Q&A with Nancy O’Dell

Access Hollywood host Nancy O’Dell shares tips for balancing work and motherhood.

As a reporter, Nancy O’Dell has plenty of access to information. She knows how to get the scoop on crime, politics and, of course, hot Hollywood celebrities. So when she was pregnant with her daughter, O’Dell was surprised she didn’t have the information she needed. Based on her personal experiences, O’Dell wrote Full of Life: Mom-to-Mom Tips I Wish Someone Had Told Me When I Was Pregnant. Here, O’Dell shares some of her insights on balancing motherhood (she has two stepsons in addition to her daughter) and work.

Q. How long did you wait before going back to work after your daughter, Ashby, was born?

A. Three months. I have to admit, though, I would have liked to have had a little longer. I am so in love with my baby girl. Fortunately, my boss was very understanding and kept my workload light for the first few months after my return from maternity leave. I would be in at about 8 a.m. and would leave immediately after we finished taping the show at 1:30 p.m. to run and hold her in my arms! Plus, I breast-fed for eight months, so I wanted to be home to nurse as much as possible.

Q. Was there ever a question about whether you’d go back to your career?

A. I always knew I would be going back to work. I was there when Access Hollywood started 13 years ago so, in a way, it is like my baby, too. Plus, I think when you have to be away from your family for work a few hours a day, it’s even more special when you get back home; you make more of the time together. And I’m proud to empower Ashby with the idea that she can pursue the career of her dreams and have a close, wonderful family at the same time.

Q. How did you find time to write your new book in the midst of being a new mom and managing your career?

A. I have to admit, it wasn’t easy trying to fit it all in. I even had 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. writing sessions (after the baby was asleep) because I didn’t want to take time away from her. I would write anywhere I could—in the hair and makeup chair and on the set between takes.

I was determined to write the book because I knew I had so much to share with other women about pregnancy. There were things that came as a complete shock to me that I want other women to know about ahead of time. If you don’t know they are going to happen, they can be downright terrifying or embarrassing. And, being the reporter I am, I read a lot of books on pregnancy, but, still, I found that so many things went unmentioned. I kept saying, “I wish someone had told me that was gonna happen!”

Q. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received about balancing family and career?

A. My husband gave me this advice: Be in the moment. When you are at home with your family, spending time with them, focus solely on them—make that time special! And when you have to be at work doing an interview or whatever, put your best effort into that. If you’re constantly focusing on where you’re not, it doesn’t serve either party well.

Q. What’s been most challenging to you as a working mom?

A. Traveling! I find being away from my daughter, stepsons or husband the most difficult thing. Therefore, my husband always works it out to travel with me. He has to be in New York a lot, and so do I. We schedule our trips at the same time, and we take the baby with us. If we can, we even take the boys, if they’re not in school. Since [Ashby] was born, the longest I’ve been away from the baby is two nights and I couldn’t handle it, so she has become quite the frequent flyer!

Q. How do you create a sense of balance in your life?

A. I make sure I create special time for my family every day. If I don’t get to have that quality time with them, I feel empty, which leads to stress, and that is unhealthy. I also try to do some sort of exercise daily, even if all I have time for is a 15-minute walk or run. Another huge health tip is to get plenty of sleep. I am adamant about getting eight hours of sleep every night because it makes all the difference in the world in feeling good and staying healthy!

Q. What does success mean to you?

A. To me, success means happiness. If you are happy in your profession, that’s part of success, but it’s way more important to be happy in your personal life. If you are happy in your home life, that will lend to success in your career. Success is about feeling satisfied, and I am so lucky to feel complete in my professional and personal lives.

Nancy O’Dell’s new book, Full of Life: Mom-to-Mom Tips I Wish Someone Had Told Me When I Was Pregnant, will be released in April 2009.

Source: http://www.sfwmag.com/healthier-you/qa-wit...o%E2%80%99dell/

Nancy O'Dell on the day she announced her pregnancy to Access Hollywood viewers.

