Tatyana Ali has come a long way from her days as everyone’s favorite little sister, Ashley Banks, on the hit tv show The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. The 37-year-old actress transformed right in front of our eyes from the small screen, landing several big screen projects to add to her resume. In addition to her successful acting career, Ali has proven that she is a remarkable R&B songstress through her latest EP, which is available on ITunes, 2014’s Hello. So what’s The Fresh Prince of Bel Air alum up to now-a-days? Well, waiting on her first bundle of joy!
Ali and husband Dr. Vaughn Rasberry are excitedly awaiting the birth of their first child, due any day now. Ali has kept fans in the loop as to her pregnancy by blogging and posting on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The actress has shared pictures, thoughts, feelings, and desires with her followers about her pregnancy journey. Every expectant parent experiences a medley of emotions ranging from excitement to nerves to being down right terrified, wanting nothing but the best from the onset for their little star.
“Babies enter the world with no baggage,” comments Ali in her blog. “They carry little else but full potential. Pristine, now in the womb environment — where I’ve done my best to keep my body, mind and spirit clean — kicking and tumbling, trying to find space, my little one is protected by my flesh, my actions, even my thoughts.”
Spending time at her sewing machine making neutral-colored curtains and throw pillows to decorate the baby’s room, the couple has chosen not to know the sex of the baby until it is born, Ali has gone that extra mile to ensure that the spirit of Zen that she has nourished throughout her pregnancy is carried through even right down to her nursery theme. “I tried to keep the room innocent, to imbue the nursery with some of my Afro-Caribbean and Vaughn’s Afro-American heritage, but with nothing that could suggest social or political context — only soothing colors, an angel baby from Lladró and pictures and paintings of animal parents and their babies,” said Ali. “I brought in a little glamorous grounding for my own sake, with baskets and a Moroccan-inspired rug.”
Ali, her husband Vaughn, her parents, in-laws, friends and family are prepared to receive their bundle of joy with open arms. It takes a village to raise a child, or as Ali states, “I am learning that a child raises up a village. It’s as if we have all woken up and been reminded that life is precious. Nothing seems mundane now. There is no getting to it later. Everything is pulsing with meaning and purpose.”
Ali may have a point. Children are a gift and do remind us that life can be pure, innocent, and untainted. Their smiles should remind us that we, at one point, were once ourselves tiny little beacons of hope for a better tomorrow. Congratulations to the happy couple. We can’t wait to see if it’s a boy or a girl!
