The Day I Became a Mom

At 24 years old, I found out I was pregnant on Mother’s Day in 2021, and I remember feeling pure excitement.

From the moment I found out, I knew in my heart that being a mom was my calling. I had always dreamed of it, and suddenly, it was real. There was a tiny little life growing, and I couldn’t wait to meet her.

As time went on, pregnancy became such a special season of life. Feeling those little kicks for the first time made everything feel so real. Me and my now husband spent countless nights talking about what she might look like, whose personality she would have, and what kind of little girl she would become.

Eventually, we found the perfect name: Iris Jaye.

We loved the name Iris because of the song Iris by The Goo Goo Dolls, and Jaye held meaning through my husband’s family. Her name felt beautiful, unique, and already full of love before she was even here.

Around 27 weeks pregnant, life took an unexpected turn.

I started having pain in my ribs and went to the doctor to get checked out. After some tests, doctors noticed signs of Preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome, and I was transferred to a larger hospital for extra care.

Even though things weren’t unfolding the way I imagined, one thing stayed the same—I just wanted to meet my little girl and know she was okay.

After getting medicine to help her tiny lungs, doctors let us know that Iris would be making her arrival sooner than expected.

On October 13, 2021, our sweet girl entered the world.

She was tiny, beautiful, and stronger than we could have ever imagined.

The next 110 days in the NICU taught us so much about patience, hope, and celebrating the smallest milestones. We learned that strength can come in the tiniest packages. Every little moment felt big—every ounce gained, every milestone reached, every step closer to bringing her home.

Looking back now, it feels like such a small chapter compared to the beautiful life we have today.

It has now been four years, and Iris is the most amazing little girl. Full of personality, joy, and love. You would never know she had such a tough beginning because she shines so brightly.

Motherhood may not have started exactly the way I pictured, but it became something even more meaningful.

Because becoming Iris’s mom has been the greatest gift of my life.