After wanting to be a mother her whole life, Michelle Kwan announced the happy news this week that her dream has finally come true.
On her Instagram account on Wednesday, the two-time Olympic medalist posted a photo of herself cradling the newborn, a baby girl named Kalista Belle Kwan, as well as a time-lapse video of her belly growing over the last nine months. “I’m overjoyed and tears of happiness are streaming down my face as I share the news of the arrival of Kalista Belle Kwan!,” she wrote in the caption. “I’ve always wanted to be a mom and, to me, she’s a perfect miracle. I had a hard time picturing what she might look like yet it seems like she’s been in my life forever.”
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Addressing why she didn’t share the news of her pregnancy until now, the professional ice skater explained that her “journey to motherhood” has been a “challenging” one, culminating in “a very long labor,” but she added, “I’m glad I never gave up. I feel so grateful to have had the support of so many during this time, including my fertility doctor, doctors and nurses who looked after me, friends that shared their stories, and of course, my family & my ❤️ who I could not live without.”
Kwan continued, “As people closest to me know, I’m always full of surprises and tend to keep my personal life private. And, I’ve wanted to share this happy news for many months but each milestone seemed to be exciting and daunting at the same time. Each step of the way, I knew that there was still more time needed until I could hold her in my arms. Here’s a quick montage of the last 9 months to catch you all up:).” She concluded her announcement by sending her best “to all the mom’s out there (as we all know, moms rule the world!). And, I wish anyone trying to conceive in any which way (ivf, iui, surrogacy, adoption and naturally) all the success and love. You’re not alone on this path and I’m pulling for you.”
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