Cool: Being pregnant.
Not cool: Having back-fat. And love-handles. And chunky arms. And tree trunk thighs.
Cool: Being pregnant.
Not cool: Noticing that your hips are spreading (already?!), and that your boobs are approaching watermelon size even though you’re only about half-way there (hello the nightmare that those things are going to be by the end? And when I start breast feeding? Yikes.)
Cool: Being pregnant.
Not cool: Being that girl who whines and complains about how her body is changing whilst being pregnant. Zip it and enjoy the miracle of creating life, right? Be grateful that you’re able to get pregnant at all, right? Right guys? Right?!
That last line is what I tell myself every time I want to mitch and bone about all the body changes I’m experiencing right now – the scary, creepy, I-sometimes-want-to-cry-about-it body changes I’m experiencing right now. The truth is this you guys: I have to come accept something. I have come to accept that I am not going to be one of those cute, petite, still-skinny-everywhere-besides-my-little-basketball-sized-belly pregnant people. I’m just not. It’s not in the cards for me based on my body type, my height, my genes, etc. Instead, I will be one of those people who blows up everywhere. And while some days it gets me down a little, I’m getting better at being able to just shrug my shoulders and say ‘Well, what can ya do?’ Will I make fun of myself for it in upcoming blog posts? Of course! Where’s the fun in taking it all so seriously? Will it put a cramp in my ideal maternity style? Mmmmyeah – probs. But again – what can ya do? I’m growing a human – a mini miracle that will belong to me and my husband and Heavenly Father – and for that I’m going to tell myself it’s ok to have back fat and chubby arms.
Here’s to all the mommies or future mommies out there who can’t relate so well to the fashion blogger types who only grow in the belly when they’re pregs. I mean, God bless them too. But just know that me and my already-large-and-in-charge belly and body are here to comfort you and tell you it’s ok if you’re not in that camp. I’m not either. And we’re cool with that.
Jacket: H&M {obsessed with this one} | Sweater: Forever 21 {sold out} | Black skinnies: Old Navy, c/o {buy here} | Riding Boots: Enzo Angiolini {buy here} | Beanie: Asos {similar} | Rings: H&M
Have a ‘Tellin’ it like it is’ Tuesday!
Thanks for reading!
I’m so happy to see a normal sized pregnant woman. I gain weight everywhere and it takes me a while to lose the weight after. It’s hard to relate to the skinny bloggers that look great days after giving birth. And I think you look super cute!
Well I, for one, think that you (and your writing) are adorable! Your blog never fails to put a smile on my face.
whitneyalamode.blogspot.com
You look fantastic!
You look gorgeous and so stylish!
The Style Storm
xo, Christina
This outfit is so much fun, totally chic and comfy! Although I have no idea what pregnancy feels like I can imagine all the changes you are going through and I’m sure is not easy at all, so I think is ok to complain a little about your body changing, it’s not like you are complaining about the baby, right? I’d be complaining even more, but I think you look gorgeous and that you are rocking pregnancy by looking so fashionable and beautiful!
Cee. ♥
Code Overdressed
haha that last picture’s caption is a riot! you look fab, lady! 🙂
From one pregnant woman to another – you look fab! Keep workin’ it! (p.s. love your blog!)
(I’m not sure if my last comment published so I apologize if there are two look alikes). hey, if you want to mitch and bone about being pregnant you go right ahead. my boobs are already watermelon sized so I’m a little scared about what they’ll look like if I ever have a baby. What’s bigger than a watermelon? Congrats you beautiful pregnant lady!
I totally understand how you feel, and you are so not alone. I know of so many women who felt like that when they were pregnant. But in truth, you are still stunning and you should enjoy this time in your life. 9 months will flyyyyy by, and then you can worry about the rest. 🙂
x. Sabrina |
I can empathize 100%… being pregnant is a wonderful blessing, but it is tough! At times during my pregnancy I felt beautiful, but other times I felt like Shamu. You look beautiful- I can’t wait to see how you style your bump in the coming months. Muah!
You look amazing! I have fears of growing too, in ways that I would never be able to fit into my pants again, but you have THE BEST attitude! I love what you said about your husband and Heavenly Father, you have it completely right. This is what we are meant to do. Create. That is such a blessing and I want to thank you for stating it so simply. 🙂 I love your outfits, and I read your blog everyday. You inspire me. Thanks Shannon!
stripesinbloom.com
I think you look great! Also: if it makes you feel better, your “tree trunk” legs are still skinnier than mine, and I’m not pregnant (nor have I ever been). I’m also starting to appreciate the fact that I love loose-fitting, flowy shirts. Maybe I won’t have to buy any maternity tops for a while once I get pregnant! I’ll just wear pajama bottoms and blouses. It’ll be hot.
