Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash are overjoyed to be welcoming another child into their already gorgeous blended family.
The Loose Women star, 31, and her fiancé and fellow presenter and actor Joe, have four boys between them - all under one roof.
Joe is a proud dad to his eldest son Harry, 13, from his previous relationship with Emma Sophocleous, and he also acts as a step-dad to Stacey’s sons Zach and Leighton.
Stacey welcomed Zach, 14, when she was 17 with her childhood sweetheart Dean Cox.
Four years later, she became a second-time-mum to Leighton, 9, with her ex-fiancé Aaron Barnham.
Together, Stacey and Joe share two-year-old Rex, who is now set to become a big brother to ‘another little pickle’.
While the pair are advocates for blended families, it hasn’t always been an easy ride for Stacey and Joe.
Former EastEnders star Joe previously admitted that adjusting to a blended family can be a ‘long process’, admitting that he and Stacey went through many ups and downs when trying to settle down with their four sons.
“Even sometimes, when you think you’ve got the balance right, something will happen and you’ll have to start again from zero,” Joe told Lifestyle Daily last year.
The TV star said trying to juggle priorities and keep everyone happy is a ‘continuous and long process’, admitting: “We still have issues and problems we have to deal with.”
Despite the hard work, Stacey and Joe believe that it’s all worth it in the end when they are blessed to see their sons transitioning from friends to brothers.
“The best thing we’ve learnt over the years is communication,” Stacey told.
“Trying to be as open and honest as possible with the kids. It’s amazing to see them grow.”
Expectant mum Stacey also previously insisted that it’s important to involve the respective parents and partners from previous relationships.
Discussing a concept that some may find controversial, the former X Factor star explained: “It’s very difficult sometimes to do that, and there are lots of different circumstances which determine whether you can or can’t physically do that.”
“No break-up is nice and there are reasons why you broke up with that person, but I think trying to remain as positive, uplifting and happy about that person is the best thing we could’ve done for the kids.”
“At the end of the day, it’s for the kids. It’s not for us – we’re adults, we’ve had our parents, we’ve had our childhood. It’s our job now to give them the best childhood they could possibly imagine.”
Smitten Stacey and Joe have been together since 2016.
And while they have both juggled with parental struggles of coordinating everyone’s different schedules, combined with parenting in a pandemic, they wouldn’t change their blended family for anything in the world.
Joe previously gushed: “We wouldn’t change a thing. We love having a house full of kids and the thing is, when we get old, they’ve got to look after us – so we’re winning.”
The proud parents are now set to welcome another baby into their beautiful family after Stacey took to Instagram on Wednesday to share the couple’s pregnancy joy.
The expectant mum revealed that she was incredibly nervous to break the news before admitting that she and Joe had almost given up on extended their family, as she detailed their journey to her fourth pregnancy as well as sharing that they suffered the heartbreak of a miscarriage.
In her tear-jerking announcement post, Stacey paid tribute to sons, writing: "Boys we are so so excited for you all. You’re already the most incredible brothers we could have ever imagined raising.
"Dear Harry, Zachary, Leighton & Rex, you fill our hearts so so so much they’re bursting.
"We cannot wait to open our hearts even more and watch you open yours and see them grow even bigger to fit all of the love.”
Congratulations to the gorgeous family!
