"Love U So Much," the 53-year-old loving mother wrote.
Apollo Bowie Flynn, son of Gwen Stefani, has now turned nine! In a tender tribute post to mark the occasion on February 28, the Hollaback Girl singer shared a heartfelt message about how much her youngest son means to her. She also shared a collage on Instagram with several images and videos of Apollo throughout his childhood, all set to the song Running by her band, No Doubt. "My world is so much bigger with u in it, happy birthday, Apollo ♥️♥️ I love u so much," the 53-year-old loving mother wrote in the post's caption.
In one throwback video, Stefani displayed her infant boy in a diaper and lying in white blankets; in another, she showed him as a preschooler cuddling a dog. She also uploaded a picture of an infant Apollo dozing off on her shoulder. The main image in the collage featured Blake Shelton, Stefani, and Apollo posing adorably.
In the photo, Stefani smiled while posing next to Apollo, who was wearing a denim jacket with his name inscribed on it. Stefani was wearing a green blouse and a dark blue jacket. Shelton, 46, stood behind the mother-son team while donning a black shirt and hat with the word "LEGACY" on it. The picture appears to have been taken last month when Shelton and Stefani brought Zuma Nesta Rock, 14, and Apollo to the NASCAR Busch Light Clash at The Coliseum in Los Angeles. Jimmie Johnson, a legend in NASCAR, invited friends to watch the race in the Legacy Motor Club suite, and the couple posted pictures of themselves with him and the guests there.
Shelton revealed to PEOPLE in December 2022 that he feels he learns so much about himself parenting Stefani's three boys, Kingston James McGregor, 16, Apollo, and Zuma, whom Stefani shares with ex-husband Gavin Rossdale. "They've taught me something about myself that I never knew. I'm more than just a country singer or a goofy guy," he told PEOPLE exclusively of helping raise the three children. Shelton continued, "I'm someone they actually lean on, and that's not a responsibility that I ever had and not something that I ever considered even being into."
"It's a different kind of self-worth. Maybe it's the opposite of self-worth because you put yourself way down on the rung, and they move up ahead of you," added the singer.
Shelton made his departure from The Voice known last year, citing a wish to spend more time with his stepsons as they get older as the main driving force behind his choice. "You don't know what your regrets are going to be until you look back one day. I feel like my regrets would be, if I stayed on this path, that I am missing out on some more important things in life — and for now, that's our kids," he said.
References:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CpOALo-pJaQ/
https://people.com/parents/blake-shelton-gwen-stefani-sons-taught-him-different-self-worth/
Cover Image Source: Instagram | @gwenstefani
