Last month, we met the strongest woman we will ever know, our birth mother. And on Saturday at 12:39pm, our lives changed forever.
Today, I’m so proud to introduce you to our son, Arlo Mitchell Mindell. Arlo, inspired by the sweet little dinosaur from The Good Dinosaur. As you know, Pixar has been a big part of our relationship and we love that Arlo the dinosaur also went on an incredible journey to find his family. And Mitchell after Jeff’s late grandfather who meant the world to him.
We got to be there to see his very first moments of life and on Monday we got to take him home. I hope to share more about our journey to find our baby boy later but right now, we’re spending our days snuggling and loving on Arlo, and completely in awe of the most selfless act of love and strength we just witnessed. We honestly can’t believe how truly lucky we are. It feels like a dream.
We spent the last month preparing lots of amazing content for you guys so not much will change around these parts while I take my version of maternity leave! We’ll resume Work It outfit posts once I’m back in the office regularly.
Thank you again for all of your encouragement as we’ve walked this journey to parenthood. It has meant the world to us.
136 comments
Francesca Stone March 23, 2017
He is just the most beautiful thing! Congratulations you guys. My heart is swelling with happiness for you <3
Eva March 23, 2017
Congratulations! I’m crying tears of joy for you two! Enjoy those baby snuggles.
Monique | WritingMonique March 23, 2017
Oh, I am so happy for you both! Arlo looks adorable, and I wish you all the happiness and love in the world! (Also, I absolutely love the story behind Arlo’s name!)
Heather B March 23, 2017
Oh my goodness, CONGRATULATIONS! I am just so happy for your family!
Michelle March 23, 2017
He is so adorable, and you both look so happy! Congratulations!
https://www.makeandmess.com/
Kathleen March 23, 2017
Oh my goodness, he’s a sweetie. Congratulations!!!
Brittany March 23, 2017
Congratulations!
Ella March 23, 2017
Oh my God! I’m so happy for you guys! Congratulations!
Amanda March 23, 2017
SO happy for you! Congratulations!
Micaela March 23, 2017
You’ve been trying to have a family for so long, I so excited for you that the time has come!!! Congratulations. 🙂
Pat Newman March 23, 2017
Could not be happier for your new little family. He is a lucky little guy to have you both as parents. He is so cute and I wish you a lifetime of wonderful adventures. Bless you all and birth mother too🍼😇💙
Hannah March 23, 2017
I saw the post’s title, Arlo, and got chills. I read the first 2 sentences and my eyes filled with tears. This makes me so happy! What a journey it has been for you two and now to see this, well, it just makes my day. I have a little Arlo as well! He just turned 2 months. He’s my first and boy is he the best. Becoming a parent is the greatest gift in the world. Congratulations you two!!
Kate March 23, 2017
You guys look SO HAPPY! Congratulations!!!
Rachel March 23, 2017
He’s so adorable! So happy for you guys!!!
Erin Phraner March 23, 2017
Congratulations you two!!!! Such a beautiful boy, such a beautiful story—you’re going to be the best parents!
Jackie March 23, 2017
CONGRATULATIONS! He is adorable, you guys are going to be such awesome parents!
Jessica March 23, 2017
What an amazing surprise to wake up to! Congratulations!! He is absolutely gorgeous! Enjoy the newborn snuggles. They are my favorite thing in the world. So happy for you 3!
Trish Whitmore March 23, 2017
Congratulations MOM & DAD!! I cried while reading this post!!!
Enjoy every second!! It goes be quickly!!
My baby is heading off to college soon! :o)
Catherine March 23, 2017
Absolutely wonderful. I got goosebumps as soon as I saw the post title. Warmest congratulations on your sweet boy. You guys are going to be amazing and fun and colorful parents!
