Tell us about you and your family:
My husband Paul and I just celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary in August. We have 3 beautiful girls: Nina is 7 and in 2nd grade at Midland, Ava is 5 and in the 5s program at RPNS and our newest addition, Joelle, was born on September 26th. Paul works as a CFO at a hedge fund in Greenwich and I am real estate agent in NYC (although since Joelle was born I’ve decided I’m going to take a step back for a while).
What was it like having a baby in 2020? Any particular challenges? Joys?
We found out we were pregnant in January, right when we were beginning to hear whisperings of what was going on in Wuhan. Never in a million years did we think that 9 months later we would be having a baby during a pandemic. In case that wasn’t enough, we were also living through a major home renovation this summer that thankfully finished just in time for Joelle’s arrival.
When Joelle was born, we were so grateful that we were able to be in the hospital together. There were so many unbelievable stories out there of mothers having to deliver their babies without anyone there for emotional support and fathers missing the births of their babies. We were relieved when those restrictions subsided but it was a bit surreal how eerily quiet the halls were and that there were no visitors allowed. Even during labor and delivery, despite a negative Covid test, we had to be masked the entire time.
Coming home with a newborn during a pandemic came with such mixed emotions. You want the whole world to meet this little person that is so important to you but it’s just not possible. Normally I would have family flooding in to meet our new baby and this time very few people have had the chance to meet Joelle. I’m really looking forward to the day that we can introduce her to the world.
What has 2020 taught you?
Like with most people, it has definitely taught us to appreciate all of the privileges we used to have and not take even the littlest things for granted, like a simple date night or a play date for the kids. It’s such a great feeling getting to see our kids get so excited over little things like seeing a friend in person or having a virtual birthday party. It puts it all into perspective.
Anything else you'd like to share?
Large celebrations like weddings and baby showers were canceled left and right but a small group of my Rye mom friends threw me an outdoor sprinkle this summer, and the circumstances made it all the more special and appreciated.
Joelle won’t remember the world she came into but we will have a lot of great memories to share with her. Her presence has been such a blessing to our family and it’s been amazing for us all to be home more with her than we may have been if it was any other year. Joelle also will have a pandemic crew to grow up with. Our street welcomed 3 pandemic babies over the last few months and we can’t wait to be able to see these kids grow up together.
Comments