Pete Wentz Says Inauguration Was Too Cold For Bronx

Paul Warner/WireImage

Ashlee Simpson-Wentz, 24, was a notable no-show at the inauguration of President Barack Obama on Tuesday, but as a new mom to 9-week-old Bronx Mowgli her absence was certainly understandable! Husband Pete Wentz, 29, made the trip to Washington, D.C., however, and revealed that the couple’s son was first and foremost in his thoughts on such a historic occasion. “I think I’ll explain it to him many years from now and maybe he’ll believe his dad was here,” Pete said. As for the decision to leave Ashlee and Bronx behind in California? Pete adds,

“We decided we didn’t want to turn him into an ice cube quite yet. It’s a little cold here.”

The first-time dad and Fall Out Boy bassist hopefully made the most of his time away from baby by catching up on some much needed rest. When asked about the dreaded sleep-deprivation of life with a newborn, he replied “Come on, would we be sleeping only eight weeks in?”

Fall Out Boy’s latest album Folie a Deux is in stores now.

Source: OK!

Comments

The inauguration must have been exciting for Pete Wentz and his family.
His parent first met each other while working as legislative assistants for Joe Biden!

- Shaunie on January 24th, 2009

Too cold? I’ve heard so much about how cold it was on inauguration day. How cold was it really? Arctic temperatures?

- Hea on January 24th, 2009

Hea, I heard the place where the inaguration was held was 25 degrees fahrenheit with the windchill factor in this teens. A lot of babies are born in washington d.c. they all have to live through the extreme weather, though you probably wont take out a new born out that often in that weather.. probably only for traveling, etc… i’d rather be warm in california anyday!

- Lauren on January 24th, 2009

i know it was below freezing, hea (so maybe in the teens or low 20s F). my brother was there. and while taking a baby out to the store or something when it’s that cold isn’t bad, in order to get to the national mall my brother and his girlfriend had to leave very early in the morning, stand for the entire ceremony, and then try to get out. concrete barriers were set up to control the influx of people over many hours, but weren’t removed after the ceremony and so it took a looooong time for people to get out. the entire excursion took him 6 or 7 hours. i totally understand why pete would not want his baby out in the cold that long!

- MZ on January 24th, 2009

It was in the teens, very cold! I wouldn’t bring a baby in that cold of weather for hours and hours. That’s ridiculous!! Lots of people had to go to the hospital because of the length of time they were out there in the cold. Good common sense on Pete & Ashlee’s part on keeping Bronx home!!

- Doreen on January 24th, 2009

I’d hardly call Washington DC a place with extreme weather. Try living in Canada!

- Nicole on January 24th, 2009

I was there – trust me it was cold enough, and no place for a baby.

- jasmine on January 24th, 2009

I live in D.C. I was there. It was unusually cold for the area that day. It was 15 degrees with a windchill of 0. Also, the Mall is almost like a wind tunnel because of the vegetation and trees and buildings on either side. It was amazing, one of a kind, wonderful and historical moment. And when I teared up at the swearing in – some of my tears actually froze to my eyelashes. I assure you, Pete Wentz made the right decision.

- Susan on January 24th, 2009

Hehe, 25 F is not that cold in my book. It’s 2 F here now and that’s not so bad either.
I would not call it extreme weather. I’ve seen extreme weather, 25 F is definately not it. hehe

I understand the thing about too many people in the same place. That would have been a reason for me to stay at home too. And if a parent thinks it’s too cold, it’s their decision.

- Hea on January 24th, 2009

I was there and it was really cold for the inauguration. It wasnt that the 20s and teens are extreme temperatures but remember, millions of people attended. We got there at 7 a.m., found our spot and waited. It was cold and windy. Standing in 1 spot for 5 hours waiting for the inaugurations was frigid. My toes were numb by the time Obama was sworn in (and I wore extra socks, a really warm down coat, fleece sweater etc). It was bitterly cold but worth evey single second. No matter what you political affiliation it was great. Everyone was in a great mood and very up for the event.;

- ll65 on January 24th, 2009

I’m tired of seeing little babies and children out in the cold. Stay home with your kids!

- Mel on January 24th, 2009

Pete and Ashley certainly made the right decision. I think it’s silly to compare who has the coldest weather when the point isn’t oh where I live it’s wayyyyyyyyy colder. Who cares. The point is, is should an 8 week old baby be out in any cold weather for an extended amount of time?

- sheba on January 24th, 2009

It’s too bad Ashlee couldn’t have gone with him, even if Bronx couldn’t have accompanied them.

- Chana on January 24th, 2009

If they HAD taken Bronx, there would no doubt be people here blasting them for doing so. I think they made the right decision not to keep their baby outside in the cold for several hours. And this way Pete was able to focus all his attention on the inauguration.

