Jennifer and Angelina's baby battle

She may boast a sweet, girl-next-door persona, but that hasn't stopped Jennifer Aniston from taking on the challenge of falling pregnant before Angelina Jolie expands her family again. And with both actresses having cleared their schedules - and both moving behind the camera to turn their hands at directing last year - pregnancy news is running at fever pitch when it comes to the pair, with Jen and Justin already trying, and Angelina having publicly declared that she "could end up pregnant" this year.

Jen's ‘taking a break and nesting'

Having not been pictured out and about since November, when Jennifer finally emerged for a screening of HBO's Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory In LA on January 10, Hollywood-watchers were quick to point out her fuller face amid claims she is already close to six months pregnant with boyfriend, Justin's child!

And with pals saying that Jen is in serious nesting mode, whether or not the actress is currently pregnant, or just prepping, insiders agree that this is the year that Jen becomes a mum.

"If anyone ever asked if she was worried about running out of time, she'd reply, ‘I'm absolutely having kids there's not one doubt in my mind'," said a friend. "She's taking a break from movies to focus on herself and has really scaled back on work."

In fact, the only thing the 42-year-old actress has on the horizon, is promotional work for Wanderlust, on the set of which she met Justin.

"She's also thinking of launching her own fashion line, which she could fit into her schedule whilst still spending plenty of time at home," spilled a source. "She's seen how Nicole Richie manages to combine motherhood and a growing fashion business and it's a lifestyle balance she'd like to strike." 

Angelina: Biological baby first, adoption second

It's going to be a busy year ahead for Angelina and Brad, who are planning to add not one, but two to their brood of six - hoping for one biological child and another adoption.

And as with her previous pregnancies, Angelina has relaxed her super-restrictive eating regime, with industry insiders gushing over her "glow" as she helps Brad in his Oscars campaign at the recent spate of awards ceremonies.

"She's gained a little weight to start prepping for her fourth biological child," revealed a source. "Her and Brad's joy at having decided to try for another child has been palpable at all the red carpet events they've been to recently." Adding, "Brad told George Clooney about their plans and while George made his usual cracks about not being available for baby-sitting duties, he was really pleased for his friends."

And with Angelina's next project, Maleficent, not slated for release until 2015, the actress is keen to dedicate her time to adopting another child too.

"There's something about making a choice, waking up and travelling somewhere and finding your family," she's said in the past. "There are so many wonderful places. There are many parts of Asia, Africa, South America, so sooner or later I'll end up everywhere, I'm sure." 

Pregnancy style wars!

"Angelina and Jen are always aware of what the other is up to," insisted a media insider. "They know about the other's baby plans for sure, so for them to be pregnant at the same time would be an opportunity they would both exploit fully." Adding, "The bidding war for first pics of both babies would be unlike anything we've ever seen before."

And it's not just whose baby photos would rake in the most cash that would spark another bout of competitiveness between the pair, but also pregnancy style and column inches.

"Jennifer knows that fan interest in her becoming a mum is huge," said a mole, with Jen herself insisting, "I think people honestly just want to see me as a mum and married and barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen. And I just want to say, ‘Everybody, relax! It'll happen'."

"Style-wise, if they were pregnant at the same time, it would be a fashion parade that would put Beyoncé to shame," spilled an LA fashion editor. "Even though she's not big on fashion in her day-to-day style, I'd expect to see Angelina definitely making more interesting style choices, while Jen would go into full-on earth-mother mode."

Jen's anger over no proposal 

Despite 40-year-old Justin being keen to become a first-time father, sources say that the pair's eight-month-long relationship remains rocky, with pals saying Jen hopes he will calm down once the baby arrives.

"They had a big fight over Christmas because Justin didn't propose even though that's what Jen was expecting," revealed one. "She thought they were on the same page when it comes to moving things forward and was on tenterhooks for the whole of the festive period waiting for him to pop the question. When he didn't it caused a massive row."

Said to be dragging his feet over getting engaged, Justin is also said to have told Jen that a baby is much more of a commitment than a piece of paper saying they are married.

"In his mind, why would she need a ring when they're going to be parents together?" said a friend.