Nine presenter Natalia Cooper reveals exciting baby news: 'We're having a girl!'
By Heidi Krause|
Nine News presenter Natalia Cooper is pregnant with a baby girl!
The bubbly mum-of-one spoke to 9Honey Parenting exclusively to share the exciting news, revealing that she and her husband are "absolutely thrilled."
"Carl and I are expecting another baby in December," she gushed. "A little girl. We decided to find out the gender this time as we are only planning on having two children and this will be the final piece to our family puzzle. We would have been happy either way of course, but it's a lovely surprise and we're all so excited. Ezra keeps asking when the baby will come out!"
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After moving back home to Perth in December last year with their three-year-old son Ezra, the couple has been spending some precious time catching up with their family and friends.
"It's been so nice being home and watching Ezra with his grandparents and his cousins," the former Sydneysider admits. "He just adores them. We are definitely making up for lost time."
This pregnancy has been really different
The couple decided to have a small gender reveal party at home to celebrate their impending arrival, as Natalia and Carl had COVID-19 so it couldn't be done in person.
"We ordered some cupcakes and set up a Facetime call with family and close friends," she explained. "Ezra took his time eating the cupcakes and took a long time to get to the middle... but eventually he came to a pink centre.
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"It was quite funny as he was actually a little upset," she laughs. "He really wanted a little brother and was sure it was a boy. Or if not a boy, then two babies จC a boy and a girl. But that's not happening! He even had a little cry afterwards."
"It's a big deal when you're three and have your heart set on something. But I'm sure he will be an amazing big brother and love her a lot."
While the winter has been tough with Ezra bringing home lots of daycare germs plus being hit with COVID-19 and a sinus infection, Natalia has also been much sicker this pregnancy.
"This pregnancy has been really different," the expecting 37-year-old mum reveals. "The morning sickness has been a lot worse, particularly during the first trimester. I have been really nauseous and ill."
"I'm glad that didn't happen the first time as I was waking up early and travelling so much with the Today show. It would have been really tough. I'm not sure I would have been able to do it!"
While Natalia is currently 20 weeks pregnant, she has only shared the news with family and close friends until now, and admits it's been getting harder and harder to hide her bump.
"My bump has popped out a lot quicker the second time," she says. "I have had people speculate about whether I was pregnant before, but I'm sure the question always come from a good place. They are just genuinely excited and want you to have another baby."
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When it comes to a birth plan, Natalia has no expectations at all and just wants a healthy baby.
For her first birth, there were some complications as Ezra had some fluid on his lungs and was taken to the special care unit straight after birth.
"That was a really hard time when he was in the nursery and needed extra help," she recalls. "You obviously don't want that to happen again... but I will be in the best possible place with the most amazing doctors and nurses so I'm not too stressed about it."
"All the scans look great so far and we are focusing on the positives. We will cross that bridge when we come it."
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"I have full respect for people that do have a birth plan of course, but I believe things will happen they are meant to.. and trust my doctor."
Upon reflection, Natalia says she does feel more relaxed the second time around.
"You are so busy with a toddler, so this pregnancy has gone a lot faster as I am a lot more distracted," she says. "I am just going with the flow."
Ezra will also be about to turn four when his little sister arrives so is "quite independent" and hopefully be able to "help mum a little bit".
"He's such a super happy and loving little boy," Natalia gushes. "We are out of the tantrum stage thank goodness... he loves his art and drawing and is in a big boy bed now."
"All of a sudden he is a little man, it shocks you how quickly they grow. He is starting school next year!"
For Natalia, the scariest thing about toddlers is the possibility of an accident.
"Toddlers love to climb and do crazy things so you do worry that something bad might happen and they will hurt themselves," she says. "They are the most precious thing to you."
"You do become a worrier as a parent. I think I was already a worrier! Ezra did fall over at home onto his teeth recently which gave us a bit of a fright as there was a lot of blood, but so far we have been very lucky that he's been healthy."
She also praises her own mother as being such an amazing role model.
"I've got the best mum in the world," she says. "She is always doing things for us and going the extra mile. She is always there if I need to talk or cry. I'm very lucky to have that in my life."
According to Natalia, the thing that has surprised her most about motherhood is how hard it is.
"It's hard being a parent," she admits. "The sleepless nights, that stage was really challenging. There is always something new you need to deal with... and learn for each new phase and stage. I mean you love this little person so much and it's amazing, but it's also one of the hardest things you've ever done."
And while she also finds the day-to-day juggle of work and parenting a challenge, she tries not to put too much pressure on herself.
"You can't do it all every day," she admits. "You're not going to be perfect every day. You can only do your best. And it's important to remember that everything will pass."
"I'm not a very organised parent. I'm the one who gets to daycare and has forgotten the water bottle or the hat... I'm definitely not supermum. Sometimes we're just making do. Sometimes dinner isn't amazing or healthy. And I'm okay with that!," she declares.
"I just try to be as loving, understanding and supportive as I can be.. and hope that makes more of an impact."
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