What Did Gisele Bündchen Really Want to Name Her Son?

Finally! A model back on the usa Vogue cover. The top picture is gorgeous.

- Blue on March 15th, 2010

No one should be able to be that skinny after giving birth! Congrats to her!

- Jenna on March 15th, 2010

how sweet. i never really liked her because she seemed so conceited but i think motherhood really sorta warmed her up. she seems human now LOL. i love the name they decided to name their son and i love how she loves jack too. if only all stepmoms were so loving.

- lover on March 15th, 2010

I like all the suggested names but Benjamin Brady is to bbbbb. It makes me sound like I’m bumbling.

- Luna on March 15th, 2010

I’m a bit biased, as my son’s name is River, but I’m glad they picked a name that worked for them. It’s nice that the middle name honors Benjamin’s grandfather.

She looks wonderful. Her look and appearence on the cover of Vogue reminds me of a throwback to the supermodels of the 70s and 80s.

- Liliana on March 15th, 2010

I love that she didn’t have her baby and JUMP RIGHT ON A COVER. She gave him time to grow a little. I think Gisele is great. I feel for Bridget, but getting dumped is sometimes just a part of life. Grow from it and moooove on..

- You Go Girl on March 15th, 2010

I was never a huge fan of Gisele but motherhood has seemed to humble her in more ways then one.

Also, it’s great that she mentioned her step-son John. By her comments in the past she really loves him and cares for him.

Congrats on her post baby body!!!

- Shannon on March 15th, 2010

I have mixed feelings over her comments over Bridget’s son. This isn’t the first time she’s made comments attributing herself as his mother or otherwise talked about him in the press. On the one hand, I think it’s great that step-mothers embrace their step-children and love them as if they were their own. That’s the way it should be. But she seems to cross the line a bit. She is not and will never be John’s mother and it doesn’t seem respectful of Bridget to refer to her son as his.

- T on March 15th, 2010

I do think there’s a bit of a double standard out there with stepmums and stepdads – stepdads like Paul Bettany and Len Wiseman are always commended for their relationships with their step children – Paul Bettany in particular always seems to refer to Jennifer Connolly’s older son as his, or that they have two boys, not differentiating between his biological child and the stepchild. It might be different in that step fathers usually have more of a day-to-day involvement in the kid’s life as children often live most of the time with their mother after a separation, and step mums possibly have a lesser role, but surely all that matters is that a kid has as many people in their lives as possible who love and care about them and enjoy having them in their lives?

- LauraSW on March 15th, 2010

She should stop talking about John in her interviews. To say, “I’m so lucky to have my little munchkin, and I have two because I also have John,” kind of rubs me the wrong way.
She should just stick to speaking about her career and any other promotions she is doing.

- G on March 15th, 2010

hmm, not sure what to think about Gisele. I really do not like her referring to John as hers and i HATED her comments about how giving birth didnt hurt ‘one bit’ please. its like she saying ‘oh im better than you because it didnt hurt me”!

- maggie on March 15th, 2010

Her interview also stated that women seem to think just because you get pregnant that we have the mind set that we can be “garbage disposals”…

- Traci on March 15th, 2010

I love that she loves her step-son as well. Too often stepmothers or fathers don’t always embrace their step-children and I think its great that she sees him as her own. My step-dad has ALWAYS treated my brother and I as his own. Why should it be any different for Gisele to say she loves him? If she didn’t talk about him at all I’m sure there would be people up in arms about that.

- Brittany on March 15th, 2010

[...] Did Gisele Bündchen Really Want to Name Her Son? — People Mag’s Moms & Babies The New Mom Excuse: What is the Shelf Life? — [...]

- Breezy Mama on March 15th, 2010

You people blast her if she talks about John and you would blast her if she didn’t. Why so much judgement?

- LP on March 15th, 2010

Oh goodness, people would be criticizing her either way. If she didn’t talk about him at all, there would be people talking about that. The bottom line is John is part of her family. She has been his step mother from birth practically and it is totally understandable that she has a mother like role in his life when he is with his father. I think that it is totally acceptable for her to speak about her family members to the degree she does (which isn’t really that extensive) and he is one of them. This is the way step-mother’s should feel and biological mothers should hope their children are treated as such when they are with their father.

- beth on March 15th, 2010

i had a baby boy september 9th and named him benjamin…wish i looked like her after having him tho

- Anonymous on March 15th, 2010

I could care less about this woman, her child, her step-child or her husband…need I also mention the EX-wife?? She gets up and puts her pants on just as you and I. I’m no cleberity freak-a-holic. If I seen a celebrity out I’d give them no further looks as if I would anyone else. It’s just a JOB people.. However, I don’t get why everyone is so hyper critical of her reference to her spouses CHILD! With whom she is now a step-parent to. She’s obviously in love with her husband and when you marry someone with a child or children it should also be noted it’s very important to ebrace their family before you came along and love them as well…or you should because children catch on really quick to the fake one’s. She married a man with a packaged deal. She obviously is very PROUD of this step-son! Why can’t people stop bad mouthing this lady and her admiration of a innocent child??? Cruel, Cruel, WORLD!

