Not a “Pandemic Baby”

A couple months back I was scrolling through my Instagram feed and came across this post by @forloveandlittle. Sara is a fellow blogger and mama. When I saw her post this for her pregnancy announcement, it really struck me and gave me some inspiration for a post of my own:

“You are not the byproduct of a pandemic. You are not the result of your parents inability to social distance. You are not the consequence of a casual decision made in quarantine. You are a dream come true. You are the greatest gift. You are the light. You are the answer to our hopes. You are loved beyond measure.”

There’s a lot of talk going on about a baby boom as a result of this pandemic and everyone being quarantined at home. That people are being careless and having babies without much thought. Jokes being made that it was an accident, an oops. I have seen some really hurtful comments being made during this time towards people that are getting pregnant. These words imply that many “pandemic babies” were not planned or not wanted. Hearing these words breaks my heart because I know that is not the case for so many.

I thought about waiting because I desperately hoped that things would change and improve. But, then we agreed that our desire to grow a family was what was most important to us. I didn’t want to live our lives scared because of the unknown. Sure enough, the Universe had bigger plans for us and one evening I walked out of the bathroom to show Adam that there were two pink lines. After trying for almost a year with Elena, we didn’t think it would happen as quickly as it did this time around. We were both surprised but in the best way possible.

Now, I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t a bit nervous to have a baby during a “pandemic”. Adam and I had always said that once Elena turned one, then we would start talking about trying for another baby. But, when the time rolled around, I was hesitant. I was anxious. For more reasons than one, might I add. How could I bring another baby into this world in its current state? Both Adam and I shared the same concern. The uncertainty of the world gives me anxiety everyday.

This blessing, is not a “pandemic baby” or a “quarantine baby.” He or she may be born during a time that our history books will forever call a “global pandemic” but, that will not define them or the life that they are to lead. They will be so much more than those words.

I hope he or she will always know what a blessing they are and how much they’re loved and wanted. The greatest gift in a tumultuous time. Our sunshine during a confusing and frustrating time. The sweetest addition to our growing family. The answer that we didn’t even know we needed.

As he or she grows up, I don’t doubt that they’ll come to learn that they were part of this “baby boom” during such a crazy time in our lives. Regardless, I want them to know that they were not a product of that. That with or without a global pandemic, they’d be here because we wanted them here with us and we planned for them to be here with us.

A product of love and of desire to grow our family. Not a result of boredom or from being stuck at home, and definitely not an accident. Perfectly made for our little family and I will forever do my best to remind them of that and how special they are.