Christina Aguilera seems like someone who wouldn’t take crap from anyone, if you ask me. She has a history of violence in her childhood, but somehow I just can’t see anyone pushing her around as an adult. She’s aware of the cycle of violence, and wanted to be sure it wouldn’t continue with her new husband.

Aguilera grew up witnessing her now-estranged father Fausto emotionally and physically abusing her mother Shelly - and she was determined not to subject her children to the same heartache.

She tells Us Weekly magazine, “We had many conversations before, and I really ensured that I put myself in the position to marry someone who was not going to repeat the cycle of abuse with my child and what I had endured as a child.

“I knew that my husband is not the type to have violent tendencies, and he would never hurt me.”

Contact Music

This isn’t the first time that Christina has talked about her violent past, saying “People don’t know domestic abuse unless they’re in it. It’s not only physical abuse, but there’s damage inside - mental abuse. It’s a sad thing to go through and watch. They play with your mind and make you feel bad about yourself.”

It is so true that abuse is as much about the mind as it is about physical or verbal abuse, and it can be harder to leave than any person who hasn’t been in that situation an understand. While it might appear that Christina is in the position of power in her relationship (she has the most money, and a successful career) it isn’t just as simple as leaving. An abusive partner holds the emotional power despite these things.

In the same interview that Christina talked about her relationship with Bratman, she also talked about how she lost her pregnancy weight. Her regime involved 90-minute, 5-day-a-week workouts with a trainer, and no white bread.

Note by Celebitchy: Why does it seem like Aguilera brings up this subject every 3-4 months? Maybe interviewers constantly ask her about it, and it must have been tough to live through. You want to give her the benefit of the doubt where this difficult subject is involved, but seeing yet another story about it makes me wonder.

Christina Aguilera and Jordan Bratman are shown outside their NY hotel on 5/14/08 and at a Christian Dior Cruise show on 5/12/08, thanks to WENN.

New parenthood means late nights, but usually those nights are spent changing diapers, cleaning spit-up off your clothes, and waking up every few hours to feed a screaming baby. Not at the Aguilera-Bratman household, though: the couple has been making quite a racket recently with their skinny-dippin’ sex sessions.

Having a new baby at home hasn’t extinguished the sparks between Christina Aguilera and Jordan Bratman!

The new parents are so determined to keep their two-year marriage red-hot that they’ve taken to skinny-dipping by moonlight. The couple, who welcomed son Max into the family on Jan. 12, can be heard loudly frolicking in the pool of their $11.5 million Beverly Hills mansion around midnight.

“They don’t just splash around — they laugh, scream, swear and make sexy noises,” says a source. “We’re happy that they’re happy, but we wish they’d keep it down a bit. There are a lot of old people who live around here, and they don’t like noise after the dinner hour.”

Still, the 27-year-old pop singer and her record producer husband, 30, are preferable to the house’s former owner, Ozzy Osbourne, adds the source. Ozzy — who sold the Mediterranean villa after wrapping up his MTV show, The Osbournes — would blast “horrific, ear-splitting rock music.”

[From Star Magazine]

I dunno, if I paid $11 million for my house, I’d be as loud as I pleased every damn minute of the day. Old people are mostly deaf anyway- if they don’t like it, they can just turn up the volume on “Murder, She Wrote,” and drift off to sleep. They’re probably just jealous that these two young people can still actually enjoy themselves. Besides, they should be used to the screaming and the swearing from the Osbourne family. This story is funny and would even be kind of hot if Christina’s husband weren’t a troll.

Note by Celebitchy: I remember watching The Osbournes and seeing them throwing shit over the fence at the neighbors, whom Sharon hated. I don’t remember what kind of feud they had going on but it sounds like these same neighbors are talking to the tabloids about Aguilera. Christina told Ellen that a lot of tour buses stopped by her house due to the popularity of the Osbournes’ show, but that the back, with it’s waterfall and pool, was completely secluded and made it feel like she was on vacation. Maybe she should have watched the show more carefully to see what assholes the neighbors were.

