'Blessed' Kardashian announces baby with Kanye West


U.S. reality television star Kim Kardashian is expecting a baby with her boyfriend rapper Kanye West, she announced Monday, saying she was "blessed."

"It's true!! Kanye and I are expecting a baby," she wrote in a blog post entitled "New Year, New Beginnings," as global celebrations were under way to ring in 2013.

"We feel so blessed and lucky and wish that in addition to both of our families, his mom and my dad could be here to celebrate this special time with us," added the 32-year-old.

"Looking forward to great new beginnings in 2013 and to starting a family.

Happy New Year!!! Xo," wrote Kardashian, who announced in March that she and West were dating.

The news was first reported by the website E! News, which said 35-year-old West announced it at a show in Atlantic City on Sunday night.

The rapper was singing "Runaway" when he broke into a freestyle ballad with the words "and now she's having my baby," according to People magazine, which said the crowd of 5,000 broke into cheers.

On the last song of the show, "Lost in the World," he cut the music and asked his fans to applaud for his baby mama, said the celebrity bible.

Kardashian's family took to Twitter to welcome the news.

"Oh BABY BABY BABY!!" wrote her mother Kris Jenner, while sister Kourtney added: "Been wanting to shout from the rooftops with joy and now I can! Another angel to welcome to our family. Overwhelmed with excitement!" Kardashian married professional basketball player Kris Humphries in August 2011, but they split shortly afterward, although their divorce has not been finalized. (AFP)