i keep forgetting i’m pregnant. it is a really weird feeling to be moving along as normal and then all of a sudden a belly carrying a baby the size of a mango gets in your way. with ramona, i don’t think a second went by that i wasn’t aware there was a belly and a baby in that belly. but for some reason, this time around, i seem to think i can continue doing all the stuff i usually do when not carrying a child: advanced yoga, shaving my legs, trimming my toes, laying on my stomach comfortably, fitting into my favorite pair of jeans, carrying a heavy load. i go to do these things and almost every single time i find myself saying to myself, “oh yeah. that’s right. there’s a belly with a baby in it that’s in the way. better adjust your plan of action.” which is ridiculous bc i’ve undeniably got a pregnant belly.
i’m not small. i’m not huge yet but i’m certainly PREGNANT. definitely much bigger than these photos of me 18 weeks pregnant with ramona where i’m just exclaiming that, gee i think i popped. oh boy, i popped a long time ago with this little bugger. part of it is that i had a handful of extra pounds on me to begin with this time around. part of it is that my body just has decided to go straight to where it needs to go. “oh. i remember this. i’m going to need to make room for a little human. better get there now before it stretches me there.” thanks, body. i’m glad you’re efficient at what you need to do but i do wish i could remember that you’re doing it.
i’m not concerned about weight gain. i’ve never been one to shudder at the number on the scale. certainly not when i’m with child. i am concerned that it, this belly, keeps catching me off guard — it’s getting in the way too soon this time around! pregnancy was quite enjoyable for me for most of the time i was pregnant with ramona. this time? not as much. it’s just a little more, well, difficult than i remember it being. (little bug: when you read this when you’re older please be assured that this in no way takes away my love of you. babies of the family –of which i am one and you will be– are inherently a little more of a handful and i wouldn’t have it any other way). 21 more weeks of belly-ness. i can do it. i can do it!
women who had more than two, just how did you manage that craziness done to your body?! i know it can be done but it’s hard for me to wrap my head around it.
thrifted cardigan || thrifted allen allen maxi dress || thrifted moccasins (not pictured but i’m on a roll with thrifted amazingness so i wanted to keep going) || scarf from denver boutique inspyre || urban outfitters belt || [i have been living in this outfit. it’s so perfect for a bump in fall]
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6 Responses to NINETEEN WEEKS
Leave a Reply to LaurenCancel reply
welcome
I can totally relate to this. I was always having to remind myself I was pregnant with ruby. I even tried to plop down on my belly multiple times in my third tri forgetting it was there (once doing a yoga move with rain). But I feel like I enjoyed my pregnancy more because of it. I wasn’t obsessing over my changing body or constantly wondering if my baby was healthy and alive!
You are beautiful.
Just remember the belly when ironing (something I detest doing anyway)… I once forgot. And I think it was on #2, now that you mention it. But I will never, ever forget again. (And yes, I agree, the popping part began a lot earlier for me after #1. But I don’t think you’ll find that you’ll cross the finish line looking much different than before. It just starts earlier!)
Now, there are some other things you might wanna know ahead of time about post-partum on second, third, etc. babies, namely, the afterpains during nursing. Using a heating pad on my belly while nursing saved me… I literally thought I was entering transition labor all over again, and I thought I was gonna die.
Beautiful
you look adorable, seriously so cute!
You look beautiful- seriously, glowing, adorable, all that stuff! I think pregnancy suits you! I had three kids pretty back-to-back, and I think each pregnancy was a little harder on my body, but in a strange way- I actually had trouble gaining enough weight, probably because I was constantly chasing another kid around and barely sat down during the day. So I was tired, but luckily being so active and breastfeeding, plus eating right (which it sounds like you do) made the baby weight drop right off. You’re going to be fine, and your body will bounce back! Women’s bodies are absolutely amazing for what they do and create! Remember, you’re making a baby from scratch!