Kristen

It’s hard to go from looking fertile and goddess-like to looking empty and deflated. This is the difference between the full vessel at 32 weeks and the empty vessel 4 weeks post-partum. I am not vain, nor do I care if my belly is soft and stretch-marked, but it sure is nice to know that there are other mothers out there with the same affliction. The children who came from this womb are more beautiful than my belly ever was, so I feel like I got the best end of this deal!

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10 thoughts on “Kristen

  • Thursday, August 31, 2006 at 6:51 am
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    This is a classic quote that I would like to etch into my brain: “The children who came from this womb are more beautiful than my belly ever was, so I feel like I got the best end of this deal!”I’m a month away from delivery, and I will take your words with me into the months ahead. Thank you, thank you for your beautiful words and beautiful pictures.

  • Thursday, August 31, 2006 at 8:50 am
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    Kristen – your remarks are poetry. My children were born 20 and 22 years ago, and nothing has spoken to me more than what you’ve written.

  • Thursday, August 31, 2006 at 10:10 am
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    You’re a goddess with a big baby belly, and with a soft mama belly! Your last picture looks *just* like my belly looked. The “fold-over” was always what bothered me the most, but over time, that’s almost gone- my littlest is eight months old, and the body recovery has been quicker this time than with my first two.

  • Thursday, August 31, 2006 at 10:59 am
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    Amen. Thank you for sharing your photos. There is so little in our culture that validates the “post-partum aesthetic.” Even if we’re confident in how we’re supposed be and look “pregnant” — there’s so little discussion about the “deflation” phase of motherhood.Robin Gracewww.lunatia.blogspot.com

  • Thursday, August 31, 2006 at 11:35 am
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    You worded it perfectly. My son is more beautiful than my stomach ever was and I’d like to tank you for putting that into perspective.

  • Thursday, August 31, 2006 at 1:53 pm
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    Kerri said it; that was a beautiful sentiment and, really, shouldn’t that quote say it all to all of us?

  • Friday, September 1, 2006 at 2:47 am
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    Thank you all for your kind words…I so appreciate them as I am still hormonal and only 5 weeks post-partum now and my son has to go in for surgery…I needed a pick-me-up this week!

  • Friday, September 1, 2006 at 6:53 pm
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    My belly looks just like yours! I have 2 girls, one was 9 lbs 15 oz and one was 9 lbs 6 oz. I was HUGE, all belly. I really don’t like having to tuck it into my pants but its comforting knowing that I am not a freak. I am 9 mos post-partum with my second and I think that belly flap is here to stay for me.I really enjoyed reading what you wrote. Your son is in my thoughts.

  • Monday, September 4, 2006 at 2:00 pm
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    Your comments and story touched my heart.

  • Tuesday, September 5, 2006 at 5:27 pm
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    you rock Kiki.Lindsay

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