Actress and comedian Cecily Strong has embarked on an exhilarating new chapter in her life: motherhood! The former Saturday Night Live star announced the joyful arrival of her firstborn, a "charmingly wriggly baby girl," with her fiancé through an emotional Instagram post on Thursday. Accompanying the heartwarming news was a snapshot capturing the serene bond between Cecily, her newborn bundle of joy, and their furry family member, all nestled snugly together.
"I now recognize those tiny wriggles and kicks from when she was still nestled within me, and I get to gleefully exclaim, 'See what I was talking about!'" she penned with affection. "She pulls off Robert De Niro-like expressions and lets out adorable snorts when she's fiercely determined during feeding time. In just a week, she'll be stronger than me. Her squeaks and sighs are the sweetest melodies my ears have ever feasted upon."
The Schmigadoon sensation revealed that her daughter, whose name remains a well-guarded secret, "entered this world with a lush mane of dark hair, prompting me to shout 'whoo hoo!' while pushing. Every day since then, I've been shouting the same, for she is absolutely flawless, and I feel like I've hit the jackpot."
Cecily also shed light on her childbirth journey, infusing humor into her narrative. "It was a relatively smooth sailing, thanks to the magical epidural. However, I forgot that recovery from what felt like a Muay Thai fighter from White Lotus kicking my lady parts would still be in order," she joked.
"Regardless of my pregame magical thinking about hopping back on the Peloton, resisting cookies daily, or any other whimsical notions I had pre-April 2nd (the day that forever changed my world), it seems I'll be in healing mode for a while. I'm head over heels in love and exhausted, living the sweetest dream that happens to be all too real," she continued.
She heaped praise on her fiancé, lauding him as "the best dad" and "the finest partner beyond my wildest dreams," highlighting his multifaceted role that encompasses diapering, swaddling, bottle washing, breakfast preparation, doting on their dog, and even feeding her "crispy rice from Blue Ribbon Sushi during our hospital stay."
Cecily concluded her post with a playful apology for her run-on sentences, quipping, "I've almost mistakenly addressed the pediatrician as 'the vet' thirty-five times already. I love you, ESM."
Her post was promptly flooded with love and well-wishes from her SNL family, both past and present, including Bobby Moynihan and Kenan Thompson, the latter expressing his affection through a series of red heart emojis. Ana Gasteyer added, "Awww, this is wonderful! Sending you an abundance of love and sweet dreams."
Cecily Strong holds the distinction of being SNL's longest-serving female cast member, joining the show's 27th season in 2012 and departing midway through the 48th season in 2022. She recently made a pregnant return to Studio 8H for the show's 50th anniversary special in February.
The 41-year-old first announced her pregnancy ahead of the presidential election last November, using the occasion to emphasize the significance of reproductive rights, bodily autonomy, and family planning. "Let's all vote to protect, uphold, and support one another who have shared or will share those waiting rooms. And for the future ones, like the little miss I'm eagerly anticipating meeting next spring," she wrote at the time.
