My Love Just Went Platinum

There are some dreams I've given up as time's passed and perhaps they lost meaning, or maybe weren't priorities anymore. There are some dreams I've watched come true, and then there are some I still hang on to, with everything inside my heart.

One of those dreams, for me, is motherhood. I know in today's society, it's seen as "uncool" or "unbecoming" or "old-fashioned" or even "desperate" for a woman to long to be a mother, especially if she's not married, but I think I've wanted to be a mom ever since I can remember. When I was a little girl, I nurtured my dolls and rocked them to sleep, and I'd tell my Dad at 3 years old how I'd have my own babies one day. It was always something I expected to happen.

Of course, I pursued my education, graduated from college and grad school, and worked hard in my career. I'm still working hard, even today. But no matter what has happened in my life, I've always held on to the dream of becoming a mom.

This past week, that dream was definitely tested, questioned, challenged. I landed in the hospital and my doctors were even fearful that I might not be able to ever have children, depending on how my operation turned out. I was so scared, and my biggest fear was not for my own health or life necessarily, but more than anything, scared of how I would handle losing that dream I had.

For people who don't want children, or who have them and don't really appreciate them as much as they should; for those who see them as a burden or a challenge that they sometimes resent instead of cherish--you won't understand where I'm coming from, and I understand. But for someone like me--someone who would make not only a good mom, but a pheonomenal mom--it really left me depressed.

As I watched Platinum Babies, a new show on We! Channel (Women's Entertainment Network) I could've been even more resentful. But the truth is, it gave me some hope. Not necessarily hope of receiving a Gucci diaper bag as a baby shower gift (although I'll admit that would be a definite perk that I would not refuse, friends) but hope that I would be able to one day have a little blessing from heaven of my very own.

I believe in miracles. I believe in blessings from above and I believe the Lord works in mysterious ways. I think that if anything, this experience revealed to me the things I really want in my life, and how much I really want to experience becoming a mother...and how much I want kids of my own. It also made me realize how strong I am. I never let myself give up on my other dreams. Why would I give up on this one?

Thank you to all my family and friends and even my students who were so incredibly supportive of me during this difficult time, and thanks to my doctors and nurses who were so patient and kind; you are such an amazing gift to the world and you were so gracious to help me when I needed it the most.

But mostly, thanks to my own Mom. If there's any one reason why I want to become a Mommy, it's because I truly have the best one I know.

Catch Platinum Babies on WE and check your local listings for details, so you can see what the world's most fashionable mommies are doing to prepare for the arrival of their little ones.

Baby Bling

Finding out at the age of 27 that you are going to be a great-aunt seems unrealistic to so many. When I tell people I'm going to be a great-auntie, they usually look at me in disbelief. But, alas, my older brother (who's 12 yrs older than I am)married a woman 6 yrs older than he is, and she had 2 sons, who then became my nephews. We were raised together, same neighborhood, and are more like siblings than aunt & nephews. My oldest nephew got married 2 years ago and just announced to our family that he and his wife are expecting a baby.

Though we don't know the gender yet (it's still too early) we are all overjoyed and excited to see our little bundle of joy for the first time. Babies are always precious, always a gift, even if they are a surprise.

And being the shopaholic that I am, the first thing on my mind was all the adorable gifts out there for expectant parents.

Since this baby is living in California, and will be born in SoCal, he or she will have to be cutting edge, from crib to diaper bag. After all, when you're sharing zip codes with some pretty fashionable babies, you've gotta model yourself after the likes of Sparrow and Harlow and Honor and all the other Hollywood babies out there.

Kendra's kid can move to the side...because my new niece and nephew will steal the show if their Auntie Lorraine has anything to say about it.

Here's one example of an adorable blinging baby rattle I found while shopping online for gifts. You can customize it, and shop online at www.bebecakesboutique.com.

Babies are heaven-sent, so buy your little angel the best of the best. If you have to make an entrance into the world, it might as well be a stylish one.