July of this year was a doozy to put it lightly. Within a couple of weeks of each other, I moved my shoppe, Cooper at Home, to a fulfillment center, had team changes that left me scrambling, tore my MCL, PCL & meniscus while being pulled on a float behind a jet ski like a teenager, and we found out we were pregnant. To say we were shocked with the last one would be, to put it mildly.
Scottie was barely two when we sold our house on a whim and moved three times while building the home we live in now. It was a crazy time of having a 3 & 4-year-old, running a business, and building a home ourselves, but somehow we also decided during that point we wanted to have more kids. After trying for a couple of years we concluded that maybe three kids weren’t in the Lord’s plan for our family and closed that chapter, gave away all our baby stuff, and focused on the next season of raising our girls. I know that as many people that will read this there are some of you that are going through a hard season of infertility and probably defeated with that statement, so I will tell you we never did any outside form of fertility or treatment, so don’t let that timeline discourage you or call you to lose hope! I don’t know why exactly, but it was never something we felt called to pursue. We felt extremely blessed with our two precious girls and just felt like the best choice for our family was to fully rely on and trust Jesus with His plan for our family. If we would have felt like we needed to try fertility treatments, we absolutely would have and believe me, I know that going through infertility takes a lot of faith as well. I’m just trying to be open and honest with what this season looked like for our family while encouraging those of you who’s journey might look a bit different.
My Dress // My Shoes (Similar) // Scottie’s Dress // Scottie’s Shoes // Hayden’s Top // Hayden’s Skirt // Hayden’s Shoes (Similar) // Zach’s Top // Zach’s Shoes
Naturally now is the point where everyone wants to know all of the details of did we change our mind, were we planning it, was it a surprise, were we using birth control, and a million other messages I have received. I will admit I am kind of all over the place with what I share on here. Sometimes I am totally and completely honest and overshare while other times I am more private. Honestly, it’s not that I don’t mind sharing my life but rather that I don’t want to deal with people’s unsolicited opinions or feedback on certain topics. I will simply tell you that we had moved on from the thought of three kids and it was a total and complete surprise. Zach was immediately totally and completely excited, and I was well, in a state of shock. Four months in and I still kind of cannot believe it’s real. I am thrilled and excited and cannot believe I will have a newborn again! The last time I had a baby I was 29. This time I will be 36 and to be honest, the experience has been so different but so very sweet for our family.
My Dress // My Shoes (Similar) // Scottie’s Dress // Scottie’s Shoes // Hayden’s Top // Hayden’s Skirt // Hayden’s Shoes (Similar) // Zach’s Top // Zach’s Shoes
We told the girls about the news via scavenger hunt on the night of our 10th anniversary. I have a precious and hilarious video that I will share at some point, but it was hysterical watching them try to piece together what all the clues meant. The fact that there was a baby in mom’s belly was nowhere in their thoughts and it took them quite a while to put it all together. Shortly after we let them facetime their grandparents to tell them the news and again, shock all around. My Dad thought we were joking; my mom thought the surprise was going to be that Scottie lost another tooth, and we think my Father-in-law may or may not have passed out for a brief second. Facetime can be unreliable, but we lost him there for a hot minute while my mother-in-law also tried to make sense of what the girls were saying. We told our closest friends and posted it for all of our other friends, family, and all of you almost instantaneously. I don’t even remember what we did last time announcement-wise but it just felt right to get the news out there all at once.
My Dress // My Shoes (Similar) // Scottie’s Dress // Scottie’s Shoes // Hayden’s Top // Hayden’s Skirt // Hayden’s Shoes (Similar) // Zach’s Top // Zach’s Shoes
Part of me wanted to keep the gender a secret since the baby would be so much younger than the girls. On the one hand, we have always wanted a son, but on the other hand, we love our little family of only girls and couldn’t even imagine not having another sweet little baby girl in the mix. Zach said there was no way he could wait and then once the topic was broached, any thoughts that I could wait to find out completely vanished. We had the results of the gender sealed for us in an envelope and decided to forgo any big parties or reveals and just do it with the girls on a Sunday afternoon. We went to church, grabbed lunch, played outside, and then opened the envelope while the girls were playing. Shortly after, Zach took the girls on some errands while I filled the balloon with confetti. It was a 24†balloon that I thought was a 36†balloon and I accidentally filled it so full that I just knew it would burst in the car! Later that afternoon, we met one of my closest friends, balloon in tack, and had so much fun sharing the news with the girls.
