We're Having a Baby!
We're Having a Baby!
Brian and I are thrilled to finally be able to share some news that we’ve been keeping to ourselves for quite some time… our family is growing! Baby Koch is due in June 2023, our favorite month, and we couldn’t be happier for this new chapter in our lives. I’m 17 weeks along (that’s just over four months), and it’s been getting harder and harder to keep it from everyone, especially with this little bump growing!
We shot these photos a few weeks ago when we were in New York City with my friend and choice photographer Ryan Kell, and he shoots mainly of everything you see here on the blog! I envisioned creating this special moment in Central Park, and I’m so excited to share them with you.
While I’m quite appreciative that no one has explicitly asked me, “are you pregnant?” (perhaps my pre-filmed holiday cocktail series threw you off?) I have gotten hundreds of questions about our choice or hope to start a family for as long as I can remember in each weekly question box posted on Instagram. May this be your kind and gentle reminder to never ask anyone about their plans to have children– as you never know what someone is going through behind the scenes.
This topic of starting a family is something I’ve genuinely never been comfortable talking about, even with my own close circle. It’s such a personal and private decision, and no one should be pressured to do or even have a conversation about it. I recognize everyone’s comfort levels are different, but it is never safe to assume one way or the other unless they volunteer the information first.
I cannot continue here without acknowledging anyone working on expanding their families. My sincerest thoughts and hopefulness are with you. I never want our happiness or highs to make anyone feel less joyful about their own hopes or situation. I can relate and found it helpful to remind myself there is not one limited number of babies out there – one person’s pregnancy doesn’t mean there still isn’t a baby in the future for us!
If you’d be interested, I would be willing to share a little about our journey and the things that helped us through this process. I was on a birth control pill for nearly 17 years, so we had no idea how this process would unfold. All things considered, I consider us very lucky, and we’re grateful for the timing of everything.
With that said, the first trimester was very challenging for me. I did my best to keep up with and maintain work, but some days it felt impossible with the morning sickness that actually decided to visit me every day around 3 pm - 9 pm, some extreme food aversions and other unpleasant symptoms. I swear this baby is half saltine cracker. While I’m technically well into the second trimester, I’m still waiting for some of those first-trimester symptoms to wane away. I want to credit BK, saltine crackers, and a handful of girlfriends for being there for me to lean on, as they felt like some of my loneliest days.
Now that the news is out, I’m also looking forward to sharing more about the clothing and undergarments my changing body needs. For what it’s worth, my maternity and nursing bra guide that I shared a few years back was incredibly accurate for me. I followed it to a T, and I’m excited to continue being a resource for this new phase of life with more first-hand knowledge and experience. I’d love to hear from you, though. What would you like to hear more about or see from me?
Our journey is just beginning
We have a lot to learn, but I’m incredibly honored and humbled to be on this journey and to be able to share it with you. I know this baby will be so loved by its internet aunties and uncles (for the few fellas that read this blog). Walter is also excited to be a big dog brother, although I don’t think it’s hit him that he may have to share some of the attention (or watermelon) yet.
If you read my recent post on my 2023 word(s) of the year, perhaps those words take on a new meaning now, knowing this! Thank you in advance for your support, encouragement, and love surrounding our news. It means the world to us. I look forward to sharing more with you.
xx CMK
shop the look
P.S. I must shout out the outstanding Candace Read for collaborating with me on curating this winter in NYC-Esque outfit and making me feel like a million bucks! I’ve been able to fit into the majority of my clothes, but bras have been a whole new challenge for me to navigate... Therefore clothes have been challenging. Luckily we found something that made me feel comfortable, confident, and polished for these memorable announcement photos.
DRESS (XL) | BELT (L/XL) | SIMILAR BELT | SIMILAR BELT | MY SHOES ARE SEVERAL YEARS OLD, SIMILAR OPTION | SIMILAR SHOE OPTION | COAT (16) | BAG | PEARL HOOP EARRINGS
Photos by Ryan Kell