Former Bachelorette Emily Maynard Johnson announced this week that she gave birth to a son named Jones, who has Down syndrome.
Emily, 36, became a mother to her sixth child on August 31 when she welcomed Jones with husband Tyler Johnson.
She told People she was “in shock” when she was told her son has Down syndrome, as well as a rare congenital colon anomaly. Although “when I look back on my life, a lot of things happened that I didn’t plan for,” she said, “I wouldn’t change my life for anything. And I wouldn’t trade Jones for a baby in the world.”
Babymine: Former Bachelorette Emily Maynard Johnson announced this week that she gave birth to a son named Jones, who has Down syndrome
Emily rose to fame in 2011’s The Bachelor season 15 when she successfully competed for the affections of dashing Texas bar owner Brad Womack.
At that point, she already had her daughter, Ricki, now 17, by her late fiancé, Ricky Hendrick, a NASCAR driver who died in a plane crash while Emily was pregnant.
She and Brad split in 2011 and she subsequently became The Bachelorette, choosing Jef Holm at the end of her season.
Emily and Jef split in 2012, and two years later they tied the knot with Tyler on his family’s quaint farm in South Carolina.
Father and son: Emily, 36, became a mother for the sixth child on August 31 when she welcomed Jones with husband Tyler Johnson
Her bundle of joy: She reflected on “I wouldn’t change my life for anything,” adding, “And I wouldn’t trade Jones for a baby in the world.”
Growing family: Taking the news to her Instagram page, she wrote: “SURPRISE! On August 31st, Tyler and I welcomed our sweet son Jones West Johnson into the world.
After getting married, Tyler and Emily quickly welcomed four children — Jennings, seven, Gibson, six, Gaitlin, four, and Nola, two — before Jones.
While pregnant with Nola, Emily was diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, which she previously had in high school.
Emily was struck by lightning after Jones was born when she was informed of his medical issues, which hadn’t been on my radar at all. And I refused to believe it. I just wanted to hold him and make sure everything was okay.’
Jones required surgery and spent a month in NICU – a blow his mother described as “devastating”.
Full of love: After “Sweet and Smiley” Jones came home from the hospital, Emily found him to be “the easiest baby and he was just our biggest blessing.”
Family Matters: Tyler and Emily have five children — Jennings, seven, Gibson, six, Gaitlin, four, Nola, two, and Jones, two months — and Emily also has a daughter named Ricki, 17
She shared: “I just mourned all of that and that the experience was so different than what I expected.
“When I woke up the next morning and heard all the babies crying in the hallway while I was alone in the room, it hurt so much.”
Ricki was ‘my best buddy through everything. When I was in the hospital, she sent me 47 roses to represent Jones’ 47 chromosomes.”
After “Sweet and Smiley” Jones came home from the hospital, Emily found him to be “the easiest baby and he was just our biggest blessing.”
Flashback: Emily rose to fame in 2011’s The Bachelor season 15 when she successfully fought for the affections of dashing Texas bar owner Brad Womack
She admitted, “I’m still learning about Down Syndrome, but I’m also trying to just experience Jones as Jones and not so different from the other kids.”
Emily reflected, “I’m so grateful. But I’m still on my journey to process it all. And I have to trust that everything will be fine.”
Taking the news to her Instagram page, she wrote, “SURPRISE! On August 31st, Tyler and I welcomed our sweet son Jones West Johnson into the world.”
Looking for love: She and Brad split in 2011 and she went on to become The Bachelorette, choosing Jef Holm at the end of her season
She explained: “During my surgery we learned he was born with Down Syndrome and while it certainly came as a surprise, we have so much peace in God’s perfect plan and know that Jones will be a blessing to our family. “
Emily explained, “He was in the NICU for just over a month and thankfully is now at home in all the chaos and we couldn’t love him more.”
She expressed her gratitude to Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina for all you have done for our family. I’m so happy to finally share the news and be able to share all the pics with you guys! He’s absolutely the icing on the cake!’
Love of her life: Emily and Jef split in 2012 and two years later they tied the knot with Tyler on his family’s quaint farm in South Carolina