Q: How did you hide your pregnancy for so long from people?

A: it took a long time for me to show, I wear sweats all the time anyways, & most athletes gain weight when they stop playing a sport, a lot of people also didn’t ask because they weren’t sure so I told people only if they asked. The only people who knew at 8 weeks were our parents, siblings, and grandparents. No one else was told anything until I was 6 months, and even then, I only told people who asked. Depending on the clothes I’m wearing, I can still hide it at almost 8 months pregnant if people don’t know me. Most people who DO know me and have seen me in public pretty much know now.

Q: Why didn’t you announce it on social media?

A: aahhh the biggest elephant in the room I’m assuming. Ever since Instagram/social media became a thing for us 90’s kids, I’ve always loved sharing every aspect of my life. However I learned the hard way that not all things need to be shared. This was THEE most amazing, scary, confusing, blessings I’ve ever been given and I wanted to keep it within my immediate family. I wanted to be able to enjoy these experiences without worrying about capturing the perfect photo/caption and also power through the rough patches with my family and with Andre without constantly having to answer the same question over text “how are you doing?” I know a lot of people asked this because they genuinely cared but I did not feel like deciphering between those who cared and those who were just nosy. With all that I was going through in the 1st trimester, my family’s decision to keep this private was the best decision I could have ever made. By making it clear that I’m keeping things private, it sets the tone for my next annoying question.

Q: When will you post pictures of your sons face?

A: When he’s old enough to tell me I can. Do not come for me with the “you think you’re a celebrity” bullshit, because that’s so far from the truth. I’ve already gotten that more than I’ve wanted and I have zero problem copping an attitude followed by this lovely explanation.

We choose to post what we want. We choose to use social media. But our little one doesn’t have that choice right now and I’d never want to make that decision of posting pictures of him without my child having a choice. The world is a crazy place these days and we are protecting our lives and child from being on social media. I do not need his photos on hacked accounts, fake instagrams, in people’s group texts, and on hate pages (which I have dealt with personally multiple times). We are not posting any pictures of his face anywhere. This is our decision as a family and I do not judge other moms who do post. Because let’s be real…who doesn’t love to see adorable babies on their Socials. I just don’t want that baby to be mine right now. Hope you guys like adorable baby hands and feet.

Q: Was this a planned pregnancy?

A: It was in no way planned. We knew we would be starting the long distance relationship journey in January 2018; this is when the training for the 2018 NFL Draft begins. Putting a baby in the mix of all that was not the plan. Andre and I had a serious conversation over dinner at the Cheesecake Factory [NO, we didn’t fight, and YES, I love to go there lol] about our future on starting a family in 2 years. Little did we know I was already 6 weeks pregnant during that conversation. Not going to go into detail, but it was a 100% accident that still confuses me to this day.

Q: Are Andre’s parents supportive? How did they react?

A: My in laws are just as supportive as my parents. They have all boys so when I’m around I’m treated like a princess, and since I’ve been pregnant it’s like times 10. Not once did they make us feel like they were disappointed, it’s been nothing but pure love and support, which are two things that have gotten me through. I think Andre’s mom cried over the phone but I can’t quite remember, Andre was crying and went outside to talk so I couldn’t hear anything. His dad said “don’t ever scare me like that again I thought you were hurt or in jail” hahah. Priceless. They’re the most down to earth people I’ve ever met.

Q: Major Cravings?!

A: Zero, Nada, None. I had taste aversions for 5 months and now I’m just back to my old appetite. No pickles and peanut butter for me. 2 things I loved before being pregnant that my fetus greatly disliked were orange juice and an occasionally fast food meal. No McDonald’s or Taco Bell for this preggo lady.

Q: What do the kicks and punches feel like?

A: it literally feels like a little miniature human being is inside your belly trying to poke/stretch his way out. That’s the best I can do. However, what’s cool is that I can rub his head from outside my belly, I know the difference between his hands and feet, I know where his back is, I know where his butt is…it’s like he’s my kid or something. When he gets the hiccups, its like a pattern of jolting vibrations across my belly.

Q: Did you have morning sickness?

A: I didn’t throw up once, no morning sickness. But after I ate my stomach felt so uneasy; this lasted 5 months. Taste aversions suck. Imagine one day waking up and everything you’re used to eating smells and tastes like shit. Yikes.

Q: Did you get your blood drawn a lot?

A: I’ve probably had a total of 5 blood draws; totaling up to about 15-20 viles (little tubes) of blood. I’m petrified of needles, so scared that I have to be sedated with anxiety medication and nitrous oxide for dental fillings BEFORE they try to stick a whole ass nova cane needle in the back of my mouth lol. But needless to say, I’m not as much of a wimp anymore when it comes to needles. Off topic, but I’m a pro-expert at peeing in cups now too.

Q: How did you come up with the name “Dredyn.”

A: I’m surprised I can’t say this in 350  different languages by now. I love Andres name, but I do not like “Jr.’s”. I loved the named Aiden but it’s very common. One of Andre’s biggest fans during his college football career is a little guy named Aiden and I fell in love with that name. So I said you know what, I’m putting them together, and that’s where we got Dredyn. All of Andre’s friends call him Dre so Big Dre & Little Dre, or as my dad calls them, Dre 1 and Dre 2.  His middle name is after my dad. His last name is French Creole, “CHACHERE.” Pronounced “Sash-Er-Ay.”

Q: So when’s the wedding?

