allDAY : Natalie Morales

TODAY in TwitPics: Susan Boyle

Ryan Osborn — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:16:00 GMT

YouTube: "On the Today Show"

Ryan Osborn — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:56:00 GMT

Rhys Leonard, a fan of the show who is 11 years old, visited the Plaza on Wednesday. Rhys put together a short video of his experience and posted it to YouTube.

Leonard wrote to allDAY:

I arrived at the Plaza at 7:30 AM sharp and was immediately surrounded by tons of people. I found a decent spot and started recording video. I was very close to the whole crew. Bon Jovi rocked!

Thanks, Rhys! We are glad that you had fun and enjoyed watching your video.

The Soup: Ewoks gone wild

Ryan Osborn — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:18:00 GMT

A lot of you responded to the Ewoks on Halloween and while this will be our last post on the subject, we thought you might enjoy the clip below from E's, "The Soup."

Today in TwitPics

Ryan Osborn — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:30:00 GMT

Matt Lauer's look-alike: Abe Vigoda or Ron Burgundy?

Vidya Rao — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:43:00 GMT

Will the real Matt Lauer please stand up?

Matt has his share of look-alikes out there, both real and fictional. Yesterday, People magazine unveiled a photo spread that shows TODAY hosts Matt, Meredith, Ann and Al rocking funky '70s style. The mustachioed Matt bears a striking resemblance to another anchor who’s “kind of a big deal”: Ron Burgundy, the fictional reporter played by Will Ferrell in the comedy film “Anchorman: The legend of Ron Burgundy.”

“I’ve heard everywhere from Ron Burgundy to a porn star, so … I’ll take Ron Burgundy,” Matt laughed. Natalie quipped that they looked like they were “separated at birth.”

Earlier this year, there were questions about whether Matt was related to another famous face – Abe Vigoda, the 87-year-old character actor best-known for playing detective Fish on the 1970s sitcom "Barney Miller."

So, who does Matt resemble more: Abe Vigoda or Ron Burgundy?

Natalie and Al talk about their flu shots

Ryan Osborn — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 17:59:00 GMT

From TODAY correspondent Sara Haines

I got my flu shot yesterday, so I am feeling pretty brave. Natalie and Al got their shots on-the-air this morning. In the clip below, they told me about the experience.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Natalie Morales: All parents have faced those humbling moments

Jen Brown — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:09:00 GMT

From Natalie Morales, TODAY host and national correspondent

On Thursday we talked to Anita Tedaldi, a woman who adopted a child and then gave him up 18 months later. As horrible as that headline sounds, you realize how just complicated the situation was and how agonizing the decision to give up little “D.” was when you read Anita’s own account. It’s a piece that will bring you to tears.

When that essay was first published in the New York Time’s Motherlode blog, many people accused Anita of being irresponsible for taking on more than she could handle, for not trying hard enough to make her adoption work (even though she writes about trying everything from months of therapy to bonding sessions with a psychologist, etc.). Several others, however, applauded Anita for her courage and the strength she showed in making what she felt was ultimately the best decision for the child.

No matter how you feel about Anita's decision to terminate her adoption, her story is one almost every mother can relate to on some level. That’s because this is not necessarily about terminating an adoption as it is a story of a woman coming to terms with her emotions and accepting the fact she couldn't be the kind of mom she thought she would be to her adopted child. As much as we all like to think we can do it all, we’ve all had that humbling moment – or many humbling moments -- when we must recognize our own limitations. When was the last time you felt like you weren't a good enough parent? How often have you asked if you are doing the right thing, whether in loving or disciplining your child?

In her essay, Anita describes struggling to bond with D. the way she bonded with her five biological children. I know many women who have experienced that with their own flesh and blood. Upon becoming a parent we are often told that you will experience a love like no other. All this is very true, but some mothers don’t have that instant bond the second this brand new life is placed into their arms. It doesn't mean they don't become amazing supermoms and love their children more than anything, but we all love differently and some need time to forge that bond.

So perhaps some of you will still find fault with Anita; others might sympathize with her situation a little more when considering her story through the lens of a parent with their own limitations and shortcomings. We can all, I think, agree Anita did not fail in giving D. a better life in the end. Where might little D be now? Perhaps still in an orphanage in a third world country with a variety of health issues. I asked Anita if she felt she saved little D when he needed saving, and to that she responded with a resounding "yes."

I hope you read Anita's essay with an open mind and an open heart -- it will make you think, it will make you cry, it will make you question what it means to love as a parent.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Congrats! Natalie and Hoda are triathletes

Sarika Dani — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 16:10:00 GMT

On Sunday, Natalie and Hoda competed in the “War at the Shore” triathlon in Long Branch, N.J., which consisted of a .4K swim, 9.5-mile bike race, and three-mile run. Natalie finished fifth in her age group, and Hoda surprised herself with her performance – partially thanks to all the great prep work from trainer “Hot Rob.” See them in action here and send in your congratulations!

Video: Natalie, Hoda finish triathlon

Photos courtesy Bob Cowin

Video: Natalie, Hoda finish triathlon

Natalie and Hoda prepare for triathlon

Ryan Osborn — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 23:25:00 GMT

Credit: Self Magazine

Natalie and Hoda are participating in the "War at the Shore" Triathlon this weekend. The race is on Sunday, September 20th and is set to begin at 7:00 AM in Long Branch, New Jersey.

Credit: Self Magazine

If you are in the area and want to come cheer them on, fans are encouraged to arrive by 6:15 AM. Look for the "Go Team TODAY" T-shirts. Video: Watch them train in Coney Island, Brooklyn.

Natalie Morales on 'Mommy Track'd'

Ryan Osborn — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 21:33:00 GMT

Mommy Track'd, a site about "managing the chaos of modern motherhood," interviewed Natalie Morales about how she juggles a busy schedule.

Credit: AP Photo/Evan Agostini

Find out what she finds to be the biggest challenge of being a mom and a working woman. Read the Q&A here.