now have a never ending smile!”

Dudek has been quite the busy actress, having had recurring roles in three hit series, House, Big Love and most recently Mad Men. Her fans may also remember her from guest appearances in How I Met Your Mother, Desperate Housewives, Charmed and Six Feet Under.

Like so many other performers, Dudek started out on the stage. In fact, while she was still in theater school she won the role of Iphigenia in The Iphigenia Cycle. She also won a Connecticut Critics Circle Award for her work in The Glass Menagerie.

It seems that Dudek may have given little Akiva a headstart in the business before he was even born. According to Internet reports, he made guest appearances courtesy of mom’s tummy of course, in House, Big Love and Mad Men.

In the hit series, House, Dudek played Amber Volakis, who was one of ten doctors vying for a position under Dr. House. Most recently she has been seen in the award winning Mad Men which chronicles the lives of people working at a successful ad agency.

Just in case you’re wondering about the name Akiva means, which is of Hebrew origin. It means “protect” or “shelter”. A particularly appropriate name if you’re thinking of more babies for him to protect don’t you think? It is also sometimes used for a girl’s name.

Congratulations to Anne Dudek and Matthew Heller on their newborn. We can see many more smiles in the new dad’s future.

Singer, Usher Raymond’s family now has a new addition. The singer and his wife, Tameka Foster welcomed a baby boy on Wednesday, December 10. The couple married in August 2007 after a flurry of tabloid stories concerning Foster.

The name of the new baby has not yet been released. He joins older brother, Usher Raymond V who was born 26 November 2007. According to a source who spoke to People magazine, Usher was in the delivery room during the birth. Seems like this is becoming standard fare and quite helpful to the women in labor.

Usher made the announcement of the impending arrival just last month. He was quoted as saying on Access Hollywood that the baby was, “one of the best Christmas gifts there is to have.” His wife has three sons from an earlier relationship.

Usher started singing at the tender age of six when his mother, Jonnetta Patton encouraged him to join the local church choir. His mom, who he describes as his best friend, was instrumental in guiding his career. He spent his early years taking part in various talent shows, where he was eventually discovered.

Always seeking to branch out, Usher has also done some acting. He had a recurring role on the hit TV show Moesha, starring fellow R&B singer Brandy Norwood, and made a guest appearance on the long running 7th Heaven. He has also appeared on the big screen in Light It Up in 1999, and In The Mix in 2005.

Considered an astute businessman, Usher is co-owner of the NBA team, Cleveland Cavaliers. The very busy performer, who has toured extensively, can expect things to get a lot more hectic. Having five kids with two of them being babies means a lot of work. But if he displays the kind of discipline he has shown throughout his recording and performing career he should come through with flying colors. Of course, there will he added help from nannies and others. Nonetheless, being parent to so many kids while fun can be tiring.

Congratulations to Usher and his lovely wife. Fans no doubt will be looking out for any future baby news and information on where he will take his career from here.

The Hollywood families just keep getting bigger. There’s a still a lot of time left for 2008 to close and yet another Hollywood family has welcomed a new arrival. This time it’s Ugly Betty Star Eric Mabius who became a dad for the second time after his wife Ivy Sherman gave birth to a baby boy.

According to reports online, his spokesperson revealed that Sherman gave birth on Monday. The baby was named Rylan Jaxon Mabius. He is the couple’s second son. Their first son, two year old Maxfield Elliot was born in June of 2006. Mabius and Sherman, who went to the same high school, were married in New Orleans in February 2006.

Mabius has been a member of the Ugly Betty cast since the show began in 2006. He plays the character Daniel Meade. The show centers on a fashion magazine, and the titular character Betty Suarez. The hit show is based on the Colombian telenovela Yo Soy Betty La Fea. Ugly Betty has proven a ratings hit for ABC since its premiere. The show has won a number of awards including two golden globes.

Reality show judge Nigel Barker also became a second time dad after his wife Cristen gave birth to a baby girl. Barker’s first child, Jack is two years old. The baby was named Jasmine and weighed 7 pounds and 11 ounces. Barker is a judge on the show America’s Next Top Model. When asked if his associate Tyra Banks might end up being the Godmother his response was, “I think she will be.”

Well it seems like these two might be bucking the unusual naming trend sweeping celebrity circles these days. In fact, Mabius admitted that he and his wife were planning “to go with something French like Etinne.” Possibly seeing teasing down the road, he added, “the kid will have to start taking karate in like second grade.”

Good luck to both couples and congratulations on the new additions to your families.

It’s baby time! That is taken of course from the Power Rangers battle cry “It’s Morphin Time”. It seems a former cast member of the popular children’s series has just become a mom herself.

According to reports, Amy Jo Johnson, who played the Pink Ranger in the series from 1993 to 1995 has just become a first time mom. Johnson and her fiancé Olivier Giner became parents to a bouncing baby girl. The baby’s name is named Francesca Christine.

The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers became something of a children’s staple, proving a ratings and merchandising success. The teenage superhero team was given the task of protecting the earth from a variety of monsters. No doubt Johnson may find that a walk in the park compared to her first few years in mommyland. Terrible twos anyone?

