Ashley Dizney (32) and Grayson (14 months)

Orlando, FL | Miami, FL

Ashley shares -

“Motherhood has been extremely empowering for me. Breastfeeding my son for 14 months has been the purest expression of love I have ever experienced. The commitment, the sacrifice, the actual act of giving life to another, the bonding, the pain - pushing through it for my son. Labor was another empowering moment. A scenario that builds up momentum for 9+ months finally happening, I got through it. Hell, I enjoyed it. I forgot the pain the minute I saw my son and wouldn't have changed a single moment of my labor with him.

I had an extremely tough emotional pregnancy. I went through an 'out of left field' break up at 5 months pregnant. Going through such heartbreak for months which climaxed at experiencing the greatest love I have ever felt was a rollercoaster (not to mention pregnancy hormones).

Postpartum for me physically was a joy actually. I enjoyed my larger breasts and the only signs of ever being pregnant is my newly misshaped belly button, which I look at fondly. Emotionally, I was a mess. Handling parenting with a man who was no longer my partner. Learning how to let him go all while learning to embrace this new love. I poured my tears, sweat and joy into my son and have created such a special bond with him. From start to finish, finding out we were pregnant to giving birth, it looked and felt nothing as expected. I am grateful for the lessons learned but do wish I was able to feel more joy while pregnant and not as much loss.

I have been following this project for a year or so on instagram and have loved how it portrays women, empower women and tell the real story of motherhood. I am participating because it scares me. To show my postpartum body, but also because I want to always remember that I carried this little boy inside me, loved him, birthed him and stand by him now.”