Thanks to Taylor of Growing Baby Shelton for today’s Your Lines. Read on for a great interview with an inspiring young momma!
Tell us about your experience discovering your lines:
I was a sophomore in college, it was my last semester at the community college before I planned to transfer to the university. My husband and I had only been married a little over a year; we were still in the honeymoon phase, dreaming about all the things we would do together. One morning I woke up with the strangest feeling… I still don’t know why, but something told me I should take a pregnancy test. While I waited for the results I tried to recall when I had my last period, but couldn’t remember. Then I saw it…two lines.
At first I misinterpreted the result, and for a millisecond I actually thought, “Oh phew!” Once I realized what those two lines meant, I started shaking my head in disbelief; I couldn’t breathe, I was hyperventilating as tears streamed down my face. All I could think was, “Oh my God what have I done?! Casey is going to hate me! My parents are going to be so ashamed!!” We had so much going on at the time (and we still do, ha!), we were working full time, going to school full time, and renovating our first house. I had no idea how we could possibly add a baby into the equation, let alone provide for a baby! My biggest fear was that Casey and I would hate each other; the stress would get to us, and we’d tear each other apart before our marriage really began.
I couldn’t have been more wrong. Casey was never once mad, he was scared, but he was happy. And so were my parents, they told us, “This is what married people do, they love each other and they make babies!”
Did you face stigmas or stereotypes as a young mom? From the time I began sporting my baby bump, I got a lot of, “But you’re just a baby!” comments. And to this day, strangers indirectly say things like, “Your parents are still babies!” to Lucy.
Best part about having an unplanned pregnancy: For me, I feel very blessed to experience motherhood this early in life; I think it’s one of the greatest gifts a woman can receive. Lucy gave my life purpose; it’s as if all the years prior to her existence were a waste of time. She has given me clarity and perspective that most 20-somethings don’t get to experience.
What has been the most surprising thing to you about being a young mom? How easy it is to go from being a selfish teenager to a selfless, devoted Mother just minutes after giving birth.
If I’m not mistaken, you recently made the decision to stay home full-time. How did you come to that decision and how is it going? My Dad had been my daughter’s primary caregiver (while my husband and I were at work), for the past five months, and he was in a horrible, freak accident about two weeks ago. He will now be wheelchair bound for at least a year. So…my decision to stay home wasn’t as much a decision, as it was my only choice. I haven’t actually left my job yet; my Mom was able to use PTO to cover “Lucy Duty” for a few weeks, while I look for part-time work. The circumstances couldn’t be worse, but I am very excited and thankful to have this extra time with my daughter each day.
On a related note, you cut your grocery bill by 66%? Say What? How did you accomplish that? Before my Dad’s accident, my husband and I were working to reduce our monthly expenses so that I could stay home one day. Our grocery budget was out of control! We began meal planning in April, and this past month we tried Once a Month Cooking. By establishing a menu and a routine, we’ve been able to buy in bulk and we stick to the same grocery list each week.
This is not a question, but I am in love with this letter to your pregnant self. Aww thank you very much, you’re too sweet!
Taylor and her adorable daughter Lucy
Tiny Blue Lines
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