Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos recently took a sentimental journey down memory lane as they celebrated their eldest son Michael’s 29th birthday on their daytime show, “Live with Kelly & Mark.” The couple shared personal anecdotes from the day Michael was born, which highlighted both the joyous and chaotic moments surrounding his arrival.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kelly-ripa-mark-consuelos-kids-michael-lola-060226-1d732c2ba5264486a2bf1e5afef95759.jpg)
During the episode aired on June 2, Ripa jested about the timing of Michael’s birth. Although it was his birthday, she pointed out that he was not technically born until 7:17 p.m. That morning, she sent him a light-hearted text reminding him of the fact. “I said, ‘Remember, you weren’t born until 7:17 p.m., so technically it’s not your birthday yet. You haven’t made your grand entrance yet,'” she recounted, eliciting laughter from both the studio audience and Consuelos.
Ripa’s whimsical commentary did not end there. As Consuelos chimed in, he noted that Ripa often recounts the exact times of their children’s births during their birthdays. This running joke added a layer of sentimentality and humour to the milestone occasion, indicating the significance of those moments for the couple.
Reflecting on the experience of becoming parents, Ripa described her lengthy labour with Michael. She recalled being in the hospital, almost reluctant to begin the process, as she was engrossed in an episode of “Entertainment Tonight” at the time. “I remember, I was watching Entertainment Tonight when they were like, ‘Ready to have a baby?’ And I was like, ‘Okay, can we wait ’til this episode’s over?'” she said, a smile breaking across her face as she reminisced.
Consuelos chimed in to elaborate on the experience, revealing that Ripa’s labour was indeed lengthy. The couple had even ended up spending the night at the hospital due to its duration. However, Ripa acknowledged that their experience, while challenging, was far less intense than what many other women go through during childbirth.
In a vivid retelling, Ripa recalled a rather dramatic scene from the hospital. As the couple waited for Michael’s arrival, they heard another woman giving birth in the hallway, having arrived at the hospital too late for an epidural. “I remember hearing someone having a baby on the floor,” Consuelos remarked, to which Ripa added, “She got to the hospital too late for an epidural and was in active labour.”
The story made Ripa appreciate her own timing, noting, “I remember thinking I had gotten to the hospital too early, but then I heard that, and I was like, ‘Just in time! I got here in the nick of time!'” This amusing observation highlighted her relief amidst the anxiety of impending parenthood.
Both Ripa and Consuelos were captivated by the lively atmosphere of the hospital, even waking up from their sleep when the commotion occurred. Consuelos described the moment with warmth, stating how even under the haze of an epidural, Ripa could still feel the excitement brewing around them.
Together, Ripa and Consuelos are parents to three children: Michael, the birthday boy; Lola, who is 24 years old; and Joaquin, aged 23. The couple’s reflections on their family life not only celebrate personal milestones but also illuminate their enduring partnership through the ups and downs of parenting.
As they shared these cherished memories on screen, it was a reminder that parenting, while often filled with unpredictability, can also be a source of immense joy and connection. The love and laughter exchanged between Ripa and Consuelos are testament to the strong bond that drives their family.