American Idol winner Scotty McCreery welcomes baby son Merrick with his wife Gabi

American Idol winner Scotty McCreery has become a father.

The country music star, 28, and his wife Gabi, also 28, welcomed a healthy baby boy named Merrick ‘Avery’ McCreery into the world on Monday, 11 days before the due date.

Alongside a series of snaps from the hospital, the new dad gushed on Instagram: ‘Never known a love like this. ‘  

Happy family: American Idol season 10 winner Scotty McCreery and his wife Gabi announced that they had welcomed a baby boy named Merrick ‘Avery’ McCreery into their lives with a post that was shared to his Instagram account on Tuesday

McCreery pointed out that Merrick arrived 11 days early in the message.

The singer went on to lovingly describe his child as ‘7 lbs 13oz of nothin but love.’ 

The performer thanked his friends and family ‘for all of your prayers during this exciting season of life!’ 

McCreery finished his message by writing: ‘Healthy baby and a healthy mama! Praise God.’ 

There he is: The 28-year-old performer shared several images of his baby boy to his account, and he also included a trio of shots that featured his spouse, also 28

There he is: The 28-year-old performer shared several images of his baby boy to his account, and he also included a trio of shots that featured his spouse, also 28

Worth the wait: McCreery pointed out that Merrick arrived 11 days early in the message

Worth the wait: McCreery pointed out that Merrick arrived 11 days early in the message

Affectionate: The singer went on to lovingly describe his child as '7 lbs 13oz of nothin but love'

Affectionate: The singer went on to lovingly describe his child as ‘7 lbs 13oz of nothin but love’

In an interview with People magazine that was published this past June, the couple revealed that they were planning to welcome a baby boy in November.

‘We got a little man on the way,’ Scotty gushed to the outlet.

The Damn Strait singer and the pediatric nurse dated for six years before tying the knot in June 2018. 

All good: McCreery finished his message by writing: 'Healthy baby and a healthy mama! Praise God'

All good: McCreery finished his message by writing: ‘Healthy baby and a healthy mama! Praise God’

Great expectations: In an interview with People magazine that was published this past June, the couple revealed that they were planning to welcome a baby boy in November; they are seen in 2021

Great expectations: In an interview with People magazine that was published this past June, the couple revealed that they were planning to welcome a baby boy in November; they are seen in 2021

Scotty told People that the pair had ‘always talked about’ having children but decided to wait for a few years after getting married.

‘We always knew we wanted kids, but we always knew we wanted the first few years to travel and have time on the road, to see things and experience life,’ he said.

The country star continued, ‘We’ve gotten to live a lot of life and do some cool things, so seems like now’s a good time to settle down a little and expand the family.’ 

Ready to go: The country star continued, 'We've gotten to live a lot of life and do some cool things, so seems like now's a good time to settle down a little and expand the family'

Ready to go: The country star continued, ‘We’ve gotten to live a lot of life and do some cool things, so seems like now’s a good time to settle down a little and expand the family’ 

After finding out that she was pregnant earlier this year, Gabi intended to tell her husband the good news after she picked him up from the airport and before they went to a hockey game.

‘Well, his flight got delayed, so that didn’t work out,’ she said.

While the couple were at the game, Scott said that he did not pick up on the subtle sign that Gabi was abstaining from drinking alcohol. 

'We got a little man on the way,' Scotty gushed to the outlet

‘We got a little man on the way,’ Scotty gushed to the outlet

‘I’m over there drinking beers, having a good time, and she’s like, ‘I think I’ll just lay low tonight,’ so I was like, ‘Okay.’

‘I didn’t think anything of it,’ the North Carolina native added. Gabi eventually told him the following morning.

The couple explained that they were surprised to learn that they were having a boy as their family history indicated that they would likely have a girl.

Scotty said, ‘I was the only boy on both sides of my family, the last McCreery boy out.’

He continued, ‘Gabi’s from two sisters in her family, so I just figured it would be a girl. But we got a surprise of a boy.’

The two were so confident that they were having a girl that they had already picked out a name. They told People at the time that they had not decided on a name for their son.

Getting the timing right: Scotty told People that the pair had 'always talked about' having children but decided to wait for a few years after getting married

Getting the timing right: Scotty told People that the pair had ‘always talked about’ having children but decided to wait for a few years after getting married

Though the pair added that they would have been ‘stoked’ either way, the Five More Minutes crooner told People that he was now excited to get his son involved in some of his favorite hobbies.

‘I grew up playing sports, so getting to introduce him to baseball, which was my first love right there with music, and golf are just little things that [will be great].’

Gabi said that she felt that her career experience in pediatric nursing has ‘prepared me in many ways’ for motherhood.

‘Even just down to changing diapers multiple times in a day, and figuring out how to soothe the baby when they’re upset, for sure has helped,’ she added.

Meanwhile, Scotty said that his wife’s medical expertise was ‘great for me because I’ll be so nervous.’

The singer explained, ‘If the baby coughs, I’ll be like, ‘Hey, Gabi, is this okay? What’s happening here?’ So, knowing that she has that experience, I think will be huge.’

The couple told People that they plan to take their son on the road with them when Scotty goes on tour.

Surprise: The couple explained that they were surprised to learn that they were having a boy as their family history indicated that they would likely have a girl. Pictured in 2019

Surprise: The couple explained that they were surprised to learn that they were having a boy as their family history indicated that they would likely have a girl. Pictured in 2019

‘I think we’ll bring another bus out and try to make a little nursery for him,’ Scotty said. ‘It might not be every week, and we’ll see how the baby takes to the road life, but it’d be nice, just selfishly, to have Gabi and the baby out there with me. I don’t want to miss anything with him growing up.

Gabi said, ‘Travel is so much a part of our life that I feel like if we start at a young age, it’ll prepare him a little bit.’

Scotty acknowledged, ‘[This is] uncharted waters for us, but we can’t wait to dive in and meet the little man.’

The performer also shared the exciting news on Instagram, writing, ‘Baby boy McCreery coming soon!’

Other country music stars quickly took to the comments to share their congratulations.

Chris Lane wrote, ‘Welcome to the daddy club’ while James McNair joked, We are gonna need a daycare for all of us,’ adding a crying while laughing smiley emoji.

James Durbin said, ‘It’s the greatest thing that will ever happen for you. ❤️ Congratulations & love from The Durbin 5.’

Ready for motherhood: Gabi said that she felt that her career experience in pediatric nursing has 'prepared me in many ways' for motherhood

Ready for motherhood: Gabi said that she felt that her career experience in pediatric nursing has ‘prepared me in many ways’ for motherhood

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