-
Intervention: Addicted to Breastfeeding
I should have known what I was in for when you came out of the womb and went straight for my breast. You nursed for 45 minutes! I was smitten and so proud. Once we were home, I cheerfully raised your helpless body up to my chest. Daddy helped you learn where your mouth should be. I swooned at your gulps and sighs of bliss. Everyday you were home with me and I fed you. I happily spent my days dispensing and collecting milk because you were so precious. You knew I was your lifeline and rewarded me with your affection. Watching you be so tender and sweet and dependent upon me…
-
Letter of Resignation
To Whom It May Concern; It is without mixed emotions I inform you that July 25, 2018 will be my last day of employment in the role of Customer Service Professional after two years, three months, and 27 days. After over a year of unemployment, on my first day of training I was asked who was here just for a paycheck. I started to raise my hand and realized it was more of a rhetorical question. Since I was there for a paycheck and have saved thousands of dollars, my goal has been achieved. While I am far from well off, there is a limited window in finances after you…
-
I Lost My Child’s Social Security Card and I’m Still Killing the Game
I called the DEERS office Friday before my appointment on Monday to verify what time it was since I never received an email. “Wilson?” “No, Weldon. W-E-L-D-O-N.” “Oh, okay… I don’t see any appointments. Wellons, right?” This went on for over a minute. Since changing my last name, I had never had trouble spelling it for people, which is what I liked about it after growing up with a name evident of my Nigerian roots. She didn’t have an appointment for me even though I had called a week prior, but she put us in another slot on Monday and told me to bring the baby’s birth certificate. Here comes…
-
Hi Ho, Hi Ho- Back to Work I Go!
The funny thing about being given 12 weeks of maternity leave, paid, is that it means there’s a job I should return to. I actually found myself back at my desk two weeks early in order to save the last two weeks of leave for going home when my husband’s unit takes leave. When I envisioned having a child over the last 3 years I imagined I would be in a position where I was freelancing as a writer and able to stay home. When I envisioned having a child eight months ago, I thought I would just quit. I was so in denial about the fact I would have…
-
Welcome to Parenthood!
I walk out of the master bathroom, in a diaper, with milk streaming out of both of my breasts. My husband rushes and grabs the baby from my mom. I sit on the bed and nurse my son on the right while my husband starts the breast pump on the left. This is parenthood. This is Day 3. Day 1 With every ounce of strength in me I push a baby’s head out of my body and the rest of him follows, at 12:32 am on February 4th. He cries immediately in spite of the meconium that came out when my water broke. I thank God for that. My…