- RobinD323 on March 15th, 2010

You people need to lighten up. If something so simple can offend you, then I think many of you have serious problems. Its completely normal for a step parent to love their step children as their own. Its great, because a lot of step parents and step children don’t get along and the step parents view the kids as a burden. She is a very loving woman if she loves John and was never bothered by her husband having a child from a previous relationship. None of you have been in her shoes, so stop being so judgmental. How would you feel if someone told you to stop expressing your love for somebody? Love is love no matter what, and its a great thing.

Regarding her “garbage disposal” comments…So what? Its true. An overwhelming number of women let themselves go during pregnancy and its not acceptable. Not only is it unhealthy for them, but its unhealthy for the baby as well. Just because you’re pregnant, it doesn’t mean you can start eating anything and everything when ever you want like some women do and then use the excuse “I’m eating for two”. Exercise is also very important. 20-30 lbs is all you should gain, but so many women gain 50+ and act like its normal.

I only gained 21 lbs during my pregnancy, and I gave birth to a very healthy baby. I was back down to 124 lbs (i’m 5’8″) within a month after giving birth. The reason for this is because you’re not supposed to put on any fat during your pregnancy. The weight you put on is from the baby, placenta, gestational fluids, and from water retention. After you give birth, it doesn’t take long for your body to lose the extra water. It goes away effortlessly.

People are just jealous and insecure and want to complain about anything and everything.

- Lola on March 15th, 2010

She has to take care of John Edward when he’s with his father and she did that. End of story.

- mary on March 15th, 2010

I don’t think that Gisele means harm by saying she loves John (english is her second language) but I think someone should tell Gisele that saying John is hers is kinda disrespectful to the mother. If I were Bridget I would have a problem with that. To the rest of you bitter posters. Stop attacking people for being happy. You can be happy like her too if you make the choice.

- Carol on March 15th, 2010

Meanwhile, why does everyone think they need to show off a bare tummy after having a baby.. “Look Ma, No Stretchmarks?”

Congrats to her… but put some clothes on, Mom.

- Lila on March 15th, 2010

Must be nice to be able to pay to go from the delivery to the liposuction table. It’s also amazing what airbrushing can do! Real, hard working people need to work at it for a while. Beautiful baby though.

- MominMacomb on March 15th, 2010

She’s one of those women who don’t need any makeup.

- Dave on March 15th, 2010

To MominMacomb~
Why so harsh? I only gained 20 lbs with each of my pregnancies and don’t have a single stretch mark. Some women are just lucky enough to bounce right back.

- AFmom on March 15th, 2010

All these names make me think of the Phoenix family. Rein (spelled differently than Rain Phoenix), Joaquin, River. If she gave mention to Liberty and Summer, she’d cover them all!

- Tralalala on March 15th, 2010

Wow, Lola, I am just in complete awe of you. You should write a book!

- Y on March 15th, 2010

there is a reason why Gisele is the highest paid model on the planet…genetics…people should stop comparing themselves to her…yes, you may have gained 40 pounds during your pregnancy and are having trouble shedding the weight and Gisele didn’t…get over it…if you had her genetic makeup then you would be the highest paid model and wouldn’t be here bitching about anything…and to those who claim her pictures in the next Vogue issue and retouched, get over yourselves too..I am a retoucher and if the pics were airbrushed, it was for tone only…don’t care how much of an expert you are with Photoshop or other programs…you have to be genetically blessed to look that good…retouching won’t do it…

- J.C. on March 15th, 2010

I have a stepson that I have helped raise from the time that he was 2 weeks old. His father/I and the mother share joint custody and EQUAL time. I love him as my own child and I have a great relationship with his mother. He was born into it and unlike an older child really only understands that he has TWO mommies that love him. If you are going to be a step-parent you really should do it with open eyes and love them as an extension of your spouse and accept them and love them like your own child. A child should NOT in any way feel that they are loved less than a biological child or sibling. I have had both a step father and step mothers and believe me…I did not and do not feel as though I was ever accepted like or equal to her children.

Knowing how that feels and also on the flip side being accepted by a step father and his entire family from the time I was two and NEVER being referred to by his family as a step neice or grandchild and not feeling any less loved than his biological children – I would never do that to a child.

She loves John. She knows he has a mother, but she is his mother too by marriage. Your family are those who love you unconditionally…PERIOD. A child can never receive too much love.
Bridget should feel blessed that her child is loved and accepted. She will always be his mother.

It is wonderful that Gisele loves BOTH her boys.

- Anonymous on March 15th, 2010

Seriously, what did she say here that was so offensive? I really don’t get it. And Mominmacomb… liposuction? You know this how?

- lizzielui on March 15th, 2010

poor girl. no wonder it took so long to name the baby, her husband was nixing every name she liked. I hope she’s truly happy with the name. Congrats!!

- stacey on March 15th, 2010

OH MY GOODNESS. She looks amazing! Wow.

- Jessica on March 15th, 2010

Lola… Your post is perfect. Thanks for reading my mind!