Taylor March 23, 2017
Arlo is absolutely adorable and you both look so happy! Congratulations 🙂
Charlotte March 23, 2017
Yaaay! Congratulations! 😚😚
Caroline March 23, 2017
Ahh oh my goodness!! I did a double take like no- this can’t be true!! Y’all are good secret keepers!! So excited but I’ll definitely miss your work it Series!! Everyday after a long week I come home get an Arnold palmer and sit right down and read it! Love y’all!!❤❤❤
Sophie March 23, 2017
No I’m not crying, something really big and painful just flew in my eye.
I’m beyond happy for you and wish you and Baby A nothing but the very best in life.
Vera March 23, 2017
Aaaaaah congratulations Kelly and Jeff! I’m SO happy for you guys. I can’t believe you managed to find the perfect name for this little boy, which is the utlimate combination between a great name (I mean, Wall-E would be a bit weird, hm?), the journey this boy has already been on and the other love of your lives: Pixar. Bless you and little Arlo and please do take the time to enjoy each other’s company. Us readers and followers can (and want to) wait!
Maira March 23, 2017
OMG, that was fast! Congratulations, I’m so glad you took the adoption route, it gives me hope for all the children that are in need of a loving family, and I hope your journey inspires more people!
Eleanor March 23, 2017
Oh my GOODNESS!! I feel so happy and proud for you guys! You’re such good secret keepers (and explains why not so many insta stories lately). So much love to you guys, you make readers feel like family and this family just got bigger in the best way. Also Jeff’s face in that picture is the most earnest happiness I’ve ever seen.
Les March 23, 2017
I DON’T KNOW WHY BUT!!!! I had a feeling there was a baby involved because of Jeff’s silence on Instagram. 😂
I’m crying you guys! I’m so freaking beyond ecstatic happy for you guys!!!!
I just messaged Jeff but I had to stop by here and tell you congratulations!
I’m crying right now just typing this so i cant even imagine how you feel!
Ahhh!!!!
♡♡♡♡♡
My offer still stands! If you ever need a babysitter for Bella or Arlo, I’m here.
Ahhh!!!!!
Love you guys!!!
Manda March 23, 2017
He’s so adorable – dying over these sweet photos! So, so happy for you guys – congratulations!! xo
Kara March 23, 2017
Congratulations you guys!!!!
Lesley March 23, 2017
I got chills!!! Congratulations!!!
Melissa Bahen March 23, 2017
Oh my gosh, you guys, he’s beautiful! Over the moon with happiness for your family!
Giselle @ The Busy Spatula March 23, 2017
Congratulations!! What a sweet name for a sweet boy. He’s absolutely precious. Also, pretty sure he’s going to have the coolest outfits in his future 😊
Carrie March 23, 2017
“Congratulations” barely even cuts it!!! This is the best news in the world, and I can’t fathom how happy you both are 🙂 Your son is perfect…ALL THE BEST TO YOU AND YOUR INCREDIBLE FAMILY!!!!
Terrell March 23, 2017
My heart has just exploded with LOVE and JOY!! He even looks like you all!!!!! What a blessing – our God is so good! I cannot wait to see you all in your fun family posts. You all are such a great mommy and daddy for this little handsome-ness!
CONGRATS!!
Maggie March 23, 2017
Oh, I teared up reading this. Congrats– a new life is the greatest gift. Wishing you long chunks of sleep, many cuddles, and diapers and wipes and burp cloths right where you need ’em. Wonderful!
Lexi March 23, 2017
Oh my goodness, how wonderful! Congratulations on your beautiful baby boy!
Julie March 23, 2017
Oh my word!!!! He is so beautiful. ❤ Congrats guys!
Kim Barr March 23, 2017
OMG! How wonderful for you both. He is absolutely beautiful. Life is good.
Melanie March 23, 2017
I’m in tears. Adoption is so beautiful. He is so beautiful. Congratulations!
Rosie March 23, 2017
Crying absolute tears of joys for you guys! Couldn’t be happier for the two of you and sweet Arlo! Wishing you so much love and joy! 💗
Aubry March 23, 2017
I legit have tears in my eyes. I am so thrilled for you two. Congratulations. Also, I hate to be *that* person… but where is that amazing rainbow blanket from?!!
Rachel March 23, 2017
Congratulations! He’s beautiful.
