Sarah Jessica Parker's Favorite Fragrance: Warm, Wet Diapers

Courtesy Elle

Most parents agree that integrating an older sibling into the process of welcoming a new baby is essential.

However, when actors Sarah Jessica Parker and her husband Matthew Broderick were approached by their 7-year-old son James Wilkie asking if he could take on the task of naming one of his baby sisters, the couple were more than a little apprehensive!

“He told me he really wanted Marion to be in the mix,” Sarah Jessica reveals in the December issue of Elle.

“We thought, ‘Are we crazy? Do we let our son name one of the girls? Is that the right thing to do? Is it important for him?’ And then he goes, ‘And I want it legal.’”

While James may have had the honor of naming his new sister Marion Loretta Elwell — whom the couple call by her first middle name — it is Sarah Jessica and Matthew who are on diaper duty for the 4-month-old and her twin Tabitha Hodge — and the actress embraces the task with open arms and a deep breath!

“I love the smell of diapers; I even like when they’re wet and you smell them all warm like a baked good,” she confesses. “I love the smell of Balmex. Love it.”

Click below for the cover shot and more from the interview!

Courtesy Elle

Although she may love all that the baby phase entails, the Sex and the City star eagerly looks forward to what the future holds.

“First of all, I have a fear that they’re not going to like me,” she admits.

That said, Sarah Jessica awaits the day she can hand over her famous Carrie Bradshaw wardrobe to the twins.

“The only tragedy would be if their feet are bigger than mine.”

Despite her obvious love for her new family of five, the 44-year-old is well-aware that her decision to use a surrogate to carry the girls created controversy in the public eye.

“I knew there would be lots of opinions about, ‘Well, why didn’t you adopt? Why didn’t you do this? Why didn’t you do that?’ and the truth of the matter is, it wasn’t one or the other for us,” she says.

“We had explored, and continue to explore all options, and this one just happened first. This isn’t the period at the end of the sentence.”

Sarah Jessica’s new movie Did You Hear About The Morgans? is in theaters December 11th.

Source: Elle; December issue

– Anya

Comments

I like that Marian goes by Loretta. Marion is a horrible name. In the UK, it is traditionally a name for someone who is 100.

- Snow on November 9th, 2009

Well, that’s cute that James came up with Marion. But if they are calling her Loretta, why didn’t they just name her Loretta Marion Elwell? I love SJP, but I still can’t get used to those names. They sound like 90 year old women to me. But hey, they’re not my kids. So congrats to them! I’m happy that SJP and Matthew finally got to expand their family.

- Mallory on November 9th, 2009

The names are totally growing on me, and I love James’s input being used. So are we to believe their family is not yet complete? Hmmm…

- UggaMugga.com on November 9th, 2009

Cute interview! I wish we saw more pictures of the little ones though!

Just an observation, but last week when Jim Carreys daughter said she feared if she had a little girl that said little girl wouldn’t like her, everyone claimed she was immature. But when SJP says it, no one cares. I guess being a younger mom myself, I catch these kind of things.

- Brittany on November 9th, 2009

I could compare a warm, wet diaper to lots of things, none of which would be a baked good.

- Angela on November 9th, 2009

I love the name Marion, Loretta on the other hand :/ I totally get her warm baked good idea. Pampers smell that way when wet. My family and I think it smells like butter and sugar.

- Claire on November 9th, 2009

I love and would pick either Marion or Loretta. Both are beautiful names. What is the problem? Someone calls a kid something odd like Apple and gets slammed, SJP uses a combination of lovely, traditional names and still she gets criticised. Just can’t win with some people.

- Daisy1 on November 9th, 2009

I currently have a 3 1/2 month old and I don’t like the smell of a wet diaper. To me it smells like well pee. Now I don’t mind the smell of a clean diaper but it’s not something I would say I loved….but to each their own

- TC on November 9th, 2009

yeah, I don’t understand the “I’m afraid they won’t like me statement”…um, you’re their mother…they will LOVE you forever!

- Sarah on November 9th, 2009

I’m so happy they added to their family; I love Sarah and can’t wait to see Did You Hear About the Morgans? I do not, however, love her girls’ names by a long shot. The list of gorgeous, classic names for girls is over a mile long. Marian, Loretta, and Tabitha have no place on that list imo. They sound like less cool names for the Golden Girls.

- Lauren on November 9th, 2009

every “90 year old woman” was once a little girl. if you don’t like the name, it doesn’t matter, because they’re already named!

- ag on November 9th, 2009

i totally get what she is saying with the wet diaper smell. wet pampers smell good, at least my little one’s do!

- krista on November 9th, 2009

Sheesh people! If the celebs are not naming their child something like “Charlotte, Addison, or Sophia” they get ripped. I think he names are classic and gorgeous. Wish we could see updated pics of these little gals!