They were SO EXCITED to find out we are having a sweet little baby girl.
I honestly cannot believe it and we are so very excited. Zach is just the best girl daddy and the girls could not be more pumped. I can’t wait to have another sweet little girl around and it just makes me so weepy thinking that I get to relive the precious years of the girls being little all over again. I am also just so happy because while they have a bit of an age gap between them, as they get older that won’t matter at all and they will be the sweetest sisters.
My Dress // My Shoes (Similar) // Scottie’s Dress // Scottie’s Shoes // Hayden’s Top // Hayden’s Skirt // Hayden’s Shoes (Similar) // Zach’s Top // Zach’s Shoes
So, there you go! Baby girl Cooper is on the way! We have no names picked out and I still don’t have any baby stuff purchased, but we are so excited to welcome this baby girl into our family next spring!
I am so just so incredibly happy/excited for you and your family! This is the sweetest story and such a wonderful example of how God’s timing is always perfect, even when we least expect it. Praying for a healthy Baby and a health Mama throughout this pregnancy.
Yay!!! So thrilled for y’all!!
So happy for your beautiful family….I have two girls myself and have NO regrets about not having that boy! I know your sweet girls are over the moon excited and I so enjoy all your adventures!! Continued prayers for you as you progress in your pregnancy. CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ALL!! 🎀💗👣
Ok, I just cried a little. We have such a similar story…we have two girls about the same age as yours, tried for a 3rd for two years and after it didn’t happen closed the chapter and then were surprised when we found out we were pregnant with ANOTHER girl in February! God really is SO good. And if one more person asks me if my husband is “upset†he won’t have a boy, I may throat punch 😬 Girl dads are the best!!!!
So excited for you and your sweet family!
Hip hip hooray! We have 3 little girls, and it is amazing to see these sweet sisters love each other so well! Congrats!!!
Awe YAY!! Congrats, my dad had 3 girls and he’d tell Zach it’s the BEST only having girls (sometimes, haha). Although, when he had grandsons (the first 4 of 6 were boys) he loved that too. haha Congrats, yall!
I’ve been waiting for this reveal like you’re one of my besties…a much younger bestie but still a bestie!! 😂 So happy for you and your sweet family!! I’m one of 3 girls and love having built in best friends as sisters!! Congrats!! 💖💖💖
Congratulations to your beautiful growing family! I look forward to watching the girls with their new little sister in the near future! Thank you for sharing the excitement!💕💕💕
I am so excited you you and your growing family. Thanks for taking us on the ride with you!
Congratulations!!! 💗💗💗 Such exciting, joyous news! Thanks for sharing with us! ðŸƒðŸŒ¸ðŸƒ
Awww so happy for you all! Congratulations! 💕
Having a baby in your thirties hits different… in the best ways imaginable!! 🤠My boy was almost 7 when my girl was born and my heart was not ready for the preciousness of ways he loves her. Congratulations to all of you!!
Congratulations! How sweet, another little girl!
Crying in excitement for you and I don’t even know you (except via IG). So excited for your family!
Congratulations!!! So excited for y’all! â¤ï¸
Thank you for sharing with us!! This is such a sweet story. Congratulations!
Beautiful and fun post. God bless you and your sweet family!
So happy for your family! Been to excited to hear these details! 💕 congrats on your new baby girl!
So extremely happy for you and your precious family!!!
I literally just got teary eyed reading this! Congratulations and so excited for y’all! I have two girls as well and would be thrilled to add to our girl gang if the Lord allows! Sisters are the sweetest.
This is the sweetest story! Seems like all the puzzle pieces are fitting perfectly for your family to grow! Congrats and cannot wait to see a new baby Cooper join the fam! 💗
This made me cry literal tears of joy for you all. Their excitement in the reveal photo is adorable. Congratulations!!
