**The photos in this post are unedited, vulnerable and raw photos of what Motherhood actually looks like. The stretch marks, the fat in places you wish would disappear and the ponytail thats thinner than you once knew. But this is the new me and I love her. ❤
Last year, around this time I was in recovery from having Avery 2 months ahead of schedule. Typically in pregnancy, a healthy woman gains 25-35lbs. I had only gained 7lbs and because of this, and many other factors, I was forced to deliver Avery ahead of schedule.
You’re probably thinking I didn’t have a lot of weight to lose in the first place. WRONG. I had turned into a fatty prior to even getting pregnant. So I was in the category of women who need to gain less than 25lbs, however, I still didn’t even meet those numbers.
After delivering Avery, I breastfed and that helped to bring down my weight. Also, I was very sick so and left without an appetite or even a clear picture of what I could eat with my newfound life with advanced kidney failure and anemia. I must’ve got something right though + I had God on my side, because I have seen HUGE improvements in my kidney function over this past year.
I had body shaming issues previous to the pregnancy. During the summer of my 8th grade year, while all of my peers were looking forward to going to High School, I was diagnosed with Kidney Disease at the age of 14. I was placed on a medicine that caused me to rapidly gain 10-20 lbs literally overnight. The good thing is that I also lost 15-20 lbs overnight that same year when I got off of the medicine. However, I was left with stretch marks covering my body.
Picture your young self at 14 years old, entering High School for the first time. The nerves of that, the anxiety of that, being the underclassman, and how mean they are to the Freshmen. So I had to endure all of that, while being 15-20lbs heavier than anyone remembered me and with stretch marks. Yay!
I wore jeans a lot. The High School that I attended actually didn’t even allow shorts so I didn’t stand out that much. I was thankful for this. But on the weekends, I rarely wore shorts and when I did I was always self conscious about my stretch marks and if they were showing. I learned from a very young age to hide your imperfections and show off your assets.
Many women that have had children have stretch marks so now it’s not so uncommon in my age group for me to have them. It’s still not my favorite feature of myself but I’m learning to appreciate them more and more each day. I also have this tummy that Avery once lived in that I’m growing to be okay with. Not in a lazy, I’m not going to try to be my best self kind of way, but in a fearless, you had a little person live inside of you who is healthy and happy kind of way.
Since having Avery, I must admit that I feel sexier and more confident than ever and I want all of you Momma’s to feel the same way. So the next time that you look at your body remember this, “Your body is not ruined. You are a fearless tiger who has EARNED her stripes!” Now adjust your crown, hold your head high, go forth and be great!! 😀
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SHOP THE LOOK
Lauren by Ralph Lauren Beach Club Cutout swimsuit can be purchased here.
Crystal earrings were purchased at Urban Outfitters maybe 6 years ago but these are abundant now. I’m sure you can find something similar just by searching for “raw crystal hoop earrings.”
Necklace was purchased in South America on a trip to Panama. Whenever I take trips, I always bring back local jewelry. I’m obsessed with it. I’ll usually send out a post asking anyone if they want a special treat from “country x” for “x amount” (usually under $20) and those that respond, I have brought back jewelry for. Think of it like a “travel box” of surprises. So please be on the lookout for this in the future.
