"There is something so amiable in the prejudices of a young mind, that one is sorry to see them give way to the reception of more general opinions." -Jane Austen

July 4, 2018

Oh, Baby!


I've always wanted to be a mom. Always. 
I admit, I thought my story would be a little more traditional. 
But leave it to me to do my own thing. 
#SingleMomLife, here I come.


Three years ago, I started doing that thing we all do when we turn 30: taking stock of the last decade of our life and looking forward to the next. What had I accomplished? What had I yet to achieve? Was I where I wanted to be in life? And mostly, I was satisfied. I had pursued education and was devoted to my career. I was financially stable and content. I was confident in who I was as a person, and had an incredible network of friendships and family that fulfilled my life. Sure, my personal life hadn't quite worked out the way I wanted, but I wasn't sad about that; I was pretty good at being alone to be honest. The only thing I still really wanted that was out of my reach was to be a mom.

Being the Type-A problem solver that I am, I started thinking through what this meant. What were my options? Should I foster or adopt? Should I hold out a few more years (30 is still young!) in case I do get married? Could I do the mom thing on my own? If so, I definitely needed to get out of my one-bedroom apartment and increase my salary to afford childcare. It was time for a plan.

So, I made a career path plan with my boss.
And I started house hunting.
And I read every book & website I could about options for single parents.
I researched and prayed and talked to other women.
And then I made a decision.

I wanted to have a baby, and I wanted to try and carry it myself- because I 1000% believe in adoption, but I wanted the experience of being pregnant, at least once. So I talked to my doctor. And then a fertility specialist. And I made a timeline roadmap. I told my parents. And my friends. And I bought a house. And got a second dog. And saved up money. And picked a donor. And went on the emotional roller coaster of trying to get pregnant. And... here we are.

It's been three years in the making, with SO MUCH love and support from my tribe. These first 17 weeks of motherhood have been the hardest of my life. Because pregnancy is actually not something my body loves. I have basically thrown up in every store and bush and roadside in Richmond, and have sobbed over crackers and popsicles. I have muttered "I am going to die" on my bathroom floor more times than I can count. But not once have I had a single doubt about my decision. Not once. 

I know this Single Mom thing is going to be hard-- all the really amazing things in life usually are. But... I am as ready as I'll ever be.

Baby Stallard: Coming mid-December 2018
Gender: TBD on August 1st
Momma: thankful to feel semi-human for the first time in months; starting to show!
Pups: Oblivious
Grandparents: OVER THE MOON! (See video for a good Dad cry)


You're Grandparents!

Baby S at 9 weeks

Baby S at 16 weeks





4 comments:

Susan Ingram said...

This is so exciting!!! Congratulations!!!

Unknown said...

#myhero

Janet Whalen said...

From the time I first met you on the high volume team....through to now - you continue to amaze me with your strength, humor, smiles, and warmth. Congrats on your pregnancy - you will be an amazing mom!

Unknown said...

You’re such an amazing person! Praising God for his blessing!