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COLUMBUS, Ga. – A mother-to-be in Georgia decided to keep the sex of her baby a surprise, but she had no idea just how shocked she’d be.

For Dara Crouch, a 50-year family history of all girls made her certain that she, too, would be giving birth to a girl.

Mother Dara Crouch with baby Liam, the first boy in her family’s 50-year history of giving birth to girls. (Courtesy Ker-Fox Photography)

“I just knew I was having a girl,” Crouch, 29, told TODAY. But when the day arrived, and out came a baby boy after four hours in labor, her mouth dropped and her eyes widened in disbelief.

A family friend recalled Crouch saying, “Oh my gosh! It’s a boy; I can’t believe it’s a boy!” when she got to hold her son Liam for the first time.

Photographer Neely Ker-Fox captured the moment in a series of touching images. Ker-Fox told TODAY she noticed a “sweet motherly apprehension” in the minutes leading up to the birth as the couple started wondering if maybe, this time, a baby boy would break the 50-year family trend.

After the surprise of the birth, the family spends some quiet time with Liam. (Courtesy Ker-Fox Photography)

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