Elisabeth Hasselbeck Talks Returning To ‘The View’

This morning, Elisabeth Hasselbeck returned to her usual seat at “The View” table after taking several months off due to maternity leave.

Although the show started off as usual with Hot Topics, Access Hollywood’s Maria Menounos found out the mother of three hasn’t been keeping up on all things current events.

“I didn’t know there was a balloon that was up without a kid,” Elisabeth said when Maria asked her about the Balloon Boy incident. “I’m glad I didn’t waste time on a child that was not in a balloon.”

Elisabeth revealed that she barely paid attention to pop culture as she prepared for — and eventually gave birth to — her third child, Isaiah, who came into the world in early August.

“I do like my maternity leave,” she said of her time away. “I call it ‘Maternity Leave Me Alone.’ I like to have everything shut off. I didn’t want to tap back in. I didn’t even know about balloon boy at all. I had no idea. I just wanted everything to take a second seat because it’s difficult when you plug back in to separate from everything again.”

The mother of three said she did, however, keep in some contact with her fellow “View” ladies.

“We emailed back and force and kept loose contact,” Elisabeth told Maria. “They checked in on me, which is incredible and I needed to hear from them… But I liked having that separation for a little bit.”

The “View” panelist looked svelte in a printed jacket and leggings on her first day back and she told Maria she has worked at staying in shape – at least when motherhood allowed.

“I’ve been trying to work out,” she said. “It doesn’t always happen. I feel guilty about going [to the gym]. I don’t want to leave the kids [so I] wait until they’re sleeping… When I can, I get a run in, I get a workout and try my best.”

And now that she is back at work, Elisabeth said she doesn’t plan on taking another maternity leave any time soon.

“Three is perfect,” she said with an air of finality. “I need sleep!”