MLB Jake Burger and his wife Ashlyn have expanded their team by one more point!

The Miami Marlins third baseman and first baseman, 28, welcomed their second baby together, a daughter named Penelope, sharing the news exclusively with PEOPLE. Penelope, born with Down syndrome, arrived Friday, October 25 at 5:27 p.m. at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee.

Weighing 6 pounds, 11 ounces. and measuring 19.7 inches long, Penelope joins her big brother Brooks, 23 months.

“Since I was probably 10 years old, I’ve been writing in a journal to my future daughter, ‘Dear Penelope,'” Ashlyn tells PEOPLE. “I always knew I would name my daughter (that) if I had one (and) throughout my life I have written to her through all my great moments and lessons learned.”

The couple tells PEOPLE about the moment they learned of Penelope’s diagnosis, saying the news didn’t bother them.

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“Our initial thoughts upon learning of his diagnosis were simple, we just looked at each other and I said to Ash, ‘Okay, what?’ “Burger said. “Life isn’t supposed to be easy, it’s supposed to be fulfilling and that’s just how God does it.”

For Burger and Ashlyn, learning of Penelope’s Down syndrome diagnosis became one of their “greatest blessings,” rather than an obstacle to overcome.

“The grief for us was not about his diagnosis, but about our belief that Down syndrome should not limit anyone’s abilities in life,” they say.

“What seems like an insurmountable obstacle usually becomes one of the greatest blessings, but it’s hard to see that in the midst of all the ‘differents’, the way she navigates the world will be different, the way she looks will be different , her needs will be different, the way we help her become the best version of herself will be different, the way she makes friends will be different, all those little things that the two of you don’t usually think about. times.

“Difference seems scary or intimidating, but it’s what makes us who we are. That’s when we realized God blessed us with it so we could help others see Down syndrome in the same way.”

Burger shares how he felt watching Ashlyn give birth, calling her a “superhero” as she gave birth naturally.

“Watching my wife Ashlyn give birth for the second time without medication was one of the most incredible things I have ever seen,” he told PEOPLE. “Every time we’re in the delivery room, I fall in love with her even more.”

“She is a superhero to me and our children. Childbirth is the most incredible thing a human body can do on its own and I am so lucky to be able to watch and help my wife through a such an incredible process. The birth of our daughter, Penelope, gave me another chance to fall in love,” Burger continues.

“First with my wife, watching her give birth. Second, because I became a dad as a girl and she stole pieces of my heart the moment she came out of the womb. Ashlyn and I always joke that she already has me wrapped around her finger and she’s 2 weeks old!”

A few weeks into Ashlyn’s pregnancy, the couple learned that Penelope would need to undergo life-saving surgery on her stomach immediately after her birth. However, once Penelope arrived and was admitted to the NICU to prepare for surgery, doctors discovered that her stomach had healed itself.

“That’s when God intervened and performed a miracle: her stomach was healed and she no longer needed surgery,” Burger says.

Although they knew about Penelope’s diagnosis, the couple says they didn’t expect to find such an “amazing” community of parents with children with special needs.

“The love and support we felt from our family and those in the community with children with special needs was overwhelming and made us feel a sense of purpose,” shares- they. “We know our journey is just beginning with our sweet Penelope, but knowing the love and support around us makes it easier.”

“Our mission is to help as many families as possible as we journey through this beautiful girl and her beautiful life,” Burger and Ashlyn tell PEOPLE. “God has given us a beautiful soul and a beautiful daughter, and we can’t wait to watch her grow up and achieve everything she wants in life.”