Sanford mom takes maternity photos at Central Fla. Chipotle
Sanford resident Jordan-Leigh Beal’s road to pregnancy has been bumpy. She and her husband, Corey Beal, have four children but experienced three miscarriages and an ectopic pregnancy.
Now the pair are expecting their fifth child, due in August.
“The ectopic pregnancy took place right before this baby was conceived, so this is a rainbow baby,” said the 25-year-old model who suffers from a rare pregnancy complication called hyperemesis gravidarum, which causes severe nausea, vomiting, weight loss and dehydration.
As a result, she had to find “safe foods” that won’t make her nauseous or vomit.
“Chipotle has been my safe food since I was like three or four weeks pregnant,” she said. “So, it’s been really sentimental for me the entire pregnancy. And it’s basically what has kept me and my baby alive and what we’ve been able to eat to gain weight and stay healthy.”
Jordan-Leigh Beal was an occasional Chipotle customer before her pregnancy, but after conceiving, she ordered sofritas tacos, burritos or burrito bowls at least four days a week, though she said there have been weeks that merited daily orders.
Since Chipotle has played a major role in the pregnancy, the high school sweethearts originally from Massachusetts decided it was the ideal location for their maternity photo shoot.
Corey Beal, often the one picking up food, reached out to the Chipotle on Lake Mary Boulevard to arrange the details. The store agreed, though COVID-19 complicated scheduling a bit.
“They were really accommodating,” she said. “When we were there, taking the pictures, they were all so nice about it. And they were all complimenting us, and it was great.”
The pair worked with Rebecca Pace of Rebecca Shines Photography to capture the photos inside and outside “their Chipotle.”
“I’m just glad that it’s raising awareness for HG, for hyperemesis gravidarum, because a lot of people really just assume that it’s a craving and I just love Chipotle that much, which I do, don’t get me wrong, but there’s so much more to it, and it’s special to us for that reason,” she said.
The couple doesn’t know the baby’s gender, but they know one thing for sure: There will be another Chipotle shoot, next time with the newborn.
“I plan to recreate the photos with the baby at the same exact Chipotle,” she said. “We want to do a burrito costume and everything. Hopefully, it’s gonna be like the cutest thing ever.”
For more about the couple and their journey, subscribe to their YouTube channel HapBealyEverAfter.