Happy together: Katherine Heigl was all smiles as she enjoyed a day out in Los Angeles yesterday with husband, Josh Kelley and daughter NaleighShe's currently appearing on the big screen as a reluctant caregiver to an orphaned baby girl.
But in real life, Katherine Heigl is far from reluctant when it comes to parenting.
The ex-Grey's Anatomy star was spotted out yesterday enjoying the autumn sunshine in Los Angeles with her husband Josh Kelley and their adorable adopted daughter.
And she looks as if she is relishing every minute of her new role in life playing mum to Naleigh.
Heigl named the little girl after her mother Nancy and sister, Leigh, who was herself adopted from South Korea, by Heigl's parents shortly after Katherine was born.
Naleigh is clearly flourishing and looked beautiful in her little floral shirt, rolled up jeans and white sandals.
Meanwhile, Heigl looked her usual effortlessly chic self, dressed in a long sweater, dark skinny jeans and some brown boots.
She recently opened up about motherhood, how it has changed her life and her parenting skills.
'I’m a lot more strict than I thought I would be,' Heigl confesses. 'I really feel like discipline and manners, a good schedule, a good night sleep and a good nap are really important. I didn’t think I would be quite so like that.'
Rock solid: Despite the recent stint of celebrity divorces that has hit Hollywood, Heigl and her husband of three years seem thoroughly committed to each otherThe beautiful blonde said that she is surprised to now find herself getting emotional while watching a movie or TV show involving a mother-daughter relationship: 'It is so gut wrenching in a way that I could have never predicted,' she says.
'You have this empathy suddenly -– this compassion for a mother going through anything complicated or difficult with a child. It’s something that I understand now –- that unbelievable drive and instinct to protect.'
Not that she’s doing it alone: 'I really could not have imagined a better father for [Naleigh],' she says of her musician husband of three years.
'She’s the luckiest little kid. We call him “Disneyland Dad” because as soon as he comes in it’s just fun and happiness — and she rides around the room on his shoulders.
'He’s [also] fantastic with diapers, food, naptime, playtime – he’s got it all.'
Proud parents: Heigl has revealed that she calls Kelley 'Disneyland dad' because 'as soon as he comes in it's just fun and happiness'Heigl and 30-year-old musician, Kelley met on the set of his video Only You.
They became engaged in June 2006 and married in December 2007 in Park City, Utah.
Heigl says that she always knew being a mother was in her future, and was certain in her plan to adopt from Korea, as well as have children biologically in the future.
The 31-year-old says that she discussed the topic with Kelley early on in their relationship, before they were even engaged.
Explaining that making her plans really clear was key to deciding if they had a future together. 'Not everybody is down with that,' she notes. 'Not everybody thinks that.
'I just wanted to make sure that I was marrying a guy who understands that this was going to have to happen.'
Mega-mum: Heigl says that since Naleigh came into her life she has developed 'that unbelievable drive and instinct to protect'Heigl said they went through a rigorous year long process before finalising the adoption of Naleigh, who was nine-and-a-half months old when they finally got to bring her home.
'The process is intense,' she told talk show host Ellen DeGeneres during an appearance on her daytime show around the time the adoption.
She went on to cite a 40-page questionnaire which covers everything from the applicants' upbringings to their respective parenting philosophies.
'These are very valid questions,' Heigl said. 'You think about some of these things.
You talk about some of these things but you don’t really get into the mix of it until you’re looking at these questions going, "Oh my God we better answer these right otherwise they won’t give us the baby."
Destiny fulfilled: Heigl says she has always had a plan to adopt from South Korea, her little sister, Leigh was also adopted from the country
'It’s different, but it isn’t. It’s just as intense I’m sure to have a baby biologically because you’re going through the whole physical sort of thing of it.'
Heigl said that their year-long application process was actually shorter than the time it takes many other wannabe parents.
Explaining that the adoption was actually expedited as Naleigh has special needs.
'They wanted to get her to us as quickly as possible. I wanted to tell everybody so you don't think I stole a Korean baby!" Heigl joked.
source : dailymail