La Jolla Maternity {La Jolla Maternity Photography}{portraits with hats}

My friend Kelli and her family had a very tough year last year.  She and her husband Lee were hoping to add to their family of five by adopting a child from the Ukraine.  Everything was set to go until the Ukraine government closed their doors to international adoptions.  They were heartbroken. Letting go of that longtime dream was one of the most difficult things they've had to do.

Several months later Kelli received more unexpected news.  This time, though it was still shocking and surprising, it was of the joyous kind.

Kelli was pregnant!

Of course, her daughter Tia (being the only girl) was eagerly hoping it would be a girl.  Graciously, she, too, was about to receive news of the joyous sort at their gender reveal (photographed beautifully by my friend Jenni Keiter HERE).

IT'S A GIRL!

This 4th pregnancy has gone pretty smoothly for Kelli.  Just don't ask her about her due date.  That, too, apparently is a surprise.  Not because she is choosing not to tell anyone.  SHE SIMPLY DOES NOT KNOW.  You can read Kelli's hilarious accounts of this pregnancy and her lack of certainty over the due date HERE.

Surprise or not, one thing is for certain: Kelli makes for one beautiful mommy-to-be.  I just love these photographs we created for Kelli taken in beautiful La Jolla, California while we were together during our creative retreat a couple weeks ago.

Congratulations, Stuart family!  I can't wait to meet your sweet baby girl!