Bonnie Franklin Played Struggling Everymom to Perfection, Says PEOPLE's Critic

By Tom Gliatto

03/02/2013 at 09:00 AM EST

Bonnie Franklin, Mackenzie Phillips and Valerie Bertinelli

CBS/Getty

When certain television stars pass away, they don't leave the stage – they leave your life. They played ordinary people so perfectly, you almost imagine that once their series concluded they went on living a plain existence parallel to yours as you worked, shopped, ate dinner, watched TV.

Actress Bonnie Franklin, who died of pancreatic cancer Friday at age 69, was for nine seasons America's most contemporary everymom on CBS's One Day at a Time (1975-1984). Franklin played Ann Romano, a divorced mother of two daughters (Valerie Bertinelli and Mackenzie Phillips) living in an apartment in Indianapolis.

Ann was cute but not pretty, youthful but not young, reasonable but not wise, optimistic but not deluded. You could have summed her up as pixieish, except she seemed too worn out to leap. Or maybe she'd need a minute to rev herself up.

Raising the girls and hoping for love, she seemed to understand that victories, as the title suggested, were achieved only incrementally.

There aren't many other sitcom performances that live on in the memory for such frank, simple concreteness. The show, for me, can be reduced almost entirely to close-ups of Franklin's watchful face, framed by her red page cut – and her expression is more anxious than amused.

Over the course of the show, there was plenty to be anxious about. One Day was developed by the legendary Norman Lear, who with All in the Family reformed the pastel-colored American sitcom into something not only set in a recognizably drab world but willing to grapple with hot-button topics like birth control and teen suicide. One Day dealt with both, and many more.

It's hard to be believe now, when TV sitcoms have become almost astonishingly inventive in constructing their comic situations, how essentially anguished such a show could be.

Which is why it's that face that I still see. That struggling but deserving woman, for whom everything is one day at a time.

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Jennifer Lawrence Says She Sets Up Bradley Cooper

03/01/2013 at 09:45 AM EST

Clearly, the country has become enamored with this year's Best Actress winner, Jennifer Lawrence. And if Bradley Cooper wasn't charmed by her already, now he has plenty to love about her.

"I feel like all I've been doing lately is setting him up," Lawrence, 22, told MTV of her Silver Linings Playbook costar.

But interest in the actor (PEOPLE's Sexiest Man Alive in 2012) is so great that the actress has had to strategize.

"I was like, 'You know what? I'm going to save time, I'm going to get you a booklet of pictures of my friends and you just go through and pick them out,' " she joked. "Because this is getting exhausting for me."

Though he plays her love interest in their romantic comedy, the sparks between them are onscreen only.

Says Lawrence, "He's my brother."

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Debbie Reynolds: Carrie Fisher Will Be 'Just Fine' After Hospitalization

By Elaine Aradillas

02/28/2013 at 08:40 AM EST

Carrie Fisher (left) and Debbie Reynolds

Ethan Miller/Getty

Carrie Fisher was briefly hospitalized last week for her bipolar disorder after a bizarre performance aboard a cruise ship, but her mother Debbie Reynolds says she'll be fine.

"She's had manic depression bipolar since she was 13. It's an illness, and she's doing much better," Reynolds told PEOPLE exclusively Wednesday night. "I'm very proud of her, and she's doing exceptionally well. She'll be just fine, just great, and continue her writing as she always does."

Fisher, 56, who has spoken openly about her mental illness, performed on the Holland American cruise liner Eurodam in the Caribbean. The actress and author gave a rambling performance, leaving many in the audience wondering what was wrong.

"She clearly had trouble remembering things," says Chris Smith, a guest on the cruise. "She tried to tell some stories about her parents and Hollywood, but was having a hard time."

After a video of the performance went viral, her publicist released the following statement: "There was a medical incident related to Carrie Fisher's bipolar disorder. She went to the hospital briefly to adjust her medication and is feeling much better now."

Reynolds, 80, who spoke Wednesday to a sold-out audience attending the Rancho Mirage Lecture Series at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, Calif., talked about the effects of mental illness.

"[It's] really dreadful, and you are so alone because you're criticized, and people think you're doing it on purpose, and that you're misbehaving or having a spell because you want attention," she says. "It's not true. It's extremely difficult for everyone to deal with."

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Titanic to Sail Again - But Will You Get Onboard?

By Stephen M. Silverman

02/27/2013 at 09:15 AM EST

Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, in Titanic

Paramount Pictures/AP

It's the biggest Oscar winner of all time, but it's also a code word for disaster: Titanic.