- Janna on March 15th, 2010

Goodness, so many bitter unhappy people. Are we only supposed to be happy for Mom’s now if they gain 70 pregnancy pounds, take 5 years to lose it, walk around looking like crap, and have the most horrendous-painful-graphic labors known to all womankind? She’s happy, her husband is happy, new baby and step son are well cared for and loved so why the hate? She basically won the genetic and life lottery. Some people are just that lucky but because she leads a more charmed life then most does that make her new mom experience any less valid? No, it doesn’t. Its like some you won’t be happy until she offer an apology for her very existence.

- Blue on March 15th, 2010

ahh its a catch 22. If she doesnt mention the child she is a bad step-mother if she does mention the child she is encroaching on a mothers territory. Here is why the step-mother syndrome is so different than the step-father. Because most men are not as THREATENED by another man as a woman is by another woman. Its just a fact of the female species. Being a step-mother myself, I think its FANTASTIC that she mentions her “other” child because as his step-mother she is a part of his life and family. And that she loves him enough to mention him I think shows what a great step-mom she truly is. He will never have to look back and say he was left out!

- Alisha on March 15th, 2010

She probably wanted to name him Peyton.

- giamarie on March 15th, 2010

“i HATED her comments about how giving birth didnt hurt ‘one bit’ please. its like she saying ‘oh im better than you because it didnt hurt me”!

- maggie on March 15th, 2010″

So essentially a person can’t be honest!!!!
Some women ARE blessed with a high pain tolerance and don’t feel much pain during birth, good for them!!!

- sara on March 15th, 2010

I cannot believe that people are complaining about her calling John her son. Yes she didn’t give birth to him, but she is his stepmom, cares about him and loves him as her own child and there is nothing wrong that. It’s a million times better than her saying she doesn’t care about him.
Also some people do look like that a few months after giving birth, without surgery or airbrushing.

- Missy on March 15th, 2010

I think it’s great that she loves her stepson, but considering the situation they were in I think she should tone it down. You know, hooking up with Tom Brady when Bridget was pregnant was NOT COOL. She shouldn’t refer to him as “hers”.

- Andrea on March 15th, 2010

I never cared for Gisele and I agree with the posters here who feel that while it’s nice that she cares so much for Bridget’s son, she went a little too far and is crossing a line. As for the weight gain issue, people need to get rid of this notion that “I only gained ??? pounds with my baby so that’s all anyone should gain.” Every woman is different, every patient reacts differently, and to take the stance that “the way it happened to me is the way it should happen to you” is lunacy.

- LittleMo on March 15th, 2010

She looks amazing, the top picture is gorgeous and I LOVE HOW SHE LOVES BOTH HER BOYS.

- Hea on March 15th, 2010

I LOVE the name River! I’d love to name my son that (if I have another) but i dont think my hubby will go for it either…

- JessicaC on March 15th, 2010

I too had very litle ‘pain’ during my childbirths, all 2 of them! and I too got into my jeans within 3 days, mostly genetics. but I walked & rode bikes all thru my pregnancys.
the pains just come later when they start talking back!! lol..

I don’t really think giselle means any harm to bridget. It is good she likes her husbands’ first child too. they all have to get along. 80% of us live in ‘mixed’ familys.

- gossipHER on March 15th, 2010

To Andrea-Gisele did not “hook up” with Tom when Bridget was pregnant. She and Tom were already in a “relationship” when they along with Bridget found out Bridget was pregnant. That is life.

You people act as though Gisele knowingly went into a relationship knowing her partner’s ex was pregnant when that was not the case.

Gisele isn’t crossing any line nor has she ever.

Alisha, Missy, and Lola-What do you think this really about?

At the root of this is jealousy, insecurity, and a lack of maturity.

Women are very mean, intolerant, and rude if they feel another woman may threaten their place in any area of life.
Some women are threatened by the thought of their child(ren) loving their stepmother/father’s girlfriend/fiancee’/partner, and feel they’ll be replaced in their child(ren) eye’s. They feel insecure. The thought of their child(ren) loving that person as much or more than them frightens them. That’s when you hear:

“She’s trying to steal my baby or child.”

They never consider the other alternative- a stepmother/father’s girlfriend/fiancee’/partner who will restrict the access of the father to the child(ren), treat the child(ren) poorly, and attempt to push those child(ren) aside when she and the the father have their own children because she is jealous and insecure that her boyfriend/fiancee’/husband/partner has child(ren) with someone else.

At first I thought it was limited to simply Gisele because she represents a certain demographic, but once Sandra Bullock got trashed and accused of being a child-stealer despite the fact the child’s mother married a convicted felon who distributed meth whom she met in her halfway house I realized it’s always about stepmothers in general. Stepmothers will always be hated and viewed as child-stealers. It is what it is.

Here’s an article-

http://jezebel.com/5398093/the-wicked-stepmother-just-another-way-of-keeping-women-down

- Marissa on March 15th, 2010

Oh, please some of you need to take a chill pill. Stop drinking haterade. Yes, she loves her stepson. She’s beautiful inside and out. Her body bounced back quickly (due to muscle memory). She was disciplined (which is probably hard for most of you who can put down that cinnabon) with exercise and healthy eating before/during/after her pregnancy. Her mind and body is used to being in shape.