Joliene
I’m so glad you’re being honest and sharing real, non-photoshopped pictures. I follow another blog of a girl who just had a baby and she seriously did not look pregnant until like a day before she had her baby. Maybe she just has awesome genes, but it sure didn’t make me feel good about myself. Yay you for celebrating REAL life!
aww, you look beautiful!! love that look, and how exciting for you! xo HeartofChic.com
That last photo is funny 🙂
xx Stephanie (www.stephaniesstyleblog.com)
Hahaha OMG you so do not look like a sorority girl with a beer belly! I hope I look as good as you do when I get pregnant!
ok, um first of all, you are petite, haha duh. and second of all i think you look great, you are absolutely glowing! so beautiful!
You’re beautiful! The husband will dig the huge boobs-mine did! It’s his second favorite part of me being pregnant- you know, besides the baby we get at the end. AND I LOVE YOU for posting this cause I really *hate* the chicks that look like they ate a big burrito when they’re 36 weeks +. Enjoy and rock the sweats and over-sized sweaters while you can I say!
*OK, OK- I don’t hate them-it’s not like any of us get to choose how our body is going to react to pregnancy…….but come on!
A pregnant body and the after body are things to be treasured! But if it makes yuo feel better I get big everywhere when I’m pregnant. Actually, when I was pregnant with my first I got huge. Afterwards the hubby mentioned that he was a little worried I was going to be huge my whole life after that! I don’t blame him as we got prego right away and we didn’t have much time before I exploded. And here we are 4 kids later and I am slimmer than when we married do mostly to good eating habits. Which I might add didn’t really come until number 4 was at least a year old. Give yourself time and be proud! It’s amazing how much more at peace I was with my body after i had kids. Suddenly every thing I used to not like had a story. And an amazing miraculous one at that. Be proud. Embrace it. And remember you’re making a person. How flippin’ awesome is that!
This whole post made me laugh! You look great.
A. You wouldn’t even be able to tell you were pregs in these pics if you weren’t holding your belly.
B. Your makeup looks aaaaawesome.
C. Last pic totally looks like sorority girl belly. love it.
Damn those girls and they’re basketball pregnant bellies, you’ll show them!:)
Seriously though, you look great!
Don’t worry! Everybody puts on weight more or less! I did….I’m 10 weeks post partum and I’ve just started the Insanity program. It helped me so much after my 1st pregnancy!
For the time being, enjoy your pregnancy journey! Shannon, you look fabulous!
Adriana xxx
http://www.zoealexanderuk.com
I so feel like that right now. You totally encouraged me. Oh yeah, you look great!
First of all, you look more beautiful than ever! Secondly, you’re already poking fun at yourself which might be the hardest thing to do…you’re not in denial about anything! Embrace the miracle and just know that the tiny human that’s growing inside of you will easily make you forget all the negatives. Happy Pregnancy!!!
Haha! Thanks for telling it like it is!
Yayyyyyy ! You’re pregs! My due date is Match 13 and I have been so bummed about the weight gain I quit reading every blog on my blog roll cause every time I went shopping it was so unpleasant. Finally started again today cause I hit the stage where I can start dressing the bump instead of hiding it or looking like I just ate too much pizza last night. The boobs have reached scary status! And the love handles, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot??!! My stomach is growing the wrong direction!!!! It is so not in my cards to be one of those cute skinny bitches with a perfect bowling ball bump. Anyway I am so happy to see you pregnant and right with me at this same stage, you are making fashion blogs a fun part of my life again 🙂 and Congrats!
You look so fab & just embrace it!! Its the one time in your life that having a bit of extra on your bones is just fine so eat, drink & enjoy! <3 Ax
You are beautiful! I love your bump and think you look fantastic!! You have the right attitude—focus on that. The miracle of creating life is just that—a miracle and you get to be the center stage of it all, so I say flaunt it, enjoy it and know that the unpleasant parts don’t last forever. It is sooo worth it!! I promise you, it is worth it and I should know since I was lucky enough to experience it with you and your 6 siblings.