I have written before about body image, postpartum body woes and the hardships of gaining more with this baby. Lately I have been feeling better about all of it- the expanding, the endlessly climbing scale and how much I have been eating. I still am feeling gargantuan and pretty unattractive most of the time but lately I have been having moments of lifting and clarity.
Seeing my bump, my stretch marks and my expanding self as beautiful is a reach. I asked Charlie to snap a couple of photos of my bare bump (looking suspiciously like it did at 32 weeks with Nolie) just for me. I wanted some for posterities sake, for looking back, for reminiscing.
I only have a handful of pictures from my pregnancy with Nolie and I love them. I know I felt those same huge-expanding-fat feelings (admittedly less the first time than this time) but when I look at those picture I feel so strongly that I am looking at myself at my most beautiful, powerful and confident.
I have hope that I will look back on these bare photos and feel that some day in the near(ish) future. So, because this is my blog- Nolie and her sisters only baby book and a space that I hope woman can come and find honesty, beauty and some sort of hope… here they are. My belly at 24 weeks with my second baby.
The belly of an ‘overweight mother’ and the bump of a “you must be about to pop” baby.
24 weeks
the one that is hard to post...
I cringe at posting these but I am casting all my stupid feelings about numbers on a scale, marks on my body and growing “too big, too fast” … because those are all worthless. My body is growing a healthy baby, I feel her kick and can watch her dance, I am eating and exercising… heck! I mowed and raked my lawn yesterday and can run 3+ miles! This body is killer. I just struggle to remember that. So this post is my reminder.
And now, because I like to read these… my first survey of this pregnancy (and possibly my last, who knows!)
How far along? 24 weeks
Total Weight Gain: somewhere between 15-20lbs… yep
How much does baby weigh? around a pound!
Stretch marks? the ones from last time and the more I see them in the photo the more I kind of like them…weird
Sleep? When Nolie is asleep- so am I!
Best moment this week: “baby is poking me!” Nolie and I laying in bed feeling our girl dance and wiggle
Movement: yeah! mainly in the evening though just before bed.
Food Cravings? none really, maybe lemon water. Otherwise I just want to eat everything.
Labor signs? not a labor sign at this point but lots of BH contractions when I exert myself at all.
Belly button in or out? In- I doubt it will ever pop!
What I miss? dresses with nipped in waists and being able to sleep on my back and bend in half easily…also? I sorely miss drinking too much Champagne (happy new year!)
What I’m looking forward to: making our room ready for the new little one.
Milestone: mmmm… almost 25 weeks? getting close to the 3rd trimester? OH! we set up a bassinet!
I have a new years post soon to come, I have made a few resolutions and our family has made one together. But that is yet to come… those things feel important but natural. This feels like fighting back and a good sentiment and post to start my year off with.
These photos are beautiful….you shouldn’t cringe at all! Hot mama!!! The fact that you are so in shape and can run {and mow the lawn} is more than I can do NOT pregnant – you should be so proud of yourself.
Emily recently posted..A Fresh Start
You may be bigger than me, but you are no question healthier. Plus, you look pretty amazing. I didn’t cringe in the slightest at those photos.
Vera recently posted..22 Weeks!
You are beautiful. And I am not just saying that. Whenever I was feeling over the top fat while pregnant (and I am still trying to remind myself post-pregnancy as well) I remember what a blessing pregnancy is. My husband’s cousin has never been able to get pregnant and it has pained her so much watching me go thru it twice when she has tried for half her life to no avail. So, I try to remind myself that these “hardships” are a blessing. You are beautiful. And an awesome life is growing inside you. Don’t let people’s stupid comments get you down.
Jessica G. recently posted..Lately {in Photos}
Not stretch marks mama….TIGER STRIPES!!
Oh, puh-leeze! You have a gorgeous pregnant belly, and know what you mean about stretchmarks. With Garrett, I didn’t get any. With Owen I got like 2 tiny ones that faded down to nothing. With Claire I got a few more, and I’m not gonna lie. I was sad about it for maybe 2 seconds. I figure, it doesn’t really matter unless I want to wear a bikini in public and care a lot about what people would think of my body…..which I don’t.
You are beautiful and strong and I love you. Way to keep fighting back and claiming the truth that is yours!
Thanks for sharing this, Autumn! Body image can be so difficult, and I can only imagine adding pregnancy into the mix makes things crazy. Things going beyond your own personal control and discipline to now being about the well being of another. It is am amazing way to experience your body.
Thank you for being brave enough to share your beautiful beautoful bare baby belly
gorgeous….for real!
OH. MY. You are so, so beautiful. I don’t know what witch ever decided that stretch marks are “ugly.” They are natural tattoos, documenting new life time & time again! They are earned! Especially by you, such a wonderful mama. Keep moving & shaking.
Nelson recently posted..cease sitting, sitter!
Psshhtt, you look great. If I posted pics of my stretch marks women would never complain about their’s again. No exaggeration.
But, we made/make life. We keep up with it. We move and expand and take in experience.
I know one day, when Jack is grown up, when my body is through making children, life, I’ll look at the stretch marks and think of them fondly. They’ll have represented more than my pre-baby tummy did anyway.
Much love!
Amanda Sierra recently posted..Photo Challenge- Day 6- Makes You Smile
you are beyond awesome.
i have stretch marks as well and I think they are pretty cute. Well in truth, they are ugly marks, or at least that’s what people would say. but they symbolize great things that non-moms could never understand. we shouldn’t be sad about it. being a mom is one of the most amazing things that happened to me.
and by the way, if you would want to have an online photo album of your baby, here try this: http://www.babypics.com/ there are lots of cute baby pics there as well. just sharing!
congrats mama ♥