Go read the Vogue article and maybe you may find some things helpful to incorporate into your life (like positive thinking)
http://www.vogue.com/feature/2010_April_Gisele_Bundchen/

- Anon on March 15th, 2010

I personally don’t like her, but I still don’t see anything wrong in what she said. She loves John, what is the big deal? It’s not like she is saying “I’m his mother, I’m the only who love him, muahahahaha!”. She just said that she loved him and love him as her own, nothing more.

- marina on March 15th, 2010

I like both Benjamin and River. Anywhoo, great pictures

- Brooklyn on March 15th, 2010

What a sweet photo!

- Chris on March 15th, 2010

Ya know, I think that it’s sweet that she loves John so much. I have a stepmother, too, and she has ALWAYS considered us as “her children” too. Mine and my brothers’ mom doesn’t mind a bit. It’s a lot easier when you’re accepted equally througout your entire extended family. To think that someone loves your brother or sister more than you regardless of the situation is hard. Because the fact of the matter is, those two boys will be spending time together and how hard will it be on John if Gisele is gushing over Ben and just acting like he doesn’t exist? And for the person who said Gisele’s comments about childbirth not hurting and thinking of that as her way of saying she’s better than everyone, I disagree. Some people go through it painlessly, and some don’t. Each person’s body is different and each person handles pain differently. I didn’t find it painful when I gave birth either. Does that mean that I think I’m better than anyone else??? No. I love Gisele. I think she is a beautiful woman inside and out. I wish the very very best to her and her entire family.

- Erin on March 15th, 2010

I thought once she had her own child she would be more respectful of Bridget’s feelings towards motherhood. I’m sure she loves John and that is great but how would she feel if the shoe was on the other foot and Bridget was calling Benjamin her child.

- TC on March 15th, 2010

I grew up with a stepmother who couldn’t care less about me. I would have loved to have seen her take an interest in me as Giselle does with John. It is ridiculous that people are making such a stink over her comments. Wouldn’t you rather see parents and step parents whose biggest issues are showing who loves a child the most rather than those who are constantly trying to pass the child off to each other? I know I would have much rather had step-parents battling it out for my affections rather than what I had, which was people passing me back and forth when they didn’t have the time for me. I think John is blessed for having so many people who love him and want to be a part of his life and that is what matters.

- Cheri on March 15th, 2010

it is very true that on this site there is a complete double standard with step-dads and step-mums. the men are praised for embracing their step-children and the women aren’t. tell me, those of you complaining about her, that in ALL HONESTY you wouldn’t be on her whining just as much if she pointed out that John was in no way her son and she didn’t care for him as much as her son. it’s ridiculous, sometimes women just want to criticize other women, no matter what the reason.

- JM on March 15th, 2010

I always thought Gisesle had a rockin bod but a weird face. Didn’t have an opinion on her personality. But she’s carried herself with grace and has obvious love for her husband, step-son and new baby. I’m liking her more and more.

- palau on March 15th, 2010

Amen to those of you who realize that its far better for her to love the child and consider him and equal with her “birth” child. Women’s insecurties get in the way way to much of what is always best for the child. I hope that Bridget is a more secure woman than the ones complaining here. I have been a step-daughter and a step-mother and as the daughter would have loved to be considered as loved as the rest of the kids and as a mother raised my step-daughter when the mother couldnt be bothered but yet I was always the one in the wrong and disrespected at every opportunity. Its a no win for a woman. Shame we cant band together and be more supportive for the fact that she is showing love instead of hate.

- Alisha on March 15th, 2010

I wonder how long their marriage will last. They seem to be very different people, as evidenced in the names that they wanted for their son. Tom seems very traditional and conservative while Giselle seems more progressive and liberal.

- urbanadventurertales on March 15th, 2010

Each woman’s body responds to pregnancy differently- I worked out and did NOT over eat during my 1st or this pregnancy, however gained 50+ pounds. After having my son I was back in my size 2 jeans at my 6wk check-up and I’m sure it will be the same this time as well. I’m a tiny person and for some reason retain a ton of fluid when pregnant, so weight gain during pregnancy isn’t always the mom “eating for two” and laying around on the sofa all day.. And just because Gisele is back to pre-pregnancy form doesn’t mean she did anything drastic. I also know women who Lost weight during pregnancy because they couldn’t keep anything down and are bigger post partum

- IMSMD on March 15th, 2010

i love the name river! my fav actor is river phoenix benjamin is a nice name though

- Tina. on March 15th, 2010

Its like it Friends when Phoebe says that she barley had enough pieces of parents to make one whole one and Ben (the baby in friends) has 3 parents fighting over who gets to love him the most.
Bridgete has spoke about how she felt about those comments Gisele made saying she felt as if Jack was her own. Im susre Gisele learnt her lesson. Her comments here are perfect, she loves her step son, her sons big brother. Nothing wrong with that. Like people have said its a catch22, if she had said nothing about John then people would be commenting ‘oh she’s left John out’ ‘why isnt she saying anything about her step son’. Sometimes woman just cant win.

