It's shaping up to be another busy year for the stork in Hollywood, where poopie-pantsed ankle-biters are as prized as the latest Prada bag. So, grab some Pampers, pop in a pacifier and peruse the latest baby burblings:

Now that Nicole Richie has finally confirmed what everyone already knew -- that there's a Joel Madden-spawned bun baking in her itty-bitty oven -- she's begun making preparations for her impending bundle of joy.

"She's having fun planning for the baby -- shopping, picking out names and designing a nursery," a pal tells In Touch.

But is the wrong-way-driving, slammer-bound starlet, who is about four months along, decorating in pink or blue?

The mag, which apparently has Nicole's OB/GYN on speed-dial, claims she underwent an ultrasound last week in Los Angeles and learned she's expecting a boy.

That may be news to Richie, who revealed to Diane Sawyer this week that she and Joel don't know the sex of the baby and are hoping to avoid any spoilers.

"We're going to try and hold out," she says. "Try."

The couple kept things decidedly neutral during a paparazzi-covered trip to ritzy New York boutique Z'Baby on Tuesday, reports E! Online's Marc Malkin.

"Nicole was asking a lot of questions about what they were going to need for the baby," recalls the store's owner.

Among the items they scooped up: a totally practical white Chanel blanket; a white onesie emblazoned with gold fleur-de-lis, along with a matching hat and blanket (they reportedly plan to use this as the tot's coming-home ensemble); and a white "I ♥ NY" bib.

In related baby news, Jennifer Garner is brushing off rumblings that she and hubby Ben Affleck will soon give adorably dimpled daughter Violet, 20 months, a sibling.

The actress, 35, has been the subject of pregnancy speculation for weeks thanks to her preference for suspiciously billowy blouses, which at times have appeared to show a bit of swelling in the belly area.

But Jen's rep insists to "Extra" that she's not knocked up with another Ben-bino at the moment.

Meanwhile, another actress may be facing the prospect of hiding her expanding waistline behind potted plants and oversized purses.

TV Guide's Michael Ausiello reports Julianna Margulies, who toplines the forthcoming FOX courtroom drama "Canterbury's Law," is expecting her first child with rumored fiancé Keith Lieberthal.

Margulies, 41, apparently doesn't want the pregnancy written into the show, and producers are said to be scrambling to figure out how to handle it.

And finally, Chris O'Donnell is doing his part to repopulate the planet.

During a sit-down Wednesday on the "Today" show, the actor announced that he and wife Caroline Fentress are awaiting the arrival of baby No. 5.

"Yeah, we're just starting to figure out how it works," joked O'Donnell, who is dad to Lily, 7, Chip, 6, Charlie, 4, and Finley, 16 months. "I think I know why this is happening, but we're really excited about it."

Next: Mommy Spearest: Tabs Blast Brit Over Tots