Happy Monday, Ribbies!

It is Women's Month. In celebrating women, Mommy Mondays are back.

Today on RIB, we have Gabrielle, SAHM of 5, licensed Cosmetologist, Certified Pharmacy Technician in the state of Maryland and Director for the Maryland Head Start Association.

Gabby is family beautiful people! She is my cousin.

Please tell us about yourself. What are your gifts? What is your purpose?

My name is Gabrielle, Gabby for short. I'm 24 years old. I am a Taurus. I am a stay at home mother of 5 including my children's brother. I am a licensed Cosmetologist and a Certified Pharmacy Technician in the state of Maryland. Aside from taking care of my children and the household, I am the Director of the Head Start Association. I advocate for children at head start and other early education programs; just to be that voice. There a lot of children that need someone to voice their educational needs. I meet with people throughout that state and spark the conversation that stems from the question: How do we make things better for our kids and the staff within the school system?

What are your children's names and ages? How did you go about naming your kids?

I have four children: Da'Riyah (5 years), Da'Ryan (3 years), Da'Karri (2 years), and Da' Kori (5 months). Da'Riyah is 5. Her middle name is Darrin which came from her dad's name. Da'Ryan Brielle's name came from shortening my first name. Da'Karri' Eddie whereas Eddie was my dad's nickname. Da'Korri Xavier is named after his father's brother who was killed in 2004.

We have both lost our fathers. Is there anything such a legacy, sayings, traditions, or all of the above that you would like to pass on to your children?

As you already know, I lost my father back in 2014. When it comes to my household--my children, my father lives on. I talk about him, my oldest gets to see pictures of her granddad holding her... just the little things. My grandmother shares stories or reminds myself and the kids that their granddad would have said or done what they have just said. On his birthday which is September 7th, we still celebrate his birthday. On the last Saturday of every April, my dad would attend Penn Relay Race which is a track meet in Pennsylvania. We have not gone in a couple of years but, we have watched it on television.

Do you have any suggestions for healing in terms of dealing with loss while growing into a woman? While dealing with Motherhood?

I honestly do not have any healing suggestions. I think everyone heals differently. As a person, healing is a process on different days. Some days are easier than others. The one thing that I can say about loss is: the best way to deal with it is to think back on different memories and share with your children. I also share in some of the same activities my dad and I did together when I was younger.

Is there a woman in history that you look up to? Why?

No, I cannot say that there is any specific woman that I look up to in history. I will say that there are tons of black women that are successful. Ultimately, that is the goal; to be successful! I guess I'm having an Issa Rae moment. I am rooting for every one black! I literally have goals that I want to reach and surpass those.

Did having your first boy change the dynamic of your house?

I do not believe having a boy changed the dynamic of the household. I say that because my children's brother lives here every other weekend and every holiday. We still move at the same pace. We do the same activities. Da'Karri, the boss baby has to think he is in charge. He requires a little bit of extra time but, I think that has more to do with his personality than him being a boy. Da'Kori is still a baby so, he is just an extra person to get ready in the morning. We will see if that changes.

In your opinion, is it easier to raise boys or girls?

I think it is easier to raise girls. They ask 101 questions but, they are definitely easier.

Birth Story: Welcoming Da'Kori

When I got to the hospital, they told me they were keeping me because I was 4 days late. They said they were starting me on Pitocin and that he would be here in a few hours. I got to the hospital at about 3 in the morning. I got my epidural at about 5 am. After I got my epidural, I fell asleep. The nurse woke me up at about 8:30 am and she told me that the doctor would be in soon to break my water and to start the Pitocin. when the doctor came in around 9:30 am, I was 10cm dilated and my water had already broken. I couldn't feel anything because I had my epidural. The doctor left and came back with the three nurses that were previously in the room and a few moments later, Da'Kori was here.

Here are a few pictures of Gabby’s beautiful family:

Da’kori (laying on) Da’Riyah, Darrin, Da’Ryan, Da’Karri (in front of Da’Ryan)

What is your legacy?

Drop a comment.

Xoxo,

Shay

Mommy Monday: Gabrielle on Being a Woman with Many Hats

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