My Loc Journey

In June I decided I needed a change. I had been toying with the idea of loc'ing my hair for a few years, but was afraid to commit in the past because I like to change my hair so often. I also didn't know just how versatile locs were. I realized over the years I was either covering my hair with wigs, weaves, braids, or twists, or just wearing my own natural hair in a bun or puff. I started to hate doing my hair, and I would choose styles that would allow me to not have to deal with it for some time. I went natural back in 2008 and have experimented a lot in the last 10 years. Now, with being a mom and just more responsibilities in general (i.e., less free time), I'm looking for simplicity in anything I can. That includes my hair. I also just think locs are beautiful. When I decided to loc my hair, I started a private board on Pinterest just for locs . I started watching YouTube videos on how to start them and maintain them, and found so many women on Instagram whose locs I admired. I made the appointment last month for starter locs in July (the loctician I went to was super booked and that was the soonest I could get. Mind you, I was super excited and having to wait was KILLING me Lol). I didn't even tell anyone, just my husband and my sister. I didn't want to give space for any possible negativity (you know how some people are and how they can be close-minded).

Here is a pic of my starter locs on Day 2. I pinned the coils up on one side.

pinned up on one side

Below are some pics of my hair before getting my starter locs, and how my hair is now with them. The loctician used the comb coil method and diamond parting (this parting method shows less scalp which is perfect for me because my hair isn't super thick - though it appears to be in pics - it's an illusion).

Gratitude

It's so easy to get caught up in the mundane day-to-day tasks, but when we stop to actually realize how blessed we are, it changes everything. Just a super short blog post today to remind ourselves to stop, breathe, and be thankful for life.

xo

Mental Health Awareness + Postpartum Depression

My beautiful son is 2 months old. I love him more than life itself, more than he will ever understand (until maybe he has children of his own someday). I am enjoying the moments I get to spend with him each day, watching him grow (too quickly, might I add), and learning his personality. Being a mother is a blessing, and I am truly grateful.

At the same time, I am also battling postpartum depression & anxiety. I worry about my son so much, I always want to keep him safe and want to monitor EVERYTHING. I do my best not to operate in this fear, and instead to operate in a place of love. It is a daily struggle and something I have become aware of, and am working through. As a new mom, I am navigating these new experiences best I can. Trying to incorporate this new life into my current life. Learning how to raise a respectful and God-fearing little human. Doing my best day by day... but I noticed I had been so hard on myself.

Biggest Lesson Learned After Being a Mom for 10 seconds ;-)

This isn't one of those posts where I am new to a role in life and pretend to be an expert and advise everyone on what to do. Nope. I'm a BRAND NEW mom, only 6 weeks in. I know nothing (outside of my maternal instincts). But I HAVE learned an important and huge lesson already. And that is: Don't judge other moms.

Entering Motherhood...

With the arrival of our Baby Boy recently,  I have really been taking this entire experience in... just enjoying every moment, because babies grow up so fast. I am especially grateful for the additional paid time off my job has offered so that I have time to bond with our son, as well as the love and support my husband and I have received throughout this journey. Being a mom is something I wasn't sure was in God's plan for me, so sometimes I still can't believe this is my life. I am so grateful.

Our son was born on March 12th, 2018, and he is so perfect. I find myself just staring at him sometimes, and this morning when I went to change him, I just sat with him in my arms, and started to cry. I am truly just amazed at how God has been working in my life since I started trusting Him more and doing what works for me and my family. Reflecting... yes. I've been doing that a lot.

I already know I have a lot to learn about being a mother. I'm taking things day by day, and enjoying the little moments. But, I know he came at the perfect time for us. You never feel 100% ready to be a parent, but I know God's timing is absolutely perfect.

And I am not worried about the superficial things, like getting my body back asap, or having the latest and greatest in baby products, or proving myself to be this "super mom". Not at all. I'm taking things day by day, focusing on the important things. I often think about the wisdom I want to pass on to our son, our mommy-son experiences as the years go on. I do my best to take care of myself so that I can be the best mother he needs.

Also - I know over the last few months my blogs have been about baby and pregnancy and marriage. I will be writing about other topics soon, but I really wanted to share what was currently going on in my life with you all (because these are huge life events for me).

If there is anything topic-wise you'd like me to write about, let me know. It could be a beauty post, spiritual, etc. I will be back soon!!

xo

Celebration of Life

The past 2 weekends have been eventful for us, with our maternity shoot and our baby shower. If you follow me on Instagram, you've seen some of the pictures already. This won't be a long blog post, but I mainly wanted to share a few images with my blog readers from these special days.

We had our maternity shoot in Philadelphia, PA, and used the same photographer we used for our wedding ceremony. He is amazing and his website is here for more information and to book. Tell him Malik and Markeeta referred you!

8 months preggo

Then, yesterday we had our baby shower. It turned out beautifully, I have such great family and friends. I didn't have to do a thing except show up, they literally did everything. My bro-in-law and stepdad took pics for us, but while we wait for them to be edited and sent to us, here are some iPhone shots from some of our guests! :)

with my mom and nephew 

L to R: Sister, Uncle, and Cousin

Malik and I are just thankful, and so blessed. We appreciate everyone who took time from their busy lives to spend with us and help us celebrate our son. It means the world to us!!

xo

Embracing it all

I was talking to a close friend just a few days ago about embracing all of the changes our bodies go through as women to carry a child. I'll admit - I had often been afraid of what my body would do and how it would change when I ever became pregnant. This fear was more prominent in my 20s. I couldn't imagine things not being as tight or unflawed as they were (Lol). So many women are more than eager to share their horror stories of how their bodies used to look one way and then after kids, it all went downhill. I used to buy into that fear. Since getting older, and actually becoming pregnant with this beautiful boy growing inside of me, all of those thoughts dissipated. Sure, I had gotten some comments from some women here and there, telling my face was fat or I was "huge", but my sister and a good friend of mine got me all the way together. And I realized - what is happening in my body and to my body is a beautiful thing! How dare anyone try to make me feel bad or gross when there are so many women who would give anything to have this chance? To carry and bring forth another life? God has made our bodies these super powerful and miraculous vessels - I still can't fully wrap my mind around it when I sit and really think about it. Now, I look in the mirror and I embrace and accept and LOVE the new stretch marks on my thighs and butt, the way my face looks fuller and "motherly", and my ever expanding tummy. It's beautiful. I've had my husband take so many pictures of my body because I want to remember this, always. I want the memories of what God is allowing me to do right now in my life, and I celebrate it. So, if you are pregnant, or have been, and feeling bad about your body - don't allow anyone to body shame you. More importantly, don't body shame yourself! Your body will do what it needs to do in order to do this beautiful thing. Don't stress about the "snap back". Do all you can to be healthy and active, and enjoy the journey.

<3 KeetaRay