Daddy cool! Lester Holt reveals vintage mustache in intimate family photo as Today show hosts reminisce about becoming first-time parents

  • The 54-year-old joined colleagues in sharing memories of parenthood to mark Jenna Wolfe's return from maternity leave this weekend
  • Ms Wolfe and her partner Stephanie Gosk welcomed a baby girl in August 2

By Sadie Whitelocks

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With a mustache and fine crop of hair, Today show host Lester Holt looks completely different twenty-something years ago compared to his current self.

The 54-year-old, father-of-two joined colleagues in sharing intimate throwback family photos to mark Jenna Wolfe's return from maternity leave this weekend.

He said that he can hardly believe where the time has gone and it only feels like yesterday when he was rocking his two sons, now in their twenties, 'with one hand'.

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Daddy cool: With a mustache and fine crop of hair the Today show host looks completely different twenty-something years ago compared to his current self

Throwback: Lester Holt, 54, said he can't believe where the time has gone and it only feels like yesterday when he was rocking his two sons, now in their twenties, 'with one hand'

In one picture shown to viewers, he appears in a hospital gown affectionately cradling one of his children as a baby. Another sees him with his both of his offspring, aged around three years old, each planting a kiss on his cheeks.

Fast-forwarding two decades or so, a recent shot shows the 6ft 2in TV anchor matched in height by his eldest son, Cameron.

 

He said: 'The one thing Jenna will find out and everybody says this to new parents, "Oh, it happens so fast. They'll grow up before you know it." [Well], trust me, it does.'

NBC correspondent Natalie Morales, 41, shared a picture of her in a hospital bed following the birth of one her two sons.

NBC

Daddy cool: With a mustache and fine crop of hair the Today show host looks completely different twenty-something years ago compared to his current self

NBC

They grow so fast: A recent shot shows the 6ft 2in TV anchor matched in height by his eldest, Cameron

Offering 39-year-old Ms Wolfe words of encouragement and support, she said: 'Take it day-by-day and when you go home make sure you give your little one an even bigger hug.

'The great thing Jenna is that you don't have to worry. There is a lot of us who have been there, done that, We'll help guide you through it. We'll hold your hand every step of the way.'

Erica Hill, 37, also a mother of two boys, put forward a photograph of her at hospital after giving birth to Sawyer in March 2010. Her older son, Weston, is seen peering inquisitively at his new little brother.

 
Welcome back: Jenna Wolfe (right) pictured with her partner Stephanie Gosk and their daughter Harper Estelle returned to the Today show this weekend after three months of maternity leave

Welcome back: Jenna Wolfe (right) pictured with her partner Stephanie Gosk and their daughter Harper Estelle returned to the Today show this weekend after three months of maternity leave

She said the best advice she received after becoming a mother for the first time, was to 'focus on the task at hand.'  

'If you're at work, focus on work and when you're with your baby focus on her,' she recommended to Ms Wolfe, who gave birth to a baby girl named Harper Estelle on August 21.

'The more you can focus on the positive in every situation, the better every situation is. even when you're traveling, think of it as a chance to sleep late more. When you're at home, think about it as much time with Harper.

NBC

Glowing: NBC correspondent Natalie Morales, 41, shared a picture of her in a hospital bed following the birth of one her two sons

NBC

Pearls of wisdom: Offering 39-year-old Ms Wolfe words of encouragement and support, she said: 'Take it day-by-day and when you go home make sure you give your little one an even bigger hug'

'Then when you're back at work, think how excited you are to hang out with us again.'

'I think what Harper is going to see is we are two women who are, although very focused on our careers and passionate about them, are also very passionate about her and care about her and that she's the priority. For her to be able to see that, I think is great '

Jenna Bush Hager, 32, who became a mother for the first time in April, recalled that she was 'ready' to get back to the studios after four months off but missed being with her 'babe 24 hours a day'.