Anastasia March 23, 2017
SO MANY HAPPY TEARS!!!! What a joyous way to start the day 💞 Congratulations to you all – Arlo is a VERY lucky baby to have the worlds most kind, compassionate, creative and FUN parents. I’m just so so happy for you all. BRB – gonna go cry a while
Malisa March 23, 2017
Congratulations! What an amazing act from the birth mother and you +Jeff to give this little boy a wonderful life. He’s such a doll!
Mia March 23, 2017
BRB CRYING. Seriously, so happy. I love the name. I love the story. I love you guys and I am SO HAPPY for you!!!!!!
Emily March 23, 2017
Oh my gosh what a gorgeous baby boy!! Congratulations to you and Jeff!!! Enjoy this precious time together 🙂
Brittni March 23, 2017
You guys look so happy in that last photo, holding Arlo. Couldn’t be any happier for you two. CONGRATULATIONS!
Floor March 23, 2017
I came here via your instagram account and OMG this is great news! Congratulations 🎉🎈
Amanda J. March 23, 2017
I am so overwhelmingly thrilled for your sweet family!!!!!!!!!
Blythe March 23, 2017
My heart is melting – this is so beautiful! Congrats to you both and your sweet little addition. I love the name and the story behind it
Steph March 23, 2017
I am so, so happy for you guys. Love from Boston xo
Alician March 23, 2017
What a beautiful little guy and love the name! Congrats, you guys! So exciting! 😊❤
Justina March 23, 2017
He is so precious! Congratulations!
Loren March 23, 2017
GREAT NAME!!! Congratulations!!! 😻
Rachel Dewberry March 23, 2017
YOU GUYS!!!!! He’s so perfect and you look so happy! The biggest congratulations to you. You will be such amazing parents! And I love his name!
Kristina B March 23, 2017
OMG. He is beautiful guys and you make such a sweet little family. No little boy in the history of the world will be more loved than little Arlo. So much congratulations.
Kelly March 23, 2017
Congratulations!! He’s beautiful and Arlo is an awesome name. Enjoy every moment!!! 💗
Shonee March 23, 2017
He is adorable. I love all that dark hair. Congrats you too!!
Shonee
Raffaella March 23, 2017
So happy for you!! Congratulations!!!
Amy of Cozy Reverie March 23, 2017
OMG! Kelly and Jeff, congratulations! I totally teared up seeing the name you chose! Our oldest son is just like Arlo and our youngest is just like Spot, so we totally understand the connection to the film. <3 Welcome to parenthood! It's the best!
Mekeesha March 23, 2017
Ahh! Crying at work reading this post. So happy for you guys!
Cyd March 23, 2017
Hands down, the best blog post I’ve ever read in my life. My whole heart is overflowing for you guys. Enjoy every moment! Arlo, you are one lucky little man. xoxoxo
Chloe March 23, 2017
I am so happy for you all!!! Arlo is so blessed to have such amazing parents 😊
Leah March 23, 2017
Kelly & Jeff, I can’t even begin to express how happy I am for you both. My heart is so full right now. Arlo is the luckiest little boy to have such amazing and loving parents. He is perfect and beautiful. I can’t wait to meet him. Xo
Alexis March 23, 2017
Congratulations!! I know you both will give little Arlo so much love!
Kaitlyn March 23, 2017
I have been rooting for you guys and I am so so so so happy for you, this made me cry!!!!!!!!!
Sophie March 23, 2017
Massive congratulations to you both! So happy for you guys! Such a beautiful boy and name! Xx
Julia March 23, 2017
So so so excited for y’all!! Congratulations and can’t wait to hear about your parenting journey!
Shiri March 23, 2017
Congratulations Jeff & Kelly! My heart is so full! I love his name and your family is beautiful! Can’t wait to hear more about him!!!
