Simon Cowell officially has the fatherhood factor.
The X Factor judge, 54, and his girlfriend, Lauren Silverman, welcomed their first child together on Friday, Feb. 14, his rep confirms to PEOPLE exclusively.
Son Eric arrived at 5:45 p.m. in New York City and weighed in at 6 lbs., 7 oz.
“Very happy to say Eric was born … Healthy and handsome,” Cowell Tweeted immediately following the official announcement. “Lauren in great shape. Thanks for all of your kind messages. Named after my dad.”
“Lauren is doing great. Her parents are there, along with Simon of course,” a source tells PEOPLE. “They are so excited. Everyone is thrilled. They couldn’t be happier. The baby is gorgeous.”
The July announcement that the couple was expecting a baby together came as a surprise, as Silverman, a New York socialite, was married to Cowell’s close friend, Andrew Silverman. In December, the two, who have an 8-year-old son together, finalized their divorce.
“It was kind of uncomfortable. You know, the situation. But these things happen and everything is kind of calm now and I’m happy,” the music mogul said during an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
The realization that he was going to be a father came when Cowell first saw a scan of his baby on the way — which sources later told PEOPLE was a boy.
“You literally see this thing which is now alive moving around. I feel very paternal right now,” he said following the ultrasound.
And while Silverman was showered with baby gifts during a celebration to honor the upcoming addition, Cowell was busy putting together his own parenting plans.
“There are a lot of boring things that happen when you have a baby. [You have to get rid of] sharp edges, cigarettes, alcohol … then there’s [baby-proofing] the toilet. But I’ll have a smoking room!” he joked.
Source: People
