still a mother

as many of you know, we suffered a pregnancy loss last november that kind of shook us. after having three healthy and full-term pregnancies, having a miscarriage with my fourth pregnancy wasn't anything that had crossed my mind. we made plans, purchased items to get ahead, looked at houses, made a place in our hearts; we accomplished a lot in just two weeks of knowing this sweet miracle baby. and then on november 16 i went pee, wiped, and there was blood. there isn't any way to describe the pain and fear of losing a pregnancy, a baby. i just knew that if i were to heal from this, i needed to talk about it; and so i did.

it's been kind of incredible sharing our journey in loss and exposing parts of my heart that are so easily breakable in other's hands. incredible because i have discovered just how not alone i am in this. incredible because mother's have felt healed enough to share their loss and expose their hearts, too. and incredible because sharing my journey has allowed me to advocate for those who aren't quite ready to share theirs. but i have also discovered that a lot of these mothers didn't know that it is okay to talk about their journey, because society and doctors seem to minimize their loss, stifling their voice and their ability to heal. which can, consequently, make women feel as though they're not a mother (to those angel babies), regardless if they have living children or not. so, since the moment we got home from the hospital after our confirmed miscarriage, it's been on my heart to let these women know that they're still a mother.

since there have been so many amazing small shops popping up with products that are empowering women and motherhood, i thought, what better way to empower loss mothers than with a tee? so i reached out to a rad mama who owns a small shop to see if she would be willing to collab with me on making a shirt that says "still a mother". not knowing what she would say since i'm practically a nobody without a shop, i was elated when she responded that she would love to help me facilitate this and spread awareness for pregnancy and infant loss. a few designs were made, shared, voted on, and one was chosen. and i am so damn proud of it. mostly because it has resonated with so many loss mamas, but also because it is a shirt i will be so proud to wear, letting others know that i am still a mother to hazel mae.

and so, today is the day that we release the tee and is available for preorder in jamie's shop. i chose this day for release because it is pregnancy and infant loss awareness day, which just seems so appropriate and can help in the cause of spreading awareness. also, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to a non-profit organization that benefits mothers and families who have suffered pregnancy or infant loss. we are also having a giveaway. one mama can have an opportunity to win a still a mother tee. just head on over to my instagram to enter.

words cannot describe how incredibly proud and happy i am about this tee and i hope that it will resonate with you. i am incredibly thankful to jamie for this opportunity and helping me create and execute this dream and to all of you inspiring mothers out there who have been comfortable enough to share your loss journey with me - this is all for you!

still a mother tee

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