Katherine Heigl Introduces Baby Naleigh
Credit: AP Photo/Cheyenne Ellis, PMK-HBH
Katherine Heigl and husband Josh Kelley have released the first photos of their 10-month-old daughter Naleigh, whom they adopted from South Korea.
"Katherine, Josh and Naleigh are together and doing well," her rep said in a statement.
Naleigh, a special-needs child, "was actually born the day before me in November, which I thought was really serendipitous and just kind of like a sign," Heigl, 30, said on The Ellen DeGeneres Show last week.
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Heigl said she named her baby after her mother, Nancy, and her sister, Margaret Leigh, who was also adopted from Korea.
The new issue of Us Weekly reports Heigl and Kelley — who wed in December 2007 — have been preparing for a baby since late last year.
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That's when they applied to adopt from Korea — completing an exhaustive, 40-page questionnaire that grilled them on everything from personal backgrounds to parenting philosophies.
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"Katie and Josh were aware it could take years, so they were being patient," says an insider. Of their willingness to care for a special-needs baby, the insider says, "they are thrilled to have a child in their lives, no matter what the challenges."
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184Many obstacles to adopting in the U.S. Birth parents changing their mind before the adoption but AFTER the adoptive parents have paid $50 in fees -- VERY common. Birth parents coming back after months to "reclaim" the child. Birth parents haunting a family for years, asking for money, etc. Yes, it really happens. When you adopt an older child in the U.S., it is sometimes mandated that they be permitted to stay in touch with their relatives, imagine the challenges. For those who wonder why people don't adopt here, I ask you, what have YOU done lately for children in the U.S? We adopted internationally, but we financially support a number of domestic agencies that assist foster children and those who age out of the system. Again, what have YOU critics done lately????
It's admirable that she adopted from South Korea. South Korea is relatively wealthy, and has a developed economy. But, there are a many newborns up for adoption due to societal pressures. Because the culture is socially conservative, single women, even if they are very affluent, are pressured to give up their newborns for adoption. This is coupled with the fact that people do not tend to adopt, unless the child is a blood relative. Then in a culture where family connections are critical for survival, these orphans have relatively few opportunities to strive.
Ok, I am all for adopting children and blessing them with wonderful homes. But can someone please tell me why no one has the bright idea of adopting a child right from the USA? They need and deserve homes too!
That is awesome. Every child needs a home. Katherine and Josh do have big hearts. Congrats to them.
I think it is so great of her and josh to adopt, period. Especially a child with special needs. That is very courageous of them. It is very difficult to adopt in the US. I know of two people who had their almost adopted babies taken back by the birth mom. It is so heartbreaking. To you guys who said they should adopt in the states, do it yourself if you care so much!
I can tell you this as the mother of an adopted child- Adopting in the US can be heartwrenching. We had 2 "almost" US adoptions that we were selected for and both times, the mother changed her mind after we had the babies in our home. We couldn't deal with that again so we adopted from Guatemala. International adoptions are final as soon as you sign on the dotted line at the embassy. Ff you saw the poverty that these children live in, you'd want to adopt internationally too.
Wow! This is a beautiful family photo. It brought tears to my eyes. It's wonderful, the gift of adoption no matter where you adopt from. Wishing this new family a lifetime of joy!
Personally, I prefer dogs to kids, but in either case, people who are willing to adopt are awesome.
What a beautiful baby girl, I'm glad actress are still adopting from other countries and it wasn't some kind of fad thing.
I think her baby is gorgeous and i think what they've decided to do it wonderful. Can't wait to see you on Grey's Anatomy!! :)
your baby is sooo cute and i love your movie 27 dresses that was sooo good!!
Shut up stupid haters! Its her life, she can do wat she wants to do! If she wants to adopt from another country, she can! Its not your decision to make!! Good luck Katherine and Josh with the new child!! (:
I THINK HER BABY IS BEAUTIFUL AND IM GLAD SHE ADOPTED HER. IT WAS HER CHOICE!!!!!
Adopting from other counties is getting beyond old with actresses... To all ACTRESSES; we here in "AMERICA", what you consider "HOME" have enough children in need of love, a home and the best you're willing to give... Enough with the OUTSOURCING mentality!!!
What gets me is that we have "plenty of children" here in AMERICA to adopt. Why do entertainers keep adopting from other countries like it's the thing to do???
I'm also adopting from South Korea and have a biological son. To the person that said if she is adopting because she is barron it's darwinism...Think about all the people that are reproducing without brains??? "Only the strong survive?" You're truely a moron.
Anonymous! who adopted a child in america and the mother came back if you can't have children God is telling you something think on that!
Hey there L.H. You need to take your mexican behind back to school kid. You didn't learn to write!!!!!!!!! My kids "Mexican" and she is seven and writes better than you. Idiot!
I have to agree, there are plenty of asian and other ethnic kids right here in america who would love to have homes. Its a sad day when we keep supporting other country's when my family can't find work in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ofcourse thats what you get when you vote a man to be president just because he is black. No experience nothing, yea we are all going to hell in a handbasket!!!!!!!!
It really bothers me that the article refers to Naleigh as a special-needs child. It is 2009 and we should be using person-first language; Naleigh is a child with special needs.