For several months we have been very naughty. We feel like naughty twins sharing something totally precious. We could have announced what were up to earlier, but wanted to treasure it a little longer. You see when life throws you something really huge, sometimes you just have to pull back and acknowledge it. But we have been absent for good reason.
We are expecting our firstborn.
Initially, it was impossible to keep blogging about food regularly when it was such a touchy subject. Heightened sensitivity made staying in the same house as a cooking stove unbearable and even thinking about food a rather queasy experience. But still, we managed to post a few posts and I, The Steward even managed to maintain my food column with the Khaleej Times because I have a super editor who understood when I needed my deadline pushed back until the 11th hour.
Little by little we called friends and family individually to share the news. We disclosed to those who we could in person and made the announcement as personal as we could. But alas, there are only two of us, and while we have tried, we have only touched the surface. Especially with my rather humungous family. Last week we threw a same-day impromptu gender reveal party and were overwhelmed with the support our friends showed us from all over the UAE. Our little bundle due late August already has an extended family far away from our homeland.
When life showers you blessings, you sit quietly in the rain. We both had huge changes going on at the same time. We got pregnant the moment we both quit our full time jobs, then we had to move to Ras Al Khaimah, then The Chef had to start a new job, and we had to grapple with this amazing life change. There is a new life growing. We needed to sit in reverence of the beauty of the gift of creation.
We are Chef and Steward and we are having a baby BOY!
Thanks to my photography partner Yuliya for snapping these photos for us. You can find her amazing work at Cleo Photography.
Congratulations! Cheers to a healthy and happy family!!! Much love!
Congratulations! Cheers to a happy and healthy baby! Much Love to your family! xoxo
Congratulations! So happy for you! Love your blog, too!
Congratulations cuz, I wish you both a happy, healthy baby.
Congrats Kari and Lij!!! All the best through this amazing journey! Bless you both!!
Congratulations!!!! So the blog will have to soon be Chef, Steward and apprentice? 🙂
Congratulations and Continued Blessings! Thank you for When life showers you blessings, you sit quietly in the rain. What a beautiful way to look forward! Health and Happiness, always!
Big congratulations to Chef & Steward! Baby Chef is gonna be such a blessing to you both! Such wonderful news. I’m happy for you two. This is going to be an exciting journey!!! 🙂 August is the BEST month EVER. 😉
Big congratulations to Chef & Steward! Baby Chef is gonna be such a blessing to you both! Such wonderful news. I’m happy for you two. This is going to be an exciting journey!!! August is the BEST month EVER.
Congratulations to the both of you, parenthood is such a blessing!
Congratulations Chef and Steward!! So, so happy to hear the news! Wishing you both excellent health and all my wishes 🙂
Congratulations !! And thank you for sharing this lovely news with us all – feel so privileged to hear the news and share in your happiness Xoxo
Woo hoo I am so happy for you guys!! The gigantic smiles on your faces is priceless. Enjoy your baby’s journey into the world and soak up every moment. You are truly blessed.
Congratulations!!!! I wonder if your little one is going to be a chef 🙂
This is the best news ever!! So happy for you “twinnie”
Wonderful news Kari wuhuuuuu congratulations to you both andlove to the bump
Congratulations! Sending prayers, hugs and lotsa love from us 🙂
Congrats Kari and Lij – great news!
What a glorious joyful post – great news…..congratulations 🙂
Congratulations from Nicky and I, we cant wait to meet your little bundle of Joy
Congratulations! Great news. Looking forward to hearing mo about the “little Chef”!!
Congratulations Kari and Lij.
More reasons to see you soon
Corve
Congrats! Hope things go well!
Awww, congratulations! What fabulous news! Can’t wait to meet the little “sous chef” to be joining you soon.
Soooooo happy for you both. Sending hugs… Yvonne
Hooray! So happy for you. A big congrats!
Huge congrats to you both! Juggling so many big life changes is a personal thing, so take your time and enjoy it. You have a world full of changes on the way. 🙂
Oh my goodness you guys!!!!!! I am SOOOO happy for you!! Babies are such a blessing, and I hope you have a wonderful rest of your pregnancy and can’t wait to see baby pictures!!! 🙂
Congrats!
Congratulations Kari and Lij! Such great news.
Enjoy your journey with your little bundle in tow.
congratulations!!!!! such a blessing!!!!
Just saw this … congratulations! Really happy for you two 🙂
Congrats Kari & Lij!! Fantastic news – welcome to parenthood you two!! 😉
Thanks much Kemi! Can’t believe it ourselves!