Let's start from the top, shall we?
I'd like to think I am resourceful, driven, and independent. So, when I found out I was pregnant, I knew certain of two things. 1. I was definitely keeping my baby and I was going to do everything and anything to make his/her life a good one. 2. I was going to defy all of the stereotypes (let me remind you that when I became pregnant was the time that the show Teen Mom was becoming a hot topic) and I was going to stay in school and prove to people that my life was not over.
In order to make those goals happen, I had to know all of my stuff. I immediately bought tons of books, subscribed to BabyCenter newsletters, kept up with my doctor's appointments, and of course I googled any question or concern I had. One day, I happened to be on YouTube and I thought, "I wonder if there are videos about pregnancy." So, I typed in "19 weeks pregnant" (as I was obviously 19 weeks pregnant myself). I clicked on one of the first thumbnails and found Meghann's channel. In her videos, she chatted about her pregnancy, her thoughts, baby products, and she even showed her belly. I cannot tell you how relieving it was to find someone that I could relate to and that I could follow along with. I mean, it's not like I could go out and sit and have coffee with a pregnant friend and giggle about all of our weird symptoms. It was just me at home trying to complete high school and get into university... or better yet trying to see over my belly to see my laptop screen. So, Meghann's sweet personality took place for those missing pregnant lady chats.
In my third trimester and working on an essay for school
As if that wasn't good enough, Meghann posted a link to her blog in her video descriptions. It was through Bringing Up Bumble that I found the blogosphere and some of my all time favorite blogs! Reading posts from moms all over - and trust me, these moms are amazing and witty and brave and did I say amazing?! - and to see their photos and laugh at one-liners that totally described my life.... it was perfect! For those who don't blog or who aren't parents, there is an entire community out there that you don't know about and, despite the occasional grown-up drama, this community makes my heart melt.
So, for a while I just read blogs and watched these videos from afar. But about a month later, I was too inspired to not be a part of it. I opened up a Blogger account and started 'Baby Bump Bliss.' Lame name with the whole alliteration thing going on (LOL) but I just wanted to write about my pregnancy, share it with the rest of the mommy bloggers, and to show people that it was possible to be a young mom and to do well at the same time. Well, as I got a hang of designing my blog and writing better posts, I changed the blog name to 'Dear Carter' and started to sponsor other blogs, to gain readers, and blogging became a big part of me.
(Side story: Once, Meghann mentioned me on her blog and ended up putting my button on her "Blog ♥" page... well, when I saw that, I was jumping on my couch and squeeing like a little four year old girl. So, that's how much these blogs mean to me! Haha)
And it has been uphill from there. This blogosphere has a been a great thing for me as a mom and as a woman because it's given me a lot of inspiration, courage, and a sense of belonging in the mom department. The only downside is that these are the only moms I know and they are all so far away so I never get those mommy and kid playdates. Carter is the youngest in our family so he really doesn't have any best buds aside from kids at daycare.
Anyways, I guess this post is just a thanks to all of these fabulous mom bloggers because you probably haven't noticed it but in some ways - by writing and sharing your lives - you've gotten me here.
"Thank you, everyone!"
- Carter
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