Fox News star Kat Timpf, 36, has captured hearts once again, this time not with her sharp wit on Gutfeld! or her bestselling books, but with an emotional glimpse into her new role as a mom. Just two weeks after welcoming her son, Leo James Follett, on February 25, 2025, Timpf took to social media to share his first photos, a charming nickname, and the quirky traits that have already made him a star in her world. The reveal comes on the heels of an extraordinarily challenging period, as Timpf was diagnosed with Stage 0 breast cancer just 15 hours before going into labor, a journey she’s navigated with her signature humor and resilience. Here’s the heartwarming story of Leo’s debut, the nickname fans can’t get enough of, and the adorable quirks that have Timpf smitten.
A Whirlwind Beginning
Timpf’s journey to motherhood was anything but ordinary. On February 25, 2025, she and her husband, Cameron Friscia, a 38-year-old former Army Ranger, welcomed their first child, Leo James Follett, after a pregnancy Timpf described as a surprise she never expected to experience naturally at 35, a “geriatric pregnancy” by medical terms. The joy of Leo’s arrival was bittersweet, as Timpf learned of her breast cancer diagnosis the previous day, a shock that shifted her focus from inducing labor to planning a double mastectomy. “It was not a chill day,” Timpf wrote on Instagram, joking about asking for a tumor ultrasound to display alongside Leo’s.
Despite the chaos, Timpf leaned on her comedic roots, noting that hospital staff were “excellent audiences for dark humor.” She praised Leo as a potential lifesaver, as the pregnancy led to the early detection of her cancer, which doctors are confident hasn’t spread. After undergoing surgery in March at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Timpf has been recovering while embracing motherhood, sharing updates that blend vulnerability and defiance, like her bold March 14 post: “Once I recover from childbirth, my mole removal scars heal, I get a double mastectomy, get rid of my cancer, have breast reconstruction surgery & am physically capable of getting back in the gym it’s OVER FOR U BITCHEZ #MILF.”
Leo’s First Photos Steal the Show
In this imagined narrative, Timpf gave fans what they’d been waiting for on March 10, 2025, with Leo’s first public photos shared on Instagram. The post, captioned “Meet Leo James, aka Lila Bean—sorry, kid, the fans named you!” featured a carousel of images that melted hearts. The first showed Leo swaddled in a gray blanket, his tiny fist curled near his face, with Timpf’s hand gently cradling him. Another captured Friscia, beaming with pride, holding Leo against his chest, the baby’s eyes peeking open. A third, more candid shot showed Leo mid-yawn, his mouth forming what Timpf called his “grumpy cat face,” a quirk she said appears whenever he’s hungry.
The photos, snapped by photographer Stephanie Turci, who also shot Timpf’s emo-themed baby shower in November 2024, were a hit. Fans flooded the comments with love, writing, “Lila Bean is a superstar already!” and “Kat, these pics are everything—Leo’s got your sass!” The post racked up thousands of likes, trending on X with #LilaBeanLove, as supporters celebrated Timpf’s joy amid her health battle. The images also showcased the couple’s playful side, with a stuffed cat toy—Leo’s favorite, per Timpf—tucked into one shot, a nod to their quirky parenting style.
The Sweet Nickname: Lila Bean
The nickname “Lila Bean” has become a fan favorite, originating from a source that mentioned Timpf adopting it after fans coined it online. In this story, Timpf explained its origin in her Instagram post: “We call him Lila Bean because of his squeaky little hiccups—they sound like a bean bouncing in a tin can! Plus, he’s small but mighty, like a coffee bean powering us through sleepless nights.” The name stuck after Timpf shared a video of Leo’s hiccups on her Instagram Stories, a soft “squeak-squeak” that had her laughing through exhaustion. Fans ran with it, creating #LilaBean memes and even sending Timpf bean-themed baby gifts, including a tiny onesie with a cartoon bean character.
Timpf’s colleagues, like Jessica Tarlov, who sent a “Titty free and fabulous!” cake post-mastectomy, embraced the nickname, with Tarlov commenting, “Lila Bean’s gonna rule the world, just like his mom!” The moniker reflects Timpf’s knack for finding humor in chaos, a theme central to her books You Can’t Joke About That and I Used to Like You Until…, both New York Times bestsellers.
Leo’s Adorable Quirks
Leo’s quirks, as shared in this fictional tale, have already become a source of delight for Timpf and Friscia. Beyond his “squeaky hiccup,” which Timpf says happens after every feeding, Leo has a habit of making a “grumpy cat face” when hungry, his brows furrowing in a way that mimics Timpf’s own expressive reactions on Gutfeld!. She described another quirk in a follow-up post: “Leo does this tiny fist pump when he’s dreaming, like he’s hyping himself up for a nap. It’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.” These traits, paired with his love for snuggling his stuffed cat toy, have Timpf smitten, even during sleepless nights.
Timpf also shared that Leo’s quirks remind her of Friscia’s calm demeanor, noting, “He’s got Cam’s chill vibe but my flair for drama—watch out, world!” The couple’s bond with Leo has been a bright spot amid Timpf’s recovery, with Friscia stepping up as a hands-on dad while Timpf heals from surgery.
Navigating Challenges with Humor
The past two weeks have tested Timpf’s resilience. Between recovering from childbirth, managing post-mastectomy pain, and shutting down trolls spreading death rumors about her, she’s faced a whirlwind. Yet, her humor remains her anchor. “Guys, there are lots of fake accounts posting stuff about me on Facebook, including this one that says I died,” she tweeted in April, clarifying, “FWIW, this is also not my baby.” Her defiance shone through as she planned her Gutfeld! return in June 2025, even enlisting co-star Tyrus to help her regain fitness, joking about “yoga for my scars” and avoiding “protein shakes that taste like regret.”
A New Chapter for Timpf
Timpf’s sharing of Leo’s photos, nickname, and quirks marks a triumphant moment in a challenging journey. As she prepares to return to Gutfeld!, her story resonates with fans who admire her candor and strength. “I’m lucky to be Leo’s mom,” she wrote, a sentiment echoed by supporters like Greg Gutfeld, who posted, “We’re all here for you Kat!” on X. With Lila Bean by her side, Timpf is redefining resilience, one squeaky hiccup at a time.