7 Weeks (Anonymous)

September 27, 2008

I’m submitting my photo because I’ve finally come to terms with being a mother in the whole sense of the word, the best I can. I decided to accept the little changes and focus more on the moment, and in this moment, I could never have more joy in my life. I had postpartum depression after my first pregnancy. My second son was born 7 weeks ago, the day I took this picture. I like to say the top half of the stretch marks are from him, the bottom half are from my first. I had a natural delivery that was incredible and having an infant and being experienced this time has made all the difference. So naturally, I’d like to think I’m more accepting of the little things that come along with it. Unfortunately, one of the results of the second pregnany was gallstones, resulting in an emergency gallbladder removal a weeks ago…the three scars and one in my navel are from that operation. I feel incredible and proud of what I’ve gone through and how little I really care about it. I care about my kids. That’s the biggest lesson this stomach has taught me