Four years ago, Elizabeth Hendrickson fans followed along as The Young and the Restless actress anxiously awaited the birth of her first child during a once-in-a-lifetime event.
The world had just closed down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the actress' birth plan had to be severely adjusted thanks to the new health protocols that had just been put in place. She explained the changes on Instagram just before her baby was born.
"We just checked into the hospital. We've decided to induce labor with everything moving so rapidly. We felt it was best to get her here safely before Rob wasn't allowed in the delivery room like they're doing in San Fran and NY," she wrote, referring to new COVID rules that were put in place in those cities. "20 mins before we walked into the hospital the midwives were notified that after delivery only the mother is allowed with the baby postpartum. Rob has to leave. We are heartbroken but we also feel like I'm in incredible hands."
Now, that little girl born into a world with so much fear and uncertainty just turned four years old and celebrated it with a trip to Disney World with her parents. Josephine James Meder was born weighing six pounds, eleven ounces on March 27, 2020, and is a little Disney princess bringing her parents joy.
"Josephine James. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be lucky enough to have a daughter as fierce, caring, courageous and as special as you," Hendrickson wrote on Instagram next to a series of candid photos. "Last night you gave me a huge hug and a dozen kisses and just kept saying 'I love you mama' and then 'you're the best parent' I don't think you know what that means just yet 🤣 but it meant the world to me. You are the best daughter a Mama could ever have. You light up this world. I love you. Happy 4th Birthday."
Hendrickson treated Josephine to some Disney amusement time as part of her big celebration and shared a pic of herself and her daughter on the carousel. She also revealed her plans for their next visit.
"One of my favorite places. Sorry not sorry for stealing the Birthday girls ears. 🐭Next trip we're doing California Adventure and Jojo is coming on space mountain."
Hendrickson made her daytime debut in 2001 as Mary Francis "Frankie" Stone on ABC's All My Children. Her character was killed off later that same year, but the actress had impressed show executives and fans alike, so AMC created the role of Mary Margaret "Maggie" Stone, Frankie's twin sister. Hendrickson eventually exited AMC in 2007. She joined The Young and the Restless in 2008 but exited the show six years later. She has made a series of returns since that time, but the Emmy-nominated actress revealed last year that she had been taken off contract.
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