Making Grace

Ann Krsul and Leslie Sullivan decide they want to start a family together. They courageously choose to have a baby through an anonymous sperm bank, aiming to match the vital statistics that would allow their child to inherit traits from both mothers.

Upon deciding to have a child, Ann and Leslie engage in extensive planning for their new roles as parents. They discuss the logistics of how they will navigate parenthood together, with Ann ready to carry the baby and Leslie preparing to become a full-time mother.

Ann and Leslie visit the anonymous sperm bank to make their selection, filled with hopes and dreams about the future. The process is emotional as they consider the traits they hope their child will inherit, reflecting on their shared values and love.

After a year of trying and worrying about every step, Ann finally discovers she is pregnant. This moment brings a mix of joy and anxiety as both women begin to prepare for the new arrival and the changes ahead.

Initially, both Ann and Leslie continue to juggle their professional lives alongside pregnancy. As Ann experiences the physical changes of pregnancy, she finds it challenging to balance demanding work hours with her growing responsibilities and concerns as a mother-to-be.

With the pregnancy progressing, Ann and Leslie dive into preparations for the baby. They attend Lamaze classes and create a baby shower registry, excited yet overwhelmed by the impending changes.

As they prepare to become parents, the couple faces questions from family about how to explain their unique family structure to their nieces and nephews. They navigate these conversations together, emphasizing the importance of acceptance and understanding.

In the eighth month of pregnancy, Leslie makes the decision to leave her job. She begins to focus on her new role as a full-time mother, preparing to welcome Baby Grace into their lives.

As Ann's pregnancy nears its end, she continues to work long hours, all while managing her growing belly. She often frets about the challenges of motherhood, but her excitement for the arrival of their baby keeps her motivated.

Baby Grace is born on schedule, marking a joyous occasion for Ann and Leslie. She arrives with striking red hair, a surprising trait for both mothers, and they begin to embrace their new life as a family.

Once Baby Grace is born, Gund starts documenting the day-to-day life of the Krsul-Sullivan household during Grace's first year. The narrative captures the challenges and joys of parenting as they navigate common obstacles and those unique to their family structure.

As new parents, Ann and Leslie face various challenges that test their relationship and commitment. Armed with love and mutual support, they learn to overcome hurdles together, finding joy in the small moments of family life.

Throughout the first year, they work to create a nurturing environment for Baby Grace. They weave in their identities as lesbian parents, openly discussing the values they wish to instill in their child and how to educate others about their family.

Ann and Leslie celebrate the milestones of Grace’s first year, cherishing moments like her first steps and first words. These experiences solidify their bond as a couple and as a family, and fill their home with laughter and love.