Now, an Australian billionaire plans to recreate the legendary ship, and charge $1 million for a first-class cabin when his replica Titanic II re-traces the original 1912 route of the great ship that went down.

Once the new ship is built in China, its maiden voyage is scheduled for late 2016 and will hopefully go the full distance from England's Southampton to New York's West Side.

Its furnishings, said its financier Clive Palmer, will include a Turkish bath (just like on the original) and the ornate grand staircase which Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet descended in the 1997 James Cameron movie.

It will also have some things the original didn't: air-conditioning and enough lifeboats.

But will it be "unsinkable?" Unthinkable, Palmer said at a press conference in New York Tuesday.

"Anything will sink if you put a hole in it," he said. "I think it would be very cavalier to say it."

The ship will have three separate classes – with no mingling among them, like in the movie – and offer period costumes to its passengers.

Does that sound like fun to you?

The great ship, Titanic (1997)

Everett

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Jennifer Lawrence Dyes Her Hair Jet Black

By Tim Nudd

02/26/2013 at 09:15 AM EST

Jennifer Lawrence, blonde (left) and brunette

Jason Merritt/Getty; AKM-GSI

Oscar's golden girl, Jennifer Lawrence, has gone brunette – almost jet black, in fact!

The day after winning Best Actress for her role in Silver Linings Playbook, Lawrence, 22, was right back at work – emerging from a Beverly Hills salon with newly dyed black hair as she prepares to play Katniss Everdeen in reshoots for the next Hunger Games movie.

The actress was dressed mostly in black, too – with a black cardigan and black skirt to go along with a gray T-shirt.

It was quite a contrast to her dazzling look on Sunday, with her golden hair and Dior Haute Couture dress with Chopard jewels, a Roger Vivier clutch and Brian Atwood shoes.

One thing she was still sporting, though, was her glowing smile.

Reshoots for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire are expected to begin as soon as this week, reportedly in Hawaii. The movie is due in theaters at Thanksgiving.

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Jennifer Lawrence: Her Most Memorable 2013 Awards Season Moments

By Dahvi Shira

02/25/2013 at 10:00 AM EST

Jennifer Lawrence at the Golden Globes (left), the SAG Awards and the Academy Awards

Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP; Kevin Winter/Getty

It wasn't just Jennifer Lawrence's wins making news during 2013's awards season.

The Silver Linings Playbook star, 22, was the subject of headlines for everything from her speeches to Sunday's tumble at the 85th Annual Academy Awards.

Relive Lawrence's most memorable moments here ...

•Golden Globes

Lawrence kicked off awards season with an eyebrow-raising comment in her acceptance speech. After saying, "What does it say? I beat Meryl," some people – including Lindsay Lohan, who Tweeted about it – initially thought it was a jab at Meryl Streep. Lawrence later explained the comment to David Letterman, telling him it was a quote from The First Wives Club.

"First of all, it's Meryl Streep. You can't offend Meryl Streep," she said. "And then all of the sudden I hate Meryl Streep. Is that what this turned into? I don't like Meryl Streep? As if I had my eyes on getting that girl forever and I was like, 'Finally! I knew it would happen one day!' "

•SAG Awards

Lawrence's Dior Haute Couture gown stole the show, but not just because of its beautiful style. While getting up to accept an award, the actress's "pants fell off," she later joked of what appeared to be a tear in the material. Lawrence, who showed off a lot of leg, made light of the incident on Piers Morgan.

•Academy Awards

Hollywood's biggest night was memorable for Lawrence not only for walking away with the Best Actress statuette, but also for the way she received it. While getting up to accept the prestigious honor, she took a little tumble on the stairs in her Christian Dior Couture gown. After fellow nominee Hugh Jackman helped her up, she joked to the audience, "You guys are just standing up 'cause you feel bad that I fell and that's really embarrassing, but thank you."

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You're Invited to PEOPLE.com's Oscars Party!

02/24/2013 at 08:40 AM EST

From left: Bradley Cooper, Oscar, Jessica Chastain

AFP/Getty; Wireimage; Splash News Online

Oscars host Seth MacFarlane isn't the only one gearing up for Hollywood's biggest night – we are too!

Be a part of the glamour and excitement Sunday starting at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT when we roll out the red carpet for our PEOPLE.com VIPs.

