“When I found out that I was pregnant at 18, to my high school boyfriend, it was’t exactly what I expected. After remaining composed, I walked into the sonogram room with the thought of one child and walking out to the news that there were two heart beats. This was probably the biggest shock of my life. Twins! The next 9 months were very confusing. I debated between adoption or parenthood. It’s never easy when you’re young and pregnant especially in my very Latino and Catholic home. Parenthood was the only option for my mother, but I was open minded. When we finally made the decision of taking the path of parenthood, that’s when the real journey began. Then, at Mount Sinai Hospital, on June 21, 9:05 and 9:06, we met Amara and Juliet for the first time, via c section, which now when I reflect, I would have never done. My low risk pregnancy and very healthy eating habits (not even coffee, which is my weakness) did not call for a c-section. But because I was unaware, that’s the route I took. Never had a contraction but the pain after the c section and the inability to walk, shower or do anything else without someone by your side for a month was probably the equivalence.
Fast forward 4 years later and here I stand. Mother of twins! Wow! Well it’s not easy, that’s the first thing I can say. But it’s amazing. I’ve become such a better person through motherhood. Yes sometimes I want to scream but it’s probably because 4 year olds like putting themselves in danger. As the years go by, I’m trying to prepare myself for the challenges that will come. Being a Latina mother to 2 Latina and African-American girls (Honduran, Ecuadorian, Puerto Rican and Afro-American to be exact) is not so easy. I have to be a role model and be proud of my roots. I feel like the media and everything around me worships blue eyes, blond , straight hair, not saying it’s not beautiful but currently my 4 year old is having an issue with her beautiful curly hair because it doesn’t look like Elsa from “Frozen.” I feel like self esteem is something a lot of girls deal with but especially when you don’t look like what’s being pushed as beautiful. I found this amazing movie “Home,” where Tip, the main character, has curly hair or as my girls call it “free” hair, as in freedom out in the open, not in braids to keep it “combed and tamed."I fell in love with this movie and some how wished there were more movies out there like this one. Even though I try to keep them away from television as much possible, it’s hard when our world revolves around technology. Their father had an amazing idea of printing out Black, Latina, and indigenous women and placing them around their room so that they can have an idea of their own and other cultures. This is only at 4 years old; now imagine as they grow older! The challenge is inspiring, because it’s helped also see the beauty in myself and my own strength, so I can show my daughters, because at the end of it all, we all just want to be like our Mami.” - Kimberley reflects on her pregnancy.
Pictured above is her with the twins, Juliet and Amara, and their father, Kelvin.
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