Living for the MOMent

Every mom longs to be told “Happy Mother’s Day,” but the experience is especially moving for four local women who never thought they’d hear a child speak those wonderful words.

Years of failed pregnancy attempts dashed their dreams of motherhood. They lived on a lonely childless island, worrying about their biological clock ticking and constantly hearing friends gloat about how wonderful their children are.

But through patience, perseverance and hope, the four women in our story ultimately became mothers by opening their hearts to children who desperately needed a loving and caring home. Adoption has allowed them to enrich a child’s life, and enrich their own lives, as well. Mother’s Day is no longer a day of agony and despair, but rather a day of blessing and gratitude.

A Great (Ad)option

There’s a sparkle in Emily Gaulin’s eyes as she talks about her six-month-old adopted son, Ethan. She loves everything about him — his adorable smile, chubby cheeks and big blue eyes.

“Ethan is one of the best-behaved babies I’ve ever been around,” says Emily, a 24-year-old resident of Eustis. “Being a mom is everything I hoped it would be.”

She wasn’t always sure she would have that opportunity. After marrying her high school sweetheart Michael in 2009, the couple spent two years attempting to conceive a child. Their attempts failed, and a visit to a medical practice revealed that Michael has azoospermia.

“When I learned about Michael’s condition I was upset because that meant I was never going to carry my own child. But I got over it because I love Michael to death.”

The Gaulins considered visiting a fertility clinic but didn’t feel the cost outweighed the risk. They ultimately decided to adopt a baby. Emily was in the delivery room when Ethan was born November 12, 2014.

“It was an extremely beautiful experience, and I instantly fell in love.”

The Gaulins agreed to an open adoption. Emily and Michael visit Ethan’s birth mother every two months and send her pictures.

“I want his real mom to be in his life. That way when we sit down with Ethan and tell him he’s adopted, it won’t be such a hard transition.”

This will be Emily’s first Mother’s Day as an official mother. She has no elaborate plans.

“I’d be perfectly happy sitting at home and being with Michael and Ethan.”

A Bundle of Joy

For Annette Visconti, the prospect of becoming a mother looked bleak.

At age 33, she immediately tried to get pregnant after marrying her husband, Dr. Michael Visconti, in 2009. After receiving a medical diagnosis of unexplained infertility several years later, the couple attempted to adopt a child, but the birth mother decided to keep her baby three weeks before the child was born.

“That was devastating,” says Annette, a resident of Clermont. “I was looking forward to having a child, and I was supposed to be in the delivery room when the mother gave birth. I was going through an emotional breakdown. By then, I was 37 and figured if I didn’t do something soon I’d be 45 and it would be too late. I was considering going to an infertility clinic because I didn’t want to go through the emotional gamble of adoption.”

Fate had different plans. The following year, Annette’s dream finally came true. The Viscontis acted promptly when they learned the Department of Children and Families needed immediate adoptive parents for a baby girl. Annette met her child, Amara Hope, on December 30 — one day before Annette’s birthday. Annette took her home the same day.

“The first time I saw her I fell in love and immediately felt a strong bond. Other than getting married, it was the happiest moment of my life.”

Amara Hope, who today is 5 months old, is a bundle of joy who has been embraced by Annette’s stepdaughter, 11-year-old Emily Visconti.

“Emily feeds Amara, sits in the back of the car with her and makes her laugh,” Annette says. “She is a wonderful big sister.”

Annette has no regrets about not experiencing natural childbirth. “If I would have gotten pregnant then Amara would not be my baby. She was meant to be my baby.”

Keep the Faith, Baby

Dr. Nicole Hancock loves being part of a successful podiatry practice. But at the end of the day, she’s always ready to rush home. There’s a reason for that. Awaiting her is 10-month-old Abbi, a beautiful baby who has an adorable smile and bursts with personality.

For Nicole, 40, it’s heartwarming to see Abbi reach those memorable milestones — crawling, teething and sitting up on her own.

“She has brought so much joy into my life,” says Nicole, a podiatrist who works at Lakeside Foot and Ankle Center with her husband Jason, who also is a podiatrist.

There was a time when Nicole wondered whether she’d ever become a mother. For six years, she could not conceive a child naturally or through IVF treatment. Doctors ultimately discovered that she had endometriosis.

“It was devastating,” she says. “I went through a mourning process, and it was hard to be out in public and see other mothers pushing their babies in strollers. I was happy in other areas of my life, but I wasn’t okay with not being a mom.”

The Hancocks decided adoption was the best option, and they took Abbi home when she was 24 hours old.

“I have no regrets about not giving birth to Abbi. She was born in my heart instead of my belly.”

Today, Nicole and Jason enjoy taking the beautiful blue-eyed baby to local festivals in Mount Dora and Leesburg. And when they’re visiting relatives, Abbi  always is the center of attention.

“Her grandparents are over the moon around her.”

Little Saviors

When people compliment Linda Bennett for saving her two adopted boys, she always provides the same response.

“I tell them that my children are the ones who saved me.”

Linda and her husband Andrew spent 10 years attempting to conceive a child. Their efforts proved unsuccessful, and doctors could not pinpoint a medical reason for infertility. That took an emotional toll on Linda.

“My extreme desire to become a mother was taking over my life,” says
the 45-year-old Eustis resident. “Every time one of my friends had a baby,
I became angry and sad. I didn’t need to be pregnant or give birth; I
just wanted to become a mother.”

As a result, the Bennetts contacted a private adoption agency and within several days were matched with a child. Their first son, Trekker, was born in 2008.

“We were there throughout part of the pregnancy and it felt like I was pregnant. I craved chocolate, and my hair was never straight again after he was born.”

Several years later, Linda and Andrew fostered 11-week-old Jay. They adopted him in February 2015, and their family was complete. Linda loves parenting two children with different personalities. Trekker is much more laid back and reserved, while Jay is outgoing and rambunctious.

“I literally started working out so I could have the energy to keep up with Jay. But seriously, they’ve brought joy back into my life that I desperately needed. I got me back and I got my happiness back.
And the best part is when women tell me they’re pregnant, I can
celebrate and honestly be happy for them.”