There’s no doubt Jaime Pressly, 29, is ecstatic for this coming Mother’s Day; she is also due to give birth to her first child with fiance Eric Cubiche, 31, a son to be named Dezi James. Redbook Magazine featured the beautiful Jaime, where she talks about her pregnancy, becoming a working mom, and why they chose the name Dezi James.
Jaime has wanted to be a mother since she was a young girl. It’s the one thing that has been consistent throughout my life and was always a goal for me. That goal is why I’ve worked so hard; I wanted to know I could financially support myself as well as my children.
On being a mother for the first time: It’s surreal, but because it’s something I’ve always wanted, it feels so natural and right. I cannot wait for this boy to come. Last night Eric and I were putting together the bassinet and I couldn’t stop staring at it. This morning I said to Eric, ‘We’re having a baby 50 days from today,’ and he was like, ‘Why are you counting like that? It’s freaking me out.’
I just keep thinking about the day when I’m leaving the hospital and getting in the car, and Eric will be driving and I’ll be getting into the backseat next to the baby, and then getting to the house with the baby and walking in the front door — all in this whole new way we’ve never done before. Just simple, little things that seem so surreal to me because it’s completely different from what we do and know.
Jaime’s pregnancy was planned to accommodate her work schedule. I wanted to have time off for this. I didn’t want to have to worry about my job and being away from my work or the baby.
A hit TV show, a fashion line, and a family… it doesn’t overwhelm Jaime that much. I’vealways been better at doing 10 things at a time than doing one thing.But I don’t think there’s anyone out there who works and is a motherwho doesn’t get overwhelmed at some point. Then add some raginghormones into the mix and suddenly you’re asking yourself, ‘How am Igoing to do this?’ The key to being able to manage it all properly isto have an amazing support group of people around you. And when I saysupport, I mean real friends and family and that’s where I’m verylucky: I still have my friends from high school, my manager and lawyerhave been with me for 13 years, and all the women I work with on myfashion line have been with me from the start.
No wedding bells yet for Jaime and Eric. Right now, I’mnot planning a wedding — I’m planning on having baby. If we decide inanother year or even five that we want to get married, then we will. Iwant to have a child, but I don’t necessarily think I have to getmarried to do that.
Eric has no problem fulfilling Jaime’s late-night cravings. Erichas turned into such a big help. I know that a lot of men don’t want tolift a finger, and that was him, too. But I put my foot down rightaway. I said, ‘Listen buddy, this is a team effort.’ Since then, he’sthere for me 100 percent. A few nights ago we were in bed all comfy,and I turned to him and said, ‘I have to have McDonald’s right now… Ineed a number two with no pickles and no onions.’ And he said, ‘Is thatall you want?’ and I was like, ‘You mean you’re going to go?’ and hesaid, ‘Of course.’ And he got up and went.
Jaime marvels on how much her body has changed. SometimesI’ll stand before the mirror naked and hold my belly and say, ‘This isthe most amazing thing ever.’ But honey, these little saddlebags on theside of me right now [her thighs], I have never had anything like that.And my boobs are out of control. When my milk comes in, I’m going to beable to feed a small village. After I have the baby, I’m going to getback to the gym and G.I. Jane it and I’ll get back in shape. [Co-star Ethan Suplee has said that My Name is Earl is beginning to film late this year so Jaime can establish her nursing relationship.]
Jaime is infatuated with Lucille Ball, hence the name Dezi. Ericis Cuban and Dezi Arnaz was Cuban. And sometimes when Eric comes homefrom work he’ll go, ‘Luuuuuucy, I’m home.’ One day he did it and I went’Dezzzzzzi’ and we both said, ‘That’s a really cool name.’ And James ismy father’s and brother’s name.
In the end, Jaime doesn’t worry about being young, sexy, and successful. I’mgoing to work my butt off so I can pull a Demi Moore and take time offto just be a mom. And really, as long as women take care of themselvesand feel good about themselves, it’s not about age. The most importantthing to remember is that friends and talent never get old. For as manywrinkles as we have, we will have just as much wisdom and experience.
Source: Redbook, May 2007 issue