This is my third submission to SOAM. My first was 2.5 years after my first son was born by Cesarean. My second was 1 month after my successful home VBAC. Now my VBAC baby is about to turn 1 year old and my journey with this body continues.
I haven’t worn a bikini since before my first son was born. I definitely had the body for it then, but after my kids, not so much. I was just a little too flabby, a little too dimply, a little too saggy, to be “good enough” to show off. Even though I had a body that my other mom friends envied, I wore a tankini with a full skirt in the pool.
Now that I am about to celebrate the victory of my triumphant VBAC, I am reflecting on how amazing my body really is and what spectacular gifts it can give me, not only in the form of my children, but in raw power. Despite what doctors told me, despite what people said to me, I know my body is awesome. And when we took our first family vacation to the beach this summer, I finally felt comfortable enough to show it off.
And do you know what I saw? I noticed lots of other mommies, young ones, older ones, moms of all ages and shapes, in their bikinis too. Dimply thighs, flabby tummys, floppy boobs and all. We were all there to have fun and soak up the sun with our families, not to look perfect and be admired. I realized that once you become a mom, it’s OKAY to be less than perfect. The “mom body” is expected and accepted. It makes me a little sad to know that for women who are not yet or won’t be moms, the onus of looking like Barbie might never go away. But once your body has carried and birthed a child, the only people who demand it to look like it did before are ourselves. No one else cares. This realization was very freeing, and I thoroughly enjoyed my vacation.
Here is a photo of me and my VBAC baby, who will be one year old on August 14th. I am 26 years old. My first child will be 5 next month.
September 6th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
It looks like you enjoyed your vacation! You look great! Very cute photo!
September 6th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
I love your positive attitude! You’re beautiful!
September 6th, 2009 at 8:21 pm
Aww, you look beautiful momma, and so happy! Your little one is beautiful.
September 7th, 2009 at 10:51 am
ps.. you do look so happy, and that is the #1 beauty secret.
September 7th, 2009 at 10:53 am
World Swimwear has the cutest swimsuits for all women and help to find the best suit for your body type. Some women have had 3+ children and bodies look amazing. Some women have no children and bodies are very imperfect. We must stop comparing ourselves to others.
September 8th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
You look gorgeous
And your son is adorable. Good on you for accepting your body, and congrats on the home VBAC, it sounds like it was very empowering!
September 10th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
You look great momma!
September 11th, 2009 at 6:25 am
You look beautiful and happy. I too wear a bikini (albeit a modest one) after having my daughter, my stomach and hips are rounder and less firm and I’m 2 sizes bigger than I was before my daughter was born. I’m sure some look at me and think that maybe I should cover myself up more but I’m proud of what my body has done and feel no shame of the changes that have taken place in the name of my daughter. Good for you for finding your confidence- I think you’re beautiful!
September 12th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
Right on! Fun in the sun, that’s what it’s all about!
September 16th, 2009 at 3:00 am
you are awesome.
September 16th, 2009 at 3:00 am
p.s. I’m gonna rock my bikini on vacation in december!!