First-time mom performs balancing act in pandemic

“When the initial shutdown began in mid-March, I was seven months pregnant, and my sister was due to deliver her first baby any day. It was a time full of excitement, of course, but also a lot of uncertainty — the uncertainty of what was going on with my body and the baby inside, and the uncertainty of the virus.

“My biggest concern was to do whatever was necessary to keep my newborn niece, parents, in-laws and unborn baby safe. Luckily, my company instituted a work-from-home mandate, so I really didn’t have to go anywhere other than doctor’s appointments. My husband, Ben, went to all the appointments with me until he was no longer allowed. Even then, he would either take me or meet me in the doctor’s parking lot for support. We even FaceTimed during our final ultrasound.

“My sister also surprised us with a drive-by/Zoom baby shower. Thank goodness for technology.

“Fast-forwarding to the arrival of Nora on May 4, we couldn’t have any visitors at the hospital. But it worked out for the best because we had a chance to really bond with her.

“Although the feeling of uncertainty has never gone away — are we doing this parenting thing right? is she eating enough? what is she thinking? — Nora has brought us such happiness.

“I just feel so grateful to have had the opportunity to work from home and spend so much time with her, when I wouldn’t have been able to in a normal year.”

— Alyssa Linares Reilly