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Time To Get Back To Work!
The time has come for me to return to work at Access after my maternity leave...going back to the studio, the lights, the makeup and hair, the deadlines, the voice-overs and all the amazing people I have considered my friends and a joy with whom to work. So, as I start to think about my return to the Hollywood race, I think about how my life has changed in the past 3 months...how something comes into your life and not only makes you happy, but makes you a completely different and better person. And it is in ways that are almost inconceivable.
My husband told me before we had our baby in June that life would be different. He told me my priorities would change, my perspective on life would change and that I would never again be the same. I didn't fully understand what he meant, but now I do...
See, I wake up in the mornings now as if I am 5 years old and it is Christmas. Forget reading the newspaper, returning every single morning email, or getting that extra bit of sleep. I can't wait to see the beautiful face of my little girl and when I see that toothless grin, it is just the best thing ever!!
Every day for the past 3 months have been spent holding her on my chest while she naps, lying on the bed looking into her eyes, talking with her in her own 'baby talk' way. Every morning, we have a daily ritual of our mother-daughter chat. We converse for at least a half hour. I ask her questions, pause, and she definitely answers with her sweet ga gas, goo goos, and gurgles. I can't understand a thing she says, but she is attempting to communicate as best she can and it is the sweetest thing I have ever experienced.
And her eyes...oh, how she makes her mommy feel loved. We go on walks. We sit outside and look at the trees as I describe all the flowers. I sing her songs I have made up just for her. We don't do anything really complicated as she is only 3 months old, but she fills my day with so much. She brings me to tears just by looking into my eyes or by smiling when she sees me in the morning.
It takes everything I have to leave for 15 minutes to take a shower, as I miss her while we're apart. So, when I think about returning to the show next week, I have to admit it's somewhat with a heavy heart...as I am sure it is for every career mom. Don't get me wrong. I love what I do, I love the people I work with and I realize I am blessed to do what I do for a living. And I'm not planning on leaving anytime soon! But, boy has my daughter taught me something...how sweet those roses smell when you take time out to smell them.
See before my maternity leave, I accepted every extra gig which came my way, I worked on paperwork till late at night, and I felt guilty if I didn't return every phone call the same day. Not anymore...I am a changed woman. My daughter has taught me about enjoying the little moments in life...and that is with the cherished people in your life. As I return to work, papers are piled up on my desk, several rooms are still not unpacked (we moved right before I gave birth) and I have a list of weeks-old calls to return. And ya know what... for one of the first times in my life, I'm okay with it. Why?....because today I took a long carriage stroll with my baby, yesterday I swam with my stepsons, and tonight I plan on cuddling with my husband and Ashby watching a movie. Now, that is accomplishment...
I know things still have to get done and there are deadlines to meet, but I am not as stressed about it as I used to be . And all the little b.s. in life we sometimes have to deal with just flies straight out the window now. I feel happier and that is going to make me a better employee, not a lesser one. I will come home every day with the excitement and anticipation to see my adoring husband, my 2 amazing stepsons and now the most beautiful little girl in the world. I will look forward to holding her close and telling her how much I've missed her. And when she is old enough to understand, I will thank her for the life lesson she taught me and hope that she will learn earlier in life.
On my last show before my maternity leave I said it's time for me to go do the biggest job a woman can do. Well, I did it, but I have to admit I realize that I've only just started and I have so much more work to do. So, as I return to work and I get to come into your televisions with all the latest celebrity news from the best entertainment show on television, I'll also be thinking of my little girl at home. Then I'll reflect on the fact that I now have 2 of the greatest jobs in the world, one that I do with you during the day, the second when I get home at night. Stay tuned and I'll give you all the updates on how it's going...after all, that's what I do for a living, right?
And don't ya know I will be reporting on the recent slew of Hollywood pregnancies and babies with quite a bit more pep in my voice!
So, after 3 months, LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACCESS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Welcome back Nancy!!! I can't wait to watch you agian on AH. I hope you'll be sharing more pictures of your adorable daughter.
Nancy,
I am very happy you are
returning to Access....
Enjoy your family and take
care Marilyn Meyer
WELCOME BACK, WE'VE MISSED YOU!!
I NEVER THOUGHT I COULD LOVE MY 2 DAUGHTERS MORE, THEN I WAS GIVEN THE GIFT OF MY 2 GRANDAUGHTERS THAT IS A LOVE SO UNBELIVEABLE IT TAKES MY BREATH AWAY AT TIMES. I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR NEW PICTURES OF LITTLE ASHBY.
