Erica Padilla (36),Ā Nathaniel Maddox (11), Ezra Harrison (9 months,) and 8Ā weeks pregnant with Gabriel Jude.ā Charlotte, NC | Photographed in Richmond, VAā Erica shares -ā ā āI experienced two miscarriages in December 2014 and July 2015. They were two of the hardest experiences I have ever been through. My first was when my husband and I had only been married exactly twenty days. It brought us closer together rather than apart but the first six months of our marriage were really marked with a lot of heartache and sadness. It made me feel as though somehow my body was broken and I was not able to have more children. It didnāt help that I didnāt feel as though I was medically supported by my team at the time. No one could figure out why I was miscarrying and that made it even worse. I desperately wanted to tell me it was somehow my fault, so at least I knew what I could fix or do to stop it from happening again.ā ā I am someone who has struggled with disordered eating my whole life and both pregnancy and being a mother has really gone a long way to helping me on my journey to healing. When I am pregnant I want to fuel my body the best I can so I am also keeping my child healthy. I want to be an example to my sons that even when times are hard and tough, you can still pull through and do the best your can to love yourself. ā ā Breastfeeding my second son has been something that has been incredibly cathartic for me. It didnāt work out with my oldest. I was much younger and I didnāt have the support system I have now. I really wanted a solid breastfeeding relationship and I worked hard to get it. We have been going for nine months strong now and I fully plan to tandem feed with Ezra and Gabe. ā ā I feel as though this is a celebration to how I have come full circle. I am now approaching my later 30ās and I feel stronger and more beautiful than I ever have. It has taken me so long to realize that a thin body isnāt what is going to bring me peace, or stability, or control. It was really important to me to capture this moment in time so I can show my sons one day that you can persevere and prevail, especially as I am navigating raising Black men in the current climate.ā
I havenāt been on here yet again in forever. Here is something cool myself and my kiddos did. ā¤ļø


















