Miami Moms Blog Welcomes: MIA Mom Minerva Roca

Hi Miami Moms! My name is Minerva, Minnie for short. I am super thrilled to finally be an official part of this phenomenal group of ladies at Miami Moms Blog.

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I was born and raised in Miami, FL, I am a true Miami girl. I have lived in the same neighborhood, right by Magic City Casino, my whole life.

Like a typical Miami girl stereotype, I am a Cuban American. I was raised by my grandparents who came here from Cuba in 1962. Even though they came to Miami, they raised me in typical Cuban fashion, including learning only Spanish until Kindergarten. They always remind me of how grateful they are to have been able to come to such a wonderful country to have a better future for their family.

Right here in Miami, I have met some people who have turned into my family. Miami is where I met my best friend who is now my boyfriend and his wonderful family. They have helped me raise all 3 of my kids. They don’t treat any of the kids differently. I am a very lucky lady.

What I honestly love most about Miami is the diversity, the opportunities, the weather, and the beaches. It is so wonderful and beautiful. I am truly blessed to have been raised here. The only thing I would change would be the traffic and cost of living. =)

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I became a mom at 19 years old to a beautiful baby girl named Elizabeth. Being a young mom was difficult, and I don’t recommend it, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. By the time she was 1, I got a divorce from my high school sweetheart and became a single young mom, which is even more difficult.

But you know what? We did great!

4 years later, I got pregnant with my little man. Everything with him seemed normal. I wasn’t worried. I had a very normal and calm first pregnancy with my daughter Eli. Everything was great until I was 5 months pregnant and Eli was admitted to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital with a stomach virus for a week. After she got out I wasn’t feeling well and was told to go to the ER by my boss. At Coral Gables Hospital I was told I had caught the stomach virus and that was giving me stomach pains. I was told to go home and rest that the baby was fine. When I called my doctor he said I was fine, as per the hospital notes, and to wait till the morning to go to the hospital.

Guess what?

I caught my son in my hands in my bathroom at 7:02 am. Gabriel was 24 weeks and 1 lb 10 oz. We got transported to Jackson Memorial Holtz Children’s Hospital’ s NICU. I was told and reminded by multiple doctors how small and fragile Gabriel was. They let me know that if he was born at the hospital he would’ve had a 10% survival rate. In his case, this number was even less since he was born at home with no immediate medical intervention. Gabriel was born with no actual skin and his eyes fused shut. He had to be fed through his umbilical cord and had to be intubated for 4 months.

At 3 days old I was told twice that he wasn’t going to make it. Once that he wouldn’t make it 1 hour and the 2nd time that he wouldn’t make it half an hour and had to immediately be baptized.

My heart dropped!

His lung imploded and had to be re-inflated. After that, he also had heart surgery to place a staple in his heart. We spent 6 months total in the NICU.

6 years later I had my last baby. I found out I was pregnant 5 minutes after being told I most likely couldn’t have any more kids and to make peace with that. This pregnancy was very difficult for me mostly because I suffered from prenatal anxiety. The issue was that if you have a preemie child you tend to have your next child at less time. To prevent this I had to get injections every week and doctor’s appointments every 2 weeks, from 11 weeks to 34 weeks. I even had to go to the hospital for contractions at around 24 weeks and had to get more injections.

We finally made it to 34 weeks and Mila couldn’t wait anymore. She was born at Mercy Hospital weighing 4 lbs 11 oz and spent 2 weeks in the NICU.

Now!

They are all big and giving me their own special headaches. Elizabeth is turning 12, Gabriel is 7, and Mila is 1 ½, with terrible 2’s since she was 12 months old. 2 of the kids are gifted and special needs. 2 of them also have allergies. All 3 have therapies multiple times a week. That being said, they keep me on my toes. Being a mom is exhausting and overwhelming but I wouldn’t change it for the world.

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If you would have told me a year ago at Miami Moms Blog’s 1st Bloom event, when I first met Cierra and some of the moms, that I would have the pleasure of writing for them today. I would’ve told you “You were crazy.”

I never thought I would be a writer. Let alone write for a blog or two. What I did always know is that I wanted to help people, especially other moms. I realized this community was the right place for me because we share the same goals. We both want to encourage, equip, empower, educate and inspire moms in whatever way we can.

I am grateful and happy to be able to bring my experience and knowledge to this tribe of amazing moms. We all know motherhood isn’t easy but as Cierra says, “It doesn’t have to be lonely”.

Here on Miami Moms Blog, you can find me talking about some topics I have experience in, either academically, personally, or professionally. Some examples include my journey with my special needs children and my battle with depression and anxiety. Also in the areas of Accounting, HR, and Marketing.