Boston Marathon bombings survivor is engaged, expecting first child

BOSTON -- A man who lost his legs in the Boston Marathon bombings, then helped authorities identify the suspects, is engaged and an expectant father.

Jeff Bauman, 28, and his fiancee, Erin Hurley, 27, made the announcement on his Facebook page.

"We are so happy to share with you exciting news that has happened over the last few months...Jeff and Erin became engaged and are expecting their first child in the summer!!!"

The couple also shared the news with Parade magazine and in an interview with The Associated Press.

They told the AP the baby is due July 14. They don't know if it's a boy or a girl, and they want it to be a surprise.

"My mom loves it. My dad's going crazy," Bauman said.

As for himself, "I just want to be a good dad."

The two have been preparing for the baby's arrival by painting a nursery in their home in Carlisle, 19 miles northwest of Boston.

Hurley said Sunday that she and the baby are healthy and her pregnancy is going well.

The couple became engaged in February and together picked out a white-gold engagement ring. Hurley said they plan to marry next year.

"We've got a lot going on. So we don't need to do everything all at once," she said.

An AP photo of a badly injured Bauman being rushed away in a wheelchair by Carlos Arrendondo became one of the most memorable images of the bombings. Arrendondo is credited with saving Bauman's life and the two men have become good friends.

Bauman became a hero after he provided a description of one of the suspected bombers from his hospital bed.