I've earned my stripes, but it doesn't mean that I need to like them.

 

 

 

I guarantee I am not the first, and I won't be the last to admit that I preferred my pre-baby body over my post baby body.  I had much less sag, much more bladder control, and my stomach didn't resemble a deflated balloon.  I have the tendency to get a little depressed when I think about how I used to look and how I look now. The pictures above were taken in Istanbul and on the Black Sea.  Little did I know that I was a baby mama at the time (I just took that picture to document that Greg actually agreed to watch it with me).  I can't believe I thought I was so fat back then. 

 

 But the other day I heard this quote and it made me feel a little more love towards my not-so-perfect body because I have the ability to make oh-so-perfect babies. 

 



 "You're body is not ruined, you're a tiger who earned her stripes."

 

    First of all, this picture is so fake.  At least for 99% of mothers out there, we do not have a flat belly and a few stretch marks.  Our stomach has stretch marks AND flabby skin, AND dimples, and all other signs of being stretched almost beyond capacity. 

    Second, AMEN SISTER!  motherhood is an amazing thing and the fact that my body can nurture and grow another human is incredible.  So yes, I would say that instead of being left with these horrible marks, we need to look at them as something earned. 

 

...that being said, I don't think I'm ready to go run around in a bikini and show them off.  I just felt like this was a good reminder to me (and any mothers or future mothers out there) that my body has been pushed to the edge, it has been stretched, it has been pained, it has been put to use to bring a perfect little boy into this world.  And I will do it over and over again.  I gave up a very big part of me to have a child but when it comes down to it there are no regrets.  If I work hard and care for my body maybe one day I'll fit into my pre-baby jeans.  Maybe I never will again.  Who cares, I am a mother and that feels a million times better than having a six pack.  

 

 When I see pre-baby pictures I immediately think "oh what I would give to look like that again!"  But you know what, its all about what I wouldn't give.  I would never give up my opportunity to be a mother just to have a few less stretch marks on my stomach.  I can (and will!) lose the weight, even if it is after my child bearing years are over.  But the little (or big) belly sag that comes with a C-section, the marks, the wider hips, those I will keep and that's okay.  Its okay because I am a mom and that is exactly what I want to be.