Thanks to Bravado Designs for sponsoring today’s post. As always all opinions and contents are my own.
I still have more days than I’d like to admit when I stand in front of the mirror and don’t like what I see. During my twenties, I used to get stressed out while getting ready because I had too many options. Nowadays, getting dressed is a quick step in my hurried morning routine, throwing on my usual momiform of leggings and a t-shirt. Sure, I can lament that it’s just easy to dress comfortably for chasing around two little boys. But, if I’m going to be honest, I think it’s more the lack of effort because I don’t feel the need or want to dress up my pregnant and soon to be thirdly postpartum body.
After three full-term pregnancies, it goes without saying that my body isn’t what it used to be. But, this is the body that housed two beautiful, healthy baby boys and is still baking our littlest love. From the dark circles permanently etched under my eyes to the soft pudge of my belly, I have grown to love and appreciate my body more in this phase of my life than any other time. For everything it’s endured in the last four years, I am in awe of the power of a woman’s body.
Just as his brothers before him, this baby boy growing healthily helps me to be conscious of all the changes that my body has powered through to bear each of my children and to nourish them as they start their life outside of my womb.
This is the body that swelled over 9 months to provide my babies’ first home. This is the body that labored and delivered my strong, healthy babies. This is the body that produced milk to provide my babies’ first nourishment. This is the body that gained and lost nearly 40 lbs., (soon to be) 3 times in the last four years.
I always say that motherhood is my greatest teacher in life. And it’s no less true in guiding me to learn more about myself every day. The experiences of pregnancy, nursing, and postpartum recovery have taught me invaluable lessons about learning to love my body in ways that I would never have imagined as important in the relationship I have with myself.
My boys tell me nearly every day that I am pretty and beautiful. And for the first time in my life, I’m beginning to genuinely believe that too.
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Our bodies can do wonderful things! This was beautiful!
You are glowing! Such stunning pictures. I love this post and can SO relate. My body hasn’t been at all what I’d like it to be since becoming a mom, but it’s done amazing things like give me my beautiful and healthy son. 🙂
You look wonderful friend! Sometimes it’s hard to get away from the 20″s mentality that you have to be super skinny and remind yourself that you just grew a human in your body and you should love what your body is capable of. Going to share this on The Blended Blog Friday Loves tomorrow 🙂
Beautifully said and such gorgeous pictures, I loved reading this so much! You are an inspiration mama!
I still struggle with my postpartum body and my son is 2 haha. But I was unfortunately blessed with tons of stretch marks (thank you genetics). But like you said, I was blessed with a beautiful boy who I adore. And that’s the positive haha
These bras look amazing!
This was beautiful. I didn’t have too hard a time accepting body changes after my first pregnancy, but my kids are 18 months apart and my body changed a lot more after my second. It has definitely taken more time to accept it this time around.
You are beautiful friend (both inside and out)! 🙂
Love! And yes, motherhood teaches us soooo much about loving ourselves and others!
It can be so difficult to keep a positive frame of mind with all that we have going on. Our hormones don’t help the situation. You are a beautiful woman. When we look better, we feel better though, so find that one awesome outfit and buy it in every color!
So beautiful!!! I totally relate to you. I recently wrote a post on PP too. You look great mama and congrats on your babies. Love what you said about #motherhood being your greatest teacher. Couldn’t have said it better!