Kerri Walsh’s Blog: Meet Me and My Boys!

Courtesy Kerri Walsh

PEOPLE Moms & Babies is happy to introduce our newest celebrity blogger — Kerri Walsh!

The accomplished athlete, 31, has taken home not one, but two Olympic gold medals in beach volleyball alongside her partner, Misty May-Treanor.

With Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 behind her, Kerri is now focusing on raising her sons with fellow volleyball star Casey Jennings — Joseph Michael, 14 months, and Sundance Thomas, 10 weeks — as well as preparing for the London 2012 Olympic games.

Click below to read her first blog!

Hey people! My name is Kerri Walsh Jennings. Many of you probably know me as an Olympic athlete, and for those of you who do, thanks for watching and supporting beach volleyball.

My goal in writing this blog for PEOPLE Moms & Babies is for you to also get to know me as a mom. I have two sons — Joseph, 14 months, and Sundance, 10 weeks. It’s a relatively new role for me, but it’s a role I cherish with all my heart.

Just to get you up to date on my life, below is a speedy recap of what’s happened to me since you got to know me at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

• August 2008: My partner Misty May-Treanor and I win our second gold medal!
• A few days later: I’m pregnant!! (Official word comes later.)
• August-May: A wonderful pregnancy. Fit, healthy, sweet and exciting.
• May 22, 2009: My husband Casey Jennings and I welcome our son, Joseph Michael Jennings, into the world.
• August 10, 2009: First tournament back in action on the AVP tour. So fun!! Beyond challenging! New body. New brain.
• A little later that month: I’m pregnant!!
• August-May: Another great, healthy, a little more tiresome but just as sweet, pregnancy.
• May 19, 2010: Casey, Joey and I welcome Sundance Thomas Jennings to our family. (I’ll fill you in on the name choice later!)
• June 15, 2010: My “comeback.” The road to London and the 2012 Olympic Games officially begins with my first day back on the beach. Scary! Fun! Exciting! Humbling!
• June 16, 2010: I can hardly walk, I’m so sore from day one and am wondering how I’ll survive my comeback?!
• June 24, 2010: Our first family adventure. All four of us, along with my little sister KC — strength in numbers! — fly out to Belmar, New Jersey to support Daddy on the Nivea AVP tour. Pure craziness! So exhausting! But our dream has become reality!!

So there you go: You’re all up to speed. In the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing my/our life with you, including the highs, the lows and the adventure of it all. You are cordially invited to join us for the ride!

Courtesy Kerri Walsh

All my best,

– Kerri Walsh

A warm welcome to Kerri! What questions do you have for her? What topics would you like her to blog about in the future?

Comments

Karen on July 27th, 2010

I’m so excited to follow this blog! Adorable little boys too What a busy, but fun family!!

Amanda on July 27th, 2010

That second pic is so adorable! Love the blonde curls too

Lola Monroe on July 27th, 2010

Look forward to reading your journey back for the Olympics & hearing your mommy stories. I remember an interview you did in Bejing right after you guys won & you said the only thing you wanted to do now was become a mother…glad your wishes came true!

Mary on July 27th, 2010

Kerri I’ve always respected you as an athlete but now even more as a mother. And I thought I was busy being a working mom w/ a 6 month old….holy cow! You are super woman! I love that you have irish twins…….they’ll bring you good luck!

sarawara on July 27th, 2010

THEY could NOT be any cuter. SO, so, so cute.

robinepowell on July 27th, 2010

If only Sundance had waited a few days, after, his big brother’s first birthday to be born, then it could be said that Joseph had a whole year of the only child, lol! :p

I can’t wait to hear where she got Sundance’s name from.

Cute boys either way!

Shamantha on July 27th, 2010

Welcome, Kerri! I have one 16-month old, and couldn’t imagine having a newborn, too! I admire moms who can handle two under two. They’re like superwoman

Electra on July 27th, 2010

i met kerri four years ago a few months before the coney island AVP, she was so lovely! I can’t wait to read her blog!

Ashley on July 27th, 2010

Oh that first picture is adorable and hilarious! They look so much alike. Can’t wait to read this blog. I have been a big fan of Kerri and Misty’s and I’m so glad Kerri has the family she was hoping for!

Melissa on July 27th, 2010

Glad to have you here Kerri. Your boys are beautiful!!

brandy on July 27th, 2010

Hi Kerri,
I’m so excited to see you blogging now. I know you from watching the FIVB tours (play beach volleyball myself) and am now expecting my first child early next year. It will be fun to read about how you got back into shape (so quickly!) and how you juggle it all.
Looking forward to reading all about your adventures! Good luck in 2012!! I’ll be there cheering you on.

ABC 123 on July 27th, 2010

yeah, my favorite volleyball player is going to be a blogger here. that’s makes me so excited. kerri your boys are so adorable! good luck in raising 2 under 2!

Ashley on July 27th, 2010

Keri, you are such a great role model. I’m excited about your blog. Perhaps your experiences can inspire and help other mothers. I am big fan of AVP and play beach volleyball myself. Congratulations on having two healthy babies!

Elizabeth on July 27th, 2010

Kerri,
Your boys are beyond gorgeous! You are so brave and strong (to have them so close in age!!) My little one is almost one…waiting a while for #2 I can’t wait to read about your experience as a new mommy. Thank you for sharing.

meghan on July 27th, 2010

Those pictures are awesome. The first is a riot. The second is pure “awwwwwwwwww”. Thank you so much for sharing, Kerri!

