Chapter 4: A Sweet Surprise

In June of 2023, we found out news that would change our lives forever - Kelsey was pregnant! While it wasn't exactly planned, we were equal parts nervous and excited to start this new chapter of our lives. We had always talked about maybe having kids one day, but apparently the universe had plans for us sooner than we thought!

We knew we couldn't stay much longer in our one-bedroom apartment, but figured we had some time to figure it out. By chance, the day after we found out Kelsey was pregnant, our landlords reached out to us and asked if we would be interested in one of their two-bedroom apartments that was opening up later that year. Funnily enough, that apartment was in the exact same house that Kelsey and her mom (and Aaron) were living in 6 years before, just on the first floor! What was even cooler was that Aaron's brother Andrew and his family ended up moving upstairs into the exact apartment that they used to live in.

We moved into the new apartment in October of 2023, less than a month after our "babymoon" trip to Barcelona and Switzerland in mid-September (an amazing trip!) and 4.5 months before the due date. Just as we were finally settling in, right after New Years, Kelsey went into an early labor.

We won't go into all of the details, but on the evening of January 4th, exactly one month before the due date, Kelsey and Aaron went to Beverly Hospital where she was admitted overnight to monitor her high blood pressure. What we thought was going to be a check up and keep-an-eye-on-it kind of visit, turned out to be the start of the labor and delivery process. They wouldn't end up going home until 8 days later - with a baby!

A couple of days after being admitted to Beverly without much progression in labor, we were transferred to Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Boston where the induction process continued. Due to Kelsey's pre-eclampsia condition, more and more stress was being put on her and the baby as time went on. At only 36 weeks pregnant, we had to make the decision of how to proceed.

Oliver James Gray was delivered via c-section at 4:51am on January 7th, 2024. He measured 17.5" and weighed only 4lbs 8oz. Despite his small size, he was strong and resilient. We spent an additional 5 days in the hospital, including 2 nights in the NICU, before heading home for the first time as a family of three.

7 months later, he is doing amazing. Even though he was born 4 weeks early, he is reaching milestone after milestone and it has been so incredible watching him grow into a tiny human. His kind disposition and chubby cheeks make everyone fall in love with him at first sight and we feel so blessed to have him as our son. We can't wait to see what kinds of new adventures life has in store for us!

Registry

In lieu of gifts, please consider contributing to our "Future Fund!"