Dylan Dreyer’s Surprise Baby Arrival—Why Baby Russell’s Early Debut Left Everyone Stunned

Dylan Dreyer and her family were expecting to welcome their third baby in November, but Baby Russell James had other plans. Arriving six weeks early, the little one made his debut on September 29, catching everyone—including Dylan—off guard.

The dramatic moment unfolded in the middle of the night. “The doctor came in and said, ‘We’re taking him out now.’ I just said, ‘Okay, let’s do this!’” Dylan recalled, describing the whirlwind of events that led to Russell’s 2:38 AM birth. Despite his early arrival, the baby boy was strong—breathing on his own and weighing in at a healthy 5 pounds, 5 ounces.

But the surprises didn’t stop there. Dylan, who had only ever had winter babies, was thrown by the idea of a September-born child. “I only prepared for a November baby—there are no clothes ready, no crib, nothing was planned!” she laughed. “I didn’t even do research on Libras!”

Named after both of their fathers, Russell James (or “Rusty” as his siblings call him) is already melting hearts. When the couple revealed the name, both grandfathers teared up. “It was really special,” Dylan shared.

Despite the unexpected timing, Dylan feels lucky. A few extra days in the hospital allowed doctors to give Russell vital steroids for his lungs, and now, in the hands of NICU specialists, he’s thriving.

“I actually got to sleep last night,” Dylan admitted—something many new moms can only dream of! With Calvin and Oliver excitedly calling him “RJ,” baby Russell is already fitting right into the family.

From a surprise midnight delivery to a perfectly unplanned entrance, this little guy has already made a big impact—and his story is just beginning.

Dylan Dreyer’s Baby Russell James Leaves NICU After Arriving 6 Weeks Early: ‘He’s Coming Home!’

Today co-host Dylan Dreyer and husband Brian Fichera are also parents to sons Oliver George, 20 months, and Calvin Bradley, 4½

Photo: dylan dreyer/instagram. inset: getty

Baby Russell James is heading home!

One week after Dylan Dreyer and husband Brian Fichera welcomed their third child, son Russell, Fichera announced that they would be taking their baby home from the hospital where he had been in the neonatal intensive care unit.

“He’s coming home!” Fichera captioned an Instagram photo of him and Dreyer in the car preparing to drive home with Russell. “Driving home 13 inches an hour on the FDR with fish swimming in my eyes like I just watched the end of Forrest Gump, My Girl and ET combined. #welcomehomerusty.”

Dreyer, who also shares sons Oliver George, 20 months, and Calvin Bradley, 4½, with Fichera, welcomed baby Russell six weeks early and explained after his arrival that her son would be transferred to the NICU for further monitoring.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE‘s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Dylan Dreyer Instagram

Last week, the mom of three gave an update on Russell during a virtual appearance with her 3rd Hour of Today co-hosts, sharing that the baby was in “good hands up in the NICU.”

“He’s doing wonderful, he’s gaining weight, he’s breathing on his own, and he’s doing awesome,” said Dreyer. “He just was in such a rush. I thought he could at least wait until today because today officially is 34 weeks. I guess that’s just a huge milestone in baby world.”

Joking about her baby arriving six weeks early, Dreyer added, “There are no clothes clean, there’s no crib in the house, nothing was planned. It’s wild. I can’t believe he’s here.”

She explained on 3rd Hour of Today that her new addition’s first name is Fichera’s dad’s name, and his middle name is her own father’s name — and they got emotional when they told them about the namesakes.

“We finally worked in a family connection. Both our dads started crying when we told them,” she shared. “It’s just been really special. I can’t believe I was going to have to wait until November to meet him, and he’s here and healthy.”