- selene on March 15th, 2010

Mominmacomb,

I gained 24 lbs while pregnant, and gave birth to a 7.5 lb little girl and within 2 weeks I was back down to my pre-pregnancy weight, back in my regular jeans, and not a stretch mark on me.

It’s a combination of genetics, taking care of your body while pregnant, and luck. I’m sure the same is true of Gisele. Get over it.

- Jen on March 15th, 2010

I have a step son and I love him like he is my own. I treat him no different than I would my own child. Now that I have a baby on they way, I say to my step son that he is going to have a brother or a sister, not a step brother or stepsister. A few months back, an article explained how Bridget said she was happy that John was going to have a step sibling – there was no need for that. I agree with previous posters – step moms get dissed too much.

- Anonymous on March 15th, 2010

I think Gisele’s approach to being a stepmother is amazing. My parents got divorced when I was young and my stepfather has been one of the biggest influences in my life. He never made me feel like I was a “step” anything; I always felt like his own daughter. And he wasn’t afraid to call me that when he introduced me to people. Bridget is Jack’s mother and nothing anyone says will negate that. But at the same time, it should give her an enourmous amount of comfort to know that when she can’t be with her son, there is another woman there giving him all the love and support that she would to her own son. It’s called making the best of an unexpected situation. Maybe more people would be okay with Gisele’s role as stepmother if she said she resented Jack’s being born at all and that if it were up to her, she and Tom would only see him on every other holiday. That’s the reality of life for a lot of kids when one of their parents starts a life with someone else. Jack is surrounded by seemingly capable adults who say they love him more than anything. How messed up is it that people can actually find something wrong with that?

- Kristen on March 15th, 2010

I swear, some of you guys sound so bitter. I didn’t see anything wrong with her comments here. All she said was in addition to Benjamin, she also has Jack to love. Which is true! It’s a good thing that she loves Jack because let me tell you, it sucks growing up knowing your stepparent doesn’t care about you.

- J.D. on March 15th, 2010

I think Gisele is awesome for mentioning John. Not many stepparents are very involved with their stepchildren but she has been even before she married, so that’s nice to see. Some people sound angry but I dont think she’s intentionally overstepping boundaries. She knows who John’s mother is & it’s great they’re working together, or atleast being civil.

- Mina on March 15th, 2010

omg people want to hear her say she hates her step son or something? will that please you critics? Im a step mother and I know I will always feel that way for my step daughter. I love her as if she is my own, even if she isn’t I know that, she knows that, but I am always there for her. why do people care if gisele loves her step son? Lol isnt she entitled to?

- mb on March 15th, 2010

Selene, you took the words right out of my mouth. I’ve read what Gisele said and there was not a single thing offensive about it. If Bridget took it that way then she is clearly threatened and personally, I think that’s really sad. It’s sad that she’s going to put her son in the position where he feels like if he cares about his step mother (and probably his father will be lumped in as well) that must mean he loves his mother less. To me, that’s just gross. Step moms (and step dads) are some of the most under appreciated people. There is no step parent’s day yet there are so many step parents raising step children as their own. I have raised my step sons since they were 2 years old. I am here every single day. I feed them, bathe them, clothe them, and make sure their needs are met. I am EVERY bit as much their mother as their bio mom is and I defy any of you to tell me otherwise. So you people who disagree are going to tell adoptive parents that they have obviously don’t/can’t love their kids as much because they aren’t “REALLY” the parents? It takes far more than the ability to procreate to be a parent. In a step parent situation, wouldn’t YOU want to know that when your child wasn’t with you that they were with someone who loved them every bit as much as their own child(ren) and know that they won’t be treated any differently than other kids? It’s just bizarro to me that some of you want to limit the amount that this child deserves to be loved because the bio mom is insecure…

- Ana on March 15th, 2010

Dear Urbanadventure: Sorry, but people should realize you love who you love, no matter their political persuasion and no matter their religion. My husband is a Liberal and I am a conservative and we have loved one another and respected our differences as long as we have know each other, and we have been happily married 20 years. We were raised in polar opposite families, with every thing working against us. We are now both new Catholics, loving our kids, and still opposite in our political beliefs. But we work it and I am sure Tom and his lovely Brazilian Bride will find their way….

- Beckster on March 15th, 2010

In my defense Lola I mentioned the comment because I found it off-colored, not because I am jealous or insecure. She generalized pregnant women being pretty much pigs, when all she needed to say was she was careful not to stray from her normal diet and continued exercising. Having said that, I have 3 children myself, one was 10 lbs, the other 8.2 lbs and the last was 6.12 lbs…In each pregnancy I did not resort to being a “garbage disposal” and I did not gain any weight but actually lost weight, but all 3 were healthy. I was also back down to a healthy weight for my height of 5′ 6″. I do not know Gisele or the dynamics of how and when she met her husband, nor do I care. I just love how people reply to a simple comment or observation with the “you’re just jealous” or “get over it”

- Traci on March 15th, 2010

I don’t like this broad at all, but she did not say anything horrible-so she loves her stepson, that is pretty cool.

