I was 19 years old and in the middle of my third year of college. My life was, on track, but I was miserable. Then an anvil fell from the sky and landed on my head…actually the birth control failed, and perhaps if I had been paying more attention to my studies, instead of my boyfriend’s (now husband) boxer briefs, I would have been graduating in a few months.
But so far motherhood has been an experience I would not give up for anything in this world.
The first image that came to my mind as that little stick, whom I had just assaulted with my hot piss, told me that I could just kiss my youth goodbye because I was PREGNANT…was my mother’s belly: very soft to the touch, riddled with at least a hundred strechmarks starting from her sternum and going down.
I did not want that belly. Granted my mom had brought forth four children to this world, and I was carrying (thank ye god) just one, but there was no way in hell I was about to give up my ‘youth’ without a fight.
So my first purchase was a Jar of cocoa butter. And every day I made sure to just about coat my entire belly in that goey, scented mess, hoping, no, praying my skin would hold on tight.
I knew I was fighting a losing fight, since genetics are rather unforgiving, but I figured there was just a slight, slight chance, that I might not end up gaining a hundred pounds, just as she had with her two last pregnancies, but thankfully that choice wasn’t left to ‘genetics’, no, I doubt it was. That was the icky, picky stomach’s priority. Which meant I spent the first four months of my pregnancy vomiting until dry heaves left my throat raw.
No food could please. No smell was welcomed. I had lost 20 pounds by the end of my first trimester and did not gain those back until the eighth month mark when the doctor basically gave me no other alternative. I must admit, part of me was rather vainly admiring my lack of a weight gain, at first.
I figured my diet of prenatal vitamins, ramen noodles and apple sauce was the only thing I could stomach, and there was no point forcing myself to eat things I was just going to vomit back out.
But I soon started worrying about my daughter, and whether she was gaining enough weight was more important to me than looking svelte. Unfortunately, for the longest time I just could not find any interest in food. Even after the vomiting abated, I was still nauseous the rest of the pregnancy. A UTI and bacterial infection did nothing to improve my appetite. And stress definitely played a big part in the fact that at the 8 month mark, I weighted 147 pounds…which was exactly what I weighted when I got pregnant.
However, the last month I ate the only things I could stomach X 4. Lilo was born the morning after her due date, weighting in at 6 pounds 12 oz, and was healthy. Three months later, she’s 14 pounds heavy and I’ve stopped counting her rolls. I myself have not discouraged myself from stuffing my face full and have gained 15 pounds since giving birth. I figured that since I’m breastfeeding, I’m really doing her and I a flavor by taking double portions. And really, I loooove my new figure. Really. I spent my high school years trying to diet and starve away thighs that would never ever go away. It’s about time I start having a healthy relationship with food.
As for the stretchmarks, I was lucky this time around. Not a single one appeared. But I know I’m not out of danger just yet. Genetics, you sneaky little bastards. I know you’re just waiting for the second or third pregnancy to spring on my poor poor skin. I have to live with the work you did on my poor buttocks during puberty.
But I’ll be waiting.
With my giant jar of Cocoa Butter.
I won this round. Who cares if I’m perhaps fighting a losing battle. I plan on winning the next round as well!
You’re so gorgeous. I really enjoyed reading your post.
That was awesome. You and Lilo (LOVE that name) are gorgeous. You should blog.
damn. i hope i end up with a body like yours after mines born!!! you look so good! and your baby is an absolute doll!
you are super cute, smart, sassy & funny. i like you…. and your hips!
You look fantastic and your daughter is such a precious bundle!
Your story is AwEsOmE! You write wonderfully! you word everything perfectly. you should be a writer…lol. you look great, as for me, I got a lot of stretch marks…my post is “happy with her body” but I do love my new body too. i nurse my son as well, he is almost eight months old now, and it is the best thing that I have done, i love my nursing sessions with my best boy. your daughter is gorgeous. you should be proud…and I think everyone can tell that you are =]
congrats!
Such a pretty babe! Great job mama – and your post is hysterical! I cracked up reading it!
You look lovely!
Great post and you look fantastic! Your daughter is beautiful!
I love your bra in that first pic! :) You are gorgeous, and your daughter is too!
aw your’e so cute! and funny :) and you look like you didn’t even have a baby! and you looked amazing pregnant, you could’ve been a belly model. you’re beautiful!
Hot damn girl! Mommyhood looks good on you! You were super-cute pregnant too. I think I look better now that I have two kids as well – like a plush curvy swervy goddess. ;) Your writing style rocks also. If you have a blog you should post the link here! I’ll come read!
Your post was wonderful! I started reading it and my husband wanted me to go to bed…I ended up having to get up out of bed and come finish! Now this morning it was still on my mind and I decided to post! You are amazing and BREATHTAKING! You are gorgeous and your daughter is beautiful! Way to go! The after pictures are something to be proud of! The pictures of you in the dress and then the one of you in the pink undies are beautifully simple…art! wow!
You look gorgeous postpartum and yout pregnancy photos show one of the most beautiful pregnant bellies I have ever seen! Believe me, the fact that you didn`t get any stretchmarks from this pregnancy makes it very, very unlikely that you will get them from a pregnancy to come! Even mothers you got them from their first one “survive” their second pregnancy without any new ones!
Your style is great and your lttle one will be so proud of her pretty and stylish mother!
I love the way you write, set a blog and I’ll subscribe. You and your daughter are beautiful!!!
You are hands down the most beautiful pregnant and post pregnant woman ever! I loved your story. I think you got great genetics! Enjoy your baby and you should go be a writer someday
You looked SO awesome pregnant and you look AWESOME now, too!!!!
WOw, I didn’t even realize it had been posted until now. Thank you so much.
oh and my name is Yolande!
You look great, wish I was so lucky with the stretchmarks :( You daughter is adorable, and you looked SO cute pregnant!
This was an amazing post! Loved the pregnant and postpartum photos. Simply beautiful, you go girl!
our bodies look very similar.
you just helped me sleep better, minus the nausea part, but I knew it was coming anyways, because i get nausea at every possible chance.
well, enjoy your baby.
oh and about school, it’s not the only way to get an education. but if thats the education you want, you can still get it! So go for it, mama!
I never had a child myself, and not planning to have one in the near future, but I sometimes visit this site to read about other people’s pregnancies and bellies without ever replying to them.
You, however, had that something extra that made those pictures worth a reply.
You, dear lady, are not only extremely beautiful of face and body, but also intelligent. You don’t overdramatise and can cope with your mistakes, which makes you remarkable.
Your child is a lucky one.
You and your baby are gorgeous!
You and your baby are just too darn cute! I love your sense of humor, great post! And your body looks wonderful.
WOW! I hope my body bounces back like yours has. Right now I’m in my 17th week, not showing yet, but still dreading the eventual stretch marks (my mom had them so badly thather doctors always ask if she’s had surgery). But she’s had three kids, and this is my first. Your pics are amazing! hot momma :D