I remember the first day I found out I was pregnant. I went to the health department on January 15, 2002. They told me that I was 1 month pregnant and was due on September 20, 2002. I was only 17 and in shock. I called my husband (boyfriend at the time) and told him. He was in so much shock that he couldn't even talk. I came home and told my mother. She was disappointed, but happy at the time. I went inside and called his mother and she was so happy. Joshua didn't want to talk.

When I was 4 months pregnant Joshua and I broke up. Not even a month later we got back together. When I was 6 months pregnant I had to go to the hospital because I thought I was in labor. It was only a kidney infection. On June 29, 2002, Joshua and I decided to tie the knot. We had an outside wedding at his Grandpa and Ma's house. It was beautiful and a nice day outside. When I was over 8 months, on August 31, 2002, we went to a family reunion. It was so nice. Joshua's cousin was due at the end of November with a baby girl.

Well, I had my last doctor's appointment, and he scheduled my induction on Tuesday, September 17, 2002. We arrived at the hospital at 6:30 a.m. that morning. They started my induction at 7 a.m. I started to feel contractions on and off. When I was about 3 centimeters, the doctor broke my water and that's when I really felt the pain. When I was about 4 centimeters they gave me my epidural. I just couldn't handle it anymore. I finally reached 5 centimeters, and I stayed there for about five hours. My blood pressure went up and his heart rate went down. The doctor said either we had to do an emergency C-section or I could be in labor all night and have him tomorrow. I said, "No, I want him out." So they prepared me for an emergency C-section.

At about 8 p.m., my husband and I were in there. Joshua David Slate, Jr., was born at 8:07 p.m. on Tuesday, September 17, 2002. He was 7 pounds, 6 ounces and 20 inches long. It was a wonderful feeling that at 17 I was a mommy. Now my husband at 20 and me at 18, we're having a wonderful time raising Joshie.

Joshie will turn 8 months old on May 17, 2003, and he is big. He's crawling, pulling himself up, trying to walk and has four teeth. We love him so much and are so happy that he is here today.

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