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.”

W hat gave A nnette hope? What gave Annette “My husband’s optimism and positive attitude are contagious, and he kept me sane even in the darkest of times.”