Christina Aguilera and Jordan Bratman and friends are shown outside a sushi restaurant on 3/16/08, thanks to WENN.

Speculation is rife that Christina Aguilera and that guy she’s married to were paid $1.5 million for the first pictures of new son Max. Harlow Winter Madden is worth about half that, although no figure has been put on what the price might have been if the babies had appeared on the cover together.

Jennifer Lopez is set to make $4-6 million for her twins, which is similar to the high sum paid for Shiloh Jolie-Pitt’s debut, which earned a whopping $4.1 million. Her adopted sibling was not considered as cute at age four as a baby, and was worth about half that.

Why do babies make so much money for magazine covers? Is it because celebrities demand that much compensation for losing their private life? (Not that this stops them complaining later when paparazzi try to take pictures of the same child.) It’s because their covers sell.

“We just do tremendously well on the newsstand when we’ve got celebrity babies on the cover,” says Caperton (Kate, OK! magazine deputy editor), “because people love being with their favorite stars in these really important moments in their lives.”

Setting up a safe shoot with a guaranteed paycheck works out well for the parents, too.

“It’s more beneficial for celebrities to cooperate with a company like us to do their baby pictures versus not doing it, because then paparazzi will chase them and will not stop until they get the picture of that celebrity with the baby,” (Roxanne, Getty Images) Motamedi says. “But once the pictures are out, there is really no value of paparazzi chasing them and trying to get the baby shot.”

New York Daily News

Is it because we love to see how mum’s looking post-birth? They usually look way better than anyone else. There is a reason new mothers rarely send out pictures of mother and baby together in those first few days – the baby looks cute and they look like they’ve been through Hell. Probably because they have.

Or is it just because we all love babies?

Of course, babies don’t have to be fodder for checkbook journalism. Vanity Fair didn’t pay anything for rights to the first photos of Suri Cruise, daughter of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes. But that September 2006 issue still sold 60% more copies on newsstands than the average for that half of the year. The sell-through was such an anomaly that the title was forced to warn against comparing September 2006 sales with the abnormally successful issue a year prior.

Plenty of editors say paying up will pay you back. “It depends on what the cost is, but it’s a nice positive antidote to the more crazy celebrity stories that go on,” said Sarah Ivens, editor in chief of OK, part of Richard Desmond’s Northern & Shell empire.

AdAge

Oh, I like that idea. I’d much rather see a baby than Britney Spears looking like a train wreck. Interestingly, Britney the train wreck must sell more magazines than her son Sean Preston, when he featured on the cover of People sales were down 15%.

Interestingly, I love babies more than ice cream, but actually couldn’t care less about a picture of one. That could be anyone’s child, one baby is pretty hard to tell from another. That’s why they are so careful putting name tags on them in the hospital. Partly because they can’t talk, but mostly due to the fact it’s hard to tell them apart.

So, I’m sensing a business opportunity here. I have a particularly cute baby at my place. Blue eyed, smiles lots, has a reasonable amount of dark hair, but not like the crazy mop Suri Cruise had. Wanna hire her? Just in case your ugly celebrity baby isn’t up to the pictures. The bidding starts at $1 million – that should pay for her and her siblings to go to college.

Picture note by Celebitchy: Remember these baby pictures of Shiloh? They were a big deal when they came out in June, 2006 and were featured in People and Hello!.

That Christina Aguilera sure is an unusual gal. While she was originally known for competing with Britney Spears for who could have the raunchiest music videos, Aguilera eventually calmed down - while Britney went crazy. Christina stopped partying so much, put out a jazz CD, married (what appears to be a nice guy) and had a baby after a normal period of time. Britney partied more, put out a crap CD, married (what appeared to be a douche bag - though he’s certainly redeemed himself a bit) and popped out two kids with manic fervor. Christina’s story seems to be headed in a happier direction. I think their paths really diverged when they both kissed Madonna at the MTV Video Music Awards but only Britney got attention for it. Good to know what kissing Madonna can lead to. While it seems like she’s settled down, Christina’s still not one for tradition - at least not too much of it. At her new son’s bris a few weeks ago, she and husband Jordan Bratman had all the trimmings - including penis-shaped balloons.