Here's what you can expect:
• Tune in to our live red carpet preshow for exclusive A-list interviews
• Be the first to see the gorgeous gowns – and make your own best-dressed list
• Download your own play-along ballot – and vote on your Academy Awards picks
• Tweet with our editors at #PeopleOscars, and watch the conversation on our homepage. We'll be joined by DKNY PR Girl (@dkny), model Coco Rocha (@cocorocha), the hilarious Go Fug Yourself (@fuggirls), @WhoWhatWear and blogger @Possessionista!
• Take our up-to-the-minute Oscars polls

And come back the next day for so much more ...
• See the night's best dresses from all angles with our 360º slideshow
• Come inside the most exclusive Oscars after-parties
• Relive the most memorable quotes of the show
• Get the scoop on the night's biggest shockers and funniest moments everyone is talking about

We're looking forward to a fun, fashion-filled night – see you then!

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Reeva Steenkamp's Father: If Oscar Pistorius Speaks the Truth, 'I Can Perhaps Someday Forgive Him'

By Stephen M. Silverman

02/23/2013 at 09:30 AM EST

Oscar Pistorius and Reeva Steenkamp

Elite/EMPICS Entertainment/ABACA

Having been freed on bail Friday as he awaits trial for the premeditated murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, Oscar Pistorius "will have to live with his conscience," her father said Saturday.

Speaking to the Beeld newspaper (and translated by the BBC), Barry Steenkamp – referring to Pistorius's claim that he fatally fired his gun four times at Reeva because he thought an intruder had broken into his house – said: "If it didn't happen the way he says it did, he must suffer and he will suffer."

Steenkamp also said, "It does not matter how much money he has and how good his legal team is, he will have to live with his conscience. But if he speaks the truth, I can perhaps someday forgive him."

The next hearing for the Paralympian, 26, is scheduled for June 4.

Besides setting bail at $114,000 – the amount is considered high for a murder trial in South Africa, reports The New York Times – Magistrate Nair Desmond also ordered Pistorius to relinquish firearms and passports, and to stay away from his home, because it is an official crime scene.

In addition, he is not permitted to contact witnesses, leave Pretoria without official permission or use drugs or alcohol. He is to report to a police station twice every week.

Arnold Pistorius, an uncle speaking on behalf of the family, told reporters Friday, "We are relieved by the fact that Oscar got bail today, but at the same time, we are in mourning for Reeva Steenkamp and her family."

Oscar Pistorius is reportedly staying at Arnold's home in an upscale part of Pretoria. News photos showed the athlete being picked up from the courtroom and driven away by his sister, Aimee.

Reeva Steenkamp's mother June told Beeld that the Pistorius family had sent a bouquet of flowers.

"But what does it mean?" she said. "Nothing."

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Music Mogul Clive Davis: My Lucky Life

By Kevin O'Donnell

02/22/2013 at 10:00 AM EST

On a late January afternoon, Clive Davis is sitting in his wood-paneled office in Sony Music's Manhattan headquarters. Soon he'll be off to catch the opening night of his pal Barry Manilow's new Broadway show.

But right now he's gazing at his wall, which holds photos of him with just about every superstar musician through the years: Whitney Houston, Alicia Keys, Aretha Franklin.

Growing up in Brooklyn in the '30s and '40s, the legendary music mogul, now 80, was never obsessed with music – "My charts were baseball charts!" – and today sometimes even he can't believe his enormous success. "Luck played a part," he says.

Luck and a phenomenal gift for recognizing, nurturing and selling talent. In his new memoir, The Soundtrack of My Life, the five-time Grammy-winning Hall of Famer reflects on his nearly five decades as a record producer and executive, discovering and guiding performers like Houston and Alicia Keys, overseeing the careers of, at one time, Barbra Streisand and Bob Dylan and helping Santana make a huge comeback in 1999.

"The breadth of styles he can bring to the top – no one can touch that," says Bill Werde, Billboard's editorial director. "Clive deeply feels the music."

His memoir also pulls back the curtain on his personal life. Though married twice and father to four grown children, he reveals that he is bisexual and that his current relationship is with a man.

Though he says he never hid his sexual orientation from those closest to him, he's telling the rest of the world in his book because "this is the story of my life," he says. "I knew I was going to include that important part of it."

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Shia LaBeouf Drops Out of Broadway Play Due to 'Creative Differences'

Buzz

02/21/2013 at 10:00 AM EST

Shia LaBeouf (left) and Alec Baldwin

Danny Moloshok/Invision/AP; Jamie McCarthy/Getty

Shia LaBeouf will not be bowing on the Great White Way this spring.

The actor, who was scheduled to make his Broadway debut in a revival of the play Orphans alongside Alec Baldwin, has dropped out due to "creative differences" producers say in a statement released to the Associated Press.