Ashby Grace Zubchevich

Tisha Campbell-Martin Debuts Her Belly

Expectant mama Tisha Campbell-Martin takes a peek at Nancy O’Dell’s book, Full of Life Mom-to-Mom Tips I Wish Someone Had Told Me When I Was Pregnant — with the author herself! — at Baby & Tween Celebration trade show in Los Angeles.

This is the first time we’ve seen Tisha since she announced her pregnancy!

Tisha, 40, who currently appears on Rita Rocks and Everybody Hates Chris, is due this summer with her second child. The baby will join big brother Xen, 8 ½, her son with husband Duane Martin.

Access Hollywood’s Nancy O’Dell Offers Full Access To Her Pregnancy: Part 1

If you’re like me, you’re thinking the last thing we need is another celebrity pregnancy book. But I was refreshingly surprised by Access Hollywood host Nancy O’Dell’s new book, Full of Life: Mom-to-Mom Tips I Wish Someone Had Told Me When I Was Pregnant (Simon Spotlight Entertainment, April 14, 2009)

O’Dell’s book is candid and juicy, like a backstage pass or a kiss-and-tell memoir. She’s more than happy to tell us that a “sex-a-thon” – sex for ten straight days – was her secret to conceiving daughter Ashby.

And she goes on to regale us with embarrassing yet all-to-easy-to-relate-to stories about her pregnancy battles with nipple “headlights,” constipation, peeing in her pants, and more. Finally, someone as gorgeous and successful as Nancy O’Dell is telling it like it is! Amen.

I chatted with Nancy about her book and life as a mom, and here’s what this charming Southern gal had to say:

You’re so candid in the book. Why did you do it?

There are so many terrifying, embarrassing, surprising things that happen during pregnancy. No one tells you. If someone had just given me a heads up, I wouldn’t have been so panicked. I kept asking my friends, “Why didn’t you warn me this would happen?” There was such a need for this book. There are still so many things that go unmentioned.

So what was the toughest thing about your pregnancy?

I was really unprepared for the leg cramps. I was surprised by how excruciating they were. It was scary when it first happened and really painful after that.

I was also surprised by how difficult breastfeeding was. There’s a whole technique behind it. Latching on, latching off, holding the baby. I had sore nipples for three weeks straight, but I was bound and determined to continue. I just wish someone had told me to get a lactation consultant ahead of time. This is my best tip: You need to talk to one during pregnancy so you learn the proper technique.

You interviewed tons of celebs during your pregnancy. Who gave you the best advice?

Julia Roberts. She told me to make a pregnancy scrapbook. It was one of the best things I ever did. I’m a scrapbooker, but I hadn’t thought about if for pregnancy. I knew I would do one when the baby arrived.

But my pregnancy scrapbook is now one of my favorite things. When I’ve had a bad day, I pull that out. And I can’t wait to pass it down to Ashby. I included lots of pictures, belly measurements, how much things cost (since they’ll change so much). The notes I took actually became the book Full of Life.

Access Hollywood’s Nancy O’Dell Offers Full Access To Her Pregnancy: Part 2

Nancy O’Dell’s new book Full of Life: Mom-to-Mom Tips I Wish Someone Had Told Me When I Was Pregnant is full of revealing insights into the 43-year-old’s pregnancy with daughter Ashby (now an adorable toddler). She courageously shares her battles with constipation, leaking breasts, and hairy legs (her husband kept her stubble free in the later months) proving once and for all that celebrities are just like you and me (except skinnier and richer).

I got so much great scoop from O’Dell, co-host of Access Hollywood, that I had to do post #2.

You’re so open about pregnancy challenges like constipation. What’s your best tip?

My mom Betty’s famous spice cake. I love it and it works! I didn’t want to take any medicine and I couldn’t eat prunes or prune juice. I had to find something. Inside the family we called it prune cake, but when we served it to company we called it spice cake.

You kept your pregnancy quiet for a while. What are your wardrobe tricks?

The Belly Band — I’d never heard of it but my sister sent me one. It was the perfect solution. It makes your regular clothes last longer. If your shirt slips up, it just looks like a tank.

I also used rubber bands through button holes to make my jeans a little bigger.

I wore scarves and big bags to hide my belly, it worked great.

