MacKenzie Porter And Jake Etheridge Welcome Their Baby Girl, Bowen

MacKenzie Porter and her husband, singer-songwriter Jake Etheridge, are officially parents. The couple welcomed their first child, a baby girl named Bowen, on Thursday, March 14. Their exciting news has been confirmed by People magazine, who reported that Bowen (Bowie) James Porter Etheridge arrived at 7:21 AM, weighing 7 lbs. and measuring 17.5 inches long. The magazine has also shared the first adorable photos of baby Bowie, who was dressed in a green-and-white patterned outfit, complete with a white bow and dark hair.

The proud parents expressed their overwhelming joy in a heartfelt statement: “Our daughter took her first breath and she is now forever the reason we breathe. Life just got so much sweeter, snugglier, and sleepier all in a matter of minutes. Mommy and Daddy love you so so so much little Bowie girl.” This new chapter in their lives is filled with excitement, love, and a few nervous moments.

Bowie is not just their first child but also a new bundle of joy that Porter and Etheridge will cherish forever. They revealed that the first few days of parenthood were filled with endless cuddles, numerous Google searches about newborn care, and a mix of stress and joy. “There is an endless loop of monitor footage of us checking to make sure she’s still breathing, or just standing over her bassinet to stare at her perfect little squishy face,” they commented. Their hearts are full as they navigate this new journey together.

Porter had announced her pregnancy last November, sharing a series of maternity photos on social media. As her delivery date approached, she informed her followers about her plan for a C-section due to the breech position of her baby. According to the Cleveland Clinic, a breech pregnancy occurs when the baby is positioned head up inside the uterus instead of head down, which is the safest position for delivery.

During her pregnancy, Porter mentioned to Taste of Country that she aims to take about a full month to rest and focus on adjusting to their new life as a family of three. Meanwhile, her new album, Nobody's Born With a Broken Heart, is set to release on April 26, and she plans to resume touring with her family this summer. “We’ll probably all jump on a bus — me and her and my husband and my mom or somebody — and we’ll go. Yeah, we’ll have a little bus baby,” she shares. Porter looks forward to performing about 10-15 shows this summer and ramping up her schedule in the fall.