Etheridge Expecting Twins

04/18/2006 12:35 PM, E! Online


Melissa Etheridge's little secret is out. Make that little secrets.

The veteran rocker and her partner of more than three years, actress Tammy Lynn Michaels, are expecting twins together this spring, the duo announced Monday via a posting on the Grammy winner's Website.

"We are thrilled to announce that Tammy is pregnant, and expecting our twins sometime around this fall," the post read. "To answer the obvious question: we used an anonymous donor from a bank."

While Etheridge, 44, has two children from a previous relationship, the twins will be the first biological children for Missus Michaels, 31, who nevertheless has spent the past few years honing her parenting skills.

"These are our first two babies conceived together, but not our first time mothering together," the announcement read. "For the past 5 years, we have been parenting two children, from a previous time in Melissa's life.

"The twins will be a joyful addition to our loving home."

Etheridge already has a nine-year-old daughter, Bailey Jean, and seven-year-old son, Beckett, from her relationship with actress Julie Cypher. Both children were carried by Cypher and conceived via artificial insemination courtesy of fellow rocker David Crosby. This time around though, Etheridge snubbed Crosby's swimmers in lieu of an anonymous donor.

"Been there, done that," she told Extra last August when asked if she and her L-Word starring partner would turn to the music legend for help in conceiving.

The stork news is just the latest good tiding to come to Etheridge, who announced last fall that she was officially breast cancer-free after months of intensive chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

In addition to monitoring Michaels' pickle and ice cream cravings, the "Come to My Window" singer has a full summer ahead of her.

The rocker has been tapped to give the commencement speech for Boston's Berklee College of Music on May 13 as well as receive an honorary doctor of music degree at the ceremony.

Etheridge is also set to hit the road on a 29-city tour this summer, kicking off June 17 in Las Vegas and wrapping up Aug. 29 in Phoenix.

And as for the impending delivery—and overly generous fans—Etheridge and Michaels say thanks but no thanks.

"We are a blessed family and ask that no gifts be sent," the duo said on Etheridge's Website. "Any gifts we receive we will donate to a local women's shelter. However, well wishes are more than welcome."