Jenna Bush Hagerhas had at least two major life milestones this year already: She wasnamed as the new co-hostforToday‘s fourth hour, and she found out she was“very pregnant” with her third child.
“Is the timing ideal? Not really. We are launching something new and I’ll be taking maternity leave this fall. But it’s not about that,” Bush Hager, 37, tells PEOPLE of her pregnancy and new job.
But she also says her coworkers have been nothing but supportive to her and her new co-host,Hoda Kotb, who recently welcomed daughterHope Catherinevia adoption on April 12.
“There was no hesitation when I told anybody at work. It is a beautiful journey for you and your family. And I know they feel the same way for Hoda,” Bush Hager continues in this week’s issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday.
Nathan Congleton/NBC
Bush Hagerannounced her own pregnancyon April 22, six days after Kotb revealed she had adopted her new bundle of joy. TheTodayhostwill welcome a son to her familythat also includes daughtersPoppy Louise, 3½, andMargaret “Mila” Laura, 6.
“These decisions about expanding our families are personal … our work is wonderful and I’m thrilled with how our show is going. But it’s really forward thinking,” Bush Hager tells PEOPLE.
“And the fact thatHoda and I get to start this journey together[with babies] who will be months apart and we get to do the show together,” she continues, “we are creating these new things together. New lives, and a new show as a team.”
Jenna Bush Hager/Instagram
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While the former first daughter celebrated her pregnancy, she alsoput positive thoughts into the universefor a sibling for her friend Kotb’s 2-year-old daughterHaley Joy.
“But at the same timeI was starting a show withsomeone I so admire, and someone I knew wanted to expand her family,” she adds to PEOPLE.
Hoda Kotb covers PEOPLE with daughters Hope and Haley.Brian Doben
In response, Kotb, 54, tells PEOPLE that Bush Hager is “one of the most empathetic people I’ve ever met.”
“[It] made my heart hurt that she felt bad, but also, it made me love her so much more,” theTodayco-host shares. “On your best day, somehow you’re worried about how I’m feeling.”
She adds, “I think babies come when they’re supposed to come. Ithink your heart has to be open, so when Jenna was telling me that, I was thinking to myself, ‘My time’s coming too.’ I feel everything happens right on time.”
For more from Jenna Bush Hager andHoda Kotb, pick up the latest issue ofPEOPLE, on newsstands Friday.
source: people.com
