So, you’d think that by now—after all these years of writing and rewriting What to Expect books—I’d be able to do it by myself, in my sleep, and (hey, why not?) with two hands tied behind my back. Well, the sleep part—I’ve probably done at least once or twice on deadlines, but I’ve always needed two hands (it’s a typing thing) and I’ve always needed lots of help. I couldn’t do what I do by myself—and I wouldn’t want to try.
I owe so much to so many, but let’s start with thanks to:
Erik, not only the man who planted the seed for What to Expect (literally, since he’s the father of Emma, the baby who started it all), but the man who’s helped me grow, nurture, nourish, and protect it—really, co-parent it. You know how they say that the more things change, the more they stay the same? Plenty has changed about my life and my life’s work since the day I delivered Emma and a proposal for What to Expect When You’re Expecting within just hours of each other, but there is one thing that, lucky me, stays the same (only consistently better): the man I work with, live with, and love with. And the babies we made together, Emma and Wyatt, who long ago passed me in height and shoe size—and, I like to joke, in age—but who will always be my bundles of joy (and adding to the joy, son-in-law Russell). And of course, to Lennox, for making me a grandmother, and the happiest imaginable one at that—but also for his contributions to First Year (chief among them, being in his first year while I was writing it). And for being the cutest cover baby ever, and that’s not just the grandma talking.
Always, Arlene Eisenberg, my first partner in What to Expect and always my most valued. Your legacy of caring and compassion continues to shape, inform, inspire, and, of course, live on through the next generation of What to Expect and beyond. You will always be loved and never be forgotten. All my family, especially Sandee Hathaway, Howard Eisenberg, Abby and Norman Murkoff, and Victor Shargai.
Sharon Mazel, for taking up the What to Expect mission without hesitation, joining me on the third edition of What to Expect When You’re Expecting … and, thankfully, never leaving me, even as the hours (and the indexes) got longer. Great minds may think alike, but few have probably thought alike as much as we have—and that always makes me smile, and always makes me grateful. Thanks to you, and to Jay, Daniella, Arianne, Kira, and Sophia, for sharing the amazing woman who is your wife and mom.
Suzanne Rafer, friend and editor, one of the very few who’ve been with me since conception—at least of What to Expect. I don’t know if that makes you a glutton for punishment, but I do know it makes you an exceptionally important person in my life. I’ve lost count of editions and passes, but not of the contributions you’ve made to our babies.
Peter Workman—a publishing giant who outgrew many office spaces since the day I first met him, but never outgrew his small publishing roots and values. And everyone else at Workman who has helped so much along the way: Suzie Bolotin, Lisa Hollander, Beth Levy, Barbara Peragine, Jenny Mandel, and Emily Krasner, and all the many in sales and marketing busy selling what I’m writing.
Matt Beard, our favorite photographer (and one of our favorite people ever), for perfectly capturing that Lennox essence for our cover. Lynn Parmentier, for her quilting genius and Karen Kuchar, for babies so beautiful you could practically scratch and sniff their sweetness.
Dr. Mark Widome, professor, pediatrician, and fellow grandparent—not only for knowing it all, but for being able to dispense that knowledge with equal doses of common sense, care, compassion, wisdom, and good humor. I’m more grateful than I can say for vetting our latest baby—my only beef being that you practice too far away to be Lennox’s pediatrician. Happily, that role is filled by LA’s finest, Dr. Lauren Crosby, who has helped Lennox (and his parents) through feeding struggles, sepsis, slow growth, reflux, and more with endless energy and empathy.
The AAP and pediatricians, pediatric nurses, nurse practictioners, and physician assistants everywhere, for caring so much about the health and well-being of our little ones. The passionate doctors, scientists, and public health advocates at the CDC—for absolutely everything you do, and do with such passion and tireless dedication. The greater good is so much better off because of you. And 1,000 Days—for our shared vision (together, we’ll make it happen!): healthy moms, healthy babies, and a healthy future that begins before the beginning.
All of my passionate, purple-wearing friends at WhatToExpect.com, (especially Michael Rose and Diane Otter, Ben Wolin and Scott Wolf, the awesome edit and product team) for making my online and mobile home feel, well, like home. I love working with you, because it never feels like work. My beautiful, sweet, nurturing publicist and friend, Heidi Schaeffer. And the other men in my life: my agent, Alan Nevins, and my attorney, Marc Chamlin.
The amazing USO, for partnering with the What to Expect Foundation to create Special Delivery—and give me the opportunity to hug so many military mamas and babies.
And most of all, to the mamas and daddies who sacrifice sleep, showers, and sit-down meals to nurture the babies we all get to love on. You inspire me every moment of every day. So much love, especially, to my WhatToExpect.com family of families, as well as my Twitter and Facebook families (keep those baby fixes coming!).
Big hugs,