A toy baby doll lies in a basinet on Sunday, April 24, 2016. Haylie Payne, 8, is practicing how to take care of a baby so that she is prepared when her little sister is born.
Traci Howells is a 35-year-old mother in her final year of undergraduate school at the University of Missouri. Her age, her stage of life and now her pregnant belly makes her stand out in the sea of early 20-year-olds in college. Though Howells didn't plan to be pregnant for her last year or for her due date to be the day of graduation, Howells and her husband Pratt were excited to welcome a second child into their family.
Haylie Payne, 8, looks up at her mother, Traci Howells, as they work on homework together in their home on Sunday, April 24, 2016. Traci is an undergraduate at the University of Missouri and Haylie is in 3rd grade.
After the baby kicks, Traci Howells guider her daughter's hand to feel the movement in their home on Sunday, April 24, 2016. Traci was due to have her second daughter on May 29 and she was named Harper Rose.
A nurse performs an ultrasound to hear Harper Rose's heartbeat during Traci Howells' weekly prenatal checkups at the Smiley Lane OB/GYN clinic on Wednesday April 27, 2016. Traci plans on having a "low-intervention delivery" at MU Women's and Children's Hospital.
Haylie Payne, 8, left, draws on the white board while her mother and classmates work on their capstone project in Strategic Communications in Responsibility Hall on Sunday, April 24, 2016. Since Traci's husband works odd hours, she often has to bring Haylie along to her classes. "Haylie was a real trooper this year," Traci said. "I hope that she will one day remember how hard I worked for my education and be inspired to do the same."
Traci Howells browses around Target for ideas for when the baby is born on Friday, April 29, 2016. Traci did not plan on having more children after Haylie, but after getting remarried, her husband Pratt Howells wanted a child. They did not intend on being pregnant for Traci's last year of school though.
Pratt Howell touches Traci Howell's stomach and speaks to the baby while cooking breakfast in their home on Wednesday, May 4, 2016. Traci and Pratt got married in June of 2015.
Traci Howells eats ice while preparing the room for their capstone dress rehearsal presentation in the Alumni Center on Thursday, April 28, 2016. Traci is 35-years-old and works in groups for her classes with students that are 19 and 22 years old. She said that she feels out of place by her age and now especially by her pregnancy.