NBC

Flashback: Erica Hill, 37, also a mother of two boys, put forward a photograph of her at hospital after giving birth to Sawyer in March 2010 - her older son, Weston, is seen peering inquisitively at his new little brother

NBC

Finding a work-life balance: She said the best advice she received after becoming a mother for the first time, was to 'focus on the task at hand'

She says that bath time is the perfect opportunity for mother-baby bonding after a long day at work and when she's away traveling she gets her husband to send videos of their daughter Mila 'every night'.

Ms Wolfe's partner, Stephanie Gosk, who returned to work shortly after the birth of their child, also admitted that it wasn't an easy transition.

'It's tough. You get used to that non- stop time with the baby and the connection you make.

'When you come to work, it's a huge chunk of your day where you're not with her, and it's tough.'

New mom: Jenna Wolfe and baby Harper Estelle in their first snap together

New mom: Jenna Wolfe and baby Harper Estelle in their first snap together, taken by partner Stephanie Gosk. The pair have said they are 'madly in love' with the newborn

'Madly in love' Jenna Wolfe and Stephanie Gosk welcome baby girl Harper Estelle

Small wonder: Ms Wolfe herself updated her Twitter feed with a close-up shot of the newborn's face. She said in the caption that she was 'speechless'

But she added that 'ambition' is an important quality to instill in a child.

On returning to work this Staurday, Ms Wolfe tweeted that it felt 'good to be back'.

She then proceeded to upload photos of herself reunited with her co-workers on set.

One snap shows her doing a handstand, revealing her athletic post-baby physique. One fan commentated: 'Nice strength and post baby bod[y]! Good to have you back.'

Bouncing back: Ms Wolfe uploaded this Twitter picture on December 8

Bouncing back: Ms Wolfe uploaded this Twitter picture on December 8, marking her return to work

Working mom: Ms Wolfe (left) captioned this picture 'good to be back' as she was reunited with her colleagues

Working mom: Ms Wolfe (left) captioned this picture 'good to be back' as she was reunited with her colleagues

Ms Wolfe announced her pregnancy live on the Today show in March - at the same time as coming out and revealing she was engaged to her long-term partner Ms Gore.

After undergoing artificial insemination with an anonymous donor, and she detailed the steps of her pregnancy journey on a Today show blog.

Of the couple's decision to have a baby, Ms Wolfe wrote in March: 'Between the two of us, we've seen and we've done more than most will in a lifetime.

Jenna Wolfe

Almost time: As Ms Wolfe prepared to go on eight weeks' maternity leave her fellow Today show hosts gave her their blessings in a heartfelt send-off

Jenna Wolfe

A new woman: 'This might change me so brace yourself,' warned the anchor, who is known for her athleticism and tweeted this before-and-after photo when she was eight months along

'And yet both of us agree that THIS little girl will be the biggest and best adventure of our lives.'

Harper Estelle Wolfeld Gosk arrived at 7.31pm on August 21, weighing 7lbs 13oz.

Ms Wolfe and Ms Gosk said at the time that they were 'madly in love' with the newborn.

In a series of Twitter posts, they uploaded photos, and thanked well-wishers for all their kind words.

The comments below have not been moderated.

Lester reminds me of Shaft when he was younger.

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I like all of them except Jenna. She has such an attitude and absolutely nothing to say.

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Who???

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Morales looks as good as my wife did the did.

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I love Lester Holt, he's a very classy guy.

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Pretty sure more people have sen this page than watch the Today show .It is a none entity .

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Do these women think extra special or what? Pictures of their baby bumps, doing handstands, boring selfies... They are all ordinary looking middle aged women IMO, in fact some of them look much older than their years.

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Mushmouth is back. Can't understand a word she says. I'll be watching this show even less than I already do.

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Idiot

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Does this man come on after John Humphreys? Surely you wouldn't be referencing some obscure American rubbish in this British paper, would you?

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It's in the U.S. Showbiz section.

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