Our Sweetest Surprise: Welcoming Baby Cherry Jo to the Beeston Bunch!

Oh my goodness, you guys. I'm still pinching myself. She's here. Our sweet, tiny, perfect little Cherry Jo. I feel like I just blinked and suddenly we went from a family of four to a family of five, and my heart? It's just exploding. I know I shared the quick announcement on Instagram, but I really wanted to sit down and just *talk* to you all, bc you've been with me through everything – the good, the messy, the crazy, and now, the absolute magic of welcoming our third little girl. This is her story, our story, and I'm so excited to share every single detail with you.

The Name Game: How We Chose Cherry Jo

Okay, let's start with the name, bc I know that's probably the first thing everyone wants to know! Cherry Jo Beeston. Doesn't it just sound like *her*? It feels so right. Honestly, choosing a name for your third baby feels like a whole new level of pressure. With Stella and Ozzy, we had lists, we debated, we tried them out. But with Cherry, it was different. We had a few names we liked, but nothing really *stuck*. I kept telling Tanner, "I just need to meet her, I'll know when I see her."

The "Cherry" part actually came to me in a dream, no joke! I woke up and it was just there, clear as day. I told Tanner, and he was like, "Hmm, interesting." He's always my sounding board, my hype man, but also the one who's like, "Are you sure, babe?" hahah. But the more we said it, the more it just felt right. It's sweet, it's unique, and it just has this happy vibe to it. And the "Jo"? That's actually after my grandma, who was just the most incredible woman. She was strong, kind, and always had a twinkle in her eye. It's a little piece of her, a little piece of my heart, woven into our baby's name. It just felt like the perfect combination of something fresh and something deeply meaningful to us. I love that she has that connection to my side of the family, especially bc my mom raised me as a single mom and she's just been everything to me. It's like my grandma is still here, watching over us. :,)

The Big Day: September 9th, 2025

So, the day she arrived! September 9th, 2025, at 6:42 PM. She weighed 7 lbs 1 oz and was 19.5 inches long. She's just a little peanut, so tiny and perfect. I mean, every baby is perfect, but you know what I mean. She's *our* perfect. The labor and delivery this time around was... well, it was a journey. Each birth is so different, isn't it? With Stella, it felt like forever, and with Ozzy, it was super fast. Cherry was somewhere in between, but with its own unique twists.

I had been feeling Braxton Hicks for what felt like weeks, and I was just so ready to meet her. The last few weeks of pregnancy are always a mix of excitement and just wanting to be done, you know? I remember waking up that morning, and just feeling... different. Not intense contractions yet, but just a deep, heavy feeling. I told Tanner, "I think today might be the day." He, being the calm and collected one (thank goodness, bc I'm usually a mess hahah), just said, "Okay, babe. Let's see."

Things slowly started to pick up throughout the day. We tried to keep the girls busy, knowing it could be a long haul. I was trying to stay calm, breathe through everything, but my mind was just racing. It's wild how much you forget between babies, and then it all comes rushing back. The hospital bag, the car seat, the *plan*. We got to the hospital and things really started progressing. I won't go into all the super graphic details, bc, you know, some things are just for us hahah, but let's just say it was intense. There were moments I thought, "I can't do this," but then I'd think of her, of Stella and Ozzy waiting to meet their sister, and I just kept going. Tanner was, as always, my rock. Holding my hand, reminding me to breathe, telling me I was doing amazing. I honestly couldn't do it without him. He's my person, my best friend, and the best dad to our girls. I'm so lucky.

Meeting Our Cherry: That First Moment

And then, she was here. The moment they placed her on my chest... you guys. It's indescribable. All the pain, all the exhaustion, it just melts away. She was so tiny, so warm, and she just looked up at me with these wide, curious eyes. I just started crying, happy tears, relief tears, pure love tears. Tanner was crying too, of course. He's such a softie, and I love that about him. We just held her, skin to skin, for what felt like an eternity, just soaking in every single second. She was perfect. Absolutely perfect.

Seeing her for the first time, hearing her little cries, feeling her tiny hands grip my finger... it's a moment I'll replay in my mind forever. It's like your heart just expands to make room for this brand new, tiny human, and you can't imagine life without them. It's the most profound kind of love. I just knew, in that moment, our family was complete. This was meant to be.

Stella and Ozzy Meet Their Sister

Bringing Cherry home to meet Stella and Ozzy was another moment I was just so excited (and a little nervous, ngl) for. They've been talking about their baby sister for months, kissing my belly, picking out little outfits. We wanted to make sure it was a special moment for them, too. We had them come to the hospital the next day, and it was just... everything. Stella, my sweet, sensitive girl, was so gentle. She just kept saying, "She's so little, Mama!" and wanted to hold her hand. Ozzy, my wild child, was a little more boisterous, but still so loving. She gave Cherry a big hug and a kiss, and then immediately asked if Cherry could play with her Barbies hahah. Classic Ozzy.

Watching them interact with her now, at home, is just the sweetest thing. Stella is already such a little helper, always wanting to get a burp cloth or sing to Cherry. And Ozzy, she loves to give her "gentle pats" (which sometimes turn into not-so-gentle pats, but we're working on it!). They both just adore her. It melts my heart to see them all together. This is what I always dreamed of, this big, chaotic, loving family. It's loud, it's messy, but it's ours, and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. They're already the best big sisters, and I just know they're going to have the strongest bond.

The Newborn Bubble: Sleepless Nights and Endless Cuddles

We're officially in the newborn bubble, and you know what? I'm trying to soak up every single second. Yes, there are sleepless nights. Yes, there's a lot of spit-up and diaper changes. And yes, I'm pretty sure I haven't had a full conversation with Tanner that hasn't been interrupted in days hahah. But it's also filled with the sweetest snuggles, tiny yawns, and those precious newborn smells. I'm trying to remind myself that this phase goes by so fast. One minute they're this tiny, helpless little thing, and the next they're running around, asking for snacks. So, I'm just trying to be present, to enjoy every feed, every cuddle, every moment of just holding her close.

Tanner has been amazing, as always. He's such a hands-on dad, and he's been doing so much to help with the girls and around the house so I can focus on Cherry. We're a team, always. And my mom has been a lifesaver, coming over to help with meals and just being there for me. I'm so grateful for my village, for my family, and for all of you who send such sweet messages and well wishes. It means sm to me.

This journey of motherhood, especially with three little ones, is wild. It's challenging, it's exhausting, but it's also the most rewarding thing I've ever done. And looking at Cherry, sleeping peacefully in her bassinet right now, I just feel this overwhelming sense of gratitude. She's our little miracle, our sweet surprise, and we are just so, so in love. Welcome to the world, Cherry Jo Beeston. We've been waiting for you. ❤