Now that people have recovered from the shock of Sandra Bullock’s big announcement they’re asking how the Oscar winning actress kept her adopted baby a secret for so long. We didn’t even hear a rumor that Sandra intended to adopt, although she did mention to Ellen last year that there were a lot of children who needed homes. (Given that Sandra was promoting a film in which she adopted an older teen, people didn’t think much of it.)

Some cynics have wondered whether Bullock adopted for publicity in the wake of the scandal over her husband cheating and being an all-around racist creep. First of all, adoption is a lifelong commitment not a publicity stunt and second, Sandra started the adoption process four years ago. It’s not simple or quick to adopt a child, particularly in the US. Even if you’re rich and famous there are plenty of hoops to jump through. Also, we’ve learned that Sandra had Louis since January. How did she keep her son a secret for over three months then? Well, according to Sandra she didn’t take him out of the house that much and her friends helped her. Here’s more from The Chicago Sun Times’ Bill Zwecker on the lengths Sandra went to. She had a whole team of people helping her:

There’s a good reason Sandra Bullock’s super-hush-hush adoption of little Louis from New Orleans was such a well-kept secret. The Oscar winner had ”a strategic plan, the best security and help from some real pros,” a major Bullock buddy revealed Wednesday.

”This was an operation that would have made the CIA proud,” quipped the source, adding that the actress actually was aided by a key player who had ”extensive experience with undercover government work.”

The source also indicated ”it was that little guy — sweet baby Louis — who is probably the main reason Sandy has been able to keep her sanity these past couple of months. The revelations about Jesse [James], her soon-to-be-ex-husband] nearly killed her. The one thing she treasures more than anything is loyalty. To have been dealt that betrayal was almost more than she could bear.”

• As for the 3^1/2month-old baby, ”He’s just perfect,” Bullock told People magazine, which broke the story and features the actress and tiny Louis on its latest cover.

• Another Bullock friend, who only learned about Louis late last week, said the adoption was a key reason James entered rehab. For him to be a part of Louis’ life, Bullock insisted he get help for his sexual addiction issues. In return, according to the agreements tied to the divorce filing Bullock initiated Friday in Austin, Texas, she also wants to remain involved in the lives of his three children from earlier marriages– especially little Sunny, to whom Bullock has become extremely attached over the past couple of years.

While the couple initially had filed to adopt Louis together, Bullock switched the final papers after learning of James’ cheating — and is proceeding with the process as a single mother.

• Her divorce filing states ”the marriage between petitioner and respondent has become insupportable because of discord or conflict of personalities that destroys the legitimate ends of the marriage relationship and prevents any reasonable expectations of reconciliation.”

• As for James, he issued his own statement to People saying he has agreed to the divorce. “Sandy is the love of my life,” he said, “but considering the pain and devastation I have caused her, it would be selfish to not let her go.” James vowed to beat an unspecified “addiction” and “be the best father possible to my four children.”

• Adding more poignancy to the situation, Bullock reveals she and James began the adoption process four years ago, bringing the child who now will be known as Louis Bardo Bullock home in January.

”Due to all of the craziness tied to the Oscar nomination and the whole awards season process, Sandra and Jesse decided to keep this a deep, dark secret and out of the limelight until after the Academy Awards,” said another Bullock friend — who lives on the East Coast and is only now learning about the adoption.

”Sandy has always been great at keeping confidences — especially when it comes to other friends’ problems. This only proves how good she is at it!”

[From The Chicago Sun Times]

Well, good for Sandra! She has an adorable baby boy who is surely starting to show his personality and Louis must be such a joy and a comfort to her. She also managed what could be one of the great public relations coups in the entertainment industry over the past few years. It’s genuine, too, which makes this all the more a triumph for Sandra.

Earlier today Kaiser covered some more of Sandra’s interview, and from what I’ve seen she’s been nothing but gracious to Jesse in light of his massive cheating. She had some harsh words for his obnoxious Nazi photo, but she also said that’s not the person she knew and that Jesse is welcome to be a part of Louis’ life. As for what she takes away from the relationship, she told People “The things I hold most dear are things that could not have happened without Jesse.” [via Access Hollywood] Now that’s how you define class.

Meanwhile People has more about Sandra’s ties to the city of New Orleans, where her son is from. They write that she’s been a huge supporter of a New Orleans-based high school, to which she donated “hundreds of thousands” to help with rebuilding efforts, and that she also established a college scholarship fund through the school. She also owns a home in New Orleans, and said that she loves the spirit of the city. “Without the spirit of the people who live there and take care of the city and honor its traditions, its love for music, its love for life, take those people out and you don’t have why I love New Orleans so much.” That’s why we love you too, Sandra, and it’s so nice to see that you haven’t lost your spirit either.