Kristen on July 27th, 2010

Kerri, I enjoy watching you and Misty May kick butt – you are a great team. Welcome to Motherhood. I’m a Mom of two little girls, 23 months apart and it’s amazing. We’re all truly blessed!!! Enjoy it all – it flies by so quickly!

megan on July 27th, 2010

love her, I’m a HUGE fan!! Her and Misty play so amazing together!! I love watching them play, I’m a HUGE volleyball fan! I am so excited that after having kids she is coming back to volleyball! I look forward to watching her on the court! And hearing about her journey to make that comeback all while raising a family! I am also looking forward to the story behind Sundance’s name!

Erin on July 27th, 2010

I have a topic suggestion for Kerri – getting back in shape post baby. Obviously what you do is different than everyone else – since you’re an athlete and have trainers, etc. But, maybe you can provide realistic insight!

lisa on July 27th, 2010

I have been a huge fan of yours and Misty’s for years.
Your little guys are adorable. I tip my hat off to you for having your babies back to back the way you did and I can’t believe you are already back playing and training for the next olympic games in 2012. You are amazing and what an inspiration

Lisa

Brooke on July 27th, 2010

I can not wait to follow Kerri’s blog. I would like to hear more about how you got back to training so quickly after having Sundance. Most doctors have you wait until your 6 week checkup to do anything remotly athletic and you are out traing for the Olympics. Any advice would be great.

Alisha on July 27th, 2010

Congrats and good luck in your career! Love watching you and Misty tear it up!!

Heidi on July 27th, 2010

You’re an inspiration! I’d love to know what it was like having babies so close together, what your doctor said, anything special you did to prepare–did you breastfeed? I just had our son 11 weeks ago and I couldn’t get pregnant if I wanted to. I would like to try on the earlier side, around 9 months, though, as that’s when my doctor said the body is ready for another pregnancy. Any and all advice about getting back in shape would be great…I’m running 3 miles every day, doing pilates, watching what I eat, but still fighting those last 10 pounds…thanks!

Alena on July 27th, 2010

Kerri-

I actually played volleyball against you in high school and also have two boys (ages 3 and 1). It’s so cool to see you doing so well both professionally and with your family. Congrats and I look forward to reading your blog!

Julie on July 27th, 2010

I follow you whenever the AVP comes to town or you are on TV. I can’t wait to hear about your adventures!

Mommyof3 on July 27th, 2010

Kerri,
I have 3 babies ages 3 and under – and there are no multiples in there. I hope that you are able to blog about how you make time to get back into shape and share some tips, and tell some of your fun stories about having babies so close together!

I look forward to reading your blog!

Molly on July 27th, 2010

Kerri, You’re a total inspiration and I cannot wait to continue reading your blog I have a 15 month old son,Aydan, and a 6 week old daughter, Molly. It’ll be great to hear your stories will having two little ones so close in age

Rebecca on July 27th, 2010

Super excited about this blog! I think it will be my favorite one yet

Tee on July 27th, 2010

I’m really looking forward to reading your blog, Kerry! I’m so glad you’re willing to share your family life with us. Both of your boys are as cute as buttons! Can’t wait to read more…

what of it? on July 27th, 2010

Wow, your kids are adorable. I’m looking forward to your blog. I’m curious to know what it was like having to back-to-back pregnancies.

Luna on July 27th, 2010

Ooh Irish twins! That’s got to be rough, but soooo rewarding. Sundance and Joey are cutiepies. I’d love to hear the story behind Sundance’s name and what it’s like raising two boys so close in age. I couldn’t do it, all mine are at least 2 years apart. I really like this blog.

sat on July 28th, 2010

Awesome couple of years!!! What accomplishments!!

Sam & Freya's Mum on July 28th, 2010

I don’t know how she does it either, my two were born over 3 years apart – and like it that way…! Cute pics of her boys, but ‘Sundance’ still hasn’t grown on me – not that Kerri cares, LOL….

Romy on July 28th, 2010

omg Sundance looks like a newborn doll straight from the box in the first pic!

AW on July 28th, 2010

Kerri, your boys are adorable!!!

Lorelai on July 28th, 2010

Hi Kerry! I am a mom of a toddler girl (3,5 yrs old) and a 8 month old boy whom I adore. My husband has played volleyball all his life and he has always been a huge fan of yours. He has never seen you play other than TV (we live in South America, we’re latins) but he thinks you are the greatest..and so do I Congrats on those beautiful boys. Two children can be quite a handful, I know about that!

Katrina on July 28th, 2010

Congrats on your new additions to your family! But I’m curious to know why you had them so close. Like someone said before, Joseph didn’t even get a year to himself. What was the rush?

Bobbie on July 28th, 2010

As a mom of four in four years, I can totally relate.
You seem to be incredibly ‘together’ and enjoying the ride.
Looking forward to reading about your adventures, as a mom and an athlete.

Noelle on July 30th, 2010

looking forward to hearing about life with two little one’s love the people’s baby blogs keep them coming !

Julie M. on July 31st, 2010

Kerri,
Congratulations on two beautiful boys! I have two girls myself who are 13 months apart…as you know, it’s a lot of work!!! But wait until your little one is around 2 and it gets so much better and FUN! They become best buddies and it’s so rewarding to watch their friendship bloom.
Good luck to you- Can’t wait to keep up on your blog!
Julie

Christine on August 3rd, 2010

Hi Kerri-

As a fellow alumni of Misty, I was proud to watch you kick butt in the Olympics in 2008. Enjoy your time with your boys, they grow up fast!

Christine
Class of `85

Christine on August 6th, 2010

Hi Kerri-

As a fellow alumni of Mitty, I was proud to watch you kick butt in the Olympics in 2008. Enjoy your time with your boys, they grow up fast!

Christine
Class of `85