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Nicole Richie clad in white. Joel Madden in his best suit. Courthouse. Marriage.

All were in play today in downtown L.A., but it's not exactly what you think.

Richie appeared Monday afternoon in court, where she was granted a permanent protective order against a couple of shutterbugs.

Richie, dressed in a sheer white blouse with her hair pulled tightly back in a bun, showed up with Madden, dressed in a black suit, and gave testimony of a car accident she blamed on the the paparazzi.

But the news that caused the most buzz was her lawyer's pronouncement of them as husband and wife.

Attorney Mark Geragos repeatedly referred to Madden as "your husband" during questioning of Richie.

And that was news to us.

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People Magazine

Ah, baby magazine covers. They're that rare breath of cute air that we can look at in the supermarket line without feeling angry at Jon & Kate or sad about Lindsay Lohan's new haggard makeover or annoyed at the Jen Aniston lies.

Instead, we can just let the warm fuzzy feelings wash over us and be like, "Well, that's nice."

So thank you, Nicole Richie, for showing off your cuddly 6-week-old son Sparrow in this week's People. Inside the magazine there are even more adorable pictures of the new family of four that are worth checking out.

And as an added bonus, Nicole and her longtime partner, Joel Madden, even (kind of) explain what's up with the strange bird name...

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Jean Baptiste Lacroix/Getty Images

What a difference a week makes.

Just seven days after the arrival of her son, Sparrow James Midnight Madden, Nicole Richie was out and about L.A. 

It may take some time to get used to the name, but meanwhile she is looking absolutely amazing.

Keep reading to get your first look at the now mother-of-two as she ran errands on Wednesday...

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Gold Wong/Getty Images

When Nicole Richie showed up at the DJ AM memorial last week, she looked almost ready to burst.

And she was. 

The 27-year-old Simple Lifer starlet and boyfriend Joel Madden welcomed son Sparrow James Midnight Madden in the wee hours this morning, Richie's publicist, Nicole Perna, confirms to E! News. The little bird tipped the scales at 7 pounds, 14 ounces.

Richie reportedly entered the hospital over the holiday weekend, and while her actual labor day came a little later, a note on her website says everyone is A-OK:

"Nicole, Joel, Harlow and Sparrow are all doing well. Thank you for all of your good wishes."

Richie and Madden—who have been dating since 2006 and planning their wedding since before the birth of daughter Harlow 19 months ago—announced the news of baby No. 2 back on Oscar Sunday.

The 30-year-old Good Charlotte frontman wrote on his blog, "What's better than winning an Oscar? I am so happy to tell everyone that Harlow is going to be a big sister! God has truly blessed my family!"

________

It's almost too bad—Richie makes maternity look fab...which is probably why she designs clothes for the expecting!

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•  Here's something you should all know. The Hogans do not know best. They are much ado about mudslinging and drama, Brooke's boob jobs, Linda's drug use and the Hulk's boa-wearing.

•  Benji and Joel Madden were apparently born Benji and Joel Combs, which might make them related to Sean "Diddy" Combs or something. Do you think that's why they legally changed their names?

•  Kiefer Sutherland may be keeping his head to himself in the latest issue of British Elle, but not his thoughts on ex-fiance Julia Roberts.

•  Stephanie Pratt and Frankie Delgado have their panties in a bunch about Paris Hilton's comments about The Hills.

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When you look at Big Pic, have you ever wanted to be a pen so badly?

Want more? Follow us on Twitter @eonline!

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Discrimination against people with tattoos is just plane crazy.

When heavily inked rocker Joel Madden attempted to board a British Airways flight from London to Lisbon on Saturday evening, he claimes he was ordered to hide his tats or stay in the U.K.

"Was just told by a british air person I can't get on the plane till I cover my tatts," he twittered. "I really actually am in shock he won't let me on the plane till I put long sleeves on and other BA rep is disagreeing."

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Michael Buckner/ Getty Images, Dave Hogan/ Getty Images

•  Lindsay Lohan attempts to reel in Leonardo DiCaprio by showing off her best dance moves. Someone ought to remind her that the Bar is set really, really hot.

•  The standard, over-the-shoulder red carpet shot is dead to neon shoe-wearing Sarah Jessica Parker.

•  What do Susan Boyle and dying dogs have in common? They both make Joel Madden and Nicole Richie cry.

•  Ben Affleck doesn't know what 7th Heaven was, or so its star Stephen Collins thinks. The former TV dad may even be a bit bitter that the State of Play star used his name for the film.

•  Kelly Clarkson insists she doesn't hook up and the Black Eyed Peas go boom. Are you going gaga for either of these new vids?

•  Dear So You Think You Can Dance fans: Here's a preview video for season five (high-kicking off May 21st)—you can thank us later. Love, Rise 'n' Shine

OK, Eva Longoria Parker and Teri Hatcher, what is so funny? The TV-friendly twosome laugh it up in the Big Picture gallery.