“He did have a bris,” Christina said this morning on Ryan Seacrest’s KIIS-FM radio show, referring to the Jewish naming and circumcision ceremony. “We had close friends over to experience the bris with us. We’re a non-conventional couple… we had penis balloons everywhere.”

[From Page Six]

At first I was naively trying to figure out where Christina could possible have gotten penis-shaped balloons for a bris. While I’m not Jewish, I’m generally familiar enough with the ceremony to know that genitala balloons aren’t normally part of the process. Then it occurred to me that the only place - at least that I’m aware of - to get penis-shaped balloons would be a sex store. So while she may have settled down a little bit, Christina Aguilera is still the woman who bought her son’s party decorations at Lover’s Package.

According to Star Magazine Christina Aguilera didn’t have a scheduled C-section and actually was in labor at the hospital for a full 24 hours before a section was performed. She was also in full hair and makeup, although in this case her gender was quickly ascertained:

A source tells Star that the glam singer, who arrived at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center on January 11 (she stayed two doors down from Nicole Richie) to have son Max Liron, pushed for more than 24 hours - wearing her trademark red lipstick - before her doctors advised that she have a C-section.

A source close to Christina and hubby Jordan Bratman explains, “Her water broke on Friday [Jan. 11] and she started having contractions. But then they stopped, so she was given a dose of Pitocin, which is supposed to increase the strength of contractions. But Christina never dilated beyond four centimeters.”

Although Christina, 27, was initially against delivering her baby by C-section, the source says, “She really wasn’t left with an option.”

[From Star Magazine, print edition, January 28, 2008]

It seems that those earlier stories about Christina having a scheduled c-section may have been false. If all those details were true, someone at the hospital violated HIPAA regulations by giving the scoop to Star Magazine.

The fact that she was in full hair and makeup sounds kind of inevitable. Dearly-departed Tammy Faye Messner also refused to let anyone see her without her trademark clumpy lashes to the point of going to sleep with her makeup on when she was filming “The Surreal Life.” When it gets to the point that you can’t give birth without bright red lipstick, you’ve got a problem. Surely that’s an occasion that would call for a more subtle shade of mauve.

Christina Aguilera’s nursery has a nautical theme and cost as much to outfit as a well equipped car. She spent $35k at Petit Trésor alone. Her white and blue circular crib with 18k gold accent was $1,150 and little Max will sleep on hand-embroidered bedding. The 600-square foot nursery has while walls decorated with photos of the ocean and sailboats.

It is officially impossible to tell who won the birth-off between Christina Aguilera and Nicole Richie. It was confirmed by People around 6:00 p.m. PST yesterday that Nicole had given birth to a daughter and was on her way home. No word on what time the baby arrived. It’s also being confirmed by about half the celeb websites that Christina Aguilera also gave birth yesterday, sometime around 4:00 p.m. PST. Yet a few places are reporting that Aguilera’s rep says she’s still pregnant. Frankly considering how long Christina kept mum about being pregnant in the first place, I won’t necessarily believe what a rep says. According to E!, Fox News, and Star, Christina gave birth yesterday afternoon at Cedars-Sinai.

Suddenly there’s a whole new meaning to “Come On Over Baby” for Christina Aguilera. The five-time Grammy winner and hubby Jordan Bratman welcomed their first child in Los Angeles on Friday.

The couple announced the birth in a quick text message to friends and family around 4 p.m.: “Baby has arrived. Mom and dad are doing well!” (Apparently not even the prospect of dirrty diapers can dampen their spirits.)

There were no further details immediately available. “As soon as I have more information I will let you know,” the singer’s rep said.