While she may be a familiar face to fans of the show, her career train didn’t stop rolling there. In fact she has gone on to amass an impressive body of work. Other items on her TV resume include a four year stint on the hit show Felicity, in which she played Julie Emrick, and the show Wildfire where she played Tina Sharp for two years. Currently she is a member of the cast of Flashpoint, about a tactical team that deals with tough cases including hostage situations and bomb scares.

Johnson, who was born in Cape Cod Massachusetts, enjoys writing, painting and music. She was involved in gymnastics as a child, which helped her win her first big role as the Pink Ranger.

She lost her mother to uterine cancer in 1998. At that time she thought about not taking the role in Felicity so she could spend more time with her. In fact her reason for leaving the show was that she felt she hadn’t had time to grieve properly.

A quote attributed to her in Teen People regarding her mother is, “My mom taught me to go after my dreams. I have this faith in myself that I must have gotten from her. I believe I can do anything. If I decide I want to be a doctor tomorrow, I’m going to be a doctor.” Sounds like she will have some great words of wisdom to pass on to her own daughter. Congratulations to Amy Jo Johnson and fiancé Olivier Giner.

Comedian, Adam Sandler is a dad for the second time according to reports. His wife, Jackie recently gave birth to another girl, Sunny Madeline. As the name would indicate, Sandler is elated with the new addition to his family. A statement released on the actor’s website says, “Jackie and Adam had a beautiful baby girl, Sunny Madeline, on November 2. Everyone is happy and healthy.”

The couple’s first daughter, Sadie is two years old so no doubt they can expect to have their hands pretty full. She was born in May 2006. Sandler and Jackie married in June 2003.

A former Saturday Night Live alum, Sandler has gone on to carve himself a successful niche on the big screen. His hits include 50 First Dates, Mr. Deeds, and Anger Management, in which he co-starred with Hollywood heavy, Jack Nicholson.

I think it’s safe to say that as a dad Sandler is nothing like his Big Daddy character. In that movie he played an idle law school grad who takes in a kid who had been adopted by his roommate, in an effort to impress his ex-girlfriend. Luckily they were playing that one strictly for laughs.

The actor joins Amy Poehler as a former Saturday Night Live cast member to have a new addition to their family. Sandler’s recent hits include I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry and You Don’t Mess With The Zohan. He can next be seen on screen in Funny People due for release in 2009.

Actress Natascha McElhone?s world was nearly shattered when her husband, plastic surgeon Martin Kelly died from a sudden heart attack. The actress, who was pregnant at the time later revealed that he had called her just 13 minutes before he collapsed, saying how excited he was about the baby and that he couldn?t wait to visit her in LA. McElhone was filming her series Californication at the time.

According to recent reports she has been seen in London with her newborn five months after her husband?s passing. Apparently the delivery was kept a secret, which is understandable given the intense scrutiny celebs sometimes have to endure. No information has been released about the baby, but it has been suggested that the birth took place at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London. The baby joins the couple?s two sons, eight year old Theodore and five year old Otis.

I am sure I am not alone in saying my heart goes out to Natascha in her grief, and shares her joy at this new blessing. I am reminded of other women who have had to endure devastating loss while pregnant. Mariane Pearl, wife of journalist Daniel Pearl, who was murdered in Pakistan, comes immediately to mind.

I am also reminded of the widows of those who perished on September 11 who were pregnant at the time. A number of US soldiers fighting in Iraq also never saw their children come into the world. Pregnancy can be difficult, but the added strain of losing a loved one, especially the child?s father is almost unimaginable. It?s easy enough to toss out aphorisms when you find yourself on the outside of a situation like this, but it is the mother to be who will have to find the strength to ensure that she continues to have a healthy pregnancy.

Indeed McElhone should be admired for her strength, as should every woman who has had to deal with loss during what should be one of the most joyous periods of her life. It is the ultimate reminder of the circle of life, and the fact that sometimes we are resilient not because we choose to be, but because we have to be.

Actress Annabeth Gish is now a mom for the second time, having just given birth to a boy. She is probably most recognizable to fans as Agent Monica Reyes on The X-Files, a role she held for three years. Gish and her husband Wade Allen already have a 22-month old son, Cash.

Her new baby, Enzo Edward Allen, weighed seven pounds at birth. He was born on Saturday night at a hospital in Rhode Island. Gish and Allen married in October 2003.

Annabeth Gish is currently a cast member of the Showtime original series, Brotherhood, set in an Irish neighborhood in Providence. She plays the wife of Jason Clarke?s character, Tommy Caffee.

In other news, Sean Bean has said that he and his fourth wife, Georgina Sutcliffe are trying for a baby. Rumors were rampant that his marriage was in trouble after a domestic dispute. The 49-year old star of The Lord of The Rings is hoping that his older daughters from previous marriages will be available to babysit. ?The older ones can babysit too. But only if I can get them because they are always out on a Saturday night. That would be handy,? he said.

Aside from his role in The Lord of The Rings, Bean may be remembered for roles in National Treasure and The Island. The UK born actor is highly regarded in his field, and has a career spanning 20 years.

Congratulations to Annabeth Gish and Wade Allen on their newest addition. I guess Sean Bean fans can expect an announcement at some point, but remember, sometimes these things take time. So be patient and stay tuned.