The only thing I did not camouflage was the boobs. I had no idea big breasts come so early. My co-host Billy Bush noticed right away. He said, you either got an “upgrade” or you’re pregnant. I was also surprised by the headlights, too. I went to the Grey’s Anatomy set for an interview and I looked a little too excited to see McDreamy and McSteamy.

Ashby is an unusual name, how did you choose it?

We thought we were having a boy at first. Ashby was my grandfather’s name and he had passed away about the time that I met Keith. When Keith heard the name he said, “Ashby, I love it.” When we found we were actually having a girl, Keith said I still like Ashby. Baby names should always mean something to you.

How is Keith as a dad?

He is the most amazing husband and father. The love of my life. So reassuring. He was the sane one during my pregnancy. I was terrified if he left me in those first few weeks. It’s just scarier than you think. You can’t believe someone is giving you this brand new baby, even though you gave it to yourself! Keith was very Zen and peaceful and comforting to me. The only time he wasn’t was when I was up all night checking to see if the baby was breathing and he was snoring.

The only thing he gets uptight about now is when I interview a good-looking male celebrity. He says it’s because he loves me so much, which is a great answer.

What’s the toughest thing about being a mom?

The work family thing is so hard. There’s no easy solution. You are in a constant state of guilt. I crave to be with her. It’s addictive. But if I turn down an assignment, I wonder if I’ve done the right thing. On the other hand, if I go to the event, I wish I was home with her. I talked to Michelle Obama about this recently. She said, “I live in one big guilt trip.”

What’s the best thing about being a mom?

The immense joy of it. People cannot possibly tell you how it will feel. I never understood people saying “I’m in love with my baby.” I thought that was a word for your husband. Now I get it. I can stare at every little pudge, every little crevice. It’s the best thing ever.

How would you describe motherhood in a six-word Momoir?

Best-thing-ever, heaven-on-earth, rewarding-beyond-belief, never-ending-smiles, laughter-for-a-lifetime and love-like-you’ve-never-imagined

My one words are hyphenated multiple words. Chalk it up to my being a long-winded Southerner and a mother who just goes on and on about loving motherhood!

Nancy O’Dell’s Famous Spice Cake

Access Hollywood’s Nancy O’Dell says this prune-based recipe from her mom Betty is a delicious cure for pregnancy constipation. “Did the trick for me every time!” said O’Dell in her book Full of Life: Mom-to-Mom Tips I Wish Someone Had Told Me When I Was Pregnant.

Ingredients

2 cups self-rising flour

2 cups granulated sugar

1 teaspoon nutmeg

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 cup vegetable oil (I use Wesson, which is what my mom used)

5 2.5-ounce packages prunes (from Supermarket’s Baby Food Section; look for “Stage 1.” How appropriate!)

3 eggs (add them in slowly one by one as you’re mixing)

1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)

1/2 cup raisins (also optional … my mother-in-law Mama Z’s suggestion)

Instructions

First, pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees.

Using an electric beater, mix together in a bowl the following ingredients: flour, sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, oil, prunes, eggs, pecans, and raisins.

Transfer the mixture into two greased loaf pans (8-by-4 inches). Or you can use one bundt cake pan.

Finally, put in oven and bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour, depending on your oven.

Makes 12-16 servings

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 50 minutes

Nancy O'Dell's daughter Ashby's 2nd Birthday Party

Nancy O'Dell's daughter Ashby's 2nd Birthday Party

From Nancy O'Dell's Twitter:

For the Adam Lambert fans.....

At site of MJ's Memorial service.I will be inside tomorrow.Fan.I'm sad.

Jay Leno May 28, 2009

Michael Jackson Memorial

Marcus Allen Celebrity Poker Tournament for charity. My husband and I made it to the ten finalists with my husband winning it all!

June 7, 2009

From Nancy O'Dell's Twitter:

A musical genius MJ was-such a fan of MJ music.Reporting from memorial locale today and tomorrow.

At site of MJ's Memorial service.I will be inside tomorrow.Fan.I'm sad.

For the Adam Lambert fans.....

Billy and I talking about the weird emotions u feel here at the service...going inside now