- urbanadventurertales on November 9th, 2009

Sarah, I can really relate to SJP when she says that she’s afraid they won’t like her. I have a very strained relationship with my mom, and I struggle almost daily with a fear that my son will dislike me as much as I dislike my mom. I see families with “normal” relationships (i.e.: adults who look forward to spending time with their mom; women who call their mom’s their “best friend”) and I want to interrogate them to find out how they do it, so that I can have that relationship with my son in 20 years. I don’t know what SJP’s relationship with her mom is like, but maybe that’s the place she is coming from.

- Michelle Z. on November 9th, 2009

It’s nice to see I’m in good company. I recently said to my husband about our son while changing his diaper, “He’s so cute. Everything about him is cute. Even his dirty diapers smell cute. Is that weird?” To which my husband replied, “Yes, that’s weird. Very weird.”

- computerag on November 9th, 2009

@Sarah: Unfortunately, not all of us love our mothers. I totally get SJP’s comment because, as someone who has had lifelong mother issues, this has crossed my mind many times when I’ve considered having children. If someone does not have a loving mother, it’s very a very understandable concern. I don’t know about SJP’s mother/daugher relationship, but not all of daughters are lucky enough to “LOVE them forever”–sad, but true.

- writer_girl on November 9th, 2009

I am 29. That is a FAR cry from 100! Believe me those of us named Tabatha hear enough crap like the question “Were you named after Bewitched?” that we dont need people saying our name is that of a 100 year old woman! I actually get a lot of complements on my name….Thanks any way.

- Tabatha on November 9th, 2009

Michelle– My mom IS my best friend and I think its because she did a REALLY good balancing act while I was growing up. She knew when to be a friend and when to be my mom–does that make sense?? I mean, she gave me leeway and let me make my mistakes but when I made those mistakes she went into discipline mode. My younger sister didn’t take it as well as I did and now they have a strained relationship but I think my mom is amazing! LOL I think it helps too that we’re close in age–she’s 42, I’m 22–we have some of the same likes and dislikes so we relate!

- Sheila on November 9th, 2009

This explains why Marion has one more name than Tabitha. It’s cute that they let him choose a name and they did make it legal!
But I think Marion is way prettier than Loretta, maybe because it’s a very common name for kids here. And ‘Loretta and Tabitha’… lots of “ta” Anyway they’re happy and it’s all that matters.

Michelle Z., I’m just like you (except that I don’t have a son!) Sarah, a loving relationship with a mother is NOT a given.

- Alice on November 9th, 2009

What a wonderful interview. I am so happy they were able to add onto their family.
As for the names, I think they are gorgeous. I plan on naming my first daughter Marion, so I think it is a beautiful name. I think of it this way: In fifty years all these Madisons, Addisons, Avas and Stellas will be in their fifties and those names will seem old-lady like to a whole new generation of people. Does it make them any less gorgeous in their own right? Not at all.

- Mary on November 9th, 2009

Great point Mary, names come and go in cycles.

Congrats to the happy family. It sounds as if they are all blissfully happy – as they should be!

- Baby Carriers on November 9th, 2009

thats a gross smell to me! :S

- Tina. on November 9th, 2009

Tabatha, I like your name! Marion was my grandmother (I know, old lady!), but she was the classiest, most loving, respectable woman I’ve ever known…and she raised my mother:) I think SJP, Matthew, and James are a lucky bunch to have 2 new girls in their family…great names for your girls!

- SSL on November 9th, 2009

Alice I was just going to say that, now we know why she has the additional name. I really like that they included James in that way.

- Brandi on November 9th, 2009

Snow – come to that when did you last meet a young Loretta in the UK? Still nice names though

- emma on November 9th, 2009

wet diapers? sorry, not on my top 100 list of things I love to smell. the smell of a baby? yes, the smell of a baby powder, yes? but not pee, sorry.

- mom to 3 boys on November 9th, 2009

I wish I could say that I love the smell of my daughter’s diapers. The last 2 of hers that I changed tonight made me gag.

I know a Marion and see no problems with the name. I like Tabitha, although it reminds me of a name for a cat. Loretta reminds me of Loretta Lynn. To each their own! As long as they’re happy and healthy, who gives a poo what their names are?

- Me on November 9th, 2009

I too totally understand where SJP is coming ftom when she says she is afriad her daughters won’t like her. I worry about that all the time. Sure they will love you automatically as small children but that is NOT the case as they get older. My mother loved me but we do not get on. I view her more as a responsibility, like that annoying aunt you have to talk to so many times a year and behave nicely around. And that breaks my heart because no matter what my issues with her no-one goes into parenting wanting their children to just tolerate them. I also watch happy families like a scientist trying to work out their secret. So good luck SJP!

- miaow on November 9th, 2009

I also like the name Tabitha!

- miaow on November 9th, 2009

I don’t have a problem with Marion at all.. I have a Great Aunt Marion and I know a lot of Marion’s and Marian’s my own age.. (I am 28)

When I see it, it reminds me of the names Miriam, Marianne or Mary Anne..

I have noticed a lot of “old-fashioned” names coming back into style, so why not Marion too? I think it’s just a personal preference.. I like a lot of older, classic names.

