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You’ve heard the term “MCM” before, right? Well, on my blog, I give that term a different meaning.

On the first Monday of every month, I feature a fellow mom as my Mom Crush Monday, and allow them to share their own journey through motherhood.

Meet my September MCM: Whitney V.

This month, I’m featuring a mama who is probably one of the sweetest people you will ever meet.

Whitney is a mom to two adorable little boys and one of the best mothers I know. She’s beautiful, kind, and has a heart of gold. Despite being a young mother, she has proven that with faith and determination, you can do anything.

I admire her so much. She truly is such an amazing woman!

I’m so excited to be sharing her story with all of you!

How old were you when you became a mom?

• I was 19 when I got pregnant and 20 when I gave birth.

How many kids do you have & what are their ages?

• I have 2 boys. Carter is 4 and Malachi is 1.

How was your pregnancy with each child? Birth experience?

• With my first child, I had a pretty smooth pregnancy (aside from a few bleeding scares). I went to the hospital at 3 AM (at exactly 39 weeks pregnant) having contractions, bloody show and thinking that my water was leaking. Turns out, it wasn’t, but they decided to keep me and to break my water. I had an epidural but still felt a lot of pressure. I ended up having 3rd degree tearing and had some of the worst pain ever in the following weeks after giving birth. With my second child I had an absolutely TERRIBLE pregnancy. I was SO sick almost my whole pregnancy. I ended up having Gestational Diabetes that was unable to be controlled, so I got put on medication. My son had something called umbilical cord varix, therefore I had to be induced no later than 37 weeks, for fear of him being a stillborn. They induced me and I only got to 6 cm; I would not progress any further. His heart rate kept dropping into very dangerous numbers, so they ended up doing an emergency C-section. The epidural had only taken to one side of my body so I felt SO much pain during my C-Section. After he was born, I was pumped full of pain medicine and was unfortunately out of it for at least the first 2 hours of his life.

Did you have any misconceptions about motherhood before you became a mom? How did your view of motherhood change after becoming a mom?

• I honestly had no concept of being a mother because I was only 19 at the time. I also wasn’t married. My husband (who wasn’t my husband at the time) was starting his senior year of high school when I got pregnant. We were still just kids. After I became a mom, I felt like a lot of it came naturally. I still asked questions to my mom and mother-in-laws and had to learn and grow up as I raised my sweet little boy.

What is your favorite piece of advice you’ve received about motherhood?

• This isn’t necessarily advice but this quote really spoke to me:

What challenges did you face during your first years as a mom?

• When my son was 10 months old, my husband left to go to Military Basic Training and AIT. I was basically a single mom for 8 months, while he was gone. It was hard trying to work, take care of him and do everything else alone; along with missing my husband like crazy.

How has parenthood changed your relationship with your spouse?

• Times can be TOUGH when you have kids. You have to learn how to balance your time with your kids but also your time with your spouse, You have to MAKE time by putting the kids to bed early or finding something to keep them busy so you can at least have 20 minutes of “alone” time with your spouse everyday. We’ve become closer since trying to put more effort into making time for one another.

How have YOU changed since becoming a mom?

• My priorities changed when I became a mother. I no longer cared about going out and doing what everyone else was doing. I would rather stay in and spend time with my kids.

What are your lifesavers as a mom?

• Nap times!

Top 3 baby products/brands you’d recommend?

1. 1. Triple Paste for diaper rashes! It works WONDERS!
   2. Homemade “Padsicles” to wear the first few days after birth! They help with swelling and pain! (You can find the way to make them on Pinterest!)
   3. Rock n’ Play! I didn’t have one with my first but used it all the time with my second! It’s easy to move around the house and he loved it!

How do you spend your time when you’re not busy being “mom”? (Hobbies, Interests, etc.)

• I enjoy playing softball, going to church and bible studies, shopping, getting my toes done, spending time outdoors with my husband and hanging out with friends!

What is one thing you wish you had done BEFORE becoming a mom?

• I wish I would have gone to (and graduated) college, had a steady job, and been married.

Favorite part about being a mom?

• Hearing my kids laugh and seeing them smile. I love them SO stinking much!

Most memorable “mom moment”?

• When Carter (my oldest) got to meet Malachi (my youngest) after he was born. He was so over the moon about being a big brother!

Any advice for new moms?

• Don’t compare your babies to other people’s babies and don’t compare yourself to other moms. No one is perfect and we are all just trying to figure it out as we go!

Who is your Mom Crush?

• My mom crush is my best friend Brittanie. She’s such a great mom to her 3 sweet babies and such a great, sweet christian friend. I’m so thankful for her!

Do you have a “Mom Crush”? Ask them a few of these questions. It can really put into perspective just how different every woman’s journey through motherhood is!