A source confirms the actor's departure, telling PEOPLE, "He was really into it, but at the end of the day he and the director had very different visions of what his character was like. And, unfortunately, they couldn't resolve those differences."

Another source close to the play echoes that the reason for LaBeouf's withdrawal "amounted to creative differences with the director and Shia."

The New York Times reports that producers decided to replace LaBeouf on Tuesday night, a week after rehearsals began, after the show's director, Sullivan, became concerned about "performance choices" the actor made in the role. Sullivan reportedly spoke to LaBeouf about his concerns, but things did not improve.

But he hasn't exactly gone quietly.

Several hours after news broke he was leaving Orphans, LaBeouf shared a series of apologetic emails via his official Twitter feed. On Wednesday he Tweeted, "Creative differences," alongside an excerpt of an apparent email he purportedly sent to the creative team and his costars.

In the lengthy email in which he appears to be apologizing to Baldwin, LaBeouf writes, "A man does not know everything. He doesn't try. He likes what other men know. ... Alec, I'm sorry for my part of a dis-agreeable situation."

The Tweet and email exchange also includes a reply, purportedly from the play's director Daniel Sullivan, who writes, "I'm too old for disagreeable situations. ... Alec is who he is. You are who you are. You two are incompatible. I should have known it."

A representative for Orphans confirmed the legitimacy of the emails to The Times. LaBeouf's rep has not responded to PEOPLE's request for comment, and when reached by PEOPLE, Baldwin's rep had no comment.

Later, in another email posted to Twitter, Baldwin and LaBeouf share mutual praise.

"I don't have an unkind word to say about you," a man who signs his name AB, and is purported to be Alec Baldwin, writes in the email that LaBeouf posted. "You have my word."

In reply, LaBeouf writes, "Same. Be well. Good luck on the play. You'l be great," and then signs the email "Shia."

Creative Differences and an Another Apology

Yet even earlier, on Feb. 18 LaBeouf hinted at creative tensions in rehearsal via Twitter, writing, "Put my hand thru the door at rehearsals. then apologized to our playwright- this was his response." Again, LaBeouf attached an apparent email exchange between him and the playwright, Lyle Kessler, with his Tweet.

According to a Playbill.com report, producers will announce LaBeouf's replacement shortly. The play is about two orphaned brothers who decide to kidnap a rich man. Baldwin plays the wealthy target in Lyle Kessler's play, which premiered in 1983, and LaBeouf was to play one of the kidnappers along with British actor Tom Sturridge.

Orphans is scheduled to begin previews on March 19 with an official opening April 7 at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre in New York.

• Reporting by CHARLOTTE TRIGGS

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Downton Abbey Cast Covers One Direction's 'What Makes You Beautiful'

TV Watch

By Maggie Coughlan

02/20/2013 at 09:45 AM EST

You don't know you're beautiful, Downton Abbey. But comedian Richard Sandling does!

Sandling is the brains behind a video mashup of the Crawley crew performing One Direction's "What Makes You Beautiful." Using footage from seasons 1 through 3 (and both Christmas specials), cast members of Downton lend their dramatic dialogue to the hit song.

And after Sunday's shocking season 3 finale, a little Downton humor is just what the Dowager Countess ordered.

Originally created for Richard Sandling's Perfect Movie, a monthly live show created by the comedian, the cast of Downton manages to utter every lyric – with one exception. Rather than crooning "the way that you flip your hair gets me overwhelmed," Lord Gratham and gang opts for "the way that you flip your hair gets me flabbergasted."

This isn't the first fun mashup Sandling has created – his website, That Awesome Movie Guy, also combined Mad Men with Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up" for a viral video that's reached over 1.2 million views.

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Michael Jackson's Son Prince Michael Works as TV Reporter

Only on People.com

By Jennifer Garcia

02/19/2013 at 09:35 AM EST

From left: James Franco, Zach Braff and Prince Michael Jackson

Courtesy ET

Michael Jackson's son, Prince Michael, stepped into a world his late father knew well, becoming a special correspondent for Entertainment Tonight.

Mentored by the show's Brooke Anderson, the 16-year-old interviewed actors James Franco, Zach Braff and director Sam Raimi for their new film Oz the Great and Powerful for shows airing this week.

"We have a mutual connection, and I have been working to do something with him for a while," Anderson tells PEOPLE. "I thought interviewing the cast of Oz the Great and Powerful would be the perfect opportunity, because he's a fan of The Wizard of Oz, his dad was in The Wiz and he wants to get into directing, producing and acting one day."

So how were his reporting chops?

"He showed me up big time," Anderson says. "Ultimately, he didn't really need too much guidance. I gave him pointers, but he was a natural."

