Known for her acting roles in Just Go With It, What to Expect When You’re Expecting, and Grace and Frankie, Brooklyn Decker may be one of the busiest ladies in Hollywood. When she’s not killing it on set, running her wardrobe company Finery, modeling for Sports Illustrated, or partnering with cool brands, you’ll find Decker chilling at home and spending as much time as possible with her precious boy Hank and husband Andy. Now, with the exciting news that baby number two is on the way, we recently got the chance to sit down with Decker and chat about her latest pregnancy, tips for moms-to-be, and current maternity style must-haves.
(Photo via Amy Sussman/AP Images for Clearblue)
Brit + Co: Congratulations on expecting baby number two! How did your husband Andy react when he learned the exciting news?
Brooklyn Decker: We were both really excited. Terrified, but very excited.
B+C: You’ve recently partnered with Clearblue to help launch a smartphone-enabled ovulation test — a product that you actually used to help plan for your new addition to the family. What made you choose this particular test to help with your personal family planning?
BD: A girlfriend of mine, who just had her third, recommended the Clearblue Advanced Digital Ovulation Test to me! I figured she would know better than most! I went back to work with my son when he was just weeks old — I wanted to plan this one a little better so I could give myself some more time and flexibility during that raw newborn phase. The new product has an app that you can use to track your personal cycle and know the best days to try.
B+C: Trying to get pregnant is often exhausting and frustrating. Do you have any advice for ladies who are trying to get pregnant?
BD: I just don’t think women realize how difficult it can be until we’re actually trying. We’re taught for years to NOT get pregnant, so most of us have no idea it can come with its challenges. My only advice would be to give yourself as much information as possible — which the new Clearblue Connected Ovulation Test System gave me — I didn’t know about cycle length, ovulation windows, et cetera before using Clearblue. I also encourage more women to talk about it so we don’t feel so isolated when things don’t go our way right when we want them to.
B+C: Are you someone who starts planning everything (buying baby clothes, designing the nursery, etc.) as soon as you find out you’re pregnant? Or are you more of a last-minute prepper?
BD: With my first pregnancy, I was into all the baby gear very early on — my label maker was my best friend. I did not recognize myself! With my second I have been SUPER lazy. That being said, I make sure all the clothes are washed and put away and the nursery is all set up. My goddaughter was born at 28 weeks, so I’m very aware that this whole parenting/pregnancy thing is out of our control. Again, control what you can, eliminate as much stress as possible, and surrender yourself to the rest.
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B+C: Along with being an actress, you’re also the Chief Design Officer at Finery, a “wardrobe operating system” that makes it easy to catalog your apparel and plan outfits. How are using the system to help style your maternity looks?
BD: I use Finery as a productivity tool for my everyday life. I don’t want to be spending the 2.5 hours a week that most women spend picking out what to wear. I’d rather be hanging with my kid… or sleeping! On Finery, I can plan all my outfits while I’m in a cab or waiting in line for coffee, and add them to my calendar so I get a reminder saying, “Tomorrow it’s 70 degrees and sunny, this is what you’re set to wear!” I’ve been traveling and working a lot with this pregnancy, so Finery has taken the headache out of planning, getting ready, and packing.
B+C: What are some of your maternity style essentials? Is there anything in your maternity wardrobe that you couldn’t live without?
BD: VERY stretchy leggings. And a few maternity shirts. My favorite maternity t-shirts are by HATCH, and my favorite leggings are by Spanx and David Lerner. They stretch with my expanding, swollen body, and I can throw on a boot and blazer and still look somewhat put together.
B+C: Going from one baby to two is a big transition. What advice have you gotten from friends and family about adding a new little one to the fam?
BD: I was in a business meeting recently, and the guy, who has three children, said to me, “Enjoy the last few months of vacation!” referring to me only having one child. I sort of gave off a terrified laugh; I loved his honesty. I don’t think I’m prepared at all — I’ll get sleep when I can and hope for the best.
B+C: Finally, how did you introduce the idea of a new baby sister to little Hank? Do you have any helpful tips for preparing your kiddos for a new brother or sister?
BD: We started pointing out other babies when we would see them out and about, and we made a very big deal of him being a “big boy” and a “big brother.” We don’t even have the new baby here yet — so who knows if any of our tactics will work. He may transition terribly! I’ll keep you posted…
Do you have any advice for Decker and her family as they welcome their second kiddo? Tweet us by mentioning @BritandCo and @BrooklynDecker.
