1 year

 On April 30th, 2015, I was terrified, but only for a second. That second was when I was still sitting on the edge of our bathtub, alone in our tiny one bedroom apartment, staring at that little plus sign that signified the beginning of my role as a mommy.











A year ago on Mother's Day, we announced to the world that we were having a baby. We were so excited, I was only one month along. Barely pregnant enough to be picked up on a pregnancy test. But I was ALL IN. I knew I would be a mom and that this was it.  On Mother's Day a year ago, my husband bought me flowers. I got to tell the world I was pregnant, and I felt inexplicable joy. 

 Fast forward a few weeks later, when I got so sick I had to be in the hospital 7 times. IV therapies, overnight observances, and almost the dreaded PICC line. I lost 30 pounds in those three weeks. More than I lost when I had the swine flu as a sophomore in High School on my 16th birthday. I was sicker and in more pain and physical anguish than I'd ever felt. But I never once throughout that whole ordeal regretted our decision to have our baby. Even though I spent both our 1st wedding anniversary and my husband's birthday in the hospital. Those memories of our "hospital dates" are precious to me and essential parts of my life story. 

I finally felt better on the day we went to get the ultrasound to find out what the gender of our baby was. In the ultrasound room, the technician asked what we thought it was. My husband was quick to respond with "boy!" I agreed. I knew it was a boy. The technician rolled the nasty, goopy ultrasound thingy over my belly and said "Looks like dad's right. It's a boy." We were overjoyed to know the gender of our sweet little one. 

There were lots of fun things we got to do along the way. We went to Idaho for thanksgiving, we went to the Oregon Coast for my dad and stepmom's wedding, we went to Seattle for my husband to attend a Qi Gong workshop, we went to Farmer's Markets, Jamba juice dates, I started my Bachelor's degree online, we moved into our current little apartment, I was spoiled for my 22nd birthday, we were spoiled by friends and family with two baby showers, went to lots of doctor's appointments together, saw the new Star Wars, and we got to see lots of ultrasounds of our little bear.






And along the way, the belly grew... 

And grew...

And greeeewww...

And grew.








It grew until it was time for little bear to be born. I labored for 21.5 hours. I had two stretch and sweeps over the course of two weeks. I was one week overdue. 
I vomited a lot at the beginning of my labor. It was a very intense, but very empowering 21.5 hours for me. It was an incredible experience that taught me never to doubt what I am capable of. 
Then at 8:27 pm on January 12th, 2016, Broc Edward William Meyers was born into the world at 8 lbs, 13 ounces. Corry got to catch him when he came out, and placed him on my belly. As soon as he did, Broc opened his eyes and looked around. He looked right into my eyes and looked until he found daddy. Once he did, he settled his head back down and cried. It was a beautiful moment. 

 

Ever since that day, I've grown immensely. I learn new things almost every hour. I grow in my capacity to love with each passing second, and I get to see this precious, amazing little human being thrive and grow. It's the most wonderful and sacred thing I can imagine. I am so grateful for my family. I love my husband, and my son. My best Mother's Day gift will be getting to spend it with the people who made me a mother. Happy Mother's Day.