I have 6.5 years between my two kids. It wasn’t how I planned it, but the age gap is wonderful. My daughter is able to help a lot with her baby brother and they worship each other. Congratulations on another sweet baby!
Congratulations!! I am one of three girls and it is the best! Sending y’all love and prayers 💗💗💗
So so excited for your sweet family!! I’m 36 and just had twin girls (double surprise 😳) and life with four kids is pure chaos but in the absolute best way. Thanks for sharing the exciting news with us!
I am sooo happy for you! I am one of 3 girls and my sisters are the greatest blessing in my life! She will be so loved!!!
So exciting!!! Congratulations to you and your family.
Congratulations on having another baby girl!!! That is so exciting!!! I am a mom of 3 boys! (Just had out third boy 10 years later!) I will say having two older kids and our little guy is way different!!! However it is in a good way!! I’m so happy for you and your family!! ♥ï¸â™¥ï¸
Congratulations! So excited for you and your family!
Cristin,
Your story of expanding your family is pretty much identical to mine! Already had two sweet girls, tried for another baby and after a few years decided it wasn’t in Gods plan for us. We were happy, healthy and blessed. Much to our surprise a couple of years later we found out we were pregnant – and I was 35! It was wonderful news and a welcome surprise, but could I do it at my age?!? It is definitely much harder to be a “geriatric†pregnant women! (Take it easy on yourself and ask for help.)
Plus there were so many years between the older two and the baby?! Would they love it and bond with it?
Well we welcomed our “cherry on top†baby girl and it was just what our family needed, and wanted! We are a girl family and my hubby rocks the “girl dad†role. He always says there should be a club for girl dad’s only – it takes a special man for the job! We honestly would have been a “deer in headlights†with a boy, but of course we would have figured it out! We know no different and we love our girls and all that they are!
There are 9 and 6 years between our youngest – my girls are now (almost) 25, 22 and 16. There were some hard moments because the older two were so close in age, but as they all get older the closer they become. At this point in my life I am so grateful that my baby has two big sisters to listen to her and offer advice about all topics. It literally is the BEST thing in the world! You have SO much to look forward too and your life is going to be even better!! Enjoy every moment with you beautiful family and congratulations!!
Jen – mom of Madalyn, Olivia and Sophia
I have two children, both girls, and they are 4 1/2 years apart. The bond between them is beyond anything I can articulate into words and I am sure the bond with your girls will be the same way! Just simply nothing in this world like watching their relationship develop. And your girls will be the best little mommies to this new precious baby girl! Congratulations to you and your family!
So excited for you and your family Cristin! You are one of my favorite people to follow.
So happy for you! Thank you for sharing your journey. Your girls are delightful and a joy to watch.
I have been checking Instagram constantly waiting for the reveal like we’re family or something!! I’m so excited for your little family!! You have the cutest girl gang!! Congrats!!
Enjoy the confidence of having #3. We just had 2, almost 6 yrs apart. All planned all wanted, life and house building just in between. My mom told me, having 2&3 it just gets better because you have the confidence and knowledge. I feel this to the core. And only being on 2, the moment she cried out I instantly in my thoughts on the OR table via emergency, “I love youâ€! Hugs momma I’m 1 week in and weepy myself!
I knew it! I scrolled very slowly and carefully until I read it all! Congratulations!
Congratulations!!
Congratulations! My husband and I went through a very similar journey and now have three children with a very similar age gap as yours. It is so fun to watch the older two understand a little bit more and grow into the most helpful and nurturing older siblings. And I agree with you that pregnancy at 29 and 36 are very different! Take care of yourself! 🙂
My kiddos are 12,9 & 3 now. It’s a trip, but I love it!
Currently pregnant with my THIRD as well!! And I’m having my THIRD GIRL too!!! Congratulations!!!
The most wonderful news! Big congrats!!
Congratuations! This post is so sweet and so thoughtful of those who would love a surprise baby. I can hear in your words, your excitement and disbelief. I also hear you not wanting to discourage those struggling with infertility and that is kind. I wish you all the best!