PS: YOU HAVE A BEAUTIFUL FAMILY
ENJOY
Nancy, you look beautiful. Welcome back! You are absolutley right, life surley does change after you have children. I have a 4 year old and a 5 year old (they are 366 days apart) and life now has a purpose. I use to work 3 jobs to keep this fancy house on the water, but that all changed in 2002 when my son was born. I refuse to work that much so we sold the house and moved to a much more affordable house and we are so much happier now. It's all about family now. I never understood when I heard a mother say i'd die for my child. I was like whatever now when I pray at night I pray and beg the LORD that if given the choice LORD please take me leave my babies.... It's crazy the Love you feel inside of you now. It can NOT be put into words. You are simply "complete". May GOD Bless you and your complete family. See you this evening at 7pm.... Take Care, Paula from Maryland.
Nancy, you look just amazing and your little girl is just so cute I wanna eat her with a spoon! Kids are one of the most treasured gifts we are given and I am so happy for you and your family. Dont be overwhelmed going back out into the "real world". As a working mother myself, I know what it feels like to leave your little baby, I cried, for months.......well, he is 9 months and I still cry.. :) Congratulations!
May His grace be suffient~
Kodi
NANCY!!!!!
Wow Finally your coming back. I figured it would be 3 months of time off but I've been waiting to see pictures. I'm always looking online and I haven't seen any until this one you posted now. Do you have more to send please. No more belly either! Back to normal!Your the best!!! I'm sure being a mommy is the greatest thing. She's beautiful!!!!! Best Wishes!
NANCY!!!!!!!!
Welcome back! I can't wait to see you on next week! I'm looking forward to seeing pictures. I have been waiting for this for so long. But time goes by so fast! You look great and Ashby is amazingly beautiful! Keep up the good work. Can you send me pictures. Thanks!!!!! Best Wishes!
Nancy,
I wanted you to know that you were one of the most beautiful pregnant women I have ever seen. You need to have 5 more kids!
I became a first time mom 18 months ago and my life has changed much in the same way as yours. It's hard to describe until you've been there. My life before my daughter is another lifetime ago as far as I'm concerned. My whole world revolves around her.
Enjoy Ashby because the first year goes by so insanely fast it will make you mad. They are a baby for such a short time.
Congratulations
Nancy, your baby is beautiful! I am so happy for you and your family. In a world so crazy and fast paced it is such a pleasure to have a reason to wake up in the morning other than work, emails or the news. They simply make life worth living. Enjoy her. I have two boys 3 and 5. They truely do grow up so fast!I actually started my 5year old in kindergarden this week and it broke my heart....again Congrats!
YOU LOOKED AMAZING AND I AM VERY GLAD TO SEE YOUR BEAUTIFUL FACE BACK ON THE SET
Nancy, You are hotter than ever. Having a baby really suites you. Keep Rocking!!!!!!!!
Congrats Nancy,
I know exactly how you feel. My son is now 13 months old and I can't wait to have more children. You look awesome and we're all glad you're back! They grow fast but every moment is more than worth it. Motherhood is the best thing that has ever happened to me and it does change you but for the better. Congrats!!!
Nancy
To see you back yesterday was awesome, I really missed you and let me tell you that you look better than ever. Good luck on you family, wish you all the best and please don't leave us again.
Welcome back! You look great! I can relate to what you are saying about waking up in the morning and running it the baby's room just to see her cute face and sparkling eyes! There is nothing better! Enjoy that is goes by real fast. My 2 girls are 9 and 13 already.
CONGRATS NANCY ONCE AGAIN... YOUR DAUGHER IS SO ADORABLE... JUST LIKE MINE... WE'VE MISSED YOU ON AH. I HAVE WATCHED YOUR SHOW FOR A VERY LONG TIME NOW... CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU ON T.V. AGAIN..
SONETA
Welcome back Nancy! I sure missed your smiling face (even though Maria and Shawn did a great job in your absence). OH and Billy too! Your daughter is absolutely beautiful! I have two boys myself (3&5) and share in your sentiment of how priorities change suddenly once there is that sweet little face looking up at you! After becoming a single Mom, I even changed my path and took a lesser career position so that I could spend more time with my family. My wisdom to you is to enjoy every moment as these little people change so fast and time can never be regained. The e-mail and phone calls will still be there tomorrow!
