Former bachelor Emily Maynard Johnson announced this week that she has given birth to a son named Jones who has Down syndrome.
Emily, 36, became a mother for the sixth time on August 31 when she welcomed Jones with husband Tyler Johnson.
She told People she was “in shock” when she was told her son had Down syndrome, as well as a rare birth defect of the colon. However, even though “looking back on my life, a lot of things have happened that I wouldn’t have anticipated”, she said that “I wouldn’t change my life for anything in the world”. And I wouldn’t trade Jones for any baby in the world.
Baby of mine: Former bachelor Emily Maynard Johnson announced this week that she had given birth to a son called Jones, who has Down syndrome
Emily shot to fame in 2011 on season 15 of The Bachelor, when she successfully competed for the affections of dashing Texas bar owner Brad Womack.
By then she already had 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 broke up in 2011 and she later became The Bachelorette, casting Jef Holm at the end of her season.
Emily and Jef broke up in 2012 and two years later she married Tyler at her family’s quaint farm in South Carolina.
Father and son: Emily, 36, became a mother for the sixth time on August 31 when she welcomed Jones with husband Tyler Johnson
Her bundle of joy: She said ‘I wouldn’t change my life for anything’, adding: ‘And I wouldn’t trade Jones for any 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 their marriage, 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 stunned after Jones was born when she learned of his medical issues, which weren’t on my radar at all. And I refused to believe it. I just wanted to hold him in my arms and make everything go well.
Jones had to undergo surgery and spend a month in neonatal intensive care – a big blow his mother described as “devastating”.
Full of love: After ‘sweet and smiling’ Jones came home from hospital, Emily found he was ‘the easiest baby and he’s just been 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 called Ricki, 17
She shared, “I was just crying about the whole thing and that the experience was so different from what I expected.”
“Waking up the next morning hearing all the babies crying in the hallway while I was alone in the room, it hurt so much.”
Ricki was “my best friend through everything”. When I was in the hospital, she sent me 47 roses to represent Jones’ 47 chromosomes.
After ‘sweet and smiling’ Jones came home from hospital, Emily found he was ‘the easiest baby and he’s just been our biggest blessing’.
Throwback: Emily shot to fame in 2011 on season 15 of The Bachelor, when she successfully competed for the affections of dashing Texas bar owner Brad Womack
She acknowledged, “I’m still learning about Down syndrome, but I’m also trying to live Jones like Jones and not as different as the other kids.”
Emily reflected, “I am so grateful. But I’m still processing everything. And I have to believe that everything will be fine.
Taking the news to her Instagram page, she wrote: ‘SURPRISE! On August 31, Tyler and I welcomed our adorable son, Jones West Johnson, into the world.
Looking for love: She and Brad broke up in 2011 and she later became The Bachelorette, casting Jef Holm at the end of her season
She said: “During my operation we learned that he was born with Down’s syndrome, and while it was certainly a surprise, we have so much peace in God’s perfect plan and know that Jones will be a blessing for our family.”
Emily explained: “He was in NICU for just over a month and is thankfully now 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 be able to share the news and to be able to share all the photos with you! He is absolutely the icing on the cake!’
Love of her life: Emily and Jef broke up in 2012 and two years later she married Tyler at her family’s quaint farm in South Carolina
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