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Kate, Back from Babymoon, Resumes Royal Duties

By Simon Perry

02/18/2013 at 09:20 AM EST

Five months into her pregnancy and just back from a Caribbean "babymoon" in Mustique, the Duchess of Cambridge is stepping up her work as she returns to her royal duties.

Kate, 31, is set for a visit to the port of Grimsby, about 180 miles from London in north eastern England, where she will be shown the local work of one of her father-in-law Prince Charles's best known charities, the Prince's Trust.

On the March 5 "away day," she will also see a local school and take in a history lesson on the local fishing industry when she tours the town's museum.

With the fashion-conscious princess also thinking about her maternity wear, she's reportedly turned to friends Natasha Rufus Isaacs and Lavinia Brennan at Beulah London for some frocks, it was reported Monday – though the company did not wish to comment.

On Tuesday of this week, Kate will return to public work by visiting a treatment center run by one of her charities, Action on Addiction, a women's-only project in Clapham, London.

"These women would have chosen to have some time out of the company of men and they need to focus on themselves," charity chief executive Nick Barton tells PEOPLE. "This is more about the longer term, helping people sustain their recovery and think about the things that makes them vulnerable to relapse."

Royal aides tell PEOPLE that Kate is set to pick some new patronages in the coming weeks, to add to the several she adopted in January 2012.

As it is, the non-profit group 100 Women in Hedge Funds – already associated with Prince William – has announced it will partner with Action on Addiction for Kate's first year of her patronage.

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Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan's Disney Vacation

TV Watch
People Exclusive

By Rennie Dyball

02/17/2013 at 10:00 AM EST

Kelly Ripa with Joaquin (front), Michael and Lola in Disney World

Todd Anderson/Disney

Call it an on-location family vacation.

Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan are taping four episodes of Live in Orlando, but the morning show co-hosts are also making time to embrace their inner children (and their real ones!) at Walt Disney World.

The Live co-hosts spent the day with their families at the park on Saturday, where Ripa rode the Epcot attraction Test Track with her kids Joaquin (next to Ripa), 9, Michael, 15, and Lola, 11.

Michael Strahan and Gaston

Todd Anderson / Disney

Elsewhere, it was a tale of dueling biceps (and expressive eyebrows) when Strahan matched up for some arm wrestling with Beauty and the Beast character Gaston.

Ripa's husband Mark Consuelos also joined his family on the trip, while Strahan was accompanied by his children, fiancée Nicole Murphy, and her kids.

The Orlando episodes of Live will air Monday through Thursday on ABC.

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Fugitive Ex-Cop Christopher Dorner May Have Committed Suicide

By Howard Breuer

02/16/2013 at 10:00 AM EST

Undated photo of Christopher Dorner

LAPD/AP

Ex-LAPD Officer Christopher Dorner pledged to kill a lot of cops in his revenge-fueled killing spree, but once he was surrounded on Tuesday, Dorner apparently turned one of his many weapons on himself – ending one of Southern California's largest-ever manhunts with a self-inflicted gunshot.

San Bernardino County Sheriff John McMahon told reporters Friday evening that Dorner died from "a single gunshot wound to the head."

This supports early media reports that officers in a shootout last week with Dorner (which left one deputy dead) said they stopped being fired upon after hearing a single gunshot from inside the house where Dorner sought refuge. However, McMahon stopped short of confirming Dorner committed suicide, saying the manner of death is "still under investigation."

McMahon primarily used the press appearance to explain how deputies – who searched door to door for Dorner in Big Bear Lake the previous Thursday – failed to find him when he was apparently in a condominium only a few hundred feet from where his burned truck was abandoned.

McMahon said his deputies searched the complex, but the unit where Dorner apparently hid was locked, and deputies were not authorized "to force entry into residences that did not show signs of being broken into."

Officials said that during his rampage, which left four people dead in three counties, Dorner used
"numerous canisters of CS gas and smoke; multiple assault rifles equipped with suppressors; semi-automatic hand guns; and a military-style Kevlar helmet, among other weapons and equipment.

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Kris Humphries Now Breaking Up with His Divorce Lawyer

By Ken Lee

02/15/2013 at 09:20 AM EST

The cracks are beginning to show in Kris Humphries's year-long fight to prove that his marriage to Kim Kardashian was based on fraud.

In papers filed in L.A. Superior Court on Thursday, Humphries's lawyer Marshall Waller sought to remove himself from the case, citing "irreconciable differences" causing an "irremediable breakdown" of their attorney-client relationship.

