A paraplegic and his bride-to-be have welcomed a baby boy six months after they captured the hearts of millions with their cheeky photo announcing their surprise pregnancy.
Todd Krieg and Amanda Diesen became online stars in February 2017 after a maternity photo of them posed in front of a brick wall that had ‘It still works!’ written across it in chalk went viral.
Although they were told by doctors that it would be nearly impossible for them to conceive naturally, the couple from Ohio welcomed their son Everette Jason Kreig, whom they nicknamed Rhett, on August 5, 2017.
Celebration: Amanda Diesen and Todd Krieg welcomed their son Everette Jason Krieg, whom they nicknamed Rhett, on August 5, 2017
Miracle: Before Amanda learned she was pregnant, the Ohio couple was told by doctors that it would be nearly impossible for them to conceive naturally
Speaking with Today, Amanda said parenting has been a rewarding experience for her and Todd, but the ‘tough part’ for him is being unable to help out as much as he would like.
‘If Rhett gets fussy he likes to be walked and bounced and rocked, but Todd is unable to do that,’ she said.
However, Amanda noted that they are grateful that Todd can do more for their child than they originally thought.
‘He had been told by someone else in his situation that he wouldn’t even be able to hold his son, but Todd holds Rhett every day,’ she explained.
‘Todd will occasionally feed Rhett, and I even made him change a dirty diaper the other day.’
Online stars: Amanda and Todd welcomed their son six months after a cheeky photo from their maternity shoot went viral
Family of three: Amanda was happy to report that Todd has been able to do more for their son than he originally thought he would, including changing diapers
Going viral: Amanda and Todd became online stars in February 2017 thanks to their witty pregnancy announcement
Last year, the two were thrilled — and shocked — to learn that they were expecting their first child together.
The couple planned a heartwarming pregnancy photo shoot to announce the news to their family and friends, but one witty shot took the internet by storm.
In the comical image taken by photographer Kayla Duffin, Todd is giving a thumbs-up in his wheelchair while posed in front of a brick wall that has ‘It still works!’ written across it in chalk.
Amanda is standing next to him and pretending to be embarrassed as she holds up her ultrasound photo.
‘We definitely weren’t trying to have a baby — we wanted to get engaged, get married, and then start trying in a few years,’ Amanda told Today at the time.
Cheeky: In the comical image taken by photographer Kayla Duffin, Todd is giving a thumbs up in his wheelchair while posed in front of a brick wall that has ‘It still works!’ written in chalk
All smiles: The couple revealed during the shoot that they were expecting their son in August 2017
Amazing surprise: Although doctors said it would be difficult for them to conceive without the help of IVF or other treatment, Amanda said the pregnancy was ‘au naturel’
‘We found out at the beginning of December and were extremely shocked and overwhelmed. We took a test together and just about freaked out.’
The expectant mom, who was 14 weeks pregnant at the time, said she was looking at pregnancy announcements on Pinterest when she came across one of a dad holding up a sign that reads, ‘I did that.’
That image inspired her to incorporate the line, ‘It still works,’ into their own portrait, and the end result caused quite a stir online.
The couple’s friend ended up posting the photo on Reddit, and it earned them millions of fans.
Amanda noted that doctors told them that it was possible for her to get pregnancy naturally, but it would probably unlikely without IVF or other treatments. However, the two defied the odds and conceived ‘au naturel.’
Fate: Amanda noted that they weren’t trying for a baby, and they actually planned on waiting a few years before they started trying
Engaged! During the shoot, Todd surprised Amanda once again by proposing to her
The couple knew they were expecting a baby boy, and in another image from the shoot, Amanda and Todd are celebrating while someone on a ladder dumps a box of blue balloons over their heads.
Amanda and Todd look as happy as can be in the photos, many of which see the mom-to-be cuddling and kissing Todd.
And it’s not just viral fame that has made the photo shoot unforgettable. While they were posing for pictures, Todd surprised Amanda once again by proposing to her.
After she said ‘yes,’ Amanda shared their story with Brides.com in hopes of winning the bridal website’s contest offering a free wedding.
Brought together: Todd became paralyzed from the chest down after suffering a dirt bike crash in October 2014, and he met Amanda a year later during physical therapy
Celebration: In another image, a box of blue balloons is being dumped on Amanda and Todd’s heads in celebration of them expecting a baby boy
Amanda explained in the post that she was working as a therapist at the paralysis recovery center, Project Walk in Carlsbad, California, when she met her fiancé in 2015.
Todd, who is from Elyria, Ohio, became paralyzed from the chest down after suffering a dirt bike crash in October 2014.
The former motocross rider visited Project Walk a year later for therapy in hopes of regaining back some function, but he also ended up meeting his future wife.
Amanda recalled how Todd called her the ‘cute therapist,’ and while she also found him attractive, she worried about seeming unprofessional. That Halloween, Todd made his feelings known and the two became a couple.
Cracking up: Amanda gushed that they are always making each other laugh despite the fact that he is in constant pain because of his injuries
Newest addition: One of the images from the shoot shows Todd and Amanda’s sneakers lined up next to a tiny pair for their baby
In love: ‘We are blessed to have each other and are truly a perfect match,’ Amanda said
When it was time for Todd to move back to Ohio in the summer of 2016, Amanda made the decision to go with him because she knew she didn’t want to be in a long distance relationship.
Amanda said she would like to get married in Orange County, California, where she grew up — and they fell in love.
She admitted that she entered contest because they shouldn’t be spending ‘loads of money’ on her dream wedding when they had a baby on the way.
Amanda gushed that Todd is her best friend, and they are always making each other laugh despite the fact that he is in constant pain because of his injuries.
‘I am so thankful I’ve been given the opportunity to spend my life with this man. We are blessed to have each other and are truly a perfect match,’ she wrote.