I’m crying!!!! Seriously I’m such a baby when it comes to babies. I’m so so so excited for your cute family. My kids are 9 years apart and honestly, it is the best thing ever. The relationship they have is amazing. I can’t wait to see how much your girls love on this precious baby doll!!!
Congratulations!! Such an exciting time!!
Congratulations!!! So excited to follow this new chapter and watch your family grow. 💗
Congratulations! I had a third girl when my two oldest girls were 7 & 9 and it was the BEST!!! Enjoy the ride. My girls were the best helpers a mom could ask for, as I’m sure yours will be too. Mine are now 18, 16, & 9 years old, and I am so thrilled to still have a little one around, knowing that I will have to say goodbye soon to my oldest when she leaves for college next fall.
A another beautiful Cooper girl! Amazing! Congratulations
So excited for you guys!!! I have all girls too and love it!
Congratulations Cooper Family!!!!
This little lady is so lucky to have Hayden and Scottie as big sisters! Congratulations Coopers! 💗
Congrats! Can’t wait to follow along your journey:)
Oh my goodness, I thought for sure it was going to be a boy! Nonetheless, congratulations on your sweet baby girl! I can’t wait to see Scottie as a big sister – I KNOW it will be entertaining!
Congratulations to your precious family!
Congratulations, how sweet another girl!!!
Congratulations again and again and again!! 💗💗💗
Congrats!! I’m content with my two but also secretly jealous we don’t have a similar surprise:)
Wonderful! Also, I loved reading it on your blog. Its been a minute since I read a blog post & I loved it. Very exciting times ahead for your sweet family. Congratulations!!
congratulations! What a beautiful story!
So happy for you!! I knew it! 💖
My third was a surprise too! My husband had a vasectomy and I got pregnant two months later. Oops! There was a five and seven year difference between her and her siblings. I named her Faith because it just seemed fitting!
Thanks for sharing!!
So exciting! Congratulations to you and your sweet family!
Congratulations! I am the youngest of three girls and let me tell you, I love it! So so excited for you. Prayers for a happy healthy mom and baby.
Ahhhh!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!🎊💗🎀
(Did I scroll to the bottom to see before I scrolled back up and read the post? Maayyyyyybe?!)
Congratulations Cristin and Zach! Hayden and Scottie will be the best big sisters 💕💕💕
What a beautiful story! So unbelievably excited for you all!
Congratulations!! So exciting! I have a similar family except 3 boys. First 2 close in age and the 3rd is younger. The 3rd completed us. I was able to enjoy him in a way couldn’t with the other 2 because they were so close in age. Also, the older ones are so helpful. Even if they just play/ watch with the baby while you brush your teeth. Enjoy!!!
I was also 36 with my 3rd and what a difference! I was so much more mature and able to handle the newborn stress so much better…not to mention having helpers (my older 2) made it that much easier! There is a 7 yr age gap but they all get along so well. I’m super happy for y’all! Congrats!
Congratulations!!
I love this post!! I relate to this so much as we too had closed the door on three kids but God had other plans. They’re now 8, 6 and 2 and no one remembers life without our youngest. The age gap is amazing and older siblings are the best helpers. I’m so excited for you!!!
I had my last at 36 – it’s kind of a blessing as you know enough now to not freak out at anything – just enjoying every single a moment with your precious new baby girl and her sisters. One things for sure – she’s gonna be another cutie pie! Congrats!!
I was 36 when we found out a little surprise was on the way. Same as you, we’d given it to God years before, got what we thought was no for an answer, and moved on. We had two great kids and pretty much didn’t think about it anymore. Well, God has amazing timing – our kids were 10 and 12 when our youngest was born. People thought we were crazy, but it.has.been.awesome. Our baby is 16 now, and she’s still the frosting on the cupcake of our parenthood! Congratulations and enjoy every sweet sweet second.
This whole post made me cry. In May we found out we were expecting our third baby which was also a complete surprise to us and it is also our third daughter. I can’t help but feel like God had all of this worked out in the most perfect way. Congratulations to your whole perfect family!