CNN National Security Correspondent Kylie Atwood Welcomes First Baby with Husband Steve (Exclusive)
"We are cherishing these newborn days," Atwood tells PEOPLE
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Kylie Atwood is a mom!
The CNN national security correspondent welcomed her first baby, daughter Sienna James, with husband Steven Harrington, a rep for the couple confirms to PEOPLE. The couple's newest addition was born in Washington D.C. and weighed 6 lbs., 10 oz. at birth.
"I keep looking at Sienna in awe," Atwood tells PEOPLE. "I'm so in love and it hasn't even been a week! We are cherishing these newborn days. I melt when she falls asleep resting her head on my chest, curiously opens her eyes, or grabs my hand with her little fingers."
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"It's way too early to actually tell who she looks like but it has been fun to start thinking about it! I think she has Steve's lips. And right now she has one dimple and I wonder if she will develop another one or two ... like me."
The reporter says having her daughter is extra special because she's always wanted to be a mother.
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"I have literally always wanted to be a mother so this is a dream come true," Atwood tells PEOPLE. "I am the oldest of five kids and my mom says that I helped her to raise my four younger siblings. Now, she is helping me to raise Sienna. She's living with us for a few weeks until we are settled and it's been such a gift."
"Birth is just wild! I did a lot of research about the birth process while I was pregnant," she continues. "I listened to so many birth story podcasts, read books, practiced hypnobirthing breath work and thoughtfully developed a birth plan."
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Although she prepared, things didn't go exactly to plan. "The doctors thought she had dropped substantial weight and wanted to induce me," Atwood explains. "It was sudden and scary. But I felt prepared to ask the right questions and stay calm throughout the birth because of my research and breath work."
"Steve was also there to support me, every step of the way. I feel so accomplished now that she's here, and so grateful that she's healthy."
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As for her daughter's name, Atwood says the moniker just came naturally. "We had a short list of names that we both liked and we began using them when she was in the womb. Once we began calling her Sienna, it just stuck!"
"We think it's beautiful and strong. Her middle name, James, is after my dad. I'm incredibly close with both of my parents and having my dad as her namesake allowed us to incorporate both of our families into her full name."
"I also liked giving her a name that is traditionally thought of as more of a male name, encouraging breaking stereotypes," adds Atwood.
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