Year in Review: 2018’s Country Music Babies

There were even a couple sets of twins!

Written by Lauren Laffer
Year in Review: 2018’s Country Music Babies
Jana Kramer and Michael Caussin; Chris Stapleton and Morgane Stapleton; Jessie James Decker and Eric Decker; Photos via Instagram

Nashville saw a baby boom in 2018 as more than 15 families grew in size, some even with twins! While many of these precious bundles have older siblings, there were several first-time parents in the mix like Brandon Lay and Eric Paslay.

Check out each of the adorable new additions to the country music community below…

 

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Welcome to the world sweet Everly June Van Valkenburg. Born 1/12/18 at 5:32pm. She’s perfect and we cannot be happier!!

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Jenny GillVince Gill became a grandpa once again as his daughter, Jenny, gave birth to a precious baby girl. Everly June arrived on January 12 and was welcomed with opened arms by Vince, Amy Grant and her doting big brother Wyatt.

Hillary Scott – It was a fresh start into the new year as Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott and her husband Chris Tyrrell welcomed a set of identical twin girls into their family. No one was more excited, though, than big sister Eisele who couldn’t wait to take Betsy and Emory under her protective wing.

Coy Bowles – The Zac Brown Band multi-instrumentalist is surrounded by a gaggle of girls after he and his wife welcomed their second daughter in February, just ahead of Valentine’s Day. The couple showed love for their family history, giving their daughter the moniker Millie Mercy after his grandmother and great aunt.

 

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Sorry Miles, we should have warned you about us. @karenmorneauphotography

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Ben Aaron – Unlike Coy Bowles, Pickler & Ben’s Ben Aaron will have a rambunctious home after he and his wife, Good Morning America’s meteorologist Ginger Zee, added another boy to their family. Miles Macklin made his debut into the world February 9, measuring in at 8 lbs., 7 oz., and 21½ inches long. Big brother Adrian was over the moon to meet his little brother.

 

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Forrest Bradley Decker born March 31st weighing 9lbs. We are so in love 🙏🏼❤️

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Jessie James Decker – It’s party of five for Jessie James Decker and her husband Eric. The couple broke the boy-girl tie of their older children when Forrest Bradley arrived in the spring. While she adores her brother now, it took awhile to convince big sister Vivianne that it was a boy (rather than girl) joining their precious brood.

 

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Baby Ivey Joan Watson is here ❤️ full article from @people at the link in my bio

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Jamie Lynn Spears – Ten years after welcoming her daughter Maddie, Jamie Lynn Spears gave birth to a second daughter named Ivey Joan. The precious bundle is her first with husband Jamie Watson and carries a very special namesake. Her middle name, Joan, is to honor my Aunt Sandra, who passed away 10 years ago from ovarian cancer. She was the most graceful woman I’ve ever known,” Spears said to People at the time.

Chris Stapleton – It was in a post to Instagram commemorating their 10th wedding anniversary that Chris and Morgane Stapleton revealed that they’d be expecting twins. The news came as a surprise for the couple, who admit that Chris began laughing when the doctor told them. But the two were welcomed into the world in a big way – during the 2018 ACM Awards. After winning Album of the Year, host Reba McEntire interrupted the show to announce that the Stapletwins had arrived and everyone was doing well.

Matt Mangano – This addition marks the second (of three!) to join the Zac Brown Band family in 2018. The Zamily was eager to share the news of their latest addition, with Mangano praising his wife Emily for her strength on his own personal social media accounts.

 

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Our lives changed for the better yesterday.

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Ben Haggard – “Lives changed for the better” when Liam James was born. That was the caption on the post announcing Merle Haggard’s grandson after he arrived in June. Ben Haggard and his girlfriend Jeyda Beyzade were over the moon to share that their son had arrived after a difficult delivery.

Mike EliEli Young Band frontman Mike Eli was thrilled to become a dad for the second time after his son Kash was born in July. The singer, who is dad to daughter Kline, shared that fatherhood is unlike anything he could ever imagine. “A lot of people tell you that they can’t explain fatherhood because no one can know that feeling until you actually hold your child for the first time. It’s even better than you think it is.”

 

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.@producereddie called my body #GranDadBod….such a hater #BabyBox

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Lunchbox – The rowdy member of The Bobby Bones Show was emotional upon announcing that he and his wife were pregnant after trying for some time. River, lovingly referred to as “Baby Box,” decided to make his debut six weeks early, causing some stress for the first-time mom and dad, but after a few weeks in the ICU, he got to go home and start his new life with his family.

Preston BrustLOCASH’s Preston Brust is a legend in his own right, but he had to share the title with his son, Legend Wilde. “Every map in life needs a Legend. We’re so blessed,” they shared upon his arrival with a sweet black & white photo of the little one grabbing hold of their fingers.

Clay Cook – Baby makes three for the Zac Brown Band family in 2018 (and two for Clay Cook’s own family). Born on August 22, Theron Maine joined the family with an eager big brother named Charlie ready to show him the ropes.

Brandon Lay – After a busy summer opening for Kenny Chesney’s stadium tour, Brandon Lay had no time to slow down as his son Ryder Knox arrived in September. The baby is the first for Lay and his wife Nicole. The excited first-time father couldn’t help but share their pregnancy news during the 2019 Country Radio Seminar when he stepped onto the Ryman Auditorium stage and told the many radio programmers sitting in the audience.

Jana Kramer – It was a long road to pregnancy for Jana Kramer, who endured three miscarriages and two chemical pregnancies along the way. But it was after a round of IVF treatments that she got pregnant with her second naturally. Arriving a week after Thanksgiving, Kramer and her husband Michael Caussin had much to be thankful for as their son Jace made his debut as a happy and healthy baby.

 

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She’s here!!! Can’t even handle how much we love our little girl, Piper Lily!!! #BabyPaslay

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Eric Palsay – Deciding on a name was a difficult task for first-time parents Eric and Natalie Paslay, but after three days of deliberation, the couple decided on Piper Lily. The sweet bundle of joy arrived on December 8 as an early Christmas present for the couple, who are over the moon for their precious gift.