Dear Families

Many of you have noticed and commented on my rapidly expanding belly and to those who I haven’t seen yet or have been too timid to ask—it is true!! Gianni and I are happily expecting our first child due in May of 2014.

Personally for me, pregnancy and becoming a parent is something I have wanted and dreamed about for as long as I can remember. The intense emotions that come with this experience are both amazing and humbling all at the same time. One minute I feel excited and ready and the next terrified and ill equipped. Between organizing our home, reading the latest baby books, picking names, and deciding on baby gear, it’s easy to get carried away with all that there is to do. Like any major life change it’s easy to loose perspective of what is important and it takes effort to stay grounded and not to get carried away with the little things. A few things in my daily life have helped me continue to stay focused on what is truly important throughout this process.

The first is working with you, your families and your children. I am privileged to have the opportunity to be surrounded by parents and children throughout my workday. Working with you as you parent and guide your children through life is truly a blessing. Through you I see what miracles babies, children and families are.

The second is feeling the kicks and movements of my baby deep within my belly. This feeling is something that can’t be described in words. Each kick is a subtle reminder of how much larger this miracle is than any little stress that the preparation of having a baby brings. Every time I feel it I am completely at peace and completely grounded.

The third is my partner in this process, my husband Gianni. It is hard to get to overwhelmed when I am constantly confronted by his joking ways and laughter. He has a knack for reading my stress and combating that with a dance or funny comment. I hope that our baby will inherit this playful wit from him because life really is a lot more fun with laughter in it.

So with this I will continue to enjoy this miracle of pregnancy and eventual parenthood one day at a time. Continuing to count my blessings and remembering that the process of pregnancy is as much about enjoying the journey, as it is about the prize you receive at the end.

Best,

Jean Russo CPNP