Lara

Hi there,
I am mama to five children ages 20, 14, 13, 10 and 4. I have been pregnant six times in the last 20 years and have nursed four of my five babies for 2-4 years each. I would say that my biggest regret is that I do not have any belly shots while I was pregnant. But here I am, standing in front of my kids dirty bathroom mirror, a 44 year old mother of five.

photo

I sometimes tease my 20 year old that she has my body and I want it back. Yes, she does seem to have the physical shape and size of myself before I became pregnant with her at age 24 but no, I like the body I have today at age 44 as a mother of five. Thirty pounds lighter, 20 years ago, I truly lacked body confidence and did not see myself as beautiful…if I I knew then what I know now! Motherhood has given me the confidence and the strength that makes me beautiful.

About the footprints tattoo, those are an exact replica of my youngest’ feet at birth. He was born 4 months premature. My other children were born at 41 weeks, 37 weeks, 36 weeks and 38 weeks respectively.

This is an amazing undertaking. I applaud your vision that celebrates the beauty of motherhood.

16 thoughts on “Lara

  • Tuesday, July 18, 2006 at 10:27 am
    Permalink

    Those footprints are beautiful! I’m 41 and just gave birth to #5 last week. I’ll take the joy that comes with stretchmarks over a toned tummy any day. Thanks for sharing your picture!!

  • Tuesday, July 18, 2006 at 10:54 am
    Permalink

    I think you look GREAT!!!

  • Tuesday, July 18, 2006 at 10:55 am
    Permalink

    You look wonderful!

  • Tuesday, July 18, 2006 at 11:06 am
    Permalink

    wow! I think you look fabulous! and thanks for the tattoo idea :-)

  • Tuesday, July 18, 2006 at 11:55 am
    Permalink

    You look amazing! I hope I look as good at 30 as you do at 44!! Just gorgeous!

  • Tuesday, July 18, 2006 at 6:21 pm
    Permalink

    Your an amazing mommy, and you look wonderful after 5 pregnancies!

  • Tuesday, July 18, 2006 at 6:28 pm
    Permalink

    I echo what the others are saying. For being 44 and after 6 pregnancies, you look stunning! You really are gorgeous! You should tell your 20yo daughter to keep her body! Wow!Thank you so much for sharing.

  • Tuesday, July 18, 2006 at 10:15 pm
    Permalink

    I love that post. It made me tear up a little =*)

  • Wednesday, July 19, 2006 at 12:20 pm
    Permalink

    Those little feetsies – I *LOVE* them!!!

  • Wednesday, July 19, 2006 at 1:02 pm
    Permalink

    I can only hope to look that good after 40 with even just my two kids!!

  • Wednesday, July 19, 2006 at 9:05 pm
    Permalink

    you look wonderful. thanks for sharing with us!

  • Wednesday, July 19, 2006 at 9:37 pm
    Permalink

    You look great! (Frankly better than I did pre-preg! :D . The story of your tatoo is beautiful – it made me cry. I have never seriously considered a tatoo, but yours is an amazing, beautiful idea I would copy in a flash if given the same circumstance.From a flabby, saggy bellied 42 year old mom of a 3 1/2 year old and almost 5 year old.

  • Thursday, July 20, 2006 at 5:31 am
    Permalink

    I’ve two years to go before *44* – but hope to look half as good as you as I am finally ready to take care of me ;-)You are an inspiration!peace to you!libby

  • Thursday, July 20, 2006 at 10:00 am
    Permalink

    You are truly an amazing woman! I had to hold back my sobs here at work! Thanks So Much,Andrea

  • Thursday, July 20, 2006 at 7:14 pm
    Permalink

    I love where you say, “Motherhood has given me the confidence and the strength that makes me beautiful.” I relate so much to that. I am far less ashamed of my 30 lb overweight body today that I was of my perfect weight body twenty years ago. I even feel comfortable in bathing suits.Working on my own post, now.

  • Monday, April 2, 2007 at 5:59 pm
    Permalink

    You look amazing for your age and for how many kids youve had!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *