I was fortunate enough to meet her the day after she won a gold medal at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, though I didn’t get invited to her wedding. Still, I am thrilled to spread the good news that gymnast Dominique Moceanu and her husband Dr. Michael Canales will be welcoming their first child in January.
Currently, 25-year-old Moceanu is living in Cleveland with her foot and ankle surgeon husband and teaching gymnastics to girls who weren’t even born when she and the rest of her “Magnificent 7” teammates struck gold in Atlanta. Gymnastics may have been a huge part of her life, but a recent post on Moceanu’s website reveals that the impending birth of her child will eclipse any sporting achievement.
“We are so excited. Mike and I have talked about starting a family for so long. It’s really a dream come true. We love it in Ohio and look forward to raising a family here. Bringing a precious new life into this world is the ultimate achievement – and we can’t wait!”
Another star athlete is sharing big baby news today as well.
New York Yankees pitcher Scott Proctor and his wife, Carrie just announced that they have welcomed another little slugger into their growing family. According to the team’s rep, the Proctor’s welcomed their third child, son Cooper Liam, on Monday, July 23rd. If you guessed that Cooper was named after Cooperstown, New York where the Baseball Hall of Fame is located, you would be right.
Cooper joins big brother Camden, 3, and 16-month-old big sister Mary Elizabeth “M.E.” By the way, Camden’s name also has its roots in baseball. Proctor says he named his son after Camden Yards, home of the Baltimore Orioles.
She’s not having a baby, but she is celebrating a birthday.
The late “Crocodile Hunter,” Steve Irwin’s daughter Bindi turned 9 yesterday. To celebrate her mom Terri threw a huge party for her at the Australia Zoo. According to news report, the shindig included all of Bindi’s favorite foods and an appearance by her favorite singing group, “The Veronica’s.”
But, perhaps, the biggest thrill for the young environmentalist came when her mom presented her with a hand-held walkie-talkie and made her an official Australia Zoo staff member.
Terri Irwin told an Australian newspaper, “Bindi always enjoys something new and different at the zoo, so this year I got her own radio. She is officially a zoo keeper at Australia Zoo, which means in the morning before school she can radio to the cat feeders, find out where the tigers are walking, so she accidentally doesn’t bump into them. And she can go play in the zoo with her radio or wherever she wants to go, it’s fantastic.”
On a sadder note, this was Bindi’s first birthday without her father, who was killed by a string ray on the Great Barrier Reef last September.
Related Articles:
Pop Culture Potpourri: Babies, Billionaires and Big Names on “Sesame Street”
Even More Celebrity Milestones
Celebrity Baby Boom—Just In Time For Father’s Day