All the best as you balance your two very rewarding jobs! Access Hollywood is my treat after the boys are in bed and it's nice to see you back!
Good Luck!
Jacki/Ontario Canada
Nancy Congrats,
I am so excited for you and your family. It is great having boys, but it is so much fun having a girl too. I ve enjoyed watching Access Hollywood for yrs, and you and you were great on Days too. My favorite daytime.Time sure does fly enjoy every minute. My son is 5 and my little girl is 2 and she is already a diva.....Have Fun keep us posted. Roxanne
Congratulations Nancy!!!
Great to see you back. Enjoy every special moment with your little girl..
P.S. I love your show:)
Congratulations Nancy to you and your family!! Your baby is as beautiful as you and your family! I am soo happy to see you back on tv, you are after all the prettiest, classiest and nicest newswoman on entertainment tv! I love your show and you make it all the more better. PS-you need to have another child, since you and your husband have made such a beautiful baby!!
Dearest Nancy;
How beloved you are.
I've always admired your class and your light!
Please,
I hope that with your return, my once beloved "Access Hollywood" will return to it's respectful and clean journalism.
It is what I used to tune in for. Sleaziness doesn't serve anyone; PLEASE BRING BACK THAT STAR QUALITY MAGIC !!!
Melina
Dear Nancy -
I'm so glad you're back! I'd missed you on the show this summer...but, Shawn & Maria did a really nice job filling in!
More importantly, it is wonderful all is well with your family and its newest addition!
Best Wishes,
nancy
Nancy.... I just wanted to let you know that i enjoy watching you every week night! Also that i have been watching and keeping track of you and Ashby ever since your announced that you were pregnant!1Oh ya CONGRATS with the new begining on life... I'm a mother of a 3yr old lil girl named Kyonna myself... Like you said she has defently change my look on life... Well i just wanted to say i'm glad to see back on the show, you've been missed greatly. In that being said I hope you get some more pictures of lil Ashby on here.. She is Soooo ADORABLE!!!
Hey Nancy,
Welcome back, we missed you and so happy for you and your family. What a beautiful little angel you have.
Enjoy every moment.
We missed you and glad you are back with Billy. You both make a great team!!!!!
I watch every night and if I miss a show, I get my update from the website.
Best: Sharon in Montreal
hmm....coz i had nothin 2 do, i came upon ur blog...yup...enjoy every minute of d day u spend with ur daughter...i did that when my daughter was still alive, but when she died more than 2 yrs ago at d age of 4, i felt n still feel that i could have given her more of my time...looking back now, i can´t help but think that i could have given more...but then again, as required by our modern way of living, me n my partner had 2 say goodbye 2 her everyday, or everynight, depending on our shifts 2 go 2 work...but if i can turn back d clock, i would have wanted 2 have spent those times at work with my daughter...more power 2 u n ur family..
Dear Nancy...
Welcome to the 'wearing your heart on your sleeve' club! Now you can understand your own mother's love, worries, and you can celebrate her 'worry' lines as 'love' lines.... I used to worry about the lines around my eyes, but now everytime I can't stop smiling when my little girl smiles at me I realize that those lines will be marked on my face as reminders of all of the beautiful smiles she gave me....
If you haven't heard Martina MacBrides' "In my daughters' eyes" listen to it and have a box of Kleenex handy....
Here's a few lines...
"In my daughter's eyes, I can see the future, a reflexion of who I am and what will be...
This miracle God gave to me gives me strength when I am weak, I find reasons to believe, in my daughters' eyes"
God bless you both... and as hard as it is to return to work, at least we have the most beautiful gift giving us a reason to get home.
Love,
JMRG
congrats to you and your family. enjoy her,your stepsons and your husband they are a beautiful gift from god. welcome back and you look great!
Nancy,
Ashby is one lucky little girl. I wish nothing but love and happiness with your new Princess and your wonderful Princes!
amf
NANCY, YOU ALWAYS LOOK SO BEAUTIFUL.. I LOVE THE MAKEUP YOU WEAR.. CAN YOU SHARE A SECRET AND LET ME KNOW WHAT KIND OF LIP GLOSS YOU WEAR,, IT ALWAYS LOOKS TO PRETTY CONGRATS AND WELCOME BACK,,
I still remember back when you worked in Charleston, SC. My husband and I moved away, then saw you again as Nancy O'Dell! Congrats with all of your success, and especially the new baby girl!!