Lawyers for Kardashian and Humphries, whose marriage lasted only 72 days, were set to face-off in court Friday. Their judge was expected to rule on whether to grant Kardashian a divorce or a set a trial date.

In recent weeks, Humphries's attorney argued that Kardashian was using her pregnancy as leverage to force a trial.

The reality star responded by imploring the court to grant her a divorce because the ongoing battle was endangering "the health and well-being of my unborn child."

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Jenna von Oy Blogs: All's Fair In Love (and Raising Kids)

One of my valentines – Lila McCann Photography

Celebrity blogger Jenna von Oy is a new mama!

Best known for her roles as Six on Blossom and Stevie on The Parkers, von Oy is also a musician who has released two albums and is set to publish a book, The Betweeners.

von Oy, 35, wed Brad Bratcher on Oct. 10, 2010, and resides in Nashville with her husband and five dogs.

They welcomed their first child, daughter Gray Audrey, on May 21. She is now 8 months old.

In her latest blog, von Oy reflects on the memorable events and observations that have made her realize what loving a child truly is.

You can find her on Facebook and Twitter @JennavonOy, as well as posting on her weekly blog, The Cradle Chronicles.

Author’s Note: This month’s post officially marks my one-year anniversary of blogging for PEOPLE.com. I have loved — and continue to love — every moment of sharing the motherhood experience with all of you. Thank you for being a part of this adventure with me! Here’s to many more … — Jenna

I know a plethora of folks out there regard Valentine’s Day as a meaningless “holiday.” There are those who feel it is an overrated day of commercial benefit, perpetuated by greeting card companies and chocolate manufacturers, and I suppose they may not be entirely off-base.

After all, do we need a calendar to tell us when to give flowers, or candy, or paper hearts? Is it necessary to oversaturate the market with tangible items meant to represent something completely intangible?

While I respect those who stand staunchly by that viewpoint, I prefer not to be quite so cynical about the whole deal. Instead, I choose to see the day as a not-so-gentle nudge in the right direction for those who aren’t as romantically inclined by nature. I believe that romance is a learned habit and doesn’t come easily for everyone out there.

I realize, for instance, that in asking some men to sit down for a candlelit dinner, you might as well be asking if you can inflict them with the bubonic plague. I suspect Feb. 14th incites a perpetual “deer in the headlights” look from spouses across America, as they tear their hair out over finding a token keepsake that says, “I love you” with just the right amount of pizzazz.

The thought of coming up with gift ideas makes many a husband break out in a massive case of hives, God bless them.

But there are gifts that can’t be wrapped and sentiments that a Hallmark card can’t write for us. They generally come in the form of unconditional love, support, affection and intimate moments shared while the kids are asleep. And, in my book, they are the most treasured gifts one can give or receive.

All of the silly lollipops and forget-me-nots aside, I think Valentine’s Day is a good time to articulate our appreciation. It’s an opportunity to reflect on the little things that endear us to one another, that made us fall in love to begin with. Which brings me to…

Happy – Courtesy Jenna von Oy

I certainly don’t want to diminish the feelings any of us have for our significant others, but I believe Valentine’s Day is about love in all capacities, rather than just a romantic one. On May 21st of 2012, when my daughter was born, my husband and I fell in love all over again — with our baby girl, as well as with each other.

We are celebrating our parental love this Valentine’s Day too, because its depth has propelled us into an entirely different stratosphere. The feelings we have for Gray are limitless, overwhelming and instinctual. Though our love for her is unquantifiable, it is somewhat measured by the small moments that resonate in a big way.

Those instances have taken many forms; they’ve been hilarious, gut-wrenching, terrifying, wonderful, smile-worthy, tear-inducing and poignant … sometimes all at once!

So, in honor of the first Valentine’s Day we get to be in love as a family, I have compiled a list of some of the memorable events and observations that have made us realize what loving a child truly is. It is by no means comprehensive (we’ve only been parents for eight months, after all), but it’s a start!

Since laughter is a form of sharing love, I’ve stuck to mostly tongue-in-cheek examples. Hopefully you’ll giggle along with us as you reminisce about some of your own love-inspiring anecdotes.

A big hug of thanks to my mom, who contributed some of her experiences as well. Please feel free to leave your own additions in the comment section that follows!

Valentine’s – Courtesy Jenna von Oy

Love Is…

1. Slobbery baby kisses.

2. Knowing you’d go through another nine months of praying to the porcelain god, puffing up like a French pastry, breaking out in acne and mysterious rashes, suffering through back pain, craving pickles and ice cream, (insert your own personal hell here…) and feeling like you’ve been lifting weights from your breasts, if it meant having another child who’s as perfect as the one in your arms.

