Vanessa Minnillo: 'Having kids with Nick Lachey is next natural step'

Vanessa Lachey has described pregnancy as the "next natural step" in her relationship with husband Nick.

The actress, who took her husband's surname last month, insisted that while she is looking forward to having children, the couple are in no hurry to rush the process.

"How can you say no to those dimples and baby blues? [Babies are] the next natural step. But, God willing, it will happen. It's not a pressure situation," Vanessa explained to The Huffington Post.

"The great thing is we have been together for almost six years - five before we got married - and now it's just enjoying being a newlywed and you never know. It's what we like to call in the newlywed world 'fun time.' So if that is family planning, so be it."

Vanessa also revealed the motivation behind dropping her previous surname of Minnillo and adopting Nick's, saying: "First and foremost to me is family and that includes my husband and it's what you do.

"I do love my work and what I do, but Nick is more important to me than anything in this world - soon my children will be the second most important thing to me."

The couple tied the knot in July in a small ceremony on a tropical island.