Nancy I'm so happy to have you back...I've missed seeing you on Access but everyone has done a great job while you were away. Currently I am taking T.V Broadcasting at school so maybe one day I'll be working at Access or see you at a press conference... Ashby is one lucky little girl and so are your two stepsons
Nancy, do you have some help around the house now that Ashby is here?
Hey Nancy! I was watching your interview with Halle Berry with baby Ashby and she’ll definitely make a great mother. Ashby is such an adorable baby and she is so gorgeous. I was wondering if you’re going to post any pictures of her on your personal website.
didn't think you could be more beautiful but when i saw you & ashby you are both georgeous. thought i lost A H for awhile but you switiched to fox & i found it channel surfing. glad to see you back i love you so much you are so sweet, with love
Nancy, you & your beautiful baby Ashby are both breathtaking!
You were adorable as an expectant mommy.
And Billy was pretty cute fawning over you too. :o)
And even more adorable as a new mommy!
You are beaming!
I love watching Access Hollywood to see my 3 favorite co-host...you, Billy & Tony!
It is certainly a big change from ET & Insider. LOL
Thank goodness!
I recently watched your interview w/ Halle Berry w/ Ashby & it was so precious!
You beaming w/ pride at baby Ashby.
Ashby smiling at Halle.
And Halle w/ tears in her eyes in anticipation fo what is to come for her.
I loved it!
I wish you & your whole family nothing but the best!
Live.Love.Laugh.
Cat
I don't know where to post this but, I think that Ellen and the whole adoption fiasco does have a point to the theme which is pet adoptions!, I think Ellen should be given a break There are thousands of pets that need homes and it looks as if to me that Ellen has found good homes for these pets and that is what counts right? I mean Ellen might be neurotic but she has found homes for these pets and that is GOOD I think. I love animals and as long as the animals have good homes, who cares how they got there!! thanks for your time Karyn
i believe brad womack the bachelor had alot of courage not to say something he couldn't mean like so many others who propose & break up in a month i applaude him he didn't give a falso promise & did respect them by walking away
Your baby is adorable. Congratulations. Life is so sweet for you. God Bless you and your family. It sounds like you have priorties straight. Enjoy life with your new baby and family. Glad your back on the show.
You have the cutest little family. I'm so happy for you. Congratulations ! P.S. You are so cute. I love your makeup, hair and clothes soo much !
Hi Nancy,
I have been a big fan of your show for many many years. I saw a pic of your baby girl for the first time and she is beautiful. Congrats on the addition to your family and may God bless all of you!!
Time with your baby is always precious, enjoy it. I'm a member of the Breastfeeding Taskforce of LA, looking for a public figure to discuss the positive of breastfeeding at a national conferance we are planning. Would you be interested in participating?
Could you please post photos of your nursery? We have been looking everywhere online and can only find the video and the few pictures from People, but would LOVE To see a picture of the entire nursery - thank you!
Hey Nancy! How's baby Ashby doing? I saw a photo of her online with you and Keith holding her. She looks so adorable. I want to see more picture please! =]
Welcome back, Nancy. How did you took the day off while Maria and Shaun took over? The film, "No Country for Old Men" was the 6 time film that won 6 oscar missed it by 5 more. So what's your great moment of all now the 80 anniversary party for robert osborne and ben mankowick to see it? By the way, You got lordlucan.b-h-e.com with you, maria and shaun to show lord lucan some pictures for your next icf. In the meantime, did you enjoy, Watching 'No Country for Old Men' the film that stole the crown?
bruno tonioli needs to shut up & leave billy ray cyrus alone
Congradulations for your new bundle of joy!
We enjoy watching you on Access and I so recall the days of watching you on WCBD very early morning news and seeing you do news features at North Charleston City Hall years ago. Now you get to get up early again but for a better reason.
Your baby is so very adorable,
Love from all your buddies in North Charleston City Hall!
Dear Nancy:
I heard your story this morning of your family's battle with your mom's ALS. My heart goes out to your family, and having just been through it myself with my mother, I can relate.
I'm sure you have plenty of support, and here is yet one more offer... It is a devastating disease, but one of the upsides is it really does give the opportunity to bring people together.
My prayers will be with you and your family, and if I can offer one piece of advice, it would be to understand that while trying to stay ahead of ALS is necessary, it is very frustrating.... and to really try to pace yourself. I burnt myself out shortly before my mom passed, and now (4 months later) am still dealing with the burn out effects (let alone all the grief).
-Anita.