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NCIS: Los Angeles star Daniela Ruah is about to give birth to her second child any minute. In fact she could be giving birth right now I as get my interview with her ready to be released in to the world. But I’m sure she’ll wait until after this episode comes out. Babies wait for podcasts right?

daniela ruah and son river

 

I loved getting to know Daniela. TBH, I don’t watch NCIS: Los Angeles or any of the NCIS shows. But I think I’ll start after talking with her. It was so inspiring and validating talking to her about how she manages family time with her demanding career as an action star.

As an actress and full-time mom, I’m still trying to trying to figure it all out so it’s really helpful to hear how other moms working in the business are making it work.

Courtesy: Daniela Ruah via Instagram

Courtesy: Daniela Ruah via Instagram

Daniela plays “Special Agent Kensi Blye” and is married to David Olsen, the older brother of her NCIS: LA co-star Eric Olsen. The story of how Eric set her up with his brother is so sweet. And she’s also best friends with Eric’s wife, Sarah Wright. Talk about a tight-knit family!

"Active Measures" -- Pictured: Daniela Ruah (Special Agent Kensi Blye) and Eric Christian Olsen (LAPD Liaison Marty Deeks). The seventh season resumes with Callen embarking on a secret project, leaving Sam, and the entire team in the dark. After Hetty demands his operation be shut down, the team is tasked with locating Callen before he finds himself in over his head on the seventh season premiere of NCIS: LOS ANGELES, Monday, Sept. 21 (9:59-11:00, ET/PT), on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Neil Jacobs/CBS ©2015 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

“Active Measures” — Pictured: Daniela Ruah (Special Agent Kensi Blye) and Eric Christian Olsen (LAPD Liaison Marty Deeks). The seventh season resumes with Callen embarking on a secret project, leaving Sam, and the entire team in the dark. After Hetty demands his operation be shut down, the team is tasked with locating Callen before he finds himself in over his head on the seventh season premiere of NCIS: LOS ANGELES, Monday, Sept. 21 (9:59-11:00, ET/PT), on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Neil Jacobs/CBS ©2015 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Daniela shares that she and her husband waited until they felt secure enough in their careers to step into parenting. That’s not to say everyone has to wait for a starring role on television but she says you have to do what’s right for your situation.

We also talked about how her son River is handling the impending arrival of his little sister. She says he’s really excited and has been looking forward to it and hopes that attitude doesn’t change once she arrives.

I have a feeling it won’t. He joined us briefly at the end of our interview and clearly adored his mama.

daniela ruah pregnant bump

Things covered in this episode include:

  1. Daniela’s tips and personal experience with staying healthy during pregnancy.
  2. Why she feels differently about her birth plan the second time around.
  3. How having a supportive “village” around her has boosted her level of mom confidence.
  4. What it was like telling the producers of a hit show like NCIS: LA that she was pregnant for a second time. Their reaction surprised me and makes me feel confident about the future of motherhood in the entertainment biz.
daniela ruah pregnant

Courtesy: Daniela Ruah via Instagram

Daniela is officially on maternity leave from NCIS: Los Angeles and it’s really interesting how she says the writers are working around her pregnancy.  I really hope hearing from her gives my fellow actor moms some encouragement to know your life as an actress doesn’t stop after you have kids, it gets more full.

"Exchange Rate" -- Pictured: LL COOL J (Special Agent Sam Hanna), Daniela Ruah (Special Agent Kensi Blye), Eric Christian Olsen (LAPD Liaison Marty Deeks) and Chris O'Donnell (Special Agent G. Callen). When a convicted Cuban spy escapes U.S. custody just before he is set to return to his country in a prisoner exchange, the team is shocked to learn that Anna (Bar Paly) helped him break out. Also, Deeks admits to Kensi that he thinks she is too messy, on NCIS: LOS ANGELES, Monday, March 14 (9:59-11:00 PM, ET/PT), on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2016 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

“Exchange Rate” — Pictured: LL COOL J (Special Agent Sam Hanna), Daniela Ruah (Special Agent Kensi Blye), Eric Christian Olsen (LAPD Liaison Marty Deeks) and Chris O’Donnell (Special Agent G. Callen). When a convicted Cuban spy escapes U.S. custody just before he is set to return to his country in a prisoner exchange, the team is shocked to learn that Anna (Bar Paly) helped him break out. Also, Deeks admits to Kensi that he thinks she is too messy, on NCIS: LOS ANGELES, Monday, March 14 (9:59-11:00 PM, ET/PT), on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2016 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

You can follow Daniela on Instagram and Twitter to watch her adventures unfold with her new baby girl. Thank you Dani for sharing your world with us!

I learn so much from each person I interview on my show. In fact each week feels like a new introspective growth spurt for me personally and professionally. I hope you feel that way too!

If you do make sure you subscribe to Motherhood in Hollywood on iTunes or Stitcher and leave a review letting me know what you think.

There’s also still time to enter the Lansinoh SmartPump giveaway so make sure you follow the instructions here on how to win.