We love E! personality Kristin Dos Santos‘ witty observations — and great scoops — on both her Watch With Kristin blog and her E! News appearances. A first-time mom to son Luca Alexander, who arrived on April 5th, we recently chatted with Kristin, 34, about her pregnancy experience, little man Luca, juggling working motherhood and what TV shows you should be watching!
 Joy Harmon-Prouty/Wildflowers Photography for use on CBB |
Click below to read our interview with Kristin and check out some exclusive family photos!
Can you describe the moment you found out you were expecting? How did you share the news with your husband Joao and your family?
One morning I woke up and figured either a magic plastic-surgery elf visited my chest area in the middle of the night, or I was pregnant. Of course, it was too soon and the stick didn’t show anything, so I compulsively took tests about, oh, 18 times a day until it finally turned. Joao and I were so excited!
We told our parents by sending them the first sonogram photo with a note that said: “Hi Grandma and Grandpa. I can’t wait to meet you! Love, Baby Dos Santos.” Luca is the first grandchild for my parents, so to say they were excited is an understatement.
 Joy Harmon-Prouty/Wildflowers Photography for use on CBB |
What were your favorite and least favorite parts of pregnancy?
Favorite: The food! Nothing tastes as good now as it did when I was pregnant. And of course, I responsibly ate nothing but carrot sticks and folic-acid enriched grains … as a side dish for my soy mac and cheese (my pregnancy obsession).
Also, I loved feeling like I was connected with every other pregnant woman I’d see on the street.
Least favorite part: The nausea.
On your blog, you let readers guess the sex of the baby and when the little one would arrive. Why did you choose a delivery surprise?
Actually, we did find out the sex of the baby beforehand, we just didn’t make it publicly known.
We were one of the cases where the doctor “got it wrong.” So after we had picked out girl names and dresses and such, we were then told that our little girl was actually a boy. That happens sometimes when the doctor sees the baby at a certain angle during the sonogram and “it” is hiding.
It was pretty shocking! But we were so excited and of course now I can’t imagine life without anything other than a boy. He’s awesome.
 Joy Harmon-Prouty/Wildflowers Photography for use on CBB |
We love the name Luca Alexander — how did you settle on it?
Is it wrong to say I always had a crush on the hot doctor (Luka) on ER? If so, then the other reasons are that Joao and I both really liked the sound of it, and it was easy to pronounce in both English and Portuguese (my husband is Brazilian).
Alexander was my grandfather’s name. He raised two little boys after his wife died when my dad was two years old and was a pretty great man.
What kind of baby is Luca — what is his personality like? What milestones is he hitting?
He is a very sweet and mellow baby who has a huge laugh and laughs a lot. He also flirts shamelessly with other baby girls and blonde women, which we think is hysterical. He raises his brows and gives a Joey Tribbiani “How you doin’” look that kills me.
Right now he’s doing the military crawl scooting all over the place, and his favorite new trick is that if you say “beijos” (Portuguese for “kisses”) he’ll smoosh his mouth into your face. It’s pretty adorable.
 Joy Harmon-Prouty/Wildflowers Photography for use on CBB |
What baby gear do you find most useful? What are your favorite brands to dress Luca in?
I love his BOB Revolution stroller and use it all the time to go hiking, jogging or walking with him. It’s so lightweight I can use it one-handed with the wriststrap.
I got a lot of Splendid clothing for Luca before he was born and he wears that more than anything. The pants and little T-shirts are so soft and comfy, he can play and sleep in them without changing. Plus they look very cute.
What’s the best part of being a mom?
Having this amazing new person in your life that you can’t even remember living without! The amount of love you can feel for this little being is overwhelming. It’s such a cliché but it’s true: There is no better feeling in the world than when your baby looks at you and laughs or smiles.
Also, working in the industry, I feel like I probably appreciate his complete purity, sincerity and gentle nature all the more. There are more than a few Ari Golds in this town.
 Joy Harmon-Prouty/Wildflowers Photography for use on CBB |
What motherhood surprises do you wish someone had warned you about?
That the lack of sleep is no joke. I had heard you don’t get much sleep with a baby but I now fully understand why it is used as a torture device. For the first few months I never slept more than one or two hours uninterrupted, and I fantasized I had someone to tell government secrets to in order to get some sleep.
Of course, the good thing is that that does pass. I wish someone had told me that too.
You’re back to work, juggling your job at E! with being a mom — can you describe a typical day now that Luca has joined your family?
It all depends on what breaking news and shoots we have going on, but usually I wake up with Luca at 5 a.m., spend a few quality hours with him and then head to the office.
I leave early enough in order to come home and feed him and put him to bed, then get back online to finish what work I didn’t get to, or go out to dinner with friends or work contacts.
I feel it’s important to be there when Luca wakes up and goes to bed. Because I write a blog, I do a lot of work at odd hours. And obviously watch a lot of TV.
 Joy Harmon-Prouty/Wildflowers Photography for use on CBB |
What’s your favorite thing to do when you get some alone time?
Taking a bath with a good book, going to dinner with friends and … no shocker here given my job … watching TV! I also love hiking and yoga.
Which five TV shows should busy moms be making room for on their DVR?
1. Modern Family — Not only the best new show of the season, it’s like a comedy support group for new parents. My husband and I die every time baby Lily is on screen.
2. Glee — Because who doesn’t love it? (Straight men who are lying, that’s who.) It always makes me happy.
3. The Office — Pam is pregnant! And that show always makes me laugh.
4. Lost — It’s so mind-consuming you can really forget about dirty diapers and dishes while you’re watching. (And Josh Holloway’s abs don’t hurt either.)
5. Secret Diary of a Call Girl — It’s like reading an awesome chick-lit book and just about the farthest cry from mommyhood imaginable. An awesome guilty pleasure and the hubby won’t mind watching either!
