Hoda Kotb and her fiancé, Joel Schiffman, are parents to two beautiful girls, Haley, 4, and Hope, 2. And while the two initially felt like their family was complete after adopting the two girls, they came to realize that they had more love in their hearts that could be showered upon a third child. As such, they set the ball into motion to adopt baby number three, hoping that the adoption process would be as easy as it had been the first two times around. However, those plans have been put on hold with the slowdown of the adoption process countrywide.
The Today anchor appeared on Watch What Happens Live on July 15. During her time, she gave an update on how her adoption process was going with baby number three.
"Apparently it's really slow during this time during COVID," Kotb said to the host, Andy Cohen, according to Today.
She went on to say, "I thought it would be a different game."
The game that the mother-of-two is referring to is women putting their babies up for adoption. Instead of being ready to let their babies go to a home where they feel a better life could be had, mothers are making the decision to keep the babies instead.
Kotb said that the adoption agency told her that "a lot of people who maybe normally would feel like it would be something they'd want to do—have a child and give it to someone to raise because they couldn't—are holding on to things because they don't have anything in that moment, so that's what I've heard from our agency."
The journalist concluded, stating, "Everything's slow."
While the news would get some people down, Kotb is remaining positive about the whole process. And to do so, she is using some wise words to keep herself from losing hope that a third adoption will happen for her and Schiffman.
"They say wait wisely and just be, so we're just gonna be," Kotb explained.
The last several years have been busy and life-changing for Kotb.
According to Parade, it was in 2017 that her first daughter, Haley Joy, was brought into her life. And it was on that day that Kotb realized that miracles happen.
"I believe in miracles. My first one happened 3 years ago," the proud mother captioned an Instagram post on Haley's third birthday.
After experiencing two years of joy with little Haley, Kotb was blessed with a second baby in 2019, Hope Catherine.
According to the publication, Haley took to her new little sister instantly and just wants to protect and shower Hope with kisses.
While adopting two baby girls would be enough news on its own, Kotb shared some other amazing news in November 2020, according to E! News.
At that time, while on-air, Kotb announced that she and Schiffman were engaged.
For those who believe in fairytales, Kotb is living hers right now. And the perfect ending to her happily ever after would be news that baby number three was finally on the way.