Christina Aguilera, 27, reportedly delivered her baby on Friday, Jan. 11, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, the same hospital that Nicole Richie had her baby girl Harlow Winter Kate Madden just hours earlier.

[From E! News]

I think it’s pretty likely Christina did in fact have the baby yesterday, and is keeping it quiet. I doubt it’s for privacy’s sake – if anything, it increases the attention. Which is probably the point. It’s thought Christina is having a boy, since she had a blue-themed baby shower. Hopefully we’ll hear something official in the next few hours.

Update by Celebitchy: Christina Aguilera had a baby boy, but not Friday as some outlets reported. Her rep confirms to People that she had a boy named Max Liron Bratman on Saturday night at 10:05 pm and that he weighed in at 6 lbs., 2 oz. and was 20.5 inches tall. Congratulations to Christina and Jordan and welcome Max.

Christina Aguilera can’t wait for the arrival of her new baby - so she’s scheduled a cesarean section for January 10.

The singer - who is expecting her first child with her music executive husband Jordan Bratman - has allegedly decided to go for the operation to avoid the pain of natural childbirth.

A source close to the star said: “Christina has a C-section scheduled for January 10 but she might need to push the date of the delivery up.”

Despite having a baby shower earlier this month, Christina - who turned 27 on Tuesday - is planning another event for her family and close friends.

The source added: “Christina will be having a second baby shower at the Hotel Bel-Air over Christmas with just her friends.”

New Zealand Herald

How you can even schedule a cesarean section? Doesn’t there have to be a medical reason for you to have one, not just fear of childbirth? Personally, I am by far more in fear of being cut in half.

Celebrities seem to have an awful lot of c-sections, apparently because it reduces the chances of getting stretch marks (important when your looks influence your career) and also for time and convenience. Which is ridiculous as anyone who knows anything about babies knows that they have no grasp of the concepts of time and convenience. I guess having a nanny might help with that.

Actually, I wonder if it has to do with the indignity of giving birth, and the risk of someone who has to be present selling your birth story to a tabloid magazine. Lying on a hospital bed with your feet in stirrups while a group of medical personnel look at your private parts is embarrassing enough without having to risk sharing it with the whole world.

Christina and husband Jordan are considering baby names for their baby boy, and top contenders are apparently Max or Jackson. Which are actually the two most popular baby names in Australia in 2007. Apparently the couple want to see the baby first and decide what name best fits his personality, which is what I did with my children. Also because there was no way my husband was going to say no to my baby name choice ten minutes after I gave birth.

Unfortunately, it seems that Christina and Jordan won’t be choosing a crazy name like Apple or Peaches or Heavenly Hiraani Tiger Lily for their baby, which is a shame but probably best for all concerned.

Christina Aguilera is seen out on her 27th birthday earlier this week.

Christina Aguilera is quite vexing to me. Yes I went there, she is vexing. The blond bombshell has never announced her pregnancy – though Paris Hilton did kind of do it for her - yet she’s now registered for gifts for her baby shower. She is the worst secret-keeper ever. First off, letting Paris Hilton know that you’re pregnant is the same thing as calling up Liz Smith. Though I’m pretty sure Paris has Liz Smith on speed dial. So one could argue that if Christina has the tiniest amount of intelligence, she knew what would happen by telling Paris. But who in the world would want that skank announcing that you’re bringing new, (theoretically) pure life into the world? That’s like blessing the baby with Chlamydia. I don’t know if Christina thought that Paris’s announcement was tantamount to sending out frilly little “We’re expecting” cards, or if Christina’s just lazy, or if she somehow just doesn’t want to bother with telling the public – but clearly she’s not hiding it anymore, as registering for a bunch of baby stuff is a pretty clear indication that you’ve got a bun in the oven. I bun that’s been warming for like 4 or 5 months, right?