- BWiley on November 9th, 2009

I don’t know but I find the exact same thing about my daughter’s diapers! I think it’s the brand of diapers which are scented to begin with by her comments sounds like she really loves being a mom, it almost sounds like someone who longed for these babies for a long time and is so thankful to have them-I know that feeling all too well. I love seeing her so happy, she seems like such a classy person.

- stevie on November 9th, 2009

I love Marion and Tabitha as names- esp Marion. And totally agree with Mary that all the Ella’s, Emily’s and Sophia will be associated with a certain era (the current one) in the future. Marion is still classic yet unexpected. I plan to name my next baby (if a girl) Mary Grace. I know lots of people don’t care for it but I love it plus it’s a family name so there!
On another note I adore SJP, wish her nothing but happiness and can’t wait to see her movie!

- mary on November 9th, 2009

My daughter’s name is Sarah-Grace and my mom begged me to change my mind. My daughter is 3 and my mom can’t bring herself to call her by her name. She only calls her sweet pea. We are Asian and hispanic and my mom says it sounds like she would be calling for an old white lady. I still love my daughter’s name.

- Kimri on November 9th, 2009

i have never really understood why when parent give their kids a name, a perfectly decent name, then call them by their middle name…why not just have their middle name as a first???/ just seems odd to me…

- Chloe on November 9th, 2009

I love the smell of Pampers! Maybe not after the babies used them, but still…I get what she’s saying. It’s just a great smell that you would immediately identify to a baby, like powder.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the name Tabitha! That is what I wanted to name my last child if it would have been a girl. My husband’s name is Tab and I just thought that Tabitha would be a great name to go with his…but we had four boys so never got to use it.

- Sheilz on November 10th, 2009

I have to agree with Chloe (#34). First, I don’t understand why people name a kid something and then don’t call them that.

Second, I’m not a fan of how they *sort of* let James name his sister. I mean, he’s not 3, he’s old enough (in my opinion). And then, they finally gave in and allowed him to pick the name but don’t call the girl that? I must say I feel a little sorry for James.

- Lau on November 10th, 2009

Emma, there’s a Loretta in Hollyoaks! Although of course she is a fictional character…

I do agree though with Chloe and Lau. I get that for some people it’s a family tradition, but that isn’t the case with the Parker-Brodericks. Also, why did James only get to name one daughter and not both? He could have picked out a middle name for each.

And Kimri, your daughter’s name is lovely and doesn’t sound like an old white lady.

- Rachel-Jane on November 10th, 2009

LOL on the names! Tabitha was a strong consideration for us when we found out we were expecting my second child, until we realized people might call her Tabby, which was a no go since our first child was Abby, and we were not giving them rhyming names! Then we decided to honor his grandma if it was a girl, and chose the name Margaret(Maggie)Marion! Of course, he wound up being a boy. Can’t believe I have that much in common with SJP! I really like the names of the girls, and I’m so glad SJP and MB were able to add to their family, they seem like such great folks. And awesome for letting James pick a name!

- Shannon on November 10th, 2009

I keep seeing this funny quote of hers all over and it sounds gross but I know what she means. I loved the smell of my kids diapers. They were breastfed so their pee and poop smelled good to me. I know, gross!

- Mary on November 10th, 2009

Perhaps she fears her daughters won’t like her because she is not their biological mother. Just a thought, even though we don’t know if they are her biological kids or not.

- Ellen Smith on November 10th, 2009

Funny…I already think that Ava and Stella sound like old lady names. I think it all depends on who we associate those names with in our own lives.

- Topsi on November 10th, 2009

I agree completely with Chloe and Lau.

My sister named one of her daughters after me, but she goes by a completely different name. I was supposed to be so honored, but I was just hurt. Still am.

- computerag on November 10th, 2009

Siblings: James, Loretta and Tabitha Broderick–very nice sounding names!

- Sarah on November 10th, 2009

So glad to see that there are others out there who like the smell of thrir babies’ diapers! I thought I was a total weirdo! Must be a hormonal thing…

- megan Jeffery on November 10th, 2009

Computerag, maybe your sister thought there’d be too much confusion if her daughter went by the same name as you.

I know a few people who named their children after various family members but had them go by their middle names, instead.

- Ashleigh on November 11th, 2009

Ellen Smith- She’s their mother whether they’re biological hers or not, and I doubt that’ll have anything to do with whether or not they like her or whether or not she’s afraid they won’t like her.

- CelebBabyLover on November 11th, 2009

I also want to add that it sounds like SJP’s problem was staying pregnant rather than getting pregnant in the first place. Therefore, I doubt they needed to use donor eggs. Also, I believe they used IVF to concieve James, so they may very well have had some frozen embroys left over from that time and placed two of them in the surrogate.

- CelebBabyLover on November 11th, 2009

First Jane Carey now SJP worrying their daughters will not like them!

- Eliza on November 11th, 2009

Good point, Ashleigh. Thanks for the perspective

- computerag on November 11th, 2009

My son has decided that should we have a girl, her name will be Minnie. Its growing on us wonder where James came up with Marion?

- brannon on November 14th, 2009