If someone deserves a little happiness today, I think it’s Niki Taylor. The 33 year-old (to be 34 on Thursday!) American supermodel and enterpeneur has had her share of mishaps and misfortunes. But on Wednesday morning, she delivered a healthy baby girl. Things are looking up.

Ciel Taylor Lamar joins older brothers, 14 year old twins Jake and Hunter (born to Taylor and her first husband, Matt Martinez). Born in Nashville, little Ciel weighs 7 and a half pounds.

“Everyone is doing amazing,” says Niki’s friend and long-time manager, Lou Taylor. (Despite the last name, the two are not related.) As yet, not many details have been released, including whether the baby was delivered naturally or c-section. However, in a recent interview, Taylor was hopeful. “I had the worst pain I could imagine after [a 2001 car] accident and surgeries,” she said. “I can do natural childbirth!” She would not have been able to have an epidural due to rods placed in her spine following the accident, which nearly took her life, but luckily, spared her face–and career.

Taylor and husband Burney Lamar (a Nascar driver) were married in 2006 after a whirlwind courtship of 3 months. The two celebrities met while signing autographs. They shared three dates and were engaged! But while the two were eager to have a child together, it took a little longer than the supermodel hoped. “Every month it wasn’t happening I was feeling more frantic,” she said. When she confirmed the pregnancy finally, she said, “I am so happy and ready…I am in such a wonderful place in my life that I can really enjoy it all.”

Despite astounding success as a model (she signed her first contract at age 13, and 400 covers later, it’s been uphill from there!), her life hasn’t always been as wonderful as it is right now. Beginning with the demise of her first marriage at the age of 20, Taylor has shouldered a lot of burdens in her adult life, including the death of her younger sister Krissy, a life-threatening car crash, and a struggle against prescription painkillers.

Her May 2001 car accident caused severe internal injuries including a collapsed lung and liver damage. She awoke six weeks later, underwent 56 surgeries as well as extensive physical therapy. The ordeal, however, jump started her faith. Taylor was featured in the May 2006 issue of Guideposts Magazine as she vowed never to miss another Mother’s Day and fought to survive in order to raise her twins.

The model, the driver, the twins, and the baby-in-belly can be seen in magazines this month in advertisements for Sketchers shoes. I’m happy to see that she is back in the game of life. I hope this baby, this birthday are the start of a great year with great things ahead.

Congratulations, Niki and Burney! Happy Birthday, Ciel! And Happy Birthday, Niki!

Country singer Jo Dee Messina is singing an even happier tune than usual today. According to recent internet reports, she and her husband welcomed the first addition to their family. It was recently announced by the couple that Messina gave birth to a baby boy on Monday, January 19^th. The statement was made through Messina’s spokesperson.

The baby was named Noah, Roger Deffenbaugh. He was born at a hospital in Nashville and weighed 6 pounds 15 ounces. Messina and Deffenbaugh married in late 2007 in Nashville, after announcing their engagement in June of that year. Country singer Danielle Peck was one of the bridesmaids. According to reports online, each year Deffenbaugh gives Messina flowers to celebrate the anniversary of the day they met.

Messina was born in August, 1970 and her birth name was Jo Dee Marie Messina. She has had a successful music career, having had nine singles reach number one on the Billboard country music charts. She is the first female country singer to have three songs from an album reach number one. Two of her albums have been certified Platinum, while she has had three albums which reached Gold status.

She received the award for Top New Female Vocalist at the Academy of Country Music Awards in 1998. She was honored by Billboard magazine in 1999 as the most played female country artist for that year. In 1999 she received the Country Music Association’s Horizon Award. She has also been recognized with a Grammy nomination.

Messina battled alcohol addiction in April 2004, being successfully treated at a center in Utah. Thankfully that all seems to be behind her now, and she can keep doing what she does best. Of course she can now add ‘mom’ to her list of titles.

Congratulations to the happy couple on the birth of their first child.