Actually YES! And that's beautiful!!
OK, I promised blogs on my pregnancy progress and here we go! You should know, that I have Rob's blessing to share this amazing journey with all of you, but there will be no sonogram pics...just belly :)
If you knew me as a teenager, you heard me ask every time I put something on I'd ask, "Does this make me look hippy?" It was such a common phrase for me, that when I bought my first car, my family teased me that they were surprised I didn't ask if my car made me look hippy when I sat in it!
Over the years, I have made a living using my body (to dance and teach fitness) and work hard everyday to keep it in great condition. I exercise everyday and eat really well. It's a lifestyle and having a strong, healthy body makes me feel fantastic! I still have curves..in fact the ONLY
boyfriend jeans that have ever fit right are the ones J Lo, Queen of the booty, produces...thank you girl! I knew being pregnant would be an adjustment, but I didn't KNOW.
The moment I found out we were expecting, people said it would be hard for me to adjust to my changing body. I had been told that at first you just feel fat, not pregnant. I WANTED to be pregnant, I marveled at the idea that my body could create and sustain a little life inside, I loved the idea of being a cute pregnant woman, I understood that gaining weight was a great thing in this case and that FINALLY I would be able to eat loads of ice cream :)
Here's the thing, knowing and ACCEPTING are two entirely different things. For years I have been in control of my body, ME! Now, I have no control over how it's growing and expanding.....and it doesn't happen in the usual, "I've eaten three slices of pizza and I feel bloated way." My body is changing to make it easier for me to give birth, for my baby to live comfortably inside my belly and I have started with a body that weighs around 100lbs and stands only 4' 11.5" tall...there's NOT a lot of room in there for my little peanut! So of course things have to move, starting with guess what? My hips!! Yup! All my years of joking that I had child bearing hips and turns out I had no idea.
What I found incredibly frustrating, was that although the scale wasn't moving very much, my clothes were NOT fitting right. Well of course not! I'm pregnant, and those white fitted jeans I love to wear so much in the summer are fitted....not fitted with room for three months of baby.
Let me stop here and say I am LOVING being pregnant! There have been no crazy cravings, I have been blessed with no morning sickness, I am still eating incredibly healthy items because I understand that I am feeding my baby with every bite, yes I am still exercising because it's good for both of us, and every night I read to Rob from a book that tells us what's happening today with the baby and me and then I rub my belly and talk to the baby. We are creating a miracle and I couldn't be happier! As soon as this baby acne subsides I'm sure you'll be able to see my pregnancy glow :) This bog entry is simply to acknowledge a big realization I had, that I'm sure other expectant mothers face...which is why I'm sharing.
So, back to the day of the white jeans.....here was where the shift happened. Trying on maternity pants....that changed everything....just ask Rob how happy those $17 on sale at Target,
Liz Lange maternity pants made everyone :) All of a sudden, I didn't look like a sausage trying to squeeze into my snug summer pants, I felt good and confident, like the cute pregnant woman I imagined. Who knew that elastic waist bands could be so comfortable? I had literally outgrown myself and the moment I stopped trying to fit into that old skin and accepted the new, I felt liberated...giddy really. I bought two pairs of pants!!
Now we've created a bit of a monster....I've been exposed to a whole new world of retail! There are TONS of cute maternity clothes out there! I am having so much fun outfitting my new body...my favorite items are the ones that hug my belly so you can tell I've got a little baby in there...I am now 4.5 months or 18 weeks pregnant and I still have to tell people I'm expecting :) Let me show you...
12 weeks 16 weeks
No 18 weeks pic yet....my photographer, daddy, is still sleeping.
This is the most AMAZING thing I have ever done! Some days I cannot believe how lucky we are and that there is a little life growing inside of me...now the size of a bell pepper. I have incredible amounts of energy right now, I also have incredible amounts of hormones flowing through me, so everyday is an adventure...probably why daddy's still sleeping. :) He's the one, who held me when I had a crying fit about "What am I doing with my life and why am I suddenly so crazy?" and calmly said "Honey, you're pregnant, I think you're a little emotional right now." Or when I stood in front of the mirror and screamed, "The baby doesn't live in my hips and ass, why don't my pants fit?" he replied, "Babe you're pregnant, that's supposed to happen." That was the day he took me maternity clothes shopping :)
THIS IS AMAZING and I am loving every minute of it in my elastic band pants! (Which I just discovered are intended to be ankle length pants, but not on this gal...perfect floor length and no hemming required!) I have released my old skin and am embracing the new!!
Recently my sister took me to a GREAT maternity consignment shop in Charlotte, NC called
Womb
We had so much fun trying on all kinds of things...including a baby bump!
Moms-to-be, embrace the belly band (lets you wear your current pants longer, unbuttoned!), try the elastic waist...you'll like it, just because you're pregnant doesn't mean you can't look good, rouching on a top is our friend and quite flattering. This is NOT shallow, this is human nature. When we look good, we feel good. And you know what? Shame on the fashion world for ignoring us! Right now everyone has their thick fall fashion issues on the stands, but there is not one magazine or website that shows us expectant moms how to make the most of OUR curves! Yes, I get this is not the most important part of pregnancy....my primary job is to care for my baby. I AM! But I can look good while I'm doing it can't I?