And as for the pregnancy weight? Well, she is “one of those”. Part of the Klum-ination generation. The women that have a healthy baby and never have to gain more than 15 lbs to do it, snap back and have BETTER stomachs than they did before-and NOT A stretch mark. I personally, have no idea how that happened. I was not even big in school at all, and just from growing as a teen, I got them. Am I jealous? Hell yes….but I still have a pretty rockin body and stomach…because I have not had kids! LOL

Judging by looking at the women in my family, it is a wrap on my rock hard abs after that crumb snatcher comes. So I am delaying that as far as I can

- Natalie on March 15th, 2010

Lola
you do need to gain weight. Fat is needed for breastfeeding post partum. It is natures natural storage. I doubt you were able to breastfeed long (more than 3 months) without the extra fat.

Fyi, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 1 year of breastfeeding or longer while WHO recommends a minimum of 2 years. Breastmilk is the best food for a baby.

Please remember that these actresses and models mostly do not breastfeed for more than a few weeks and they go back to the gym soon and have their 3-5 nannies to raise their children and feed them formula. So sad.

- Catherine291 on March 16th, 2010

This situation is a lot like my life…I play the role of Bridget. My ex’s wife could make the same comments as Gisele and it wouldn’t bother me because she is no threat to my relationship with my child. I am mommy. In this situation the best I can hope for is that my ex’s new partner treats my child with the same love as her own. This certainly seems to be the case with Gisele and Bridget.

- Amy on March 16th, 2010

“Congrats to her… but put some clothes on, Mom.” – Lila on March 15th, 2010

Are you for real? :O It’s not a nudie pic and she’s a MODEL. Do you think the same of say, Heidi Klum?

And to the person who expresses doubts about their marriage lasting because of difficulties picking a name… How..?

- Hea on March 16th, 2010

She’s the coolest person. I’ve seen many interviews she’s given to Brazilian Talk shows, and she’s always really nice and really cool.

- R on March 16th, 2010

I completely agree about there being a double-standard on here when it comes to stepmothers vs. stepfathers. Matt Damon, for example, refers to Alexia as his daughter, even though she is actually his stepdaughter, and no one says he’s being disrespectful to her father by doing that!

Yet when Gisele or Sandra or whoever does something similar, they get raked over the coals!

Anyway, I love Gisele’s interview, and I love that she loves Jack so much!

- CelebBabyLover on March 16th, 2010

So many bitter and unhappy people. I have a step son and i have always told him he was as much mine as were my twins. People get mad at me for saying he is my son because I did not give birth to him and I should think about his real mother. He can have two mothers as long as they both love him and they both take care of him.
That is what we do. And his mother loves my twin girls and my adopted son just as much as her own blood. That is what being a family and making things work is really about.

- b=Rose on March 16th, 2010

While I think it is great that so many of you are loving step-mothers and have had loving step-mothers and the child’s actual mother or your actual mother was supportive of the relationship it’s important to realize that not all mother’s are so warm and fuzzy about their children’s step-mothers for many reasons.

My husband’s father remarried and it is still (over 30 years later) a very sore spot for his mother. Without getting into the dynamics of his parents’ divorce (other than to say adultery/infidelity was NOT an issue) it wasn’t a great marriage at any point and a pretty bitter break-up. His mother still feels “replaced” (step-mom entered the picture after the divorce) and is extremely bitter about the fact that my husband’s father and his new wife had a child together. (The child in question is now 28.) My mother-in-law would definitely, even now, have a real problem with statements from their step-mother that they were “her sons.” And in fact she tells us as much. And while we feel that her behavior is somewhat petty and childish, those are her feelings and we have to respect them as such. My husband loves both his mother and step-mother very much and he is constantly in the middle.

Gisele loves John, great. I don’t know that she needs to say it in every interview, or maybe if she pointed out that she feels John is very lucky to have two moms that love him it would feel more balanced. Regardless, it is important for the rest of us to remember that we really don’t know any of the people involved nor their true feelings in regard to the issues. And that not every parent-step-parent-child relationship is perfect for many reasons.

- Kristen on March 16th, 2010

I LOVE her! She is always refreshingly honest, and down-to-earth. I also love that she loves her bonus son. Most parents would love to have a partner who loves their child as they do…it’s how it should be! Bridget was Tom’s ex-GF. Everyone should get over that relationship. I’m sure Tom’s had many girlfriends, Bridget just happens to be the one that ended up pregnant. Giselle is his WIFE. Bridget should be happy that her baby’s daddy chose such a lovely wife to assist in the parenting her son. Giselle looks amazing as always! Love the vogue cover!

- m-dot on March 16th, 2010

Anonymous- of course your stepchild wont have a stepsister or brother since Im guessing they would be related by BLOOD. Did Bridget really say Step-brother or half brother??

- sarah on March 16th, 2010

She must have something for the Phoenix family. River, Rein, Joaquin…all pretty names. I just wish people were more original with names. I have a friend named Jilanne (Jill-a-knee) and I love her name. I guess people just love traditional names though

- Melissa on March 16th, 2010

Marina,

How can you “personally” not like someone you don’t know???? I understand that we form opinions and feelings about celebrities based on how they are portrayed and behave in public media. However, I think we get it twisted that we actually “know” these people.

