pregnancy

Two and a half years ago I was pregnant with my first baby, a boy, and in the sweltering Texas July heat was NOT a happy camper. I was huge (I had gained 40 pounds thanks to an inordinate amount of ice cream) and felt like a whale waddling on land. In fact, this is me on my actual due date, which was the day before I was induced.

The only reason I’m smiling is because my mother, who had just gotten in town from Phoenix, made me smile. It was my husband’s and my second anniversary and all I could think about was that tomorrow I wouldn’t be carrying a watermelon around in my abdomen (and that we were finally going to get to meet our son, I’m not totally callus ;). From the very beginning of my pregnancy, I hated how I looked-the veins, the swelling, the stretch marks and everything else that goes with being pregnant. It’s no surprise that when approached about taking maternity photos the answer was a definite NO.

Fast forward the clock to now. Here I am, pregnant with our second little boy and although I am much more appreciative of the miracle of which I am a part, I am still not happy with the changes in my body. I’ve already gained 30 pounds in a little over 30 weeks and although I am not fond of how I look, I knew I wanted professional maternity photos done. Why? Because I seriously regret not documenting my first pregnancy more than I did. I want to remember that although pregnancy isn’t easy (especially when you’re almost 40), it’s an amazing time. I want to remember what it was like when it was just three of us, I want to remember that the uncomfortable things in life can bring us the greatest joy. Overall, I just want to remember. I believe our photos will provide all of that.

For me, choosing a photographer was quite simple; I had seen Tamara of RTC PhotoWork’s portfolio and loved it, plus she is such an amazing person overall. We’ve gotten together a couple of times to discuss what I want and I asked her if she would be interested in writing a guest post for me about the importance of maternity photography and what to expect from a photographer. She graciously agreed to do a two part series; today is the first installment.

TAKE IT AWAY TAMARA!

I firmly believe that there are times in our lives we should document regardless of how we feel about our bodies. Pregnancy is by far one of those precious times. Hormones running a muck, growing waistlines, an otherwise bizarre body shape, and an insecure body image amidst the changes which are our excuses for avoiding cameras during pregnancy are the very reasons we need to get in front of cameras.

I will admit that I did not have maternity photos created when I was pregnant with Tristan. I didn’t love my body, but deep down my real reason for not taking up offers for maternity sessions came down to one thing: celebration. I didn’t feel like celebrating my pregnancy at the time, and I knew that would show in the photos. That lack of celebration for me was why I wasn’t so welcoming of the body changes. It’s that celebratory attitude that gets lost when we focus on stretch marks, inches, and pounds.

Maternity photos are not just about a bump. They are not something we do just for our children to look back on. They are a way for us to celebrate the baby we’re about to meet, to celebrate our current partner or family, and to celebrate the strength of our bodies. That baby bump is beautiful. As women, we need to take back our bodies and take back celebrating what we are capable of. Think of all the things going on inside that space in your body. You’ve grown a brand new organ and a person! All those extra pounds you’re worrying about are extra blood and fluids to nourish and protect your baby, a brand new organ which filters what goes to and from him; we’re not talking about too much pie or Cheetos, ladies. That line running down from your middle is proof of hormones which tell your body how to grow your child for 40 weeks! There is such power in that, in us!
I get it, I really do. Our society prizes a certain standard, and we cling to that standard because it’s what we know. Perhaps you feel your identity slipping away with the body you used to recognize. All these things make it hard to see past the practical uses for the changes and to feel empowered. It’s definitely a choice we have to make. As someone in front of and behind the camera a lot, I can say that stepping in front of the camera can be where we start to take our power and celebration back. Those moments in front of the lens can be you standing up to the world (particularly yourself) and saying, “There is nothing wrong with my body, and I am excited about what the changes will bring!” It’s okay if you don’t feel all “I am woman, hear me roar” in the moment, but I guarantee you will feel like you reclaimed your body and new identity at least a little bit. Then, when you see the beautiful photos created, you will see that what you criticize in the mirror isn’t so bad after all. Sometimes we have to change what we’re doing before our thinking follows suit. Perhaps you will be reminded that what you’re documenting isn’t this physical metamorphosis. What you’re documenting is a life created and a life changed. (Please, let that sink in…)

So how did you document your pregnancy? Moms, did you have professional maternity pictures taken? Soon-to-be moms, are you planning a session (or have you already had one done)? Did how you feel about your body make an impact on that decision?

Join us tomorrow for the second installment of this series, which will give you hints on how to select a photographer, what to expect from your session and more!

