After 3 babies, I finally developed some stretch marks on my midsection. With my other two, they appeared everywhere else…butt, thighs, boobs, etc. All 3 of my births were moderately to severly traumatic…and there are times that I look in the mirror and am shocked that the emotional scars are not visible on the surface. They sure feel like it sometimes. My marks of motherhood do not bother me. I am much heavier and much rounder than I was before I started my journey into motherhood…but I almost prefer it this way. My children have a soft place to lay their heads when they’re sleepy…there are no bony edges to make them uncomfortable when they’re cuddling with me. I am a mother. I have a motherly body and I lead a motherly life. That’s the way it is and I wouldn’t have it any other way. (This is an important picture to me becuause my 3rd child, my first daughter, is the first of my kids that I suceeded in breastfeeding. I am a photographer, myself, so I set everything up for the shot but a friend pushed the button)
Gorgeous photo! You look so confident and competent and serene, as if you’re thinking, “I am shelter and nourishment and love for my baby. I am woman with a capital W!”
Beautiful picture!!! Congratulations on your newest little peanut, and your breastfeeding success :)
I love this picture. And congrats on your breastfeeding success :)
Way to go, tink. :)
I love breastfeeding my daughter, too! ;) You look great! And AMEN to everything you just said!
Not to diminish the acceptance that you have for your “motherly” body, but am I less of a mother b/c I DON’T have a soft rounded body for my child to cuddle to? Are my bony hips and shoulders any less of a comforting place for my child to take refuge?
Beautiful!
Congratulations on your success with breastfeeding!
Wonderful post, you seem like an awesome mother! :)
Fantastic photo. Congrats to you on keeping at the breastfeeding even when it didn’t work out the first two times around. What lucky kids you have.
That is an amazing photo. You and your baby are beautiful. Congrats on the breastfeeding!
This is a really great photo. You make such a good point about the softness and roundness giving the little ones a soft place to put their heads. I got rid of all my scratchy wool sweaters after I had kids, so they could lean their heads on me while I was carrying them around, but I never gave much thought to how my own flesh had a role in their comfort too.
Dana, I think you know the answer to that one
I feel the exact same way – my softness is my children’s refuge. My 3 year old often puts her head on my belly and says “I love the squishy” lol.
And is there anything cuter than a naked baby bum? That’s just adorable!!!
that is such a wonderful, beautiful, amazing picture, i love it! look that tiny little butt, haha babies are so cute, they are worth everything!
hehe I love the little booty! so cute. you look amazing!
What a gourgeous photo! I wish i could get a beautiful photo of my motherly body as well