- mom2boyz on March 16th, 2010

It will be interersting when Ms Moynahan find herself a new partner who will maybe come in magazines with such comments :”I’m so glad I’ve John, it doesn’t matter who fertilized the egg,I really feel he’s mine”.
I wonder if the Brady /Bunchen maniacs will be as understanding as they are towards Gisele, with their wonderful comments claiming how great it is that the step parent loves he child the same way as the parent.Sure the tune will be different.
I’m really holding my breath ( not really)

- cécile on March 16th, 2010

For all those people who are offended by Gisele referring to John as her son, there is this thing called “culture” and maybe in her culture that is the way she should refer to him. So, instead of hating and bashing her get yourself a little educated on other cultures and stop being ethnocentric.

- momo on March 16th, 2010

Way to go Gisele, she looks great and who cares if she refers to John as her son, at least she cares about him otherwise she would not mention him.

- momo on March 16th, 2010

Cecile-

Nice try, but I really could care less about Gisele, Tom, or Bridget. If Bridget got a boyfriend, I would hope that he loved John. The child is what matters here. So what if he has three adults who all love him very much? I swear, it’s like some of you want Gisele to proclaim that she doesn’t care about John at all. If she says she loves him like her own, she gets slammed. If she says she cares for him, she gets slammed.

- J.D. on March 16th, 2010

Definitely a double standard. When Heidi was pregnant and met Seal everyone thought it was the greatest love story of all time (including me) and I feel certain that had Bridget fallen in love while pregnant he would have been praised for loving/raising John in spite of Tom’s feelings (as he should have been.) Yet Tom falls in love while pregnant and everyone attacks Giselle? So unfair. I give her a lot of credit for loving John as her own and thinking of him as part of their family – for John’s sake. How would he feel knowing he wasn’t an equal when with Tom, Giselle and Benjamin?? I’m sure Bridget is mature enough to realize that it is the best thing for her son. I know if I was in that situation I would hope my child’s step-parent treated them equally as their own child. (Haven’t any of you seen Cinderella?) Personally, raised with both a step mom and a step dad with step and half siblings – we are all one family, nobody treated differently and it is perfect! As for the name thing…so glad my other half is not so picky! I figure I have to go through labor and pregnancy – my choice of name has more leverage

- brannon on March 16th, 2010

She looks great. It is so beutiful for a step-mom to emrace her step-shild as one of her own. Although Bridget may get upset about what Gisele says about her child, Gisele is part of his life and has the right to say what she feels.

About “painless” childbrith, well, let me tell you that with my 3 kids, all births where completey different. And I can tell you that with the first I felt nothing, (Epidural), with the second, all the pain right at the end (Epidural wore out) and with the third just a few oooohs (NO Epidural) and the baby was ready to pop out. So, it CAN be painless!!

Gisele is a woman the we envy and many ways and forms, but I am as happy as she is. Not as gorgeous, but just as happy!

- ADEV on March 16th, 2010

I don’t like Giselle. I liked Bridget a little more. Regardless, glad she is happy with baby Benjamin. I love the name River, btw. But yeah, I had a feeling that after Giselle had her own son, maybe she would tone it down about John. Maybe Bridget doesn’t want him mentioned? She’s his mother, and she is entitled to have him out of the spotlight. She seems very private [true - she is far less famous than the model] and Giselle should refrain from mentioning. She need not say ‘I don’t like John,’ but she shouldn’t grab every opportunity to say how much she loves him. Sounds more like she’s tryin to convince herself, you know? And I would say the same to a man, if the circumstances were similar.

- lana on March 16th, 2010

As a trilingual person I understand that sometimes there are language barriers and culture clashing with use of words. Something said in Portugese or Spanish may come off very differently if interpreted word by word in english.

Either way…I understand where she is coming from and would rather her love John and include him then never mention him and try to pretend he doesn’t even exist. I am sure Bridget probably feels the same way.

Congrats to her. The pictures are amazing. She is still very beautiful. I hope to embrace mother hood just the same when my time comes.

- L.L. on March 16th, 2010

Wow, from those comments above, now I feel so justified in never ever wanting to be with someone who has previous children.It is a no win situation at all. Either you are a childstealer or in competition with the biological mother, or ou hate or ignore the kid and spoil your own. I mean honestly ! The woman gets ragged on because she says she loves the child just like her own ? And we see what is wrong with that exactly ? I had the experience with both. I went through life with a stepfather that I love more than my own deadbeat biological one and I grew up with a stepmother that was cruel and resentful at a time because she could not have kids of her own. Everytime I read or hear about Bridget in interviews, all I think is omg its my stepmother all over again. Especially when she was so rude with Benjamins birth announcement.I love my stepbrothers..they arent even that too me, they are my brothers,my kin.

LauraSw, You hit the nail right on the head. The double standard is unreal.

Andrea,I agree with the poster above. Also, what is the big feal if they did ? Why is it so accepted,for example with Seal and Heidi Klum ? You dont know what happens in private relationships. Getting or being pregnant does not solve all your problems.If you dont want to be together, that is a huge price to put on a little innocent baby to hold two people together.Also, why is it fine for Seal to say that Leni is his and express love, but not fine for Giselle ? This is an opportunity to learn, so our kids can know better.