- Jane on January 24th, 2009

David Arquette and Courtney Cox said the same thing on Larry King on the night in the inauguration. They said it was too cold to bring Coco.

- Dawn on January 24th, 2009

Hea- I know what you mean! Lately, 25 degrees is practically a heat wave where I live! That said, I totally understand why Pete didn’t bring Bronx (and Pete confirmed shortly after Bronx’s birth that Ashlee is breastfeeding. I’m guessing that was a major factor in her staying in LA with Bronx.). I think it’s fine to bring a baby out in cold weather as long as it isn’t 20 below or something (after all, it’s germs that cause colds and other illnesses. You can’t catch a cold just from being cold! The reason colds are more common during the winter is because people spend most of their time indoors, in close proximity to other people, thus allowing easy passage of the cold virus from person to person.), but not for that long of a time!

All of that said, I read somewhere that Ben Affleck was also at the Innuagration, and he attended the SunDance Film Festival as well. That really confuses me, since Ben apparently said in an interview that he most likely would not be attending the innaugration since he and Jen would have a very newborn baby at the time (that was when we first realized that Jen was due in January). Little Seraphina is just over two weeks old. I don’t understand how Ben could stand to leave her!

- CelebBabyLover on January 25th, 2009

Oh, I forgot to add that I wonder if maybe Ben WAS planning on skipping the innaugration, but then Jen persuaded him to go. As far as SunDance is concerned, he was promoting his new movie, and I’m guessing he had probably committed to do SunDance long before Seraphina was born.

- CelebBabyLover on January 25th, 2009

Sheba – It’s not silly. I was truly interested since people have different views on what’s cold and what’s not. I work in a multi cultural society, with small children, and I’ve met parents who thinks 53 F is too cold. This interests me, if you can understand that.

- Hea on January 25th, 2009

The cold lowers your immune system, thats partly why colds and sickness are more common in winter, not just being inside, although I am sure it may be a factor. I think they made the right decision too, and I totally agree it has nothing to do with how cold or warm it is where you live, it’s still pretty cold for a baby especially one that is more used to California weather.

- Emily on January 25th, 2009

I completely agree with their decision. Just because the teens/20s aren’t AS cold as other places doesn’t mean that isn’t cold. I can handle 90 degree weather without breaking a sweat, but it doesn’t mean it’s not hot – just means I can handle it.

Question for people living in extremely cold conditions – do you take your babies/children out in cold weather often in hopes they get used to it? (since they have to deal with cold weather?) Thinking about, I realize I did the opposite subconsciously last summer with our toddler.

- emily on January 25th, 2009

I do Agree with Pete and Ashlee. I mean bringing Bronx Mowgli Into the cold would be bad because It was in the teens. The ignaguration must have been exciting for Pete even though Ashlee wasn’t there and I’m pretty sure that she was watching the ignaguration on tv. Also, to see her husband on tv.
It was a good ignaguration.

- mkbiden on January 25th, 2009

Good call on Ashlee’s part, remaining in California with Bronx. Obviously Pete & Ashlee are level-headed parents. I think that much travelling and the cold weather wouldn’t be a good idea for one as little as he is.

- Mary-Helen on January 25th, 2009

I’m confused as to why there’s even a debate about Pete leaving Bronx and Ashlee at home. It was too cold for a newborn baby. Period. Sure, there may be other parts of the world that have lower temperatures, but it doesn’t mean that 20 some degrees F isn’t that cold. It IS. They made the absolute right decision for their family.

- shalay on January 25th, 2009

Hi Emily, I’m in the Canadian far north. We take our kids out, not really to get them used to it, but just because that’s life. Even if it’s -40 or less, you still have to go to school and work. Responsible parents dress their kids appropriately, and aren’t foolhardy. Be safe because it can cost a life if your not.

- Shmoo on January 25th, 2009

Hea- I here you! It IS interesting how people have different definitions of what’s “too hot” and “too cold”. For example, emily mentioned that she does just fine in 90+ degree weather. I, on the other hand, am extremely thankful for air-conditioning when it’s that hot!

- CelebBabyLover on January 26th, 2009

Shalay – Either you’re missing something or I’m not being clear enough. I was just interested in the temperature. Period. Nothing more, nothing less, really.

- Hea on January 26th, 2009

It WAS too cold for a baby – 30 is too cold for a baby, 40 even for too long. I’m in Iowa and two weeks ago we had several days where the windchill was -45 – THAT is colder than it was Tuesday, BUT, people were outside Tuesday for 6, 7, 8 hours! I commend them for the very appropriate decision to have Ashlee and Bronx stay home…if I were Ashlee, I would’ve gone if I could’ve, though, but I understand she wouldn’t want to leave the baby that long so early.

- Erin on January 26th, 2009

I was there and it was no conditions for a baby, besides the cold, the crowds were overwhelming and I was exhausted after just attending the swearing-in.

- Terri on January 27th, 2009