Sarah Shahi Switches Into Mom Mode
 Courtesy BabyCouture for use on CBB |
Pickles and ice cream have nothing on Sarah Shahi.
In the June-August issue of BabyCouture magazine the 29-year-old actress — expecting a son this summer — reveals her first trimester go-to meal: a baked potato with spinach, cheese, black beans and cottage cheese.
“We would try to go out to restaurants and ended up leaving because nothing sounds as good as my potato,” she recalls. “It was a mountain of a potato!”
Although husband Steve Howey thought she was “nuts,” he too became a fan once he tried her creation.
Cravings aside, Sarah’s hormones have been mostly in check. “I’m nowhere near what the stereotype is,” she says.
Every expectant mother has her moments, however! Sarah admits,
“The freezer drawer had come off its wheels and I couldn’t get it back on to shut the drawer. I worked on it for a half an hour! Steve comes home and I’m sitting on the kitchen floor, in front of the freezer, crying, saying ‘Why is this happening to me? Why?’ Ahh, pregnancy.”
Noting that a dad’s only real job during pregnancy is to “make sure the mother is happy,” Sarah says that Steve has been a trooper: “Basically, he’s had to come to terms with whatever I say during these 40 weeks, goes!”
As for her own parental instincts, Sarah says she felt like a mom “the moment the stick turned blue.”
“Something in you just switches. You definitely don’t come first anymore.”
Click below to read about what Sarah hopes baby boy will inherit from mom and dad, and to see another photo.
 Courtesy BabyCouture for use on CBB |
To that end Sarah says she’ll take a break from acting once baby boy arrives, because “mothers have one of the most important roles and responsibilities in our society.”
Her timeline is open-ended. “I’ll go back when I feel the time is right,” she reveals. “Films will always be there, but you can’t get this time back with your baby.”
Sarah has been making the most of that time already, talking to her bump early and often!
“I believe they have huge amounts of awareness and instinct even then,” she explains. “I can’t wait to meet this little human that’s been in my belly. We’re curious to see what he looks like. Is that vain?”
Even if it were, vanity isn’t behind Sarah’s ongoing commitment to physical fitness.
“I believe in taking care of your body, especially when you’re pregnant, because it’s not just about you,” she says. “Studies have show that mommies who exercise during pregnancy have more responsive, quicker babies.”
That said, although she often feels “like a house” Sarah finds a way to walk five miles 3-to-5 times a week, as well as swim.
Although she hopes athleticism “comes naturally” to baby-on-the-way, Sarah says that she won’t be disappointed if it doesn’t — so long as her son stays busy!
“Whatever our child’s interests are, that’s what we will help him pursue. I believe in keeping children busy and active in different activities, basically whatever they gravitate towards. I don’t think it’s good to give kids too much down time. Kids need to be productive.”
They also need to have “an appreciation” for things, Sarah opines. “They shouldn’t expect toys or McDonalds every time they go out, but there should be a balance,” she explains. “I think it’s also important not to deny your children either.”
Of course, it’s all in the abstract until baby boy arrives! Sarah adds,
“Listen to me talk! What do I know?! Ask me in a year!”
 Courtesy BabyCouture for use on CBB |
Source: BabyCouture, June-August issue
- Posted on Jul 10, 09 at 5:00PM
- Permalink
- 11 Comments
July 10th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
“Listen to me talk! What do I know! Ask me in a year!”
Boy that’s the TRUTH!! If I had a nickel for everytime I said “Well, when I have a child…” BEFORE my child was born, I’d be one well-to-do lady!!! LOL!!
It’s ALL different when the baby’s actually in your arms and you’re the one raising him or her!!!
Good luck to Sarah and Steve – what a fabulous journey they are about to embark on!
July 10th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
That baked potato sounds awesome!! And I’m not pregnant!!
July 10th, 2009 at 11:10 pm
she is gourgeous! her kid is going to be great looking and super funny.
love them both!
July 11th, 2009 at 12:58 am
Wow! She’s gorgeous!
I’m the opposite with the over-scheduling your kids thing. I think kids today are WAY too scheduled – not enough time to just play. Even The American Academy of Pediatrics says most kids today don’t get enough playtime. “What children really need for healthy development is more good, old-fashioned playtime. Spontaneous, free play -whether it’s chasing butterflies, playing with “true toys” like blocks and dolls, or just romping on the floor with mom and dad -often is sacrificed in the shuffle” says one AAP report “Numerous studies have shown that unstructured play has many benefits. It can help children become creative, discover their own passions, develop problem-solving skills, relate to others and adjust to school settings” the academy report says.
And noted pediatrician and author Dr. T. Berry Brazelton says “Children overscheduled with structured activities are missing the chance they have to dream, to fantasize, to make their own world work the way they want it. That to me is a very important part of childhood”
People are so concerned about making their kids into “super” kids (Just look at the Baby Einstein ridiculousness. You can’t MAKE someone a genius. You’re born smart or you aren’t – Sure you can foster talents and expose your kids to art, science, music etc but you can’t make someone “smart”) that kids are put in supplementary classes (After school) practically every day of the week. I’m not saying that all extracurriculars are bad, I just think one or two a week is plenty. Let your kids play! Let them have fun! Let them be kids
July 11th, 2009 at 5:04 am
“Listen to me talk! What do I know?! Ask me in a year!”
That made me laugh since that is so true. I’ve seen it plenty of times in my family. The parents-to-be have all these plans of what the baby will be, might act like, who they’ll take after, and once that baby comes, they just turn their world upside down and defy and, ultimately, rewrite or squash all said plans.
Ah, that’s what makes you love them even more, when they give you a run for your money! Never really a dull moment…
July 11th, 2009 at 5:33 am
I forgot to add she looks adorable in those photos, and I love that first one of her in the white dress and mini-bowler’s hat. Sassy and cute [due to the hat] at the same time.
July 11th, 2009 at 10:52 am
I have a feeling that Sarah and Steve are an awesome couple to hang out with.
July 11th, 2009 at 3:16 pm
She looks pretty! I can’t wait till they have their baby!
July 12th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
I swear I feel like she has been pregnant forever. LOL I have been waiting on an interview about this forever. I loved her in the L word and then Life. And I loved her husband on Reba and in Bride wars. I think they are awesome and I really am curious to see what their baby looks like. Her personality is wonderful and her expectations of parenthood are realistic. Keep info coming on her, hubby and what I am sure will be an adorable baby boy.
July 16th, 2009 at 3:02 am
Her hubby was the best part of Reba. Between the looks & personalities this is going to be one amazing baby!!!!
July 17th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Heh hee, that potato sounds interesting. But how does this sound? My pregnant adult friend craves pretty much everything: Dr. Pepper, ding dongs and milk, cool ranch Doritos… try that on a potato LMAO XP!
BTW she’s gorgeous. Her baby will be as good looking as she is.