Debby Ryan just shared some of the most intimate and beautiful moments of her life with fans.
The actress, best known for her starring role in Disney Channel’s Jessie, announced the arrival of her first child with husband Josh Dun on Saturday, December 13.
And the birth story she shared? Absolutely breathtaking.
Ryan, 32, and Dun, 37—the drummer for Twenty One Pilots—welcomed a baby girl named Felix Winter into the world through a home water birth that happened faster than anyone expected.
A Birth Under Christmas Lights and Snow
Ryan’s Instagram announcement painted a picture-perfect scene that sounds almost too magical to be real.
We sat under the full moon— the cold supermoon— reminiscing on our life as a family of two, and told the child I was harboring that we were ready to become three.
What happened next was remarkably swift.
By midday, Felix was born under christmas lights with snow outside our bedroom window, right into her father’s hands.
The image of Josh catching his daughter during a home birth is both powerful and tender—a moment that speaks to the intimacy many parents seek when bringing new life into the world.
Josh Dun: The “Incredible Teammate”
Ryan didn’t hold back in praising her husband’s support during labor and delivery.
He was an incredible teammate, and somehow didn’t get pulled into the tub and drowned and is taking such good care of his girls on this side of things.
Her humor shines through even in recounting one of life’s most intense experiences. Water births can be unpredictable, and having a partner who stays calm and present makes all the difference.
Ryan also acknowledged her birth team and the women who supported her journey to motherhood, emphasizing how community and wisdom from other mothers helped fortify her through the experience.
The Newborn Details That Melt Hearts
New parents often struggle to put into words the overwhelming feelings that come with meeting their baby for the first time.
Ryan found a way that’s pure poetry.
Her hair is made of silk and her breath smells like vanilla ice cream and every chirp, squeak and whimper is music and everytime I look away and look back, she’s gotten smaller somehow.
That bittersweet awareness that time moves too quickly hit Ryan immediately.
I know too soon, I’ll look away and look back and she’ll be bigger and bigger still so for now I’d like to spend my days trapped under the immovable 8 pounds of Felix Winter Dun.
Anyone who’s been through those early newborn days knows exactly what she means—the desire to freeze time and the simultaneous exhaustion and euphoria of round-the-clock baby care.
A Name With Meaning: Felix Winter
The couple chose Felix Winter Dun for their daughter—a name that carries both strength and seasonal beauty.
Felix traditionally means “happy” or “fortunate” in Latin and has historically been a masculine name, though gender-neutral and cross-gender naming has become increasingly popular among modern parents.
Winter as a middle name perfectly captures the season of her birth and adds a poetic touch that matches Ryan’s lyrical announcement style.
Motherhood as “Greatest Honor”
Ryan has played many roles throughout her career, from Disney Channel star to indie film actress. But nothing compares to this new chapter.
I’ve been a lot of things but her home, a grow light, a portal to bring a new soul into the world— these are my greatest honors.
Describing herself as a “grow light” and “portal” reframes pregnancy and birth in language that feels both spiritual and grounded—acknowledging the transformative physical reality of creating life.
Welcome to earth lil moonbeam. Love you forever 🌙✨
The Couple’s Journey to Parenthood
Ryan and Dun’s relationship spans over a decade. They began dating in 2013 and married on New Year’s Eve 2019 in an intimate ceremony.
The couple announced their pregnancy in September, giving fans just a few months’ notice before Felix’s arrival.
They currently live in Columbus, Ohio—far from Hollywood’s spotlight—which likely contributed to their ability to have such a private, personal birth experience at home.
Home Birth and Water Birth: What to Know
Ryan’s choice to have a home water birth reflects a growing interest among some parents in alternative birthing environments.
Water birth benefits can include:
- Natural pain relief through buoyancy and warmth
- Reduced need for medical interventions
- More freedom of movement during labor
- A gentler transition for baby from womb to world
- Increased sense of privacy and control
Home births require careful planning, qualified midwives or birth attendants, and typically work best for low-risk pregnancies. Ryan mentioned having “an incredible birth team,” which is essential for safety.
Her experience—going from sitting under the full moon to giving birth by midday—shows how quickly labor can progress, especially at home where mothers often feel more relaxed.
Sharing the Intimate Moments
Along with her heartfelt caption, Ryan shared video footage from her water birth and photos of newborn Felix.
Choosing to share such vulnerable, raw moments with millions of followers is deeply personal. For some parents, documenting and sharing birth stories helps process the experience and connect with others.
It also normalizes different birth choices and shows the beauty possible in home birth when properly supported—something that can feel empowering for expectant parents considering their options.
Ryan’s announcement stands out for its authenticity, poetic language, and celebration of both the intensity and tenderness of bringing Felix Winter into the world under Christmas lights with snow falling outside.