Pregnant Without My Mom

I am 20 weeks pregnant with my first child (a girl!) and my husband and I are thrilled about our upcoming arrival. Like many women, I always thought the first person I would tell about my pregnancy, besides the father-to-be of course, would be my mom. I had long pictured the look of excitement on her face when I told her the news, us picking out baby furniture and a layette together, her being my go-to babysitter when my husband and I needed a break, and her answering of all my child-rearing questions for many years to come. I never envisioned being a mom without my mom.

But two years ago this month, I lost her to breast cancer. At age 34, I wasn’t prepared to be without my mom, let alone be a mom without her. As much as I always knew I wanted to be a parent, it took me until just a few months ago to even want to become pregnant and go on this journey without her. And now that I am pregnant, I find myself having to think about things I never thought I’d have to. I have to find a baby nurse (I didn’t envision needing one before because my mom lived so close and I knew she would help me in those first few days and weeks), and a full-time nanny for when I go back to work. (My mom had retired a few months before she was diagnosed with cancer and had already made it clear she wanted the job one day.)

People ask me how I am feeling during my pregnancy, and physically I feel great. The most pain I’ve had is not having my mom here to see the one thing she couldn’t wait for–me to have a child.

I know from the moment my daughter is born and through all the milestones of her life–her first steps, her first day of school–I will think about all of the special moments my mom is missing. But I am comforted by the fact that I know I will be a great mom because I had a wonderful role model. My mom was caring, fun, thoughtful, silly, and always made me feel like the most important person in the world.

Another comfort: a few months before she passed away, I told my mom the name I would give my daughter if I ever had a girl. I saw her face light up at my choice and heard her say the name out loud. My daughter will be given that name and I smile knowing my mom will know it.

JESS MICHAELS is the Director of Communications for the American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey, a not for profit organization dedicated to promoting and enhancing the quality of the summer camp experience and helping families find the right summer camp for their child. She and her husband Mike live on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and are expecting their first child this December. She looks forward to raising her child in New York City and taking advantage of all that the city has to offer young children.

LeapUp Learning

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">At our Mandarin Chinese Immersion Day Camp we will take your kids on an exciting, imaginative journey to famous Chinese cities. History, geography, architecture, unique customs and traditions, food and more will be introduced to kids in an interactive, fun and immersive language environment. Age appropriate activities such as games, storytelling, art projects, music and theater, sports and cooking as well as special demonstrations or performances.</span></p>

Super Soccer Stars

<p>Soccer Stars is New York&rsquo;s most popular youth educational soccer program! With 24 years of experience under our cleats, we have positively impacted over one million kids in our local community by putting the FUN in FUNdamentals in our weekly classes and camps.</p> <p>At Soccer Stars, we use the soccer ball as a vehicle to help children not only improve their soccer skills, but develop self-confidence and physical literacy, improve gross motor skills, build teamwork, and hone socialization skills. Our highly trained coaches and early childhood experts lead an age-specific curriculum with a low kid-to-coach ratio so every child gets individual attention and can grow at their own pace.</p> <p>Kids ages 1-12+ can join our seasonal programs, including Parent &amp; Me, FUNdamentals, Development Training, and Travel Soccer. Join us at one of over 80 locations in neighborhoods across across Westchester County, Connecticut and New York, available 7 days-a-week:</p> <p><strong>Connecticut:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Cos Cob</li> <li>Greenwich</li> <li>Port Chester</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Westchester:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Briarcliff</li> <li>Eastchester</li> <li>Mt. Kisco</li> <li>New Rochelle</li> <li>Ridgefield</li> <li>Scarsdale</li> <li>White Plains</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>New York City:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Bronx</li> <li>Inwood</li> <li>Upper West Side</li> <li>Upper East Side</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Can&rsquo;t find a class or location that fits your schedule? Soccer Stars also offers private classes for small groups or individual training. Let our coaches come to you with a completely customizable program, anytime, anywhere. Birthday parties are also available!&nbsp;</p>

TADA! Youth Theater

<div> <p dir="ltr"><strong>TADA! Youth Theater Summer Camps (July 10-August 25, 2023)</strong>&nbsp;Gotta Sing! Gotta Dance! TADA! is excited to be back in person with our popular Week-long Musical Theater Summer Camps!&nbsp; Every week your child will:</p> <p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li>ENGAGE IN MUSICAL THEATER TRAINING</li> <li>CREATE, REHEARSE &amp; PERFORM AN ORIGINAL MINI- MUSICAL</li> <li>EXPLORE THEIR INTERESTS AND IDENTITY</li> <li>SHARE THEIR VOICE AND BE HEARD</li> <li>RECEIVE INDIVIDUALIZED ATTENTION AND SOLO OPPORTUNITIES</li> <li>EXPERIENCE ENSEMBLE-BASED INSTRUCTION BY TWO PROFESSIONAL NYC TEACHING ARTISTS</li> <li>MAKE CONNECTIONS WITH NEW FRIENDS</li> </ul> On the last day of camp, we invite friends and family to attend the debut of your child&rsquo;s original mini-musical!<br /> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p dir="ltr">Limited spots available! All of our classes take place in-person at 15 W. 28th Street (between Broadway &amp; 5th) and culminate in a final sharing for an invited audience.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>For more info or to register for our Summer Camps, visit our website&nbsp;<a href="https://tadatheater.com/summercamps/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://tadatheater.com/summercamps/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1682524227382000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1jPPuT0S0YVPJg0I1oXofv">HERE!</a></strong></p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Looking for a sample class before registering?</strong>&nbsp;Join us Saturday, June 3rd for an in-person sample class, Q&amp;A, and the best discount of the summer!&nbsp; Registration required to attend!&nbsp;</p> <p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><strong>For more info. or to register for our Summer Open house, click&nbsp;<a href="https://tadatheater.com/open-house/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://tadatheater.com/open-house/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1682524227382000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2CheiFLQooj66wqzmTeKCc">HERE!</a></strong></p> <p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><strong>No child should be turned away because of their inability to pay.&nbsp;</strong></p> <p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="https://tadatheater.com/financial-assistance/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://tadatheater.com/financial-assistance/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1682524227382000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1-oTxJlL31iv2yEG3kUDrj">Financial Assistance available.&nbsp;</a></strong></p> <p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Questions?</strong></p> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Email us at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:[email protected]" target="_blank" rel="noopener">[email protected]</a></strong></div> </div> <div> <div dir="ltr" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"> <div dir="ltr"> <div dir="ltr"> <div dir="ltr"> <div dir="ltr"> <div dir="ltr"> <div dir="ltr"> <div>&nbsp;</div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>