3. Inviting in the dawn of a new media decade — a.k.a. forgoing your favorite car playlist to listen to Winnie the Pooh music, and swapping out that episode of Scandal you Tivo’d in exchange for back-to-back episodes of Yo Gabba Gabba.

4. Becoming best friends with the unholy trinity — poop, puke and snot.

5. Having the covers stolen, freezing your butt off all night, then somehow winding up in the co-sleeper because your child is a nighttime nomad.

6. Trading in your party dress and stilettos for practical shoes and clothes that don’t purport to be “dry clean only.”

7. Knowing the words to every Disney song better than your child does. (Are there bonus points for dressing up like the princess who sings them?)

8. Learning that Play-Doh is not easily removed from carpets, and walls are not an ideal medium for crayon drawings.

9. Bundling your child in so much winter paraphernalia that they resemble the Michelin Man, but forgetting to put your own coat on.

10. Loving and admiring your spouse even more, because he or she is such a phenomenal parent.

11. Gladly trading in wine night with the girls to read Goodnight Moon for the hundredth time.

12. Allowing yourself to become a human jungle gym … and scratching post … and teething toy.

13. Treasuring the fact that your child is still asleep in your arms, even though your arms have gone to sleep too.

14. Praying the good in the world outweighs the bad, and your child’s innocence lasts longer than a marshmallow Peep in your pantry.

15. Saving for your child’s college fund, instead of getting a new fall wardrobe.

16. Accepting that your nipples have become a part-time taffy pull, and it’s worth it for the incredible bonding of breastfeeding. (As a side note, this is nothing against those of you who don’t breastfeed … I support you either way!)

17. Discovering that your idea of a Friday night out on the town now entails root beer, Tater Tots and tickets to Sesame Street on Ice.

18. Being overly excited about the prospect of potty training.

19. Finding redeeming qualities during the terrible twos. And the terrible threes. And…

20. Making up annoying ditties about everything from changing stinky diapers to taking naps, just to see your kid smile.

21. Discovering that sleep is a privilege. After all, you might be getting less than you did in college, but the rewards are 10 times greater than passing your exams.

22. Going to Disneyland and enduring endless rotations of “It’s a Small World.”

23. Knowing that you will never have your own ice cream cone again.

24. Crying along with your child when they get hurt for the first time.

25. Giving up your attachment to anything breakable, discovering that your plants are much shorter than they used be, and accepting that your home now serves as one giant toy box.

26. Sporting spit up on your blouse, and hoping it becomes en vogue on the fashion runways this year. What, you’re saying vomit isn’t the new black?

27. Scaring away imaginary monsters under the bed, knowing there are real ones out there in the world, and doing your best to protect your child from all of them.

28. Being excited to go to sleep at night so you can cuddle together; being excited to wake up in the morning so you can laugh together.

29. Making seven loops around the mall at Christmastime, just to find the beloved giraffe pacifier that mysteriously disappeared from the stroller.

30. Knowing you’ll never be on time again (or in my mom’s case, appreciating that you now have an excuse for why you aren’t…)

31. Acknowledging that drool has replaced Aqua Net as your favorite hair product, and your locks double as an “oh #@$&” handle for your infant.

32. Dragging three kids on a train ride to New York, and realizing you’ll never be the same afterwards … For that matter, neither will the passengers who sat anywhere near you. (God bless you for braving that, Mom!)

33. Packing half the nursery for a road trip: changes of clothing, diapers, wipes, teethers, books, a sippy cup and everything else you can think of, only to realize you’re driving in your slippers.

34. Thinking it’s cute when your baby burps loudly during a church service.

35. Noticing an hour has gone by, and all you’ve accomplished is gazing intently at your sleeping child.

36. Crying at the end of The Velveteen Rabbit, because you finally understand what “being real” is.

37. Loving every second of the experiences listed above, and realizing they don’t mean that you’ve lost sight of who you are … they mean you’ve found the best parts of you.

Day! – Courtesy Jenna von Oy

Wishing you a Valentine’s Day filled with love … no matter what form it takes.

Until next time,

– Jenna von Oy

More from Jenna’s PEOPLE.com blog series:

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One Direction, Taylor Swift Among Kids' Choice Awards Nominees

By Andrea Billups

02/13/2013 at 08:50 AM EST

One Direction, (from left) Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Harry Styles

Jon Furniss/AP

Time to get slimed!

Wednesday brought the nominations for Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards, set to air March 23 with Josh Duhamel as host.

