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Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent open up about surrogacy and their 'beautiful' family journey

Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent of TLC's "Nate & Jeremiah by Design" want people to talk about surrogacy more.

"We don't hear people talk about that as much as they could or should," Berkus told All the Moms last week in an interview about their new partnership with Huggies Made by You, a line of customizable diapers.

The couple recently welcomed their second child, 3-month-old Oskar Brent-Berkus, into the home with their daughter, 3-year-old Poppy. Both Poppy and Oskar were born via surrogacy.

When asked about it, the interior designers jumped at the opportunity to share.

Surrogacy is a 'beautiful experience' 

Poppy was included in the process from the start, they said. They tried throughout the pregnancy to create several ceremonial experiences for her so she felt involved and excited for her brother's arrival.

She met the surrogate, attended doctor's appointments and received ultrasound photos. The dads made sure Poppy knew how and when her brother was coming.

"The kids are going to want to know someday how it happened," the couple said. This way, "there won't be ambiguity or surprises."

Berkus said they formed "lovely relationships" with both surrogates and would be "thanking them forever" for "completing our family."

"We see it as a very beautiful experience," he said. 

When Poppy met Oskar 

Berkus and Brent said Poppy was excited from the start and had no problem welcoming a sibling into the home.

She currently cuddles with Oskar and her dads in bed every morning — something Berkus and Brent said they hope lasts a long time.

"We always thought she'd be sweet, but we never thought she'd be so kind and nurturing," Brent said. "It's pretty adorable."

He added that Oskar already knows the sound of Poppy's voice, laughs at her all the time, and "is obsessed with her," he said.

"He idolizes her."

Still, adding one to the family is always an adjustment. 

Making both kids feel special 

During an appearance on "Oprah," Berkus heard a piece of parenting advice he's never forgotten. He was just in his 20s, but it stuck with him.

Dr. Maya Angelou told Oprah she keeps one thing in mind when it comes to kids:

Do your eyes like up when they enter the room?

"I remember hearing that advice," Berkus said, and thinking it was such a "succinct way ... of going through the chaos ... of balancing and juggling."

Whether Oskar's having a difficult morning, or crying, or getting his diaper changed, Berkus and Brent said they make it a priority to look at Poppy and show her, even if for a second, that they see her and that she is valued.

Though Brent joked they weren't too concerned about her:

 "Luckily our daughter is very aware of her value in this house."

Oskar and Poppy have "no shortage of personality," Berkus added.

See photos from the Huggies Made By You celebration for Oskar:

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