Former bachelor Emily Maynard Johnson announced this week that she has given birth to a son, 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.
I told People She was shocked when she was told that her son had Down syndrome, as well as a rare congenital malformation of the colon. However, despite “looking back in my life a lot of things have happened that I wouldn’t have planned”, I reflected that “I wouldn’t change my life for anything. I wouldn’t trade Jones for any child in the world.”
My baby: Former bachelor Emily Maynard Johnson announced this week that she has given birth to a son, Jones, who has Down syndrome.
Emily rose to fame in 2011 on the fifteenth season of The Bachelor, when she successfully competed for the affection of Texas bar owner Brad Womack.
At that point, her daughter Ricky, now 17, was born by her late fiancé Ricky Hendrick, a NASCAR driver who died in a plane crash while Emily was pregnant.
She and Brad separated in 2011 and later became The Bachelorette, choosing Jeff Holm at the end of their season.
Emily and Jeff separated in 2012 and two years later tied the knot with Tyler at his family’s picturesque farm in South Carolina.
Father and son: Emily, 36, became a mother for the sixth time on August 31 when she welcomed Jones with her husband Tyler Johnson.
Joy Pack: Reflected that ‘I wouldn’t change my life for anything,’ adding, ‘I wouldn’t trade Jones for any kid in the world’
Growing Family: Taking the news to her Instagram page, she wrote: ‘Surprise! On August 31st, Tyler and I welcomed our beautiful son, Jones West Johnson, into the world.
After the marriage, Tyler and Emily quickly welcomed four children — Jennings, seven, Gibson, six, Gaitlin, four, and Nola, two — before Jones.
When she was pregnant with Penula, Emily was diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, which she had previously had in high school.
Emily had a thunderclap after Jones’ birth when she was informed of his medical problems, which were not at all on her radar. I refused to believe it. I just wanted to hold it and everything would be fine.
Jones had to have surgery and spend a month in the neonatal intensive care unit – something his mother described as “devastating”.
Full of love: After Jones comes home from the hospital from the hospital, Emily finds him “the easiest kid and he’s 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, Ricky, 17.
She shared: ‘I was just sad about it all and the experience was so different than I expected.
“Waking up the next morning to hear all the kids crying in the hallway while I was in the room alone, it was so painful.”
Ricky was my best friend through everything. When I was in the hospital, she sent me 47 roses to represent Jones’ 47 chromosomes.
After the “cute and smiling” Jones came home from the hospital, Emily found him “the easiest kid and he’s been our biggest blessing.”
Throwback: Emily rose to fame in 2011 on the fifteenth season of The Bachelor, when she successfully competed for the affection of Texas bar owner Brad Womack.
She admitted, “I’m still learning about Down syndrome, but I’m also trying to experience Jones like Jones is no different than any other kid.”
Emily said, “I am so grateful. But I’m still on my journey to tackle it all. And I have to trust that everything will turn out fine.
Relaying the news to her Instagram page, she wrote: “Surprise! On August 31st, Tyler and I welcomed our beautiful son, Jones West Johnson, into the world.
Searching for Love: She and Brad split in 2011 and later became The Bachelorette, choosing Jeff Holm at the end of their season
“During my surgery, we learned that he was born with Down Syndrome, and while it was certainly a surprise, we have a lot of peace in God’s perfect plan and we know Jones will be a blessing to our family,” she declared.
“He’s been in the NICU for a little over a month and now he’s home in all this mess and we couldn’t love him more,” Emily explained.
She expressed her gratitude to Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina’ for all they did for our family. I am so happy to finally share the news and can share all the pictures with you guys! It’s definitely the cherry on top! “
Love of her life: Emily and Jeff separated in 2012 and two years later tied the knot with Tyler at his family’s picturesque South Carolina farm
“Twitter geek. Proud troublemaker. Professional student. Total zombie guru. Web specialist. Creator.”