Hoda Kotb looks back at her first year as a mom to Haley

Nearly a year after she adopted her baby girl, Haley Joy, Hoda Kotb is opening up about her life as a mom and the unforgettable moment she held her daughter for the first time.

The 53-year-old anchor announced she had adopted a little girl on the Today show in late February, just a few weeks after her ‘Valentine’s day baby’ was born. Over the past year, Hoda has been raising little Haley with her longtime partner, financier Joel Shiffman.  

‘If I had to describe my year in one word, it would be rebirth, because I feel like my life started in 2017,’ she told Today. ‘I feel like I had a life before, but I don’t remember it, and it seems incredibly insignificant compared to what happened in 2017.’

Look of love: Hoda Kotb said her adopted daughter, Haley Joy, filled the hole in her heart when she held her for the first time 

New addition: Hoda, 53, announced she had adopted a little girl on the Today show in late February. Savannah Guthrie was one of many people to visit her and her newborn that month

New addition: Hoda, 53, announced she had adopted a little girl on the Today show in late February. Savannah Guthrie was one of many people to visit her and her newborn that month

Hoda explained that the experiences she has had this year has helped her figure out what matters in life and ‘what love really is.’

The mother-of-one said her favorite memory is when she went to pick up Haley for the first time. Hoda explained that she hadn’t met her daughter yet, but she felt like she ‘always knew her.’ 

Hoda said she was waiting in a room when she heard her daughter crying, and when they opened the door a woman walked in and handed Haley to her.   

‘Literally, when they put her in my arms, it was like the missing piece,’ she said. ‘Without hesitation. She fit. I wept so hard that I worried they thought I was crazy.

‘That moment was the moment my heart felt at peace. I felt the most peaceful I’ve ever felt in my life right then, and every day since.’

Happy family: The mother-of-one is raising Haley with her longtime partner, financier Joel Schiffman 

Happy family: The mother-of-one is raising Haley with her longtime partner, financier Joel Schiffman 

Happy day: 'When they put her in my arms, it was like the missing piece,' Hoda said of holding her daughter for the first time 

Happy day: ‘When they put her in my arms, it was like the missing piece,’ Hoda said of holding her daughter for the first time 

Overjoyed: Although she has bad days like every other parent, Hoda noted that 'every moment is a great moment' for her because she has waited to be a mom for so long 

Overjoyed: Although she has bad days like every other parent, Hoda noted that ‘every moment is a great moment’ for her because she has waited to be a mom for so long 

Although she is over the moon about being a mom, Hoda noted that she has bad days just like any other parent.

Hoda recalled bringing her daughter downstairs when she was crying and having to deal with her dog knocking over a picture that shattered on the floor. She then realized the pup had gone the bathroom on the floor. 

Haley was wailing, and she needed to get her a bottle, but glass was in the way and the dog was barking. Hoda couldn’t let him out because she was by herself in the house, and in the midst of the stressful moment she reminded herself just how much she wanted this. 

‘I said to myself, “I would have begged for this day a year ago.” Every moment is a great moment for me,’ Hoda said. ‘I know motherhood has its trappings, but when you’ve waited as long as I have for it, you don’t think about that.’

Hoda admitted that becoming a mom was nothing like she thought it would be, explaining that she had no idea what she was missing in her life because she had a ‘great family, great friends, a great boyfriend, and a great job’ before she adopted Haley. 

Celebration: Hoda and Joel are gearing up to celebrate Haley's first Christmas 

Celebration: Hoda and Joel are gearing up to celebrate Haley’s first Christmas 

Strike a pose: The couple made sure to pick out the perfect tree for their little girl 

Strike a pose: The couple made sure to pick out the perfect tree for their little girl 

Too cute: Little Haley had a smile on her face when Joel showed her their tiny tree 

Too cute: Little Haley had a smile on her face when Joel showed her their tiny tree 

‘I didn’t realize how much of a hole I had in my heart, that only she could fill. It’s like a Haley-sized hole got filled. And she did it in one second,’ the mom said. 

‘Now, she’s the cure. To everything that ails me, she’s the cure. It doesn’t even matter what the problem is. I’ve never looked at someone and felt all my problems melt away. 

‘I didn’t even know that emotion was possible. I didn’t know any of these emotions were possible. I thought I understood love, but I didn’t. I thought I understood motherhood — because I have a great mom — but I didn’t.’

Hoda noted that although she has had her ‘breakdown days,’ she knows how lucky she truly is.   

For the new year, Hoda said she wants to make a peaceful home for both Haley and Joel to help guard them from the chaos of the outside world. 

New year: 'In 2018, I'm looking forward to more firsts with Haley. I didn't think I'd have firsts at 53!' Hoda said. The mom took Haley to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in November 

New year: ‘In 2018, I’m looking forward to more firsts with Haley. I didn’t think I’d have firsts at 53!’ Hoda said. The mom took Haley to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in November 

Having fun: Hoda dressed Haley up in multiple costumes this Halloween, including this cute pumpkin getup 

Having fun: Hoda dressed Haley up in multiple costumes this Halloween, including this cute pumpkin getup 

Special day: Hoda took Haley to meet her Today show co-stars earlier this year 

Special day: Hoda took Haley to meet her Today show co-stars earlier this year 

‘In 2018, I’m looking forward to more firsts with Haley. I didn’t think I’d have firsts at 53!’ she said. ‘I’m so excited about all of it. I love our family.’ 

Hoda had always wanted a child, but after battling breast cancer in 2008, just one year after her divorce from her husband Burzis Kanga, she didn’t think it was possible.

Last year she admitted that the one thing missing in her life was a child, and when she broached the subject of adoption with Joel, he agreed right away.

The journalist revealed she adopted her daughter during an on-air call with her Today colleagues in February, and the proud mom has been sharing photos of Haley’s milestones ever since. 

Hoda and Joel are gearing up to celebrate their first Christmas with Haley, and the couple made sure to pick out the perfect tree for their little girl.



Read more at DailyMail.co.uk