The Smith family from Texas has welcomed a new addition, proudly announcing the birth of their seventh child, a son named Knoble Hatley Smith, on 20th May at 4:20 a.m. The happy couple, Keeundra Hatley Smith and Nicholas Smith, revealed the news exclusively through PEOPLE magazine, sharing their delight in growing their family even further.
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The newborn arrived weighing 7 lbs and 3 ounces and measured 20 inches long. At 34 years of age, both Keeundra and Nicholas expressed that each new birth adds an “unexplainable joy” to their lives, stating that the experience becomes “sweeter” with every child welcomed into their home. Keeundra shared her sentiments, noting, “Each and every time we welcome another life into the world, it’s always a little sweeter than the time before.”
Keeundra also provided insights into her birthing experience, noting that it was distinctly different this time as she went into labour ahead of schedule, two weeks before her due date. Despite feeling unprepared, she focused on resting and meditating, hoping to buy some time for final preparations. “I meditated and prayed that God would grant us a little extra time to get prepared and that’s exactly what happened,” she recalled fondly.
The couple’s home birth involved the presence of their six children, who eagerly participated in the process. As Keeundra entered active labour, her midwife, known as The Spiritual Midwife, arrived to assist, and the family successfully welcomed another baby boy into the world within the comfort of their home. Keeundra has had a mix of birthing experiences, comprising three epidural births and four natural deliveries, each defined by its own beauty and significance.
Describing the intense feeling of joy that follows a natural birth, Keeundra stated, “As a mother, I would like to emphasise the power of the ‘birth high’ that I’ve only ever felt moments after giving birth naturally.” She highlighted the contrast between the sensation of emptiness in the stomach post-delivery and the overwhelming emotion of holding a newborn, which makes the experience truly unforgettable.
For each of their children, Keeundra and Nicholas select a thematic concept to represent their arrival. With Knoble, the chosen theme was “Cloud Nine”, a reference that symbolises their expanding family of nine. This theme also held sentimental value due to its connection with the late musician Prince, whose iconic album Purple Rain echoed in their choice, particularly given the rainy weather during the birth.
They decided on the name Knoble in honour of family heritage, with the middle name, ‘Hatley’, representing Keeundra’s mother’s maiden name. This choice emphasises their family’s strong legacy, reflecting their belief that their roots lay deep with bonds of love and opportunity.
The new addition joins his older siblings: Knoah, aged 1, Knowledge, 3, Knight, 7, Knatural, 5, Knaomi, 9, and Knixia, 10. Keeundra expressed that her eldest daughters took on active roles during the birth, even helping to “catch” their new brother as he made his entrance. Keeundra described a heartwarming scene of celebration as her younger children cheered enthusiastically during the delivery.
Looking back on their journey, Keeundra and Nicholas knew from their early relationship that they envisioned a large family. With Nicholas hailing from an only child background and Keeundra as the eldest of four, they were both motivated to ensure their children grow up with siblings to support and cherish one another.
Now that their family has grown, the joyful parents are fully immersed in the joys of parenthood. They expressed excitement for family outings and holiday celebrations, particularly looking forward to Knoble’s first experiences with his siblings on their ranch. Keeundra remarked on their eagerness to spend quality time together, adding, “We can’t wait to see him thrive on the ranch with the rest of his siblings, enjoying and loving up on the animals.”
As they embrace their new life as a larger family, Keeundra and Nicholas remain open to whatever the future holds while cherishing each moment with their beloved children.