- Rach on March 16th, 2010

It gets a bit tiring when every photograph of John, Gisele, Tom, and/or Bridget is scrutinized in order to provide a sense of drama.

People tend to steer clear of their opinion of Tom but must make it known if they are on team Gisele or team Bridget. The fact of the matter is that none of us know the situation. Comments stray left and right on either Gisele being a homewrecker or Bridget being a sad, bitter woman.

I’m going to go ahead and say that no one on this website knows either one of these women therefore you are making judgements based on what? Absolutely nothing.

Tom and Bridget have worked out an arrangement that works best for their son. John has a loving mother, father, and step mother which amounts to three adults who care immensely for him. What a lucky little boy!

The funny thing is, those three adults involved seem to have no problem with one another. The drama is only created by mindless busy bodies who have no time on their hands except to make opinions about things they know nothing about.

- Liliana on March 16th, 2010

I never see what this baby’s stats were at birth. Maybe she didn’t gain any weight and the birth didn’t hurt because he was tiny… I’m betting his birth weight was 5 pounds, tops.

- Becky on March 16th, 2010

Catherine291,

I get what you are trying to say, but you’re comment is a generalization.

I posted above about my weight gain during pregnancy and quick loss after my daughter’s birth. I am 5’3″ and was 108 when I got pregnant. Just over two weeks post-partum I was back down to 108. By 3 months post-partum, I was 104, and 5 months, 102. I made A LOT of milk for 12 months. I nursed my daughter when I was with her and pumped when I was at work. At one point, I had well over 200 oz of frozen milk in my freezer! From 12-14 months I nursed my daugher 2-3 times a day. She self-weaned at almost 15 months much to my sadness.

So even us thin women, who don’t carry a lot of extra fat on us can provide breastmilk for our children.

- Jen on March 16th, 2010

Oh my…!

That is one of the most beautiful pictures I’ve ever seen. What a perfectly lovely mother & child moment to have captured.

I only wish I could see what his little face looks like.

- LisaS on March 16th, 2010

Rach- To be fair, Seal just recently adopted Leni, so that situation is a bit different. I get where you’re coming from, though.

- CelebBabyLover on March 17th, 2010

The double standard is pretty glaring. Paul Bettany refers to Kai as his all the time. In fact, he refers to Kai as his son, not his “step-son”. I have never seen any one on this site ever say anything but gush about that. There has never been any “concern” for Kai’s dad. Same with Sam Mendes and Mia Honey. She is his daughter, not his step-daughter. No one has problems with that either, even though she also has a dad.

But, the second the posters on this site (not most, I know) get a whiff of someone encroaching on the mother’s territory, the outrage begins.

Gisele never said John was “her” son, only that she loves like he was her bio son, which is only natural. And, maybe it was weird for her to be gushing about her new baby and not even say a word about the other child she helped raise, in which case how can you blame her? As a mother, how is it fair to expect her to only talk about one child in the home, but not the other – especially when she talking about love. Bridget has never publicly made a negative remark towards Tom or Gisele, so maybe some of you should take the hint. There’s no controversy, just three adults parenting a child.

- Sarah K. on March 17th, 2010

Catherine,

I should also add that women such as Isla Fisher, Nicole Richie, and Kelly Rutherford (among others) have all breastfed their children for more than a year, and they are all quite thin.

Please don’t make generalizations based on people’s size.

- Jen on March 17th, 2010

Her comments about John have always bugged me, she seems to want to be his MOTHER and she is not. Yes I know she is his stepmother and step parents out there are wonderful but to me alot of her comments come out like he is hers and it rubs me the wrong way.

- Danielle on March 17th, 2010

she is soooooo full of it!!!!labor does hurt unless you had epidural. I hope women who see these new pictures of her after don’t feel they have to lose the weight so fast because she is always airbrushed. She did an ad when she was pregnant and they airbrushed the baby bump out. Of course their going to make her look great its called photoshopping and they want to sell magazines.

- katie on March 18th, 2010

katie- Actually, birth IS painless for some women.

- CelebBabyLover on March 19th, 2010

Celebritybabylover, I was talking about how Seal started dating Heidi when she was pregnant. Why is it different for men and women. What if Bridget has met someone the same way Heidi did..would we be criticizing them in the same way that Gisele is or would we be praising them like Seal.Society is still so one sided and cruel when it comes to women in certain issues.

- Rach on March 22nd, 2010

I think Giselle is great. New England has been my team for years and Tom Brady hit multi-platinum when he married her. She seems like a family oriented person and knows what family is all about. I am proud for her and Tom Brady. They are truly a super couple.

- Joy Hall on April 21st, 2010

What’s the problem when a step parent call the step child their own? Disrespect?
I really don’t think so. People don’t have anything to say and start elaborating weird comments. It’s just a way of saying she likes him. It’d be a lot better if all step parents loved their step children as their own. Unfortunately, America has plenty of broken families and it’s not easy to get along well in that situation. Good for her that it’s working that well.

- Paul on March 30th, 2011