There is a baby boom happening at the Knee Center.
Conor Norris
We have a rule that when members of the Knee Center comment on active legislation, we “educate, not advocate.” I am not quite sure if that rule holds true for this blog post as well, but I certainly could not write about the most important woman in my life in an unbiased manner. And I am armed with far fewer numbers and figures than I am comfortable with.
My wife is still two weeks away from welcoming our baby into the world. We are losing sleep in anticipation, unlike Troy and Drake’s families who are losing sleep for other reasons. The preparation has been a whirlwind, readying the house, getting ahead (or less behind) on work projects, and repeatedly going through our checklist of things for baby.
Watching Melanie over the past nine months has been rewarding and unlike any other experience. Our child has not even arrived yet, but she has already made us new people. Seeing the love and effort that Melanie has been putting into the preparation for our child warms my heart. If you have ever met an economist, you would know how much of an accomplishment it is.
I am thankful for our families, who have done so much to help us. I am also thankful for the good people at the Mercatus Center. Melanie and I actually met at the university-based center leadership summit that they used to hold, so without the Mercatus Center, we would not have met.
Troy Carneal
Three weeks ago, my wife and I added a new bundle of joy to our family. Even though at times the nine preceding months were rough, we could not have done it without the love and support of different mothers in our lives. Whether it was moms from our church family, different family members, our sister-in-law, or other pregnant friends, each mother provided valuable insight on any topic that we had a question on. It was nice to feel that we were not going through this new season of life alone.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the two women who have given us the most support: our moms. We are blessed to have two wonderful examples of unconditional love in our moms. No matter the circumstances, no matter the request, they were there for us. Whether my wife was craving a specific sandwich from a restaurant near them or needed a hand to hold through contractions, they made the six hour drive each time. To our moms: we love you and wouldn’t want to go through this journey without you!
Watching your wife become a mom is the coolest thing ever. As the months went by, I became more appreciative of the mental, physical, and emotional sacrifice she undertook by carrying our child. In addition, I underestimated just how strong my wife could be until I saw her push herself to her absolute limit during delivery. As we face new challenges postpartum, I am reminded just how loving, patient, and selfless my wife is to our family. Seeing her as a mother makes me fall in love with her more each day. As my wife continually reminds me, being a mother is the most important and rewarding job that a woman can have in this world.
Drake Thibodaux
I want to recognize two incredible mothers today.
When I was a child, my mother, Tiffany Thibodaux, made the decision to return to Nicholls State University to earn her bachelor’s degree while working full time, being a devoted wife, and raising three children. As a child, I could never fully appreciate what that required. Only after pursuing my own graduate degrees while working full time, becoming a husband, father, and balancing life’s many responsibilities have I begun to understand the strength, sacrifice, and perseverance that journey demanded. Mom, thank you for every sacrifice you made, every ounce of love you gave, and for the example you set for our family. Happy Mother’s Day!
And then there is my incredible wife, Amy. I genuinely do not believe I have ever met a stronger or more selfless person. From the very beginning of her pregnancy with our beautiful daughter Bridget, I watched Amy endure constant sickness, exhaustion, discomfort, fear, and every physical and emotional challenge that comes with bringing a child into the world, all while continuing to be my greatest source of love and support.
Then came Bridget’s arrival, sooner than we expected. Amy was diagnosed with hypertension at 36 weeks, then preeclampsia during labor. She endured 27 hours of labor, three failed epidurals, exhaustion, and unimaginable pain, yet she kept going and brought our perfect little girl into the world. Bridget’s arrival was not without its own scares, including time in the NICU shortly after birth and later visits to Ruby Memorial Hospital, including the Children’s ER and PICU. To the incredible doctors and nurses who cared for our daughter during those frightening moments, thank you. Your compassion and care meant more to our family than words can express.
Today, Bridget is a healthy, beautiful, happy three-month-old that I am completely obsessed with. From the very beginning of her pregnancy to this very moment, Amy has been nothing short of amazing. Watching the way she loves our daughter with such tenderness, strength, and devotion has made me admire her even more than I thought possible. Amy, thank you for every sacrifice, every sleepless night, every moment of fear, and for giving me the greatest gift I have ever received. If there is one decision in my life I know I got right, it was asking you to be my wife.
Happy first Mother’s Day, Dr. Amy Michelle Thibodaux!
We’re enjoying our tiny baby boom here at the Knee Center. At the same time, we recognize that not every family’s journey into parenthood is as fortunate as ours has been.
Maternal care is an incredibly important issue that often does not receive the attention it deserves. That is why it is important to highlight insightful work like the recent Substack by Jessica Dobrinsky at the Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy, which explores the impact that policy and regulation are having on maternal care in West Virginia. It’s worth reading if you are interested in this topic and in providing mothers with the absolute best care, something they are very deserving of. To all the mothers out there Happy Mother’s Day from the Knee Regulatory Research Center!