Erik, Nikki Spoelstra announce birth of son: ‘Welcome to the world, Dante Nicholas Spoelstra’
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra and wife, Nikki, are now parents of two.
Nikki announced the birth of the couple’s second son, Dante Nicholas Spoelstra, with a family photo on social media Thursday evening.
“Welcome to the world, Dante Nicholas Spoelstra! Perfect in every way,” Nikki posted. “So grateful to have this big, magical soul join our family & can’t wait to bring him Home to the best big brother & doggie-sister ever! You are loved by so many already, Baby Dante!”
Spoelstra returned home to Miami on Wednesday morning for the birth, missing the Heat’s loss to the Celtics that night. Assistant coach Dan Craig filled in for Spoelstra as Miami’s head coach in Boston.
It marked only the second game Spoelstra has missed in his 11-plus seasons as the Heat’s head coach, the other coming in March 2018 when his first child, Santiago, was born. Craig coached the team that day, an overtime loss to the Pacers in Indianapolis.
The Heat’s next game is Friday against the Wizards at AmericanAirlines Arena to kick off a four-game homestand. Spoelstra is expected to be back coaching the Heat for the contest.
Spoelstra spoke to the Miami Herald last December about the joys of becoming a father.
“It’s been amazing from the standpoint, it was the most memorable offseason that I’ve ever had,” Spoelstra said. “Imprinted on my mind and memories and excitement and gratitude, all of that. Every other offseason has been just that, every other offseason. This one is one I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”
He said sleep was more limited during the first three months of Santiago’s life.
“It’s chaos,” Spoelstra said with a smile. “My wife and I joke about it, but the first eight to 12 weeks, we barely remember that. There were some harrowing nights where not only was he screaming, but it felt like we were all screaming and crying.
“But you survive it and are able to tell some funny stories.”
Before Santiago, Spoelstra usually needed at least 12 hours to get over a loss. Now, Nikki puts their son in the bed as Spoelstra is waking up to offer some perspective after a rough night.
“After a couple losses, I normally wouldn’t say anything to my wife in the morning, just kind of grunt and grumble and grab my coffee and get on my way out,” Spoelstra said. “My wife has now made a point of, after losses, to bring our son into the bed when he wakes up in the morning. So when I’m waking up and I’m still obsessing over whatever happened the night before, I see this little guy right in front of me smiling and wanting to connect with me. It’s totally changed how I compartmentalize.
“It doesn’t affect my disappointment, anger or frustration about the night before. But I can put it in a box and be more present, and keep the main thing the main thing — your family.”
This story was originally published December 5, 2019 at 5:15 PM.
