article: A lesbian couple in North Carolina who documented how they created their new family in a series of online pictures say they are shocked but thankful after people said the catalogue of images were an 'inspiration'. In order to start their new family, the moms, Melanie and Vanessa Iris Roy, decided to each carry a child one year apart. They took photos at each stage of their respective pregnancies, recording when their first child, a son Jax, was born followed by their daughter Ero, a year later. The couple then uploaded the images to Instagram and they quickly went viral - their young family becoming an unexpected internet sensation almost overnight. Scroll down for video . Inspirational: Melanie (left) and Vanessa Iris Roy (right) decided they wanted to start a famiy and each carried a child. In January 2014 Vanessa was pregnant with Jax (left) and a year later Melanie is seen pregnant with Ero (right) as the couple's first born plays at their feet on the beach . The women say they are shocked and overwhelmed at the support their photos have garnered online, after each documented their pregnancy . 'It's crazy to see that people were referring to my family as an inspiration,' Melanie told The Huffington Post. 'We are still in complete shock.' The pictures show the women together when each one is pregnant, in a series of snaps that show how they supported eachother as their bodies - and their family - changed. Other photos show them with one child when the other is expecting, and then with their family of four. Each wanted to be mothers, so they said said the decision to create their family of four was an easy one. The Roys hope by sharing the experience they would inspire other same sex couples to start a family. Melanie added: 'The woman's body is incredible. The way it creates and grows another human being is amazing. We hope that our picture is that sign that some women may need to encourage them to carry a child.' Each of the women said they hope the pictures will inspire others to start a family and celebrate how the body changes during pregnancy . The young family of four recently moved to Charlotte in North Carolina and said the attention has been overwhelming and surprising . The women did not elaborate on how each of them conceived. In January 2014 Vanessa was pregnant with Jax and just 12 months later Melanie was carrying Ero. They were photographed exactly a year apart and then uploaded the photos to  Instagram earlier this year. When the photos became popular - reaching over 150,000 likes on the Facebook page of a Brazilian advocacy group alone - Melanie took to her own page to say thank you. The family-of-four have unwittingly become famous online after their photos went viral, with their children born just one year apart . Vanessa (left) gave birth to Jax (center) in2014, while Melanie gave birth to Ero (right) last year, both women knew they wanted to be mothers . 'I am so thankful for the life I have been given,' she wrote. 'For my two gorgeous healthy kids Jax and Ero. For my kickass wife who is literally my best friend, my therapist, my lover, and my partner in life all wrapped in one. My parents for all the things they sacrificed to give me the childhood I had and the solid foundation built with family, love, and tradition. 'My wife's parents for accepting me as one of their own and always being there for us. 'This positive move to Charlotte wouldn't have been possible if it wasn't for them. I've also been blessed with great friends along the way. Tonight while laying next to my two munchkins my heart was filled with love thinking of how awesome my life is. The couple are pictured celebrating the first birthday of their son Jax (right), who is pictured alongside his younger sibling Ero . Celebrations: The couple and their two children live in Charlotte, North Carolina, and say they feel grateful for their life .
highlights: Melanie and Vanessa Iris Roy, of Charlotte, North Carolina, have both always wanted to be mothers .
  They decided to have family together and that each would carry a child, with Vanessa giving birth to son Jax in 2014 .
  Melanie then became pregnant and the women welcomed their daughter, Ero, months later .
  Couple documented the experience and shared the photos of how they created their new family on Instagram .
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