Not So Private Parts

Removing the stigma and shame from women's issues

  • ON THRIVING BOOK
  • Recess Room
  • STORIES
  • About
  • 21 Ninety The Life of A Boss Mom
  • The Afterbirth
  • Events
  • CONNECT
Katie Martinez. Age 25. Wife, Mother. Co-Pastor of the Long Beach Dream Center in Los Angeles, CA

Katie Martinez. Age 25. Wife, Mother. Co-Pastor of the Long Beach Dream Center in Los Angeles, CA

Motherhood.

August 19, 2016 by Brandi Sellers-Jackson in mothering, adoption, family

Motherhood is a miraculous gift. From the beginning months in the womb, to our child's first breath, and then everyday thereafter is motherhood in it's entirety. One missing piece makes motherhood incomplete. Before I go any further, let me introduce myself. I'm Katie. I'm married to my junior high crush and I'm mommy to two miracle baby boys: Wesley and Micah. Adoption made me a mommy for the first time and thirteen short months later, I birthed my second son. Wesley is my oldest, he's petite and a mix of Samoan and black. Micah is my youngest; we call him our tank. Even though my husband is Mexican and Puerto Rican and I'm Mexican and white... Micah came out even lighter than me. You get the picture, our family doesn't really match. But for me, our family is normal. It was shortly after having my biological son that I realized that my normal is actually quite different for most. And ooohhh how the awkward stares and comments began!

I honestly can't remember the last time our family went out to eat without having at least one on-looker staring at us the entire meal. And some people even take the initiative to warn my husband that at least one of our boys don't belong to him. And for the comments, I know most are sincere and some out of curiosity, but I would be lying if I said it never bothered me. Comments like, "You did something good for one child. And now you get your own child."......"So...your not his real mom? "....."And who's your real son?" But the comment that probably stings the most was said shortly after becoming pregnant, "Now you know how it feels to be a real mommy."

I mean excuse me... do I really have to explain how our family became a family to complete strangers!! And do I really have to defend the sincerity of my love for my boys? And worse, why are moms who are in the same motherhood journey as me, judging and measuring the authenticity of my mommy-ness (if that's a word?) My initial reaction is to roll my eyes, and say "they're both my sons and we're a family. Thank you and good-bye." But after I pause, I realize that my family can shine light on the message that all families look different.

Let me first say that questions are not wrong. I've learned in the recent months to be less hypersensitive and embrace the questions, even if they're awkward. When asked about being Micah's "real" mom versus not being Wesley's "real" mom, I explain that I am both of my kids' "real" mom, but Wesley has a tummy mommy too and I am his heart mommy. There is really no wrong question, in fact, it is much better to ask a question than to just stare or make a statement about a family dynamic you may not understand.

I recently heard this quote from a well-known adoptive mom "Families don't have to match. You don't have to look like someone to love them." This is so true. But sadly in the same breath, she continued "Anyone can birth a child...but that doesn't make her a mom." I felt like the wind was knocked out of me. Wesley has an amazing birth mom. Even if for no other reason, birthing a child makes you an amazing mom. She couldn't be his everyday mommy so, she gave me the gift of raising him. This reality doesn't make her or me any less of a mom. Without each other the motherhood journey is incomplete. Motherhood was never meant to be done alone. We need each other. It takes a village and in some cases it takes two moms. Being an adoptive and biological mom, I've realized in any case, the desire is the same... to love and nurture our babies the best we can... to instill confidence and strength. No matter the difference in their birth story, they were born on purpose for a purpose. And I can't wait to watch my boys share their purpose with the rest of the world. 

August 19, 2016 /Brandi Sellers-Jackson
motherhood, self love, family, adoption
mothering, adoption, family
Jon Jackson. Age:32. Husband, Father, Grammy Nominated Songwriter, Music Producer/Arranger. Instagram Handle: @JonStereo

Jon Jackson. Age:32. Husband, Father, Grammy Nominated Songwriter, Music Producer/Arranger. Instagram Handle: @JonStereo

The Natural... Fatherhood Unedited

June 17, 2016 by Brandi Sellers-Jackson in parenting, Fatherhood

So... any day now, my first born arrives Earth side. Every parent in my social universe is telling me that my life is dawning a whole new existence of cliché dad life... that soon as this baby slips into the world, I will immediately be overcome by emotions that only fatherhood can deliver. The only emotion that I currently am feeling is that of autopilot-type husband duties... making my wife feel as comfy as possible during this process. I'm having no feelings of butterflies or nervousness, just sort of existing in the moments as they come. I had no outlandish expectations of my first born arriving. I was just hoping that his head wouldn't be shaped weird... or that he wasn't breach... or just hoping to avoid that tragic birth scene from an episode of Little House On The Prairie that I watched when I was younger. Fatherhood... bring it on!!!

    Finally, we're in the hospital. It's here... the day that we've been waiting for. Apparently, life is about to get even better... and my ability to love and care is gonna grow three times bigger. My mother-n-law shows up. My sister follows. We play the waiting game for about 18 hours of labor and... there he is!!! Jaxon-Miles Sellers Jackson, 6 lbs 15oz of crying and annoyed, chocolate baby. Nurses immediately took him to a nearby station for the basic welcome home diagnostic. Everything was checking out great. I naturally peeped over to see how little man was doing with all of his new celebrity. The main thought in my head was... she did it!!! I went over to my wife and just admired her. 

