April Mom of the Month {2020}

Memphis is full of amazing moms: working moms, stay-at-home moms, single moms, moms of multiples, etc. We want to highlight some of those moms! Each month we will feature one special mom as MMB’s mom of the month.

Jennifer grew up in Fresno and Seattle before moving to Memphis in 1994. She graduated from Rhodes College with a BA in Biology, and was a first chair violinist in the university orchestra and senior quartet. She has been in the medical and pharmaceutical industry for the last 16 years, and is currently specializing in oncology rare disease. Jennifer and her husband are very involved with a missionary group called Be Free Revolution, where they travel to Africa 1-2 times per year working with children and young adults. She also is passionate about rescue animals and is currently a member of the Memphis Animal Shelter Advisory Board. Along with her husband Robert, a Senior bond broker at Carty and Co Inc., she has 1 child Farrah (6 months) and 3 fur babies (Duke, Niele, and Shortcake). She loves restaurant patios, decorating/ shopping, movie nights, and traveling!

We asked Jennifer:

1. What encouraging words can you give a mom who’s walking through an infertility season?

First, I would tell them that they are not alone. They will experience a strength from this that they didn’t know was in them, and when their miracle baby gets here, it will be sweeter than anything they could have imagined. I would encourage them to not try to do this journey in secret/silence. Find friends going through the same thing. Join an infertility group or even an online group. I did this, and I ended up with an amazing support group of women across the world. You can even call or message me and I will cheer you on! Be kind to yourself and surround yourself with supportive friends and family. Its ok to say no to that baby shower or gender reveal if it’s too tough on you emotionally. Take this time to enjoy things that you can’t with a new baby. We did a lot of fun trips and date nights, house projects, etc. Anything to keep busy and still have some fun! As a reminder national infertility week is April 23-29th!

2. Now that the baby is here, what have you learned?

Why sleep deprivation is a form of torture ! Just kidding, well kind of. I’ve learned a lot about myself actually. Things I thought I wouldn’t be able to do, I’ve learned to adapt. You learn to go with the flow and that everything being perfectly in place is just not going to happen all the time. You learn what true unconditional love looks like and grace. That you love your spouse in a whole new way, when you watch them with your child. And that being a mother is unlike anything else. It’s a whole new perspective, and I have so much respect for other moms now. Most importantly, I’ve learned that God’s delays are not God’s denials. Infertility was one thing I was totally powerless over. I could not control, fix, or speed it up. There was nothing I could “ do “ to help. Looking at her is a reminder of His faithfulness and my journey realizing how to surrender to that.

3. What do you love most about being a new mom?

The thing I love the most about being a new mom is enjoying the little changes and milestones our child has. Watching her grow and change has been a gift, and I love experiencing everything. From her first smile, to laugh, and now rolling over, discovering her toes, and all the new sounds she makes. Catching her waking up with a smile in the morning and seeing that huge grin is just the best!