Terrie March 23, 2017
Congratulations!! Arlo is adorable and I am so happy for you both 🙂
Alexandra March 23, 2017
Absolutely amazing news! Congratulations Jeff & Kelly! I’ve been following your blog for a couple years now and could not be more excited for you both. xoxo
Lindsey March 23, 2017
So many congratulations! <3
mel March 23, 2017
wow… so happy for you guys… arlo is the sweetest
Emily March 23, 2017
Congratulations! From one adoptive mama to another, I’m shaking just thinking of you meeting him for the first time. So very excited for you, family of 3!
Dani March 23, 2017
He’s amazing! You couldn’t have picked a sweeter name. Congrats to you both & big sister, Bella!
nole March 23, 2017
Oh my goodness! Congratulations!!! I’m so happy for you and Jeff – and little Arlo! Enjoy this sweet newborn time, and let me know if you need anything! xoxoxo
Alex Pettinato March 23, 2017
Congratulations you two!!!! He’s so incredibly beautiful. Enjoy each and every moment <3 Sending so much love your way.
Ashlyn March 23, 2017
Congratulations!! What amazing news! I can’t believe how fast it all seemed to happen, at least from the reader’s perspective – obviously this has been ongoing for you both. Enjoy these first moments with him on your leave and can’t wait to see more of your journey as a family! Xx
Jennifer March 23, 2017
AHHHHH!!!!! CONGRATS!!! I am so excited you all get to be parents! This is so sweet and amazing and I am so happy for you all! (and Bella, too).
Lyndsay March 23, 2017
LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL!! So much love to you three!!!
Amanda March 23, 2017
This is such amazing news!! 💙💙congratulations!!
Danielle March 23, 2017
He is absolutely beautiful!!!!! Congratulations and blessings to you and your family may love always blossom and be present in your home💕💕💕🎉🎉🎉🎉!
Holly March 23, 2017
Congratulations, you two! I couldn’t be happier for you and your little boy. I’m sure you’ll be wonderful parents, and he’s so lucky to have you both.
Julie Gallagher March 23, 2017
OH WOW! A huge congratulations! ENJOY THIS SPECIAL TIME! XXX
Kara March 23, 2017
WOO HOO! So many congrats! You guys are going to be amazing parents!
Kimberly March 23, 2017
Welcome, sweet Arlo! I love the story of how he got his name. Now, I need to watch that movie. Congratulations, Kelly and Jeff!
Jalee March 23, 2017
You guys!! Arlo is absolutely perfect, what a handsome little guy! I’m so over the moon with happiness for you both, congrats a million!! XOXO
Taylor Collery March 23, 2017
Cutest little guy! So happy for you three and a huge congratulations!
Brenda March 23, 2017
Seeing this just brightened my entire day. Sending you all congratulations. What a sweet little boy that will be so lucky to have you as his parents.
Tania March 23, 2017
Congratulations to you both and may this be an amazing beautiful journey. You are truly inspiring!
Much Love,
Tania
http://inspiremyfancy.blogspot.com
Aly March 23, 2017
Congratulations! I’m so happy for you guys! 😀
Sally from Little Hiccups March 23, 2017
Congratulations Kelly & Jeff! I’m so happy for you and little Arlo. He’s the luckiest little boy to have such wonderful parents. Big hugs to you all xx
Emma March 23, 2017
This is absolutely wonderful news! I’m thrilled for you guys and he couldn’t be any sweeter. Enjoy him!
Erin March 23, 2017
Congratulations Kelly and Jeff!! He’s beautiful and you both look so happy!!
Amy | Delineate Your Dwelling March 23, 2017
Thrilled to pieces!!! Arlo is the most amazing name ever. Congrats to your newest family member!!!
Verity March 23, 2017
Yess!!!!!! This lit up my morning!
So happy for you both! Yes! Yes! Yes!
Congratulations! What a lucky boyn
Elena March 23, 2017
What a wonderful gift!! I was adopted at birth and was always grateful that my birth mother chose my parents. I got to meet my birth mother on my 41st birthday and I couldn’t stop thanking her for being so strong and selfless to give me the opportunity to grow up with what I consider to be the most amazing parents. You two will be amazing parents!!! Congratulations.