If you or someone you know is expecting or just delivered, contact me using the contact form. Photos and written content provided by Tamara Curry are copyright to RTC PhotoWork and are posted on the Mommy Moxie blog with permission. None of these photos are to be printed or posted anywhere, whether in part or in whole, unless given the express permission of RTC PhotoWork. Please contact me at t.jcurry@yahoo.com for permission if you would like to repost any images or content.

It’s hard to believe that I’m already sixteen weeks along, but thankfully I am out of the first trimester. Yes, I do realize that the second trimester begins at 13 weeks, but for me, the first trimester blues have stuck around a little longer. I still get a little queasy every once in a while, but for the most part I feel really good. Baby B2 looks great on all the ultrasounds and the little one’s ticker is going strong up around 160 beats a minute. So far, so good!

Little Baby B2 is about the size of an avocado right now, but to be honest, avocados don’t stay around our house too long. When the cravings hit, it seems to be for avocado with a sprinkling of sea salt. Yum! (Hence why there is a mango in the picture but you get the point.) The little one is about four to five inches long and about three and a half ounces at this point and I’m just beginning to feel the little flutters of movement. This week Baby B2 can start to hear and eyebrows, eyelashes and hair are starting to fill in (if this one is like its brother, there will be lots of hair!). Over the past few weeks, while bent over the sink heaving, I keep telling myself that this is a miracle happening inside me and to be grateful. Yeah, that works for about 2.5 seconds before I’m silently cursing the whole process. I am NOT one of those happy pregnant gals, but I have vowed to make the best of it and enjoy it as much as possible since this is the last time it will be happening to me (yep, two and we’re DONE!)

So next Tuesday the 12th is our next ultrasound and they should be able to determine what we’re having (and yes, we want to know). Any guesses? Leave your guess in the comments and I’ll reveal what it is on the 12th or 13th!

As a wrap-up, I figured that I would mention the things that I disliked and liked the most about the first trimester (in no particular order)…

The first trimester stinks because…

1. Fatigue!

There have been days where getting out of bed was an accomplishment. Running after a toddler is a challenge too, so let’s just say that my once “doesn’t like to watch TV kid” now knows all the Cars characters by heart and so do I. And most of the dialogue of that movie because for weeks on end, I didn’t get out of the chair in our media room and that’s the only thing that would hold his attention. I know, bad mom! (LOL)

2. Your body being all out of whack

As in, you have to pee all the time and at all hours (last pregnancy I didn’t have to get up in the middle of the night until my 3rd trimester-here, right off the bat). Your bowels don’t work as they should (HEL-LO constipation!) and we don’t even want to go into what other discharges are common (sorry for the TMI but it’s true and you know it). Also, you’re bloated, cranky, and everything else that is normally associated with your period, except your period is not showing up to make it all go away. Talk about fun {snort}.

3. Morning sickness

Except mine wasn’t just morning, it was all day, every day for eight and a half weeks. My best friends were milk, ice-cold water, crystallized ginger, Altoids, Tums and these little ginger/mint/lemon drops that I made. I would wake up in the morning and immediately pop an Altoid so that I could make it to the fridge for some milk. Then I was okay unless I smelled the dog, her food, garbage, the smell of the garage or a variety of other things, then it was back to the sink/toilet/trash for a good heaving. NOT FUNNY. Since I was only slightly nauseous for three weeks with J3, and only in the afternoons, this was a new one and one that I am thrilled I will not experience again.

Things that Rock about the first trimester

1. Aunt Flo will not be visiting for almost an entire year!

I don’t know about you, but that monthly visit stinks, so knowing that I’m not having her visit pretty much rocks! Once I figured that one out, I stashed the tampons and liners away until next year. Thank heavens they don’t expire ;)

2. Bountiful cleavage

Granted, the first time around I had bigger boobs and was only slightly puffy, so I could still rock the cleavage. Not this time. This time I started showing really fast (thank you weak abdominal muscles!) and so it wasn’t the same, but still nice. My man can’t take his eyes off them! Of course, that meant dropping $150 on new bras, but if this time is like that last, they’ll be permanent.

3. The knowledge that you’re growing a PERSON

This is by far the best part of being pregnant. It just blows my mind that our bodies are made for growing another little human being that shares your DNA. Every day I look at J3 and how fast he’s grown into a little boy; just yesterday he was a little baby and now he has his own little personality. I am in awe…

So that’s it for now! Seriously, I would love to hear what everyone thinks we’re having. If it’s a girl, we definitely have a name picked out, but for a boy it’s a little tougher. Although if it’s a boy I already have the nursery planned and am clueless for a girl. Also, what were your likes/dislikes about being pregnant? I’m always curious what everyone else thinks!

The Importance of Maternity Photography {Part One of a Two Part Series}

16 Weeks Along and Goodbye First Trimester!