The countdown to a baby\u2019s arrival is always filled with excitement, nerves, and endless daydreams about finally holding that tiny miracle.<\/p>\n
For Andrew and Lacey Jackson, already parents to two boys \u2014 Elliott and Devin \u2014 the anticipation of welcoming their baby girl was almost overwhelming.<\/p>\n
Couldn\u2019t help but worry
\nWhen baby Natalie finally entered the world, their hearts overflowed with joy. But that joy was quickly mixed with fear when the doctor\u2019s expression changed.<\/p>\n
\u201cHearing her first cry was so special,\u201d mom Lacey recalled back in 2018.<\/p>\n
\u201dThen the nurse lifted our girl up, after my C-section, and I saw the big black mark on the left-hand side of her face.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe was so beautiful, but it looked like a bruise and I was worried in case it was something I had done to her during my pregnancy\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMedics said it was just a birthmark, though, and she was breathing and healthy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Although relieved, both Lacey and Andrew couldn\u2019t help but worry about how others might see their daughter.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs I cuddled our gorgeous baby girl, feeling enamoured by her, I worried that people might just see her for her birthmark, and not the beautiful person I knew she would grow to be.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn that moment, I decided we would love her so much and give her all the confidence in the world, to make sure she could see how beautiful she is \u2013 and how she can achieve anything she wants.\u201d<\/p>\n
Natalie\u2019s older brothers were instantly curious about their sister\u2019s unique look.<\/p>\n
Andrew came up with a heartwarming explanation that turned what could have been a stigma into a source of pride. He told them the dark patch on Natalie\u2019s face was her superhero mask \u2014 proof she was destined to achieve amazing things.<\/p>\n
During Natalie\u2019s first year, some strangers stared. But there were also those who stopped to tell the Jacksons how gorgeous and one-of-a-kind their little girl was.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll always tell her it\u2019s a part of who she is and who she is supposed to be. People will always know how special she is with her birthmark and how amazing she is inside and out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nathaie\u2019s story went viral when she was born. Her dad, Andrew Jackson, is originally from Hull, England, and works for a software company in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Her mom is an autopsy technician.<\/p>\n
Concerned for her health, Andrew and Lacey sought medical reassurance. Natalie saw an ophthalmologist to ensure her vision wasn\u2019t affected, visited a dermatologist and skin specialist, and even underwent an MRI.<\/p>\n
It turned out that Natalie was born with Congenital Melanocytic Nevi (CMN). These are moles present at birth or that develop within the first few months of life. They are fairly common and, in most cases, do not cause any health problems.<\/p>\n
Thankfully, all of Natalie\u2019s results came back fine. While the dermatologist explained Natalie might face a slightly higher risk of melanoma, they assured the family it was just a birthmark and nothing to fear.<\/p>\n
\u201cPrior to her birth, we were completely unaware of this condition and the fact that she was one of the rare. She is even more rare considering her body has somehow lightened her nevus so much as well as eliminated the satellite nevi she was born with and no other satellites have shown up in her 4 short years. She is one of the fortunate,\u201d Lacey wrote a few years ago.<\/p>\n
Natalie Jackson today
\nSince Natalie\u2019s birth, Lacey Jackson has been open about their family\u2019s journey and continues to share updates on Instagram, giving us a glimpse of her daughter\u2019s growth. Judging by the photos, Natalie is thriving and living a happy, normal life.<\/p>\n
She is compassionate, caring, intelligent, and incredibly silly. Her parents say she is deeply loved, their gorgeous little superhero.<\/p>\n
From the moment she was born with that tiny birthmark, her parents have loved her endlessly and taught her to be confident in every part of herself. And now? She\u2019s living her best little life \u2014 so happy, so playful, and honestly, just the cutest little superhero ever!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"