LirioNohemy March 23, 2017
Holidays are going to be magical for baby Arlo the way you and Jeff keep secrets! 😄❤ YOU GUYS!!!! This is the best news of the year! Congratulations is SO not enough but with the happy tears going on right now I cant think of anything else! Your mini Mindell is here!!!!! 💙💙💙
Kendall March 23, 2017
Congratulations! I’ve been following your journey for awhile now and am just so happy for your little family. Arlo is such a cute name and he is an absolute doll. Again, congratulations, you’re going to be such amazing parents!
Lu Rothrock March 23, 2017
NO WAY! So happy for you guys, and what an amazing journey!! Congrats. ** Love the name 🙂
Shayla March 23, 2017
I cried the whole time I was on my lunch break! Happy tears galore!!! Welcome to motherhood! Your son is so precious! 😍Congratulations momma (and pa!) I have a 5 month old boy- boys are the best!! They grow fast- so take lots of pictures and videos! (Which I know you will!) Keeping you and your new little fam in our thoughts! And don’t be afraid if things (like sleep!!) are difficult at first– being a mom is hard, hard work! But so so joy filled! ❤ who needs sleep anyway! 😉 Just enjoy and give kisses to that little one! Xo
Lydia March 23, 2017
Congrats! SO HAPPY for you guys! You guys are going to be amazing, loving parents!
carrie March 23, 2017
Kelly – I just couldn’t be more thrilled for you! Soak it all in. Wishing you all the best. Much love. Xo
Carrie
http://www.wearwherewell.com
Beth March 23, 2017
What amazing news, you just made my day! Welcome to the best club in the world! Enjoy every sweet breath, cry, cuddle and tiny baby smile. He’s beautiful! Xx
Tiffany W. March 23, 2017
Congratulations! He is so, so cute! Enjoy every moment with your tiny son. 😀
Christine Amorose March 23, 2017
So incredibly happy for you! Wishing your family all the best!
Claudia M. Ramos March 23, 2017
WOW! AMAZING! Congrats to you four! It’s amazing to see how much joy and change a little baby can bring and I can’t wait to see how much inspirations and creativity you four will bring! As a mother I understand how amazing it feels your baby for the first time! Again congrats and Welcome to the PARENTS CLUB! hehe!
Best,
Claudia
Helena March 23, 2017
Big congratulations! I’m an adopted kid and I know how much my parents wanted me, and I’m sure Arlo will know too! xx
Anisa March 23, 2017
He’s beautiful. Congrats!!!!!
Quinn March 23, 2017
tears of joy!!!!! so happy to see this news! he is so precious and i love love the name. congrats you guys!!!
Hailey March 23, 2017
I’m so incredibly happy for you both! I’ve been following your journey for such a long time now. Welcome Arlo! You’re just divine!
x
Sabine March 23, 2017
He is Perfect! 👪☀️
Evi March 24, 2017
WOW!!!! Cogratulations!!! That is fantastic news!!! We’re so happy for you!!! Welcome to the world of parenthood. I’m sure you’re going to be great parents. All our love to your little angel! Greetings from Greece. xo
Stephanie March 24, 2017
Oh he’s absolutely adorable! I’m so completely over the moon with joy for you both – he’s just perfect. <3
Élodie March 24, 2017
Sweet little thing 🙂
Welcome to Arlo and congratulations to the new parents 🙂
Moonlight March 24, 2017
Omg, I’m reading this while at work, and I’m feeling so overwhelmed, I want to burst into tears! It’s unbelievable how connected to people you can feel “just by reading a blog”.
Health and happiness to you and baby Arlo! All the best, guys! xxx
Haley March 24, 2017
Oh my goodness! Congratulations! He is just the cutest! Love the name too 🙂
V March 24, 2017
So beautiful! Once someone mentioned to me that they believed children find their parents not the other way around.
Arlo found you! So wonderful for all of you including his birth mother <3
And btw maybe Jeff can do the outfit of the week, he always seems on point!
