usy Philipps, the actress from television’s Dawson’s Creek and the new movie Made of Honor, is about to get even busier. Due in August, she and husband, writer Marc Silverstein, will welcome a new little girl into their lives.
We had a chance to chat with her about all things baby...
The Cradle: What inspired your parents to name you Busy, and do you plan on naming your child a name that is different or unique?
Busy: My given name was Elizabeth. Busy was a nickname that was perfect for when I was a baby. But, by the time I was 6 months old, my mom stopped referring to me as Elizabeth at all and it was just Busy. It was an immediate nickname.
We’re at an impasse on the name thing as far as our baby is concerned. We don’t know. We have a list, and I think we’re just going to take the list to the hospital and choose when she’s born.
The Cradle: Are you thinking of names that are unusual or traditional?
Busy: A little bit of both. We had the name if it were a boy... but with a girl, we’re having real issues with it! It’s hard. It’s a lot of responsibility. And I feel like the name has the tendency to dictate the kind of person that you become. I think I’m definitely a “Busy”!
So it’s a big responsibility. Plus, my husband is a writer. I think we’re over-thinking it at this point.
The Cradle: Since you’re an actress, how has it been for you sharing your pregnancy with the public?
Busy: Well, it’s been surprising because I never think that anyone cares about me at all. And it turns out they care more about you when you’re pregnant, so it’s been a little shocking that people are very interested. I think it’s because it’s such a positive thing and everyone loves babies and the public wants to see how actors and actresses deal with it or how they go through it.
But getting ready for the Made of Honor premiere was a little stressful just because you want to look good at the premiere of your movie and you have 30 extra pounds on you. So it was a little nerve-racking finding the right dress.
The Cradle: What have been your biggest pregnancy cravings?
Busy: I feel like I’m past the craving stage, but I am drinking a lot of milk... I’m having a lot of dairy. And I eat peanut butter toast almost every day. I’m down with the peanut butter!
The Cradle: Did you have to give up any of your favorite foods?
Busy: None of the giving-up stuff has been difficult for me. It seems like such a small sacrifice for the health and safety of my baby that it doesn’t even seem like an issue for me that I can’t have a glass of wine or eat sushi or have soft, unpasteurized cheeses. I’m not doing deli meats and early on in my pregnancy all I really wanted was turkey sandwiches. But alas, no turkey sandwiches for me.
The Cradle: What have been some of your pregnancy essentials?
Busy: I have one of those giant, huge U-shaped body pillows and I love it. In fact, we were traveling for a couple of weeks for the Made of Honor premiere and I was in New York. I didn’t have my pillow with me and it was hard to sleep without it.
And I’ve been using this stretch mark cream from Israel that my friend gave me. I don’t even know what it’s called because it’s all in Hebrew, but she swears by it and I haven’t gotten any stretch marks yet. She bought a bunch of it and gives it to all her pregnant friends.