A: For some reason this has been the favorite question of UNMARRIED/SINGLE people, or people who are in a relationship I would never want “sips Tea with no caffeine because I’m pregnant.”

The next time I get asked this I’m going to just say something extremely sarcastic like “so when do you wanna pay for it?” Or “we got hitched in Vegas last night” Or even better, “When Dredyn is ready for us to get married.” Thankfully, NEITHER of our parents have been these people, and I have a feeling our parents know we’re getting married soon but we have to take things one step at a time. According to mine and Andre’s religious beliefs Did Andre and I do our life “out of order” ? Yeah sure. But it works for us. We’ve been living together for almost 2 years, so now We don’t have to worry about figuring out if we can live under the same roof; we’ve been able to learn how great of a team we are. We want our son to know that he has two parents who love him to death and who will do anything for him. So right now, all of our love, attention, and finances will revolve around this little guy. A ring or piece of paper does not guarantee any of that. So when we get into the groove of this new life and are ready to take time to plan a wedding, we’ll do so. Side note* I never refer to Andre as my boyfriend anymore because he is so much more than that, so that is why I often use the term “Partner.”

Q: When are you going back to work? Future career plans?

A: I currently live and work in the Bay Area; where I have no family. The only family I have here are my former basketball coaches and teammates. Other than that, it’s just me. Andre is away training for the NFL draft in southern California so I’m alone here. I’m probably thee most family oriented person there is. There are all PROS and no CONS of me moving back to my hometown. I will be in the comforts of my own spacious home, not a small apartment. I live 5 minutes away from the hospital and my OBGYN office. I have familial resources, my parents/sisters get to be apart of every milestone, and Andre’s family is a quick 1hr 45min drive away.

I have 2 dream jobs: a pediatric occupational therapist and a stay at home mom. For the time being, I will be focusing on raising my son, and thats the only job I’m worried about succeeding in, and it is the only one that matters to me right now.

Q: Do you consider yourself a young mom?

A: Yes and No. Andre and I always joke around and do age calculations of how old we’ll be when our son is in a certain grade. When he starts 1st grade, I’ll be 29ish; when he starts high school, I’ll be like 37 so I mean, it’s young I guess. I’ve been living away from home since I was 18 (when I started college), and as an athlete, I only went home like 2-3 times a year. I’ve been paying my own bills and I’ve been pretty financially independent for the last 2 years so I think my proof of responsibility and independence is more important than my age. YES, my parents help me with anything I need/ask for, but they also do not do everything for me if I can do it myself. One of the best things my dad told me when I first got pregnant was that he was so proud of me for doing everything they asked of me before having a baby. I graduated from college, Cum Laude at that, not to toot my own horn but I think Dredyn will be proud of that, I finished basketball and played ALL 4 years in college, I got 2 really good jobs the week before my college graduation, I paid my own bills, I helped buy my own car, and Andre & I were able to comfortably live in one of the most expensive cities in the US. So with that said, I handled my business before I got pregnant.

Q: Weight Gain?

A: At 8 months pregnant I’ve gained 18 pounds. Which is on the low end but considered healthy. My pre-pregnancy weight was 155lb, I’m 5’9, I’m now 173lbs.  It’s been dispersed everywhere but I can definitely see it in my face, my boobs have grown 3 cup sizes, and obviously my belly.

*MINI RANT* I’m really tired of people commenting on my breast size every time they see me, it’s like yes I know they’re huge, I have to carry them everywhere I go and they’re heavy and uncomfortable; Feel free not to remind me. I am absolutely sick and tired of it and also tired of laughing it off like it doesn’t bother me: It does. Almost everyone (other than my family) has commented on them. Sometimes they frustrate me so much I don’t even think about wearing a bra to work because I’m that over it. But at the end of the day these literal milk jugs are gonna feed my son and keep him alive so it’s all good. So bottom line, do not comment on them when you see me.

Q: Are you going to breastfeed?

A: I will breastfeed him as long as my body allows me to do so and as long as my son wants. So if that means I’m pumping breast milk for his Cheerios or oatmeal, then that’s what I’m doing. Period.

Q: OMG Are you excited? How are you feeling?

A: If you text me this don’t be surprised if I copy and pasted this answer and sent it to you, lol. I’m not trying to be rude at all, it’s just that the question is redundant. My biggest dream in life is to be a mom, so for that to come true so soon, YES I’m excited. But I’m also human and I’m a little nervous, anxious, fearful, in shock, I’m ALOT of things, but more importantly I’m so grateful and blessed to know that God trusts me enough to make me someone’s Mom. I feel pretty normal honestly, which is not what I was expecting at 30 weeks. I’m short of breath sometimes, laying on my back makes me feel dizzy ( I don’t do this unless I’m elevated). I get nasal congestion pretty easily but it goes away quickly, I still eat like a normal non-pregnant person for the most part, my skin and nails are bomb lol, and my hair is thick. So no complaints really. And YES, I urinate a lot, I’d say 7 times a day is an accurate average. I used to never drink water so I never really pee’d often, but since water is liquid gold and my son thinks my bladder is a trampoline when it’s full, I definitely pee more than I used to.

Q: Are you going to start uploading on your YouTube Channel again?

A: I’ve been thinking about this and I’m not quite sure. It’s alot of work and I just want to focus on momming. I know I’ll need a hobby eventually so YouTube will always be there. I’ll most likely go back to makeup, then sprinkle in some daily vlogs and First Time Mom {FTM} tips and tricks. You may see Dredyn appear in a video or two, you might even hear him, but his face will not be shown.