Amber March 24, 2017
OMG, those lips! Absolutely adorable. Congrats & blessings to your family!
Cathy | WellKeptChaos March 24, 2017
OH MY GOD! I am so beyond excited for you guys. This is the highlight of my day! I absolutely love the name and the way it came about. Congrats. You guys are going to be such fun parents!
Michelle McSwain March 24, 2017
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! I am so thrilled for you guys. I am dying to hear more about your journey and the agency you worked with that led you to your soon. My husband and I are also trying to adopt and I’m so curious about other families who have adopted and the process. Congrats again <3
Zaira March 24, 2017
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! I’m so happy for the two of you! There is so much love in all these photos. I know Arlo will be so loved.
Kristie Hill March 24, 2017
This is beyond wonderful. Soak up every minute and don’t worry about us folks on the net. We’ll be here when you get back from maternity leave.
As a Mom of littles, I van’t wait to see more kid stuff on the blog. I also can’t wait to see how the contents inside your clutch chanhe’s as Arlo grows (I’m guessing binkeys, tissues, gold fish, and apple sauce packets will find there way in. Maybe bubbles.)
Congratulations to the three of you.
CoastToCoast March 27, 2017
WOW! Congratulations – I’m so happy for you both! He’s adorable and you two are going to be amazing parents!
Jan March 27, 2017
Congratulations! What a sweet thing to happen!
Lindzi Ellis March 28, 2017
OMGEEEEE CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Colleen March 28, 2017
This makes me so happy! I did a little squeal at my desk. Congrats on the beautiful baby boy!
Katie McC | Katie's Kronicles March 30, 2017
SO SO SO HAPPY FOR YOU GUYS! He is adorable to say the least! What a blessing!
-Katie
http://www.katieskronicles.org
Marwa | Enthralling Gumption March 31, 2017
I am so happy for you guys! Wishing you all the best time with sweet baby Arlo!
[email protected] March 31, 2017
WAHOOOOOOO!!!!!! my head is spinning with joy and i had the BEST feeling reading about Arlo and you and Jeff and goodness i can’t even type straight! lol i replied to one of your infertility posts awhile back and i just KNEW you would be parents and that it would be soon. i adopted both my kids and was there at my daughter’s birth and my son came home with us when he was 6 days old. we tried EIGHT freakin’ years to have a baby, signed up for adoption in JUNE and got my daughter in OCTOBER that same year! it is definitely a journey and all the pain and tears from the past disappear when you hold your baby doesn’t it? btw i kept saying to my daughter, “it’s ok…aunt lisa is here!” because that’s what i said to my nieces and nephews and when you don’t go thru a pregnancy, it takes calling yourself mom (and dad) a few times to actually believe it! lol also, sign up for baby number 2 asap cuz it takes longer to get another one and heck ya never know what will happen? hehe :>D MUCH LOVE TO ALL!
Kaila Sanford March 31, 2017
Congratulations! He is SOOOO cute! I can’t think of better parents than you two. You are so ready for this little peanut.
Best wishes for the challenging/rewarding/sleepless/poopy/wonderful journey ahead!
Adriana March 31, 2017
A well deserved blessing for 2 amazing people. I’m sincerely so happy for you 3. You both inspire, make us all smile and laugh as well as inviting us all on this amazing journey. A miracle indeed. Congratulation. ❤
Kim April 4, 2017
Congratulations to the 3 of you!! I love this post so much, I have tears in my eyes. Being a parent is the most amazing journey, no matter how it starts out. The fun is only beginning for your sweet family. xo
10 Things I Love Sunday – A Beautiful Mess April 12, 2017
[…] some of our best friends in blog-land have adopted a baby! I’m dying over the IG […]
Tess April 27, 2017
Congratulations! He’s absolutely beautiful and I love the meaning behind his name. I would love to hear more about your adoption process as it seems like it happened relatively quickly for you vs. some other couples’ stories. As someone who is interested in possibly adopting one day, I would love to know more!
Tziporah May 9, 2017
Congratulations…he’s precious! I love the name Arlo. Beautiful story.