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My Birth
Chapter 3.1 Birth and Its Cultural Context: The Birth Process:
I was born on January 16, 1993 around 9am. My mom was in labor with me for 18 hours. She spent most of her time at home. Her Lamaze teacher suggested she spend as much time home before going to the hospital for the most comfort. During the delivery stage, my dad, 2 grandma’s and grandpa were in the delivery room when I came out. -
I learned how to imitate
Chapter 3.4 The Neonate: Physical Functioning of the Neonate:
I started being able to imitate my mom and dad’s expressions. My mom said she I would copy her sticking out my tongue, doing a kissy face, laughing and smiling. My dad would put his hands up and move his feet and I would imitate him too. I started getting more familiar with my mom and dad’s face and knew who they were. -
First Time I Had Food Other Than Mom's Milk
Chapter 4.2 Physical Development: Infant Health:
At around 7 months, my mom started introducing me to baby food and formula. My favorite foods were pureed apples and carrots. I loved eating in my highchair. There are lots of funny pictures of me in my highchair with carrot puree all over my face. -
First time I crawled
Chapter 4.3 Physical Development: Motor and Sensory Development:
At 8 months, I started to crawl. We lived in a two-story house, so my mom had to put baby gates all over the house. She told me she always had to keep an eye on me because I was such a fast crawler. Then crawling turned into me trying to hold onto something to keep my balance. I eventually was able to stand with balance at about 9 months old. -
First word
Chapter 5.4 Cognitive Development: Language Development:
My mom was actually worried something was wrong with me because I was a very quiet baby. She explained to me I wouldn’t even make a lot of sounds. However, out of nowhere the first word I said was “Pocahontas.” My mom was flabbergasted. I really loved Pocahontas. (HAHA) -
I am potty trained
Chapter 5.2 Physical Development: Socializing Physical Functions: Toilet Training:
At 2.3 years old, I was officially potty trained! My mom went directly from my diapers to underwear. She didn’t believe in training pants in between. I remember the special toddler toilet I used before the real toilet. I just remember I was so excited to use the grown-up toilet like a big girl! -
I found out I'm right-handed!
Chapter 6.3 Physical Development: Motor Development:
Just like my mom and dad, I found out I was right-handed. I picked up everything with my right hand. I played with my toys with my right hand. I pointed at everything with my right hand. -
My little sissy was born!!
Chapter 6.9 Emotional & Social Development: The Child’s Expanding Social World:
When I was 2.5 years old, my little sister Sydney was born. I remember being so happy and excited for her to be here. I always wanted to hold her and be the best big sister I could be. However, I do remember getting a little jealous because she was getting all of the attention now. -
I got eyeglasses
Chapter 7.1 Physical Development: Growth in Middle Childhood:
I was complaining to my mom that my vision was blurry. I couldn’t see far away things without it being blurry. I went to an eye doctor and was diagnosed with nearsightedness, or myopia, and got a pair of glasses. I was embarrassed at first but became more confident when I found out my cousin had glasses as well. -
My first sports team
Chapter 7.1: Physical Development: Growth in Middle Childhood:
I was sort of a tomboy during middle childhood. I was very active and would always play outside with my sister and our neighborhood friends. I liked to play sports at recess during elementary school. I asked my mom if I could sign up for sports. So at age 8, my mom signed me up for soccer and basketball and I loved it! I was so athletic and active. I had extreme gross motor development advances. -
Yo habla Español!
Chapter 7.4 Cognitive Development: Language Development:
Being that my dad is half Mexican, it was very important to his mom (my grandmother) that I be able to speak her native language. I would go to my grandma's house twice a week where she would only speak in Spanish to me. We would practice basic vocabulary
and phrases. At first, I was annoyed and it was so hard for me. But then I started to really enjoy it and could speak to my other cousins and friend in Spanish. -
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Popularity Contest?
Ch. 7.6 Emotional & Social Development: Emotional & Self-Development & Ch. 7.7 Emotional & Social Development: The Social & Cultural Contexts of Middle Childhood During 7th & 8th grade in middle school, I started to become more aware of social status. I very much felt pressure of fitting in & wanting to be popular. I had a lot of self-esteem issues. I even quit my sports teams because I thought they were too "boyish." I started to change & become more of a girly-girl, dress up & wear makeup. -
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Hello Depression
Ch 8.8 Emotional & Social Development: Problems & Resilience
Depression started to hit me during freshman year. My grandma has chronic depression so I knew it was a possibility. I would see a therapist & psychiatrist. I was prescribed medication such as Prozac & Xanax. Some days I didn't want to get out of bed & stopped caring about things. Looking back, this could be a big reason why I did the other bad things. I still have depression to date but have found ways to cope & be on top of it. -
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ED
Ch 8.2 Physical Development: Health Issues in Adolescence
Like the 20% of girls in the US, freshman year of high school I developed an eating disorder, anorexia nervosa. I just stopped eating. I did it because I wanted to be skinny & fit in & thought that's what it took. I had a lot of peer pressure from TV & magazines of pretty skinny girls. My mom soon found out & luckily they got me the help I needed. It took me a while but I stopped before it got too bad. -
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Downward Spiral
Ch. 8.2 Physical Development: Health Issues in Adolescence:
During sophomore year, I started to hang out with the wrong crowd. I started not caring about school anymore. I just wanted to drink alcohol & smoke weed. It started to affect my grades, my attitude & my family. This had to do with peer pressure & social status. I wanted to hang out with the popular kids & fit in the social circle. I also started doing it for self-medication purposes such as anxiety, stress and my "f it" attitude. -
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Utah Treatment Center: Adolescence-Limited Delinquent (ADL)
Chapter 8.8 Social & Emotional Development: Problems and Resillence
Because of my bad choices, I was causing complete chaos to my family. I was doing drugs, getting F's in school & dating horrible guys. My parents had tried a lot of approaches with me, but I never listened. They finally had no choice but to send me away to a Residential Treatment Center in Utah for my junior year of high school. At the time, I hated them for it but looking back at it now, it changed and turned my life around. -
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COLLEGE GRAD!
Ch 9.5 Cognitive Development: Education & Work
After my ADL period, I finally got back on track with my life. I focused on my grades at community college and got into the Bachelor's Special Education and Elementary Education program and UH Manoa! I spent 3 years there and earned my teaching credential for K-6 grade and 4 year degree! -
Moving back home to San Diego!
Chapter 9.8 Emotional and Social Development: The Social and Cultural Contexts of Emerging Adulthood
Present day, I have met an amazing partner who is kind, loving and supportive. He also is from California. We have been cohabiting for the past year and now since we have both graduated from UH, we will be moving back to California together! I am excited to start this new journey with each other!!