For favorite musical group, nominees include Big Time Rush, Bon Jovi, Maroon 5 and One Direction. Favorite Song nominees include: "Call Me Maybe" by Carly Rae Jepsen, "Gagnan Style" by PSY, "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" by Taylor Swift, and "What Makes You Beautiful" by One Direction, of which Swift's ex, Harry Styles, is a member.

"We are delighted with our nominations for the Kids' Choice Awards," Styles said in a statement to PEOPLE. "It was amazing to perform 'What Makes You Beautiful' at last year's show. Thank you as always to our incredible fans and supporters!"

Voting opens in 22 categories on nick.com on Thursday, allowing for a little Valentine's Day love for your favorite TV actors, musicians, sports and film stars. New categories added this year include favorite app and favorite villain.

Voters may also mark their ballots on Facebook using embeddable wall posts and on Twitter with custom hashtags.

This year mark's Nickelodeon's 26th annual awards. The show will be broadcast live from the University of Southern California's Galen Center on March 23, starting at 8 p.m. ET, on Nickelodeon, of course.

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Why Are the Jenner Sisters Telling the Kardashians to 'Leave Us Alone!'?

Stylewatch
Style News Now

02/11/2013 at 04:30 PM ET

Courtesy: PacSun

If you were launching a clothing line and your siblings had multi-million dollars worth of experience in that area, would you reach out to them for pointers? Well, if you’re Kendall and Kylie Jenner, the answer is no: The teen models didn’t consult with Kim, Kourtney or Khloé Kardashian while working on their new clothing line for PacSun.

“We were like, ‘This is our project. Leave us alone,’” Kylie, 15, tells PEOPLE. “We didn’t go to them for advice at all.” (And it looks like they didn’t need their older sisters’ help anyway: The line just launched on Friday and several of its pieces have already sold out online.)

The affordable collection, with prices ranging from $24.50 to $79.50, features pieces inspired by the teens’ casual, California style. “It’s just a chill, relaxed cool line,” Kendall, 17, says, of their designs, noting that she’s partial to the chambray button-down, while Kylie adores the dresses.

Despite their similar taste in clothes, the girls found themselves disagreeing during the design process. “We did butt heads, but I think that’s actually great,” Kylie says. “We finally came to a conclusion, and I think it’s cool that there are two opinions in the entire line.”

And though the Kardashians weren’t directly involved in the collection, Kendall admits that she and Kylie do draw style inspiration from their older siblings, and are constantly “borrowing” from their well-stocked closets — especially Kourtney’s. “She’s always had the best style, even when she was younger,” Kylie says.

The Jenners won’t, however, name a best-dressed dude in their (extended) family, and not because they’re afraid of hurting someone’s feelings. “You can’t compare Scott and Kanye. You can’t!” Kendall explains. “Kanye doesn’t wear suits like Scott does. There are so many different things [about their style].”

Kendall & Kylie for PacSun is available now at PacSun stores nationwide and at pacsun.com. Tell us: Are you excited to shop the Jenners’ first clothing line?

–Jennifer Cress

PHOTOS: SEE MORE STAR STYLE IN ‘LAST NIGHT’S LOOK’

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Record $1 Million Bounty Offered for Fugitive Cop

By Andrea Billups

02/11/2013 at 09:15 AM EST

Undated photo of Christopher Dorner

LAPD/AP

Authorities in Los Angeles upped the ante Sunday on a bounty for Christopher Dorner, the fugitive former Los Angeles police officer who remains at large after killing another officer and targeting police and their families over his 2008 firing from the force.

Police announced a record $1 million reward for information leading to the capture of Dorner, 33, who has eluded capture for five days and whose angry 15,000-word "manifesto" threatened the lives of at least 50 former colleagues and their relatives.

The record bounty, described by police as the largest for a criminal investigation in Southern California, was posted Sunday and comes from donations from police unions, businesses and private investors who want Dorner captured and off the streets.

Security was tightened at the Staples Center in downtown for Sunday's 55th annual Grammy Awards, as police continued the largest manhunt ever for the Los Angeles area. The search focused on the San Bernandino mountains where Dorner's burned out truck was found abandoned near Big Bear Lake, as police offered security to lawe enforcement families mentioned in Dorner's rambling writings.

Dorner, a former U.S. Navy reservist, engaged in a shooting with two officers on Thursday, grazing one, before ambushing two other police while they were sitting in their patrol car at a stoplight. One was killed and the other was seriously wounded. The revenge killings came after Dorner had posted rants on his Facebook page last week over what he claimed was his wrongful firing from the LAPD.

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