Shawn Johnson's Heartfelt Reflection on Motherhood and Newborn Son Bear
Shawn Johnson, Olympic gymnast, shares her heartfelt longing for her older children while caring for her newborn son, Bear, born in December 2023 Experience the joy and challenges of motherhood through Shawn's journey
Shawn Johnson East opened up about the mixed emotions that come with adapting to life as a mother of three.
"The most incredible part of this brief, precious time with a newborn is the ability to hold, cuddle, nurse, and be with him around the clock," Johnson East, 31, shared on her Instagram Story on Tuesday, January 9. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime moment that you'll never have again."
The Olympic gold medalist shared a photo of herself with her newborn son Barrett "Bear," born in December 2023, and expressed the unexpected challenge of adjusting to life with a new baby. Despite acknowledging her husband's efforts in caring for their older children, Johnson East admitted that she misses her older kids during this phase.
Courtesy of Shawn Johnson East/Instagram
Shawn Johnson East, along with her husband Andrew East, shares daughter Drew, 4, and sons Jett, 2. They tied the knot in 2016. Recently, the former gymnast expressed her gratitude for her spouse's support in managing their two older kids.
"I adore sharing my life with you, @andrewdeast," Johnson East wrote as a caption to an Instagram video on January 6th, featuring East, 32, playing with Drew. Among the "things my husband doesn’t know," Johnson East confessed that she "count[s] down the hours until he gets home because I miss him."
She expressed, "I love how he fills our home with his presence. I value how he loves me & our children." Johnson East continued, "I appreciate the way he handles my attitude with grace," emphasizing that the "little things" that the former NFL player does "will never go unnoticed."
Courtesy of Shawn Johnson East/Instagram
After Bear's arrival, Johnson East has been transparent about her own triumphs and struggles. In a recent statement, she revealed that she opted not to take "narcotic" pain medication during her son's C-section birth due to her previous experience with Adderall.
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"After my comeback in 2010, I was given Adderall by an irresponsible doctor to suppress my appetite and boost my energy," Johnson East shared on her Instagram Story. "Fast forward 7 years, and I was heavily addicted and it took over my life."
Since retiring from gymnastics in 2012 with four Olympic medals, Johnson East has successfully overcome her addiction to pain pills. "It had a profound impact on every aspect of my life and altered who I was. I never want to experience that loss of control again," she stated, emphasizing that she now avoids anything with potential for addiction.
