Nicole Thielk and Christopher Tielk have rediscovered love at first sight once again. The Married at First Sight alumni, who met and tied the knot during season 16 of the Lifetime reality TV series in 2022, announced that they welcomed twin babies, a daughter named Sofia and a son named Anthony, on January 5th. "You think you know what love is, and then you have kids and experience this whole different kind of deep love that you didn't think ever existed," Christopher shared in a statement to E! News on January 14th. "It's an amazing feeling, and Nicole is already an amazing mother. I am so proud of her and all she has already done for our family."
While the couple couldn't be more excited to grow their family, they also shared that Nicole's pregnancy journey wasn't completely smooth sailing. Indeed, baby Anthony was diagnosed with a congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) - a condition in which a hole in the diaphragm allows abdominal organs to move into the chest cavity, compressing the lungs - at approximately 17 weeks gestation.
"Pregnancy, especially with one sick baby, was the biggest and hardest thing I've ever done in my life," Nicole recalled in her own statement. "I questioned every day why our son was sick and how we would handle it when the time came."
Fortunately, following his birth, Anthony successfully underwent surgery to repair his hernia and is now receiving the breathing assistance he needs for recovery in the NICU, where he will remain for three months. As for his sister? Baby Sofia is healthy and happy at home with her parents.
"The day our twins were born was the most magical day of my entire life and I wouldn't trade it for the world," Nicole said. "I wish more than anything that I had both babies home with me and Chris, but I know our son is in incredible hands and our daughter is giving enough cuddles and sass for the both of them right now."
In addition to the medical team at Nashville's Vanderbilt Children's Hospital, Nicole credited her husband with helping her keep a positive mindset about her newborn's health journey. "Chris is the most amazing partner and father and is truly the rock of the family throughout all of this," the 36-year-old explained. "His unwavering love and support has gotten me through more emotional breakdowns than I can count. I am thankful every day for our new family and will be the most fulfilled once everyone is home together in a few months."
Christopher expressed feeling equally grateful to have Nicole by his side. As the 39-year-old put it, "I am truly amazed by her every day and admire her strength throughout the pregnancy and now into motherhood! Me and the kids are so incredibly lucky to have her! I love her so much."
