At a Glance
- Lily Collins and husband Charlie McDowell marked their daughter Tove Jane McDowell’s first birthday on Jan. 27 with Instagram photos of a ball pit, birthday sign, and sweet treats.
- The family first announced Tove’s arrival via surrogate on Jan. 31, sharing a photo of her in a bassinet.
- Collins has kept Tove out of the spotlight, sharing occasional Instagram moments and a brief interview at the Emily in Paris season 5 premiere.
- Why it matters: The milestone showcases how the actress balances her public career with private family life, offering a glimpse into her role as a mother.
Lily Collins, 36, recently turned her attention to a new kind of fame: her daughter’s first birthday. On Jan. 27, the Emily in Paris star posted a series of Instagram photos that captured the celebration’s playful spirit. The shots included Tove in a ball pit, standing beside a “happy birthday” sign, and close-ups of decorations, gifts, and treats. Collins’ caption read, “One whole year with our little T. We adore you beyond words.” She went on to say, “You’ve completely changed our lives in every single way and continue to surprise us every single day.” The actress added, “Celebrating you with all of your favorite things and more love than we ever knew existed.”
The family’s first public glimpse of Tove came a few days earlier, on Jan. 31. Collins and her film-director husband, 42, announced the birth of their daughter via surrogate. The announcement included a photo of Tove lying in a bassinet, wrapped in a monogrammed blanket that bore her name in gold. In the accompanying caption, Collins wrote, “Welcome to the center of our world Tove Jane McDowell.” She expressed gratitude toward the surrogate and everyone who helped, adding, “We love you to the moon and back again.”
Since welcoming Tove, Collins has largely shielded her from the public eye. She has shared only brief snapshots on social media and a few candid moments in interviews. At the world premiere of Emily in Paris season 5 in December, Collins was asked what her current obsession was. She answered simply, “my daughter,” and noted that Tove is “always in my brain.”
Tove’s early milestones have been captured on Instagram as well. In October, Collins posted a photo of the toddler in a swing set, describing the moment as her “favorite part of the day.” The image showed Tove wearing a custom knit sweater that featured her name in white letters surrounded by colored vines. A few weeks later, the actress shared Tove’s first Halloween on Instagram. The toddler appeared in two costumes-a garden gnome and a flamingo-while Collins quipped, “Tove’s first Halloween calls for a costume change. Our little garden gnome turned flamingo. Girl has range…”
Key Moments in Tove’s Early Life
| Date | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 27 | First birthday | Instagram photos of ball pit, birthday sign, gifts |
| Jan. 31 | Birth announcement | Photo of Tove in bassinet, monogram blanket |
| October | Swing set photo | Tove in custom sweater with name |
| Halloween (year unspecified) | First Halloween | Two costumes: garden gnome and flamingo |
| December | Interview at premiere | Collins says daughter is her obsession |
Collins’ approach to motherhood is subtle yet heartfelt. She rarely shares detailed accounts of Tove’s daily routine, preferring to let the photos speak for themselves. The actress’s Instagram captions often emphasize the joy and surprise that come with parenthood, underscoring how Tove has “completely changed our lives in every single way.”
The family’s decision to use a surrogate is a significant part of Tove’s story. Collins’ announcement highlighted the gratitude toward the surrogate and the support network that helped bring the daughter into the world. This transparency offers a glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of modern families who choose alternative paths to parenthood.
In addition to the birthday and Halloween celebrations, Collins has also shared other moments that hint at Tove’s growing personality. The swing set photo, for instance, shows the toddler engaging in simple play, while the sweater’s design-knit vines and colored flowers-reflects a thoughtful, personalized touch. These small details paint a picture of a family that values both individuality and togetherness.
Collins’ public statements reveal a consistent theme: Tove is the center of her universe. Whether she’s talking about the first birthday or the first Halloween, the actress frames the moments as milestones in a life that is “always in her brain.” This perspective underscores the profound impact that a child can have on a public figure’s priorities and daily life.
As Tove continues to grow, the family’s future milestones will likely be shared in similar understated ways-photos, captions, and brief interviews. Fans can expect to see more glimpses of the daughter’s development, from early childhood adventures to the eventual transition into school life.
Key Takeaways
- Lily Collins marked her daughter’s first birthday with a series of Instagram posts that highlighted playful moments and heartfelt gratitude.
- The family’s birth announcement via surrogate emphasized the support network that helped bring Tove into the world.
- Collins maintains a low profile for her daughter, sharing occasional Instagram moments and brief interview snippets.
- Tove’s early milestones-swing set play, custom sweater, first Halloween-offer a window into the family’s values and the child’s emerging personality.
- The actress consistently frames her daughter as the center of her life, underscoring the profound influence of motherhood on her public persona.
