Diane Farr has a son named Beckett March 16, 2007 at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
Erica: Did you use a doula?
Diane: Yes I did and I love her! Her name is Renee Cighiano and she is with Gentle Beginnings Doula Services. I was afraid to not be in a hospital but I wanted to labor at home under the guidance of a doula as long as possible. I wanted to have an epidural and I felt I needed an advocate in the hospital with me. I hired Renee before I underwent genetic testing during my First Trimester. She guided me throughout my pregnancy. I wasn’t gaining enough weight in the beginning and she told me about supplemental shakes to help with my weight gain as well as monitoring my proper water intake. I highly recommend having a doula.
Erica: What stroller do you use?
Diane: I have two strollers. The Bugaboo I keep in our house for walks and I have a Graco that I keep in the car. The Graco is lighter so it seems to work best as our car stroller.
Erica: Do you have a nanny?
Diane: I had a nanny for forty hours a week until the Writer’s Strike. Now that I have been at home more I have a babysitter for five hours a day so I can focus on writing my book, Shades of America. I think it’s important to know how to spend your time. If you can have someone help you with laundry and cleaning then your time can be more focused on playing with your child.
Erica: I heard that you make your own baby food?
Diane: Yes! I got a book called, Super Baby Food, which has really helped guide me through this process! On Sundays I make enough food for the entire week. I freeze some of the food and put the rest in the refrigerator. Some of Beckett’s favorite foods are sweet potatoes, quinoa and persimmons.
Erica: What song makes you think of Beckett?
Diane: “Lean on Me” is the song I sing to him when he goes to sleep. We sing “Joy to the World” when he eats and in our playgroup he is transfixed (like a cult member) by “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.”
Erica: What are the three words that you would describe the person you hope Beckett becomes?
Diane: Happy, Well Rounded and Diligent.
Erica: What are the three words that would describe the mom you want to be?
Diane: Methodical, Light and Well Rested.
Erica: Have you taken any trips on a plane with Beckett? How did it go?
Diane: Yes we have travelled a lot with Beckett. So far he has been to, Washington DC, New York, Mexico and skiing in Tahoe. Planes are a public mode of transportation and I don’t want to let other passengers stress me out with their bad attitudes. When we stay in Tahoe we hire someone to watch Beckett so we can get some extra sleep before we hit the slopes since Beckett doesn’t sleep very well in the high altitude.
Erica: Any trait you don’t want to pass on to Beckett?
Diane: My short temper! Only those who love me see it. If I don’t lose my temper in front of him then he won’t copy it.
Erica: Any trait you would like to pass on to Beckett?
Diane: My tenacious spirit! I always find the time to do the homework and get the task done. I want him to develop the tenacity to always follow through.
Erica: What is Beckett’s favorite toy?
Diane: A friend told me that I shouldn’t give him something that I cannot live without. I had a stuffed animal from Peru and opted to keep it out of Beckett’s hands since I didn’t want to let it get ruined. So I bought him a $3 frog from Toys R Us and that has been his favorite toy! I have since purchased him many of the same frog!
Erica: How was your pregnancy experience?
Diane: I had a great experience! I waited a long time to have children and I think your experience is based on where you are at in your life. I did not work out while I was pregnant. I felt like I was having symptoms of a heart attack every time I worked out so I enjoyed eating like a third grader and gained 55 pounds! I enjoyed having a grilled cheese almost every day!
Erica: Did you have to work out a lot to lose the “baby weight”?
Diane: I did not work out at all after I gave birth. I lost 55 pounds in 3 months by breast feeding.
Diane Farr is starring in the CBS show, NUMB3RS – Friday Nights at 10pm.
Diane is also working on a book called, Shades of America. Her book is focusing on mixed race couples and how they get together and raise their children.
