Charles Kelley of Lady Antebellum welcomes first child

NASHVILLE, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- Charles Kelley and wife Cassie McConnell welcomed their first child Thursday.

The 34-year-old Lady Antebellum singer and his longtime partner announced the news on McConnell's website, Womanista, revealing she gave birth to son Ward Charles Kelley at 9:20 a.m. CT.

"We can't stop staring at him and he hasn't stopped chitchatting with us since he arrived," the couple said in a statement. "He's got momma's nose and daddy's eyes and vocal chords and a head full of blond hair."

McConnell later shared a photo of Kelley holding their son, writing, "Best buddies already. Can't believe these two guys are mine. So overwhelmed with love and gratitude." The singer reposted the same picture, adding, "Can't stop staring at this little nugget."

Kelley and McConnell have been together 10 years and married in 2009. The couple announced they were expecting in August, saying they were "so beyond excited" after years of fertility struggles.

"We had about a 1 percent chance of conceiving naturally," McConnell said at the time. "We never stopped hoping though ... and [Charles] love, support, passion for our marriage and our future children has never, EVER wavered, even when the frustration seemed insurmountable."

Charles Kelley with son Ward on Feb. 11. Photo by Cassie McConnell/Instagram

Kelley is the brother of singer Josh Kelley, who is married to actress Katherine Heigl. He last released 747 with Lady Antebellum in 2014, and has a sixth studio album with the country group in the works. The group consists of Kelley, Hillary Scott and Dave Haywood.