    Over the next 24-48 hours, friends and family would visit. Everyone was so excited. All the while, I was waiting for all of the emotions and tears that are supposed to overtake me any moment. To be honest, they never came. What I felt before Jaxon's arrival, only mimicked my present emotions of 'auto-pilot husband duties' and now add on 'auto-pilot daddy duties.' Was I happy? Yes. Was I excited? Sure, I guess. I was all of those things before the birth. Whatever happened to the fuzzy feelings of being overwhelmed like so many fathers apparently experience when welcoming their legacies into the world? Tears, daydreams of ballgames, fantasies of father-son park frisbee, etc. I didn't have any of those. 

 I also believe that fathers need to be present even when it doesn't 'feel natural.' I just kept showing up... kept being there... before I knew it, I was looking forward to experiencing every moment that I could with my future kings.

 I also believe that fathers need to be present even when it doesn't 'feel natural.' I just kept showing up... kept being there... before I knew it, I was looking forward to experiencing every moment that I could with my future kings.

    Was something wrong? I honestly felt as if my days were simply busier and included less sleep. Beyond that, nothing really changed. I've always been one to take my role as provider/man of the house very seriously. I naturally turned the heat up in that department. Besides that, same Jon.

    Brandi, on the other hand, instantly blossomed into this new, uber-motherly butterfly that I had not witnessed prior to Jaxon. Around 2-3 yrs old, she would salivate at the thought of taking our kid to sand parks, and mother-son dates. Every now and then, I would tag along, only to witness tons of super-hyped, cool dads playing with their kids... throwing baseballs, making sand castles... while really seeming to enjoy every bit of it. I honestly did not share their sentiments. I didn't seem to have the natural fatherly instincts that these other TV dads had. 

Fast-forward almost 10yrs... a total of 2 boys later... I get those uber-daddy feelings practically everyday. Truth is, they didn't come the first day, or the first year... they took some time... and that's ok.

Fast-forward almost 10yrs... a total of 2 boys later... I get those uber-daddy feelings practically everyday. Truth is, they didn't come the first day, or the first year... they took some time... and that's ok.

    In all transparency, it took till about 4 yrs old for those mushy daddy feelings to arrive... about four years to really emotionally connect with the tangibility of my legacy. As Jaxon would grow older, my natural desire to spend real quality time with my son would increase. I began to seek out his interest... no longer out of obligation but out of sheer enjoyment. I started to really get a kick out of learning who he was & seeing who he was becoming.

    I became a father at 23 years old. Looking back, I totally can see why there was such a delay in experiencing 'the natural' daddy feelings that most fathers feel. For starters, I was 23... still figuring who I was as a man...as a husband of just 1 year at the time... really trying to balance life while chasing down the dreams that Brandi & I had as creatives. Naturally, I've always reacted to things very logically. In an effort to not seem weird, I've even faked expected emotions in certain situations, despite feeling quite indifferent.

    Fast-forward almost 10yrs... a total of 2 boys later... I now get those uber-daddy feelings practically everyday. Truth is, they didn't come the first day, or the first year... they took some time... and that's ok. Truth is, I have always been present, even when the TV dad instincts weren't there. Eventually, those 'natural' healthy father feelings showed up. I do believe that I needed to grow up a bit... step outside of myself... understand that my children are one of the most tangible representations of my legacy being left on this Earth. I also believe that fathers need to be present even when it doesn't 'feel natural.' I just kept showing up... kept being there... before I knew it, I was looking forward to experiencing every moment that I could with my future kings. I'm now happy to say that I've become one of those enthusiastic dads at the parks that daydreams of upcoming ball games with my boys... that loves one-on-one, father-son time AKA man-dates (a term coined by yours truly). I look forward to taking my 10 month old out to parks. I look forward to coaching my 9yr old's bball team next season. Despite the words and experiences of many others, some things in life may take a bit more time than we initially hope. That's ok. Just be present. That's the only way to win.

June 17, 2016 /Brandi Sellers-Jackson
Fatherhood, parenthood, family
parenting, Fatherhood
Photo Credit: Nicole Gracen Photography.  IG Handle: @NicoleGracen

Photo Credit: Nicole Gracen Photography.  IG Handle: @NicoleGracen

In Honor of National Donut Day... 5 Things That Make Life Sweet

June 03, 2016 by Brandi Sellers-Jackson in Balance, Self Harmony

1. Family..
Family is everything. It looks different for everyone. It feels different. After my mother passed away, I found myself clinging to my immediate family. My husband... My children. They kept me grounded. Flooding me with love and support. 

2.Friends you can trust/ your village
There is nothing like a good friend. I don't take friendship lightly. Living in Los Angeles, without blood relatives is quite the task. There is no such thing as "to Grandmother's house we go". When we had our second kiddo, I was overwhelmed by the love and support from our village. I had such beautiful spirits surrounding me with love... Pushing me onward... Holding my hand... 

3. Good food
I love food!! Good food. Food that nourishes and pays honor to our magnificent bodies. I truly believe we are what we eat... Eat well.

4. Health/ peace of mind.. 
Being in good health and peace of mind is golden. I am a firm believe that we have one body, and it is beyond important to honor, cherish it, and thank it for serving us well. There are so many people who are suffering. Their bodies are failing. It is so important to be great-FULL.. Health and wellness is a gift.. Peace is a gift. 

5. Home
Home is not only where the heart is... It is where peace resides. Home is our sanctuary.  At home we are nourished.. Bathed in love..accepted... We guard our home as if it is our hearts... Because it is so very close to it.

 

June 03, 2016 /Brandi Sellers-Jackson
family, home, Parenting, national donut day
Balance, Self Harmony

Powered by Squarespace