Emily Menjares, twenty-two, with her boyfriend Esli and her sons Ethan and Evan.
Emily My name is Emily Menjares I am 20 years old. My kids are Ethan and Evan and they are 4 months old now.
Amanda Can you tell me the moment that you realized that you were pregnant?
Emily I took the test and it came out positive and I called my sister up and told her and she told me to get checked in the hospital. I told her no cause it was just an air bubble, that I didn’t pee on the thing right. The doctor told me I wouldn’t be able to have kids. So, it was a shocker. There have been other times that I had sex without a condom and never got pregnant and this time I did.
Amanda What was it like telling the baby daddy.
Emily Well, he was at work, and I told him we need to talk about something and he said “What.” And I told him, “We’ll talk later.” And he said, “No, let me know now.” So I texted him and I told him that I took the test and it said that I was pregnant and he said “Do you have anything else to do instead of bothering me at work.” I was like, “It’s not a joke. It’s true. I’m pregnant.” He was just shocked. We both didn’t know what to do.
Amanda Were you really worried about being pregnant with Esli because you hadn’t known him that long? (They had only been dating for a month)
Emily Yes, I was really like, “Oh my God, what did I do.” Like what if we don’t work out and he leaves me. I’m going to be stuck with two babies. They are going to be crying and screaming, and I’m never going to be able to sleep. I was having second thoughts like, “Oh my God, should I keep or should I abort.” But I don’t like abortions anyway.
I forget to eat sometimes. Like I’ll come to work and be like, “Shoot, I forgot to eat.” And my boss will just look at me like, “How do you forget to eat?” But I’m just trying to get them ready and get to work on time. They’re cute. They’re adorable, but they are a handful.
Amanda Can you describe your children today and your schedule.
Emily They are 4 months old right now. They are perfectly healthy. Nothing is wrong. During the work days I wake up around 8, feed them at 9, try to get them ready, get myself ready so I can be here (at work) by 2. I have to drop them off at their Grandma’s house or their aunts house, then after work I have to go pick them up and be with them again.
Amanda How did your relationship with Esli change during the pregnancy and after the birth?
Emily We were just starting to get to know each other, and I still think that I’m starting to learn new things about him. Like, I think we’re just trying to get along because we have two babies. In my head, I’ve always said that I’ll do whatever to stay with the father because I never had a father. We had our troubles, our rocky roads. I think we’re still learning from each other. It’s not perfect yet.
Amanda What have been the most fun and difficult parts so far?
Emily The most fun part has been seeing them grow from this tiny little doll shape thing to this so big and chunky and rolls everywhere. And the hard part is just like when Esli is working and I’m not. I’m with them all day and they are still babies, they are still cranky and I still don’t know what they want. So I’ll get nervous, mad, or whatever, cause I don’t know what they want. But I love it. I don’t care. Even if it’s hard, I love it. They are my babies. Punks, but babies.
Amanda Is there anything else you want to say about being a young mom?
Emily Please wait to have kids if not you’ll end up with twins and then you will be going crazy everyday. Like I forget to eat sometimes. Like I’ll come to work and be like, “Shoot, I forgot to eat.” And my boss will just look at me like, “How do you forget to eat?” But I’m just trying to get them ready and get to work on time. They’re cute. They’re adorable, but they are a handful.