“A shopping spree in West Hollywood is nothing unusual for Christina Aguilera. But this early Saturday evening’s excursion was a first for the singer. With her husband Jordan Bratman, her mother-in-law and her sister-in-law in tow, Aguilera spent two hours picking out items for her baby registry at the posh Robertson Boulevard boutique Bel Bambini. ‘She looked beautiful,’ says store sales employee Crysta Smith about the singer, who wore a long black skirt and a cotton jacket. ‘She had a little bump. She said she was so excited [to have a baby].’

“Aguilera, who has never officially confirmed her pregnancy, told the staff that she was expecting – and revealed the gender of her baby, but asked to keep it private. With the help of her in-laws, the couple picked out a selection of items for her upcoming baby shower, including blankets, diaper bags, bottles and clothing. ‘They registered for all the accessories,’ says Smith. ‘They were both picking out things together.’’

[From People]

This is normally where I’d say “Awww” and start making those embarrassing baby kissy noises I wish I didn’t make. But I’m not going to give Christina Aguilera the benefit of my baby kissy noises until she gives me the dignity of acknowledging that she’s going to have one.

I think she may be doing this out of principle. Something like, “Jane Doe doesn’t have to announce to the world when she’s pregnant, why should I?” Now I’m arguing with a hypothetical Christina Aguilera, and I acknowledge that – but my retort to said hypothetical singer is that you’re famous, and you announced when you were engaged and married and when you were going on tour, so I think you could do your (possibly) adoring public the courtesy of letting us know that you’re knocked up. There’s a snuggly little stuffed duck in it for you.

Picture Note by Jaybird: Header image of Christina Aguilera shopping for baby bottles and clothing at a trendy baby store in Los Angeles yesterday. Image thanks to Splash Photos.

Paris Hilton has the sensitivity of a gnat. Though that’s pretty insulting to gnats. It’s hard to tell if she’s just a moron or if she was being a passive-aggressive bitch, but she announced to a big crowd at LAX this weekend that Christina Aguilera was pregnant, even though Aguilera has yet to announce this herself – and it’s obviously her news to give, not some random, talentless twit’s.

“Paris Hilton got on the microphone at a packed Las Vegas nightclub and lavished Christina Aguilera with praise – and in the process revealed a celebrity secret.

“‘Congratulations to the most beautiful pregnant woman in the world. You’re gorgeous,’ Hilton announced at about 2 a.m. Sunday at an Aguilera-hosted party at LAX Nightclub in the Luxor.

“Aguilera, who has never confirmed being pregnant despite a visible bump beneath her pink chiffon mini-dress, appeared temporarily shocked as she sat in her perch in the elevated VIP booth. She sank her head into the shoulder of husband Jordan Bratman as her friends looked stunned.

“But she quickly recovered, and the two looked at each other and laughed as the crowd – which included Adrien Grenier, Melanie Brown, Criss Angel and cast members from The Hills – erupted in applause. (Aguilera’s rep declined to comment).

“Hilton’s surprise announcement, coming after she earlier put her hand on Aguilera’s stomach and the pair giggled, was the highlight of the LAX party, one of many rocking Las Vegas on the weekend of the MTV Video Music Awards.”

[From People]

For about a million reasons, I’d like to find Paris Hilton alone in a dark alley. That sounds oddly sexual. I mean that in the “I’d like to beat you up and knock the two IQ points you have left out of your head” way. I’m sure Christina Aguilera didn’t want her pregnancy announced by the likes of Paris Hilton. That’s what high-paid exclusive interviews with In Touch are for. I can’t imagine why she’s waited so long to make the announcement, since she’s been showing for a while now. It sounds like Christina was pretty gracious about it. I would have found a beer bottle to toss at the microphone.

It also sounds like that was a dig at supposed “best friend” Nicole Richie, who is also pregnant. Publicly (and needlessly) calling someone else “‘most beautiful pregnant woman in the world,’” sounds like old-school catty, bitchy Paris at her best. She didn’t say “one of” the most beautiful or just that Christina looked great or any number of other ways that could have been phrased. Something tells me Paris’s name isn’t on the short list of possible godmothers for Richie’s upcoming bundle of joy.

Paris is shown at the VMAs last night.