Happy Birthday, Kaydence

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My Sweet Baby Girl,

Today, you are 10! Double digits baby!!! I still remember every detail about the day you were born. I had my 38th week check up the day before and I was in so much pain. You were ready for the world but I'm not quite sure I was ready for you. Dr. Hutchinson rushed me to Labor and Delivery. He placed me on strict bed rest for the next 24 hours and told me by 8 am the next morning I would be holding you. You know how I tell you things don't always go according to plan but they work out just like they should? Well, your birth was no different.

6 am arrives and Dr. Hutchinson was ready to take me back and prepare for your c-section BUT a trauma patient came in and we got pushed back. To say the least, I was irritated AND I couldn't eat! (And you all know how Mommy gets when she's hungry. #Hangry) At this point, it felt like it was one thing after another! It felt like nothing would go the way it was intended

Finally, somewhere in the 3 o'clock hour, they came to wheel me back. Nana was dressed in her scrubs to greet you and I couldn't have been more pleased. You were born at 4:19 pm...and what a beautiful sight you were. I couldn't see you because they put me to sleep. Everyone told me you were perfect; and of course, you were - you are mine! When I came into the recovery room and I realized what was happening everyone says I only asked one thing "does she have hair?" It was believed that if you didn't have heartburn during your pregnancy then your baby wouldn't have any hair. Your Nana laughed at me and replied: "She has plenty!" 

I know you worry when you see me cry but sometimes, it's happy tears! Other times, I cry because I worry if I've done enough. I wonder if I'm showing you the right way. I wonder how you feel about the life I've given you thus far. Our life hasn't been perfect. We've struggled and Lord knows I've done my best to never let you know it. I love you with every piece of me. I stare at you in pure amazement because I can't believe you're mine. You're so smart, talented, and beautiful. Please don't you EVER forget that!

You were my special gift - something I didn't know I needed. We've grown up together and we're still growing. I hope to make you as proud as you make me.

 

Love, 

Mom

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Kaydence

Wow, it's been 10 years since I became a MOM. I'm not sure how I feel about that. It's scary. My daughter is the best thing that has ever happened to me. She made me a better person. She taught me some life lessons that you can only achieve through experience! 

Let's have a transparent moment here: I wish I had the perfect story to give my baby about how she was planned and we anticipated her arrival but I don't. She doesn't have the baby books filled with "mom and dad" - she only has me. My pregnancy was HORRIBLE. It felt like death and they say childbirth is closest you'll ever be to death. (They aren't lying!) I believe there was a purpose... there were so many times I wanted to give up - but I didn't. I was 16 and didn't know what the heck I was doing or how I would manage. But God had a different plan for me. He chose to give me her. He knew she was just what I needed. He's prepared me to be all that I can I can be for her. 

Although my journey with motherhood hasn't been the easiest it has been worth it. I look forward to her going to middle school, graduating high school and attending college. My wish for my baby is that she is better than I ever was.

Teen Pregnancy Prevention Event

Recently, I had an epiphany. It was like the light bulb just went off in my head and things finally started to click again. While planning content for each month, I like to have a theme and it felt like I had no clue what to talk about for May besides Mother's Day. 

And boom...just like that, I was invited to an event that brought everything full circle. A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of attending a Wine and Oyster Night for the SC Teen Pregnancy Prevention Agency. After having my oldest daughter, I always said I wanted to make sure other young girls were more cautious and informed than I was. This event lit a fire in me and gave me the motivation I needed to get back on track with my mission. Check out the photos from the event!   

I was so nervous...if you know me you know I don't do crowds! I'm very shy but I realized that without stepping outside of my comfort zone I would not be able to take myself to the next level. I put on my big girl panties and showed up! Everyone there was friendly and the food was great! So it wasn't so bad after all. 

Fun Fact: Teen pregnancy has been on the decline in South Carolina since 1991!!!

I'm truly blessed to experience what life has waiting for me. Remember life happens when YOU do!

Special Thanks to my little sissy Brittnay, (sister by choice) for attending with me. When God places special people in your life treat them well. Brittany was there for me EVERY step of the way during my pregnancy and I'm truly gratful! 

Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month

Did you know that May isTeen Pregnancy Prevention Month? I didn't either, and I'm a little embarrassed to admit that. One goal in starting my blog was to reach teens and help prevent them from becoming a teen parent, like myself. 

Parents, are you having "The Talk" with your kids? What are you saying to them? How are you starting the conversation? 

Know The Facts:

3 in 10 teen American girls will get pregnant before the age of 20

More than 50% of teen moms never graduate from high school

Less than 2% earn a college degree before the age of 30

25% of teen moms have their 2nd child within 24 months of their 1st

8 out of 10 teen dads won't marry the  mother of their child

 

[Facts provided by dosomething.org] 

 

I AM ENOUGH

Love YOURSELF first and everything else will fall in place.

For so long, I felt like I wasn't good enough and that I never would be because I was 16 and pregnant. Of course, it was not the ideal situation and Lord knows that's not what I wanted for myself but it happened.

 After having my oldest daughter everyone felt it was their business to tell me that my life was over. I was told that I would never find a husband and the comments really came once I had my second child. No one will want a single mom with two kids!

I believed the lies for many years. I allowed other people's thoughts to become my own and all that did was destroy me. I filled my mind with so much self-hate. I didn't know how to accept myself or how to truly love who I was.

Having a child DID change me but it was for the better. Surprisingly, I can't imagine my life without Kay. She's everything I could have ever hoped for. She makes me proud to be her mom.

No matter what anyone tells you...you ARE worthy! You are ENOUGH!