The color photo included is of me at 6 weeks pregnant. The two black and white photo’s are of me now, at 19 1/2 months PP. I’m now 10 lbs lighter than I was pre baby but no one tells you that even when you lose all the weight things are never quite the same.
A friend (not a mama) asked me once what I would give to have my old body back. She’s petrified of what’s going to happen when she gets pregnant and no longer has her body (in which all of her self worth is planted.) I realized then that there was no way to explain to her the trade that takes place. I gave up my perky breasts I liked to “show off” for a slightly deflated version that sustained a human life *exclusively* for nine months and partially nourishes him now at 19 months. I gave up my smooth, tan stomach for a softer version. But my new stomach has felt the kick of life from the inside and cushions the cuddles of my toddler son who cares more about jumping on mama then whether or not my old jeans fit. My hips are wider now. But there is no way my slimmer hips could have carried a boy that weighed 35 lbs at 18 months. You can’t explain to someone that becoming a mother tests who you thought you were and forces you to become a better person you never thought you could be. I can’t explain that my husband finds me attractive b/c he loves me and admires the amazing abilities of a woman’s body. Not because I no longer wear short skirts and high heels.
I hope that women like my friend find the site and read the stories and see the amazing pictures of real women. I hope then they’ll understand that all of the make up and tight clothes (and airbrushing) in the world can’t give you what the women represented here have- A sisterhood of mothers to encourage and support one another, respect for their bodies, and a love for a child that supersedes any amount of weight gain or stretch marks. We’re more than push up bras and thong underwear. We’re women, vessels of life, sensual beings, mother’s, daughter’s, sister’s-
and mother’s.
WOW…I LOVE EVERYTHING YOU WROTE…RIGHT ON SISTER!!!
Well said. I hope your friend comes to realize these things too… it seems some women never do.
Thanks for such great words!You’re beautiful! Your breasts are still somewhat perky and your belly looks great!
Well said, you said it better than I could have myself :)
beautiful words- thank you!
You look beautiful.What a wonderful site and what a wonderful post.Thank you for sharing!
what a beautiful way of putting it.
Wonderful sentiments and ones I can relate to :)
Beautifully put, thank you. I was surprised as well to find my body wasn’t the same even after getting back to pre-pg weight after my first.
Beautifully written!! Thank you very much!
I hope then they’ll understand that all of the make up and tight clothes (and airbrushing) in the world can’t give you what the women represented here have- A sisterhood of mothers to encourage and support one another, respect for their bodies, and a love for a child that supersedes any amount of weight gain or stretch marks. We’re more than push up bras and thong underwear. We’re women, vessels of life, sensual beings, mother’s, daughter’s, sister’s-and mother’s. I just love this!
Your entry brought tears to my eyes.I love the way you wrote that.
Beautiful post, dead on. As for your pictures, your body looks just beautiful, soft and sensual, curvy in all the right places. I bet your husband thinks you are more gorgeous now than ever!!!You go girl, and send the link for this site to your friend…
I love your post–it gave me chills because it is dead-on and beautifully written. I’ve tried to explain the idea of the trade off we make and our willingness to do so to a woman I know who has never been pregnant. She just looked at me skeptically and didn’t believe a word of it. I feel so priviledged to have that secret knowledge that we gain as mothers and that we have this amazing site where we can share our stories and pictures and wisdom. Thank you so much for your fabulously wonderful post!!
I think that is the most beautiful description of what being a Mom means…perfect!
Really beutiful boobs. You should be proud of your body, your breast and of course of the kid that enjoys them.