We decided early on that we wanted to find out the gender of this baby, but we also wanted to take advantage of the fun developments that have occurred in the last six years since we had our last child. (And by “We,” I assume you all I know I mean “Me.” Lee is, graciously, along for this crazy ride).
There weren’t gender reveal parties when we had babies earlier. This is a new development, and a fun one to boot!
Last Thursday, I had an ultrasound, and I kept my head turned and my eyes squeezed shut while the technician pushed and moved the baby around looking for the right shot. She got a clear view, and handed me a sealed envelope with the results, and thus began the most stressful 24 hours of my pregnancy.
I held the results in my hand, but we had determined to find out together as a family.
Do you know how many times I considered opening them, then resealing them in another envelope?!
Roughly 168 times…
But I resisted, and I handed off the envelope to my friend Jenni, who was tasked with pulling the surprise together. And I spent the second 24 hours talking myself out of texting her to see if I could get her to slip up and offer me some clue as to the results. I’m glad I waited, though, because the surprise?
Oh it was sweet.
I had my mouth open for most of the pictures. Good grief, I have a huge mouth…
Truthfully, I’ve felt for most of this pregnancy that I was carrying a girl, but there was a part of me that feared I was wrong. Of course I would have been equally as thrilled to have another little boy, but here’s the thing:
I feel like this little girl is just a whisper of God’s sweetness to me.
It’s no secret that the termination of our adoption was one of the most difficult and heart-wrenching experiences I’ve ever walked through. While I mourned the loss of a child I had prayed for, dreamed of, and envisioned for so many years, I lost something else, too.
I lost the guarantee of a sister for my Katya.
These past 18 months have been some of the hardest of my life. Not only did I say goodbye to my dream of adoption, and to the child that we had already prayed for and loved, but I also experienced personal heartache within my own family, and it all became a lot to process.
I longed for a sister in the last year. I see the relationships that so many others have with their sisters, and I wished I had the same.
Adoption had been a way for me to answer that dream for my daughter. I dreamed of giving her a sister, and by adopting a little girl, I felt like I could at least give her that gift.
See the thing is – Stuart men are not known for producing little girls. Our Tia broke a long history of strong male lineage, and I feared that we had already struck the X-Chromosome gold, so to speak, and it seemed fairly far-fetched to think we might be able to have another girl on our own.
So I had prepared myself to bring another (amazing) little boy into this world, and to pray that Tia would be blessed with sister-friends instead.
This is my very favorite of all the photos.
But God is so good to hear my deepest heart’s cry. He knows that I still ache a bit over the failed adoption, and perhaps I always will. Perhaps that experience will always sting just a little.
But He provided a balm by answering the smallest of prayers.
Please give my girl a sister.
What a joy it was to experience this moment with our families, both near and far. Thank you modern technology. Yet another advance from the last time we did this whole baby thing.
Having a baby in 2014 is F-U-N!
Thank you to everyone who celebrated this day with us virtually. We opted not to have an in person gender reveal, because I just felt like it would be too much, but the online virtual party we had was even more fun, because all of my worlds, past and present, collided in that one moment, and it felt like the most special day in all the world.
Social media, man. It’s pretty awesome.
And, of course, a big, huge, GIGANTIC shout out to Jenni of Avodah Images for keeping the secret, bringing the balloons, and taking the photos. I’m so grateful that she and her family were there with us for this day. What a blessing.
I am so happy for you!!! So much happiness, excitement and joy… You, the Stuarts, deserve it. You are an example of an ideal family for me. I am especially glad for Katya. An own sister is a special gift. Kisses to all of you…
Thanks, Sveta. I love you so much, my sweet friend. I’m so glad you have your own pair of sisters to raise as well! 🙂
Love this. I have two sisters and feel especially blessed to have three girls. I know any combination of genders can have magical results but there’s just something about the bond of sisters that transcends explanation.
Yes! I know there is every possibility that they could grow up to not like one another, but it seems to me that every pair of sisters I see shares such a sweet bond, and I’m so hopeful that these two will share that, too, even though there will be a large age gap. 🙂
After having raised 3 boys, we are excited to welcome a granddaughter (our first) in August!
Oh FUN! Congrats! Lee’s parents also raised three boys, and his mom has had a grand time with a granddaughter. You will love it. 🙂
You’re old enough to be a grandparent? You look about 27.
Doesn’t she, Jenni?!
This is the best. I’m so excited for you and these pictures? Pure joy! I love Tia hugging the pink balloon! Oh my word. How adorable!
Right?! I love that picture. 🙂 Thank you, friend!
Congratulations!! I am so happy for you and your family. 4 is a great number of kids–you will love it!
Thank you, Mary Ann! 🙂
Kelli Stuart, you disappoint me. Those shots of you with your mouth wide open are awesome sauce. You should have posted them! Your face was the best. I didn’t even notice anyone else’s expressions until I got the images home and up on a screen. But I do love that one of everyone, too.
The balm is truly the bomb. Thanks for letting me be there. Love you!!!!
I posted one, but a couple of them my mouth looked like it was about to swallow my face…and everyone around me. But yes, they were priceless moments so perfectly captured. I’m glad you were there with me. 🙂
Yes you do. Oh yes you do… Have Sisters that is! I couldn’t love you and your family more!!!
I am blessed with many, many sister-friends, and with sweet cousins who have been so good to fill the gap. Grateful for every one of them.
I always wanted a sister myself and one for Alden as well. So grateful your dreams and prayers were answered! Ans so grateful for the many sister friends God has blessed me with as all. Congrats! And, great job Jenni! BTW, I agree with her. Post the big mouth shots!!!!
Ha! I like these shots better! 🙂 Thanks, Tammy.
Thank you for the great pictures, Jenni. I love the big mouth shots Kelli, because it shows your excitement and joy! This sweet baby girl is going to love seeing the pictures someday. I am thrilled for Tia….now she will change the babies diapers!!! And I love the big smiles on Sloan and Landon’s faces. They were just as happy to see the pink balloons and know they will have another sister. We are blessed beyond measure!!!
Yes we are!